It's a snowy Sunday morning. Everyone must be online for even our high speed is slower than molasses. That has given me time to peruse the headlines. I wish I had made a snowman instead.We have two more holidays of the semi-religious sort [...]
It's a snowy Sunday morning. Everyone must be online for even our high speed is slower than molasses. That has given me time to peruse the headlines. I wish I had made a snowman instead.
We used to play 'keep away' with Bacchus all the time. When he grabbed the bone or the ball, however, the game was over. He had it, he was keeping it and that was that.
Have we really come to this? Both the President and the Attorney General have stated, unequivocally, that Khalid Shaikh Mohammad and his co-defendants will be found guilty and executed. What an appalling statement.
I'm going on record. I am not going to buy nor read Sarah Palin's book. She is coming to the Coeur d'Alene Fred Meyer store December 10th on her signing tour. I will be no where in sight. 
Forget the beard. Gifts you get from this guy would be better left unopened!
Though out of the headlines for the moment, the issue of a Palestinian homeland is still at the center of any hope for Middle Eastern peace. Looking at the map and seeing the dwindling territory from what once was theirs made me realize we have a [...] 
I love dogs. You who follow this blog know it. A shy three months have passed since we lost our beloved Bacchus. The emotion still bubbles to the surface, sometimes at the most unexpected of times.
The Friday the 13th edition of The Wall Street Journal had an interesting commentary by Andrew Heinze about what Health Reform would do to his health insurance. An appropriate day for such an article was my thought. He explains how his insurance, basically [...] 
We were driving past Colorado Springs when we picked up the Allen Hunt Show on the radio. He was in the middle of taking the media and military and the President to task for dancing around the Fort Hood slaughter. His view was it was an [...] 
Sometimes you just have to wonder! Did you know that it is legal to eat man's best friend in 44 states? I didn't either. Kind of makes you wonder why the remaining states have declared it otherwise!
Nancy has brought forth her health care reform that includes everything including the kitchen sink. It is bound to fail at some point. Obama is about to stiff the military and the fight against al Qaeda for political gains rather than victory. 
No wonder the administration wants to see how the run-off works out in Afghanistan! There is a problem. There are two Karzais to deal with! If Hamid loses what will we do with Ahmed? According to The New York Times little brother Ahmed [...] No wonder the administration wants to see how the run-off works out in Afghanistan! There is a problem. There are two Karzais to deal with! If Hamid loses what will we do with Ahmed? According to The New York Times little brother Ahmed [...] 
Anytime you see these three together expect trouble! President for Life wannabe's Manuel Zelaya, deposed President of Honduras, Daniel Ortega, about to be President for Life in Nicaragua, and their mentor, Hugo Chavez, successful President for Life in Venezuela.
There are three people who I listen to knowing they tell it like it is because they are in the midst of everything going on and have been since the outset. They are CNN's Michael Ware, NBC's Richard Engel and CNN's Peter Bergen.
When I'm looking for material to substantiate a post I come across many things of interest. Sometimes they don't manifest themselves into something meaningful until there is a catalyst. Last night, while killing time between programs, I came across just such.
I've been watching the Obamatization of the media with trepidation. Especially now that the administration is trying to marginalize, if not out right eliminate, FOX as a credible source for news.
It's raining. It's Friday. The nuts are on the highways. And the radio.
I watched Obama sign into law a sweeping reform of our veterans' health care programs. I applaud that along with all the work that went in to making it possible.
Whole body scanners are in use in at least 24 U.S. airports. That's your choice if you're "selected" for a secondary search. Or you can opt for the pat down. Some choice.
Another Drudge headline caught my eye today. Should it be of concern? READY TO REVOLT: Oath Keepers pledges to prevent dictatorship in USA... 
What's your initial reaction when you look at the picture on the left? Is it, "Oh my gosh, what a horrible affront to Hispanics!"? Or "Oh my gosh, what a horrible affront to the 12 million illegals living within our borders!"? If so I'm going [...] 
Sometimes I look back at the also rans in the Presidential sweepstakes and wonder how they would have done. Especially when the winner disappoints.
Basing his reason on observations, a Louisiana Justice of the Peace refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple. He claims not to be racist but rather he's concerned about the future of any children which might come from the union. 
