MyCommunityNOW - Blogs

Democrat Control In Wisconsin Has Begun...

Al Campbell — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:49:37 GMT

Let's see how they do with their newfound control.

The state has a record deficit totaling some $2.5 billion using GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) as those of us in the real world must.

The lust to use the power vested in any political party is very strong; it is, in fact, often irresistible to the detriment of both that particular party and the citizens of the state.

Governor Doyle has proved to be a master at maneuvering through the political maze. He has yet to admit that he'll again be a candidate for the office of Governor but that is a foregone conclusion. Unless he is tapped for a Washington job or there is some 'pay for play' scandal yet to unfold in our state, he is a shoe-in to run for another term.

The Republicans will be challenged as the 'loyal opposition' to have any discernible impact on the important items even though both houses' leaders claim they'll run their domains on an 'inclusive' basis (don't waste a lot of money betting on that).

Those of us who follow the 'ins' and the 'outs' will have much to occupy our time. Those of us who don't follow the machinations of our state government will likely come to wish they had paid closer attention. There are new taxes to be levied. There are existing taxes to be increased. There are any number of old fees to be increased; and, there are a number of new fees to be created.

The idea of balancing our state's budget through reductions in expenditures and through elimination of programs and through improvements in efficiency simply is a none starter in Wisconsin. The only thing we seem to know is creating new programs that require even more funding.

You and me are the only people who can change that...and we only get that opportunity when we walk into the voting booth. In the meantime, we can do our best to hold feet to fires.

“DOG GONE IT'

Joe Mangiamele — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:42:23 GMT

Hi. This is your imaginary dog, Sport, reporting back.

Are you going to be surprised with what I've discovered! Only a dog (and especially an imaginary dog) would have found the reality of what is going on at Village Hall.

No. It is difficult to keep claim about this. This is worse than anything you would have imagined.

Of course, I've got your attention. And I'm going to give it to you as easily as possible. Sit back.

One of the basic truths about dogs is that we can smell humans from long distances. And although there appeared to be 7 human beings at Village Hall at this particular meeting, with about 3 or 4 assisting, I was getting only a rather slight human scent from the area. This seemed strange.

Okay, just wait, I'm going to give it to you as easily as possible. Stay in your chair. Out of that group, I sniffed out only three real human beings. Yes, only three.

Before you ask any questions, here is the summary of my report to you. The rest were robots. Three human beings and the remainder only excellent appearing human robots. What a superb production of human robots.

Are you getting the true reality of this? All your talk about decisions and action by consensus is all wrong. What appears as consensus is built into these robots in such a perfect way that not even humans can tell the robots from other humans. Which one is which?

Even the three humans can't seem to the tell the difference. Yes, I know that I've aready said that. It deserves to be repeated. That's why trustees are NOT responding to your questions and suggestions. Only a dog, a specie with such special relationship with human beings and with such sniffing skills could really discover this secret.

All robots except three. Wow! Sure I'm proud of this discovery. Bow, wow! If I weren't imaginary, you wouldn't have known either. Why, only three human beings? Who knows? The robots were evenly distributed.

If I were you, and I know your are a human being not only because I can smell your special smell but because of the stupid way you forgive anything I do, and always say “good dog” when I please you, I would ask why would anyone want to have robots at the head of local government instead of real human beings?

Okay, I know you think I just made this all up. You think it's so delicate that your are not going to post it? I understand. You don't think I went to the meeting? But you've got a good excuse and say that its all fiction.

This should be one of your verbal cartoons that you like to create. After all, it was reported to you by an imaginary dog. Why don't you title it “dog gone it?” Or “good dog?”

Keep Your Hands To Yourself

Janet Evans — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:49:27 GMT

Should schools be allowed to use corporal punishment?

Are you surprised I would even be asking that question?

Approximately 20 states across the country still allow corporal punishment.

Even Wisconsin doesn't "prohibit" the practice, but states it is "generally prohibited."

Is it prohibited or isn't it?

State	Code Section	Punishment Allowed
WISCONSIN	118.31	Corporal punishment generally prohibited; reasonable and necessary force allowed in self-defense, to protect others, etc., and as proscribed by school board policy.

The states most often still allowing corporal punishment? Southern states.

