You Can't Tell the Players Without a Program

TPM, Talking Points Memo Media, has compiled the Grand Old Docket of those so far indicted or named as coconspirators in the number of scandals unfolding involving politicians and their bribers and bagmen. They are all men and al except one are republicans.

SOTUA

I’m sure that both of my readers will be hanging upon Bush’s every word this evening as they listen, enrapt, to his State of the Union Address; and will be equally attentive to the words of the mercenary talking hairdos and propagandists that afterwards will tell you what the president just said and how well or poorly, depending upon their point of view, he said it. I'm kidding of course.

Presidential state of the union addresses, regardless of the presenter, are uniformly utter crap, enumerating a laundry list of wonderful things the presenter will do in the coming year, few of which will actually materialize. I suspect King George will take the opportunity this evening to cite the lurking terrorists in his never ending quest to scare the pants off of us so we will remain his obedient subjects.

It is amazing to me that even the insipid prime time TV offerings are preempted for the SOTUA, that the pundits are actually able to suppress their snickers as they pile even more crap upon the crap that just spewed from the president, and that anyone at all watches and/or listens.

I guess it should heartening that only 30% of the public watch the show; or, on the other hand, maybe it should be disheartening that 30% of the public tunes in.

Score One For The Bull

This morning the Mexican news show I regularly watch carried a report of a bull who, in one great leap, vaulted the ring and rampaged through the spectator seating for a bit. I don’t think anyone was seriously hurt, and it appeared to me that the bull was simply trying to escape rather than attack anyone.

Working Children

One evening a couple of weeks ago, during my Dusty care days, as I was taking Dusty on his obligatory three kilometer evening walk I came upon a young fellow, perhaps ten or eleven, sitting on the curb having a pastry snack and a coke. Setting next to him was a rack of baseball type caps that he carries along the streets hawking his wares.

Given that my head’s natural protection from the sun has diminished over the years I find it necessary to wear a cap while in the sun. The cap I had been wearing had developed a prominent sweat ring, and as I am a soft touch for children whose lot in life requires them to work, I stopped to peruse the fellow’s wares.

As I was discussing the price and making my selection the young fellow alerted me to the fact that Dusty was examining, if not actually sampling, his pastry snack. I admonished Dusty as the young fellow assured me that there was no problem. I picked out a hat, adorned with the logo of the Cruzazul soccer club, and paid the boy twice what he was asking.

One routinely here sees children working, either in their own business, like the cap selling youngster; in their family business; or, for example, bagging groceries. I usually end up buying from or tipping the youngsters.

I remember, some years ago, when I visited Ixtapa there were lots of children walking along the streets and through the restaurants selling gum or other wares. I bought gum from each of them and a pod of carved stone dolphins from a young girl, in a crisp, ruffled pink dress, who had come into the restaurant and moved from table to table displaying her wares. One evening while walking along the street one particularly creative young fellow fell in stride beside me, stroked a ribbed water bottle with a stick as his percussive accompaniment, and sang Guantanamera to me. I of course dug into my pocket for money.

The children here in Merida, even those who are obviously poor, are clean, polite and generally ready with a smile. It seems to me that everyone here, like in Cuba, loves the children and that they are well cared for.

If you’re feeling charitable here’s a link to the web site of a local organization that cares for disabled children.

More War Crimes

If I’m not mistaken the taking of hostages is a violation of the Geneva Conventions.

I Couldn't Ask for a More Wonderful Landlord

My neighbor Joel and I have decided to buy a washing machine. Though laundry service here is very inexpensive, $8 - $10 peso per kilo, having a washing machine will be more convenient.

This past Tuesday our landlord Sr. Lopez Monsreal, a local attorney, was by so I asked if there would be any problem with installing a washing machine in a location where there is an existing outlet and a water spigot. He of course said there would be no problem. The next day, however, Sr. Lopez arrived with a plumber/electrician who was to determine what it would take to run electricity from both Joel’s and my apartments and to run hot and cold water piping to a location right outside my back door under the back porch roof. Sr. Lopez indicated it would be a better location for a washing machine as it is out of the weather.

So today, three days later, two fellows are here installing the water and electrical services.

Once again may I observe my good fortune. Having made arrangements with Sr. Lopez for my apartment over the internet last September, sight unseen and with no idea of its location, I am extremely fortunate to not only end up in a comfortable, well furnished apartment in a great location; but to also end up with such a wonderful landlord.

