Tag Archives: morality

Romney’s “Business Plan” – Lying

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Terry| 2 Comments
Mitt Romney

Surprisingly, I couldn't find a photo of Romney speaking out of both sides of his mouth. This one will have to do, Romney no doubt laughing about completely stupid American voters are for voting for him despite his lack of respect for the truth.

Richard Cohen at the Washington Post has a quite blunt feature today on Mitt Romney and the art of lying.  My favorite part of the feature are the concluding sentences, which give you a nice succinct summary of what it takes to be a politician like Romney:

Business is business. It’s what you do. It is not who you are. Lying isn’t a sin. It’s a business plan.

Thanks to the flub by the Romney campaign, Romney himself is now the “etch-a-sketch” candidate, someone who will say anything to please, well, whoever he happens to be speaking to that day.  If that includes outright lying to try to gain favor with the crowd du jour?  No problem!!  To hear Romney TALK during the GOP campaign, you’d have thought he were a staunch conservative from…Montana? Texas?  You CERTAINLY wouldn’t get the truth…that he was actually a fairly progressive, quite moderate governor of Massachusetts.  The etch-a-sketch candidate has built a false history of supposed conservatism, a history built on a bed of lies.

When he’s been attacked during the campaign, either about his outright lies or about some other aspect of his candidacy, time and time again, Romney’s strategy has been to briefly explain it away, then quickly counter and attack the accuser.  The GOP in general has been under relentless attack for their stances on women’s rights and issues.  Romney’s strategy to deal with it?  To make up a complete lie, one so ridiculous you’d THINK you couldn’t say it with a straight face.  Romney’s big attack in the last week has been that of job losses since the recession began, that “92.3% of them are women”.  One thing Romney certainly excels at is not only lying, but the VERY selective use of misleading statistics to bolster his campaign.

It’s not like Romney is alone in terms of his abuse of the truth.  Yesterday on the way home, on the radio I listened to what was a very shocking history for Rep. Darrell Issa, a very conservative House member from California who has led many attacks on Obama and Dems.  The man is COMPLETE SCUM…with a history of legal issues.  He’s been arrested for stealing cars.  He COMPLETELY distorted his military record during his political campaigns. He committed insurance fraud by torching his business…right after QUADRUPLING his insurance, and putting all the truly valuable items in a fire-proof safe.   He’s been arrested on weapons charging, after a gun, a tear-gas gun, and ammo for both were found in his car. 

But yet Issa has been a GREAT business success, and is currently the richest member of Congress.  A scum with a history like Issa has somehow managed to become a powerful CHAIR of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee!!  Seriously!?!?   A man with HIS history, in charge of a committee meant to reign in corruption in government?!?!?

THIS is what it evidently takes to become successful in America.  You need to lie!! You NEED to be a cutthroat POS with no concern about ethics, your own personal honor, or the welfare of others.  It’s certainly worked for Issa, and seemingly 90% of all politicians in Washington.

And it seems to be the path of choice for Romney.  Just look at Romney’s etch-a-sketch campaign, his statements that wander all over the map, depending on which way the political winds are blowing that day.  He’s the PERFECT presidential candidate, especially for a party like the GOP.   What continually shocks me about American politics is how men like Issa or Romney manage to hoodwink people into voting for them.

Posted in Politics

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Moral Failings of Republicans

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Terry| 1 Comment

If you get a chance, read this wonderful opinion piece by Katrina vanden Heuvel at the Washington Post.  Talk about hitting the nail on the head.

I’m continually amazed at Republicans trying to stake a claim to the moral high ground.   I’m continually amazed at the hypocrisy of those who identify themselves as Republicans, who simultaneously proclaim the immorality of liberals, all while supporting the ONLY platform Republicans seem to care about any more….$$$$$$$$$$.

Posted in Culture Wars, Politics

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Rich People are SO Darn Loveable

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Terry| 1 Comment
Scum of the Week

Congratulations, John Goodman! For your despicable attempt to ADOPT your 42-year old lover to protect your fortune from the family of the young man you killed, YOU have won the inaugural "Scum of the Week" award!

I’ll bet you thought from the title that this post was going to be about Mitt Romney.  That’s probably a bad thing for Romney, in that he’s starting to personify the negative traits people associate with the uber-rich.   Romney certainly isn’t doing himself any favors by talking about his low tax rate or his lack of concern for the poor.  But with the tax rate issue, as he stated, he’s just “following current tax law”.  I guess the question that comes up…from a LEGAL standpoint, I guess that’s fine.  But from a moral standpoint?  When does it become unacceptable from a moral and social standpoint to try to protect your fortune at all costs?

