Tannishblog

As inspired by this post at Dependable Renegade: I’m reminded of prophetic words by Bob Dylan from the Love and Theft CD.

The Song? High Water

I snip some parts I can remember - those that seem painfully poignent.

High water rising, rising night and day,
All the gold and silver being stolen away…

…Nothing standing there, high water everywhere…

High water rising, the shacks are sliding down,
Folks lose their posessions, the folks are leaving town…

…You dance with those they tell you to or you don’t dance at all.
Its tough out here, high water everywhere…

…Things are breaking up out there, high water everywhere…

High water rising six inches above my head,
hardwood coffins floating like ballons made out of lead…

…”don’t reach after me”, she said, “can’t you see I’m drowning too.”
It’s rough out there, high water everywhere.

…they got Charles Darwin trapped out there on Highway 5,
Judge says to the high sheriff “I want him dead or alive,
Either one - I don’t care.” High water everywhere…

The Kuku is a pretty bird she warbles as she flies.
I’m preaching the Word of God - I’m putting our your eyes…

…It’s bad out there, high water everywhere…

My heart goes out to everyone. While our government takes out more loans from the Chinese, having exhausted all resources for Operation Desert Quagmire, much needed help may be slow in coming. May you find the strength you need within…

[RANT]
Ok: I’ve just about had it with the Creationism/Intelligent Design coverage in the media. To call this a debate would be to lend unwarrented credentials to what amounts to a smoke screen of political manufacture at the core of our new-found interest in unscientific silliness.

I’m going out on a limb here, and a lot of people will be offended by my saying this: There Is No God. Can anyone scientifically prove of disprove the existance of a human-manufactured concept rooted in the ignorance of thousands of years ago? Why do we cling to such nonsense? We have done so to the continued and unequivical detriment to humanity. The widespread damage to societies throughout history - caused by proponents of theism - far outstrips the benefits the few, humble believers have gained. To think that theism is the only answer available to humanity with which to enhance our spiritual potential is likewise ridiculous, and likewise dangerous.

To believe in a intelligent “creator being” has an effect to absolve humanity of taking command of its own destiny, sidestepping responsibility for accoutibility of its own actions - singly and collectively. Resulting in some of the most murderous societies and regimes in history being strongly associated with theism, and they still are.

To believe in creationism is to subsume an unprovable “fact” of the existance of God. This cannot be sidled up to imperical studies as an alternative. It is insulting to those few humans that have the capacity and courage to look the universe in the eye and question. Our highly technical global culture has evolved by direct result of the work of countless fearless questors. We owe them thanks for the miracles they have brought us, not insults for failing to believe in fairy tale miracles.[/RANT]

Via BadCatholic, a take on the future curriculum in American schools. This would be funny if there weren’t actual people endorsing such silliness.

On a different note: Orcinus has an interesting post on how the Right is trying to associate the worst of our home-grown fringe groups with Lefties, and how this is patently ridiculous.

Lastly, Col. Pat Lang calls the Iraqi constitution irrelevant.

Obviously, I am too busy reading tonight to write my own stuff. After reading these fine bloggers, I sometimes feel inadequate…

Bunnatine Greenhouse, after 20 years of exemplary service at the procurement department of the Army Corps of Engineers, is being demoted for - what the Army calls - poor performance. It seems Bunny (that’s what her friends call her) is uppity when is comes to doing her job. Always a stickler for the rules, when the Army wanted to sidestep long-established procedures to allow a Haliburton subsidiary, Kellogg Brown & Root, access to no-bid contracts, She tried to stop it. She even wrote her misgivings on the official documents involved in the dealmaking.

Ms. Greenhouse fought the demotion through official channels, and publicly described her clashes with Corps of Engineers leaders over a five-year, $7 billion oil-repair contract awarded to Kellogg Brown & Root. She had argued that if urgency required a no-bid contract, its duration should be brief.

Ms. Greenhouse had also fought the granting of a waiver to Kellogg Brown & Root in December 2003, approving the high prices it had paid for fuel imports for Iraq, and had objected to extending its five-year contract for logistical support in the Balkans for 11 months and $165 million without competitive bidding. In late June, ignoring warnings from her superiors, Ms. Greenhouse appeared before a Congressional panel, calling the Kellogg Brown & Root oil contract “the most blatant and improper contract abuse I have witnessed during the course of my professional career.” She also said the defense secretary’s office had improperly interfered in the awarding of the contract.

The nerve! Who does this woman think she is - a Senior Executive Service-rank employee? Oh, right. She was just that - when she testified in court over her concerns of questionable practices. Since that time the Army began a papertrail of negative performance review in anticipation of today’s official demotion. The connection is obvious when viewed on a timeline, yet the Army typically asserts otherwise.

Lt. Gen. Carl A. Strock, said the administrative record “clearly demonstrates that Ms. Greenhouse’s removal from the S.E.S. is based on her performance and not in retaliation for any disclosures of alleged improprieties that she may have made.”

