ALIEN NATION AND ALIENATION

Society watchers have noted for decades that Americans are becoming more and more alienated from one another. This brings problems by the bunch. Loneliness, rejection, resentment, anger, indifference, withdrawal, isolation, and miscommunication are some of the negatives.

Add in our new alien nation situation and we have still more alienation. People need to integrate. Immigrants keep to themselves too much for their own good or for the rest of us.

We can all be more inclusive, less exclusive.

It's all so simple.

Thoughts While Loitering

- Let's hope the government doesn't create a Department of Alienation Corrections or start a War on Alienation. We can fix this problem (and most others) without the government.

- The heat's got me, but this is not global warming. This is summer.

Meetings & Events

- The greatest debate of the season will be held at the E'ola Convention Center. (Make that Dixie.) The Democratic candidate for president will exchange ideas with his Republican opponent. Bart Anderson will be the moderator for the dust-off between Senator Barack Tweedledee and Senator John Tweedledum on July 5, Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets at the door. No loiterers, ticket scalpers, green people, anti-war protesters, global warmers, envirowackos, bloggers, sandal clodders, home schoolers, tailgaters, please.

- March with us in the parade on Main Street on Friday evening. STOP THE GROWTH. Join with us, you newcomers.

SWIMMING IN THE GUVMINT POOL

Kanab is the focus of another debate over city rules. A few years back it was gayism (our term) and people came forward to take a stand - both ways.

This new issue is about skimpy-little-teeny-weeny-yellow-polka-dot bikinis. First, the city council said "You can't dress like that at the municipal pool." Then the bare skin crowd got organized and gave the council members a dressing down. The rules were amended and now less is more. The city doesn't have much to show for it.

The debate is about swim suits, but it ought to be about the pools themselves.

Why do city governments build and maintain swimming holes? What has that to do with preserving the liberties or protecting the lives of the citizens? Golf courses, recreational facilities, art museums, and municipal pools would be private industries (taxable) if the governments had not inserted themselves as virtual monopolies.

If municipal pools are to be, then let's get city socialism into bowling lanes, yoga studios, book stores, and fast food.

Governments and religions should not compete with their members.

It's all so simple.

Thoughts While Meditating

Supreme Court rules in favor of our owning guns. Guns were called "equalizers" back in the forties. (I was there.) The glorious and noble equalizers give a fair chance to an aging grandmother in a dark parking lot no matter how fierce the hood is.

The American colonists owned equalizers before the War for Independence. If King George had imposed gun control, there would have been no Lexington and Concord.

Three cheers for the equalizers.

Meetings & Events

Support group for Divorced Folks Who Admit They Were The Problem. Every Saturday night from 8 pm until whenever. Dixie Bar and Grille, the small table over by the air conditioner.

Unplanned Parenthood will have a picnic in Worthen park, Saturday noon. Speakers will address the issues of emotional impacts - surprise, panic and euphoria. Call 688-0245 if you need a baby sitter.

Help Wanted

Poop Abatement Engineer is needed for our city parks (where the dog is king.) Job description: "Undo what the dogs do so that little kids can play soccer and softball without slip sliding away." Must be fast worker - only an hour between dog time and game time. No complainers need apply, please see your negligent mayor for an application.

Overheard At Only The Lonely

"I'm holding my money. Waiting. When the stock market hits its low, I'll jump in and ride it to the top."

"Everytime President Bush shows his face at some disaster, he rolls up his sleeves. The symbolism brings tears to my eyes."

TOO LATE TO VOTE?

Many citizens don't vote because they think it doesn't matter, that the government is too big to care what voters want. They suggest that all of the candidates are the same, and no positive changes result from voting. Also, they claim politicians break promises regularly, so what are you going to do?

A bumper sticker says Don't Vote, It Only Encourages Them.

Thinkers' Guide's answer to this monumental problem is to vote for Congress as a group instead of as individual representatives. Tie their paychecks to their performances as a whole. If you want details on the mechanics of this plan, give me a call. If a Democrat or Republican answers, hang up the phone.

