Couple Things

"...Day after day another Momma's crying
She's lost her precious child
To a war that has no end..."

From John Fogerty's, "Deja Vu (All Over Again)."

Pat Buchanan, conservative extraordinaire, is calling for some Republican (with balls) in Congress to "...drop in the hopper a bill of impeachment, charging George W. Bush with a conscious refusal to uphold his oath and defend the states of the Union against 'invasion.'"

This is Pat Buchanan! Has the world been turned upside down?

Buchanan says, "The question of whether America is going to remain one nation, or whether our Southwest will wind up as a giant Kosovo separated by language and loyalty from the rest of America is on the table.

"Where is Bush? All wrapped up in the issue of whether women in Najaf will have the same rights in divorce and custody cases as women in Nebraska. His legislative agenda for the fall includes a blanket amnesty for illegals, so they can be exploited by businesses who want to hold wages down as they dump the social costs for their employees health care, schools, courts, cops, prisons onto taxpayers.

"Not only have Richardson and Napolitano awakened they are on the front lines so, too, has Hillary Clinton, who has spoken out against illegal immigration with a forthrightness that makes Bush sound like a talking head for La Raza."

Okay. Buchanan is writing about the absolute dereliction of duty by Dubya with regard to protecting America's borders. It's a good read. It's a good indication of a coming home to roost by those very people who touted Dubya through two stolen elections.

Go figure!

**

Senator John Warner, Republican Chairman of the Armed Forces Committee has announced that he will call Defense Secretary Rumsfeld to respond to his, Warner's, observation that we (America) "...has given so much to the Iraqi people and what are they giving us in return?"

Dubya's poll numbers continued to plummet as he continued to chop wood in Crawford and ignore Cindy Sheehan.

Whoopee! Dubya cut his five week vacation short by two days because--supposedly--of the horrible destruction in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi from Katrina. 'Course he didn't head down to New Orleans or Biloxi, he headed for D.C. where he is "coordinating" the relief effort. Yeah. Right.

And, AND, when Dubya knew there was a Category 5 hurrican heading for the gulf coast, did he immediately head for, oh, say Houston, from where he could--if even symbolically--appear to be concerned about the imminent disaster? Nope. Not this guy. He stopped off to play a round of golf in San Diego.

So much for homeland security.

**
Should we just pity Rush Limbaugh?

Two men, who had just returned from tours of duty in Iraq, were out partying in Seattle when their girlfriends were groped by some other guys. One of the women threw a hot dog at one of the offending idiots and, boys being boys, the battle began and the two returning soldiers were beat pretty much senseless (broken jaws, etc.) by the group of idiots. Rush Limbaugh--great communicator and intellect that he is--blamed the attack on the "anti-war left."

There is video of both Limbaugh's absurd contention and the attack on the two men. Judge for yourself. After watching the video of the attack, I'm really convinced it was an "anti-war liberal" event. Once again: Yeah. Right.

**

"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda." -- George Bush, "President Participates in Social Security Conversation in New York," May 24, 2005.

Good read from AlterNet on Dubya's jingoistic rhetoric.

**
"Did you hear 'em talkin' 'bout it on the radio
Could your eyes believe the writing on the wall
Did that voice inside you say I've heard it all before
It's like Deja Vu all over again"

From John Fogerty's, "Deja Vu (All Over Again)."

When the President Talks to God - Bright Eyes

BRIGHT EYES LYRICS
"When The President Talks To God"

When the president talks to God
Are the conversations brief or long?
Does he ask to rape our women’s' rightsAnd send poor farm kids off to die?
Does God suggest an oil hike
When the president talks to God?
When the president talks to God
Are the consonants all hard or soft?
Is he resolute all down the line?
Is every issue black or white?
Does what God say ever change his mind
When the president talks to God?
When the president talks to God
Does he fake that drawl or merely nod?
Agree which convicts should be killed?
Where prisons should be built and filled?
Which voter fraud must be concealed
When the president talks to God?
When the president talks to God
I wonder which one plays the better cop
We should find some jobs. the ghetto's broke
No, they're lazy, George, I say we don't
Just give 'em more liquor stores and dirty coke
That's what God recommends
When the president talks to God
Do they drink near beer and go play golf
While they pick which countries to invade
Which Muslim souls still can be saved?
I guess god just calls a spade a spade
When the president talks to God
When the president talks to God
Does he ever think that maybe he's not?
That that voice is just inside his head
When he kneels next to the presidential bed
Does he ever smell his own bullshit
When the president talks to God?
I doubt it
I doubt it

Thanks to Amanda for these lyrics
Thanks to tealstar@comcast.net, Brad BuzzKill (Screamcyco@aol.com), Lauren for correcting these lyrics

Just a Little Smile from Sweet Melissa for your Wednesday

Just a Little Smile from Sweet Melissa for your Wednesday, originally uploaded by George In Denver.