The Army secretary’s office was investigation Bunny’s case, but her promotion went through despite an order to delay action:

Her demotion was delayed when the Army’s senior legal officials said they would first seek an independent investigation of her reprisal complaint. “The Army has referred this matter to the Department of Defense inspector general for their review and action, as appropriate,” said an Oct. 22, 2004, letter to Ms. Greenhouse’s lawyer from Robert M. Fano, the Army’s chief of civilian personnel law. The acting secretary of the Army, Mr. Fano wrote, had also directed the Corps of Engineers to “suspend any adverse personnel action so that Ms. Greenhouse remains in her current position until a sufficient record is available to address the specific matters you raised.”

But on July 14, the Army secretary approved Ms. Greenhouse’s demotion, effective Aug. 27. With his request to proceed, General Strock had provided an unsigned nine-page memorandum, reviewing Ms. Greenhouse’s recent performance ratings and responding to her allegations of impropriety.

Mr. Kohn said Sunday that the inspector general had not finished investigating the matter and that the demotion violated the Army secretary’s commitment to wait on any action.

Mr. Kohn said that when he telephoned Dan Meyer, director of civilian reprisal investigations in the inspector general’s office, on Aug. 24, Mr. Meyer was “shocked” to learn that the corps had proceeded against Ms. Greenhouse. Mr. Meyer said that he was immediately opening a “civilian reprisal” investigation and faxed forms to Mr. Kohn to initiate the process, Mr. Kohn said.

A Pentagon spokesman said Sunday that the inspector general’s office could not be reached for comment.

This is just smoke-and-mirrors, folks; this is a “Done Deal.” If Mr. Meyer was “shocked” its because he was smoking something handmade. Bunnatine Greenhouse is just the latest victim of BushCo’s abortion of an administration. Nothing is sacred in our national leadership, only the All-Mighty Dollar. I would take solace in the eventuality that Messrs. Bush and Cheney will rot in a Hell of their own making but for one small detail: They’re taking the rest of the world with them.

On the issue of “Intelligent Design,” President Bush announced: “I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought.” Interesting this coming from an Administration that has spent most of the last five years squelching dissention of its policies. For years to openly criticize the war on Iraq is to invite hate speech discrediting you motives, your patriotism, and sometimes even your sanity. So; for our Nitwit-in-Chief to spout such hypocrisy about the need for different schools of thought is beyond ridiculous.

Another famous hypocrite, Bill Frist said, “I think in a pluralistic society that is the fairest way to go about education and training people for the future.” We do indeed have a pluralistic society, to the collective chagrin of most fundamentalist ideologues like Senator Frist. The past strength of our nation is in diversity, but today we have a group of people that aw working very hard to reverse our diversity, to steal back powers Americans have fought for over the past century, and to create a New American Century™ of White, Christian supremacy. So-called “Intelligent Design”, really just bible-thumping, is only one of many fronts in our culture war.
To bring up this old argument is also another way for our Failure-in-Chief and his sycophants to deflect attention away from our failing war; a smokescreen of emotive power that, when used, deliberately buys time for development of an exit strategy.

No. I’m not talking about the troops; I’m talking about how our Washington Mafia is going to leave through the political back door with all their hard-earned loot. As I understand, there are still plenty of south Pacific islands for sale, to be bought with the staggering proceeds wrought from no-bid contracts, closed-door deal making and other hitherto unknown nefarious methods. When a group of influential people get into their collective heads that “The Rapture™ Is Now,” there is no end to the mischief they’ll reationalize.

So up does the Darwinian Debate, as thick and pungent as mustard gas, and just as friendly. Out goes the public support and - soon to follow - our elected leaders and their appointed lackeys who, I suspect, have orchestrated our current catastrophe, off to a remote island of their choosing.

Pay no attention to the men behind the curtain, as we all debate the methods of the Great and Powerful OZ, said men are making clean their getaway.

Chicago’s Mayor Richard M. Daley was questioned yesterday for two hours by Federal authorities regarding a massive hiring scandal that has besieged city hall for the last few months. Many opponents of both the mayor, who has been in office for the past sixteen years, and of the Illinois Democratic party has been having fun spouting the usual hyperbole and rhetoric about how corrupt is…well, you know how this type of thing plays out.

Corruption is a problem. But to spin facts and infer that said corruption is partial to any political party, group or sub-group is in itself an effect of the same corrupt minds. If Party A is involved or under investigation for alleged crimes, Party B comes out of the woodwork to smirk and shake admonitory fingers at them, thereby inferring guilt in the press and in the public eye before all facts are collected. Thus Party B also acts in a corrupt manner for using the doubt created by the investigation and spinning it for its own benefit. That in itself is another example of corruption; the correct thing for Party B to do is to stay mum and let the investigation go on unhindered.