It's all so simple.

Thoughts While Jaywalking

H.L. Mencken had an idea on today's subject. He said, "The only way to make our system of government work is to shoot the 50 worst Congressmen every year." That's an idea who's time has come.

Overheard At Slippery Slope Saloon

- "The reason the government let gas prices run up so high is to prevent us from marching on Washington to stop wars, deficit spending, corruption, and bureaucratic meddling. I mean, how are we going to get there at $5 a gallon?"

- "My wife's brother says he knows where Osama bin Laden is hiding, but he won't divulge the information unless someone important asks him for the information."

Meetings & Events

The We-Miss-The-Snowbirds support group meets in the back room at Frenchy's every Monday from 6 pm to 9 pm. Internet chat friends are contacted each week.

The parade to honor censored has been cancelled for lack of interest.

OIL SPURTS TO THE SURFACE IN IRAQ

The puppet government in Iraq announced no-bid contracts to several oil companies, including Exxon-Mobil and Chevron. There will be more news to come out, and we're telling. Our state department, headed by former Chevron executive Condi Rice, assisted the Iraqi lawmakers in writing the new oil law.

Alan Greenspan said the war on Iraq was about oil; Vice President Cheney tells us it was for oil and Israel.

The truth is emerging now, and the oil slicks are exposed for all to see.

It's all so simple.

Thoughts While Roaming

The dangers of brain damage from cell phones has been recognized for years. As time goes by, the dangers are still present, but public concern is reduced because more and more people have too much brain damage to comprehend the problem. Hence, the problem is no longer a problem because the victims don't mind.(No pun intended.)

Meetings & Events

- A new group is forming to stage a parade demanding another "stimulus check" from Uncle Sam. "That few hundred bucks was a joke. I paid back taxes with mine," said parade organizer George McGovern.

- Sons and Daughters of Survivors of Prohibition will meet at Only The Lonely on the third Tuesday of the seventh month (July) of leap years. Prepare to hoist a toast.

Help Wanted

Rickshaw pullers for downtown area. Roundabout driving experience helpful. Loiterers need not apply.

BACK BY UNPOPULAR DEMAND

The blog is back. Explaining why doesn't work. Anyway, who cares why people such as I do what we do?

This is not the first time Thinker has kicked the soil off the casket and climbed out.

Thoughts While Tying My Shoes

The party's over. Those brilliant Republicans are about to offer the voters a candidate who wanted to be John Kerry's running mate just four years ago. McCain threatened to join the other party several times. He often votes against his party's stated position. George Washington warned against political parties and believed them to be harmful to the republic. They might be okay for a democracy, but who wants to live in one of those?

Overheard Upstairs At Frenchy's

"Wouldn't it be something if the recession makes folks eat less and less, so that they get skinny and live so long that they drain the Social Security funds so much that the recession shifts into a depression? Give me another "on the rocks."

HelpWanted

Exciting new business in town needs transportation technicians to drive tourists and other happy people from place to place. As a Rickshaw Man, you must be strong, know the territory and keep smiling. The economic scene has changed. This is the wave of the future, so ride the wave. Call for an audition and tryout. (435) 688-0245

Outrage Department

The Chinese government admits it held an American POW from the time he was a teenager in the Korean War. The man died and was buried in China.

Overheard at Slippery Slope Saloon

"I saw a picture of Fidel, and he sure didn't look dead. Those rumors were false. The man is eternal, for the ages. He lived through dozens of CIA and Mafia hit tries. I'm not going to worry about that guy."

THE BLOGGER LEFT THE BUILDING

Writing books takes so much time that I shall deblog, and remain grounded until further notice.

If you want a free copy of my book, No Liberty, No Peace," just give me a call (435) 688-0245 or e-mail jpaskeroth@yahoo to tell me your mailing address.

Thanks.............Jerry

IT'S THE STUPID ECONOMY

My perceptive friend insists that the average American is coping with high gas prices by shaving the grocery budget. This might be wise because food prices are rising faster than gas, in many cases.