Pat Robertson - Ummm... This Guy is Scary

Pat Robertson (700 Club) - Christian Extraordinaire

This from MediaMatters provides video of our friend Pat Robertson (Christian Broadcasting Network) advocating for the assasination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

This reminded me of a prior post of mine from almost a year ago.

As I've said so often, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Oh, what a tangled web...

Oh, what a tangled web..., originally uploaded by George In Denver.

Actually, this kind of looks like Star Fighters hovering around the Mothership.

Got the shot this past Sunday as David and I hiked the Clear Creek Trail through Wheat Ridge and Lakewood.

Bill Maher - Gotta Watch This One - From Brad Blog

Eagles-Nest Wilderness Area, Colorado - Early Morning Steam off the Piney Lake

Eagles-Nest Wilderness Area, Colorado - Early Morning Steam off the Piney Lake, originally uploaded by George In Denver.

George In Denver Goes Camping - Part II

My normal daily routine is a run in the morning, usually about two miles. I did the same during our camping trip to the Eagles-Nest Wilderness Area.

This guy/gal, this beautiful fox, followed me, ran in front of me, paced me on both days of my run to the entrance of the Piney Lake Lodge, which was about a mile from our campsite. I suspect he/she was expecting a handout, a bit of bread or meat from me that most campers probably--innocently, but wrongly--provide to him/her.

I had nothing. Just my camera. But, I remain honored, privileged to have been so close--close enough to have touched--this magnificent creature.

On the Imperial Bush Daddy and Son - Good Read from the NY Times

Looking Back - Dubya's Lies - Red and Blue - Spontaneous Fictions

Slightly less than a year ago, I wrote the following post.

Sunday, November 07, 2004

Now, Let's Just Take a Few Steps Back

An guest editorial in the Denver Post the day after the election provided the essential advice that I know I've been seeking; some definitive, rock-hard, common sense conclusions that will, undoubtedly steer me in the right direction . I didn't save the hardcopy and I can't seem to locate the piece on the Post's website but, what the young lady -- I believe her name was Linda Chavez -- advised, in essence, was for all of us pointy-headed liberals to get our heads out of the Sunday New York Times review of Books and into the Bible which, incidentally, is located within a church everywhere in America on Sunday morning where, some of us, might prefer to -- or, indeed, ought to -- spend some quality time rather than with the Sunday New York Times.Anti-intellectualism, fear and religious fundamentalism -- now that I think about it; now that I've taken a few steps back -- are the stuff of Dubya's real and acknowledged victory on November 2nd. And, I have no problem in observing that Dubya's victory was real, was genuine, was conclusive.But, to concede that it was the religious right who handed this victory to Dubya is a little misleading; a little too comfortable for my taste.

Take, for example, Colorado. While Colorado remained in the Red column for Dubya, Colorado elected a Hispanic Democrat, Ken Salazar, over a beer mogul, right-wing Republican Dubya clone, Pete Coors, to represent Colorado in the United States Senate. And, AND, Democrats captured both the Colorado State Senate and the Colorado State House of Representatives IN SPITE of Dubya's victory in the national race.In Denver -- I kid you not -- Kerry/Edwards led Bush/Cheney by 69.51% to 29.41%; and the U.S. Senate race between Ken Salazar, the Democrat, and Pete Coors, the Republican, ended up as 72.50% for the Democrat and 25.91% for the Republican.

My prior post was about "spontaneous fictions." We all know the definitions of "spontaneous" and "fiction."What is significant to me is that I would classify issues such as Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq as sublime "spontaneous fictions," as well as all the other bullshit Dubya utilized to justify the invasion of Iraq. I would classify as "spontaneous fictions" the fear -- Oh, the enormous Fear -- that "gay marriage" will destroy the institution of marriage in America -- as if marriage in America has not already been sorely compromised by a fifty-percent divorce rate amongst heterosexuals.

Yes, I'm taking a few steps back and looking closely at November 2nd.It's interesting to note that our Governor, Bill Owens -- sweetheart of the Bush administration -- suffered significant defeats in Colorado on November 2nd: His candidate, Pete Coors, was soundly defeated by Ken Salazar for the United States Senate; In the 3rd congressional District in Colorado, Owens' support of Greg Walcher for the US House of Representatives fell flat; Owens' opposition to what is called "FasTracks" -- a significant expansion of our light-rail system throughout the Front Range -- was passed overwhelming by the electorate; and, Owens' support of a significant change to the civil service system in Colorado was defeated, also significantly.