You can view the list and clarification of codes via the following link:

Corporal Punishment in Public Schools laws - Information on the law about Corporal Punishment in Public Schools

Children with allergies

John Manke — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:00:00 GMT

It is no fun going to a restaurant or getting something to eat when your child has an allergy. Some children are allergic to nuts. Some are allergic to eggs. Others are allergic to other things. You must always examine the menu and ask questions on what is inside of the food and how was it made. Carrying special medicine to counter act the allergy is standard procedure.. If an allergic attack comes, then you must use the medicine and go to an emergency medical center for specialized help. An allergy can be a life and death situation for a child. When a child with an allergy comes into your house, prepare to remove anything that could cause an allergic reaction from the reach of the child. You sometimes feel like a fool asking all of these questions, but preventing a trip to an emergency room is the best policy. Please do not make fun of people with allergies. Sometimes a person can die in a short period of time without proper care. Preventative action is always best for these matters. It is no fun to have to wash your hands after petting the family dog, so that you can touch or hold the little child in your arms. When you see a rash coming after touching the child and forgetting to wash your hands, you can understand the frustration of the child's parents. Allergies to animals is common in children. Hopefully, the child will outgrow the allergies, but allergy to nuts can be a lifetime affair. Be kind to a family that has children with allergies. They have no control over the situation, except to know how to handle an emergency crisis with their child. I wish luck to all parents with children with allergies. I would like to give special thanks to David, Kristy and Maddie Manke and Kurt, Olivia and Sam Manke for their advice on this matter. Allergies are a serious matter to all children.

Memo to Big Ten Conference football teams...

Kevin Fischer — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:16:58 GMT

Next year, when you get invited to bowl games, do yourselves a favor.

Say no.

Stay home.

Save yourselves a lot of embarassment.

The government wants to regulate your TV

Kevin Fischer — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:30:00 GMT

Last year, state Senator Mary Lazich blogged that the government is going to regulate your lawnmower.

You can add “television” to the list.

The Buckhorn irony

Kevin Fischer — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:05:00 GMT

Tuesday night, the Franklin Common Council will take up the Buckhorn controversy. Specifically, aldermen will consider the License Committee’s vote that a special prosecutor’s recommendation that the Buckhorn have its license suspended for 75 days be rejected. On Christmas Day 2007, Eddie Lynn Keck was reportedly over-served at the Buckhorn, left the tavern and struck and killed two people that night in a drunk driving accident.

Almost a year ago, the Franklin Common Council retained Roger C. Pyzyk, a private practice attorney who also is the Greenfield city attorney, as a special prosecutor to see if Franklin officials could take action against the tavern.

Franklin aldermen regarded the Buckhorn controversy as a hot potato, refusing comment and deferring the entire matter to Pyzyk. The city has left itself wide open to criticism that it has bungled this entire affair. The slow wheels of the criminal justice system passed judgment on Keck months ago. Franklin City Hall continues to stumble.

While I’m on record supporting a much stronger action against Buckhorn, and still do, and that is a revocation of its license, I find it highly ironic that the Franklin Common Council, in the interest of due process, stepped aside to bring in an impartial prosecutor. The prosecutor after months and months of review, paid for with Franklin taxes, came up with a recommendation, and now the Council is poised to turn it down. So, we’ve made what progress at the city level in over a year?

Personally, I believe it’s time for the aldermen to take a stand and tell the public exactly what it is they want. They ultimately have to vote on something, and the time to keep hemming and hawing is over.

Franklin aldermen, if a 75 day suspension isn’t right, what is? You were elected to make tough decisions. This is one of them, one the public is running out of patience over.

For more details on this entire story, read my recap in TOP TEN FRANKLIN STORIES OF 2008: # 9.

God Bless America, And The Rest Of The World, Too

Janet Evans — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:56:00 GMT

Freedom is so very precious.

Another sign of change has cropped up in communist Cuba with President Raul Castro's announcement that Cubans can build their own homes with their own money.

[...]

Cubans will be told "OK, here you can build. I've given you this amount of space, that amount of room for a street, and that amount for a sidewalk. Now build your little home with whatever you can," said Castro on a local television program as he visited a new neighborhood of Venezuela-built homes.

