What Is Up With Politics Today?

We will begin with words one should be familiar with prior to reading my blog or attempting to have some form of discourse with me, ever.

Sarcasm

Irony

As I repeatedly said in my last post, along with my helpful examples, I am not fascist. Anything said indicating should be read through the lens of either sarcasm or irony.  Now we’ll focus on words that have been used in regards to me, as they are obviously misunderstood. A common understanding of the vocabulary being used is necessary to continue any form of meaningful conversation, therefore:

Fascism 

Authoritarianism

Now, I’m going to clarify a few points the delightful gentleman brought up.

First, I did not say being in jail put one in the same league as a murderer, rapist, or thief; I said prison. Rather specifically, too. I think that if you are in prison after having a fair trial and representation (which I said was necessary for a civilized society) then you ought to be punished. I do, in fact, understand the judicial system is not perfect and would be more than happy to entertain any solutions to increasing the accuracy of the system should the gentleman wish to put forth same. That, however, is not my focus.  

Second, as to the effectiveness of my ‘homework’. I do not care if some of the prisons are growing some of their own food. I was outlining a way to make all prisons self sufficient. As in completely independent from any need to rely on the general population for their survival. As for the ER remark, when I said ‘take ‘em out of the ER’ I was referring to the interns and not the prisoners. As in the rotations interns put in at the ER or other areas of a hospital. I do apologize for not making that clear enough. I see nothing wrong with people who are considered good enough to be treating civilians to practice, instead, on inmates.

Third, if incarceration in and of itself were in fact punitive enough then the rates at which the prison population is rising would not be so dramatic. Further, it isn’t as if I suggested some form of hideous torture, I only suggested hard work. I tend to think that many people in prison would benefit from work and in fact might find a sense of pride and accomplishment in seeing their work bring forth some form of immediate result such as food, clothing, and shelter. One might even think that such an experience would make reintegration into society easier.

Finally, I don’t believe I stated my views about drug laws one way or the other. What I said was that many drug offenses do result in violent crimes and, as using and distributing drugs is illegal in this country that those found guilty should be punished for their crime. It does not matter whether you, or I, like a law. Laws can be changed if they are not suitable. The rule of law, however, must be followed or else chaos will ensue.

As for the final clichéd remarks as to labeling a person as one chooses and commenting on their choice of footwear, that is of course, the gentleman’s right.

I’d like to address again the underlying point of the first post. Prisoners should have to work. I know, in a sarcastic rant it might have been difficult for those unfamiliar with me to come away with the main idea so I’ll repeat it:

Prisoners should have to work hard and should not have time to play. I didn’t say kill them, maim them, or beat them bloody. So instead of trying to label my political fidelity how about telling me why hard work is such a horrible idea?

Obviously some people like to toss phrases around they don’t understand in application to people they’ve not taken the time to get to know. A delightful gentleman has decided not only that our current government has fascist leanings (not saying he is wrong or right on that) but that I am perpetrating unbiased fascism by putting forth the opinion that prisons are soft and need to be reformed to actually be punitive. Of course this means that said individual has not taken the time to read any of my other posts or he would undoubtedly realize that I am a fairly reasonable and rational person who is in favor of less government intervention or, if that isn’t possible, responsible government. That’s ok though, if it makes someone feel better to call me a fascist I don’t really mind.  I’m here to let all sides be heard, after all, even those that are so completely wrong ():o)

Now to clear up an obvious misconception some have about moi. I think all people are born equal (not a fascist) however, if a person should *choose* to give up those rights by breaking a law and are sent to prison through means of a fair trial that person should be punished. I am not advocating a different set of rules for a privileged class nor am I arbitrarily saying that certain demographic groups should be punished; and I don’t mind if you criticize me, the government, or you Uncle James. As a matter of fact, my previous post is a criticism of the government’s ability to effectively run a penal institution and I am rather fond of logical dissension. Again… me = not fascist.

