G.O.P. R.I.P.

When I was in high school, I used to engage in many rousing and spirited debates with kids who were on the right side of aisle. I remember fondly the lengthy discussions about less government, less taxes, welfare, communism, and the corruption of the Democratic Party. All of the discussions were mostly friendly and seemed to always be held within a realm of sanity. I actually learned quite a bit from them.

For the last few weeks, I have been riding up to my weekly volleyball match with a guy who is very similar to those folks who I debated in high school. “Bob” is a card carrying member of the GOP and has been for 30 years. He has always felt that government could work more efficiently and has cited the Democrats as being the chief cause behind the bureaucracy….something that has been true until the last five years.

The first time we rode together and he told me he was a Republican I cringed. This was going to be a fun carpool! But after our first trip I was surprised to find out that he did not vote for George Bush in 2000 or 2004 and he positively loathes what is happening to our country.

Bob has always believed in less government and he believes, quite accurately, that the current administration has lost sight of this credo. I only have to point to the Terri Schiavo affiair to illustrate how the GOP has wandered off in to a land of lunacy. My pals on the left will have you believe that it is the Jesus freaks fault but I contend that Jesus has nothing to do with these folks are doing. Bob sums it up best.

Our current government is run by oil men. Their number one goal is to make more money in that industry and its related areas. Bob works in the technology sector and is fond of pointing out how the tech crash really occurred right after Bush took office. All of the money came out of tech because investors saw what was on the horizon. Bob has seen many of the advances our country has made be put on hold or reversed because our current government's lust for material wealth and supposed commitment to the culture of life.

Bob also feels that the whole idea of Bush being a man of principle and morality is a crock. They are more or less pretending to be “men of faith” to scam people into voting for them just as carnies scam folks into playing the same rigged game over and over again. They are about as far from Christianity as one can be seeing that they regularly break the 6th and 10th Commandments. They use people’s fear, insecurity, and uncertainty, combined with an excellent PR campaign, to drive them to the polls. With a victory in hand and the blind belief of the people, they are free to do whatever they want.

When I asked him if others of his ilk feel the same he points to past GOP heroes such as Arnie Carlson and Dave Durenberger who have thrown up their hands in disgust at what is happening in Washington right now. I point to Christine Todd Whitman, an excellent candidate for President btw, who is despondent over the turn her party has taken.

Yesterday I got into yet another discussion about how I am not patriotic because I question the war in Iraq. And apparently, because it was Memorial Day, I was not honoring the troops. I was also told that Iraq attacked us on 9/11 and we are just defending ourselves by invading them.

Leaving the sheer idiocy of the last comment aside, I contend that it honors our troops if we NEVER send them into harm’s way unless it is absolutely necessary. Since WWII, this has happened one time and that was Afghanistan, a job which has been left unfinished.

In fact, my friend Bob has an interesting theory about the future of our army. The armed forces are poised for the largest base closings since 1995, which is ironic since I thought that was the GOP’s main gripe about Clinton. Now they are doing the same thing!!

The idea is that our army will be streamlined and specialized. Bob thinks it is because eventually our army will be run by private corporations and left out of the government chain of command. This way the “contractors” you hear about on the news will soon be referred to as soldiers, answerable only to the CEO of whatever company’s interest they are representing. I wonder if we will feel the same amount of patriotism in that future on Memorial Day as we do now.

I thought about all these things yesterday and wondered what happened to the GOP that I used to know and with which I used to politely disagree. Since when I am not patriotic or too partisan because I question something that has nothing to do with either? And as the Bush zombies driveled on yesterday about how I either hate America or freedom in general, my GOP buddy Bob was there too and he just shook his head and smiled at me.

The culture of life?

Lately we have all heard the phrase “the culture of life” come out of our President’s mouth. During the entire Teri Schiavo affair, it was mentioned quite frequently. And we all know that folks on the right are against abortion. Ironically they are all against birth control and the very mention of sexual activities seems to raise the cockles on their skin. (Yes, I used the word cockles on purpose.) If someone could explain this dichotomy to me, I would be eternally grateful.

The phrase “the culture of life” originates from Pope John Paul II actually. It is very interesting that it does come from him because he was an example of a man who actually lived by it. Sure, there are beliefs that John Paul had that I did not agree with but at least he was a principled man who was pro life across the board. He was against abortion, war, the death penalty and even sat down and forgave the man who tried to kill him. I don’t think any of us could do that.

