A Public Correction of Mr. Shawn Hanntity

For the record: Mr. Shawn Hannity has stated 387 times on his radio/TV programs that unemployment went down during the course of the Bush administration.

This is a complete untruth. (Untruths are not a problem for Mr. H.)

For the record: Mr. Bush inherited an employment rate of 4.0% in the year 2000. The unemployment rate went up every year of his reign, to the glorious 6.0+% of today.

I will bet you one US nickle Mr. Hannity states this obvious untruth with passion and conviction and absolute certainty tonight. Or at least tomorrow.

Where is the Lie Meter when we need it?

The Noteworthy Right-Wing Mind Filter

Although it's quite popular for the Fox News folks or the radio talk show hosts to throw stones at the left-leaning mainstream media and its many sins, perhaps they should check out their own house first. Let he who is without sin, etc.

Seven years ago I got into a giant argument or three about the Bush administration's responsibility in the matter of the 9/11 attacks. I was told emphatically that it was all Clinton's fault. Not long ago, I got into an argument about the current economic woes. I was told it was all Oboma's fault. (It's safe to conclude I'm an argumentative sort.)

I now believe right wingers have a filter which cleverly allows only good things to pass through and enter their minds. Bush and his administration bear no responsibility for anything bad which happens on their watch. If something bad does happen, it's the previous/incoming president's fault. Often wrong but never uncertain.

Lord, it's no wonder we threw the rascals out.

Mr. Bush Whacks Me Once Last Time

I play poker for money on the Internet. Bring on the handcuffs.

About three years ago, in a classic sneaky-politician move, a Republican lawmaker stuck a rider onto a sure-to-pass seaport security bill. He did this literally in the middle of the night. His rider (which had nothing whatsoever to do with port security) is now law: The Unlawful Internet Gambling Act or some such. Dumb law. Happily, the sunbitch was thrown out of office by his constituents the next year.

Now the Bush administration, rushing to get a few more slaps in on the electorate, has implemented measures to define and enforce this stupid law. They will go into effect on 19 January next year, one day before the Bush comet disappears from the heavens forever.

The law is hated by the banks, the Internet money sites, the people who have to enforce it, the poker sites, the millions who play Internet poker (the Poker Stars site alone often has 120,000 people playing) and the credit card companies.

And me.

This administration has an awful lot of blood on its hands, a dismal record of governance, an approval rating in the cellar and a overspending record that is mind-boggling. In a mere eight years, it has presided over the worst terrorist assault on our country in history and managed to host the worst economic crash since the Great Depression. Yet this administration still has the incredible arrogance to decide how and where I should spend my leisure-time money.

There must be a special place in hell for such wickedly misplaced self-assurance.

STUFF

Roughly 300 years ago, my late older brother and I were sitting on the steps of his home drinking a beer. We were moving him. Resting after carting maybe six dozen or sixty dozen boxes full of stuff and loading same on the truck.

"Each thing in those boxes costs at least a buck," Don said.

Stuff. Right now at my less-than-spacious home outside of Seadrift, Texas, I see:

Two cars (256,000 and 182,000 miles respectively)
One boat (1977 model w/1999 outboard engine)
Lawnmower (large, for riding)
Lawnmower (small, for pushing by the neighbor's kid)
Weed-eater (temperamental)
One 300-watt generator (hurricanes)
Fish pond w/fish (four koi and two nasty algae-eaters)
Armadillo trap (on loan and ineffectual)
.22 Rifle (See Armadillo Wars)
Fishing rods (seven, four operational at this time)
Books (approximately 1800 downstairs, three of which I wrote)
Computers (two, one running Windows 2000 - ancient like me)
Several 3/8" drills (one working)
Router, circular saw, miter saw (happily I still have ten fingers)
Nails by the box and screws by the WalMart package (almost all types, except the type I need)
Screwdrivers (32)
Hammers (four)
Other tools (esoteric and otherwise, some antique)
Tape (six types)
Glues and paints and lubricants (mostly dried up, sadly)
Photos (from my grandfather to my grandchildren - grandchildren much prettier)
Pills and liniments (some mentionable)
Flashlights and torches (approximately nine)
Dog stuff (treats, vitamins, food, leads, pads and pillows - it's a dog's life)
Inflatable mattress (not a doll!)
Fax machine/copier (currently out of paper)
Squeaky toys (for visiting firedogs)
Other (I weary of this list but lots of "other")

Stuff. Happily I do not think moving will happen within my lifetime.

So Why Kill Me?

Islamic militants want to kill me. I accept this premise due to 9/11 and assorted other atrocities.

Why?

This premise is the reason for the existence of Homeland Security, the invasion of Iraq, the lines at airport counters, the (oddly named) Patriot Act, a substantial part of our incredible debt, the two elections of George W. and a good deal of our national angst.

But why?

Nowhere in the media is there an explanation. No pundit on TV bothers to explain. Just why are they so pissed off? The hatred is an impressive one: suicide bombers and flying airliners into skyscrapers are the acts of highly motivated humans, to say the least.

Why?

Perhaps if we could determine the "why", we could more efficiently work toward finding a "How To". How to solve the problem, take the edge off the hate and use our national energies in a more useful way.

Sincerity, even if you have to fake it.

I am exposed to Fox News (Republican National Network) much like coal miners are exposed to black dust. It's an occupational or matrimonial hazard. Thus I was treated to the sight of Commentator Sean Hannity sincerely telling the world that his "thoughts and prayers" go out to Senator Obama upon the death of Obama's grandmother.

Gag. Gimmie a break.

Sean Hannity has used every trick in the propaganda book to vilify Obama. Half-truths and outright lies, out-of-context quotes, endless repetition of catch-phrases ("white flag of surrender"), bogymen large and small, unnamed fears, guilt by association, hunting of witches: his body of work on this matter is a squirming smelly slime-pit.

I am reminded of an earlier fear monger, Senator Joe McCarthy and the disgust expressed by Mr. Welch: "Have you no shame, Sir?"

Mr. Hannity has none. And his sanctimonious good wishes are simply disgusting.