Most of us have part-time jobs now, in addition to the day job. The job of "corner cutter" can be well paid, depending on the situation and your will power.

Meanwhile, plant a garden. Paint your own house. Take in a roomer. Buy a second-hand scooter. Slice up your credit cards. Wear yesteryear's clothes. Vote for real conservatives (classical liberals.)

It's all so simple.

Meetings & Events

- Snowbird Envy Club meets on Saturday afternoons throughout the summer at Worthen Park. If you survive this season, you can look forward to flying north for next summer.

- Restless Leg Support Group - men only - meets at Frenchy's, Tuesday evenings at 8 pm. The Ladies Restless Leg Group kicks up its heals at the Eureka in Mesquite tonight and every night.

Help Wanted

Someone to drive me to work, then to lunch, and back home again. Must have own car and be able to prove insurance. No diesel vehicles. Call 688-0245.

DRAIN IOWA

Iowans flock to the lakes of Minnesota for water recreation, but this year the water came to them. It's too much of a good thing. The destruction and personal losses are heart-tugging. The governor says it's far from over.

FEMA? Forget them. Let's send volunteers to help those nice folks in Iowa. Next stop: River City, Iowa.

It's all so simple.

Thoughts While Sun Tanning

- Israeli archeologists uncovered date tree seeds that were at least 2,000 years old. One of the seeds was planted in a pot, and it sprouted in healthy fashion. This is highly significant, but I cannot explain why.

- Smog is over the city today. Or is it a mushroom cloud?

- Don't forget: Iraq War = oil.

Meetings & Events

- The Dixie Convention Center will host the National Association of Proof reeders at there annual gathering in July.

- A parade of special people (those in touch with their inner-selves and higher- beings) will proceed from Bluff Street at the freeway to Sunset on Saturday at 10 a.m. So if part of you wants to march, at some level, please register first. Have your papers ready.

- A new group is forming locally. It's based on intellectual prowess or its absence. STUPSA, counterpart of MENSA, was founded by an ex-communicated MENSA member who did something really dumb. A fellow Mensan ratted on him and that was that.

Help Wanted

Real people to replace Senators Bennett and Hatch. Must believe in Constitution and have no pompous airs.

Twenty-Years-from-Now News

- The peace ambassadors from Mars will visit Earth this month. Leaders of both planets want to prevent a repeat of the recent skirmish in space which resulted in lives lost on both sides. The Martian Prime Minister claims to desire peace and is willing to sign long term contracts with Exxon-Mobil and Chevron if they will hire Martian laborers.

- Now it's a proven fact now that humans don't have to eat to survive and be healthy. At least 50 scientists gave up food a decade ago, and appear strong and well. They benefit from large doses of daily sunshine and a spoonful of spirulina once in a while. Also, exercise in the form of swimming, jogging and jumping to conclusions is in their regimen.

Overheard at Only The Lonely

"So Bush is in France. There ought to be a law that elected dudes can't leave the country. Woodrow Wilson started this foolishness. Keep 'em all at home - governors, senators, mayors, etc. I can't go anywhere, why should they?"

NOT TODAY

You're the only reader of this blog, therefore, only you will be either disappointed or elated by the lack of a message today. No big deal.

Just you and me, Babe.

OIL SLICKS DRILLED AND PUMPED BY CONGRESS

The CEOs of Exxon Mobil and other giant oil corporations stood unbowed under verbal assaults from Democrat Senators on Tuesday. The Republicans blocked all moves that would add taxes to the oil companies which make some $50 billion per. They also stopped efforts to take away government subsidies and tax breaks.

We hear from the leading GOP congressmen and their radio army and writers that oil companies make only 8% return on investment. We can't argue with these creative accountants, but we can be skeptical. Also, we remain cognizant that the commodity these monster corporations sell is produced by nature and taken out of the earth needing only to be refined.

Oil slicks, indeed.

