Debt ceiling musings

Somehow, on my own,  I realized during the debt ceiling blackmail episode that there was one non-negotiable goal that the President had to achieve:  Extend any deal through the end of 2012.  If he caved in and made a short-term deal, the blackmailers would not relent and the continuing crisis would endanger the country, as well as negatively impact the President’s re-election bid. 

Today, I read this terrific article by E.J. Dionne in WAPO, which validates my instincts, and lays out the thesis far better than I ever could have.   

Some rules for conservatives

I just ran across this terrific post from the blog “What Would Jack Do.”  I’m gonna print this out and hand it to my conservative friends (or foes), asking them if they disagree with any of these “do nots”, and if so, how they can justify such disagreement.

~ Tom

A Supreme reason to support Obama

I just got back from 14 days of vacation, during which I got bits and pieces of what was going on in the news.  With the sketchy news I got, and a little catch-up today, I can see that the progressive wing of the Democratic party is jumping salty all over the President for his handling of the debt ceiling blackmail fiasco, as well as other pent-up gripes.  I could go on and on defending the President with links to articles by respectable left wing pundits who are not Paul Krugman, but I know I won’t be changing any minds and hearts by doing so.  From my own perspective, my biggest disappointment in the President is his decision to keep us at war.  I think he was mesmerized by high-ranking officers, which I can understand but not endorse.

However, there is a higher, much more important issue that is often overlooked, which mandates that you vote for Obama in 2012 even if you think he is a total disappointment, or even an outright failure:

• John G. Roberts, Jr., Chief Justice of the United States, age 56:  Corporate toady who lied his ass off during confirmation hearings.
• Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice, age 75:  The Darth Vader of American jurisprudence.  Evil incarnate.
• Anthony M. Kennedy, Associate Justice, age  75:  The current “swing vote” on the court, but never to be trusted or relied upon to swing the right way.
• Clarence Thomas, Associate Justice, age 63:  Scalia’s “Mini Me.”  Has never uttered a word during sessions.  Probably the least qualified justice EVER. 
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice, age 78!:  A wonderful justice, who carries the progressive banner into battle every day.  Writes blistering dissents rebutting the horrible opinions rendered by the right wing zealots on the court.  Could she live through the term of a Republican president elected in 2012?  Not likely.  Will she retire if Obama is re-elected?  Almost a certainty.
• Stephen G. Breyer, Associate Justice, age 73 in a few days:  Another crucial progressive vote on the court.  Pray that this guy lives if a Republican is elected in 2012.
• Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr., Associate Justice, age 61:  Of all the trolls on the court this is the guy I hate the most.  I watched his confirmation hearings and if the guy had been hooked up to a lie detector it would have been pegging out with practically every answer he gave.  Also, his performance during the President’s “State of the Union” address is telling.  (The President had the audacity to scold the Majority for their ridiculous ‘whore” opinion in the Citizens United case).  I see this troll living to be 90 and spreading his poison until then.
• Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice, age 57:  You go girl, and live a long life.
• Elena Kagan, Associate Justic, age 51:  As with Sotomayor, we wish her a long, liberal life.

Listen up all you disgruntled lefties.  If a Republican gets elected in 2012 it is likely that there will be one or more Supreme Court appointments for the new president to make.  If Kennedy or Bader, both very aged, go down, you will get another right wing troll and thereafter every important decision will go 5-4 against us.  Or, God forbid, if  Breyer, Sotomayor, or Kagan die or resign, the same scenario occurs.  On the other hand, if Obama is re-elected and any of the troll brigade dies or resigns, the balance will be tipped in our favor.

So, even if you despise Obama, you have to vote for him.

~ Tom

Back in the USA.

Crossed into the US yesterday and stayed the night in Coeur d Alene, Idaho. Heading out to Burns, Oregon on first leg of the long drive to our place in Truckee. Taking U.S. 395 all the way to Reno, then I-80 to Truckee.

castlegar

We are in Castlegar, British Columbia. Last night we were in Osoyoos, BC.  Amazing mountains and beautiful scenery. And of  course the roads and infrastructure are clearly superior to ours. Back to the USA to tomorrow.

Port Angeles

Spent a great two days with my cousins and their families in Port Angeles. Heading into Canada today.
Check out Alec Baldwin's 7/30 post on the Huffington Post. It's brilliant.

Seattle

In Seattle visiting daughter and grandchildren. Our dog and the kids have a love affair going. Another day here tomorrow, then on to Port Angeles to visit my cousin John.