Big Steps forward; small steps back

Most important news first... Cassie is now walking and has been for about a week. This has led to our being very busy, and therefore less able to post. We all seem to love the fact that she is walking; this keeps her more active, and will make me less sedentary in the process. I've accepted that our daughter is one of the most beautiful people on the planet. I know this as a matter of truth, thankfully the rest of the world is starting to pick up on the fact though. As she walks, using slightly less tentative steps each day, I wonder how long it will be before we make a family trip to New Orleans for the Crescent City Classic. As you see I snuck in a shameless plug for my beloved hometown. While things are not at all perfect, each day brings small steps.

Now that I've gotten through the important stuff; Could someone please explain to me the consistency of the Republican domestic agenda. They state that smaller government is better government and yet the federal government is now larger than it has ever been.

If you would like to read the whole article, here it is. So the Republicans appear to be losing credibility in their argument for smaller government. Now, the question is are they for individual rights and privacy of the individual, standing up for the citizenry against improper government intrusion. With the recent confirmation hearings of Judge Samuel Alito and John Roberts, it can easily be said that the Republicans are for government regulation of personal issues regarding life and death, reprodutive rights and marital status . To draw a whole picture here, it appears that the Republicans are for larger government both socially and fiscally. Now, is that what they are saying?

Of course not, you can not get elected in this nation stating these things, but the current Administration has systematically created a state that looks more like Orwell's 1984, than any in American history. This is remarkably under reported by the national press. But then again when the press does stand up, it gets attacked to such a degree that it begins to cower like a beaten dog( An example would be Dan Rather at CBS).

Today, it was reported that the Maryland court system has struck down a law banning same sex marriage. The state attorney immediately indicated that the ruling would be appealed. This is a significant question of the day and I do not understand it, so if anyone could help me out. Presume that this is in Florida where it is more local to me... How does gay marriage effect my relationship with my wife? Why do so many people get so up in arms about this? The only thing that I can see is an inherent bigotry in an attempt to keep a set of financial and social benefits for heterosexuals. Thereby lessening the rights of those that do not follow social norms.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

For me this should hold for the entire population. I realize that the Declaration of Independence is not a part of the law, but it should be held in high regard and appreciated not just winked at.

My daughter is wonderful and beautiful and amazing; I'm not certain that I can say the same for the country as a whole.

More later

Thursday Thoughts.... Robertson Reprehensible, an Ugly American

I was going to mention President Bush's most recent recess appointments....and I probably will talk about this over the weekend, but I was watching CNN this evening, and they mentioned that Pat Robertson opened his mouth. This man should just follow the original instructions of Homeland Security and duct tape his F'ng mouth. Mr. Robertson has a history of saying absolutely disgusting and irresponsible things; nobody calls him on it.

He has now gone on record saying that G-D brought a stroke upon Prime Minister Sharon for giving up Gaza. For those of you that do not remember this is the same guy that ran for the Presidency in 1988 because he said he was able to pray a hurricane away from South Carolina. He has also stated that the town in Pennsylvania that voted down intelligent design was risking heavenly retribution, talk about hubris. This guy is an idiot of the highest order.

Anyone that knows me even somewhat well knows that I know of what I speak when it comes to obnoxious idiots. I understand and appreciate that the country is becoming more conservative socially, and therefore religiously, but why are we as a nation accepting as role models people who say if they are not followed then G-D will punish you. This is yet another example the world community can look at to see the "Ugly American."

More later

2006?