From Slate.com, here’s a story that makes you realize just how incredibly screwed up our tax laws are, and the lengths people will go to, to avoid paying taxes.   Romney parking money in an offshore account?  Probably not a great idea when you’re running for president, but from a moral standpoint, it doesn’t raise your hackles.  But THIS story?  It talks about a trend for those loveable rich folks to ADOPT their adult lovers or spouse…all because of the favorable tax or inheritance implications.  In this case, 48-year old John Goodman ADOPTED his 42-year old girlfriend, helping to shield a trust fund of several hundred million dollars from impending litigation against the man.  Even worse, the litigation against the man is from the family of a young man this rich loser KILLED in a car wreck, while he was driving drunk. 

Rich people are SOOOOOOO darn loveable!  It’s not enough that he drove drunk and took a young man’s life.  No, he ALSO did everything he could to protect his fortune from the young man’s family…including adopting his 42-year old lover.  The Slate story focuses quite a bit on the incest aspect of such a maneuver, as by adopting his girlfriend, he’s technically having sex with his daughter.  Incest though?  Really?  CLEARLY this scum isn’t exactly oozing morality, so what’s incest on top of drunk driving and murder?

I’m all for a social and economic structure that rewards those who work hard, and reap the economic benefits.  Let’s face it, people can be lazy scheming SOB’s, and unless you have such an economic structure, people have no motivation to work hard and contribute to society.  But…there comes a point where moral and social obligations outweigh what the letter of the law might say.  This case obviously crosses that line.  And from the content of the story, obviously this loser isn’t alone in using this adoption strategy.

It’s just one of those stories that reinforces my cynicism!!!  Nice job, Mr. Goodman, you’ve just won my inaugaral “Scum of the Week” award.

Posted in Deep Thoughts, Politics, Scum Of The Week

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“Conservative” Gingrich and “Open Marriage”

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Terry| 2 Comments
Sad Gingricdh

Poor Newt. It's believed this picture was taken right after former wife Marianne refused Newt's request for an "open marriage". Newt gets grumpy when he doesn't get his nooky-nooky from...well...from whatever warm, female life form happens to be near him at the time (other than his wives).

OK, it’s official.  Newt Gingrich is officially the scummiest politician in the U.S.  That’s one HELL of a title to have, because you REALLY have to work at it to put yourself head-and-shoulders above the rest of the scummy U.S. politicians, since approximately 99.4% of U.S. politicians qualify.  I think I would have already put Gingrich up towards the top of the scummy list, but with the upcoming interview with (ONE of) his ex-wife, he’s surpassed all expectations on just what IS a scummy, and hypocritical, U.S. politician. 

Marianne Gingrich (wife #2?  #1?  #3?…it’s hard to keep track) has an interview airing later today, where she’s expected to talk about her marriage to Newt.  Among the creepy items…Newt going to her, and saying he wanted an “open marriage” so he could have both a wife, AND a mistress.  This “request” was just AFTER scumbag Newt admitted to having a 6-year affair with a Congressional aide.  WAY…TO…GO…NEWT (Slow clap inserted here).  I gotta hand it to you, bud, you have taken “scummy” to some new, stratospheric level. 

Good timing by Rick Perry today, dropping out of the race, and endorsing Newt, right before this bombshell drops.  While I’m handing out titles, I think I’ll also bestow a title on Rick Perry…WORST…PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN…EVER.  My god…could Perry have run a worse campaign?  It’s hard to overcome your own mental shortcomings, but besides his catastrophic debate performances, his entire campaign seemed beset by missteps and horrible timing.  Add this to the list…he can’t even drop out of the race without screwing up.  Is Newt Gingrich REALLY the person you want to endorse as representing the “Conservative Values” that Perry supposedly represented?

Speaking of which…why is it the Republicans so self-identify with the supposedly “conservative” trait of morality?  And why is it that when push comes to shove, they tend to IGNORE minor little indiscretions like your GOP hero banging a Congressional aide?   For all the high-road talk from conservatives, for all the attempts to self-identify with social conservatives, the actual ACTIONS of the GOP shows that morality doesn’t matter worth a hill of beans.  No, what REALLY matters to the GOP is 1) the next election (true of the Dems too), and 2) Short-term economic gain (to hell with future generations). 

Morality be damned!  We’ll see how this plays in South Carolina, where the social conservatives supposedly will play a key role in how things turn out.  Will they do what Repubs have TRADITIONALLY done…talked a good talk, but in action, show that morality just doesn’t matter worth a hill of beans?  Or, will Perry dropping out, coupled with the Marianne Gingrich interview, make South Carolina the primary that seals things for Romney?

Posted in Politics, Uncategorized

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Cultural Identity vs. Morality – Joe Paterno

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Terry| 2 Comments
Joe Paterno - Shame

Penn State "fans", you're piling even more shame on your program by your blind support for this man.

