A Million Little Pieces and Ms. Winfrey

Watched my gal Oprah yesterday intentionally, because the lying author was on. Wanted to see how my gal handled him after she nearly suckered me into buying the book. I had come in at the tail end of the show in October when Mr. Frey was on previously. All I heard were all the exclamations about how wonderful this book was. I jotted the title down with the intent of hitting Amazon... I even peeked at it on Amazon but for whatever reason I backed off.

I check The Smoking Gun website with some regularity, and I saw the allusions that the book was fiction. Hmm, I wondered, how would Ms. Winfrey handle this? She called into Larry King's show and backed the author... but that was before the public weighed in on the situation. That was the reason for him to be on yesterday and nothing else.

Look, I know she does allot of good... please do not use that argument to me. They crucified the guy and justifiably so, but...... they crucified him for lying.... umm, anyone of them (the guests who joined together in ganging up on him), did anyone of them (ESPECIALLY MY GAL) ever wonder about President Clinton LYING UNDER OATH??? Hmmm???

It is as always, they can justify anything. And, since we are so upset about lying... I wonder just how long it will take 'my gal' to correct the lies that she perpetrated about what went on in New Orleans during the hurricane and immediately thereafter. That will stick in my craw for the rest of my life. And again, I know she does good, allot of good in fact... it is my perception, perhaps an incorrect one, she is pompous and getting more so as the years go by.

Nominee Alito

I don't know how many have watched any of the hearings; it matters not I suppose. I have watched as much as I can - I wish I knew where my love for that sort of thing originated - my 'first' remembrance of similar hearings were the MaCarthy hearings in the 50s... I was 6 or 7 at the time... how in the world that made an impact on me is beyond my comprehension, but it evidently did. Regardless, a few thoughts on Judge Alito and his appearance before the senate.

I can not get over the obvious superior knowledge the judge had over those doing the questioning. It matters not to me, in fact I implore hard questioning, hard being indepth, tough, whatever descriptive you want to use. In the time I was able to watch, this is what was obvious. The senators (both parties), like to hear 'themselves' talk, and often times won't wait for the answer before they are talking again.

The judge was able to remain calm and collected, and his answers were succinct and to the point. I didn't see or hear him duck anything. I have watched many of these grillings over time; Judge Alito was the most forthcoming of any I have ever seen. How he was able to maintain his cool under the vitriolic innuendo is beyond me. I remember the Justice Thomas hearings. I happen to like Justice Thomas, but when the innuendo became too pointed during his hearings, his voice rose up in defiance (which I applauded I might add). Judge Alito on the other hand appeared in my mind to be so far above the blowhards as to just be looking on them as a parent would a spoiled child. It was exhilarating in its own way... and then he'd respond in a calm and direct way. It was wonderful.

The judge was not afraid to be honest about 'his' judicial philosophy. The Republican Party as a whole could learn some valuable lessons from his performance. Put freaking political correctness on the back-burner - be honest with yourself - it is so very refreshing (at least to me). :)
For Senator Kennedy to lecture anyone (even his grand children) on ethics is beyond my ability to comprehend. For a man with his history to be questioning a potential Justice of The Supreme Court? Something is wrong with that picture.

In the final analysis (mine anyway) - I expect nominee Alito will make decisions I do not agree with over the course of time... but, one thing I believe I have gleaned from watching him; he will deliberate with diligence, and will not 'make' law... he will interpret the law and render a decision. For that, I am grateful.

And finally - I wonder if The President didn't once again snooker the opposition... was Harriet Meirs a decoy? I mean, did he, in the final analysis, put her up because he 'knew' what would happen and then he'd be able to put in someone of Judge Alito's stature? Or, have I just been watching too much 24? :) It is something to contemplate.

Winning Photo

National Wildlife Photo Contest winner: Here is the words with the photo. Wow is all I can say.

GRAND PRIZE
Kim Steininger
Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania
"I took this picture right before I ducked," says Steininger. On a bird-watching trip in Ontario, Canada, last winter, the network administrator noticed that one of the great gray owls she was photographing was staring back at her. "I didn’t think anything of it until it started flying at me," she says. Before getting out of the way, Steininger captured this digital photo with a 500mm telephoto lens.

The Honorable Tom Delay

OK - Mr. Delay has stepped down from his leadership post. I do agree it was time as he has lost the confidence of his own party... but, I'd bet my last buckeraoo he will be vindicated of all charges in the end. Not that it matters... he can't lead from a position of weakness.

Politics are dirty and always have been. Mr. Delay was tough, 'is' tough actually. He knew / knows how the game, dirty though it is, gets played. Too many don't have the stomach for 'the game' and get run over. 'Should' the game be played that way? That is obviously open for debate. Point is, that is how it is played 'today', and ole Tommy could play.

So, he is now gone from his position - and I will say again... if he is gulty of taking bribes, string him up, and all others that have done so... I just don't think he will be found guilty of the charges he is under.

Abramoff Issue

I don't happen to care what party they are in... if they took a bribe, get them out of there, period. And no excuse will suffice in my book. I do not want, nor do I believe that all politicians are dirty - but if they are, I want them to pay the consequence, and it matters not which party is hurt the most. Just KNOW it is not one party only.

Goodbye 2005 - Hello 2006

I had planned to write this a day or two ago... one tends to get side-tracked now and then. Just a few thoughts as we move into 2006.

The war on terror et al: The President said from the very beginning that this war would be fought like no other. Either nobody listened or they had no clue what he meant. He talked about modern technology etc., but alas, nobody listened. The part in Iraq is conventional warfare, as far as conventional goes, but the electronic war being conducted is unlike anything we as a nation have known in the past. Thanks goodness we have a president who understands.

Mid term elections: the republican party does not have much time to turn things around. If they don't, they will see significant losses in there ranks, both in the House and the Senate. It is very apparent to me, the Republicans do NOT know what to do with the power they have. And as for me? Those that are Republican in name only can exit stage right. I don't, and never have, had an issue with a politican who (on principle), makes and stands by a decision... but... those that change with the finger n the air? Take a walk mate... go to the other side where that is standard procedure.

The number one issue in the 2006 elections (in my mind), will be [ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION]. Any policitian not on the correct side of that issue is going to have problems.

I'm fixin to retire and my electric bill went up $20.00 American per month. Arrgh. Is that what they mean by fixed income???

As 2006 begins, I wish for good health, peace on this earth - a strong America, and a President who will not wilt under extreme pressure from his enemes. I am going to enter the new year with a positive attitude..... really.