Displaying 931 To 960 Of 13,190 Comments Republicans to Sue Obama For Not Being Republican Yes! Dubya even had that dreadful John Yoo fabricate legal “justifications” for torture out of whole cloth! If that isn’t an abuse of executive power, I don’t know what is. Since when are we a nation that takes the position that torture is legal? Now there is a president who should have been sued. » Posted By kesmarn On June 26, 2014 @ 8:48 pm I also think that the game of “duelling lawsuits” would cause the public to lose respect for the Democratic party, KT. And it would only increase gridlock. Things could end up being like those awful child-custody cases in which neither parent wants to be the adult in the scenario and there’s just endless mud-slinging and absurd amounts of money spent on lawyers. We have to always be wary of “becoming the thing we hate,” although the temptation is almost irresistible at times. (I understand those feelings, Murph.) We have to stick to the high ground. During the civil rights movement, there were times when the guys with the firehoses and the attack dogs seemed to have the upper hand. But people were watching. They saw the rank unfairness of what was going on. “The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” » Posted By kesmarn On June 26, 2014 @ 8:37 pm This is a great wealth of primary source material, Kalima. I could be reading this for hours! It’s fairly complex stuff, but it seems to me that a number of the President’s executive orders have been issued to modify or eliminate a number of Dubya’s executive orders! For example, I was just looking at the category for “Faith-based Initiatives,” which was apparently intended to amend Dubya’s original 2002 order. So — is what they’re saying that Dubya was perfectly within his rights to issue the originals, but the President has no authority to amend them or to issue his own? In short — you can only issue executive orders if you’re a Republican? How totally bizarre. But then, what else is new? 🙁 » Posted By kesmarn On June 26, 2014 @ 8:13 pm Homie, I think there might be some “strategery” going on at FOX. I think they’re trying to present themselves as slightly more sane, reasonable and “balanced” prior to the November elections. Underneath it all, I suspect they’re just as much a “wholly-owned subsidiary of Koch Industries” as ever. Once the election is over with, I suspect they’ll revert to their previous lying, warping of the truth, and veiled racism. » Posted By kesmarn On June 26, 2014 @ 5:36 pm jj, that’s a good point. I’ve also wondered if it’s even worth the time to respond to this “stuff” any more. But then, it’s so easy to equate silence with approval (or at least acceptance). And I remember how many bad things have happened in the past because people kept silent when they should have spoken up. » Posted By kesmarn On June 26, 2014 @ 5:12 pm God, Mother Nature, Or The Higher Power. I’ve been in that area, KT, and it really is lovely. There’s something so graceful and dignified about deer. I just love them. » Posted By kesmarn On June 26, 2014 @ 8:15 pm Thankee! And learned something new in the process. Always fun. » Posted By kesmarn On June 26, 2014 @ 7:29 pm Thanks so much, Nirek. I’m glad the photo finally came through after a bit of coaching from Kalima. Wow…that really was a brand new “baby” you almost stumbled upon there. I’ve read that it’s best to leave fawns alone too. I understand that the moms often will “park” their babies for fairly long periods and then come back toward evening to pick them up again. So — although they may seem to be “abandoned” — mom really does know what she’s doing. Most of the men in my family have not been hunters either, Nirek. I have no problem with hunters who eat what they kill, but I was also glad to know that the wildlife on our little country place was safe when I was a kid. (After all, I had seen “Bambi”!) Now the best kind of shots are with a camera, no? » Posted By kesmarn On June 26, 2014 @ 6:02 pm A great favorite of Thomas Merton’s. » Posted By kesmarn On June 26, 2014 @ 5:15 pm [img]https://planetpov.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/fawm.jpg[/img] Okay! One more time! » Posted By kesmarn On June 26, 2014 @ 4:03 pm I’ll try to figure out a way to get the pic posted as soon as possible, Murph! Sorry for the tech glitch. » Posted By kesmarn On June 26, 2014 @ 3:41 pm Anyway…I’ll just say that it’s a picture of a sweet little faun nestled into a haystack. I’ll keep working at it! 😀 » Posted By kesmarn On June 26, 2014 @ 3:37 pm Oh gosh! Sorry, guys! It showed up on my Chromebook. I’ll see if I can fix that. » Posted By kesmarn On June 26, 2014 @ 3:14 pm I just have to add too, Nirek, that your post was like a breath of fresh air. And it’s nice to have a cozy place here in the Speakers Corner to get away from stressful current events and complex politics, and just enjoy God’s creation! Thanks for posting. 