Conservatives are crying their eyes out today after the Supreme Court upheld Obamacare's primary mandate stating each American must have health insurance by 2014 or face a tax. The highlight was that seemingly conservative Chief Justice John Roberts joined the liberal majority (5-4) in upholding the most polarizing portion of Obama's legislation; he even crafted its opinion!
Now, I cannot confess to have any love lost on Chief Justice Roberts. He is a George W. Bush appointee, after all, who came with high conservative backing during his nomination and confirmation to the Court. I thought Republicans were surely going to win a victory in the healthcare reform battle, with people like Roberts sitting on the bench, but boy was I (and many other people) wrong. Even CNN and Fox News incorrectly reported that the mandate had been overturned this morning.
It just goes to show that sometimes a Bush appointee can join with Clinton and Obama appointees when the stakes for our nation are highest.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
7,000 Years
The nation of Egypt has waited "7,000 years for today," according to one Egyptian. According to him it has taken over 7,000 years for Egypt to go from an autocratic state, ruled by pharaohs, who in part drew their power from the gods themselves, to an elected despot, who represents another zealous faction swearing allegiance to another religious dogma. (That's a whole other concern.)
The Muslim Brotherhood's candidate, Mohamed Morsi, declared that he was the candidate to represent all of Egypt. While those are commendable goals, he mustn't forget that his nation is formally ruled by a military council that garnered its power at the collapse of Egypt's previous president, Hosni Mubarak. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has dissolved parliament, at the behest of the nation's supreme court. It's rule is seemingly unhindered by recent developments.
It is my hope that Egypt can find true democracy through the majority's voice. The majority spoke last year when it rose up against then-President Mubarak and declared that it would no longer accept the rule of its nation's oligarchy. Mubarak has since found himself indicted, tried, found guilty and sentenced to life for his crimes against those who rose up against the government.
Whether the oppression came from a self-appointed, pseudo-dictator, like Mubarak, or the self-appointed military apparatus that rules firmly today, Egypt must rise out of the ashes of its own history to find its path into the future.
The Muslim Brotherhood's candidate, Mohamed Morsi, declared that he was the candidate to represent all of Egypt. While those are commendable goals, he mustn't forget that his nation is formally ruled by a military council that garnered its power at the collapse of Egypt's previous president, Hosni Mubarak. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has dissolved parliament, at the behest of the nation's supreme court. It's rule is seemingly unhindered by recent developments.
It is my hope that Egypt can find true democracy through the majority's voice. The majority spoke last year when it rose up against then-President Mubarak and declared that it would no longer accept the rule of its nation's oligarchy. Mubarak has since found himself indicted, tried, found guilty and sentenced to life for his crimes against those who rose up against the government.
Whether the oppression came from a self-appointed, pseudo-dictator, like Mubarak, or the self-appointed military apparatus that rules firmly today, Egypt must rise out of the ashes of its own history to find its path into the future.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Parasites
I'm not a dog person. I never really liked dogs, but I can tolerate them. They just seem too needy and overly pleasing compared to my sloth-like, hedonistic values. They must always know their place. And that place is at least 100 feet from me at all times. Last year, in the spring I think, my parents got a dog. Now mind you, they have had dogs in the past. Of course, 90% of them ended up ran-over in the middle of the highway, but not this new dog. She's blessed.
This little furry dog, that probably weighs ten pounds, is the pride-and-joy of my parents. It is the child they never had. They dote, they spoil, they indulge this horrid thing. The irony is that my mother is the one who used to criticize her own aunt for the same actions. But now, they are one in the same. It's like the two musketeers of well fed rat-dogs.
This dog, of course, lives in the house. She eats her weight in cat shit each day. My mother says she is fickle, because she doesn't eat her over-priced, designer dog food. (Mother, though, overlooks the previous stated fact about the kitty snacks.) In fact, this dog eats anything that goes into her mouth, with the exception of dog food. I've seen her devour used toilet tissue, Kleenex, anything in the garbage basically.
Then, there's the humping. I didn't realize this, because I'd never seen it before, but female dogs are humpers. This dog humps anything with or without a pulse. I'm an exception. Mom says is shows she is dominate over all she surveys. She surveys me and goes the other way. I'm not mean to her, perse; I just set limits. I suppose I am the surrogate alpha. She has tried the crawling on her belly, eyes lowered routine with me, but I'm not buying it. She's selfish. Unyielding. As am I. I will persevere.
Am I jealous? You bet. This dog has received attention that I was denied as a child. My mother's kisses and acceptance was all being saved for this dog. I've surmised that it may be her way of compensating for grandchildren she has never had. Perhaps, if she had small kids to love, then the dog I so unlovingly call Cujo, may take a backseat. But somehow I doubt it. Even my father takes her on long, tethered walks that I never got as a boy. It's absurd!
I did once tell mom that if this dog--and I--survived her and Dad, not to fear. Whichever of them goes last--Mom or Dad--would get the pleasure of taking the dog with them into eternal bliss. A companion for the ages. I'm a good son, goddamnit!
This little furry dog, that probably weighs ten pounds, is the pride-and-joy of my parents. It is the child they never had. They dote, they spoil, they indulge this horrid thing. The irony is that my mother is the one who used to criticize her own aunt for the same actions. But now, they are one in the same. It's like the two musketeers of well fed rat-dogs.
This dog, of course, lives in the house. She eats her weight in cat shit each day. My mother says she is fickle, because she doesn't eat her over-priced, designer dog food. (Mother, though, overlooks the previous stated fact about the kitty snacks.) In fact, this dog eats anything that goes into her mouth, with the exception of dog food. I've seen her devour used toilet tissue, Kleenex, anything in the garbage basically.
Then, there's the humping. I didn't realize this, because I'd never seen it before, but female dogs are humpers. This dog humps anything with or without a pulse. I'm an exception. Mom says is shows she is dominate over all she surveys. She surveys me and goes the other way. I'm not mean to her, perse; I just set limits. I suppose I am the surrogate alpha. She has tried the crawling on her belly, eyes lowered routine with me, but I'm not buying it. She's selfish. Unyielding. As am I. I will persevere.
Am I jealous? You bet. This dog has received attention that I was denied as a child. My mother's kisses and acceptance was all being saved for this dog. I've surmised that it may be her way of compensating for grandchildren she has never had. Perhaps, if she had small kids to love, then the dog I so unlovingly call Cujo, may take a backseat. But somehow I doubt it. Even my father takes her on long, tethered walks that I never got as a boy. It's absurd!
I did once tell mom that if this dog--and I--survived her and Dad, not to fear. Whichever of them goes last--Mom or Dad--would get the pleasure of taking the dog with them into eternal bliss. A companion for the ages. I'm a good son, goddamnit!
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