"The Right Angle"

Heidi Parent

Random Thoughts

On a lot of random stuff…hence the title

by Heidi Parent
02/16/04

Gore's Back…and in my favorite version too!

Did you see Al's endorsement of Howard Dean in Tennessee? If not, you can read about it here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,110830,00.html. But to get the full effect, you really should hear the audio version, which you can do by clicking here: http://www.tndp.org/audio/Gore2.8.04.wav

Given Dean's Iowa speech, perhaps Al understood out-of-control-shout-at-the-top-of-your-lungs-rage to be the SOP when endorsing Dean. Seeing Al in action again made me a bit nostalgic for the 2000 campaign (sniff, sniff). John F. just doesn't have the chameleon speaking tendencies Al has (black church Al, old lady lunch Al, condescending Al - which is sometimes easily confused with exasperated school teacher Al, alpha male Al, feminist Al, liar Al, exaggeration Al, snippy Al, smartest boy in the room Al, etc.) So I don't think Bush/Kerry debates will be quite as entertaining. Although, John F. does have the condescending part down...

Military Service: Part I

How can it be that a retired four star general doesn't understand the meaning of the term "deserter"? I would think that to be a general one would need to have at least a working knowledge of military terms and rules. But, maybe not. Maybe that's why Wes Clark didn't speak up when supporter and Hollywood moron, Michael Moore, introduced him at a rally. While boasting about Clark's debating ability (Let me pause here because I've seen the Democrat debates and I noticed no ability worth bragging about in Wes's performance. In fact, I noticed some ability to be quite ashamed of, actually) Moore told the crowd, "I know what you're thinking. I want to see that debate. The general versus the deserter." Of course, Moore was referring to Bush's National Guard record. (For the real story, click here: http://www.washtimes.com/national/20040211-121217-6595r.htm).

When the media smelled a story brewing, they were quick to ask Wes about Moore's comments. But Wes failed to correct the record or even correct Moore on the actual meaning of the term "deserter" (which happens to be an offense punishable by death. Again, I'm no military expert but I doubt very many deserters end up with an honorable discharge as Bush did.) Instead, Clark responded with a bunch of "Moore is entitled to his opinion" answers and added how pleased he was to have Moore's support since he was "a man of conscience" who has "done a lot of great things for ordinary people, working people across America." Blah, blah, blah.

When Moore was asked clarify his comments, he responded by posting an open letter (ala Barbra Streisend) on his official web site. In it he said: "I would like to apologize for referring to George W. Bush as a 'deserter.' What I meant to say is that George W. Bush is a deserter, an election thief, a drunk driver, a WMD liar and a functional illiterate. And he poops his pants. In fact, he shot a man in Tucson 'just to watch him die.'" Moore also went on to blame the hubbub on the "lughead way" in which the media covered his "humorous introduction of Wesley Clark." Oh, now I get it. It was all a joke. Boy, what a talent.

Military Service: Part II

Okay. For the last time, National Guard service is legitimate military service. And given the fact that we have thousands of Guardsmen (or is it Guardspeople?) currently serving in both Afghanistan and Iraq, I find the media's dismissive attitude toward Guard service to be highly offensive. But the media certainly aren't alone in their views. John Kerry actually made this comment when asked about President Bush's decision to serve in the Guard: "I've never made any judgments about any choice somebody made about avoiding the draft, about going to Canada, going to jail, being a conscientious objector, going into the National Guard." Apparently to John F. serving in the Guard is equivalent to going to jail. To that I say, where is the outrage? Moreover, where is the outrage from the National Guard? C'mon all you current and former Guardsmen. Email John F. and tell him you are proud to serve. (http://kerry.senate.gov/bandwidth/contact/email.html)

Military Service: Part III

One last thing on Guard service and whether it counts. Yes, John Kerry has an honorable war record, but this election isn't about electing a swift boat commander, it's about electing a Commander in Chief. Does Kerry's service record as a capable swift boat commander automatically mean he will be a capable Commander and Chief? That's quite an unknown. On the other hand, while his critics scoff that he "merely" served in the Guard, George W. Bush has accomplished something vastly more important - he has logged three plus years as a successful Commander and Chief. Shouldn't that count for something?

Changing the Tone?

Check out the Democrat National Committee's new blog (http://democrats.org/blog) called Kicking Ass. Yeah, tell me again, Peter Jennings, how Democrats are trying to change the tone in Washington. If only Bush would just go along!

Kucinich Supporters: Ohmmm

The following email message was sent to Kucinich supporters in New Jersey:

New York City Friends of Kucinich will be holding a group meditation and visualization for the Dennis Kucinich campaign. The intention of the meditation will be to create the energy pathways needed to give the Kucinich vision and everyone who aligns with that vision a voice in America and the World and to attract the prosperity and resources to do so.

At 8:15pm EST find a quiet space alone or in a group...Place your hands over your Heart Center and align your Heart and your Voice with the vision of the Kucinich campaign. Set an intention to reach out to others, especially possible supporters of the campaign. Spend five to ten minutes in this space. Close the meditation with a statement of gratitude. If you are unable to participate at that exact time, then find a time as close as possible to 8:15pm that evening and set your intention to tune into the group, sending your thoughts and energy either forward or backward in time.

We hope as many people as possible can participate. Remember Dennis' belief in the interconnectedness of all living beings. So be it.

For me, Kucinich and his nutty followers have been the best part of the Democrat primaries. I just can't help it; he and his kumbaya ideas just make me laugh. And to think people actually believe, and worse - long for enactment of, his liberal drivel is, for me, beyond comprehension! Although I must admit, it would be great to have some sort of time machine that would allow us to live with "President Kucinich" for a week or so (without, of course, suffering the consequences of any of his decisions) just to see what he would actually do. Besides offering a moment of levity, it would no doubt also prove very beneficial. Allowing Americans to see full throttled liberalism in action up close and personal would be one way to hasten the death of the Loony Left.

Tax Cuts

A final question for those who support any plans to roll back Bush's tax cut but refuse to admit doing so would be a tax hike. Try looking at this from the opposite perspective. If your boss gave you a raise, but rescinded the raise a year later, would you consider that a pay cut?