Bits and Pieces for the Week of May 25 - 31

Former Republican Presidential candidate Bob Dole really takes down former Bush Press Secretary Scott McClellan. (Mike)

The USGS has released a simulation of the shakeout waves from a magnitude 7.8 earthquake along the San Andreas Faultline. Looks pretty bad for my area (between Anaheim and Los Angeles). (Mike)

You know the American press is too chicken-shit scared to report real news, so you have to go overseas to find out if Bush is planning to attack Iran. (Mike)

Israel waves its wand of oppression (Mike)

The latest outrageous attempt at playing politics in the U.S. Military. Seems chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, "...has written an unusual open letter to all those in uniform, warning them to stay out of politics as the nation approaches a presidential election..." It was OK for the last 7 years to be involved as long as you were on the side of Republ-cons but now that Democrats seem to be leading... “The U.S. military must remain apolitical at all times and in all ways...” (7 of 6)

Gotta love this... Mitch McConnell is going to have a rough re-election in Kentucky. Just another spot for the GOP to spend money they shouldn't have to. (7 of 6)

Stay updated on the Phoenix Mars Mission. (7 of 6)

FRIDAY F U N

• The real-life Indiana Jones
• Why you should always read the fine print on packages
• I Will Derive - The "I Will Survive" song for math geeks.
• Enter your zip code and find the cheapest gas in your neighborhood
• The ORIGINAL Illustrated Catalog Of ACME Products
• Ahhh, the good old days (of cell phones)
• Send $10 to the Something Store and surprise yourself

As the gas price keeps rising, everything you do to conserve fuel amplifies the savings for your wallet. The Union of Concerned Scientists has some tips for maximizing your mpg:

How you drive and take care of your vehicle affects its fuel economy and emissions levels. Follow these simple tips to reduce the environmental impact of your vehicle today. Drive less. Driving as little as possible is the best way to reduce the environmental impact of your transportation needs. Link errands, carpool, walk, bike, or use mass transit whenever possible. Choose a place to live that reduces your need to drive. If your family already has one vehicle, consider trying to meet your travel needs without buying a second one. Drive moderately. High-speed driving and jack-rabbit starts increase both fuel use and emissions. Keep your vehicle well tuned. Simple maintenance—such as regular oil changes, air-filter changes, and spark plug replacements—will lengthen the life of your vehicle as well as improve fuel economy and minimize emissions. Check your tires. Keeping your tires properly inflated and aligned saves fuel by reducing the amount of drag your engine must overcome. Also, when it’s time to replace your tires, consider getting a set of low rolling resistance (LRR) tires. Although LRR tires cost slightly more than traditional tire replacements, tires that reduce rolling resistance by 10 percent can improve gas mileage by one to two percent for most passenger vehicles.¹ Keep track of your fuel economy. A drop in your vehicle's fuel economy can be a sign of engine trouble. Keep track of your fuel economy by noting the odometer reading and the number of gallons purchased each time you fill up. To calculate your gas mileage, divide the number of miles traveled between fill-ups by the number of gallons purchased. Be weight-conscious. Don’t carry around items you don’t need. For every 100 pounds of weight in your vehicle, fuel economy decreases by one to two percent. Also, reduce drag by putting bulky items inside the vehicle or trunk instead of on a roof rack. Don't let your vehicle idle for more than a minute. During start-up, your engine burns extra gasoline. However, letting your engine idle for more than a minute burns more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it. Limit air conditioning, which consumes fuel. At lower speeds, open the windows or sunroof to stay cool. At higher speeds, use your vehicle’s fan as open windows create drag that reduces mileage. Park in the shade. Minimize evaporation of fuel and keep your vehicle cooler in the summer by parking in the shade. Notes: 1. Transportation Research Board (TRB). 2006. Tires and Passenger Vehicle Fuel Economy: Informing Consumers, Improving Performance, TRB Special Report 286. Washington, DC: National Academies. Online at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/sr/sr286.pdf

From the "Fair and Balanced News" channel:

Memorial Day by Pvt. Keepout

Pvt. Keepout is one of the better commenter's at the Left Coaster.