It has become known today that we seniors will not get an increase in Social Security this year but instead will get a bonus of $250. Whoopee. That won't cover a month's prescriptions for many of us! Where do these guys get their economic bona fides? [...] 
Whew! It's getting nasty out there. First we're inundated with images of Obama with Hitler's mustache and symbols of hate turning up on a golf course.
...if you've done nothing to earn it! It was a travesty when Al Gore won it in 2007 for espousing faulty science and a bad movie. Never mind it had nothing to do with "peace" except in the most abstract of terms.
It's election season in Kootenai County. The Coeur d'Alene race is well under way with three city council persons and the mayor all up for re-election. They all have challengers. Signs and billboards are popping up everywhere.
I would think after eight years in Afghanistan, we'd know what our objectives are. First it was al Qaeda, then the Taliban, then al Qaeda again. Let's not forget al Qaeda is holed up in Pakistan for the moment.
There are times I'm glad I have no children needing an education in the Coeur d'Alene schools. They wouldn't be getting a well rounded one.
I was listening with interest yesterday as Republicans latched onto the awarding of the Olympics to Rio as equating the downfall of Obama's presidency. Then there were the Democrats laying the blame on Bush. Compare this to we mere citizens who thought neither, but that the' [...] 
Well, here they are, Michelle Obama and her "dear friend" and "chit chat buddy", Oprah. Isn't everything just hunky dory!
I can understand why the woman in the Polanski sex scandal would like to keep it all in the past.
The headline on this morning's Wall Street Journal front page indicates how the paper has departed from it's origins as a financial daily. Or maybe not. Obama enters Olympic Race. The article is followed by the question of the day - Is it [...] 
When our government finds itself with allies like Cuba's Castro and Venezuela's Chevez, one might think something is amiss. Well. maybe!
Just when I think Bill Clinton has decided to stay above the fray he seems to jump right back into it.
Last Sunday Obama spent the better part of his day trying to explain his health care reform to the talking heads. The question most on everyone's mind was whether or not the mandated penalty of $1900.00 to be levied on those not buying insurance was in [...] 
I got to thinking after watching the chaos at the G20 just why those rabble rousers aren't on some kind of watch list while so many everyday citizens are. While we get man handled at airports they fly around with impunity. It's because they go through' [...] 
Ahh, I remember it well. I can't get the lyrics from the Guy Mitchell song out of my head - "There's a pawnshop on a corner in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania..."
A young French student left this comment on yesterday's post:Hello !
There are times it's good to visit the good old days. This would seem to be just such. As I'm saying more and more often, I'm tired of politics. Some days there is so much to comment on it's overwhelming. Today would seem to be just [...] 
A couple of things have really interested me about the raging health care reform angst. President Obama made the rounds of all the networks except FOX posturing about what the bill would contain. The problem is there is no bill other than the one the house [...] 
Well, here I am. Until I find the pacifist within, I'll continue offering my thoughts regardless of tone - except for a lack of civility. Today I'm thinking about the issue of the President's race. Never, in recent years, has race been waved as the prevalent [...] 
Every one was commemorating September 11th. We were commemorating September 12th. 1969. 40 years ago yesterday we were married.
If you have doubts as to who's running the country you need look no further than Nancy Pelosi. As third in line, she's sure showing she's got the toughness it takes.In lieu of posting today I'll leave you with some video. I've been playing around with iMovie to make some memories for us and would like to share them with you. Little snippets like before. To remind you who my companion was when I began this blog.
He may [...]
Wolves, one of the most beautiful and despised species of wild life in the west. What a shame. Barely off the endangered species list, they are now to be hunted and killed. 
About ten days ago I wrote a post on the resurgence of hate groups in our little corner of the world. They are not new to the area. A time came when the community said enough was enough. They lost their compound [...] 
I write this for those of you who asked for and faithfully followed my updates on Bacchus. Many of you are strangers who have become caring, compassionate friends. For all the support you have afforded, and your expressions of sympathy, I thank you from the bottom [...] 
I was browsing through the headlines today and came across one in the Washington Times that caught my eye. Rep. Massa: I will vote against the interests of my district. Just what is it we get when we elect a Representative?
I've long speculated that Rahm Emmanuel is our shadow President. That he's not the one I voted for nor that I don't like the way he strong arms people Chicago style is of little matter. He is who he is and where he is. I'm' [...] 