😀 » Posted By kesmarn On June 26, 2014 @ 10:40 am Nirek, a good friend just sent me a pic of something she saw on her 12 acres in NY State yesterday: [img]https://mail.google.com/mail/ca/u/0/?ui=2&ik=d086338886&view=fimg&th=146d5c6d9adef6e0&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=f_hwve27c10&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ9X1PT6EEb9d-PsrOJWwGBpiQmu_tHevwv4lFYe1xJXAvDqBCffiqAqp67U9KbnQpf2-q4ux9rh9Q3b-a-s4_R2p9arz-d5FdW36wrjftq1bN11schtdsjB9Tw&ats=1403789735346&rm=146d5c6d9adef6e0&zw&sz=w1336-h507[/img] » Posted By kesmarn On June 26, 2014 @ 9:41 am Texas GOP Say “NO” To Reinstating Sodomy Law Without Changing Their Minds Ran out of room down there, Homie, but all I can say is I am totally with you on every point! 🙂 » Posted By kesmarn On June 26, 2014 @ 8:44 pm KT, I agree. I’ve heard what I call the “But Ma! All the kids are doing it!” argument to justify political dirty tricks way too many times. There is a matter of degree. For example, people have said that unions put money into elections, so why shouldn’t the Koch brothers? But the fact is, when you total the contributions of the 10 largest unions in the country, it amounts to 1/14 of what the Kochs put in to trying to sway the outcome of the 2012 elections. Also — on the issue of gerrymandering. It isn’t a matter of “both sides do it.” I and my family (including parents and grandparents) have voted in the same area of Ohio for decades. Marcy Kaptur was our rep for over 30 years and the district boundary lines had been the same since long before she was elected. It wasn’t until 2010 that the GOP radically and ridiculously redrew lines all over the State of Ohio to virtually guarantee Repub victories for many years to come. I lost Marcy as my Rep and likely will never get her back again. I could vote Dem until the year 2100 and I would always be outnumbered because of the way the boundaries have been rigged. Two wrongs do not make a right. » Posted By kesmarn On June 26, 2014 @ 8:27 pm Iraq And The Ghosts Of South Vietnam Exactly, Nirek. And you’re very welcome. » Posted By kesmarn On June 23, 2014 @ 5:54 pm Nirek, speaking of the term “quagmire,” here’s an interesting bit of video from 1994. In it, Cheney refers to Iraq using exactly that term. When you watch/listen to this, I think you’ll be amazed at how completely he did a total 180 on all these issues:
» Posted By kesmarn On June 23, 2014 @ 5:03 pm “I Get Bergdahl- Been There.” Words From A Young Iraq/Afghan Vet That’s the term, Nirek! Now that you write it, I recall hearing it referred to as the “thousand yard stare.” I can only imagine how hard it must be to relate to another 24 year old who’s been an intern in a stock broker’s office while you’ve been in close combat in a foreign country! Like talking to someone from Mars. Peace, dear Nirek! » Posted By kesmarn On June 21, 2014 @ 4:17 pm Murph, thanks so much for getting this story out there. It truly does need to be told. I’ve seen the looks on the faces of war vets too. And you’re right — there’s something about their eyes. A sort of faraway look. Sometimes I think that they must look around at the relatively frivolous way that so many people — just their age — spend their days and it must seem as though there’s a Grand Canyon of experience between them and their peers. Not that there’s anything at all wrong with parties, video games, having a few beers and dancing, going to class — all the normal things kids do. But how many 24 year olds have seen and done what these veteran “kids” have? In a way they must feel decades older than their cohort. That’s got to be lonely. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but if anyone hasn’t yet seen the film “Body of War,” featuring Tomas Young, it’s well worth a look. It’s available on Netflix. » Posted By kesmarn On June 21, 2014 @ 3:15 pm Obama 41% Approval Rating Proof Of The Public’s Lack Of Basic Current Events Knowledge I saw that too, Beatlex. As I said elsewhere — did someone put something in her drink? Very out of character for her! » Posted By kesmarn On June 19, 2014 @ 8:43 pm That sums it up in two sentences, S-Man. » Posted By kesmarn On June 19, 2014 @ 8:41 pm Scott Brown’s Lack of Moral Imagination BINGO, Homie! She does indeed consider herself a good Christian – and even used to do some volunteering in the church’s soup kitchen. But she would never sit with the clients “because they smelled bad and were disgusting.” I LOVE the term “Christ Coupons”!! That is awesome!! 