But what really puzzles me is how people in this country believe that George Bush is for the culture of life because he really doesn’t live by it at all. It amazes me that people believe his absolute bullshit when he mouths off about how life is sacred after there are innocent people that have died in Iraq.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am all for ass kicking when it comes to the part of the world. Clearly there is a threat there and some innocent lives may be lost as a result of us trying to stop another 9/11. But when a war is waged for oil and pals, well…..

What I want to hear in the comments is defending this position. What I do not want to hear is how the Democrats are hypocrites too and the liberals this and blah blah blah….if you voted for Bush, defend his position and explain how he can kill people and still be looked as a moral compass.

Explain to me how he can talk about the culture of life and yet be for the death penalty. After all, doesn’t it say in the Bible that only God can give life and take life? Is there an asterisk after “Thou shall not kill?” I don’t think so.

The Moral Needle

This week I was going to write a nice column on how the Republican Party has changed so much over the last 30 years. I was all set to frame it with a story of a friend of mine, who used to be a Republican, and has since switched sides. Maybe I will next week.

But I changed my mind when I woke up this morning and saw two articles in my morning papers that made me physically ill. The first one was in the Minneapolis Star Tribune and it was about pharmacists in our fair state that are refusing to give out birth control pills for “moral reasons.” The second one was about the Kansas State Educational Board mulling the idea of removing evolution theory from school’s curriculum.

The first article made me think of just how far right we have really gone. Last time I checked it was not up to a pharmacist to decide what was right for me or anyone. I give him money and he gives me my drugs. Period. I wonder if he is not giving out the pill to married people or just young women who he knows to be single. How can he tell?

This is the classic conundrum that the religious right perpetuates. They quite simply don’t want people fucking. They feel that it is wrong and no matter what they want us, if we are not married, to stop. They are against abortion and they are against birth control which makes no sense to me whatsoever. It’s completely unrealistic to push a moral code that most of the country is not going follow.

The second article just continues on the same “keep the people dumb so we can scam them” mentality. I want to go on record as saying that I think Darwin’s evolution theory is full of holes. I don’t agree with it. But it should be taught in our schools along with other scientific theories about the origins of life. Do you know where creationism should be taught? IN CHURCH!!! That’s why my family and I go there. Again I will ask, why does the right need to have religion in our public institutions? At my church, you can go everyday if you want. There are all sorts of activities every day and night of the week. Heck, you could spend more time in church than in school if you really wanted.

You know what folks? I would like to live in a country where I don’t see government interference in my life, injecting a moral code into me like a needle, and filling me full of bullshit that they don’t even follow themselves!!

I want to wake up in the United States again where my child can go to school and learn about all science and all studies and decide for herself what she believes. I want my child to go to a Presbyterian church and not be looked upon with derision because she is not an evangelical Christian. Yes, this has happened three times in the last year!!

Dude, where’s my country?

Lovers 4 Ever

Isn’t it special when two people are in love? It’s so wonderful to see that level of commitment to one another. I saw that today when I opened up my copy of the New York Times and saw our President holding hands with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. I know that my heart turns all warm and fuzzy when I see grown men hold hands. For those of you that would like to see the picture in all its glory, go here.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/04/25/bush.saudi/index.html

Isn’t it great to see two people who care for one another that much?

President Bush, yesterday, welcomed the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia to the “Western White House.” First of all, am I the only one who is offended by the fact that George Bush’s house in Crawf0rd, Texas is now also known as the White House? I’m sorry but this just typifies our country’s mentality now. (I.e. guests of the Jerry Springer show) Hee Haw, folks! We done got ourselves a White House now! Now all that bih-ness of governing can be done white…I mean right.

Anyway, let’s get back to the meeting between our President and the leader of the country where most of the 9/11 Terrorists originated. Apparently, the discussions centered on how the President has been concerned about high oil prices. He wanted to make sure that Prince Abdullah understood that Americans are upset about this and he…..he..uh…..bwaah-ha-ha…..hee hee hee…..

Is any one else having trouble keeping a straight face at this point? Um, Ok, for those of you who don’t know (60 million of you btw), our President and his family are in business with the Saudi Royal Family and they make billions of dollars from oil together. The exact details of this relationship can be read in the book, “House of Bush, House of Saud” by Craig Unger.

Today on CNN, Robert Jordan, former ambassador to Saudi Arabia weighed in on his assessment of the meeting and the rising cost of oil. When asked about the Saudi relationship with the Bush family, Jordan simply smiled and said that it was all discredited by the 9/11 report, a section that I must have missed in my reading of the book. Maybe that part was in invisible ink. Mr. Jordan, incidentally, at one time was the personal attorney for George Bush.