So Obama did a little fly fishing in the Gallatin and took the kids to Yellowstone. What a great way to refresh!
How is it we've gone from healthy debate about health care reform to worrying about the safety of our President?
I never thought I'd be so happy to see Joe the Plumber pop up in the news again! Actually we need some comic relief before the lid blows off the country.
I was watching the President present the 2009 Medal of Freedom to an impressive array of recipients. How great, I thought. Here we had gays, lesbians, blacks, whites, Hispanics - even a gentleman from Bangladesh and a Crow Indian Chief. Stephen Hawking, Sandra Day O'Connor, Billy' [...] 
In a lot of respects, the people are. We're not getting straight answers from either side of the aisle on health care reform. Oops! It's now being termed "insurance reform" which is closer to what it should be. 
These two are enough to give women in politics a bad name! I had hoped for better when Pelosi became Speaker of the House and had no hope what-so-ever when Palin became the Republican Vice Presidential nominee.
The news has been filled with stories regarding varying degrees of shout downs at the town hall meetings being conducted by our Congressional representatives. The Democrats are screaming bloody murder that the Republicans are "organizing" them. The union bullies are showing up to even the score. [...] 
A Presidential election is scheduled in Afghanistan for August 20. The country is currently without one since Karzai's term expired in May. We are engaged in war with the Taliban who are trying to regain power. Most of what we've heard from Karzai of late' [...] 
In this very red state of Idaho we sent a Democrat to Congress. Of course his predecessor was from a planet so foreign from ours, even his own Republicans couldn't support him for another term.
After the Monica Lewinski debacle I didn't much care for Bill Clinton. I was so angry because he brought such shame to the office of the Presidency. Had he been a member of the House or Senate, a member of the Cabinet or the Supreme Court' [...] 
It was WSU day again for Bacchus. We're beginning our seventh month of controlling his congestive heart failure. 
Have you noticed the press is beginning to print an Afghanistan war casualty count? Deja Vu?
I can be pretty hard on the President but I have to give him credit for the "beer summit"! 
I am well aware that the numbers being bandied about regarding the numbers of uninsured Americans are less than accurate. The idea that there are no programs for the poor are also inaccurate. There is Medicaid, which is specifically designed for these folks. 
This is one I would watch. We know the Iraqi government has made demands of our military to which I would never have agreed. Like making them subject to Iraqi law and disallowing them to take any action without Iraqi approval beforehand.
There is a point to be made when it comes to taking time to construct legislation. Financing the health care overhaul has been a big hang up but now the ideas are coming forward. Tax plastic surgery!
We knew it was going to happen. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has reinstated Michael Vick. Yes, there are conditions he must meet, yet still...
Usually I would have commented on an incident like this and moved on. Now, it would seem, Henry Gates himself says it's time to move on .
With temperatures hovering in the high 80s to mid 90s, it's the dog days of summer as far as I'm concerned!
I'm sorry Mr. President, but you were the one acting "stupidly" after first admitting you weren't present and didn't have all the facts regarding the arrest of you're friend, Henry Gates, then claiming the police acted stupidly. That, in of itself, was a display of bad [...] 
This is the last post I'm going to devote to the inanity of things people concern themselves with rather than important issues of the day. Even though they often tie together. Like cankles for instance.
Well, here we are. Day two of my promise to stay away from politics for awhile. At least in a sense.
It's hot and I'm getting cranky as the temperatures continue to rise. I'm tired of politics. I really am. Especially since I've been preaching to the choir lately and it seems I'm the lone member. So. It's time for a change of pace for at [...] 
Have any of you ever wanted to change doctors after you've turned 65 and are on Medicare? It's no easy task. If they take Medicare patients at all, they take limited numbers. Why?
With the rush to get health care reform passed before August, I've been fraught with anxiety. Nothing else Obama /Rahm has rushed through Congress is working. Yet everything had to be done "immediately" or the world as we know it would collapse upon us. The' [...] 
Al Franken has officially been a member of the Senate since July 8th. Eight whole days and nary a peep. Not knowing how assignments are made, I'll just accept the fact he has a seat on the Judiciary Committee currently conducting the Sotomayor hearings.
