Archie's Grandson

Technology For Technology's Sake

2005-11-15T12:44:00.000-06:00

This year for my birthday I did something very unusual for me: I asked for technology toys.

Don't get me wrong, I live and breathe technology, both at work and at home. But I usually won't jump on the bandwagon of a new technology solution unless the need is clear.

This time I decided my old Windows 2000 system (with TV tuner card) should be updated with Windows XP Media Center Edition and some hardware upgrades. The new system is coming along, but so far I would say I've gained nothing but more work.

My old system was really fine. There was no need for the upgrade except the fact that I started feeling uncomfortable being so behind the times with my main computer's operating system. So instead of keeping up with politics or entering daily blog entries here, I look for software I need to install and tweak a system that was previously more responsive than what I am now building...

..And people wonder why I hate Microsoft..

The Keystone Kops Return

2005-11-08T15:53:00.000-06:00

Let's review the events of the last few days. Last week, Democrats in the Senate stage an attention-grabbing maneuver to focus on the leak and misuse of classified information that has gone unexamined by the legislative branch. The Republicans find themselves outmaneuvered, and react by ranting about the stunt but end up being forced to move the investigation of the Valerie Plame leak forward.

Next, the Washington Post and other media outlets start running stories about the CIA's network of clandestine prisons. Republican leaders Frist and Hastert, outraged at the leak of classified information that found its way into the Washington Post story, announce an investigation into the new leak. Democrats unexpectedly endorse this new investigation on the condition that the leak and use of classified information leading up to the Iraq War be likewise investigated thoroughly. (apparently the myopic Republicans failed to notice they haven't investigated these previous alleged misuses of classified information.)

Then, Sen. Trent Lott announces that the information that appeared in the Washington Post story matches the information discussed in a Republican strategy with the Vice President verbatim. Therefore, he surmises that the leak originated with one or more Republican senators.

These Republicans are either the new and improved Keystone Kops, or they knew my birthday is this week. This is hilarious!

Alas, since this fits the pattern of Frist showing himself to be a world-class dolt, I suspect they aren't actually entertaining me for my birthday. Oh, well. I'll take it. Nobody else hired any clowns for my party.

A Vision For Our Next President...

2005-11-03T11:38:00.000-06:00

Whoever our next president may be (for I have no faith in this one), to unite this country the rampant CORRUPTION in our government and system of governance MUST BE EXPELLED.

Please, Mr. (or Ms.) Future President, consider the following strategy:

Go to Patrick Fitzgerald and tell him, "I don't care what your politics are. I don't want to know. What I do know is you have the skills the country needs now.

"I want you to serve as my Attorney General. Your task will be to drive corruption from our government and our political process to the best of your ability. This will entail both prosecuting and drafting of new laws to be submitted to Congress to close the loopholes and end the cycle of corruption as much as possible.

"Corruption is a virus on the government. People often forget that it is not always against the law, as people who would abuse power find new, insidious ways to circumvent laws. We must adapt to corruption as it adapts itself.

"You have my full support. Let the cards fall where they may. Your country needs you. Please accept this assignment on behalf of your nation."

This country needs a a crusader. Fitzgerald is the perfect choice for the job. May we be blessed with a leader soon who will commission him for this most important task.

Hooray For Harry "Stands With Fist" Reid!

2005-11-02T17:52:00.000-06:00

Sorry, I'm running a bit behind at the moment, but I'll offer this tidbit..

YAAY for the newly pesky Democrats, led by Harry Reid!

Rule 21! POW! Take THAT, you corrupt Republicans!

.. and just taste the frustration and logjam you will bring on the upper house of Congress should you ramrod Alito down everyone's throat. No nukes, or put up your dukes.

Scalito, huh?

2005-10-31T08:54:00.000-06:00

Am I to beleive that Bush could only find ONE woman he thought was qualified to sit on our highest court? I hope Bush gets called on this aspect of his nomination choice.

I am just getting going today,running a little late, so I'll just leave it at that for now. This guy is a name I've heard, but since I haven't studied his record, I'll have to reserve any additional comments.

Condi For President!? HA!

2005-10-30T16:24:00.000-06:00

Some of my Republican friends were moaning today about the state of their monolitic machine they call a party. They decided the cure for their ills would be to have Condolezza Rice as their presidential nominee next go-around.

This is certainly not new. However, I decided to weigh in here about my thoughts on this scenario...

As regards the next election, Condi is like a playboy centerfold: She's very desirable on paper to many people; she would probably be a disaster in real life; and she's totally unattainable. (She's also like a playboy centerfold in that I have no interest in her. :-) The only women close to Bush who are less likely to run for president are his daughters, who look on politics as a pursuit slightly below driving garbage trucks.

And that's FOR the record.

This Is A REAL Scandal, America

2005-10-28T13:43:00.000-05:00

For all of the nonsense that people complain about regarding the Clinton Administraion and all the things tehy didn't like, and all the "scandals" during his two terms, NOTHING comes even close to what we now see unfolding before us from this Bush Administration.

This indictment alleges outrageous, disgusting, immoral corruption that is deeply harmful to our nation.

How refreshing it is to see justice instead of frivolity.

Who's Next For The Supreme Court?

2005-10-27T12:07:00.000-05:00

Some are saying Michael McConnell, the towering former University of Chicago legal sage, is the new frontrunner. Others cite the Stygian Witches (a.k.a. Priscilla Owen, Janice Rogers Brown and Edith Jones) as the leading three candidates.

