Category Archives: ~ my 2cents …

~ my 2cents ...

thirsty Thursday & some News


 featured Photo is from NASA called Mystic Mountain –

About This Image

Hubble’s 20th anniversary image shows a mountain of dust and gas rising in the Carina Nebula. The top of a three-light-year tall pillar of cool hydrogen is being worn away by the radiation of nearby stars, while stars within the pillar unleash jets of gas that stream from the peaks

just another rant …

On the 9th of December, I saw an article stating that on the following Monday an Elk kill would commence due to a rowdy group of about 30 had been causing problems and damage for the areas golf course since 2008 and reportedly getting worse. This golf course, was built in wildlife territory/enviroment – in Snoqualmie. The people who built this golf course have forgotten  or got lost in all the hoopla that is their business and need to take a couple of steps backward and or confess to knowing that an Elk Kill was on the horizon.   I read the entire article as well as several others and while I understand free enterprise the notion that this golf course ranked higher than the elk, who at one time were at risk was offensive. As a resident of Washington State coming from a family who not only hunted but also fished my dad gave me enough info and of course I used my own ability to reason and or rationalize what I was reading and given all the information, I had to try to help stop this kill. I called and while the customer service person was kind took my information he really was unable to answer questions or give contact names or numbers so I gave mine.

On December 23, I checked to see if there were any updates and though no one called me, it was nice to see some positive developments for the Elk. There were at least three articles about the kill being put on hold another article stated the elk kill was shelved. I was slightly surprised, offended, and upset at some of the responses from employees of the Wildlife Department but the one below was the most nefarious of them. In my opinion, the idea that a kill of 3 or 30 would reduce the number of elk stomping a golf course was silly but avoiding the facts was offensive. Yes, the kill will deter them but my point to this completely misguided action is that the golf course is in wildlife territory which includes elk and who knows what else. The audacity of these people to think it did not sound like legal poaching is beyond me. The biggest problem in this article was that it is possible either the Snoqualmie Tribe was left out of the loop or something else was going on. The following comments made on December 12th are below, following these awful comments is an update and certainly a reminder that public outcry can be a good thing…

I have to say when I called the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife that morning there was not one mention of a fence, metal or electronic but an adamant correction that it was only about 3 Elk. I told them the article stated there were some 30 elk and the kills would happen on Mondays when the golf course was closed.  I am no expert but some part of this story is missing. As for not knowing or understanding “the process” because we are civilians is an offensive comment to say the least. Some people may laugh but this is a serious breach of co-existing with wildlife. Again, it sounds like a form of legal poaching to me. I also asked if the number of elk is still at risk but that question was unanswered as well.

Public outcry puts elk hunt on hold at Snoqualmie Ridge golf course … click on link for that article

http://www.valleyrecord.com/news/135768838.html

By SETH TRUSCOTT

Snoqualmie Valley Record Editor

December 16, 2011 · Updated 5:01 PM

The Snoqualmie Tribe released its own stance against the hunt:

“Sustainable and low-impact development should include ways to co-exist with wildlife,” Tribal Administrator Matt Mattson stated. “The controlled hunt on the TPC golf course is counter to this philosophy, and counter to the wishes of the Snoqualmie Tribe.” However, Mattson also requested that a tribal master hunter also take part if the hunt does move forward, as the course’s land includes a sacred Tribal burial ground.

After reading what Moszeter said my eyes hurt …So, are we to understand that the elk invaded the golf course and or prior to the construction; contractors etc. did their research and saw no problem building or issue with the fact that it was built in what is or consisered wildlife if not elk country.  If so, it makes you wonder -did this group think about the possibility of the elk “acting elk like” while in the back of their minds had an idea about the future all along.

If you read the whole article or  any of the many articles with comments, it is hard to understand how much we taxpayers owe these people with comments like the one below…

by Chris Moszeter,

“Master hunters were to hunt only on Mondays, when the course was closed. Moszeter said their firing area was tightly-defined, far from homes and faced away from residential areas. Master hunters go through a rigorous training process, and “are confined to a very small window of where they can and cannot shoot”, he said.

“They’re held to a higher ethical and safety standard than the average hunter.” “If the TPC hunt hadn’t been publicized”, We could have been in and out and gone, and nobody would have known the difference,” he added.

“Elk are beautiful to behold for many Valley residents, but they also trample yards, cause economic damage to businesses and can be hazards for cars.”

