Galesburg vs. Moline

 

Editor:

 

John Ring's article in this week's [March 4, 2010] Zephyr concerning the confrontation between coaches after the Galesburg-Moline boys' basketball game at Thiel Gymnasium focuses strictly on one comment made by an assistant coach and ignores all of the goings on that preceded it.

Mr. Ring is correct in singling out Ryan Ricketts as a "football player." I don't believe the Ricketts boy gets much playing time but he was put in the game and proceeded to tell Mike Wismer "I'm going to take out your face." You will recall Wismer's cheek bone was broken during the Galesburg-Moline game at Wharton Fieldhouse and he was supposed to be out for the season. Ricketts then proceeded to swat at Wismer's face at least a dozen times during the game. I believe Ricketts ended the game with several fouls. Some people might call this a strategy, others would call it dirty play. One can only assume Ricketts was acting on orders from his coach.

As for Coach Reynolds, during the last few minutes of the game he was already irate and screaming at his players. When the game ended, he then launched into a profanity laced tirade (m-f seemed to be his expletive of choice) while going down the line "shaking hands" with the opposing team. When Derek Lindauer made his remark, Reynolds could have had some class, taken the high road and walked away. Instead he used it as an excuse to take things to the next level (or just lost control) and make an ass of himself.

I don't know what authority or right John Ring has to call the athletic director at Moline High School and demand an apology, but if anyone owes an apology to the Galesburg players and fans, it is Mike Reynolds.

 

Bridget Arthur

Galesburg

 

 

Senatorial hypocrisy

 

Editor:

 

Is it any wonder voters hold politicians in such low esteem?

March 2, 2010 in The Washington Post, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) wrote an editorial lambasting the Democrats for considering the "reconciliation" process to pass health care reform. "This use of reconciliation to jam through this legislation, against the will of the American people, would be unprecedented in scope. And the havoc wrought would threaten our system of checks and balances, corrode the legislative process, degrade our system of government and damage the prospects of bipartisanship."

Back in 2005 when the senate was considering the lifetime appointment of a federal judge, Sen. Hatch wrote an essay in "Human Events" magazine. "Four times during the 108th Congress, the Senate failed to invoke cloture, or end debate, on the appeals court nomination of Priscilla Owens. Had that happened again on May 25, 2005 [then Senate Majority Leader Bill] Frist would have sought a ruling from the presiding officer (vice president Cheney) that, after sufficient debate, the Senate should vote on a judicial nomination. I would have joined a majority of my fellow senators in voting to affirm that ruling ... this is a mechanism for changing Senate procedures ... that has been used, directly or indirectly, for nearly a century..."

Help me out here, is Sen. Hatch saying if he approves of the legislation or issue it's all right to use "reconciliation" but if he doesn't support the legislation, it would corrode the legislative process, degrade our system of government and damage the prospects of bipartisanship?

Anyone out there have a better example of an elected official's hypocrisy?

 

Chris Stevens

Bradford

 

 

Resentful Tea Baggers

 

Dear Box:

 

In their letters to Box One, Thomas Mosher and Louie/Larry Anderson made it clear they would never vote for another Democratic candidate. As if they ever had. They will be disappointed to learn their declaration has caused no consternation in the West Wing of the White House.

As is true of most of the Tea Baggers, they are middle-aged or elderly white men who are filled with resentment that an African American has achieved so much more than they had ever dreamed possible for themselves.

The membership of this motley lot is not limited to men. There is a female auxiliary composed of stoutish white women who believe they married beneath themselves. For some reason they blame liberals and feminists for their poor marital choices.

Somehow they have all become convinced President Barack Obama represents a threat to their Social Security payments, or to their Medicare coverage. It is especially ironic when one considers they have never supported a Democratic candidate who worked to establish or strengthen these programs.

The white malcontents turn to born-again populist Republicans to protect them. That is not surprising. Those are the people for whom they voted in the hope they would be a bulwark against socialism.

I cannot end this letter without responding to Tim May, who is fearful of losing his wife's money. He accused me of not knowing the difference between a promise and a threat. I can illustrate that I do by saying Tim's promise to attend his high school class's reunion is regarded as a threat by his former classmates.

 

Christian Schock

Galesburg

 

 

Agricultural chemicals

 

Editor:

 

While my writings to Box One are, for the most part, regarding the distinct and unavoidable truth behind the causative role that vaccines play in the autism epidemic, I want to talk about some other players in the epidemic over the next couple of weeks. As we are all aware here in the Midwest, soon the tractors, tillers, planters and combines will be out on our country roads and fields in force. Many of the practices used today in modern farming are the culprits in the epidemics we are facing as a nation. While this is most certainly not going to make many in the community happy, I'm kinda used to it – so here it goes.

Our farmers, with the help and control of Monsanto and other bio engineering seed companies, are poisoning our communities, waterways, ground water, air and the foods now offered on our grocers’ shelves. We must do something about this. I am definitely not against farming, or farmers for that matter. I want to make this perfectly clear. While I am unashamedly against all vaccines, that is not the case here. My dad actually owns a lot of farmland in the area and unfortunately utilizes many of the practices that I am against. The farmers don't know what they are doing. They, like the pediatricians vaccinating our children, are simply doing what the "experts" are telling them to do to increase their profits and yield, all while being assured they are helping the environment. This is the farthest thing from the truth.