It's all so simple.

Thoughts While Line Dancing

How are we going to get out of this one? We have a failing currency, the national debt is somewhere between $10 trillion and $40 trillion, depending on how many bills you want to count, we have occupying forces in five major nations, two of which are still hostile to us, an illegal immigrant invasion is underway, and our legislative process resembles a bribery system.

Meetings & Events

St. George, Utah Mayor Dan McArthur will speak to the League of Cities in Chicago this coming Monday. His topic will be: How To Tell a Snowbird from an Illegal Alien.

Twenty-Years-From-Now News

- Elian Gonzales - now a cell phone salesman in Havana - is shown on television visiting Fidel Castro in Castro's assisted living facility. Both men are smiling and waving Chinese flags.

- Now that the legal voting age has been reduced to 10, a citizen can be elected to Congress or the Presidency at age 12. You've come a long way, America, from racism, genderism, classism, and age discrimination.

- Former President George W. Bush spoke with Foxy News by phone yesterday. Long-discredited for starting wars, approving of torture, and burning our currency - he has not been seen in public since 2009.

Overheard At Slippery Slope Saloon

"When will solar power and wind energy replace coal and oil?"

"When your brother-in-law pays you back."

BENEFITS OF ECONOMIC RECESSIONS

Recessions are usually short ( if the government keeps out of it ) but this one will take longer because the main perpetrators have the influence and power to attempt to fix what they broke. We're talking Federal Reserve rulers, congressional leaders and lame-duck presidents.

Call recessions downturns, slow cycles, panics, or sluggish economies. They don't last long unless there is a whole lot of meddling going on. Keep your chin up, your hopes alive and your gold in a safe place.

If the recession goes on and on, we can benefit by a well-deserved rest. Our bodies and minds need that. Nearly everyone will drive less (the car will get a rest) and accidents will be reduced. A slower pace will replace the crazy-fast pace that's prevailed. We won't eat too much, like we usually do. We might become less materialistic. We will appreciate everything more.

More gardens will grow, traffic will lessen, families will come together, and everyone will have more time to think.

Depressions are horrible, but a hands-off recession is not all bad.

It's all so simple.

Overheard at Only The Lonely

"Obama is considered a Black man. He had a white mother, so why isn't he a white man? If his father had been Chinese, would we call him a Chinaman? Who decides these designations? We are all members of the human race. We don't need no stinking color coding."

"The guy at the end of the bar says, 'Bill Clinton was the first Black president.' Boy, he had me fooled."

"Obama talks about hope. Hell, Clinton came from Hope (Arkansas.) Didn't do him much good."

LOCAL PAPER WINS PRIZE IN FLUFF & PUFF

Also, the locals win first place in protecting Senator Hatch from himself. Another first in not covering the 12 years of our nation starving Iraq and denying medicine to the sick. Keeping readers in the dark about the banned depleted uranium used by our military gained still another numero uno. And what other paper could top the news blackout of the oil heist now in progress?

The readership is happy and blissful because the local paper is judiciously informative and uninformative. That is, they don't tell us any more than we can handle.

They make cover-ups respectable and dignified.

It's all so simple.

Thoughts While Taking Out The Trash

- Someone wrote that we'd have a mess if the government ran the oil companies. The next writer countered that: "As it is now, the oil companies run the government." This is powerful stuff. Bush, Cheney and Rice were all top executives in the oil industry. Watch closely to see the actions of the oil folks. They get away with more than enough to raise your suspicions to the sky.

- It's a perennial thing: Dogs run around in the parks, behaving like dogs. Their owners stand nearby. The next day, young girls and boys play supervised games on the same field grass. Can someone give us the scoop? Why is this allowed?

Meetings & Events

- The If-Only-I-Hadn't-Done-It-My-Way support group invites the public to our meetings in Town Square by the fountain on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Be there. We'll turn your regrets into friendships.

- Support group for those who can't stop thinking about tomorrow meets at noon tomorrow at the main library.

