U.S. Senator Arlen Specter leaves the GOP

The United States Senator for Pennsylvania, Arlen Specter, announced today that he is switching his political party from Republican to Democratic.

This shocking news will serve as a warning to the Republican Party that it is out-of-step with the American people. This is no more evident than when a long-time Republican Party member defects.

Swine Flu

Eighty-one are dead so far, in Mexico, from an epidemic called swine flu.

I guess there goes my vacation to Mexico.

I am not sure what swine flu is exactly, but it doesn't sound very nice. I hope that it can be confined to a central location, instead of making it to the rest of the world. (Even though, there are cases of it now in the United States.)

Good-bye, Bea Arthur

Television's Bea Arthur died today at the age of 86. I remember her best from her role as substitute teacher Dorothy Zbornak on The Golden Girls.

I always admired her character's strong convictions, even when they went against the mainstream.

Down the road and back again...

America mending fences

President Barack Obama, who is attending the Summit of the Americas, has made headlines by having a photo-op with Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez.

Republicans are beside themselves with grief and worry. They warn the president not to be "laughing and joking" with one of America's enemies. Let's revisit the whole scenario that led to countries, like Venezuela, becoming our enemies. I think I can sum it up easily: George W. Bush.

Barack Obama is not George Bush. The voters of the United States spoke clearly when they elected Obama to the White House. We want a new direction for America at home and around the world. That is what Obama has been doing. He has done a great job of it so far.

The United States is easing decades-old sanctions against Cuba, which have proven to be ineffective time-and-time again. Venezuela, which had its ambassador expelled by Bush, is talking about mending diplomatic ties with the United States. Mexico and the United States are openly discussing the war on drugs, which has mangled parts of Mexico and is dangerously close to America's southern border.

I know we have had eight years of war and antagonism with the rest of the world, but this is the new face of America, and it is called diplomacy.

The Dutch Navy to the Rescue

In a feat that the U.S. navy couldn't pull off without two tries, the Dutch navy was able to pursue armed pirates to their mother ship and set free 20 captives.

The Succession of Texas

Texas is an apparent uproar over the federal government's attempts to save our teetering economy. I wonder why Texas wasn't in an uproar when fellow-Texan George W. Bush was flushing America's future down the toilet for eight years?

If Texas wants to secede from the United States, then I say let's return the state to Mexico. I wonder how long the people of Texas would like being part of Los Estados Mexicanos before they wanted back into the United States?

Polar Bear + Stupid Behavior = Absurdity

A woman was mauled by a polar bear at a Berlin zoo.

Did the bear escape from its habitat?

No.

Did the woman climb over the fence and enter the bear's habitat out of stupidity?

Yes.

Why?

It would seem that the human condition is forever causing us to do things that we know we ought not do. I can't imagine the woman's rationalization for entering a wild animal's habitat; especially, if that wild animal is a polar bear. I suppose she thought she was going to get to pet it and her friends would capture a wonderful photo for posterity. They got some great photos alright!

Did Obama bow?

From watching the video, it's quite obvious that President Obama did bow to the king of Saudi Arabia. The White House tried to play it off as he was simply bending over to take the king's hands.

Whatever.

King Abdullah is not an oompa-loompa, so that type of "bend" would be unnecessary.

So, he bowed, Let's get over it.

Pirates

The United States Navy was beaten back by a rag-tag band of pirates, in the waters off of eastern Africa.

What kind of message does that send the world?

I'd have blown them out of the water if it was the last thing I ever did, even if it meant killing the American captain! You can't let people like that bully you around and take it. It sets a bad precedent. If they had been blown to bits, that would send a signal that the U.S. Navy is not to be messed with under any circumstances.

Dick Cheney isn't a nice guy

Wow! An Obama aide stated today that former Vice President Dick Cheney is not a "statesman."

Where have you been? I think most Americans received that memo over eight years ago. Good job of keeping up with current news!

What man...???

What man wears a size 6.5 shoes? That is like uber little. I was shoe shopping today and the pair of shoes I adored only came in this "elf" shoe. I happen to wear a size 13, which is almost twice these shoes' size. Really. What man would wear that size shoe? I think anyone who has gone through puberty would wear a 10+.

Ugh!

Malawi Court tells Madonna "No"

Madonna, who is attempting to adopt her second child from the impoverished African nation of Malawi, was denied her petition by a local court. National law requires that the person adopting a child be a resident of the country, which Madonna is not.

A spokesperson for the justice department stated, "For the Malawians, the fact that the child is at an orphanage, is being taken care of and is going through the school education system, that does qualify as the best interests of a child." The court recognizes that the welfare of the child includes, in part, being raised within his/her culture, rather than being whisked away by an American pop superstar.

Why doesn't Madonna adopt a needy child in the United States, instead?

Iowa Court Backs Gay Rights

The Iowa Supreme Court overturned a 1998 state law that afforded marriage for only heterosexual couples. Like many other courts around the country, the state's supreme court stated that the law violated the constitutional rights of gay couples.

I fervently believe that the United States will eventually recognize the rights of all its citizens to engage freely in civil affairs, without undue invasion and impediment of the government.

North Korea's "satellite" launch

U.S. intelligence indicates that North Korea has begun fueling a rocket that the North Korean government states will launch a satellite into orbit. Does any country really believe the North Koreans have that type of technology?

Japan and the United States have mobilized naval and ground forces to deal with this launch, which they believe will take place between April 4 and April 8. Today, North Korea threatened Japan with the use of military force if it attempts to shoot down its rocket. Such an attack would be ill-advised to say the least. I believe an attack would only lead to the demise of a precarious North Korea.

The U.S. believes the North Koreans may be testing a multiple stage rocket that will have the capability of reaching Alaska and Hawaii. This test may be a precursor to a future rocket that can reach the western mainland of the United States.

Michelle Obama violates the Queen's Majesty

British media is reporting that First Lady Michelle Obama broke protocol when she came in direct contact with the Queen's person. It would seem that the Queen has magical powers that demand the average person not touch her.

This is the 21st century. Let's get over it. There is no egregious sin committed by putting your hand on someone's back.

Justice takes off the blind-fold

The federal government will drop charges against the former United States Senator from Alaska, Ted Stevens, after being found guilty by a jury of his peers on charges of corruption and bribery.

This turn of events will force a district federal judge to vacate the conviction against Stevens, instead of imposing sentence.

Justice seldom is so near-sighted when it comes to the common American. I wonder how long it would have taken the federal government to drop charges against an average citizen after it came to light there may have been some inconsistencies in how its prosecutor handled evidence? I believe it would have been highly unlikely. Most district courts would leave it up to the appellate court to deliver such a ruling.

Justice Department's April Fools Joke

Surely, the Justice Department is playing a practical joke on the American people by requesting the conviction against former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens be vacated and the preceding charges against him dropped.

Why?

Some things during the trial may not have been up to snuff, such as sharing discovery of evidence between the prosecution and defense. While I am a staunch believer in the law, only in America could a politician receive a free pass, which proves that the rule of law really does not apply to the privileged. Perhaps, the greatest punishment the 85-year-old Republican can endure is that the voters of Alaska sent a Democrat to replace him in the United States Senate in November.