Ernest Borgnine's Longevity Secret

A Message About Marriage Equality

New Book Explains 40 Years Of Conservative Domination

According to a book review in today's New York Times, a new book, “The Liberal Hour” by G. Calvin Mackenzie and Robert Weisbrot, two professors at Colby College, makes the case that the blame for the last 40 years of conservative/Republican domination can be traced to "overreaching by liberals" in the 1960s, in particular, by President Lyndon Johnson:

He never appreciated the limits of good intentions, especially his own.
Like many a tragic hero, Johnson was brought down by hubris. And Democrats, Mr.
Mackenzie and Mr. Weisbrot tell us, are still paying the price.

That is a fascinating theory. I wonder if the overreaching by Bush Junior in Iraq and with his ultra conservative domestic agenda will result in a swing of the political pendulum back in the other direction.

Jim

PHOTO: The Cherry Bowl volleyball game held last week in Cherry Grove

Summer Fun On The Volleyball Court

One of the most enjoyable events in Cherry Grove is the annual "Cherry Bowl," a contest started back in 1984 that pits members of the Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau against players from the Grove. The event was originated as a goodwill type of event meant to improve relations between the police and Grove residents. It has been successful at that, and the spirit of camaraderie is really gratifying. This year, the Grove team won the match by winning two of of three games.

Jim

PHOTO: The Grove team is on the left, the police on the right.

Why do we care again???

I need someone to explain this to me again....

We have this war in Iraq that's costing us billions, a presidential election coming up, a collapsing financial industry, an economy in trouble.

Why do I care again where John Edward's penis goes? So he's a sanctimonious politician that is in denial. Again, who gives a shit? People have been getting laid way before there were Republicans, Democrats and news organizations and it is likely it'll be happening long after they are gone.

I was watching the news the other night when this story broke and the Anchor on ABC could barely contain her excitement.

I just don't care. What kind of revelation am I supposed to come to? Politicians don't care and hump everything and anything? Was the whole country born yesterday? The guy isn't playing any part in our national dialog anyway.

I do have one minor revelation from this; our media is less Republican or Democrat slanted than I had originally thought. In reality, the media is slanted to the most elegant crap they can dredge up and sell to sponsors. Again, the front of the National Inquirer is a great place for Larry Craig or John Edwards.

Maybe we can get back to issues that matter like why my kid's grade school needs a new roof and the local schoolboard is short cash for "capital improvements" (like a new roof).

Please, can we get back to picking a president that isn't a fucking idiot?

Marc

Happy Birthday Bradley!

Bradley is seven this month, so we're celebrating his birthday with a little extra attention and a few more human food handouts. He is a pretty lucky little guy, though, coming from a rescue and ending up spending his summers at the beach romping in the sand and the waves. Winters in the city are pretty good too, with twice daily walks in the park. Of course, he doesn't like the bustle and noise of the city, but everything can't be perfect even for a perfect little doggie.

Jim

The California Gay Marriage Battle

Another right wing religious group, the American Family Association, has made a big cash donation of $500,000. to support the anti-gay initiative in California. The gay community in this country had better get cracking to fight to preserve marriage rights in California. There should be a national campaign led by the major gay rights groups. If we lose this battle it will set back the entire gay rights movement by decades. Now is the time to harness the economic clout of gay people behind the battle to defeat the initiative. Where are the leaders of our gay rights groups? They need to join together and make a major unified effort. The clock is ticking.

PHOTO: I planted Dahlias in our deck pots. They really are thriving with all the care I give them.

Rose Levine Sings Her Signature Song

Wrong: Eating Animals

Today's editorial in the New York Times includes references to the animal cruelty that went on in a U.S. food processing plant recently. I could't read it without cringing, just like I can't look at pictures of animal cruelty. But I also can't ignore the facts and I can't ignore the suffering of animals by averting my eyes.

"The food industry kills more animals than laboratories, fur farmers,
trappers, circuses, and hunters combined. Cutting meat, eggs, and dairy products
from your diet makes an enormous difference—you will save more than 100 animals
every year just by switching to a healthy, vegan diet." - from PETA

Animals are not ours to eat or to wear or to entertain us, claims PETA, and they're right.

Jim

PHOTO courtesy PETA

McCain Plays To The Stupidity Of Many Americans

Paul Krugman in today's New York Times:

"...sheer irresponsibility may be a winning political strategy.
Mr.
McCain’s claim that opponents of offshore drilling are responsible for high gas
prices is ridiculous — and to their credit, major news organizations have
pointed this out. Yet Mr. McCain’s gambit seems nonetheless to be working:
public support for ending restrictions on drilling has risen sharply, with
roughly half of voters saying that increased offshore drilling would reduce gas
prices within a year."

Sure, drill, drill, drill and give them a federal gas tax holiday, that'll solve the oil dependency problem. As Krugman points out without saying it outright, this strategy resonates with many Americans who are too stupid to know better.

Jim