Many soldiers will come home with a hole where faith in government integrity was ripped out by craven cynical thieves and arrogant glycerine fools. Scar tissue will grow over it and new experience will crowd it aside, but the deep fundamental betrayal of American values personally felt by these profoundly patriotic men and women will never be redressed or even acknowleged by their culture, family, friends and lovers. They will always stand a bit apart from the conventional celebration, commerce and community that denies their wound through ridicule and indifference. They will never quite fit in anywhere ever again. They will be America's most valuable citizens because they'll never stop asking, "why?" - Pvt. Keepout, May 26, 2007

Bits and Pieces for the Week of May 18 - 24

The Republican national party (AKA the party of the rich) is so strapped for cash for the U.S. Senate campaigns, they're starting to ask the Democratic Party to scale back their spending on Democratic senate candidates. (Mike)

I think Hillary has finally gone over the edge. Here she brags about how KARL ROVE thinks she's the stronger candidate. Hillary, if you're reading this (yeah, fat chance!) please hang it up once and for all and join the rest of us Democrats. (Mike)

Not much news was made of this from last Friday, but the P.N.A.C. website has been taken down. Jeez, the Neo-Con's can't even afford to pay that bill... they are desperate for cash! (7 of 6)

The economic future is not looking good for Europe, malls, banks, the loan indistry, the price of steel, and consumer spending. (Mike)

This economic catastrophe is actually a godsend for many Americans. (Mike)

Not all NBA players are spoiled brats. Kudos to Ira Newble, Lakers bench-warmer. (Mike)

If you haven't yet heard of "bump keys", then please consider watching this video. (Mike)

Stevia is a natural sweetener, many more times sweeter than sugar. Cargill is finally trying for FDA approval. I was extremely excited about this developement, until I read that Cargill's, "500-metric-ton stevia processing facility" will be "in Qingdao, China." This could be a life saver for many diabetics but can't they produce this in a country that doesn't have a record of tainted products? (7 of 6)

Another Visit to the V.A. Hospital

I definitely feel a need to help disabled Veterans... I started yesterday.

At the beginning of February I wrote about my visit to the V.A. clinic.

The Waiting Room

Today, I was attending my regular, every 3 month psychiatric appointment. In the waiting room at the Veteran's Administration Clinic was a young man, age 25 - 30. He had an ashen, pale look on his face and was sitting with both his parents. I couldn't help but make eye contact with this young, troubled Veteran. Somehow, his soul seemed fragile, fractured if you will, by the horrors he'd seen. He glanced at me, I looked at him... I could see fear, mistrust, doubt, apprehension, and the dread in his eyes. He looked away and down, as if mortified. Tears were welling up in his eyes. By this time, I was starting to get a big lump in my throat. Remembering the confusion I first felt when I was going through the "VA mental healthcare system". Finally, he glanced back up... I nodded to him... gave him a clenched fist... a subtle, positive sign, as if to say... please, stay strong, hang in there... your not alone. By this time I had tears welling in my eyes. He leaned back and looked up toward the ceiling wiping a tear away.

Introspectively, I was yearning to reach out to him. I wanted to tell him he's in the right place... doing the right thing... well on his way to some sort of recovery. I wish I could have communicated that seeking help is the first, huge, step in getting better. Let him know that his mind will never be 100% or be the person he once was, but it's his heart that matters. Explain to him, he's lucky he has two wonderful parents who love and care for him... something I never appreciated.

My wish was to give him a big bear hug. God, the stories I could tell this young man of my personal battles with the VA. Of course, he certainly didn't need some 50 year old disabled Veteran confessing his plight of chronic back and shoulder pain. In addition to his own light case of PTSD. Actually, I was thinking more of providing my experience to help guide him through the red tape of the VA. And be there for him if he ever needed someone to talk to.
Unfortunately, I was summoned suddenly for my appointment... I bounced up with intensity and a slight smile on my face for being called.

When I left my appointment... driving home... I started to reflect on my start with the "VA mental health system"... my anger grew. I had shed tears exactly like this young man. I remembered the shame I felt... of feeling ashamed. Why the fuck should I be embarrassed about anything... I didn't ask for these emotions! The Army tried its best to desensitized my feelings, dehumanize me. A pure and simple mind fuck. The Army wanted me to feel disgraced... let me carry around the stigma of not being able to handle the sights and sounds of war. I found out, most people can't. I'm not their little automaton, emotionally or physically. I'm on the road to recovering my passion for life... my life. No doubt, it's still a struggle. But I will cherish it with all the gusto I can muster. That's a good thing.

Damn, can I go back and talk to this young, mentally ill Veteran and tell him everything? Perhaps... he saw it in my eyes.

