If what I read in the news today is to be believed, Obama has lost my vote.

(emphasis is my own)

CHICAGO - Reaching out to religious voters, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama called for expanding President Bush’s program steering federal social service dollars to religious groups and — in a move sure to cause controversy — supported some ability to hire and fire based on faith. [Link]

I fully support groups that provide food, clothing, and shelter to those in need, but to make hiring decisions based on religious beliefs (or lack thereof) is pretty offensive in a country founded on religious freedom. Our founding fathers would surely be sad at the state of things today.

This just warms my heart on so many levels.

Among the dozens of wrenching accounts to come out of the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis, the actions of 20-year-old Jeremy Hernandez were a bright spot: Trapped in a tipping school bus with 50 children, he kicked open the back door and began helping them one by one to safety.

…

Mr. Hernandez was not available to comment on the offer; Ms. Schwartz said he left town for northern Minnesota late on Friday, overwhelmed by the attention and concerned that his co-workers were being overlooked. He spent the weekend fishing. When President Bush’s staff contacted him to request a photo opportunity, “He was just, like, ‘Nope,’ ” she said.

[Link to full article]

And it seems the behaviour is catching on around the world…I just love the French.

WOLFEBORO, United States (AFP) - Cecilia Sarkozy was seen Sunday taking a stroll in the northeastern US town where she and the French president are vacationing a day after she declined lunch with the US president. [Link]

Usually, I’m fond of the reporting I get from NPR on my morning commute. But this was just odd. I guess the apathy has really reached new heights when the newscasters can’t even muster up emotion in their voices.

“In Iraq today, 12 or so people died in a car bomb.” - that’s what I heard from the morning anchor. 12 or so? I know it’s just nuance, but there is a huge difference between saying:

12 or so people died today in a car bomb on the streets of …

and

more than 12 people died today in a car bomb on the streets of …

Subtle? Yes. But an important distinction. In the first example, we can’t be bothered to know how many people died. Maybe it was 12, maybe it was more, we don’t really know and don’t care.

In the second example, we know it was at least 12, but we want you to know that yes, tragically, it might have been more as well.

I don’t know what more to think about it. Maybe I’m overly sensitive, but it still bothers me to hear every day that more people are dying from car bombs, plane crashes, etc.

Effective July 1, 2008, the legislation prohibits drivers from using a wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle unless the driver uses a hands-free device. Drivers who violate the law will face a base fine of $20 for a first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense. (Link)

I realise that I am a bit late to the game on this one, as this was passed at the end of September, however…

1. Why do we have to wait until July 2008 for this law to go into effect?
2. How is $20 enough of a punishment to prevent anyone from continuing to use their phone in the car?
3. How is $50 enough of a punishment to prevent anyone from continuing to use their phone in the car?
4. Is anyone going to care about this law at all?
5. Why are we so important that we have to take a call in the car?
6. Shouldn’t the mobile phone companies support this because of increased hands-free sales?

Personally, I don’t want to be killed by someone who is talking on their cell phone in the car (referred to as a celler). But apparently, I’ve got about a year and 8 months of continued personal threat before I can drive safely again. Even then, I question who is going to abide by this law. Apparently it’s one of those “passive” laws as well, which means you can’t be pulled over just for being on the phone, it has to be for another reason, and then if they discover you are on the phone, you can get a ticket. (Under current statute, a police officer must observe an additional traffic violation in order to pull over the vehicle* - similar to seat belt law [*Link])
Tell me…if you are getting pulled over don’t you think you’re going to get off the phone? (and put your seat belt on as well)

Ludicrous. Go out there and buy yourself a fancy bluetooth headset, and keep on talkin’. I’ll still be right behind you in the fast line flashing my headlights and honking my horn so you’ll stop driving 45 and get out of my way.

I really do wish technology was available in all cars to dial up someone’s license plate, and it would connect you to their car so you could just tell them to “GET OFF THE PHONE!”

And not just a gay republican, in this case. A gay republican pedophile alcoholic.

This is not what the GLBT community needs.
Well, we need more gay republicans, and we need more republicans knocked off their high moral horse…but we don’t need pedophiles associated with the community. Maybe this will get people to realize that the people with “integrity” that they voted into office, don’t have as much integrity as originally advertised.

And this quote…I just don’t even know what to say……adultery is a garden variety sin???

“It’s much harder to defend yourself against something like this than the garden variety sin such as adultery or murky campaign contributions,” he said. “This is not garden variety. This creeps people out.” (Link)

References:

Congressman resigns after e-mails revealed - News - MSNBC.com

Read exerpts from the emails here

LOL

Is there anything better than toilet talking over Bush? I’m surprised anyone noticed a difference.

Quote

CNN broadcasts anchor’s toilet talk - TV NEWS AND INFORMATION - MSNBC.com

A wonderful video presentation from MSNBC showing the brilliance of the Bush. Makes you wonder what they ask - do we need a smart president or just someone who has smart helpers?

Quote

Is George Bush dumb?

Aug. 15: How dumb is George W. Bush? Do we really need a smart president? MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough gets answers from political analyst Lawrence O’Donnell and John Fund from opinionjournal.com.

And here’s what google had to say when I asked it whether George Bush is dumb…