Many Sacramentens Just Don't Get It.

You won't see the photo of the soldiers uniform in a noose, which Steve and Virginia Pearcy decided to hang from their home, on my blog. Why? Perhaps it had never occured to them or any of the other supporters of their action, that if and when this photo gets posted to some website and our soldiers take a look at it, even though the intent may not be there, it's going to make us look like we blame them for what's going on in Iraq. We all know who's to blame for the war and we know where his residence on Pennsylvania Ave is. But that is not the point. Say what you will, but this looks like America after Vietnam all over again.

Diana Griego Erwin got it right this time in quoting Ken Russel, who said "What I wish is that the cops would close down the street so we could actually talk to one another." She then told him that this was the most intelligent comment she had heard all night, and I'm afraid to say it, but that should be such a given that it need not be said, but I'm pleased she told him so. That type of feedback is a nice change from the majority of activites that went on that night.

What is even more sad is that our city council said they couldn't solve the problem. What problem? That some residents decided to act upon their constitutional rights? "Unfortunately or fortunately this is protected speech by the First Amendment ... so there is nothing we can do about it," Sacramento City Councilman Rob Fong said. At least Councilman Fong worded his statement ambiguously. Now there's taking a stand for you-or not, in this case.

Evidently, an unknown (at this time) group of individuals have torn down the display, thereby performing the illegal acts of vandolism and trespassing, along with not letting their morals get in the way of doing what's right. But, at what cost? Just because you disagree with the statement does not give you the right to trounce upon the constitutional rights of others. Wouldn't it have been much easier to approach the Pearcy's home, knock politely on their door and ask if you could discuss their new home ornament and why you find it offensive? Apparently not.

Now that's a great lookin' bitch.  

Say what you will about Bush-now here's a stance!

Did anyone see the bitch that won Best In Show at Westminster today? Carlee, the dog that took top honors, is clearly the canine who has it all. If you didn't watch this event, and you're the type who who says this stuff is boring, then you are truly an ass. Having the opportunity to watch anyone or anything, for that matter, at the top of their game is an inspiring experience; this time all the better knowing that these animals are probably just having a great time and have little knowledge of what their actions are actually leading up to: Best In Show, Westminster. Bravo, Carlee!

Mr. Baller enjoys a nice Cuban during a rare moment of relaxation in San Francisco (Sept. 2004). 

Bush's Budget: Write to your Reps and ask them to reject it!

Is anyone besides me sick of all this budgetary hocus-pocus that Bush is attempting to use in presenting his new budget to Congress? Cheney: "I think you'll find, once people sit down and have a chance to look at the budget, that it is a fair, reasonable, responsible, serious piece of effort." Perhaps, but only for a six year old. The operations cost of Irag and Afghanistan will be left out of future budgets, along with the costs of "solving" the so-called Social Security crisis. These figures should be readily available to the public, not just those privy to the budgetary process and they should be discussed opening in public forums, aka the media. Take in to account the proposed cuts in law enforcement ($1.3 billion), educational ( $4.3 billion), rail transportation (no subsidy to Amtrak and $20 billion to high-speed rail), doubling co-payments and adding additional fees to veterans, and what you have is a budget that leaves every child left behind, unprotected and unable to move about to see his now broke grandfather.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., was on ABC's "This Week" saying "I hope we in Congress will have the courage to support it." Can it be any clearer that the once strong and progressive McCain is now just a patsy for his party? What I would have liked to hear is something more along the lines of "I hope we in Congress will have the strength to stand up and demand more from our Commander in Chief. This budget is exactly what has been wrong with corporate America and should not be allowed to continue in the America you and I live in." But, of course, I am just dreaming.

Does anyone feel safer now after reading William Finnegan's article in the The New Yorker? It turns out that the Bush administration isn't nearly as serious about protecting us from terrorism as it would have you believe, and instead, relies primarily on the media's lack of in-depth reporting skills, thereby allowing them to get away with doing almost nothing to increase our national security: In 2001, Bush required all cargo on commercial flights to be screened. Flashforward to 2005. What percent is being screened as I write this? Less than 5 percent. And when Clark Evin, the depts. Inspector General outlined in his reports this and other serious security deficiencies, his was let go. And don't get me started on the lack of security screening that is not going on at our commercial harbors-the percentage is about the same.

Feel safer with George W. Bush in office, 'cause I sure don't