Well, I for one am happy that all is still well in Dream Land, where any sort of behavior can be spun to look grand for the folks governing our fine country. I have a great deal of patriotism when I go to the filling station and get gas that comes from a country that encourages anti-American sentiment in their churches. I know that when I plunk down my 2.25 per gallon (and rising) that it is going towards the physical, mental, and emotional abuse of women all across Saudi Arabia.

I especially feel all tingly inside when I know that my President is best pals with the people from that country. It’s a relationship that has no end in sight from which we all get to benefit by paying out of our noses and living under threat of further terrorism.

Of course, my buddies on the right have a solution. Let’s go drill in Alaska. Great. Yeah, that’s real forward thinking there, Red. After you have finished reading this column (and moving your lips while doing it), why don’t you come up with a solution that doesn’t effectively give the drug addict more heroin?

The Reverend Bill Frist

Last Sunday. I got up in the morning, put on my suit and went to the early church service at Faith Presbyterian Church. While I was there, I noticed several quiet and peaceful people worshipping the Lord and enjoying a fine spring day. Funny, though, I did NOT notice throngs of “liberal, communist pedophiles” trying to prevent me or anyone else going to church. I also did not see any activist judges telling me that I could not go to church or worship Jesus. This Sunday I plan on going back to church for another enjoyable service.

This Sunday Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist will join a handful of prominent Christian conservatives in a telecast portraying Democrats as "against people of faith" for blocking President Bush's nominees. According to news reports, the telecast, put on by the Family Research Council will have many speakers charging that there is a Judicial War on Faith being waged.

"As the liberal, anti-Christian dogma of the left has been repudiated in almost every recent election, the courts have become the last great bastion for liberalism," Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council and organizer of the telecast, wrote in a message on the group's Web site. "For years activist courts, aided by liberal interest groups like the A.C.L.U., have been quietly working under the veil of the judiciary, like thieves in the night, to rob us of our Christian heritage and our religious freedoms."

I am trying to get my head around this statement as I think it is very reflective of the absolute garbage that is coming out of our government these days. Its called fear based management, folks and it just isn’t close to reality. Here are some talking points…

First of all, our founding fathers fled Europe to ESCAPE religious prosecution. The very thing that Frist is proposing is the exact opposite of what our government should be based upon. And while we are on the subject of our Founding Fathers, let’s remember that their descendants live in the Northeast and are the very “elite, liberal scum” that are supposedly ruining our country. They are the ones that voted for Kerry while the South are once again mucking things up for everyone with their bizarre psychosis.

Second, no one is being blocked from worshipping whatever God they choose based on some decisions made by judges. People are still going to church, worshipping, and having fun WITHIN THEIR CHURCH. Why is there such a need to go beyond that and into public life? Is the Church not enough for these people anymore?

Third, why is the right still angry and yelling about everything? They won. They are running this country. So, now they want to change the law so they can run the one area of the country that is supposed to be outside of governmental control? It just proves my point that the right will never, ever be happy and constantly have to invent new enemies and devils to perpetuate their control over people.

What really strikes me the most about this is how many of my conservative family members and friends have told me that because I am Democrat I cannot be a Christian. I find this perplexing and would like some help on this one. Equally perplexing is that when I pray and talk to God, generally he/she doesn’t talk back to me and tell me what is right or wrong. He/She might give me a sign to help me with my particular problem but never once have I heard the Almighty say, “Go forth and stop judges from ruining this great land of ours.”

I can’t help but think that when this Sundays telecast wraps that the people watching and participating in all the fear and anger will have completely missed the true message of Jesus. This reminds me of a quote from a book I recently read by Maraget Starbird called The Woman with the Alabaster Jar. “The Jesus described in the Gospels is an anti-establishment hero, and incarnation of the spirit of wisdom, gentle and compassionate toward the poor and a champion of justice. It is this Jesus who is the role model for the life of any true Christian.”

Hmm. Sounds pretty good to me.

Five Ways Democrats Can Grow Balls

I have spent much of the time when I rant on here criticizing the right. I think it is high time we took a hard look at how the once proud and strong Democratic Party became weak and pathetic.