Last week I mentioned to Sr. Lopez that I intended to apply for a FM 3 visa, which permits residency for one year and may be renewed annually indefinitely. He told me to come by his office and he will provide whatever I need for the application and that he would gladly serve as one of my two required references.

Additionally, Joel recently bought a VW; and, without Joel asking, Sr. Lopez arranged for material to be brought in to expand the parking areas, even though there is already plenty of parking area. Only Joel and the Canadian couple have cars and there already exists places here for three or four cars to conveniently park.

No Wonder the Islamic World Hates Us - Vo. II

Chief Warrant Officer Lewis E. Welshofer Jr beat and put “Iraqi Maj. Gen. Abed Hamed Mowhoush face-first in a sleeping bag, wrapped him in electrical wire and sat on his chest in November 2003.” The general, who turned himself in to U. S. authorities who were holding his sons hostage, died and Welshofer remains in the military and walks. No wonder the Islamic world hates us.

Read the L. A. Times story here.

The Neofaascist Pundits Turn Their Attention to Iran

Is anyone is gaining the impression from the media that Iran’s development of nuclear weapons is just around the corner, a thesis particularly promoted by the same neofascist propagandists who beat the Iraqi invasion drums, such as William Kristol, Charles Krauthammer, James Woolsey, and others? Folks who really know about Iran’s nuclear ambitions will tell you such is simply hogwash and that Iran is 5 to 10 years away from nuclear weapons.

Steve Clemons reproduces the Nelson Report which puts the lie to the neofascists latest crusade.

A Moment of Candor by General Hayden

Thanks to General Michael Hayden, Deputy Director of the Fatherland Security Dept. we now know why the Bush administration chose to forego seeking warrants from the special court established by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Because the surveillance is illegal.

The level of evidence that the government had which precipitated its desire to eavesdrop did not rise to the level of "“probable cause"”, the standard used by the FISA court. Likewise, since the standard of evidence used by the Attorney General in considering requests for emergency 72 hour surveillance, pursuant to FISA, is the same as that used by the court, that option was also unavailable.

The other reason, of course, is that King George and his courtiers believe they are not required to observe the Constitutional and statutory inconveniences intended to prevent we individuals from suffering tyrants.

Remember a couple of years ago when Bush said something to the effect that being President would be lots easier if he were a dictator?

UPDATE: General Hayden expresses his abject ignorance of the content of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. While asserting "Just to be very clear -- and believe me, if there's any amendment to the Constitution that employees of the National Security Agency are familiar with, it's the Fourth" the general asserts the standard established by the Fourth Amendment is "reasonable", rather than "probable casues" as the amendment explicitly establishes.

The "Unitary Executive" - The March to Dictatorship

The links below lead to a brief, but good, analyses if the theory of the “unitary executive” which Bush and his courtiers are promoting. You know, the theory that the President can ignore the Constitution, treaties, and laws passed by Congress so long he or she determines it’s in the interest of national security. And now that we entered the era of perpetual war, national security is preeminent.

Supreme Court Justice to be Alito is a proponent of the theory, which emerged from the Federalist Society. Alito and a majority of the Supreme Court, I am guessing, will continually erode the principle established in 1803 Supreme Court decision, Marbury v. Madison, that is that the Supreme Court is the final authority as to the interpretation and Constitutionality of legislation enacted by Congress.

If the President has the authority to ignore the Constitution, treaties and congressional legislation, doesn’t he or she also have the authority, in the interest of national security, to order genocide, suspend a presidential election, declare that she or he may serve more than two terms, or refuse to leave office if impeached and convicted? Why not? Bush has already effectively suspended habeas corpus, which Jefferson, in his first inaugural address counted amongst “these principles from the bright constellation which has gone before us, and guided our steps through an age of revolution and reformation.”

Clinton also pushed the theory. This trend, I think, should worry us all. Fascism is on the march.

Findlaw Article

Tom Paine Website Article

Papaya and Mandarin Trees

I think I haven't mentioned the papayas and mandarin orange trees I started from seeds.

This photo shows the papayas at the top and the mandarins in the lower area.

I asked my landlord, Sr. Lopez Monsreal, if he would mind if I planted trees in the back yard and he responded that I should consider this my home and to do what I want. So I will plant these little guys in the back yard, if I can find an area with more than a couple inches of soil over the huge limestone rock that seems to underlie most of the back yard.

I think I'll wait a while before asking him if I can plant the "rest of the garden", as mcclearylineman put it.