Further, just because I am indeed pissed off that prisoners are getting hoop time doesn’t mean I think our government is all sunshine and roses. Unfortunately, a single blog post is not the venue for a full dissertation on all the ways in which our government fucks up on a regular basis but rather serves as venue for snippets of items that piss me off, make me happy, or are simply interesting.

I’m just going to go ahead and thank my K-bear for that title because she popped that out today when I was bitching about all of the prisoners at the state pen outside playing. Really, playing as in running races, basketball and other assorted playground activities. Yeah…for some reason that right pissed me off today as I was driving past the little spectacle again.

So here is why it pissed me off. Why do people who broke the law get play time? And I don’t mean one speeding ticket and they got overnight in jail I’m talking ‘hard time’. Because it would be cruel and unusual for them to not get play time? Gee. I guess I don’t really care if the baby killer or the robber or the rapist doesn’t get to spend some time playing with their little friends. I’m such a bitch that way. As a matter of fact I’m not terribly fond of free education, public defenders wasting my money on appeals, free room and board or a soft bed; but I know some things are necessary for a ‘civilized’ society even for the members of the society that aren’t all that civilized.

Where the hell are you going with this Birdie? I’m getting there. Here’s the thing. While we are reforming the hell out of everything why not do the prisons too? Cut spending on food. How? Make the prisoners work outside growing their own crops and livestock (in the sun and fresh air because I am such a softie). They can then can/freeze food for the winter. Poof goes a huge amount of money from the state and federal budgets. Healthcare…interns. They need the practice, take ‘em out of the ER and put ‘em in the prison. They work for practically nothing and inmates get healthcare. Win win and a lower budget.

There could be a barter system for items like cotton that can only be grown in certain areas. Let’s say a prison in Mississippi grows the cotton and the inmates there tend the fields pick it (by hand because why waste money on machines and gas).  Then they could send it to another prison that gets the seeds out or processes it or whatever. Then it could go to another prison that weaves it into cloth. Then another that makes it into clothing. Everything could be made by the prisoners. The prisons that would essentially be turned into factories could be run on hydroelectric, wind, or solar power to further cut costs. Heck take ‘em all of the grid.

Right. So prison reform. Make prisoners work and prisons self sustaining and cut the fucking recess.

Alrighty.  I’m all about freedom of expression and being able to worship (or not) as you please.  So you might think I wouldn’t have a problem with a dude trying to take ‘so help me God’ and a prayer out of the inauguration ceremony, right? 

Wrong.  I think it should be totally up to the president.  I think if the incoming president wanted it out it should be out but for some random atheist to say his way is the only way (and that is totally what he is doing.  He wants it taken out because it offends his belief system and it isn’t fair to him) is kind of narrow minded.

Now if the same request was being made by Obama because he, as the person taking the oath, didn’t believe in God I’d be totally ok with it.

What do you think?

So the allegedly corrupt Gov Blagojevich appointed Roland Burris to fill Obama’s Senate seat.  I have several problems with this.  First, Blagojevich has no business appointing anyone.  He should, at the very least, realize that anyone he does appoint is going to appear to be corrupt as well.  It doesn’t matter that nothing has been proven yet, and it doesn’t matter if the guy he appoints is clean.  What matters is appearance. 

As for Burris.  He should have had the nerve to tell Blagojevich to go blow himself and turned down the offer until the charges against him were proven one way or the other.  The fact that he accepted makes me think he’s dirty too.  And again, it doesn’t even matter if he is or not…it’s all about perception.

So yeah, I think the Democrats should block him and I don’t think he should get to be senator, ever.  He should have said no. 

Only 20ish days before our new President is able to take over…office. I’m pretty excited. I can’t wait to see what changes are rolled out in the first few weeks. I don’t know about everyone else but I’m as excited as a kid before Christmas (and for you non Christmas fans don’t get all snarky you know what I mean). Anywho….I’m hopeful that I’ll have happier things (at least some of the time) things to blog about for the next four/eight years
Is anyone going to the inauguration? If so, please share pics and send me links so I can live vicariously through you. ():o)

PS
Have a happy and safe New Year’s Eve!

