Dear Kenny,
There ya go! Not being consistent again. The conservative right, the people you love, just have a hard time aligning behind any consistent principle.
What's the issue? The mandate in the new national health care law that requires employers that provide health insurance with a prescription plan, to include coverage for contraceptive health products. What's the problem? The Catholic Church says (a group of Bishops) that requiring them to provide contraceptive health care in their sectarian business endeavors like hospitals and such, is against the tenants of the church and the law is a violation of their first amendment rights.
Bull shit! One right the Catholic Church or any other church does not have, is the right to dictate national policy. Yes, our constitution protects religious freedom. Our citizens have the right to practice their religion but they don't have the right to force their religious tenants on others.
Their counter argument is that they do not object to non-Catholics using contraceptives, they just feel like it violates their tenants for the Church to buy those services for anyone. Its a good point, BUT...
The Catholic Church has a long history of violating its own tenants. Just research their role during World War II and their relationship with Hitler. But lets say that everyone sins and we all seek forgiveness, yet we can not plan to sin, that is purchase contraceptives. Government has always recognized that the First Amendment does not allow it to legislate new tenants for any religion and it has also recognized that Churches undertake sectarian roles in our society and are outside the protection of their First Amendment religious rights. So, the Church has never lived up to its own tenants due to external forces and government has rarely extended their rights to their sectarian endeavors. There are already 28 states that have the same requirements as those being protested without response from the Catholic Church.
Let me give you an example. My second son was born in a Catholic hospital. We decided that after our second child we were done having children. She wanted to get her tubes tied. We of course, were not Catholic. Our Doctor wasn't either. We were in the Catholic hospital because of the quality of their birthing facilities.
The Doctor's plan was to birth our son in the Catholic hospital and move over to the Methodist hospital for the tubal ligation. That didn't happen. So in comes this hospital administrator. "Would you sign this document that says it would give you great mental stress and anguish if you had another child?" She said, "Of course."
Now, what does the Church accomplish with allowing women to certify they will go off the deep end if you do not allow them to violate the Church's tenants on procreation? Probably applying common sense in today's world to the guidelines for living a better spiritual life.
The Church has done it for years and they will always do it. They will set the Church standards in their tenants and the Church will always fall short in its implementation due to circumstances outside the Church's control. That's life. That's Hitler in WWII and that's birth control in the current century.
So what is all the hubbub? It is the radical right blowing another issue up to their advntage (though in this case I don't think its to their advantage). The same peole that want to legislate a prohibition to Sharia Law is not complaining about the President's attack on mother church. Hmmm...inconsistant.
Your Frustrated Brother
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Dear Kenny,
They are at it again. I have to wonder why you or anyone would be a conservative. I know you have been paying attention. The big issue is raising the debt limit for the federal government. Liberals are not fools. They know it is not a good thing to borrow money to pay your existing debt and fund the government. Only a fool would think that is a good thing.
Unfortunately, we have been doing it for some time. I'm not sure how long but being a prejudiced liberal, I'm going to think it started with "Dubya's" off the books war in Iraq. It has to stop.
But...
Not in the middle of a RECESSION!!! We were almost on our way out of this and all of a sudden, the teabaggers believe we have to solve this problem above all. We have to cut spending, balance our budget and no new taxes. They have come up with a plan that would eliminate 700,000 jobs in the middle of a recession. They would take 4 trillion dollars out of the economy over the next ten years. They would do that in the name of better government.
Bull!! They would wreck the economy and blame the Democrats so they could get back into power. I cannot tell you how frustrated I am.
People are good. People are generally trusting. I listened to two friends debate whether the National Football League players lockout will be resolved before the next season. "Hello! What about the debt ceiling?"
They honestly believe that it will resolve itself. They honestly believe that wiser minds will solve that problem. They don't have to worry about it. Like they don't have to worry about global warming. Jesus Christ!
Well brother,I'm thinking Halifax, Nova Scotia is looking better to me.
Your brother in pain
They are at it again. I have to wonder why you or anyone would be a conservative. I know you have been paying attention. The big issue is raising the debt limit for the federal government. Liberals are not fools. They know it is not a good thing to borrow money to pay your existing debt and fund the government. Only a fool would think that is a good thing.
Unfortunately, we have been doing it for some time. I'm not sure how long but being a prejudiced liberal, I'm going to think it started with "Dubya's" off the books war in Iraq. It has to stop.
But...
Not in the middle of a RECESSION!!! We were almost on our way out of this and all of a sudden, the teabaggers believe we have to solve this problem above all. We have to cut spending, balance our budget and no new taxes. They have come up with a plan that would eliminate 700,000 jobs in the middle of a recession. They would take 4 trillion dollars out of the economy over the next ten years. They would do that in the name of better government.
