Friday, January 30

The guys' weekend at the farm . . . and snow is forecast. We've been waiting for such an eventuality for as long as I remember. Let it snow.

Seven are dead in Afghanistan, and George Bush is visiting chocolate shops saying everyone should spend money to help the economy. What did we do as a nation to deserve this?

Meanwhile, this just in from the Associated Press:

ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- The state's school superintendent has proposed striking the word evolution from Georgia's science curriculum and replacing it with the phrase "biological changes over time."

The change is included in more than 800 pages of draft revisions to Georgia's curriculum that have been posted by the Department of Education on its Web site. The middle and high school standards are expected to be voted on by the state Board of Education in May, after public feedback.

Superintendent Kathy Cox said the concept of evolution would still be taught under the proposal, but the word would not be used. The proposal would not require schools to buy new textbooks omitting the word evolution and would not prevent teachers from using it.

Cox repeatedly referred to evolution as a "buzzword" Thursday and said the ban was proposed, in part, to alleviate pressure on teachers in socially conservative areas where parents object to its teaching.

"If teachers across this state, parents across this state say, 'This is not what we want,' then we'll change it," said Cox, a Republican elected in 2002.

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The Republican Party is an embarrassment. It's 2004 and we have a President that says that the jury is still out on global warming and that he is not sure that evolution has any scientific backing. What a total idiot. That's about the nicest thing I can say about it. I'm just appalled.

Addendum:

This administration is all about lies. If it is caught in a lie, it sticks to the "message of the day," never answering questions, and the media just accepts it so that it can remain "objective." Meanwhile, the rightie go subjective all the time and claim their are presenting "fair and balanced news."

You must read this from yesterday's press briefing to get what I am saying:

http://www.index.hr/images2/pingu1.swf

My my my. Get after them Helen Thomas. Where is the old UPI when we need it.

Thursday, the 29th

No WMDs. 500 plus deaths for just American soldiers alone. The number of maimed and seriously wounded? Perhaps three times that. Some $87 billion or more spent, and all because the Bush administration had a cockamamied idea that if you drop Saddam, then all the others would fall . . . to what? Islamic Republics?

Why did we go to war in the first place? We know the Bush posturing, but what were the reasons? Let me count the ways:

1) Oil. Oh, surely not. That couldn't be a reason could it?
2) Saddam dissed, and perhaps, tried to whack Bush Sr. Oh, that's a good reason.
3) Israel. This will give Israel security? How stupid can you be, but those nutty religious glops in the defense department and all around the Bush White House probably think Israel will be with us side-by-side at Armaggedon. Let's all bring on the bad times so we can all rejoice with the second coming. Seriously folks - there are those out there who believe that.
4) Solving the Mideast Problem. Excuse me, but I think you start with the Palestinians - not the Iraqis.
5) Chest-thumpin' Pride. Works for Chaney and Rummy. Probably would work for the rest of us. We haven't had anyone to beat up since . . . . uh, Iraq. And maybe those Granadians.

I am embarrassed for our nation. We are not as stupid as our current administration portrays us to the rest of the world.

The Democrats MUST win in 2004. I'm not sure where our country is headed for without an administrative change, but it won't be good.

Wednesday, January 28

Sen. Kerry wins New Hampshire. It would be fairly safe to assume that he is well on his way to winning the nomination. By the time we finish with the Missouri vote next week, he may well have it though I find it very unlikely that he will poll well in South Carolina.

I was close to jumping on the Dean bandwagon, but Dean began striking me as someone a little like former candidate Bob Dole. He often tried humor, and often was funny, but it always had a cutting edge, seemingly on the side of meanness, more like sarcasm than humor. Dean definitely proved thin-skinned when others began attacking him, and frankly, he better learn to expect that if he runs against Bush. There are no meaner campaigners than a GOP blitz.

Who will I vote for in Missouri. At this point in time, Kerry. He has always seemed - at least on the resume - the most capable, but he struck me as singularly aloof, often goofy (the motorcycle on Leno and the announcement in front of an aircraft carrier). His wife will not be an asset either, judging from her early comments. But lately, having seen him work with a crowd, I think he may have the heart of a campaigner. He seems to be growing into it.

Bottom line: which Democrat has the best chance of defeating Bush? Earlier, I thought no one, and therefore I liked Dean since he was not letting the President slide by. Attack, attack, attack and call a spade a spade. But now that Kerry has gotten into the fight, he might be the one. At least I think so at the moment. He's probably got my vote Tuesday.

Welcome to Midlandspeak. I appreciate all input, so by all means contribute your thoughts as well. As we enter this important election year - we are only a week away from picking a presidential candidate in Missouri - I felt it was important that I spend time putting thoughts down on e-paper for my own edification if no other.

A little background:

I am a babyboomer. A Democrat from a long run of Yellow Dog Democrats on my mother's side of the family. Unfortunately, since the demise of my grandfather, much of my family has since fallen into the GOP trap that relative prosperity can often send people who value their possessions more than their souls. Is that too harsh? Nah, not at all.

I am a native Missourian, having been born in Kansas City in the closing days of 1945. I was reared in Texas, however, spending all but the last two and a half decades in the Lone Star State. I still retain, even after 25 years, a Texas accent which fortunately has eroded to what can be mistaken as a southern accent.

I am from Texas, I freely admit. But I am not a Texan nor do I ever expect to return other than visits to friends, family and games of the Texas Longhorns, Uh, yes, I do have a singular allegiance to the University of Texas (Austin), or at least its athletic teams. It is a weakness I cannot defend. It solely is an intellectual flaw that those who know me occasionally forgive.

But do not on any account think that because I am from Texas that I would blindly support or defend George W. Bush (or his father, or even that famous first Texas president, LBJ). The country would be better served had all three NOT been our president, though I say that with one caveat. In the case of LBJ, I do not think we would have been better served with Goldwater as president. The sadness was that we had no choice as a nation in 1964 - stick with LBJ and all his foilables, or take on Goldwater and his belief that America was at its best in 1854.

Regarding our present Bush in the White House . . . lord, protect us all. What have we as a nation unleashed. The New Hampshire primary today hopefully will help set us on the right path with a Democratic candidate, and there are indications that the news media may finally find the guts to really cover the Bush administration's shinanigans. Chaney. Isn't he a piece of work?

I will post further background in future postings, as appropriate to understanding of positions I may take.

Until the next time.