But that is not how things are done in America. Why? Because over the years the entire system has fallen, much as its Roman predecessor, into a corrupt state. No longer can this nation function within the ideals and limitations accepted by our founders. We have strayed off the path too far and are lost in the jungle of political backstabbing and advantage. We are too greedy for personal gain to understand that to benefit society is ultimately to benefit ourselves. America has lost its way, and in so doing, it has lost itself.

Whether Richard M. Daley is involved in the city’s penchant for questionable hiring practices, bribery, patronage, is beside the issue. The greater issue is no matter who is guilty, Chicagoans lose, no matter who replaces the guilty, the new people will soon become corrupted; because that’s how the system works, that’s how business is done. The problem of corrupt government trickled down, as George H. W. Bush informed us; as state and local government must take their cues form the federal level.

As my departed brother liked to say: illegal is only getting caught. The corrupt within government are the guilty, if you never get caught, then you are a viewed as a saint. But even the so-called saints deal with unethical practices, they must or they would not be able to accomplish anything. No amount of finger-wagging will dry their hands of the muck.

Chicago is “The City That Works.” In order to function in our political climate, one must “Do What’s Necessary” and “Bite the Bullet” to “Get Things Done.” Once in a while you’ll get caught - just the law of averages playing out. Does that Make our Mayor “Evil?” No. To have juggled so much for so long and stayed mostly in the clear makes him effective, if not pure. But then, may those without sin cast the first stone.

“You Don’t Speak for Me, Cindy,” He said. “I think more people should die because of greed, paranoia and the pursuit of the American Hegemony. We’re emptying the nation of undereducated troublemakers, clearing the way for progress as we clear the farms of our fathers for the suburbs of today.” He smiled over the microphone; pleased he used such big words. “It would be a crime to let the terrorists in our country run amuck during the upcoming election cycle. Everyone knows they all vote Democratic, hate homophobes and despise our god-given rights as Americans to sell guns to underprivileged people around the world and within our own ghettoes. Americans have the right to blow away anyone they feel like, as America has the same right to destroy any enemy I see fit to declare.”

Glancing aside at his speechwriter, he paused for approval. Why is she looking at the floor? He told her he forgot his glasses and will try his best. Sniffs and coughing is coming from the gallery, and people look uncomfortable. Still, the soldiers know when to applaud, as their CO’s have grunts waiting to hold the signs up. Summoning up all his failing courage, he smirks into the cameras and tries hard to remember all the big words What’s-her-name used.

“We need to push America forward, into the faces and countries of our enemies, appropriating their resources so we can continue our unchecked consumption, riding an economic train wreck as far as the tracks will take us,” He smiles, pleased. What was that called, he thinks, a metamorph or something like that. “We will ride American rails of global supremacy to the bitter end, delivering our enemies justice and creating a better world in our own image.” A chair squeaked along the sideboard as his speechwriter hurries around the crowded room. He wonders if she ate something bad, but he doesn’t let that stop him:

“And god bless America.”

Once Upon a Time…

Putting the pieces in place of exactly how the American conservative movement has placed this nation in the dire stratights we now find ourselves in. In a simplistic, fable of arms deals and paranoia, betrayal and subterfuge, we see how the past twenty years of American foriegn policy has led us to this war that we cannot win.

…And They All Lived Happily Ever After. NOT!!!

I am thankful that somebody is keeping an eye on us. Too bad it’s a critical eye…

Pat Robertson should apologize. Notwithstanding the obvious mental attrition the aging evangelical is suffering from, any comments remotely suggesting assassinating anyone is as far from the Christian doctrine as a man can get. Such is the height of hypocrisy that a man of his public image can consider speaking such un-Christian words in a religious broadcast. I have but two words: American Jihad.
Either this man is drunk with his own power over his easily influenced mob of mindless fans, or he’s insane. I’ll even suggest that he’s in late-stage Alzheimer’s and thinks he’s president, announcing ruinous American foreign policy in a State of the Urinal Address, but he couldn’t do much worse that what we already have…
I am angered at the kid gloves our administration uses to handle this outrage. Instead of treating Old Pat as a foolhardy blowhard, they just shrug as if an errant, toothless dog just tried to gum the postman; “Aww, shucks!” Angered, but not at all surprised; after all, Biker George the Cowboy has had his hands in Pat Robertson’s pockets for so many years, (edited sexual analogy), it’s almost indecent. If the offending comment came from a political antagonist…well, you know.
Trust the Holier-than-Thou crowd to publicly announce Jihad on a democratically elected leader, as our good Christian Americans watch as their chosen leaders murder families, ruin economies, and destroy whole cities in the name of White Man’s (version of) Democracy.
Thousands of Americans - who actually are good Christians - who try to lead wholesome lives, are victimized by the comments of one sanctimonious jackass; just as all of America is a victim of another jackass’ delusions of grandeur. I guess that’s why they get along so well.

Perhaps the Muslims are right; perhaps America is the Seat of Satan after all…