😆 😆 😆 » Posted By kesmarn On June 19, 2014 @ 6:35 pm Ain’t she a piece of work, Homie? When I gently reminded her of the same thing — that comparing people who are poor to animals was hurtful — her response was: “You picked the wrong day to do this to me! I’ve had a bad day and all I can say is I am sick of standing behind people at the grocery store who buy cookies with food stamps!!” Interesting that standing up for the humanity of SNAP recipients was viewed as “doing something to her.” Always the victims, these people. Always. Of course, nobody else ever has a bad day. Everyone else’s life is perfect. 😉 » Posted By kesmarn On June 19, 2014 @ 6:26 pm Well done, Breatriz09! Thanks for such a well-written and researched article! “Moral imagination” is a great expression. That’s it — exactly. The ability to consider what a fellow human is going through — even when that person is not within arms length of you at the moment. Doesn’t sound as though it would be that hard, does it? And yet for about 47% of the population it does seem to be. I know I’ve mentioned this before (so pardon me, folks who’ve been Planet readers for a while) but there’s a woman who goes to our church who consistently votes GOPTP. She constantly posts memes on Facebook that are not only critical of programs like SNAP and free school lunches — they’re downright cruel. She hates unions. But what are this woman’s circumstances? She has already had to declare bankruptcy because of major problems with credit card debt. Her husband is on unemployment compensation AGAIN, after having lost ANOTHER job. (Happens at least every two years.) And she herself is clinging to her own job, after having been forced to take anger management classes because she can’t get along with her co-workers. The only reason she still has a job at all is because the union she belongs to (against her will) went to bat for her and insisted that management go through the proper channels before firing her. So. It seems that unemployment compensation is for losers and deadbeats and should not even exist. EXCEPT for her husband. “Because that’s different.” Reduced price school lunches? An abomination! EXCEPT for her kid. “Because this situation is only temporary.” And unions are Marxist creations of the devil. EXCEPT for the one that saved her hide, guarantees her 13 holidays a year, a decent wage and a pension. “Because unlike other union members, SHE works hard.” Gigantic eyeroll. So far no one has been successful in producing any sort of moral imagination in her. The last thing she posted was this lovely meme: [img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t1.0-9/s640x640/10322821_10152129185246700_3410531788671727258_n.png[/img] I suspect there’s just about as much hope for a change of heart from Scott Brown, too. Voters beware! » Posted By kesmarn On June 19, 2014 @ 1:37 pm Even FOX (for whatever motive) is calling Michelle Bachmann “silly” for pushing this “waste of time.”
» Posted By kesmarn On June 25, 2014 @ 2:59 pm Thank you, James! I was just thinking the same thing when I read this news a little while ago. The President has made very sparing use of executive orders. Grrrrr!! Do these people NEVER get tired of wasting the taxpayers’ money and Congress’s time on stupid stuff? It’s like the Prez is a person who is trying to rescue people from a burning building, and the neighbors keep setting their pit bulls on him over and over. So disgusting. » Posted By kesmarn On June 25, 2014 @ 2:01 pm Democrats locked out of rooms. Midnight votes. Bribery and corruption. This makes House of Cards look like a kindergarten field trip, funk. No wonder Medicare has had financial problems when this is nothing but a direct pipeline for taxpayer dollars to go into the pockets of Big Pharma. Remind me to tell you sometime about the scam that involves the med Lucentis versus Avastin in the treatment of the eye condition known as macular degeneration. MDs are being forced to use a med that costs $1200-$1500/dose when there’s one that’s equally effective for $75/dose. My own Dad was a victim of that one. » Posted By kesmarn On June 21, 2014 @ 9:12 am The Bush Legacy 2.0: The Dissolving of Iraq Into Warring Factions Terrific article, outlandish! I thought you might enjoy this map that Mother Jones printed, entitled “Battlefield Earth.” It shows all of McCain’s potential target-nations over the last few years: [img]http://www.motherjones.com/files/mccain_rage_map_UPD-01_1.png[/img] The article it came from is pretty darn witty too, rating possible confrontation scenarios on a 1-5 scale of red “Angry McCain” faces: http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/09/john-mccain-world-attack-map-syria » Posted By kesmarn On June 14, 2014 @ 9:52 amComments Posted By kesmarn
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