Two Quick Rants...
We are witnessing history with the appointment of two Supreme Court judges this year (one to the Chief position) and I can't help but notice the worst that the process has brought out in some people - namely conservatives and hard-right Christian groups. When John Roberts was initially nominated, Christian conservatives began crying foul when mainstream America started questioning his religious beliefs, and his lack of a trail of judicial opinions. In unison, they said "religion should have nothing to do with his ability to be an effective Justice" and "the fact that he lacks a long trail of opinion does not mean he is not qualified to judge". Their protests came mainly out of the fact that they knew he was the conservative they wanted, and they didn't want that to be an issue that would derail his approval.
President Bush recently nominated his close friend and personal lawyer, Harriet Miers for the remaining opening. Having only served as a personal attorney to Mr. Bush and a low level advisor within the administration, she lacks any familiarity or public record. This immediately made Christian conservatives nervous, however, because they view this bench opening as a chance to pack the court with one more Christian conservative who can influence new law or overturn existing ones in line with their religious beliefs (i.e Roe v. Wade) NOW, the same groups that discounted the role of religion and public record in Roberts' case are asking for clear evidence of Ms. Miers' religious beliefs and opinions on such matters as abortion rights and civil rights before they agree to support her nomination. What happened to religion not meaning anything, or lack of public record not a disqualifying factor? Hypocrisy amongst those who claim to espouse the teachings of Jesus Christ!
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The Republican party says they have all the answers on energy. They tell us that they are creating policies to help ease gas prices, that they are working to locate new sources of oil around the globe, and initiating legislation to improve automotive emissions standards in the U.S. In my opinion, their efforts are misdirected. We shouldn't be concerned with how much oil we need or where to find more - we should be concerned with the fact that we rely so heavily on it. We should be trying to identify alternative energy sources, and figuring out how to use them effectively.
Many Democratic senators have proposed alternative solutions, or at least initiated studies into such solutions. The problem is, the oil industry has billions of dollars in lobbying groups working hand in hand with Republicans, and those Republicans are the ones in power. That's why we never hear about alternative proposals. Who runs this country? George W. Bush - a Republican whose family made their fortunes in oil. Who created the country's latest energy policy? Dick Cheney - a Republican in bed with that President and the oil industry. Who was the Majority Leader until a few weeks ago when he was indicted for fraud? Tom DeLay - a Republican from Texas, the largest oil state in the union whose constituency is primarily oil drilling, shipping, or equipment company executives and employees. And don't think Ford and GM don't have equally as active lobbyists in Washington.
And we wonder why we are so tied to oil, and all the perils that it brings? If you ever find yourself with free time in Houston, TX, drive to the River Oaks section just west of downtown. The homes, or estates, there make Beverly Hills look like a housing project. The entire neighborhood was built by oil money - the same money that bought Bush, Cheney, DeLay, etc and control the country's energy policy. Sit back and think about all the shit that is going on in the world right now...and then ask yourself if oil is somehow involved. Iraq, a strained domestic economy, Middle East policy in general, etc. Is it all worth it? And why are our politicians seeking solutions that only perpetuate the problem?
President Bush recently nominated his close friend and personal lawyer, Harriet Miers for the remaining opening. Having only served as a personal attorney to Mr. Bush and a low level advisor within the administration, she lacks any familiarity or public record. This immediately made Christian conservatives nervous, however, because they view this bench opening as a chance to pack the court with one more Christian conservative who can influence new law or overturn existing ones in line with their religious beliefs (i.e Roe v. Wade) NOW, the same groups that discounted the role of religion and public record in Roberts' case are asking for clear evidence of Ms. Miers' religious beliefs and opinions on such matters as abortion rights and civil rights before they agree to support her nomination. What happened to religion not meaning anything, or lack of public record not a disqualifying factor? Hypocrisy amongst those who claim to espouse the teachings of Jesus Christ!
_____________________
The Republican party says they have all the answers on energy. They tell us that they are creating policies to help ease gas prices, that they are working to locate new sources of oil around the globe, and initiating legislation to improve automotive emissions standards in the U.S. In my opinion, their efforts are misdirected. We shouldn't be concerned with how much oil we need or where to find more - we should be concerned with the fact that we rely so heavily on it. We should be trying to identify alternative energy sources, and figuring out how to use them effectively.
Many Democratic senators have proposed alternative solutions, or at least initiated studies into such solutions. The problem is, the oil industry has billions of dollars in lobbying groups working hand in hand with Republicans, and those Republicans are the ones in power. That's why we never hear about alternative proposals. Who runs this country? George W. Bush - a Republican whose family made their fortunes in oil. Who created the country's latest energy policy? Dick Cheney - a Republican in bed with that President and the oil industry. Who was the Majority Leader until a few weeks ago when he was indicted for fraud? Tom DeLay - a Republican from Texas, the largest oil state in the union whose constituency is primarily oil drilling, shipping, or equipment company executives and employees. And don't think Ford and GM don't have equally as active lobbyists in Washington.
And we wonder why we are so tied to oil, and all the perils that it brings? If you ever find yourself with free time in Houston, TX, drive to the River Oaks section just west of downtown. The homes, or estates, there make Beverly Hills look like a housing project. The entire neighborhood was built by oil money - the same money that bought Bush, Cheney, DeLay, etc and control the country's energy policy. Sit back and think about all the shit that is going on in the world right now...and then ask yourself if oil is somehow involved. Iraq, a strained domestic economy, Middle East policy in general, etc. Is it all worth it? And why are our politicians seeking solutions that only perpetuate the problem?
posted by bdonin at
9:18 AM
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