Sloganeering

Many people just want the issues boiled down to bumper stickers. It's unfortunate, but it seems to be true. With major issues facing our country and the world, most don't want to take the time to read about candidates' platforms or issues, they'd just rather have the spin doctors distill it all for them. That's how we ended up with Commander Codpiece in the White House. It's more than a little scary that voters will take their cue from Fox News, Rush Limbaugh and the rest of the noisemakers. Just define your opposition as bumper sticker slogans and voters will buy it. Tax and spend Liberals, flip flop, Gore invented the Internet, Democrats are soft on terrorism, cut and run. And now, former big corporation lobbyist and senator Fred Thompson has thrown his script in the ring. And what's his rationale for keeping our troops in Iraq?

On Iraq, he's in no rush to talk about bringing troops home. "Right now we need to make every effort to make sure that we don't get run out of there with our tails between our legs," Thompson said.

It worked for Reagan so there's no reason it won't work for Thompson unless he really messes things up. And without a script, that may happen. But the fact is that some people think he'd make a good president because he's a good prosecutor on Law & Order. Maybe as president he can get us out of Iraq by the end of the episode.

The Headline Says It All

This has to be one of the best headlines in years. They just don't write them like this anymore.

Bad Newz for Michael Vick

The National Football League has indefinitely suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick without pay, officials with the league said Friday.

Earlier, Vick admitted to participating in a dogfighting ring as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in Virginia.

"Your admitted conduct was not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible. Your team, the NFL, and NFL fans have all been hurt by your actions," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a letter to Vick.

"The defendant will plead guilty because the defendant is in fact guilty of the charged offense," the plea agreement said.

"Most of the 'Bad Newz Kennels' operations and gambling monies were provided by Vick," the official summary of facts said. Gambling wins were generally split among co-conspirators Tony Taylor, Quanis Phillips and sometimes Purnell Peace, it continued.

"Vick did not gamble by placing side bets on any of the fights. Vick did not receive any of the proceeds from the purses that were won by 'Bad Newz Kennels.' "

Vick also agreed that "collective efforts" by him and two others caused the deaths of at least six dogs.

Around April, Vick, Peace and Phillips tested some dogs in fighting sessions at Vick's property in Virginia, the statement said. "Peace, Phillips and Vick agreed to the killing of approximately 6-8 dogs that did not perform well in 'testing' sessions at 1915 Moonlight Road and all of those dogs were killed by various methods, including hanging and drowning.

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Thank the U.S. Attorneys in the Vick Case! Click on the card to go to the Humane Society Website.

Reefer Madness

This 1938 film dramatizes the "violent narcotic's ... soul destroying" effects on unwary teens, and their hedonistic exploits enroute to the bottom.

Mr. Softee Had Lyrics?

Did you know that the incessant melody that came from the Mr. Softee trucks had lyrics? It's amazing the things you can learn on the Internet. Too bad Tom Carvel didn't have a jingle.



Nice stoop, too.

Life Explained

On the first day, God created the dog and said: "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years."

The dog said: "That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?"

So God agreed.

On the second day, God created the monkey and said: "Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span."

The monkey said: "Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?"

And God agreed.

On the third day, God created the cow and said:"You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family For this, I will give you a life span of sixty Years."

The cow said: "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?"

And God agreed again.

On the fourth day, God created man and said: "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years."

But man said: "Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?"

"Okay," said God, "You asked for it."

So that is why for our first twenty years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

Life has now been explained to you.

Are we establishing a 24 hour surveillance society?

The government and corporations are aggressively collecting information about your personal life and your habits. They want to track your purchases, your medical records, and even your relationships. The Bush Administration's policies, coupled with invasive new technologies, could eliminate your right to privacy completely. Could this hypothetical pizza ordering scenario actually happen? Click on the Pizza Palace graphic to see the (card carrying) ACLU's presentation.