I believe we need new Stewards of both the Wildlife and the rich folks who insist on getting their way by building where animals …sometimes big and or dangerous live while others are great for eatin

Other News …

Congressional leader statements on Deficit Cmte. failure to agree

State & Defense Officials Detail Fighter Jet Sales to Saudi Arabia

Michele Bachmann & Ron Paul on Iowa Radio Show

Mitt Romney Rallies Iowa Voters

Rick Perry Meets Iowa Voters in Cedar Rapids

~ my 2cents ...

wily Wednesday &some News


After a day and night filled with wicked weather, the odd high temps, the wind has yet to calm down and the rain; reportedly more in the last 72hrs than in 24days; which is so northwest weather but can do much damage. So, be careful out there.

        Given all that is happening in the World a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. is so appropriate right about now. People are dying for the right to speak freely, for a better life and human rights …no one speaks to life’s struggles better than MLK jr and as we move into a New Year let us all find keep or continue the audacity to have hope to change and work hard to give Barack Obama a second term.

“Human Progress is neither automatic nor inevitable even a superficial look at history reveals that no social advance rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals without persistent effort, time itself becomes an ally of the insurgent and primitive forces of irrational emotionalism and social destruction. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”      – MLK Jr.

~ my 2cents ...

tempest Tuesday &some News


below is my response to a comment on the message from Harry Reid article on  12/23 …

HIM: markmcinturfsaid:

In January of 2009, Joe Biden said the middle class was left out of the last economic boom in America and now suffer because of it and President Obama supposedly initiated a task force to improve the quality of life for the American Middle Class. ** Many such comments have been made by several administrations over the last several decades.

I think the best advice is not to impose federal programs/regulations that work toward transforming the middle class into the rest of a society that denies itself nothing regardless of the ability to pay for it. To truly help the middle class, start by reducing and limiting federal subsidies for the less fortunate and completely eliminate them for the lazy. At the same time scrap tax & investment programs only the upper crust can take advantage of. Reward fiscal responsibility by leveling the playing field (make the words “equal opportunity” mean something again). Promote individual responsibility to mortgage only what can be repaid, applaud the ability to recognize the difference and put on a pedestal the integrity to put both in play.

Government cannot create jobs or wealth. You have seen first hand how command economies have run the rest of the planet into the ground while America became the envy of the world. What’s happened to us is corruption. Corruption with the size and scope to turn Freedom and Liberty asunder.

Harry, I am the Middle Class…. but it’s not a measure of my wealth – rather it’s a mind-set and it’s what’s in my heart. I rarely think about being rich because deep down inside I do believe it’s not possible to get that way without at some point wrongfully taking advantage of others and/or breaking the rules BUT I DON’T WANT TO BE POOR EITHER FOR EXACTLY THE SAME REASON. I don’t want to lead… I don’t want to follow…. I don’t want anything to do with politics. All I want is to be left alone to peaceably be responsible for myself and no-one else unless I see fit and I despise the desires of government to treat me otherwise. I am not your enemy nor am I an enemy of anyone… however you Sir, have proven a thousand times over to be mine.

ME:

I read and re-read your comment and while I believe what VP Joe Biden said is true; it is obvious that you do not and if I may take it even farther you sound like a Ron Paul supporter who I feel… let me say that again … whom I feel is an isolationist deep down and some other things that really have no place here. The government is there when the People cannot do for themselves and if you have watched listened and heard what happened while G.Bush was President you might side with me though he did prove that he had absolutely no control of the government.  The idea that he and” his people” decided to  wait until the very last minute as Americans prepared to vote in 2008 Presidential election to let us know quite vaguely that our economy was at risk. I know I was not alone -wondering and sensing something was wrong and while Hank Paulson held several pressers telling everyone that we need $$ because our Countries economic stability was about to collapse or was and that taxpayers had to help the banks etc. because they were too big to fail  and we cannot tell you how the money will be used or how much -which really meant that the Private Sector had done something and it wasn’t good.  The damage done need government intervention … maybe not the way Hank Paulson& George Bush handled it but the tangled weave woven of our monetary system is not only a national problem but an international one which is still at risk  … you may not have felt it …I did …my state government started laying off people and while it was not given a lot of PR … I have to say way too many co-workers working for the state lost half if not more of their 401S ….and the climb up was slow . The House of Bush lost its credibility by waging 2Wars and giving his rich friends 2 tax cuts and a lack of regulation by an unqualified 8yr tenure of spending …This could not have been recalibrated by the market or private sector … because they were the problem right they didn’t figure it in … bankers etc. org like country wide did some awful things and that dragged not just the middle class it managed to create “the new working poor” unable to pay their housing mortgages …and though folks in the know say people should not have gotten into loans they could not afford there is a lot more to that story than meets the eye… BofA knows and so does country wide … Sir, there are at least 300 million people in the US of A and the Government thank goodness is there to take up where others cannot …I like and want FEMA,FDA regulations regulating food,FAA, the dirty air and water  because i know i cannot regulate these things.  I am happy our Government takes care of  those things and let us not leave out Teachers, Firefighters, EMTS or the Police … all usually government jobs …I still cannot believe any state would and should privatize such important jobs …and to know that in this yr. of 2011,people who don’t or cannot pay for the protection of their homes or belongings gets absolutely no service while their house burns down is far beyond my understanding of any libertarian ideology and as far as corruption? I still feel like America got raped by our fellow Americans by the financial system and those JOB Creators the banksters abused their power and while VP Biden is your enemy he and President Obama has been our savior in my eyes. The governing body has had to put aside the status quo for trying something new,  pushing, promoting a balanced call to action … Unfortunately, the status quo is far more acceptable than doing the right thing … We can all see that by tuning into the rhetoric from Republicans and the Tea party who just tried to take our economy and our Democracy down again. I am certain that we are our brothers keepers and with the right balance…. Capitalism will live on only in a lower case c; If we have learned anything it is that absolute power can create absolute corruption …like banksters and anyone affiliated should be warned and our future better when the proper amount of regulations are implemented … so that AIG, BP, the Massey mine and disaster like it are regulated …and the keystone pipeline as well. I believe we need a Congress that is concerned about our fiscal issues but who don’t forget the past and the damage done … Republicans seem bent on the status quo and VP Biden and President Obama want ALL Americans to do well- I support that. It is all about balance … just think if in President Obama’s first few months or 2yrs in Congress had acted for the good of ALL Americans instead of Rs deciding to take the President down, or those bluedogs and yes some clintonites held grudges …imagine if all these members of Congress had done what we taxpayers actually pay them to do
– put People of Profit Country over Political Party. No task forces no filibusters no personal BS – I wager more regulation but balanced and a respect for the People’s vote in 2008- I do not live in an isolationist country though we all have the right to privacy. I would say that income inequality, racism, the war waged on worker and women’s rights are the enemy of mine

HIM:

No, quite the contrary…. the middle class has indeed been kicked in the teeth for nearly 5 decades. Year after year, decade after decade the middle class has lost ground to the wealthy and yet forced to pay more for the poor because government tries to feed, clothe and house them yet at the same time turns it’s back on corrupt manipulation of the economy. Both sides of the political aisle in the US have been equally vile and corrupt for a long long time. Until we address this and rid ourselves of it, we will never be able to right ourselves. Arguing Democrat vs Republican nonsense is just the rhetoric used to feed the fire… to keep your focus off all the criminal intent between Washington and business. There’s nothing wrong with honest Democrat/Republican doctrine/values. What’s going on today has little to do with with either and it’s time we grow up… face it…. and do something about it.

There are plenty of laws to provide for a decent and civil society as long as we are willing to enforce them. The problem today with asking our government to capture and punish the bad guys is that many in government ARE the bad guys. USA Today reports that 57 members of Congress are included in the top 1% of the wealthiest Americans. In fact the report says that in all, Congress holds 249 millionaires. Interesting that both Republicans and Democrats pretty evenly make up the list and gee what a surprise to find out that most of them amassed their wealth after taking office. We know these guys are all just astute investors/businessmen because they’ve told us so. There’s no taking advantage of non-public market information going on in Washington. This is America – remember…. the land of equal opportunity for all who are willing to work.

ME:

Submitted on 2011/12/24 at 4:28 PM | In reply to markmcinturf.

Well, having read this response means you really did not read mine. I was agreeing that the Middle Class has suffered for quite some time. If I remember, you are against task forces to remedy the issue. I believe we agree on some of the issues but clearly disagree at how those issues can and should be dealt with. I lean left. I believe that I am my brother’s keeper and as a person of colour it is in my own best interest to make sure that not only are minorities treated like others …  with respect, equality and access to all the same opportunities to move upward because it makes America an even better place and as far as dem or repub rhetoric ? there is quite a stark difference … getting money out of Washington if that is your main interest means starting on the local level. The status quo pays but it starts in your State where the best or most promising get courted. I have no problem with the idea …”getting money out of Washington” what I do take issue with is how folks act like it just started and blame President Obama for the ills of at least 20yrs of destruction having come to bare on his watch. I am upset Bush was allowed to skate without so much as a question … when did the bs really start why didn’t you pay for the 2Wars waged 2Bush Bonus dollars . I read your comment …did you feel this much about it for the nearly 5 decades you state we have been kicked in the teeth for? I watch various pundits on cable yelling screaming and then blame the Obama Admin …where were they during the House of Bush… and unlike some I have no problem with that 1-2% of self-made million/billionaires who have been trying to give back I do take issues with the Cantor, Boehner and McConnell’s clearly having a positive upward agenda for the 1-2% but not for the Mid-lower classes …like I said I have no problem with capitalism with a small c. I agree Congress is sometimes vile, greedy and speaks for the 1% … but that is usually when Republicans are out of control like Bush. I support President Obama but am not very happy with conservadems , conservative members of Congress , Tea Party members or Republican Governors throwing us under the bus – Ask a Republican … what kind of an America are they trying to move us into when they live love and push income inequality … class warfare – and just so you know … folks are willing to work yet those JOB Creators keep offshoring jobs making life unequal as the opportunities