I think if George doesn't want to sleep on the couch that he's stick with women candidates. It would be a bad signal indeed for Bush to reverse course on picking a woman. After all, is he going to contend he could only find one decent woman candidate?

Bush also said he wanted somone outside the "judicial monastery," but given the bloodletting that has occurred over his nominee with no record, this approach will likely be thrown out, unless he can pick someone with enough stature to make it through without a judicial record. Is Kay Bailey Hutchinson interested? Probably not.

Besides, a fight in the Senate with an energized base may be just what the doctor ordered in today's political landscape. So my guess is that the Stygian Witches are indeed at the top of the list.

Harriet Miers Withdraws

2005-10-27T08:01:00.000-05:00

From one perspective, I'm elated that she has withdrawn. After all, she is simply not qualified and does not show the independence or aptitude needed to be a Justice on the Supreme Court.

On the other hand, Bush will now probably nominate some neofascist to replace her. No doubt there will be some bloodsport now.

Redemption Deferred and Realized

2005-10-26T23:07:00.000-05:00

For those of us on the Left, some things which were projected to happen today didn't: No revised Miers questionnaire responses; and no indictments from Fitzgerald. Yet our vindication of opposition to this administration's policies and practices seems assured.

At the same time, a forsaken team in our national sport has redeemed itself in picturesque fashion.

One one front, the Washington Beltway crowd is paralyzed by the political frenzy of the current environment. (O.K., so am I...) We all want the other shoe to drop. (It's all rather perverse, I admit.) On the other front, the White Sox just won the World Series. As a Cardinals fan who thought the Astros fans and players weren't very respectful of the game or their opposition during the postseason, I am thrilled to see the plucky White Sox win (especially since the hated Cubbies can look across town now to see how they, such losers, are juxtaposed against the ultimate winners).

One somehow thinks of the great Chicagoland, Al Capone-inspired remark, "You know what I like? Baseball." This was also a perverse quote from the movie, "The Untouchables;" shortly after making the remark, Robert DeNiro's character beat a lackey to death with a baseball bat. (Eventually, this character went down on income tax evasion charges. Somehow it all seems so appropriate...)

The Black Sox are redeemed. Honor is again bestowed on the forsaken.

Redemption. It's the theme for today. In baseball, the result is clear. In Washington, the result, though expected, is merely delayed but feels very similar.

GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM!

2005-10-26T08:11:00.000-05:00

We seem due for a myriad of tawdry news today: The Indictments; The Questionnaire (Attempt #2) of Harriet Miers; further coverage of 2000 dead soldiers; and recovery from Wilma and other storms.

Get out the finger food and watch the TV today. It should be an interesting (and historic) news day.

The Miers Watch - A Wake Without A Corpse (So Far)

2005-10-25T14:12:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I happened to be watching CNN when a producer from that network asked Harriet Miers if she would withdraw her name, given the mounting opposition to her nomination. Ms. Miers was visibly stunned. To my knowledge, this was the first time that she had been publicly asked about the pink elephant in the room.

Miers managed not to stumble as she continued to walk down the corridor but commented, "How is your day? I'm having a great day." The irony of her response was overwhelming and palpable.

Having blogged on this nomination extensively elsewhere, it is my contention that this nomination is dead. The only question is will she insist on withdrawing, saving the administration further embarrassment, or will she honor her benefactor's confidence in her by enduring the slaughterhouse of the confirmation hearings?

The lines of questioning that have been established in the public debate prior to the hearings on this nominee would be withering to any nominee:

Lack of any obvious qualifications
Charges of cronyism
A public record most notably consisting of gushing, flowery handwritten notes to the president
Questionable actions in firing an employee who was guilty only of trying to expose corruption
Accepting an inappropriately large payment for land by the government; monies ruled excessive (ca. $26,000) by a mediator has never been repaid
Accepting unprecedented and unexplained fees in 1998 from Bush's gubernatorial reelection campaign
Vague, incomplete, and even inept answers to Senators' written questions
Miscues in meetings with Senators, most notably resulting in 2 versions of comments about support for case law regarding the right to privacy
Assertions of attorney-client privilege when none exist
Insertion Miers's religion into the debate, done by President Bush himself
A lack of hardly any natural support for this nominee, due to a revolt of the right wing of the Republican Party
Indications of unsavory assertions and assurances by the nominee's friends given to religious and right-wing leaders in meetings arranged by the White House

Did I leave anything out? Maybe, but that list is damning all by itself. I believe it was Bill Schneider who said last week, "There are 55 Republican senators in the Senate, and there are 55 Republicans in the Senate who do not want these hearings."

Apparently Miers's murder boards have done nothing to allay the fears her handlers have regarding what will happen in these hearings. Some reportedly describe their moods as being in the "stages of grief," referring to Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's Stages of Death and Dying.

So will she march into the hearings only to be slaughtered, or will Bush overcome his insularity and his overwhelming sense of loyalty to Miers and order and end to this death march? Time will tell...

Beginnings...

2005-10-21T15:22:00.000-05:00

Every endeavor has a beginning. This is mine. I'm going to just start slow to get things set up the way I want.

Over time, I'll be commenting on politics, social issues (like gay rights and church culture), simple pleasures (fall foliage, sweaters, and hot tea and cocoa), family, God, and whatever else comes up in my life and my head.