[...]

Many of the perks are out of reach for the average Cuban, who earns about 17 dollars a month.

Click for complete article

Minnesota's Franken/Coleman recount: One monster of a Senate race

Kyle Prast — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:40:00 GMT

It appears Al Franken has truly turned Minnesota election law into a Franken-stein of a monster recount--something the election laws were never intended to do: enable stealing an election.

If you have been following this race since election day 2 months ago, you know that incumbent Senator Coleman was 215 votes ahead of opponent Al Franken when the votes were originally counted. But after Minneapolis' director of elections remembered she forgot 32 absentee ballots in her car the following Friday, and 2 liberal precincts claimed they initially miscommunicated the vote totals, Franken picked up another 346 votes, for a total of 378 Franken votes. The oddity being that "none of the other contests recorded any changes in their vote totals" due to this supposed miscommunication.

For a while, it looked like Coleman would still keep his Senate seat, but more and more there is Funny Business in Minnesota, In which every dubious ruling seems to help Al Franken:

Strange things keep happening in Minnesota, where the disputed recount in the Senate race between Norm Coleman and Al Franken may be nearing a dubious outcome. Thanks to the machinations of Democratic Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and a meek state Canvassing Board, Mr. Franken may emerge as an illegitimate victor.
Mr. Franken started the recount 215 votes behind Senator Coleman, but he now claims a 225-vote lead and suddenly the man who was insisting on "counting every vote" wants to shut the process down. He's getting help from Mr. Ritchie and his four fellow Canvassing Board members, who have delivered inconsistent rulings and are ignoring glaring problems with the tallies.

The latest travesty in the Franken recount is abusing the duplicate ballot provision. (Emphasis mine)

Under Minnesota law, election officials are required to make a duplicate ballot if the original is damaged during Election Night counting. Officials are supposed to mark these as "duplicate" and segregate the original ballots. But it appears some officials may have failed to mark ballots as duplicates, which are now being counted in addition to the originals. This helps explain why more than 25 precincts now have more ballots than voters who signed in to vote. By some estimates this double counting has yielded Mr. Franken an additional 80 to 100 votes.

Another county "'lost' 133 votes" due to possible double running of ballots through the machines. (In other words, the machine stated 133 votes more than actual ballots.) The Canvassing Board decided to go with the original higher tally--helping Franken by 42 votes. An additional 37 Franken votes from another county were gathered by going with a higher ballot total than the Election Night machine total, even though the higher ballot tally was greater than voters in the precinct!

Anything goes, IF it helps Al Franken win! Do read the entire Wall Street Journal piece. Truth is stranger than fiction!

Senator Coleman is to challenge the Canvassing Board's results. His attorney "said the challenge will be filed within 24 hours. The challenge will keep Franken from getting the election certificate he needs to take the seat in Washington."

A few days ago, Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas promised to block the Franken seating in the Senate with a filibuster. Good for Cornyn.

So far, Senate Democrats put off plans to seat Franken, "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid yielded to Republican threats and agreed on Monday not to immediately seat fellow Democrat Al Franken, whose razor-close victory in Minnesota faces legal challenges."

Republicans have dropped the ball, in my opinion, on allowing voter fraud after voter fraud to continue, until at last people just throw up their hands and accept it as business as usual.

I hope the Republicans stand firm on this one for once and grow some backbone!

Please, comment content should relate to the subject of the post. Although I try to respond to many, do not interpret my lack of a response as agreement.

Links:

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Vicki Mckenna, Jay Weber, The Right View Wisconsin, Mark Levin, CNS News

Gas Pains Makes the Top Ten

Tom Gaertner — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:19:00 GMT

I received an email from Mark Maley today.

Mark is the fellow that works over at the Palace of Pure Thought and is the Online Editor of all of the NOW sites - Including WauwatosaNOW.

Mark wanted to let us Community Voices know how we ranked last year in the vast popularity contest of page views. Mind you, this is of all the NOW sites - Wauwatosa, West Allis, Brookfield, Cudahy, Franklin, Germantown, Menomonee Falls and a pile more.

Three of your Community Voices here at WauwatosaNOW made the Top Twenty. Karen Waldkirch was nineteen, Christine McLaughlin was thirteen and I placed number ten.