Way to go Penn State students.  You’ve taken what has already been an incredibly distasteful and painful scandal and have drug your university even further down into the depths.   Penn State’s board of trustees last night fired university president Graham Spanier, and the crowd yawned.  After all, Spanier is ONLY the university president…no big deal, right?  But moments later, the board announced they were also firing football coach Joe Paterno, and then all hell breaks loose.  Angry supporters start yelling in the board of trustees meeting.  Penn State students take to the streets, rioting and overturning cars.  The news media goes berserk. 

And every once in a while during the debacle last night, a few souls would slip into the conversation something about the sexually abused kids.  Oh!  Yeah!!  Those kids!!  We FORGOT about them!!! Excuse us, we don’t have time to talk about the real victims here, our football coach has just been fired!!

Disgusting.  Pathetic.  embarrassing.  I know not all Penn State fans and students were against Paterno’s firing.  However, I hope the IDIOTS who were out rioting last night are completely ashamed of themselves this morning.  I hope to god you realize that Joe Paterno, and the freakin’ football program, should be the LAST of your concerns.  For the “adults” who participated in last night’s freak-fest, there are no excuses for you.  For the students?  I just hope to god when you GROW UP a little bit and start to have families of your own, that you realize the everlasting damage Jerry Sandusky has done.  I hope to god you stop worshiping a man just because of what he’s done with a football program, and realize the heinous nature of the original crime, and the subsequent cover up that facilitated even more incidents.

What the hell is it about humanity and our need to personally identify with something like Penn State football?  What is it about humanity that allows us to COMPLETELY overlook the misdeeds of our own “group”, while condemning the actions of others?  As a Nebraska football fan, I’ve often asked myself the first question, wondering just why I seem to care that much.  The second question is a completely different issue, however. 

I can enjoy Nebraska football, while still recognizing and condemning the ugliness of a few player incidents over the years.  I can love the “brand”, while not supporting the actions of the few that tarnish the brand.  I can be a proud American, and still be completely ashamed when it is revealed that we waterboard suspected terror suspects.  Some people simply can’t make that distinction, however.  For many people, it seems that “their group” is completely immune from doubt, completely immune from wrong-doing.  

A colleague and I were talking yesterday about the similarities of the Joe Paterno situation with the Herman Cain situation.  Just a few days ago, I posted on the seemingly blind devotion far right conservatives have for Herman Cain, with the ridiculous, supporting quotes for Cain from a WIDE array of Republican politicians and pundits.  I marveled at how Cain supporters, or far-right conservatives in general, can COMPLETELY dismiss the horrendous allegations against Cain from multiple women.  For idiots like Rush Limbaugh, Anne Coulter, etc., Cain is “one of theirs”…and is thus immune from any doubt or consideration of wrong-doing.

Penn State Fans…YOU are acting like Joe Paterno’s own personal Limbaugh.  YOU are making complete jackasses of yourselves, when you RIOT in support of a man who very likely ignored the monster in his midst for so many years.  LOVE THE BRAND of Penn State football.  Support your school.  Support your team. But realize that Penn State Football is NOT JOE PATERNO.  Penn State Football is NOT ABOUT ONE INDIVIDUAL MAN.   When you blindly support ALL things related to Penn State football, you yourselves tarnish the brand.

Think of that 10-year old boy seen with Sandusky.  Think of his family.  Think of his future.  Think of how you would feel if that had been YOUR son….your brother…your friend.  Think of how YOUR ACTIONS were perceived by the family of that boy last night.  Or the many other boys abused by Sandusky.  You should be ashamed.

Posted in Deep Thoughts, Sports

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Perusin' & Musin'

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Terry| Leave a comment

Some random thoughts from perusin’ the web…

Hispanic Students Vanishing in Alabama – After an appeals court refused to block a tough new Alabama immigration law from taking effect, schools are reporting very sharp drops in attendance from Hispanic students.  Many Hispanic families have said they plan to leave Alabama, which I’m sure is cause for celebration for the bigots Alabama people who support the law.   If they keep at it, maybe they’ll be able to achieve their dream of having a lily-white, minority-free Alabama.

Black Oystercatcher Faring Well in California - It’s always nice to focus on good news for a change!  There’s been concern over the status of Black Oystercatchers on the Pacific Coast, but a recent survey in California found many more nesting pairs than expected.  Great to hear, as these are one of my favorite birds.  I’ve been fortunate to get a number of very good photo opportunities on a few trips to California and Oregon.