Help Wanted

Managing editor at local rag. Must have keen eye for detecting news unfavorable to the establishment, and be prepared to squash it or spin it to please the best interests of the publisher and owner. Peaceniks, pacifists, vegans, deserters, wimps, and out-of-the-box thinkers need not apply.

Overheard at Barnes & Noble

"No cheese danish? And you call this a bookstore?"

Overheard at Slippery Slope Saloon

- "Bloggers now outnumber Elvis impersonators."

- "The bees are still disappearing, and you say there's no global warming."

- "McCain wants a man on Mars. Great. He'd be the perfect fit, just the guy to send out there. Ha, ha. Did you notice whenever McCain makes a trip to Iraq, they never follow him home?"

- "So that's what a managing editor is. He manages the news we get to read. He's a control freak, but really serves his masters. Please don't quote me on that."

Twenty-Years-From-Now News

The mountain desert city of St. George, Utah has roundabouts at every intersection. The city leaders have effectively eliminated all stop lights and reduced automobile collisions by 82%. The spaces inside the roundabouts are used for loiterers' jails, advertising displays and drive-up banks.

OOPS. UNEMPLOYMENT IS VERTICAL AGAIN

Stimulus. We need more stimulus. Yesterday, we reported that retail sales had risen due to Our Leader's brilliant dole out of funny money to everyone who's breathing.. The sales increase was encouraging, but now it's "Flying High In April, Shot Down In May." The stimulus was apparently too little. The jobless numbers zoomed, as did oil prices, and the stock market index fell more than 400 points. Woe is we. This is serious - we cannot afford to wait for Stimulus I to work beyond the retail level. We need Stimulus II to improve the employment factor.

It's all so simple.

Thoughts While Shopping for a Scooter

- Watch for the Bush administration to print up another $300 for each of us. These neoconservatives are so proactive. Herbert Hoover would have napped through this crisis. (But the dollar would have remained sound.)

- Japan sends a lot of foreign aid around the world, they have for years. They are spreading yen around Africa. Some critics point out that Japan is just buying friends and gaining influence. That might be true, and I'm sure proud that Uncle Sam never had such motives with all the aid he's been giving for decades and decades and decades.

Overheard at Duffy's

-"What's with this workforce housing scam? They're going to build ticky tacky apartments for the government employees who can't afford the same rent the less essential workers pay? You gotta be a fireman or a cop or a teacher - then you get favored housing. How's about my brother-in-law who works hard as a taxi-cab driver? He serves the public, too, but he lives in a dump and pays too much rent."

- "Don't tell me we'll ever pull out of Iraq. We're still building military bases."

Overheard at a Bank

"What are you doing this weekend?"

"I'm engaged, so we're getting our shots on Saturday."

"Really? Times have changed, in my day you didn't have to have shots to get married."

- "No, no. Photograph shots, You know, click, click."

STIMULUS STIMULATES

Surprise! Month of May economic index figures look favorable with an upturn in retail spending. The adopted brainchild of the Bush adminstration has already boosted the economy. Well, of course, President Franklin Deficit Roosevelt proved long ago that "priming the pump" by spending money that doesn't exist will put a happy smile on the thing called the economy. President Ronald Reagan exclaimed his love and devotion for FDR, and copied his "spend 'til you bend" practice. FDR was credited with ending the depression (although Tojo and Hitler did more by creating a war economy for us). Reagan is hailed for bringing the miracle - Reaganomics - to the land. Each president piled on the national debt.

When George McGovern campaigned for the White House in 1972, he pledged to send every American $1,000. Most folks scoffed at the "silly idea."

President George W. Bush is "Mr. Deficit," leaving Roosevelt and Reagan looking tight-fisted. W's stimulus package is a joy today, but we'll cry tomorrow when paying interest on the borrowed money. Future debates will focus on the amount of "free money" the guvmint will directly deposit into your friendly bank.

The concept of throwing money at a problem has become respectable in both major political parties. As President Richard Nixon said, "We're all Keynesians now."