Check Out Those Melones

In the foreground you can see the cantaloupes and in the background one of the watermelon beds. At the top you can see tomato plants inside of the fenced area.

The aphids are under control, lots of little melones are sprouting from the vines, and the tomato plants are flowering.

The Lights Are On But Nobody's Home

This is what our completely vacuous president had to say to wounded troops during his photo op visit to the Brooke Army Medical Center I Texas.

“As you can possibly see, I have an injury myself -- not here at the hospital, but in combat with a Cedar. I eventually won. The Cedar gave me a little scratch. As a matter of fact, the Colonel asked if I needed first aid when she first saw me. I was able to avoid any major surgical operations here, but thanks for your compassion, Colonel.”

Remember he was talking to soldiers who have lost limbs or worse.

If you have the stomach for it and can put up with the staged question and answer period, you can read the White House press release here.

What a Surprise. Paul Bremer Lies.

It seems that in writing a book about oneself one would naturally be inclined to put the best spin on things. Paul Bremer, the first viceroy of the U. S.'’s newest colony, has produced a book of his experience totally screwing up Iraq; and rather than just spinning, he lies. What a surprise.

It was, you'’ll remember, Bremer'’s action in dismissing the entire Iraqi army that fed the insurgency and largely contributed to the depth of the morass into which Iraq has descended.

Bremer states in his book that he, and the rest of the Bush administration Straussian "“philosopher"” brain trust, did not anticipate the insurgency that has enveloped Iraq. He and the rest, most notably committed Likudnik Douglas Feith, didn'’t anticipate the insurgency because they are so consumed with unbridled hubris that they refused to listen to the likes of Juan Cole, Larry Johnson, and innumerable professional government Middle East experts who predicted an insurgency.

This article by Larry Johnson, former CIA employee and State Dept. counter terrorism official, calls bull shit on Bremer'’s assertion. It'’s not too long and well worth the read.

No Wonder the Islamic World Hates Us

The statements of Senators Bayh, McCain and Lott in the CNN article illustrate the kind of U. S. attitude that engenders the Islamic worlds hatred toward the U. S. It’s regrettable that we killed 18 innocent Pakistanis, including five children, in bombing a home where an al Queda official was thought to be supping; but, as the incredibly stupid Bayh put it, "These people killed 3,000 Americans.” McCain’s and Lott’s comment were equally insensitive. But, hey, they’re only Muslims and probably have brown skin too. So what’s the problem.

Read the CNN article here.

Elizabeth Holtzman and Al Gore Call for Action

Elizabeth Holtzman, a former New York Congresswoman who sat on the House Judiciary Committee during the Nixon impeachment proceedings, makes the case for the impeachment of President Bush.


And Al Gore calls on congress and the citizenry to counter the ascendancy of the ascendancy of the imperial presidency.

Ladybug Eggs

Today while on my morning aphid patrol, with my spray bottle of water with a bit of dish soap, I noticed clusters of orange insect eggs in three or four places under the leaves of the cantaloupe and watermelon plants. I wondered what insect was now attacking the plants and sprayed the egg clusters. Toward the end of my patrol I noticed a ladybug on a watermelon plant and thought that perhaps the egg clusters were those of a ladybug.

A bit later I did a Yahoo search for ladybug eggs and amongst the search responses was the picture to the left. I believe the egg clusters on the melons were indeed those of a ladybug.

This afternoon I again inspected the melon plants and found a ladybug setting underneath a cantaloupe leaf. Hopefully it’s a female and she will replace the eggs I sprayed this morning.

UPDATE 1-17-06: During my morning patrol I noticed a cluster of eggs on a cantaloupe leaf which I will carefully avoid harming and observe to see how long it takes for the eggs to hatch. I learned from my previous research that ladybug larva are pretty menacing looking and that they feed on their egg sacks, as well as their unhatched sisters and brothers.

Some Wireless Phone Calling Records Can Be Purchased

Depending upon your service provider, for $89. you too can obtain a record of one hundred calls made from a particular wireless phone. Want to know who your spouse has been talking to? What your political opponent is up to? This guy purchased a record of 100 calls made from Wesley Clark’s wireless phone. Yet another reason to not have a wireless phone.

We Will Soon be Paying for Our Profligate Ways

Now is a good time to shed your debt and if you’ve been thinking about selling real estate you own now is the time. If China, as reported by the Washington Post and others, does in fact reduce its purchase of U. S. debt interest rates will rise and the value of the dollar will drop. If Japan, Korea, and oil exporting nations begin to do the same the effects will be all the worse.