Bull!! They would wreck the economy and blame the Democrats so they could get back into power. I cannot tell you how frustrated I am.
People are good. People are generally trusting. I listened to two friends debate whether the National Football League players lockout will be resolved before the next season. "Hello! What about the debt ceiling?"
They honestly believe that it will resolve itself. They honestly believe that wiser minds will solve that problem. They don't have to worry about it. Like they don't have to worry about global warming. Jesus Christ!
Well brother,I'm thinking Halifax, Nova Scotia is looking better to me.
Your brother in pain
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Dear Kenny
Has it been a year since I wrote you? I'm ashamed. Its not that I haven't missed you. But I can't say I've been all that busy either. Hard to stay busy in a recession. No money to spend. Not spending, not building. Not building, no progress. No progress...boring.
Funny thing happened on the way to the forum Sunday night. We killed Osama (Usama?) bin Laden. Shot 'em dead in his bedroom. Y'know, somehow we even managed to screw that up.
Not that anyone has any sympathy for that murdering bastard. But guess who gets to tell the "real story"? The ex-special forces consultant. The President comes on TV Sunday night and tells the world that the United States has found and killed the head Al Quaida terrorist. And he says it in a way that we can all sit up and be proud. Now he's the President and he is not going to tell all the gory details so his Administration sends their front man out to meet with the press so the morning news can titillate their readers at breakfast.
Well this asshole, John Brennan, holds a press conference and tells the story about two helicopters filled with navy Seals landing in Abbottabad, Pakistan, inside a mysterious compound in which no one knows what to expect. After a crashed helicopter and a horrendous firefight, the Seals broke into OBL's bedroom. He started to fire his weapon while using his wife as a shield. We cut him and his wife down like dogs.
Now we are all feeling all "John Wayne" and proud of our American heroes. Twenty-four hours later....all bullshit. No one inside the compound had a gun. No one fired back. We mowed them down as we swept through the compound. The woman was not his wife. He did not use her as a shield. She was shot in the leg as she tried to attack a Seal with her nails.
I don't feel bad about Osama bin Laden. I don't feel sorry for anyone who associates with him. I think it is completely justifiable for trained Seals to land in the compound and mow down anyone who moves. I even think it is justifiable to walk up to OBL and say "Sorry, we can't take you back. No room." And pop..pop. I think it was an incredible move to take him to an aircraft carrier and throw his corpse overboard at sea. No body, no shrine, no future. Done.
But no. This sonofabitch has to make up this mythical "John Wayne" story and now the Administration has to back peddle. Now people are asking what was the moral or legal thing to do (for fuckin' Osama bin fuckin' Laden fer chissakes)! Brennan wouldn't see the outside for the rest of his life if I were Obama.
Ho hum. No "honeymoon" for the President. He got a "bounce" for 48 hours and now the Republicans are back at his throat.
Time to go home and have a glass of wine, thinking of you.
Your loving brother
Has it been a year since I wrote you? I'm ashamed. Its not that I haven't missed you. But I can't say I've been all that busy either. Hard to stay busy in a recession. No money to spend. Not spending, not building. Not building, no progress. No progress...boring.
Funny thing happened on the way to the forum Sunday night. We killed Osama (Usama?) bin Laden. Shot 'em dead in his bedroom. Y'know, somehow we even managed to screw that up.
Not that anyone has any sympathy for that murdering bastard. But guess who gets to tell the "real story"? The ex-special forces consultant. The President comes on TV Sunday night and tells the world that the United States has found and killed the head Al Quaida terrorist. And he says it in a way that we can all sit up and be proud. Now he's the President and he is not going to tell all the gory details so his Administration sends their front man out to meet with the press so the morning news can titillate their readers at breakfast.
Well this asshole, John Brennan, holds a press conference and tells the story about two helicopters filled with navy Seals landing in Abbottabad, Pakistan, inside a mysterious compound in which no one knows what to expect. After a crashed helicopter and a horrendous firefight, the Seals broke into OBL's bedroom. He started to fire his weapon while using his wife as a shield. We cut him and his wife down like dogs.
Now we are all feeling all "John Wayne" and proud of our American heroes. Twenty-four hours later....all bullshit. No one inside the compound had a gun. No one fired back. We mowed them down as we swept through the compound. The woman was not his wife. He did not use her as a shield. She was shot in the leg as she tried to attack a Seal with her nails.
I don't feel bad about Osama bin Laden. I don't feel sorry for anyone who associates with him. I think it is completely justifiable for trained Seals to land in the compound and mow down anyone who moves. I even think it is justifiable to walk up to OBL and say "Sorry, we can't take you back. No room." And pop..pop. I think it was an incredible move to take him to an aircraft carrier and throw his corpse overboard at sea. No body, no shrine, no future. Done.
