Odds and Ends

THE SWIFT RAIDS

Hyrum, Utah in Cache Valley was one of the locations of the targeted INS raids this week. It would be interesting to know the degree of Swift's complicity and what they were paying the people arrested. I am beginning to think that the best way to combat illegal immigration is through "direct action" - i.e. boycott the employers caught. That will hurt them worse than any government imposed fine. In Swift's case, it may be premature until we learn more of the details...but I may call for that within a few days herein.

TACO BELL

A foot note to the corrupted food scandals of late. Can't remember details, but heard on C-SPAN that the FDA has reduced their food inspections from 34,000 to 13,000 over the last six years, due to budget cut-backs. Will try and confirm this with an internet search.

BUSH SPEECH DELAY

Seems like it is taking Bush longer to decide what to do next in Iraq longer than it took him to decide to invade. If the military turns out to be in as bad a shape as I think it may be, that could be "grounds" for impeachment. Unconsciencable to be giving tax breaks to the wealthy, while short-changing U.S. forces in harm's way. May not quite be "treason," but certainly should constitute a "misdomeanor."

Along same lines, listened to argument between CNN White House correspondent and Tony Snow (appropriate to call him "The Snow Man"?). Subject was the Oregon Senator who changed positions on the War...Republican Senator, who said actions in Iraq may be "criminal." First time I've heard that from any elected representative, save perhaps,John Conyers. Snow's reply was "that's ridiculous...how can anybody say it's criminal?" How about "criminal negligence?"

Bush has worked his way into a corner and is pretty much damned if he does; damned if he doesn't." The perception that drastic change is required also admits no one has been minding the store. Also, since the Administration has been fond of reminding us at every possible chance that "we're a nation at war," can't blame it all on a wayward Secretary of Defense...there is that old adage about "war being too important to be left to the generals"...and cabinet officers.

LET THEM EAT CAKE STORY

Four women (including Laura Bush) show up at White House Reception wearing same red dress...at $8,500 a copy.

MISSED OPPORTUNITY

The Gore film, "An Inconvenient Truth." Good facts and figures, but it could have had a lot more scenes with a lot more experts, less Al Gore. And, we could have done without the "I invented Global Warming" bit, on how he became interested, the story about his boy's accident, his loss in Florida in 2000, etc. So, although the film delivered "basically" a good, solid message, one of the "Inconvenient Truths" is that Gore is obviously running for President again in 2008. He would have made the same point without all of the Gore ego stuff.

PBS STORY ON INCOME INCREASES

Over last six years, income for 90% of households rose 2% (i.e. not quite keeping up with inflation). For top 1%, it increased 57%. For top 0.1% it increased 112%...hence creating a market for $8,500 dresses. Am thinking that we now need another Jefferson, who greeted foreign ambassadors in his PJs.

Republicans have two years to end the war in Iraq and convince American voters that they care for more than tax cuts for the wealthy. Otherwise, things are going to be worse in 2008 than they were in 2006. Might help them if they could get Bush to walk, shirtless from the White House to the Lincoln Memorial, flaying his back with branches and praying for forgiveness and fasting for three days at the feet of the Great Emancipator. Hmmmm? Might get his approval rating back above 30%.