So, I'm taking a few steps back and really looking at what occurred on November 2nd. And, I'm happy to say, I am heartened; I am energized; I am optimistic.And, with that conclusion, let me repeat part of an earlier post that included a bit of Lawrence Ferlinghetti's,

I am waiting.......
and I am waiting for a rebirth of wonder
and I am waiting for someone to really discover America
for the discovery of a new symbolic western frontier
and I am waiting for the American Eagle to really spread its wings
and strainghten up and fly right...

No, I reject Garrison Kiellor's suggestion that we -- in reflecting on Dubya's victory -- simply enjoy our morning coffee and the feel of the dog next to our legs and the ten mile hike to relieve the angst of another four years of Bush.We can do better than that. And, we must start now. We must push, and push and push and never relent in pushing for what we believe in; for what we believe is America's promise.

Dubya is, today--August 18, 2005--running about a 44% approval rating with the American people. That's the lowest approval rating of any president during this time in a second term since, I believe, Harry Truman. So, goodness--in spite of Rush Limbaugh's belief that the fledgling anti-war movement is peopled with "maggot-filled" something or others--do you suppose that Dubya and Rove, Condi, Donny and Dickie might be getting just a wee bit nervous about the 2006 elections?

Looking over what I wrote almost a year ago, it is interesting that the more things change the more they stay the same, except, of course, for a good portion of that 51% who, apparently, today are beginning to understand what a whole lot of us understood way back in '03 and '04: Dubya is a lier and a cheat, as are his inner circle of sycophants.

And, by the way, why have gasoline prices gone up almost 19% over the past month?

Sunrise - Eagles-Nest Wilderness Area

Sunrise - Eagles-Nest Wilderness Area, originally uploaded by George In Denver.

The Eagles-Nest Wilderness Area is 133,688 acres of the Colorado Gore Range administered by the White River and Arapahoe National Forests.

Bush - Untreated Recovering Alcoholic - Hmmm...

This, from the blog Capitol Hill Blue, is a hmmmmm.... for me. And, a hmmmmm... for me is just something to think about, not necessarily something that I believe.

Jersey Shore - Part III

You might assume that the boys (that's Andrew facing us and my Great Nephew, Michael, with his back to us) are saying a little prayer...their heads bowed. But, I'm sure you've already figured out that their attention is not captured by the Almighty but, rather, by their GameBoys: a block from the beach, and the boys--not unlike children everywhere in America--manipulated electronic characters jumping, hopping, killing, fighting and God knows what else.

To be fair, the boys put their GameBoys away shortly after breakfast on the veranda of the hotel and headed to the beach. But--remembering my own youth--I can't help but note that today's children are so imbued with such wonderful technological advances, it is difficult to simply just be a kid.

But, then, I guess that's what Andrew and Michael were doing on the veranda that day and later at the beach: just being kids.

The Daily Show Video on Cindy Sheehan via AlterNet Peek

Vigil for Cindy Sheehan (From MoveOn.org)

Dear MoveOn member,

Late last night, a pick-up truck dragging chains ran over the rows of white crosses on the side of the road near Cindy Sheehan's vigil. Each cross commemorated a dead soldier; this morning, many of them were broken or gone.1 But Cindy and the other moms in Crawford have vowed to stay, and now a neighboring rancher, who is a veteran, has offered them some of his nearby land if they have to move from the roadside.

The spirit of that rancher standing up in his own pro-Bush community is the sort of public support for Cindy Sheehan and her cause that is growing across America. Tomorrow's vigils for Cindy Sheehan will be the most visible measure of the size and strength of public concern about the war in a long time. It is critical to have as many vigils as possible and as many attendees as possible to demonstrate the wave of public support for Cindy.

Can you join us? You can find a vigil near you by clicking this link:
Vigils for Cindy Sheehan 7:30 PM :: Wednesday, August 17, 2005

http://political.moveon.org/event/events/?action_id=24&search_distance=30& =&search_zip=80211&submit=1&id=5899-5543148-I0ioAFH_KEvtOy53wM4onw&t=4

You can find the vigil closest to you by typing your zip code and clicking search. There are more than 900 vigils already planned across America. From Anchorage to Miami, and hundreds of towns in between, people are gathering tomorrow. There is a vigil in Cindy's hometown of Vacaville, California and more than a dozen in New York City.

Most of them are organized by single individuals. Some are organized by groups of people working together. Just like the folks in Crawford, Texas we can all do our part.