Yesterday, I went back for another appointment. Later in the day, I went to the downtown Carl T. Hayden V.A. Hospital for more follow up appointments. At both the clinic and the hospital it was crowded... like I've never seen it before. And I've been going to the V.A. for over 16 years.

Things were different, the best I can explain it was an overwhelming sense of urgency among the elderly disabled Veterans. Were they feeling like there might not be space available in the future? I know there will be a huge influx of new disabled Veterans coming in but I have never personally considered that I might not get seen. Are their fears warranted?

I had a 2 hour wait for X-rays yesterday. A young female Veteran got up and left, she had her 2 kids in tow. An elderly man limped out, cursing under his breath, not wanting to wait.

A wild eyed woman, came in all upset, ranting how they had lost her medical records and that they had no trace of her being seen at this hospital. She was looking around as if anyone could empathize with her, while continuing to berate the V.A. staff. I intruded and asked her to sit down... I asked if she didn't mind, could she please explain to me what happened. She was more than willing to vent.

She proceeded to explain that she was a former Marine officer, and went into detail about the lack of follow up care, frustration and insult she's been going through after her knee surgeries. Her displeasure with the V.A. was evident after 15 minutes... at the conclusion, I told her how I think things could go better next time. She listened intently... I told her to first go to record keeping, ask if they have her medical records. If they do, sign for a release of those medical records and immediately make copies, in triplicate. I mentioned they had done the same to me at the Denver V.A. Hospital but that I was always able to produce copies. In fact I told her they had lost my medical records 3 times, (or at least the office staff said they had).

I then told her if she wasn't satisfied to see the Patient Advocate. I mentioned they are designed to take complaints from disabled Veterans.

She took my words to heart and headed to the records office. She reappeared about 20 minutes later saying they had found everything and that she was getting copies right then. She was really grateful and had a huge smile on her face. When she left, the hospital staff thanked me as well for calming her down.

Damn it... it shouldn't have to be so difficult for disabled Veterans. You're already baffled dealing with a new governmental bureaucracy. You're hurting and in pain... there should be some simple answers. Instead the V.A. would rather put their heads in the sand and deny a problem exists. Will the problem go away? I think a million returning disabled Veterans will change their minds. If not... I know the million's of disabled Veterans, currently waiting impatiently for care, won't let them!

(Cross-posted at The Liberal Coalition)

FRIDAY F U N

• Best ‘Out of Office’ Automatic e-mail Replies
• Vodka: Who woulda thought....
• Enter your zip code and find the cheapest gas in your area.
• Short, interesting video about the upcoming Phoenix Mars Lander due to arrive on Mars' surface May 25, 2008
• Test your reaction time
• An effective, although not relaxing, massage chair
• Grains of sand like you've never seen them

Bits and Pieces for the Week of May 11 - 17

Seems the same FLDS group as the ones from TX are buying land in 2 CO counties. (7 of 6)

FINALLY!!! SOME DAMN GOOD NEWS!!! (Mike)

The only description that comes to mind is anarchists, for this group calling themselves, Recreate68. They are threatening to disrupt the Democratic convention in Denver. I wonder, could they possibly be part of Limbaugh's master plan? (7 of 6)

Wow. Check out these photos of the electricity produced by rain interacting with the ash being spewed out of the Chilean volcano, Chaitén. (Mike)

Ron Paul is the GOP's headache that just won't go away. (Mike)

This is quite a touching campaign story. This kid apparently is far more passionate than 99% of the voters. (Mike)

John McCain is using his "sugar mama's" plane for campaign business. "...Federal Aviation Administration records indicate that she appears to be using her personal wealth to help his campaign, through the continued use of her corporate jet... critics have argued that Mrs. McCain is effectively subsidizing her husband’s campaign because either she or her company has to make up for the difference between what his campaign pays for the jet’s use and what it really costs to operate it." (7 of 6)

"The PR executive John McCain just tapped to help run the GOP convention quit today after a report that his firm once represented the Burmese junta..." (7 of 6)

This was just too funny to pass up. Here is an except from George Bush's speech on Mother's Day:

"....Laura and I want to wish everybody a happy Mother's Day. It's just a special day to give thanks to our Moms; appreciate the hard work that Moms do. And I understand that for some, however, Mother's Day is a sad day for those who lost their lives in Oklahoma and Missouri and Georgia because of the tornadoes...."

As you can see, somehow Bush knows that those mothers who died are sad. Lesson of the day: Mothers, if you don't want to be sad, then don't die.