Tosa Rules - Brookfield Drools.

According to Mark, total page views or "hits" on the Now sites in 2008 were 12.5 million - a 58% increase over the 7.9 million page views in 2007.

Imagine the productivity of American business if all of those people were actually doing their day jobs instead of surfing the web at the office. There would be no recession, Christine would have a job and I wouldn't have been reduced to subsistence hunting and gathering.

Anyway, I wish to share a few thoughts about the blogoshere (not to be confused with Blagojevich) although I have wondered from time to time if I could make a few bucks by shaking-down my three readers.

How many of you have noticed that the bloggers on the NOW sites mostly take the time to actually compose an original thought or two, tell a story or share a thought-provoking point of view. Yeah, I know that from time to time it is really hard to resist a snarky post but most of us try really hard at the entertaining and critical-thinking stuff. When we get it wrong or touch a nerve most of us will even let you hand our head back to us as we won't moderate your comments.

What I am not seeing is what most of the blogoshere is composed-of. That being an idle collection of individuals that lift a story from the mainstream press and post a snippet of it along with a snide remark. This is followed by their entourage of equally brain-dead acolytes posting a succession of equally snide comments while all the while stroking their collective snideness. It's really rather silly. Am I the only person left with that impression?

It's also lazy.

It reminds me of daytime angry radio and its the cult of victimhood. Don't the people that listen to that drivel have something better to do? Such as work? Or at least doing something that stretches their gray matter? Oh yeah. I get it. It is entertainment. But I digress.

Thanks again to my loyal legion of three readers. May you have good health, prosperity and Gas Pains in the New Year.

Tom

Doyle Void of Fiscal Sense

Bernard Hall — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:56:33 GMT

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle is practically kicking himself because of his actions from last year which he now views as a mistake-not raising taxes high enough. Nearly a year after one of the largest tax increases in Wisconsin history, it is once again time to break the record for largest tax increase in Wisconsin history. With the legislative session starting, the tax-and-spend Democrats are in charge. So look out.

Two years ago, when the governor was running for real election, he spoke in favor of repealing the automatic annual increases in the gasoline excise tax. Now that he does not have to run for office this year, he most assuredly regrets that decision. And has said so. After raising the cigarette tax one dollar per package, he laments over keeping that too low. So expect that to go up. The real kicker here is that he wants us to believe that he wants people to stop smoking and raising the excise tax on a package of cigarettes will help them do that. It will make Wisconsin healthier. Well, if that is the ultimate goal, then just do an outright ban on cigarettes. Why try to tax smokers and think you're doing them a favor at the same time? Well, here's the answer whenever you raise taxes on anyone you're doing a huge disservice to your constituency. This could not be more obvious in a recessionary period. Even the tax and spend liberals at the federal level, now that now is not the time to raise taxes on anyone. They will be running up huge deficits spending our way out of this recessionary time. Even though states do not have the ability to run up huge deficits like the feds can, huge tax increases are not going to help. Perhaps it is this lack of fiscal sense that Jim Doyle shows that is evident to the Obama administration and will explain why Jim Doyle did not get a federal appointment.

I would also bet my last dollar on the assumption that Doyle is going to push through the hospital tax. Overspending on social programs is creating a big hole that will be partially filled by a deceitful hidden tax. And who's going to pay for it? Well, we both know the answer. It is you and me. We will be paying for it in our own direct medical costs and through higher insurance premiums that are going to be passed on to the taxpaying citizens, and the health insurance premium paying citizens of Wisconsin. Nothing could be further from equitable.

Automatic annual increases in the gasoline excise tax will also be tried to be put back into practice. What better way to raise taxes than to do it through automatic increases that no one has to vote on? Will there also be an increase in the registration fee for automobiles? Will there be an increase in fees for other licenses and permits that the state issues? In these tough times, nothing is out of the question. The real question is, are there enough state legislators that we can count on that will remember that there are taxpaying citizens in their constituency? This year, I don't know. After all, they all got a raise. They got a 5.3% increase. When they'd be happy to join in and up your taxes while they kick in a few cents of their own. Regardless, the tax-and-spend Democrats can think of no easier way to pull the state out of recession then by separating wage earners from their rewards. Even if they have to ruin the economy in doing so.