Attending a vigil is really easy. All you have to do is grab some candles and show up. If you're an Iraq veteran, or a family member of a soldier, it'd be especially meaningful for you to join us. Bring a photo of your loved one to remind all of us what is at stake. We've also made some downloadable placards you can use. Click below to download them.

http://political.moveon.org/cindyvigils/attendmaterials.htm?id=5899-5543148-I0ioAFH_KEvtOy53wM4onw&t=6

These vigils aren't rallies or places to give long-winded speeches. They are moments to solemnly come together and mark the sacrifice of Cindy and other families.
Please find the vigil nearest you today and RSVP.

Thanks for all you do.

–Tom, Nita and MoveOn moms Carrie, Marika and Joan Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Sources:

1. "A Bad Week for Protesting Mom" CBS News/AP. August 16, 2005http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/08/16/politics/main780687.shtml

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTIONNot authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Sunrise on the Gore Range - White River National Forest

Sunrise on the Gore Range - White River National Forest, originally uploaded by George In Denver.

Lifeguard at Ocean Grove II

Lifeguard at Ocean Grove II, originally uploaded by George In Denver.

Lifeguard at Ocean Grove

Lifeguard at Ocean Grove, originally uploaded by George In Denver.

George In Denver Goes Camping - Part I

Yes, George In Denver went camping over the weekend at the White River National Forest about nine miles northwest of Vail. That's me (in the white hat, of course) on Saber, a beautiful-- albeit headstrong--five-year-old gelding; that's Clayton on a three-year-old gelding. The Gore Range is directly behind us, with Mount Powell jutting up at the far left of the picture.

There were three others in our party who didn't want to have anything to do with horseback riding. So, it was just me and Clayton. It was a great ride.

Jersey Shore - Part II

This is my niece Katharine Linda who, during our Ocean Grove visit, attacked her fourteenth month on this earth with--and this is really an understatement--extraordinary enthusiasm.

She is a beautiful baby, with gray eyes and a personality that includes constant jabbering and a physical predilection for perpetual motion. We taught her in one day to do "high fives." Every stranger who comes into her view, she greets with a loud clearly articulated, "Hi!"

Her name, Katharine Linda, reflects my little sister's--Michelle--respect and admiration for Katharine Hepburn and the memory of Michelle's mother, Linda Gail.

"Weird Science on the Religious Right" - Good Read from Alternet

p.s. I think it's weird that the word "weird" doesn't fit the "i before e..." thing. Maybe the religious right's fascination with phonics rather than "whole language" learning can explain this little discrepancy. Then again, maybe not.

Ugliest Convention Center Hotel

Ugliest Convention Center Hotel, originally uploaded by George In Denver.

Jersey Shore - Part One

My nephew, Jack--who lives in Rutherford, New Jersey--was seven this July 30th and, as always, his birthday was celebrated on the Jersey Shore at Ocean Grove.

Ocean Grove is a "Mecca of Methodism." Indeed,

"In 1869 Osborn founded Ocean Grove on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean as a holiness camp meeting and Christian resort. That same year he and other leaders formed the "Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association," and secured a charter from the New Jersey State Legislature. The members elected Elwood H. Stokes as the first president of the new association. There is a sense in which the story of Ocean Grove is the story of Elwood Stokes, and the story of Elwood Stokes is the story of Ocean Grove. He gave his heart and soul to the place. He more than loved it; it was as if he instinctively knew that it was God's will for him to be there. And the years proved him right. Under his leadership Ocean Grove grew until it became what Delbert Rose has called the 'Mecca of Methodism,' or as others have put it, Ocean Grove was 'God's Square Mile.'

"The main reason for that was Dr. Elwood H. Stokes.

"The Reverend Doctor Elwood Haines Stokes served as a New Jersey Methodist minister for over fifty years, a time frame that covered almost the entire last half of the nineteenth century. Stokes rose to national prominence as a religious leader due to his twenty-seven year presidency of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association. His aggressive leadership enabled that encampment to achieve meteoric growth, and it became the premier Methodist holiness camp meeting resort in the world."

If you're interested, more history of Stokes and Ocean Grove is available here.

Now, being the recovering Catholic that I am--(Jews think they've cornered the market on guilt!)--I'm not even really sure what Methodists believe ... Godwise. Ol' Elwood looks pretty stern, though, and I'm thinking his God is probably just as stern.

Every time we enter the Ocean Grove community, I actually get a little concerned that somebody--perhaps an elder in the church hierarchy or some young thing (in service to the Lawd)--will want to check my suitcase for, um, well gadgets or gizmos, substances or stashes of, oh, say, a bottle of Wild Turkey wrapped in underwear. (That's just an example. I would never actually do such a thing.)

Anyway, more to come. It was a good trip. Missed my blog. Missed David and Melissa.

Jersey Gull

Jersey Gull, originally uploaded by George In Denver.