"McCain’s Murderers Row"

Cliff Schecter is doing a great job on exposing John McCain and his campaign staff.

A new website (firethelobbyists.com) has been created by Campaign Money Watch, to convince Senator McCain to fire three lobbyists working on his campaign that have ties to ruthless dictators. You may recall that over the past two days, two McCain aides have resigned because of their willingness to do public relations work for the Burmese Junta. It turns out that they have friends in low places, however. I contacted David Donnelly, Director of Campaign Money Watch, for a comment, and what he had to say explains what his group is trying to accomplish: "John McCain ought to immediately fire three lobbyists — Charlie Black, Tom Loeffler, and Peter Madaigan -- whose lobbying for brutal dictators and foreign governments is every bit as bad as the two lobbyists who left his campaign over the weekend. Frankly, McCain’s campaign is turning out to be an effort of, by, and for these types of Washington influence peddlers. His credentials as a reformer are gone." Pretty strong words. Yet, if you read what these men have been up to, perhaps not strong enough. It ain't pretty: "Charlie Black, McCain’s senior counsel and spokesman, began his lobbying career by representing numerous dictators and repressive regimes Black’s firm represented the governor of Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos. According to a 1985 report, the firm Black, Manafort & Stone earned $950,000 plus expenses for its work to provide “advice and assistance on matters relating to the media, public relations and public affairs interests.”1 Black’s firm lobbied on behalf of Mobuto Sese Seko of Zaire, earning $1 million a year for his efforts.2 Black’s firm lobbied on behalf of Somali dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.3 Black’s firm represented Nigerian dictator Ibrahim Babangida, earning at least $1 million for his efforts.4 Black’s firm has represented Equatorial Guinea, an oil-rich state “best known for the outlandish brutality of its rulers.”5 Black represented Angolan rebel and “classical terrorist” Jonas Savimbi, a job that earned him $600,000.6 “We have to call him Africa’s classical terrorist,” Makau Mutua, a professor of law and Africa specialist told the New York Times. “In the history of the continent, I think he’s unique because of the degree of suffering he caused without showing any remorse.”7 In recent years his client list has also included the Iraqi National Congress8, Friends of Blackwater9, and the China National Off-Shore Oil Corp.10 Since 2005, BKSH has received more than $700,000 in fees from foreign entities.11 Thomas Loeffler, co-chairman of McCain’s campaign, has represented the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia paid the Loeffler Group “a whopping $7.9 million from December 1, 2005, though November 2006 -- the largest fee collected from a foreign government by any lobbying firm in 2006,” according to National Journal.12 The Washington Times reported that “Mr. Loeffler's firm has received more than $10 million since 2006 from the Saudi Embassy and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”13 Much of this work was centered on gaining admission for the Kingdom to the World Trade Organization.14 Since 2005, according to the Washington Times, “the Loeffler Group reported more than $11 million in fees from foreign lobbying clients.”15 Peter Madigan, a leading McCain fundraiser, lobbies on behalf of the king of Dubai Madigan has earned upwards of $800,000 to improve the United Arab Emirates’ reputation in the face of a class action lawsuit over the enslavement of boy camel jockeys.16" You may also remember our story on Charlie Black the other day, regarding his involvement in setting up an anti-Christian ceremony for the Reverend Sun Myung Moon, a man who is not only a felon but in league with Kim Jong-Il of North Korea. Pleasant company to be sure. And it is only the tip of the iceberg. In The Real McCain, I have two chapters outlining McCain's sordid associations. People who make Jeremiah Wright look like a Red Cross worker.

We need all the ammunition we can get come the fall. It is a national imperative that the republi-cons are defeated.

Bits and Pieces for the Week of May 4 - 10

Remember when the U.S. was offered million of dollars in relief aid for victims of hurricane Katrina and it went unclaimed? I find it the height of hypocrisy for the U.S. to be critical of the military junta in Myanmar for aid efforts stalling. (7 of 6)

Imagine: Instead of having our mighty military in Iraq endlessly driving and flying around and shooting at an elusive enemy that we created, we instead moved it over to Myanmar and helped resolve this devastating problem. That's the United States of America I would like to live in. (Mike)

Fascinating story: Hard drive, from Space Shuttle Columbia (which disintegrated with 7 astronauts on board in February, 2003), containing research data intended to solve physics problem was recovered with 99% of data intact. (Mike)

This is just the most god-awful political video I've ever seen. (Mike)

California is running out of money, and running out of ways to pay its teachers. (Mike)