Who says you can't spend yourself rich?

It's all so simple.

Thoughts While Looking for a Blank Check

Folly and foolishness are among the top ingredients of self-government. The rampant ignorance of our American political economy is no accident, after a couple of centuries of our public schools not teaching the history, philosophy, principles, or theories of the subject. Our students are so devoid of economic knowledge and wisdom that they easily fall for propaganda when they are adults.

Help Wanted

Traveling salesman to peddle sodium fluoride (rat poison, you know) to municipal drinking water departments from Seattle to Miami. Easy sell, huge commissions, and the undying respect of the unsuspecting. Dentists will love you because their colleges convinced them that fluoridation saved teeth ( the colleges accepted grant money from the industry, but that's just the American way. ) Top pay for smooth-talking man or woman. Apply on line www.save/ teeth; ruin organs.

Overheard at the Bank in the Super Market

"How can I be overdrawn? I still have checks?"

OBAMANIA

The Democrats have their candidate for president in Senator Barack Hussein Obama. His followers cheer him all the while he speaks. The man has to talk to people who are yelling at him or for him. His critics complain that Obama doesn't say much. Well, how could he, why would he and why should he?

Change. Hope. Lofty terms. Here's an example from his St. Paul speech: "You choose to listen not to your doubts and fears, but to your greatest hopes and highest aspirations. Tonight we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another to bring a new and better day to America."

Obamamania is hysteria and an unusual element on the American political scene.

If Ron Paul's supporters are loyal and enthusiastic, Barack Obama's are hyperventilated. This is not to indicate that truth or reason or tradition are violated in any way, but we do deserve some explanations.

Obama spoke to AIPAC on Wednesday, June 4, 2008. That's the lobby representing Israel. Isn't that ducky? AIPAC is one of the largest lobbies of Congress comprised of attorneys and ex-members of Congress who know the ropes and how to pull the strings to get favors and big bucks for another nation: Israel. All of this is at the U.S. taxpayers' expense. We send so much foreign aid to Israel that you can be sure bundles get into the hands of these lobbyists who will extract still more from our treasury.

This new politician, Obama, is more of the same, same old. He promised the Israelis that Jerusalem will always belong to them despite the fact that they seized it in 1967 and various past leaders of Israel have pledged to let it go. Then Obama promises to defend Israel. Does that mean more executive wars without a declaration by Congress?

And don't you forget Obama's membership in CFR.

It's all so simple.

Thoughts upon Awakening from "The American Dream"

- Ex-liar Scott McClellan has written a book exposing the Bush administration's deceptions about Iraq, Katrina and the messed-up budget. It's great that he's finally gone straight.

- Hillary's campaign debts seem to hang heavy over her head. She's asking for the public's help. What kind of a Democrat is she? Hasn't she heard of debt repudiation? The "Happy Warrior" aka Hubert Horatio Humphrey ran for president in 1968 leaving unpaid bills for lodging, printing, transportation, dining, etc. Years went by before the senator finally agreed to settle for 10% of the delinquent debts. Humphrey told a newspaper, "The creditors never expected to be paid. They gained just by having a major candidate use their services."

Minnesota's other senator at the time was Eugene McCarthy. He behaved the same irresponsible way ( he was running against HHH. ) McCarthy had to avoid the state of Indiana ever after because officials there had filed legal papers against his person.. The businesses in Indiana who has served "the peace candidate" were not paid any percentage.

The overwhelming majority of Minnesotans are not deadbeats, and did not like the behavior of their favorite sons.

Will Trade

Weapons for plowshares. Call Lame Duck W.

WHAT IF NOBODY VOTED?

Think the unthinkable: What if they held an election for president and nobody showed up to vote? What would happen?

I believe the federal government would take immediate action to reschedule the election, and Congress would meet in emergency session to make voting mandatory.

What else could they do, outsource it?