In a recent interview, Gore Vidal said the Democrats biggest problem is that they want to be the party who doesn’t hurt anyone’s feelings. They want to be nice, happy and politically correct. This reminds me of a movie called “Stripes.” I have always enjoyed the montage of magazine covers at the end of the film which clue in the viewer as to the destiny of each character. Russell Zisky, played by Harold Ramis, ended up on the cover of Urban Warfare Magazine with the byline, Zisky Rates the Russians: “They’re Pussies!”

Well, ol’ Markie here is rating the Democrats and I pretty much feel the same way. So this time around I thought I would give five action items to Howard Dean, the new Chairman of the DNC, on how to return to glory. Here they are:

1. Iraq. Most people in this country are against this war. Most people, and they are right, think that the goal of this war was to pad the pockets of big business. When the midterm elections roll around, I suggest the Democrats show images of all the people we have killed over there. Let’s start with the women and children and let’s see some real gore. I don’t want to see the pantywaist bullshit they show on the news or the 3-5 second shots Michael Moore showed in Fahrenheit 911. Let’s see some dead children. And then let’s see some executives from Haliburton golfing. The American people are coddled every day with their video games and lazy boy sofas. Most folks aren’t use to seeing that kind of horror up close and they need to see it. This war is a complete waste of resources and an insult to the men and women that serve our country in the armed forces. And while we are on the subject of war….

2. Where the hell is Osama Bin Laden? You remember, him, right? He is the guy responsible for killing 3000 people on our soil in the worst attack in our country’s history. And how about Zawahari? What is going with Al Qaeda and am I the only one left who wants to find these people and kick their ass ten different ways from Cleveland? The Democrats could start getting out into the media and saying this stuff so when the next attack comes (and it will) they can be on record questioning Bush on what he has been doing. I think Bush would be pretty hard pressed to get ANOTHER free pass if there was another major attack and he was busy counting his oil money.

3. How about some tough talk on the real nutters of the world? Folks, let’s face it. Saddam Hussein looked like Jerry Garcia after a bender when they pulled him out his hole. He was no threat to anyone. Iran and North Korea, however, ARE a threat and actually have WMDs. And aren’t we, at this very moment, doing the one thing that right wingers accuse the left of doing? Negotiating? The Dems should be all over this like white on rice. We are letting Europe handle the negotiations with Iran? Huh? And China handle North Korea? What is going on here? Shouldn’t the United States handle negotiations with the second and third dangers (the first being Al Qaeda) to our National security? The Dems used to be the party of great presidents (FDR, Truman, JFK) standing tall in the face of evil. Time to start doing that again, folks!

4. I recently watched the movie Hotel Rwanda and I hate to be the one to break this to the Democrats but people of all nationalities, races, and religions are evil. White people are not the only ones responsible for the world’s ills and they need to stop giving free passes out and/or feeling sorry for people based on the color of their skin. The Democrats could go a long way with Middle America if they judged people based on their actions alone.

5. Domestically speaking, the Democrats need to be the party of Health Care for everyone. If there is one thing, in addition to video games, that Americans love, it's money. Blaming lawyers and mal practice suits for the rising cost of health care is very one dimensional and myopic. The problem is that the industry as a whole is very greedy and needs to be stopped. The words health and money should not be uttered in the same sentence. I am not saying that I have an overall solution but it seems to me that the Democrats should stick a bunch of smart people in a room somewhere and come up with a solution that makes Joe America not have to pay through the arse when he goes to the doctor and gets his pain medications.

Well, Howard, these are my suggestions. The ball is in your court. It’s time to make like Andre and hit a cross court forehand with some wang on it and bury them!

Oh Those Wacky Judges

Well, I think it’s high time I weighed in on one of the right’s favorite boogeyman of late: the evil, activist judge. Yes, that’s right folks. We all know how rotten our judges are….following the letter of the law and all. And we know that they’s a comin’ to git us!! You know the type. They actually (gasp) believe in separation of church and state and a little word called individual freedom. Remember freedom?

Tom DeLay, House Majority Leader, held a news conference yesterday entitled the Judicial War On Faith. In his news conference he called for Congress to impeach judges because they are “ignoring the legitimate will of the people” when it comes to such issues as abortion and school prayer. He also faults judges in Florida for the whole Terry Schiavo travesty.

Perhaps I am a bit confused here but isn’t Roe V Wade the law of the land? And here is a question I have never been able to understand: why does my child have to pray at school when she prays at church? School is for education of the mind. Church is for education of the soul. It is vital that the two stay separate. Too many people have a wide variety of religious beliefs. If you allowed school prayer, by the end of the day you will have worshipped in 80 different religions and not learned that 5 x 2 = 10.

