Having Cake and Eating It, Too

The Senate Republicans are so hypocritical - they seem to want to have their cake and eat it, too! For days all they've done is complain about "earmarks" in the new budget - the budget that was drawn up in December 2009, before Obama was sworn in. But the Republicans are responsible for as many earmarks as the Democrats.

And one of the biggest hypocrites is our senator, Mitch McConnell. He has supported $75 million in earmarks - $50 million he personally had put in the budget! Also, his "supposed" GOP Task Force on Earmark Reform recommendations were never adopted by the Senate Republican Conference.

Republicans make up 3 of the top 5 largest earmarks and 6 of the top 10. The current cost of earmarks amounts to: Democrats $677 million and Republicans $669 million. Yeah, technically the Dems have more, but when yo consider there are 60 Democrats in the senate and only 40 Republicans - well, you don't have to be a math genius ...

What Are the Republicians Thinking??

According to the Rocky Mountain News:

A Republican legislator's remarks about sexuality sparked a bitter volley at the state Capitol on Wednesday, the second time in three days such comments have created controversy.

(Photo by Darin McGregor © The Rocky Mountain News)

So what has caused the controversy now? Sen. Dave Schultheis (R), of Colorado Springs, opposed a bill requiring pregnant women to be tested for HIV so that if they are infected their babies can be treated to prevent the virus's transfer.

"This stems from sexual promiscuity for the most part, and I just can't go there," he said.

"We do things continually to remove the consequences of poor behavior, unacceptable behavior, quite frankly. I'm not convinced that part of the role of government should be to protect individuals from the negative consequences of their actions."

Until Schultheis' remarks, this bill had the support of every other Senate Republican, including Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry, who signed on as a co-sponsor.

At least one Republician, Rep. Marsha Looper, of Colorado, was willing to publicly take her party members to task.

"What are they doing over there?" she asked, referring to the Senate. "I find their comments inappropriate and offensive, and I question their motives."

Former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens said he was puzzled over Schultheis' "no" vote.

"It's extremely inconsistent for any person who is pro-life to oppose this effort to potentially save the life of a child," he said.

Does Schultheis honestly believe that pregnant women who are HIV positive or have AIDS are all promiscuous? Doesn't he realize women are raped every day? Husbands cheat on their wives while still sleeping with their wives every day? And doesn't he realize that not all people with HIV contracted it through sexual contact? How can a US Senator be so narrow minded?

Heaven forbid Sen. Schulheis' daughter is raped by a man with AIDS. Heaven forbid his son-in-law cheats on his daughter and gives her HIV. Heaven forbid his daughter is in an accident and suffers bodily fluid exchange with an HIV person. Heaven forbid his daughter gets pregnant after any of these things happens.

Why Do We Have to Live with Stupid People??

Some days I really hate being an American when I'm put in the same category as the idiots who think "Obama the Magic Negro" is okay in our society.

RNC Chair Chip Saltsman, you should be ashamed of yourself!

Some Conservatives Are Sore Losers

I was late reading all the newspaper this week, so I didn't get to the editoral page until this afternoon. Of course, there was the usual backstabbing, backbitting comments you see every week, but one of them stood out to me. This one letter to the editor is a clear example of what is wrong with our country today.

Least I be accused of taking a comment out of context, I have printed the entire letter - word for word - and I will make my comment after. (*) are places I want to comment on.

Lexington Herald Leader, Sunday, November 9, 2008, page C3:

The people have spoken in record numbers. That in and of itself is a wonderful thing. The face of America is changing. Now we will see what changes will be made and if changing everything is truly a good thing.

I know my more liberal brothers and sisters are celebrting. I wish them and their new president well(*). He and they will need it. While I and my more right-thinking brethren are, to say the least, apprehensive about the outcome, this could not have come as a big surprise. It is no secret that the current president took many great opportunities and squandered them. This all but ensured that the election would be more of a referendum on him and his administration.

America needs a lot of work done right now. Our problems are many and immense. As a patriot(**), I want to see a better, stronger, safer, more righteous nation(***). But nothing comes out of rhetoric alone. Prayer is needed continually now(****); it is not an option.

I also hope and pray that the political right takes this opportunity to rediscover itself. We need to reject the negative agenda and policies that led to this defeat and to realize those things that are important to the citizens of this great nation.

However, as "back benchers," conservatives can enjoy the missteps of the new administation and gloat on its poor handling of crises.(*****) Who says all change is bad?

-Patrick Jamie O'Brien, Lexington

*Their new president - since when is he their new president? He is OUR new president, unless you don't consider yourself an American.

**I am so tired of the small minded people in our country who think that just because I voted differently than them, that I am not a patriot. I consider myself as patriotic as the next person. Being a patriot has nothing to do with what political party you support. Republicians do not have a patent on being patriotic.

***A more righteous nation? Give me a break - since when does the conservative right care about righteousness? If they did, they wouldn't take rights away from gay Americans. If they did, they would uphold a woman's right to choose - and just because you are pro-choice does not make you pro-abortion, they are two separate issues. Conservatives want a righteous nation as long as they are the ones that are right.

****And what makes you think we aren't already praying everyday? I am a Christian and read the Bible on a daily basis - but I also supported Obama. What makes you think it wasn't pray that got Obama elected? God does answer prayers, and this time he answered almost 65 million prayers. The conservative right doesn't own God, and I resent the implication.

*****Don't you just love how some people have written Obama off and he hasn't even been sworn in yet? That's right, keep gloating - that really proves how patriotic and righteous you really are.

The Actor Takes the Stage

Just as with last week's Democratic National Convention, I was glued to the Republican National Convention last night. Although I love Laura Bush, she was having difficulty reading the teleprompter last night. This surprised me considering she is a librarian. Anyhow, Laura Bush is the only thing I like about the Bush White House, so I'll forgive her for being "stiff" on stage.

However, it was Fred Thompson's speech that had tears flowing on one side and anger flowing on the other.

To hear Fred talk, Gov. Sarah Palin has more experience than McCain! Thompson kept repeating that Obama had no executive experience, well, neither does McCain! From the way the Republicians are talking, Palin's executive experience makes her more qualified than McCain. Folks, that's scary!

And considering Thompson was running AGAINST McCain only a few months ago, what made him flip-flop and decide to be FOR McCain? But I guess the same can be said for Biden and Obama - party does win out.

On another note, he did tug at the heartstrings by describing McCain's POW experience. Although I appreciate the fact that McCain was a POW, that doesn't make him qualified to be President. Also, is it right to focus the Republican party on a PERSON instead the policies of the PARTY?

The quote he made that offended me was:

"Because tonight our country is calling to all of us to step up, stand up, and put "country first" with John McCain."

Just because I'm for change in Washington, doesn't mean I don't put my country first.

"Tonight we are being called upon to do what is right for our country. Tonight we are being called upon to stand up for a strong military ... a mature foreign policy ... a free and growing economy and for the values that bind us together and keep our nation free."

I believe this statement by Thompson, but he was speaking about the wrong candidate.

And did anyone find it funny that our sitting President George Bush didn't even show up for his own party's convention? And that his speech was just before primetime, when the 3 top networks started airing coverage? The RNC is trying so hard to make it appear that McCain is not like Bush, when in fact, McCain has voted WITH Bush over 90% of the time.

I'm sorry, but in my eyes, this is more of the McSame!