.

HIM: I have no further comment other than to wish you a Merry Christmas.

ME: Thank You … and A Happy New Year to you …

Other News ..

World AIDS Day Commemorated by President Oama

Homeless Children Testify at House Hearing

Report: Challenging Times for Young America

President Obama Celebrates Kennedy Center Honorees

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Budget Committee Chair, on Payroll Tax Deal

Google CEO Discusses Internet and Censorship

On AHTV: History of Native American Military Service
~ my 2cents ...

TGIF &Some News


just another rant …

Isn’t it bad enough we have to hear Republicans , talking heads or Pundits use this moment to jack the President all around only to have to hear our own progressives and some libs say this that or the other about how the President has obviously mishandled crossing his t’s or dotting his i’s, I get heated when I hear this nonsense. I do not understand all the nic-pic nor is it worth the time because the lawmakers in Congress as territorial as they are create the laws and all those complaining about how the President should remind each other often. The ordinary person has no idea what is actually going on behind closed doors and we never will but taking what pundits, TV hosts or political strategists do for a living, as the truth is just wrong. I used to listen to those directly involved in our political process, which, if it is coming from the conservatives it unfortunately is growing in misinformation and a party meme that is not only extreme but gives me the creeps. The things happening in both Chambers of Congress since Republicans decided to go to the dark side has made this voter distrust most if not all the words coming from McConnell, speaker Boehner, leader cantor who put Profit before the People and then Grover Norquist  ahead of country. Americans should not have to suffer at the hands of, because of or due to a small group of unruly Teapublicans who seem to have forgotten they not only are supposed to be our fellow Americans they were voted into office to work for all Americans not just their respective States. Yet, the Teapublican have proved to be scary and controlling the leaders of their party. They are reckless, ruthless, and insanely responsible for the S&P rating downgrade forced upon the US. It is obvious that the brinksmanship that Republicans engaged in gave the S&P a sense of uncertainty and a lack of trust in any break in the gridlock.

This has been a tough week; the rhetoric on the airwaves is always toxic but the nastiness even hints of discriminatory talk, which has been ongoing for the last 24 months seems to be increasing. If you listen to Teapublican surrogates, many are trying to stir up trouble for the President and or second-guessing what the debt deficit, the bad employment numbers and the economy’s effect on his bid for a second term. It is sad, disappointing, let alone irritating to have to listen to my own Political Party try and put his behavior in a box. The point is he has to do what he can to get to the ultimate end and that is to bring back the Middle and Lower Class as well as our Democracy. It is a heavy lift to take on decades long of BS only to have not only the opposition work to bring you down by bring the econ to the edge of death but with friends like the pl the rest of us Obama Supporters need to remember … Barack Obama said he could not do this by himself… why? because of the obstacles that is Teapublican ideology

FYI – how often do we have to remind those out on the ledge …the opposing party is not your father’s conservative political brand.

The last guy seemed to have done everything for his Oil and Corporate friends and very few things for the Middle and Lower classes if at all.

We may not all agree with the President’s efforts but given what he has to work with, I just do not understand why most progressives and or libs have been the worst whiners ever who also seem to be holding President Obama at a higher standard than President in the past. I like to think about where we would be if the McCain/Palin ticket had won but not too long, you will get sick. There is no question; President Obama has obstacles to jump over, Republicans like McConnell who stated his job is to make Barack Obama a one term President as well as a goal post that keeps being moved by the Republican Party. President Obama has delivered on about 85% of all his promises even with all the bs going on all political levels and will need ALL of our support  – no whiners need apply as the professional and elite left demands seem driven with hints of childishness. Apparently, that type of behaviour is unacceptable from both sides of the political aisle and has been called out by Standard &Poor. Is anyone else offended that a group rumored to be among those “Raters” giving out random AAA ratings to worthless toxic waste is still recognized and respected. It makes me wonder just what side of the political aisle this group is from and given what we do know they need to answer some question and be investigated for their rumored part in our financial crisis.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the World. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Other News