This Is For the Parents Out There

Roxanne Suson — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:55:08 GMT

There are three key phrases that I find myself repeating over and over to our youngest:

1. Keep eating.

2. Turn down the T.V.

3. Sit down.

I'm sure there are more. But this YouTube Mom says it all.

Lydia & Sable

Lana Huebner — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:45:26 GMT

Lydia and Sable have been at the shelter for 3 years. They are quiet and more shy than many of our other feline friends. One of them is a "turtle" cat - loves to sleep curled up under a small blanket or snuggly pad. Their Happy Ending has finally come!

Here is a picture of them:

The friendly skies: "Hands off" illegal immigrants

Kevin Fischer — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:08:41 GMT

I have often said that we (the United States) are our own worst enemy when it comes to our illegal immigration dilemma. Here's another example.

Illegal immigrants are being smuggled into America through the Las Vegas airport. Federal agents are aware. So are local agents in Las Vegas. The response the local agents get from the feds: ignore the problem.

HT: Dad29 via Moonbattery.

Prepare to be outraged.

Deals and Steals

Doug Sprague — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:02:00 GMT

If you are one of the few hundred still getting the daily Journal-Sentinel, next time you have a few minutes on a Monday, Tuesday or Saturday check out the "Deals and Steals items under $75" in the classified section. It's kind of like a cross between eBay, 7 Mile Fair and the neighborhood rummage sale. Potential sellers can list individual "items" for sale in the paper for free. Here are some "items" currently available.

EARTHA KITT RCA VICTOR 78 RPM "AFRICAN LULLABY" SUNG IN ENGLISH AND SWAHILI $3

This item has tripled in price since "Catwoman" left us.

FISHER DUAL CASSETTE PLAYER/RECORDER. TAPES STICK, NEEDS CLEANING $2

Only if you throw in the Beta VCR and the "Village People" 8-track

HOCKEY PRO GOALIE CUP, LIKE NEW, WORN ONE PERIOD. SIZE LARGE, WHITE/RED. WORKS REALLY GOOD!

I'm hoping the seller is just a quitter, not a female goalie.

LEATHER PANTS WOMEN'S SIZE 4, WORN ONCE $50 O.B.O.

Only if Olivia Newton-John is still in them

WEDDING DRESS-HARD TO FIND PLUS SIZE (28) IVORY/GOLD, WORN ONCE.

The dress was the only thing hard to find

Princess the Pitbull mix

Wisconsin Humane Society — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:53:00 GMT

Greetings! I'm Princess, but I'm working on being the queen of your castle. I don't need a throne, but I do need a lot of love and plenty of fun. Princess is a gorgeous, silly girl hoping to start 2009 off on the right paw. Learn more about this 6-month-old American Pitbull Terrier mix.

Need some expert advice for issues with your canine companion?
Sometimes you may have concerns about your dog's behavior that go beyond the scope of regular dog training classes or seminars. To schedule a one-on-one behavior consultation with a behavior expert at the Wisconsin Humane Society, please call (414) 431-6114.

2009 PRIORITY REGISTRATION - SOUTH MILWAUKEE YOUTH FOOTBALL

South Milwaukee Recreation Department — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:28:00 GMT

The South Milwaukee Recreation Department is announcing that current 5^th, 6^th, and 7th graders interested in playing tackle football in the fall of 2009 may sign up at the priority registration rate of $165.00 no later than March 31, 2009. After March 31, 2009, the registration fee is $215.00. Registration forms may be obtained from the Recreation Department in Room 1001 in the Senior High. Please park in the east lot and enter through door 24.

Congratulations David Ozburn!

Mary Lazich — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:48:07 GMT

David Ozburn’s Eagle Scout ceremony was held on Sunday, January 4, 2009.