Sorry, Tommy, but the way I see it you are just trying to distract folks once again from your own financial wrongdoings. Trying to appear as if you are on the moral high ground when in reality you are actually stealing money (see: Commandments, Ten, number 7.), is not going to work, bud.

The way I see it is that you have two types of judges: elected and appointed. If you don’t like the elected ones, too bad. Vote against them in the next election. If you don’t like the appointed ones, blame Congress and vote against them in the next election. They are the ones who confirm judges.

I think it is hilarious that the right is griping about judges. Most folks, if they met an actual federal judge, would probably be so intimidated by how intelligent and thoughtful these people are, they would need to change their shorts. Federal judges know the law backwards and forwards. These are not people who look like Rob Zombie and are handing out gay porn indoctrination videos. These are people who have studied for years (that’s reading books, folks) and make decisions based on precedent.

I am not gay. I have no interest myself in gay marriage. But why do I care whether or not other people do? I am not an evangelical Christian. I have no interest in becoming one. If other people want to, that’s fine by me. It’s called freedom, folks, to live your life the way you see fit as long as you don’t harm anyone. How does gay people getting married harm anyone? It might offend people but, hey, I get offended by people who move their mouths when they read. There isn’t anything I can do about that.

Evangelicals like Tom DeLay need to wake up and realize that not everyone is going to want to live their lives like he (supposedly) does. Since when do the “less-government” Republicans care so much about what I do with my life?

Funny, if I started a ban for gay marriage and then one for evangelism, which one do you think I would get the most death threats from? Ironic, huh?

NOTES FROM THE FRONT: PUNK'D EDITION

Welcome to the Notes From the Front Blog Volume One. This is the new locale for my Notes rants and I will no longer be clogging up your email with my views on life, liberty, and fun the USA. Check in from time to time and see what's on my mind.....mainly it's the gentle swish of a women's hips....but occastionaly I talk about socio-political issues and the direction, or lack thereof, that our country is heading.

It's high time I wrote one of these again. Too much has happened in the last few months for me to be silent. After sitting around and stewing about it, I have decided that the United States is one giant reality show with W as the perfect star. The show is an offshoot of MTV Punk'd....or maybe DC Punk'd !! And who may you ask is being punk'd? Well, it's those people who voted for Bush thinking he represents their interests.

Essentially what has happened is that our current government has become like
one giant PR firm....spinning any kind of event ANY way they want to. Only in
our current state of fear could we elect a man who essentially skipped out on his
military service to his country and yet still call him strong and brave. And NOT elect
man who did serve his country with distinction and honor while calling him a coward
and glory seeker.

I am convinced now more than ever that Bush and pals could spin anything anyway
they wanted to. I am waiting for the day when someone in the White House
murders someone and everyone from Laura to Rush will hop on the radio and say,
"Well, he deserved it." Mark my words: IT WILL HAPPEN.

Too often I have heard people say that it is the "liberals" who are out to ruin this country. They are the ones who feel and don't think. They complicate issues and make things worse for everyone. Actually, the exact opposite is true. Let's first take a look at what the word "liberal" means.According to Webster's Dictionary, 2005 Online edition, the word liberal means:

1.. Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, orauthoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry. 2.. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, andtolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded. 3.. Tending to give freely; generous

Wow. That doesn't sound all that bad to me. Free from bigotry? Open to new ideas? Isn't this exactly what America is supposed to be about?

When are we going to have a real leader again like FDR, Truman, Kennedy or even
Reagan? These were strong, intelligent people who were respected throughout the world.
Now, we have no respect at all in the rest of the world. And quite frankly, it's embarassing.

But the right will have you believe that it is the fault of the Europeans...especially the French...and the fear and loathing machine gets cranked up all over again while we completely ignore our own responsibilty.

And the left, what's their deal? Grow some balls for crying out loud! And speaking of balls.... Message to Howard Dean: find someone who has the nuts NOT to pucker up and kiss the ass of the religous right. They have essentially hijacked a decent, albeit somehwhat misguided, political party. I would like to see both parties put candidates who are intelligent, strong, wise, educated, and thoughtful leaders who will keep their religious and spiritual beliefs to themselves. I consider myself to be a deeply spiritual man and I believe that my beliefs have no place whatsoever in the United States government.

Folks, really, do you think that things are going well? Seriously, I'd like to hear from you...

solidbond@mn.rr.com