We have a new administration in Washington D.C., a Democratic administration. Democrats: the little guy's party, fighting for the family farms and the blue collar worker. At least that's what they would have you believe. While there is no doubt that Monsanto and the bio tech industry gained approval by and "owned" the First Bush administration, Clinton did horrible damage to the environment by allowing many policies to continue. “W” was absolutely bought and paid for by the bio tech industry, and unfortunately, the only thing that seems to have changed with this administration is the color of the man's skin sitting in the Oval Office.

The FDA, under Obama's appointee, Margaret Hamburg, has approved the livestock drug Ractopamine (aka Paylean and Optaflexx) for use on pig and cattle farms. This drug was found to increase protein synthesis when researchers of the potential "asthma drug" found it to increase muscle mass in mice. Unfortunately it's also found to be responsible for hyperactivity and muscle breakdown and has been banned in 160 nations due to the fact that it is found to be unsafe for human consumption.

Unlike other drugs used in livestock, Ractopamine does not require a "clearance period" to allow it to leach out of the pig or cattle prior to slaughter. In fact, this drug is most commonly used just weeks prior to slaughter. This drug is clearly marked "not for use in humans" but has found its way into our food supply anyway.

The BT corn and soy beans planted here in the Midwest does not stand for Bio Tech (as farmers believe) but rather, Bacillus Thuringiensis that is genetically modified into the cell of the plant to combat the European and Southwestern Corn Borer. What these farmers aren't aware of is that this genetic modification is dangerous to humans and livestock. In fact, a recent study from the International Journal of Biological Sciences clearly shows increased organ failures in mice subjected to these three seeds: Mon 863, Mon 810 and NK603.These were the only seeds tested, all of them found to be dangerous.

I will be talking more about this in the coming weeks and I know that this is going to cause a huge stir in this community. I simply ask you to think about your community, your children and grandchildren, and not just your bottom line or your conscience when you realize what is going on. Open your mind and get past the Monsanto salesmen. Truly look at the studies and facts, and then decide for yourselves. Until you are certain, choose organic foods free of genetic modification, herbicides and pesticides.

Educate, Don't Vaccinate.

 

Curt Linderman Sr.

Galesburg

 

 

Relay For Life

 

Editor:

 

Few people can say that their lives have not been touched by cancer. While not all of us experience cancer first-hand, many of us have known close relatives and friends diagnosed with this awful disease. Because cancer doesn't care who it touches, I Relay.

For the last nine years, I have put together a team for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Knox County. Relay For Life is an overnight event that raises funds for patient and family services in our community, cancer support groups, tobacco control programs and lifesaving research.

Rather than stand on the sidelines, I plan to celebrate, remember and take an active role in fighting back against cancer. I am also making new friends and having fun along the way. On July 23, 2010 side-by-side with my family and team members, we will cheer on area cancer survivors walking that first lap, the survivor's lap. We will share in the experience of the Luminaria Ceremony. We will be energized and empowered by the Fight Back Ceremony. And, because cancer never sleeps, many of us will take turns walking the track throughout the night.

Relay For Life of Knox County will be held on July 23 & 24, 2010 at Knox College in Galesburg. There's plenty of time to get a team together and join us for this fun, family-focused event that is making a difference for cancer patients, survivors and their families now – and in the future.

For more information on how to form a team or become involved in Relay For Life of Knox County, please call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-322-4337 ext. 3 or visit our website at www.relayforlifeknox.com.

 

Erin Olson, Tiny's Team

Relay For Life of Knox County Publicity Chair

Galesburg

 

 

Lack of patriotism

 

Editor:

 

As usual, I watched all four days of the IHSA Girls Basketball Tournament games the past two weekends.

I was deeply disappointed. Not by the play, sportsmanship, officiated or fan behavior. What did disappoint me was the complete lack of patriotism. The American Flag may as well have been taken down, for all the attention it got. It’s getting worse every year.

There is plenty of blame to go around. Administration, teachers, parents and, yes, the students themselves.

How fortunate this nation is to have a flag that represents our freedom! Wake up, folks! You’ve got two more weekends to become real Americans! Do so!

 

Larry Anderson

Abingdon

 

 

Washington the Casino

 

Editor:

 

January 10th, 2011: Newly elected Congressman Joe Schmoe is sworn in, along with 468 other freshmen Congressmen and Senators. The pundits’ prophecy came true last November as every single incumbent was thrown out of office. Joe and his newly anointed brethren ran on a platform of "change." Within moments after being elected though, they were on the phone – raising money for the next election. Joe is under the illusion he is a public servant.