Bachman Says China Attacking U.S. Satellites with Lasers!!! -  During an interview on the Laura Ingraham show, Michele Bachman said China has been attacking and “blinding” U.S. military satellites with lasers.  Uh…Michele…maybe it would be best if you just slowly faded from the public spotlight.  You seem incapable of opening your mouth without complete BS coming out.  But when you’re talking on conservative talk radio, the audience demands right-wing wackiness, and Bachman certainly delivers.

Morality of U.S. Killing a U.S. Citizen with a Drone Strike - The first reaction upon the U.S. confirming the killing of American-born Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen seemed to be overwhelmingly positive.  We had, after all, just killed someone described as the highest priority target since bin Laden was killed.   After a day or so though, many articles appeared questioning the morality of the U.S. government targeting and killing a U.S. citizen.   It’s a tough issue.   I’m against the death penalty, and think it’s simply barbaric for us to deal with criminality using the death penalty as a punishment.  But even for me, war is another issue.  I certainly don’t agree with the reasons nations go to war, but, unfortunately, even I recognize that at times, war is unavoidable.  Given that we simply do not have the capability to capture, jail, and try people like al-Awlaki, there’s often not a lot of choice in terms of how to conduct a “war on terror”.  Even with al-Awlaki technically a U.S. citizen, as distasteful as it seems, I’m not sure there’s not much else that could be done.  What a world we live in…

Israel Approves New Settlements in Occupied Territory - On the other hand…maybe there IS more the U.S. can do to combat terrorism, than rely on the military and drone strikes.  It ALL comes back to Middle Eastern attitudes towards the U.S., and that basically boils down to Israel and the issue of a Palestinian state.   This week after Palestinian President Abbas went to the U.N. for support of statehood, Israel announced they were approving the construction of 1,100 new homes for Jewish “settlers” in East Jerusalem.  I REALLY get sick of those that insist the U.S. continually, and seemingly unquestioningly, support Israeli interests.  If Israel had ANY real interest in a two-state solution, it wouldn’t be continually provoking Palestinians through actions such as this.  For once, I wish the U.S. would put their foot down and threaten to withhold Israeli aid, if they continue to build settlements in the occupied lands.

Traveller Arrested with Hummingbirds in his Pants - A Dutch traveler was arrested when airport authorities found a dozen live hummingbirds sewn into his underwear.  Evidently, this same idiot already had a previous arrest for smuggling hummingbirds.  I guess I didn’t realize there was a big black-market out there for hummingbirds.  This is pretty sick though.  I can’t imagine they would live very long all wrapped up like that, in someone’s underwear.

Posted in Birds, Education, Perusin' & Musin', Politics

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GOP War on Education

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Terry| 3 Comments
Lord Voldemort, Victim?

Lord Voldemort...victim of government oppression, and new face of the Tea Party

Government is evil.  The tea-party take-over of the GOP has simplified the GOP message into one simple statement…government is evil.  It doesn’t matter if it’s government funded science, programs for the poor….heck, it could be a government sponsored program to hunt Horcruxes and prevent Lord Voldemort from destroying mankind, and the Tea Party would end up carrying pro-Voldemort posters and rallying against government oppression.

As a scientist, I find it incredibly disturbing that political ideology trumps sound scientific research when it comes to artificially politicized issues such as climate change and evolution/creationism.   In the short term, such short-sightedness (I’m being VERY polite by not using a more vulgar, but appropriate term) may not do significant harm.  However, the GOP’s attacks on science and government’s role in providing education also is likely to have a devastating long-term effect on American innovation and our place in the world. 

Here’s a terrific piece from Slate on GOP’s changing stance on education.  Terrific, but damned scary.  Instead of ensuring every child has the same educational opportunities, instead of making sure that a basic curriculum is provided which lays the educational foundation for our children, conservatives have twisted the discussion towards whether we’re (GASP!!) mentioning homosexuality, teaching evolution, or (GASP!) discussing contraception instead of abstinence.

In a Tea-party world, our children will be wearing chastity belts, will think babies are delivered by stork, and will have no concept that a substantial portion of the human race are (GASP!) homosexual.   In a Tea-party world, we may end up with good little children who obey their parents, go to bed on time, and faint if they should even hear someone say the f-word. 

In a Tea-party world, our children will also think Great Grandpa Jones had to fight dinosaurs on his way to work, that rain is simply angels crying, and that calculus is some kind of a fungus you get on your feet.  Our children will also UNDOUBTEDLY end up being low-paid lackeys working for foreign bosses, foreign heathens and sinners who foolishly were raised with an education focused on science, mathematics, and an unbiased historical view of the world.

As a scientist, I can’t help but think that much of the world is simply laughing at what passes as “educational issues” in the U.S.   Laughing, and smiling as they watch the era of American dominance in science and innovation get flushed down the drain for the sake of artificial morality.

Posted in Education, Politics, Scientific Awareness

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