A case for Hillary. (Mike)

"Soaring food prices may throw millions of Asians back into poverty, undo a decade of gains and stoke civil unrest" (Mike)

The recession is starting to hit Las Vegas hard. (Mike)

In the supposedly tranquil province of Anbar: Four Marines killed in Iraq. Hello... American troops are still dying there... Does anybody hear me? Apparently not! (7 of 6)

Canada must choose on how to approach the American Northwest ban on Salmon fishing. (7 of 6)

Turkana over at The Left Coaster explains why Clinton supporters must look at the bigger picture when thinking about not voting for Obama (snippet):

"....It isn't necessary that those who support Clinton now enthusiastically come to support Obama, but it is necessary that they come to support him. Even at the bare minimum level. And that bare minimum level is to vote for him, in November. You don't have to like doing so, but you do have to do so. The alternative is unthinkable. Many of you like to think of yourselves as wiser and more politically astute than are many Obama supporters, and it is time to make that case for yourselves. Be as graceful in defeat as the worst of them have been graceless in victory. Obama himself, however imperfect, is a far better person than those who do such a terrific job of turning people away from him. Keep that in mind. Keep in mind the irrevocable damage that would be done by four more years of neocon/theocon/kleptocrat autocracy. And keep in mind that the often odious behavior you have seen from online Obama supporters is not the fault of the candidate himself."

Bits and Pieces for the Week of April 27 - May 3

"Obama has received twice as much money as Hillary Clinton has from donors who supported other candidates in the Democratic race." (7 of 6)

Here's a great consequence of the gas price crisis: Prius sales, in April, were the 11th highest in the auto industry. Also, the year-over-year increase in Prius sales was the highest of all new cars. (Mike)

I found this story absolutely amazing: Scientists have found a direct link between the frozen remains of a man found in a glacier in northern B.C. and 17 people living in B.C., Yukon and Alaska... "The connection to the people," said Al Mackie, an archaeologist on the project, "how they know his clan, how they know who his relatives are, that's amazing. You just don't get that in archaeology. It never happens." (7 of 6)

If Hillary wins the Democratic nomination Bill's only job should be backroom deals and public handshaker. NBC News political director, Chuck Todd, made some valid points: “It’s fascinating: Nobody’s been a bigger victim of the so-called YouTube moments than Bill Clinton,” Todd said. “I think Bill Clinton was woefully unprepared for 21st Century media.” (7 of 6)

Oh yeah, remember the bu$h war: 4 U.S. soldiers killed in Baghdad attack "The attacks raised the monthly U.S. death toll to at least 44, making it the deadliest since September... In all, at least 4,056 members of the U.S. military have died since the Iraq war started in March 2003..." (7 of 6)

Seems a bit sooner than expected. "North Pole Could Be Ice Free in 2008" (7 of 6)

What Justice Department? "CIA tactics given legal cover... Justice Department letters say interrogation rules may not bind U.S." The days of checks and balances are just an afterthougt in bu$hworld. (7 of 6)

FRIDAY F U N

• Best Slurpee ad ever
• Free printable paper - download and print graph paper, lined paper, financial paper, music paper, etc.
• Portable cell phone booth - be sure to check out the video
• Wrongcards (unusual ecards)
• Free B movies
• Emoticon Man

Sorry, I've been swamped at work these days. I hope this small selection of entertainment brightens your day a little.

Question for today:

WHY ARE WE STILL IN IRAQ?
Quick, without thinking, what's the first answer that comes to mind? Right, there is no clear answer. You can sit back and start thinking of many fine ones:

• The Democratic Congress keeps succumbing to Bush's threat-filled spending requests
• A quick exit will create even more chaos and death
• If we leave we'll lose access to all that sweet crude oil
• The military/industrial/petroleum complex really controls everything and will never leave until forced
• We couch-potato Americans are too lazy to demand what we want (unless pollsters call us)
• We still haven't found all those WMDs that Bush demanded were there
• Iraqis won't be truly free until every last one of them is dead or a refugee
• We were promised rose petals and parades in the streets of Baghdad and won't leave until those ungrateful Iraqis start meeting our expectations

Some of these are likely true, and some are just Neocon fantasies. The point is, we Americans (myself excluded) wanted to hurt Iraq because they did NOT cause 9-11. Makes no sense? Neither does this war nor the outrageous way in which all of us (myself included) have failed to stop our lawless government. Shame on us all.

(cross-posted at Liberal Coalition)