Babys Don't Price Scan...Apparently

Also, self portrait with camera phone and baby-in-hand is kinda hard. :)

If the bills weren't so damn LONG...

I repeat myself, but again, why you can have too much government: (does anyone still really think we need "just one more program"?  Comment if you do, PLEASE.)

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson rejected using the government’s financial-rescue program as a “panacea” for economic difficulties, clashing with lawmakers who want the funds to help beleaguered homeowners.

Barney Frank, who heads the House panel, cut off Paulson...saying “the bill couldn’t have been clearer” in also being aimed at reducing foreclosures.  “We don’t have a lot of time and I don’t usually do this,” Frank said in interrupting Paulson during an exchange on how to deploy TARP cash. “I read sections of the bill that says -- write it down -- give them assistance."

Well, we wouldn't be having this argument if you (Congress) hadn't inflated the original proposal from 3 to 451 FUCKING PAGES (PDF download, if you have no life and want to read it). Read the top 10 sweeteners...wooden arrow makers, rum in Puerto Rico, wool-makers...)  There's probably the kitchen sink AND the Second Coming of Christ in that bill if you read enough of it.  Vote smaller, dammit!

The "right" of marriage? Not in at least 3 states.

Irony:  As of 1961, there were 16 states with anti-interracial laws still on the books.  Two people who wouldn't have been allowed to marry back then (in those states) are the parents of the man now elected to run the country.  So now, the gay community sees it all over again.  California, Florida, and Arizona voters decide to tell people how they can love each other.  Watch as Keith Olbermann gives an emotional defense.

While I believe marriage is not a "right" from a libertarian perspective, the government should be out of marriages completely, and only recognizing all as "civil unions" for tax/property purposes if necessary.  The question is not "should gays be allowed to marry?", but "why should ANYONE ask permission of the government to marry?".  That's the only way I see this resolved.  I didn't want to apply for a marriage license....it's a contract between two consenting adults; the government is merely an intruding third party.

How's that cabinet coming along?

Just because Bush is on the way out, I've still got to beat on the establishment.  :) Still think we have a free country?  Check back in 4 more years. From an excerpt from Obama's pick for chief-of-staff, Rahm Emanual's book, "The Plan: Big Ideas for America":

"Young people will know that between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five, the nation will enlist them for three months of civilian service. They'll be asked to report for three months of basic civil defense training in their state or community, where they will learn what to do in the event of biochemical, nuclear or conventional attack; how to assist others in an evacuation; how to respond when a levee breaks or we're hit by a natural disaster. These young people will be available to address their communities' most pressing needs."

Think that's just a scary future?  We're laying the groundwork now.  A blurb from Obama's new "Change.gov" website as he prepares for office:

"Obama will call on citizens of all ages to serve America, by setting a goal that all middle school and high school students do 50 hours of community service a year and by developing a plan so that all college students who conduct 100 hours of community service receive a universal and fully refundable tax credit ensuring that the first $4,000 of their college education is completely free. "

IT'S NOT FREE.  YOU JUST WORKED 100 HOURS FOR IT DUMMY.  That's $40 bucks an hour, not bad, but still...the school kids get ZILCH for theirs.  My children will learn to volunteer because they want to do the right thing, not because someone mandates it.

Post-election musings...

OBAMA FOR TEH CRUSHING WIN.  Well, we'll have to see how the next 4 years goes now.  I wish him the best of luck in fixing this country, but it's a tall order, one that "more government" will not likely help.  Still, I'm looking forward to critiquing a President more engaging than a stick of celery. 

Post-campaign revelations from a Newsweek project they've been doing since 1984 with an internal team following the campaigns, only disclosing the day after polls close.  I'm gonna have fun with the new guy, heh:

The debates unnerved both candidates. When he was preparing for them during the Democratic primaries, Obama was recorded saying, "I don't consider this to be a good format for me, which makes me more cautious. I often find myself trapped by the questions and thinking to myself, 'You know, this is a stupid question, but let me … answer it.' So when Brian Williams is asking me about what's a personal thing that you've done [that's green], and I say, you know, 'Well, I planted a bunch of trees.' And he says, 'I'm talking about personal.' What I'm thinking in my head is, 'Well, the truth is, Brian, we can't solve global warming because I f---ing changed light bulbs in my house. It's because of something collective'."

Shopping is Bo. Ring.

First trip to the mall and he's oblivious. Storing up energy for
waking Dad up at 4am. :)