Category Archives: Barely Liberal

Sometimes you feel like a nut….

Stupid Politician Tricks

Posted on by
Reply

Just what are the minimum requirements to be fit to serve in public office?  I really have to wonder these days.  Aside from the blatantly criminal behavior evidenced by the boys and girls serving up in Albany, NY that is…..those jerks have really brought the bar down low, and it just seems politicians are getting less intelligent.  Governors leaving office because of sex scandals, jump immediately to mind.  Shouldn’t one have their personal life in order before they dare presume to order our public lives?

Consider the national Congress and Senate shenanigans, during speeches and on the Sunday shows, and you could make a case for the decline of American politics indeed. Some of the most stupid, harebrained, and racist comments are not made by some loopy blogger in an obscure location; they’ve been uttered by those already holding public office, and usually seeking a higher office.  I even wonder if politicians should be tested for mental illness. Continue reading →

Boston, Bombs, Bad Guys, & Us

Posted on by
Reply

As I watched the events unfold at the Boston marathon; two bombings during that venerable city’s Patriot Day celebrations, I felt shock at the pain and devastation caused by persons unknown.  I was horrified at the injuries and deaths that were reported and depicted in living color everywhere you cast your eyes it seems.  I will never forget some of those images of suffering out of my head.

During the manhunt, I didn’t feel right about theorizing, or opining on what happened or would be revealed as the investigation continues. I was not there, and I am not an expert on such things. It felt to me to be rather ghoulish, and definitely not something that would help.  Besides, the media was doing a fine job of muddying the waters, weren’t they?  Our own home town rag, The New York Post, quickly jumped to conclusions and smeared the reputations of two innocents, calling them “bag men”, and printing a photo of them at the marathon on the front page.  If they had waited they would have gotten better information.  Irresponsible journalism in the quest to be first if you ask me, and not the only example of such behavior.

The Tsarnaev Brothers

The Tsarnaev Brothers

The only bright spot about some of the television coverage of the bombing aftermath was that it highlighted the kindness and caring of the people of Boston for one another.  The lack of complaint from the multitudes of Bostonians that were greatly inconvenienced while “sheltering in place”, basically house arrest– was remarkable.   I am truly very impressed.  Continue reading →

The Gun Enthusiast

Posted on by
Reply

You see and hear about them all the time.  They have nicknames like gun nuts, weapons collectors, firearms hobbyists.  The ones passionately proclaiming their willingness to kill anyone who attempts to take their guns away.  The National Rifle Association claims to have 4.5 million members, and even that number is in dispute.  And their desires count for more than the majority of Americans, numbered at well over 308 million in 2010.  Think about it for a moment.  This is a fact, one confirmed for us every time a massacre of gun violence moves the nation to even consider stronger regulation of firearms.

Let us examine the gun enthusiast for a moment.  We really should, since this small contingent of the United States population is loudly and vociferously holding back the overwhelming majority’s will on the issues of regulation of firearms in this country.  We know they love the some of the Constitution, but are especially fond of the Second Amendment.  Continue reading →

Losing Our Civilization: A Rant

Posted on by
2

All great civilizations throughout known human history have had several things in common, which in my opinion, help make them great.  Fairer property, commerce and labor laws, better systems of governing and organization, public access to clean water, state supported schools and libraries, state built big engineering works like dams, parks and roads, and patronage of the arts and sciences are a few examples.

It feels like America is losing its grip on these attributes.  The highways and bridges that are the lifeblood of capitalism are crumbling.  Our underground systems that deliver water and power to our homes are ancient, primed for catastrophe.  Continue reading →

An End to DOMA Now

Posted on by
Reply

The passage of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996 was a gimme from President Bill Clinton and Congress to an increasingly panicked religious right portion of the conservative bases of both parties.  In my opinion, it was also a thank you for looking the other way and/or for forgiving the indiscretions of many of the more prominent players of the day.  Depending on how you look at it, it served a purpose at the time for certain members of Congress, and President Bill Clinton.

It’s no secret that I support marriage equality, as do most Americans my age and younger. Now in 2013, to know that the Supreme Court is finally questioning the constitutionality of the DOMA seems shamefully overdue.  As someone who’s been married and divorced Continue reading →

Fun Voting Facts

Posted on by
Reply

In most of the countries on Earth, governments don’t completely strip the rights of citizenship from people who have served prison sentences.

Convicted felons DO have the right to vote in all of the United States except Florida, Virginia, and Kentucky.  Ex-cons who move Florida retain their right to vote.  Many Americans, even those who work for county election boards would be surprised to learn this. Continue reading →

Bitter Pill, Indeed

Posted on by
Reply

If you haven’t read this article, or seen some of the reporting on Steven Brill’s findings investigating the high costs and ineffectiveness of American healthcare, you need to get on it as soon as possible.  If you are like me it will take you awhile to get over your anger and disgust at how “non profit” hospitals make their record profits.  Check it out:  http://healthland.time.com/2013/02/20/bitter-pill-why-medical-bills-are-killing-us/?hpt=hp_c3

Startling Facts on Wealth in USA

Posted on by
Reply

Income disparity, or inequality if you prefer, was very much in the forefront of the 2012 Presidential race. Lots of people think about it, and some even put together teaching tools to help us understand what’s really happening.
This is a very interesting, educational, albeit depressing video highlighting American perceptions of the state of our wealth, and the very different reality. Check it out:

And there’s that old One Percent guy again, you know the one who gets spooked and fires people if we tax him at a higher rate….