But no. This sonofabitch has to make up this mythical "John Wayne" story and now the Administration has to back peddle. Now people are asking what was the moral or legal thing to do (for fuckin' Osama bin fuckin' Laden fer chissakes)! Brennan wouldn't see the outside for the rest of his life if I were Obama.
Ho hum. No "honeymoon" for the President. He got a "bounce" for 48 hours and now the Republicans are back at his throat.
Time to go home and have a glass of wine, thinking of you.
Your loving brother
Friday, July 23, 2010
Dear Kenny,
"The Age of Rage". That was the title of an article on Politico today. I do think it is true. You should read it. Once again, it is an opinion that helps define the problem and leaves us hanging to what the solutions may be. Essentially, it says :
"The Age of Rage". That was the title of an article on Politico today. I do think it is true. You should read it. Once again, it is an opinion that helps define the problem and leaves us hanging to what the solutions may be. Essentially, it says :
"Here’s the optimistic case: The embarrassment of the Shirley Sherrod story — with its toxic convergence of partisan combat and media recklessness — will be a tipping point. It will remind journalists and politicians alike that personal reputations and professional credibility are at stake, and a bit more restraint and responsibility are in order.
Here’s the realistic case: Get ready for more of the same.
Every president since the first George Bush has delivered an inaugural address including as a main theme an appeal for more civility and less cynical conflict. Barack Obama is the fourth in a row to be thwarted in this mission — frustrated by forces that have grown far stronger over the past two decades and aren’t abating any time soon."
What are we going to do?
Your lost brother
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Dear Kenny,
Just imagine. You have worked hard, giving your best to get ahead. The company you are working for doesn't make the sharpest decisions to prepare for this recession and has asked you to leave. Your position is cut. You go home, take what little severance they give you and start looking for work. It's not easy.
Your wife doesn't quite get it. You have never been in this position before. So she continues to spend like you still had a job, ignoring the problem.
You decide too late, after the severance is gone, that you need to file for unemployment. You were sure you were going to have a job by now but you don't and the money has run out. Your first shock is the waiting period. You didn't know about that. So you have a couple of weeks 'til money comes in. Got to use the credit cards for a loan. Your second shock is the amount. No where near what you used to make. She's still not getting it. Credit card use is higher than unemployment benefits. The arguments begin. Tension is high and the kids are walking around on eggshells.
Then the unemployment benefits run out. No job. Credit cards are full. Bill collectors calling. And you don't know where your family's next meal is coming from.
You turn on your TV and you find out that every Republican and that bastard Nelson in Nebraska believe that if they extend your benefits you are going to enjoy this good life and not go out and find a job. You are going to become part of the national problem.
Finally, the Democrats break the Senate's minority filibuster and you could be on your way to finding food for your family. But no! Filibuster rules provide that the Senate can take no action until 30 hours after cloture. Of course that is not commonly adhered to anymore, but in this case, the Republicans want their 30 hours. Why? Because they can. You can't get more mean spirited than that.
Ya gotta love you conservatives!
Your sad brother
Just imagine. You have worked hard, giving your best to get ahead. The company you are working for doesn't make the sharpest decisions to prepare for this recession and has asked you to leave. Your position is cut. You go home, take what little severance they give you and start looking for work. It's not easy.
Your wife doesn't quite get it. You have never been in this position before. So she continues to spend like you still had a job, ignoring the problem.
You decide too late, after the severance is gone, that you need to file for unemployment. You were sure you were going to have a job by now but you don't and the money has run out. Your first shock is the waiting period. You didn't know about that. So you have a couple of weeks 'til money comes in. Got to use the credit cards for a loan. Your second shock is the amount. No where near what you used to make. She's still not getting it. Credit card use is higher than unemployment benefits. The arguments begin. Tension is high and the kids are walking around on eggshells.
Then the unemployment benefits run out. No job. Credit cards are full. Bill collectors calling. And you don't know where your family's next meal is coming from.
You turn on your TV and you find out that every Republican and that bastard Nelson in Nebraska believe that if they extend your benefits you are going to enjoy this good life and not go out and find a job. You are going to become part of the national problem.
Finally, the Democrats break the Senate's minority filibuster and you could be on your way to finding food for your family. But no! Filibuster rules provide that the Senate can take no action until 30 hours after cloture. Of course that is not commonly adhered to anymore, but in this case, the Republicans want their 30 hours. Why? Because they can. You can't get more mean spirited than that.
Ya gotta love you conservatives!
Your sad brother
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