My office prepared a state citation that I presented to David Ozburn at the special ceremony. It reads:

Whereas, David John Ozburn is a member of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 314, and through dedication and commitment, attained the rank of Eagle Scout; and

Whereas, David John Ozburn’s Eagle Scout project included constructing a park shelter at Ken Windl Park, providing shade and rain protection for park attendees; and

Whereas, David John Ozburn attended Powderhorn Leadership Training, earned 35 merit badges, and served his troop in the leadership positions of Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and Troop Scribe; and

Whereas, David John Ozburn graduated in the top three percent of the class at Franklin High School, and was a member of the Franklin High School Football Team, Track and Field Team, served as the Robotics Club Pit Crew Chief, and continues to volunteer as Robotics Club mentor; and

Whereas, David John Ozburn is a member of Saint James Parish, and a freshman at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, majoring in nuclear engineering, employed at Pop’s Club, the largest Food Service dining room on the Madison campus, and is a member of the American Chemical Society;

Now Therefore, the members of the Wisconsin State Senate on the motion of Senator Mary Lazich, commend David John Ozburn for outstanding dedication and service to scouting. David John Ozburn is further commended for successfully completing the requirements necessary to attain the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honorable rank awarded by the Boy Scouts of America.

Uncle Jay Explains...

Al Campbell — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:41:31 GMT

This link was sent to me by a longtime reader and sometime contributor. He thought we all might appreciate a tuneful look back at 2008, with a few slightly irreverent portions depending upon your point of view.

Please click here.

"THE SURGE" DELAYS THE INEVITABLE

Lester Schultz — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:35:22 GMT

It is time to get things straight about Iraq. In the longer historical sweep of things there is no nation of "Iraq." It was cobbled together by European colonialists to accommodate and make convenient some way to carve out the former colonial enterprises into some semblance of nationhood for the people in the area. It is not an Arab nation, because the Kurds in the north are not of the same racial-ethnic stock as the Arabs. It is not a Sunni state or a Shiite state because those two branches of Islam do not get along anywhere and for 13 or 14 centuries they have been fighting each other for territory and other things.

In sweeps George W. Bush, a man who knows as much about history as a third grade student, and makes some broad decisions about what he thinks [or Dick Cheney thinks] is good for the people living within the boundaries of the cobbled-together nation of Iraq. Oh, by the way, this plan in Iraq will bring billions and billions of dollars into the coffers of Halliburton Corp., where Dick Cheney had served as CEO before becoming the puppeteer to puppet George W. Bush. Oh, by the way, breaking Saddam's back is exactly what Saudi Arabia tells Bush it desires, and keeping the Saudi family happy and its trillion-dollar hold on the Arabian Peninsula's oil has been a Bush family mantra since Grandfather Prescott Bush illegally traded with Hitler's Germany and made the Bush family fortune in Saudi oil. George W. Bush's father today sits on the board of Saudi business enterprises. Oh, by the way, ascending to the White House allows George W. Bush to hand out more favorrs to his family's buddies in many corporate enterprises, including health care, pharmaceuticals, energy, ad infinitum.

Bush is the worst president in American history, that can be taken for granted, but his powerful executive decision-making has just about destroyed the American economy, cost the lives of over 4200 American military men and women, has allowed Halliburton and Blackwater and others to reap a windfall bonanza that is hard to imagine, has allowed pharmceutical corporations to rape the prescription drug needs of millions of people who are not managing to pay for their medications, has dealt in secrecy more than any president in history [especially with corporate friends], established torture programs, established prisons outside the territorial U.S. that would not be tolerated in the U.S., held people for 7 years without ever charging them, ignored moving FORWARD on North Korea and Israel-Palestine and Sudan-Darfur, snooped secretly on innocent American citizens, etc. And to think of what he has done to millions of Iraqi people is difficult to conceive; and the Iraqi populace want us OUT of Iraq NOW.

On January 20, 2009, a new president will be sworn in. He holds out hope for some sanity, intelligence and honesty in American government actions, nationally and internationally. Will he be up to it? Who knows? But we are at a crossroads in American history. George W. Bush and his gang have led us to to edge of catastrophe. There are many things we need to do in support of Barack Obama, but we must also hold his feet to the fire so he delivers on his progressive, sane, and humane promises. Excuses should not be tolerated. It will take time, certainly, but there must be evidence of moving in the right direction. Getting out of Iraq ASAP is a start, and the break-up of that so-called "nation" is going to happen in some fashion or other.. Out of the coming dilemma, perhaps the territory now called Iraq may re-boot and forge something new, something free of colonialism from Europe or America.