He's closing Guantanamo, rejecting torture and restricting lobbying, making his administration transparent, and limiting his staff's salaries. And that's just the first two days! What's not to like? I am really having trouble expressing the joy I am feeling that things are turning around. Finally the rule of law will be restored. Finally I can feel pride instead of embarrassment when the President speaks. It feels like a tall cool drink after eight years wandering in the wilderness.
Please share your thoughts! And here's to looking forward to the future of our beloved country once again!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
My Letter to Bush
Karl Rove went on Twitter last week and asked for farewell letters to Bush. I could not resist. I decided to make it short.
"Dear Mr. Bush,
When you were "elected" eight years ago, I wept. But over the next few weeks I hoped and prayed that you would surround yourself with wise advisers who would guide you away from the far-right agenda that I was so fearful of. Unfortunately, your actions revealed that you value loyalty over competence, partisanship over wisdom, and ideology over intellect. The consequences were far more tragic than even my greatest fears. You have decimated this great nation that I love. I hope that God will forgive you. I am not sure that I can.
The only silver lining is that your ruinous policies have directly resulted in the election of Barack Obama. I am not at all certain that he will be able to clean up even a small portion of the enormous mess you have left behind. But I will hope, and pray."
The deadline is 6 pm (ET) today if you would like to contribute your two cents: gwbfarewell@gmail.com
UPDATE: I just got a confirmation email from good old Karl, saying he will deliver my letter to W. I wonder if that will actually happen?
"Dear Mr. Bush,
When you were "elected" eight years ago, I wept. But over the next few weeks I hoped and prayed that you would surround yourself with wise advisers who would guide you away from the far-right agenda that I was so fearful of. Unfortunately, your actions revealed that you value loyalty over competence, partisanship over wisdom, and ideology over intellect. The consequences were far more tragic than even my greatest fears. You have decimated this great nation that I love. I hope that God will forgive you. I am not sure that I can.
The only silver lining is that your ruinous policies have directly resulted in the election of Barack Obama. I am not at all certain that he will be able to clean up even a small portion of the enormous mess you have left behind. But I will hope, and pray."
The deadline is 6 pm (ET) today if you would like to contribute your two cents: gwbfarewell@gmail.com
UPDATE: I just got a confirmation email from good old Karl, saying he will deliver my letter to W. I wonder if that will actually happen?
Friday, January 16, 2009
Just a Quickie
I just have to say it.
That "farewell speech" by W was the biggest load of hooey I have ever heard. (Trying to keep it clean for the kids.) Not that I was at all surprised. But really, how is holding human beings without charges for years and torturing them "leading the cause of human rights and freedom"? How, exactly, does completely ignoring multiple warnings and allowing the most horrific terrorist attack ever on US soil mean you have "kept us safe"?
Of course, that is only scratching the surface. I'm not going to devote any more of my precious time to detailing the many other hypocrisies and lies that came out of George's mouth last night. I am just thanking God that none of us will have to listen to him any more.
That "farewell speech" by W was the biggest load of hooey I have ever heard. (Trying to keep it clean for the kids.) Not that I was at all surprised. But really, how is holding human beings without charges for years and torturing them "leading the cause of human rights and freedom"? How, exactly, does completely ignoring multiple warnings and allowing the most horrific terrorist attack ever on US soil mean you have "kept us safe"?
Of course, that is only scratching the surface. I'm not going to devote any more of my precious time to detailing the many other hypocrisies and lies that came out of George's mouth last night. I am just thanking God that none of us will have to listen to him any more.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Now This is a Step in the Right Direction
Today the House Committee on the Judiciary Majority issued a staff report entitled "REINING IN THE IMPERIAL PRESIDENCY: Lessons and Recommendations Relating to the Presidency of George W. Bush". I know there are those who feel we should be looking forward and not back, but doing nothing all but ensures that the excesses and the incompetence of the Bush administration will be repeated. And that is unacceptable.
This report is 486 pages long and contains 1,689 footnotes! No, I am not going to read the whole thing, but in just a quick glance I spotted this:
The Bush Administration’s approach to power is, at its core, little more than a restatement of Mr. Nixon’s famous rationalization of presidential misdeeds: “When the president does it, that means it’s not illegal.” Under this view, laws that forbid torturing or degrading prisoners cannot constrain the president because, if the president ordered such acts as Commander in Chief, “that means it’s not illegal.” Under this view, it is not the courts that decide the reach of the law – it is the president – and neither the judiciary nor Congress can constrain him. And where statutory law or the Constitution itself appear to impose obstacles to presidential whim, creative counselors can be relied upon to reach whatever result the president desires.