I was going to do a bit on Fran Drescher wanting to become the NY senator but that seemed obvious…then the headline about the Illinois governor selling off Obama’s senate seat to the highest bidder made me rethink my stance on the obvious.

Fran first.  I so want her to get the NY seat.  I mean really, I could use a laugh or two and a buttoned up politician isn’t going to do it for me.  Seriously…could she be any worse than some of the people in office now?  I know…RR is probably having some sort of seizure just thinking about it but I’m a bit more lighthearted in my take on politics and I’m always for an outsider on the inside.

Now for Gov. Blagojevich…wow.  How does someone so stupid make it into office?  I think he’s a great example of why we need fewer politicians and more actresses

As in why is there an overwhelming public majority against the auto industry bailout?  Are you heartless?  Stupid?  Selfish?  If it’s another reason, please enlighten me because that is about all I can think of.  People whined about wanting help for ‘Main Street’ instead of “Wall Street” and here it is.  Landed nicely in your lap with the added bonus of rich guys begging and people are all “nope, we want you to fall on your face”.  I got it for the BBQ bailout…I was against it.  It wasn’t well thought out and it didn’t seem  like they had a real idea of who they were helping (turns out I was sooooo right about that).  But this is different.  The bailout would benefit all of the ‘little people’ whose jobs are going to go the way of the dinosaur if we let these companies fail.  And don’t think I just mean the people who work building the cars.  Nope…what about the business in the towns the factories are in.  The mom and pop grocery stores, diners, furniture stores, gas stations etc that are going to go belly up when all of the people who were at the factory have to move and find new jobs (right, like that’s going to happen in this economy).  And in case you are thinking of telling me it isn’t going to be that bad just shut it.  It will be that bad.  It will probably be worse than bad.  Hell, it might be worse than bad even if they do bail out the companies the way we are sinking but without the bail out there won’t even be life boats around.  It’ll be the freaking Titanic…you saw that movie right?  People drowning in icy water because they were too flipping retarded to swap off on the boat (hated that movie).  Random…point is we have to help the other people in the water or people are going to die (financially, for those of you who are even more literal than I am).  Which brings me back to my original question of…what is wrong with you people?!?!  60% say no bailout…who are you and what are your freaking reasons?

It is official, we are in a recession and have been for about a year.  This is your good news for the day?  I was doubtful to but this article put a spin on it I kind of like…if they are right.  Now we can stop saying we might be in a recession or there is a coming recession etc. and we can focus on the recovery process.  That sounds a bit more chipper to me.  They point out that most of the recessions our country has experienced lasted only about 10 months so while this has been a long one it should be coming to an end (everyone cross your fingers). 

So.  My good news is more of hopeful news.  I’m more hopeful now that the economic crisis is going to be a past tense expression soon (relatively) and that our economy will start growing again *based on clean technology…a girl can hope* Of course Paulson said something to the effect of duh and it still sucks but he’s a Grinch and we aren’t going to pay attention to him

Let the recovery begin!

Ok I admit it.  I’m two days in and having a darned hard time finding good things to say about politics that don’t revolve around Obama being the greatest guy on earth.  So….I found a Christma-Hanu-Rama-Ka-Dona-Kwaanza song to share instead.  :o)  Yeah, I know I should be getting paid as much as I promote Zimmerman but he’s just so darned good and he makes me happy and he’s upbeat and dang it the best news I could find today was that BF sales were better than expected and I refuse to go on about that in light of what else happened yesterday so…holiday cheer it is.

As for how this relates to politics…well freedom of relgion and all that.  A stretch I know.  I promise to start looking early for good political deeds/news/acts etc. tomorrow morning. 

Happy Christma-Hanu-Rama-Ka-Dona-Kwaanza!