Garden Report

Tiny watermelons and cantaloupes have begun to appear on the vines, though the first watermelon to emerge sloughed off today. A couple of cantaloupe plants succumbed to aphid damage that occurred before I figured out that aphids had attacked. The twice a day applications of water with a touch of dishwashing soap have controlled the aphids and the surviving vines are now doing very well.

The tomato plants are flowering but have come under attack by white flies. I have begun the soap water spray treatment in hopes of saving the plants, some of the leaves of which are wilting.

The carrots germinated well and are developing their secondary leaves. The garlic cloves of the first planting have now all emerged, though it took about a month for them all to do so. Most of the cloves of the second planting, in the bed with the carrots, have also emerged. The cucumbers I planted in the same bed are up and have already come under the aphid assault, so are also getting the twice per day inspection and treatment.

The second planting of lettuce is doing very well and I am regularly eating from the first planting. The two rows of onions I planted from seeds have also germinated and are doing well. The habanera plants are finally beginning to put on new growth after doing just about nothing during the month since I transplanted them into the garden.

Today I discovered a two foot Iguana dead in the midst of the garden. Its face had been chewed a bit, I assume by the local cats, one a Siamese male and the other a large gray male, which Armando feeds, though he denies they are his. My observation has always been that if you feed a cat it’s yours, whether you want it or not. When he sees one of the cats Rusty will run toward the cat, barking ferociously; but the cats just ignore him. If he gets too close they look his way and he retreats. During the night the Siamese goes into the typical Siamese moaning routine and quite often a cat fight erupts in the back yard.

A Spectacular Thunder Storm

It began to cloud up here about 3:30 PM and by 5:30 a spectacular thunder and lighting storm erupted the likes I have not experienced since I lived in the Eastern U. S. The storm has been accompanied by very heavy rain. An hour later the thunder continues to roll over the city, with each report erupting over the city and rolling off into the distance over a period of ten seconds, or so.

The rainy season here runs from June through September and I am told that most of the rain comes during afternoon thunder storms, just as in the Eastern U. S. Such storms are one of the few things I have missed about living in the East, the Fall colors being another, so I am looking forward to next Summer.

Speaking of Religious Whack Jobs

Speaking of religious whack jobs, the Wall Street Journal, has reported: “Insisting that God ‘certainly needs to be involved’ in the Supreme Court confirmation process, three Christian ministers today blessed the doors of the hearing room where Senate Judiciary Committee members will begin considering the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito on Monday.

“Capitol Hill police barred them from entering the room to continue what they called a consecration service. But in a bit of one-upsmanship, the three announced that they had let themselves in a day earlier, touching holy oil to the seats where Judge Alito, the senators, witnesses, Senate staffers and the press will sit, and praying for each of the 13 committee members by name.

"’We did adequately apply oil to all the seats,’ said the Rev. Rob Schenck, who identified himself as an evangelical Christian and as president of the National Clergy Council in Washington.”

Pat Robertson Should be Institutionalized

The ultra whack job Pat Robertson again presumes to speak for God, in informing the whack jobs who attach any credibility to anything he has to say (not to mention who support his opulent lifestyle) that Sharon’s stroke is God’s punishment, just as was Rabin’s assassination.

If you’re interested in reading Robertson pronouncement you can read it here.

What’s more pathetic than Robertson’s presumption that he has the standing to speak for God are all of those pathetic individuals who watch his TV show, send him money, or attach any credibility to anything he has to say.

Which raises the question as to why Robertson hasn't pronounced the recent Texas and Oklahoma wildfire as God's punishment for one reason or another?

New Years Eve in Merida

New Years eve here included lots of fireworks. When I say lots I mean more than I have ever heard; and when I say fireworks I mean ordnance, not the “safe and sane” stuff permitted in the nanny nation.

There were those who jumped the gun, but beginning at midnight the discharges began and continued unabated for about a half an hour when it began to taper off. The description that immediately came to mind was rolling thunder, as, in the aggregate from all over the city, the explosions were continuous. There is still an occasional report this morning at 6:00.

Poor little Rusty. Shortly after midnight, having been awakened by the noise, I went downstairs for a drink of water. When I opened the bedroom door at the head of the stairs, there was Dusty huddled against door looking very worried. This morning he’s back to his normal self.