That pretty much sums it up, don't you think?
Onward to January 20th!
(Link to the report: http://www.scribd.com/doc/10323716/Reining-in-the-Imperial-Presidency)
This report is 486 pages long and contains 1,689 footnotes! No, I am not going to read the whole thing, but in just a quick glance I spotted this:
The Bush Administration’s approach to power is, at its core, little more than a restatement of Mr. Nixon’s famous rationalization of presidential misdeeds: “When the president does it, that means it’s not illegal.” Under this view, laws that forbid torturing or degrading prisoners cannot constrain the president because, if the president ordered such acts as Commander in Chief, “that means it’s not illegal.” Under this view, it is not the courts that decide the reach of the law – it is the president – and neither the judiciary nor Congress can constrain him. And where statutory law or the Constitution itself appear to impose obstacles to presidential whim, creative counselors can be relied upon to reach whatever result the president desires.
That pretty much sums it up, don't you think?
Onward to January 20th!
(Link to the report: http://www.scribd.com/doc/10323716/Reining-in-the-Imperial-Presidency)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Not exactly rolling out the welcome mat...
Happy New Year everyone! Yeah, it's been awhile since I have posted, first it was the holidays, then I was under the weather, but today I am much better! My goal for 2009 is to post more often. Everyone expects a momentous year, what with Obama's inauguration, a new administration taking charge, and the continuing financial crisis.
So much has happened in the past couple of weeks! Bush got shoes thrown at him in Iraq, Blagojevich went ahead and appointed Obama's replacement while plans to impeach him are underway, things got tragically bad in the Middle East, and Cheney called himself "warm and lovable" (no, I am not making that up!).
But one of the smaller stories that caught my attention was the Blair House dustup. Blair House is the official presidential guest house, and according to tradition, the incoming President and his family are put up there during the days leading up to inauguration. In December, Obama requested an early move-in date because his daughters were to start school on January 5. But the request was denied, because Blair House was booked! What? Who or what event could possibly trump the President-elect? Really now, I can't think of anyone who, if asked very politely, wouldn't cheerfully rebook themselves and their entourage into a nearby hotel to accomodate the Obama family. But noooo, the prospective first family is currently residing at the Hay-Adams hotel, and then will have to move into Blair House, then again into the White House! Yeah, just a nice little last-minute snub courtesy of the Bush administration. Besides the obvious lack of common courtesy, the extra security required at the hotel is costing us taxpayers a not-insignificant amount of money. Blair House already has appropriate security.
So just WHO is the extremely important dignitary that bumped the Obama family out? None other than the former prime minister of Australia, John Howard, hated in his own country for his support of Bush's horrific adventure in Iraq. Bush is awarding him the Medal of Freedom. Right. MUCH more important that the soon-to-be leader of the free world. Um hmm.
It's just a perfect metaphor for how Bush has treated each and every American (other than the rich and powerful) since the day he took office eight years ago. With disdain and disrespect.
I can't WAIT for January 20.
So much has happened in the past couple of weeks! Bush got shoes thrown at him in Iraq, Blagojevich went ahead and appointed Obama's replacement while plans to impeach him are underway, things got tragically bad in the Middle East, and Cheney called himself "warm and lovable" (no, I am not making that up!).
But one of the smaller stories that caught my attention was the Blair House dustup. Blair House is the official presidential guest house, and according to tradition, the incoming President and his family are put up there during the days leading up to inauguration. In December, Obama requested an early move-in date because his daughters were to start school on January 5. But the request was denied, because Blair House was booked! What? Who or what event could possibly trump the President-elect? Really now, I can't think of anyone who, if asked very politely, wouldn't cheerfully rebook themselves and their entourage into a nearby hotel to accomodate the Obama family. But noooo, the prospective first family is currently residing at the Hay-Adams hotel, and then will have to move into Blair House, then again into the White House! Yeah, just a nice little last-minute snub courtesy of the Bush administration. Besides the obvious lack of common courtesy, the extra security required at the hotel is costing us taxpayers a not-insignificant amount of money. Blair House already has appropriate security.
So just WHO is the extremely important dignitary that bumped the Obama family out? None other than the former prime minister of Australia, John Howard, hated in his own country for his support of Bush's horrific adventure in Iraq. Bush is awarding him the Medal of Freedom. Right. MUCH more important that the soon-to-be leader of the free world. Um hmm.
It's just a perfect metaphor for how Bush has treated each and every American (other than the rich and powerful) since the day he took office eight years ago. With disdain and disrespect.
I can't WAIT for January 20.
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