Pres. Obama Speaks About Middle East Pea

UPDATE: Author & Journalist Christopher Hitchens Dies at Age 62 – click here for his C-SPAN appearances

ce

Review Continues of Euro Debt Crisis and U.S. Impact

“The Contenders”  Historians Roundtable Discussion

House Democrats on Jobs

House GOP Discuss Funding Deal

White House Responds to Spending Agreement

~ my 2cents ...

mashup Monday &some News …


Today, President Obama and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki held a joint press conference at the White House . In other news, Occupy Wall Street has decided to block or interfere with Ports along the West Coast while The Supreme Court will hear arguments on the constitutionality of: the Affordable Health Care Act, the  Arizona immigration law though Justice Kagan has recused herself from the case due to her involvement as a solicitor general with the Obama Admin. The high court’s ruling will have implications for 44 states considering their own immigration policies.

just another rant …

 If Congress does not act in 18 days Middle Class Americans will have an increase of approximately $1000 in taxes

The official date of winter is 12/20 but the weather outside is getting frightful …well, depending upon what part of the country you live in. The Politics is getting uglier and people on the Hill are downright rude; Republican rude that is. Speaking of Republicans… who do you want as the Teapublican Presidential challenger – Newt the Grinch, Willard the flip flopper or Rick Perry the Secessionist. I know someone has to challenge Barack Obama though like he said last night; it really does not matter whom because Teapublicans all seem to have the same core values and it is a stark difference from the guy who is getting my vote, Barack Obama in 2012. The notion that the difference between Obama and Teapublican Ideology is a close as the nose on your face is obvious to me yet if you listen and I suggest listening – just don’t believe everything you hear main stream media, TV hosts, or those so-called reporters say. It is as if listening to a drumbeat of misinformation misguided misunderstood hitting the airwaves daily. The meme and the person delivering the crap should be held accountable -listen the 2010 elections had help from TV pundits, hosts etc. that put not only unqualified into both Chambers of Congress they are extreme and represent only a small percentage of their own constituents.  I hope everyone gets informed with the facts use YouTube and watch the many town halls the interviews of my fellow Americans suffering from not just their status in life. Teapublicans have put their States   at risk, rising unemployment numbers; situations that these new Teapublican Governors and Mayors promised. Now, a big dose of buyer’s remorse has led Americans in various States to become pro-active with progress made by the Middle Class to gain back control that will turn around that downward spiral being offered up by Teapublicans. The latest news is an effort to recall Teapublicans who do not believe in regulations, comprehensive immigration, the right to choose, Medicare, Medicaid, social security or that there is even an worker emergency that needs to be addressed, unemployment given and a real sincere effort to get America back on track instead of using their fellow Americans as pawns. If you listen to folks discuss the so-called “Polls” with strange survey question you have to wonder just how much are they being paid. I also wonder if anyone else wonders, where our economy would be if Teapublicans had not gotten into office in 2010 or got there but did what we all pay them for … To do the Peoples Business but they are not. The People’s Business is far from done and what are coming out of the Republican led House of Representatives are on most days an embarrassment and a big waste of taxpayer money. If you have not seen what goes on in Congress; the bills, the nasty attached amendments, the votes and the comments from Teapublican leaders yet you must take the time. The behavior of grown men and women working to gain whatever they can for their individual States is the job but these lawmakers seem to have forgotten the country.  I have to say watching Congress some days the rhetoric is silly, the lack of action upsetting.  It brings to mind what some members of the Democratic Party have referenced and I wonder why it took so long for them to get it. It is that football scene on snoopy; an animated cartoon that can be watched and laughed at by millions then forgotten but a look closer at the actions by Teapublican Leadership lately and it is a look at Lucy (Teapublicans) pulling that football(AmericanJobsACT) away from Charlie Brown(Dems) though in our case the scene(story) affects millions watching the crap go down.

I still have the audacity for hope and change …the possibilities to make America better with reforms to counter the corruption that almost brought us to our knees are as far as you can see, yet Teapublicans continue to do us all dirty with those filibusters hurting our entire social and economic system. I have to say if this is, what they think qualifies them to be trusted or to govern the beautiful United States of American then We the People have to make sure Teapublicans do not gain more power in 2012 because the changes they will make will disrupt and dismantle our Democracy as we  know it.

Other News …

British Prime Minister on Refusal to Join EU Treaty

President Meets With Iraqi Prime Minister

House Prepares to Debate Payroll Tax Cut

Ben and Jerry Support Occupy Movement

Gingrich & Huntsman Debate Nat’l Security Issues

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Talks About Military Cuts