Sad but True

Chris Floyd on our Disastrous Democrats:

So this is where we've come to, one year after the people spoke at the ballot box, fighting through government propaganda, media distortions, pundit scorn, terrorist scares -- and the Karl Rove vote-skewing, vote-suppressing, vote-stealing machine -- to deliver a strong call for a new direction, for an end to war and torture and tyranny and corruption and lies. They believed -- perhaps for the last time -- that their vote might make a difference, that the "consent of the governed" might still retain some meaning.

So they turned to the only serious alternative the system provided: the Democrats. And this is what they got: more war, more torture, more tyranny, more corruption, more lies.

What should the people believe now? What should they hope for from the system now? And what new nightmares await them in the second year of this perverse union between a power-drunk president and a cowardly, corrupted, complicit "opposition"?

Sigh...

Victory for Death Penalty Opponents

Good news.

The Supreme Court stopped the execution of Virginia death row inmate Christopher Scott Emmett yesterday, a move that legal experts said might signal a nationwide halt to lethal injections until the justices decide next year whether the procedure amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.

It's not that its harassment

It's that you are wrong. (And don't misunderstand, it is still thuggish harassment.)

Update: The reason that you and other conservatives are wrong on the issue of the Frosts is because you are not making realistic judgments regarding their financial situation.

Take the quibble over private schools for example. It's well known among those in the Baltimore area that many of our public schools are not up to par, and that many parents, regardless of financial concerns, do whatever is necessary to get their children a quality education. There is nothing wrong with parents making the best choices for their children.

On to the issue of Mr. Frost's home, which has elicited some strange comments from conservatives. They seem to care more about the square footage of the home, or the fact that a completely different home was sold nearby for a hefty sum. They then go on to argue that Mr. Frost should have sold his home, or borrowed against it to pay his children's outrageous hospital bills. What a wonderful recipe for financial disaster.

They didn't just suggest that he sell his home however, but also that he sell his business, his automobile, and pull his now partially disabled children out of private school. Yes, instead of use a government program, conservatives suggested that Mr. Frost take the steps toward financial disaster. It would be nothing new for a person's medical bills to drive them into poverty, but for conservatives to offer it as a valid and, dare I say, noble act when compared to taking advantage of a widely used government program, is just silly.

You see, the Frosts today are still successful, contributing members of society. I wish Baltimore City had more of them, and if SCHIP helped them avoid financial disaster, then the program is a success. If expanding it will help other families, I support expanding it.

Now, are there problems with the bill? Yeah, the tobacco tax, a declining revenue source, is not a good way to fund this. However, I don't see those arguments from conservatives anymore. All I see is an angry misunderstanding about the reality of living in Baltimore City while raising four children, when in an instant, a car accident changes your lives forever.

"Little Cigars" Are Popular for Some Reason

I cannot, for the life of me, fathom the reason why. I mean, this story has totally rolled me over, and blunted my perceptions. Why, O WHY would young people be buying these little cigars, that can so easily be opened, drained of the tobacco within, and replaced with "higher quality tobacco". Some quality journalism going on here.

Health officials say that Black & Milds are likely inhaled like a cigarette, as opposed to smoked with minimal inhalation like a cigar. They can be smoked, extinguished, then smoked again. And they can be repacked with marijuana or other substances.

Theres the one line of reality in a rather long article.

This must be a joke

Via the Examiner:

Church group opposes slots at racetrack

BALTIMORE - National Security Agency employees could sell intelligence secrets to support gambling habits if slots opened at Laurel Park racetrack, says a church group that opposes legalized gambling.

LOL

If anyone at said church group has internet access, I encourage them to go to this website, type the terms "online gambling" in the little box, and hit return.

As a supporter of the legalization of drugs, I cannot in good conscience, sit here and advocate the continued illegality of other vices. However, there are about 1,000,000 other reasons to oppose slots, particularly from a religious perspective, that this group could have centered upon. But hey, national security is so hot right now.

Travis Henry may have Smoked Pot

DEAR GOD, THE MORALITY OF THE NFL IS IN SHAMBLES I TELL YOU!

“Have to refer you to the League, we have no comment,” general manager Ted Sundquist told The Associated Press in response to an e-mail inquiry about a Denver TV report that Henry had tested positive for marijuana.

Just wait until Henry (inhaling smoke from a burning plant) is casually compared to Mike Vick (murdered animals and gambled illegally) and the Patriots (violated the spirit of the game by cheating). With all the physical abuse these athletes endure and the debilitating mental ailments that later result from such abuse , its a wonder they all aren't smoking MJ.

Sick to Death of "Galas"

I know, I know, candidates need to make money, and one way they do is by holding exorbitantly expensive "support galas".

I wish they would take a financial poll of supporters at the outset of a campaign and just not send these "invitations" to me, because they are thoroughly depressing. No matter how much I support Donna Edwards, it makes me sad that to eat with her I have to cough up $500. And for that $500, I would get to be a "supporter". Aren't I already a supporter by being on her email list and blogging in support of her? Can I show her act blue receipts for my paltry contributions and, I dunno, at least bus the tables?

Greenwald: The America Bush Built

He's right, as usual. Every time we accept the reckless lawbreaking of this Administration, our national character is demeaned.

Every time our representatives give an inch to this president we move closer to becoming a nation of torturers and eavesdroppers, dictators and murderers.