Meetings & Events

- Confidential notice: Low profile conclave to review progress of the project. Usual location, usual time, but enter with unusual nonchalance. Wait for eye signals. Good Ol' Boys

- Global Warming Watch and Mensa voted to merge into one organization. The standards for admission will rise, however, current members will be "grandfathered" into the new group, regardless of brain size.

- Last Man's Club is soliciting members for a new chapter, after Pete won the old bottle of whiskey and drank it too fast.

Overheard at Hurley's Hanging Gardens

- "How can you tell the good guys from the bad ones when Hitler and Mussolini were teetotaling vegetarians while Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin were boozing red meat eaters?"

- "My wife's started taking out the garbage and I'm getting real suspicious."

LOBBYISTS, AGENTS OF CORPORATIONS

Gary Trudeau did a public service in yesterday's Doonsbury strip. Lobbyists, all former senators were made fun of at last. More ought to be done to them. I have Abu Ghraib in mind or at least Gitmo. The senators - Torricelli, Durenberger, Grams, Hutchinson, Packwood, Garn (Utah), Miller, Breaux, D'Amato, Coats, and Talent - are quietly raking in much more dough than when they were living high in the Senata. Many of them used to take bribes - now they deliver them.

How can you not be cynical when your nation's precious law-making and leadership system is corrupted by illustrious countrymen and women?

Only two years after the republic was born, future president James Madison complained of the influence of corporate money in the U.S. Congress. He was ignored, even by the most patriotic countrymen.

Agents of influence not only represent corporations seeking favors and advantages, they lobby for foreign countries: Japan, Israel, Turkey, Mexico, UK, Brazil, Eygpt, Taiwan, Ireland, Greece, Italy and just about everybody. They have better access to your Congress than you do. Former Senator and presidential candidate Bob Dole represented Japan to the U.S. Congress after leaving the Senate.

Isn't anybody mad as hell? How do you spell revolution?

"America has the most advanced influence-peddling industry in the world. Washington's culture of influence-for-hire is open to all buyers, foreign and domestic." - The Economist

"The real scandal in Washington is not what is done illegally, but what is done legally." - The New Republic

Thoughts While Jaywalking

I saw a familiar man driving his scooter today. I recognized him and my emotional pain was intense. How could he? Sure enough, it was Bruce. I saw him dismount and walk into his house. Bruce is my mechanic. He has pampered my car for years. But now it's over. He's gone to the other side, the scooter side. Where will I go; what will I do; what will happen to me?

Overheard at Frenchy's Speakeasy

- "It's no longer a question of sickness or health, but whether you like your disease."

- "Show me a bank with a rest room and I'll transfer my money there."

- "I'll never forget my disillusionment when I discovered that the loan officer wasn't the same man who did the bank commercials on television."

- "Did O.J. ever find the real killers?"

Wanted

Slogans to replace "cut and run, stay the course, follow us home, mission accomplished, these colors don't run, plant democracy, throw flowers, dance in the streets, and surge."

It's all so simple.

SOMETIMES BAD IS BAD

A cluster bomb is a bomb which propels bomblets in all directions when it explodes. The international community is horrified by the weapon and pleads with nations to not employ them, but no one's listening.

Children and other innocent civilians are frequent victims. Let's call it planned collateral damage.

Somehow, we used the thing in our attack on Iraq. Now our close ally, Israel, admits it scattered cluster bombs in populated areas in its invasion of Lebanon two years ago.

We continue to slide down from the moral high ground. One day soon, we'll have to repent and get back to admirable principles.

It's all so simple.

Thoughts While the Light is Red

That Russian rascal, Nikita Khrushchev, was met by reporters in Moscow after he visited the USA in 1959. "What do you think of Americans?," they asked. "Spit in their faces and they call it dew," he answered.

He should try that now.

Meetings & Events

The Coffee and Booze Support Group meets at 8 a.m. this Saturday at Charlie's. A charter member will testify for the practice of a straight shot to calm the nerves after drinking coffee. Another group member will explain how to use slurp mud ( coffee, of course ) to sober up in one minute.