As he walks up the steps of the Capitol he is nearly blinded by an enticing and garish neon billboard that reads: "Welcome to the U.S. Casino." Like it or not, Joe has become a slot-­jockey. He is barely in the door when he is besieged by lounge-lizards, a.k.a. lobbyists. The Casino employs lounge-lizards to entice suckers like Joe with club memberships, free cash, cheap buffets, cheaper rooms and a parade of half-naked babes dispensing free booze. The Casino is an equal opportunity briber. Republican or Democrat – they could care less. Joe is nearly shell-shocked as he is approached by Larry Schmuck, his defeated opponent from Illinois. Larry was hired as a lounge-lizard within 24 hours after losing his re-election bid to Joe. "Welcome to the family, Joe. Just do what you’re told and you've got a job for life. You and your paid staffers can seamlessly move from slot-jockey to black-jack dealer to lounge-lizard or to the gaming commission, ya know, the feds. Hell, the Casino even planted five ex pit-bosses on the Supreme Court. You can't beat 'em, Joe. They've got thousands of casino's across the planet that conscript millions of Chinamen, Indians, Central Americans and even Mexicans right here in America. The game is fixed, Joe."

"Doesn't the gaming commission keep an eye on the Casino," Joe asks.

"Are you kidding. Ever since Reagan, slot jockeys have been tirelessly re-writing the rules put in place since the 30's. The Casino's charter, stuck somewhere in the Cayman Islands, has only 10 words, Joe, 'Cut taxes for the rich and unleash the free market.' You do your part to keep transferring cash from the middle-class to the Casino counting room, and you'll be taken care of."

Joe seems perplexed. "But Larry, I beat you running an anti big government campaign."

"Joe, Joe, Joe, the Casino feeds off the venomous hatred of the federal government. Broken government is a front-man. Tea-baggers are Casino pawns. The middle-class has been duped – their wealth, jobs, homes, healthcare and even much of their national security has been contracted to the Casino's roulette wheel. Hell, we even vote on paper-less casino slots."

 "Is there a way to shut down the Casino?"

Larry leans in close and whispers those four magic words: "public financing of federal elections." Before Joe can drop another buck in the slot, three casino goons brazenly sweep in, throttle Larry and haul him away to the Casino's silent room. Larry is never seen again and all the "players" in the game are duly warned.

November 6th, 2012: Believing promises of real change, this time, hapless voters replace 468 Schmoes and Schmucks with 468 new Schmucks and Schmoes – their collective wallets already swollen with pre-paid casino credit cards.

 

Mark Hebard

Peoria, Ariz.

 

 

Big spending bills

 

Editor:

 

Where are we, where have we been, and where are we going? Without hearing a word from Rahm Emanuel, simply observing him and his mannerisms, I peg him as a cheat. In my opinion he probably figures a way to cheat at anything he does. Cards, pool, politics and drinking a glass of water. He is a person I would never buy a car from, or leave alone with anyone I loved. Of course this is simply my opinion, as I have said, he is probably worse than that.

Now take David Axelrod, this man is probably the brains behind the entire administration, highly loved at home and a personable friend. In my opinion he is the Godfather of the Obama administration, a wrong look at or by him could bring down your political career and possibly more. Maybe even the scene where you wake up with a horse head in your bed. Actually, I feel that old horse head in the bed trick may be a little too tame for this man.

In explaining my opinion of these two men, I wish to convey my opinion of the entire Obama dynasty. If you have read anything at all about these men you will find more of what I am alluding to. There is a love and devotion between these men that goes much deeper than anything patriotic. They have found each other and formed a bond where if one is successful they will bring all the others along, no matter the cost. We have placed many billions of dollars in these people's hands to do with as they will, and they will get home with a good portion of it. The only losers will be the American people.

All these big spending bills will do America little good, much like the eight hundred billion dollar job stimulus bill, what a laugh. Many billions of dollars of that bill have already gone MIA, where did it go? If you read some of the places it went, you can actually laugh, but as you continue to read it feels more like tears may become more apropos. At this time I am compiling a list of places some of the money went. Well, it is hard to tell where it actually ended up, but you can tell where it was sent. Sort of like one billion dollars to Goofy's dog house in Orlando, Florida. Not really but that makes more sense than some of the real ones.

Just to give you a little of my own history, I grew up in Galesburg, Illinois, and as a boy I delivered newspapers. Every day when I picked up my papers, the first thing I did was sit down and read the front page. I grew up loving newspapers. In doing this I picked up on all the corruption going on in the government back then and began to focus on it. As I grew older I witnessed the corruption becoming more sophisticated and the dollar amounts became larger. Today they have this down to a science; they may get caught with the wrong women but not much chance getting caught with your money unless of course you step on the wrong toes. Like old "Cold Cash William Jefferson." Ninety thousand dollars in the freezer, chicken feed, or set up money, that was all that was. He didn't polish some one’s shoes after stepping on them so he got hung out to dry. You can believe me or not, it makes little difference to me. At my age, I suppose I can be labeled a doddering old fool, this also bothers me very little. Almost every idea I have had about this and other administrations has proven to be true, good and bad.

 

Tim May

Cherryville, N.C.

 

 

Republican corporatism

 

Editor:

 

I had to laugh a bit when I read a couple of comments included in the Letters Section of the Zephyr this last week. For one thing, Mr. Anderson was attacking Barack Obama for stating at the Health Care Summit "I am the President." Well, Mr. Anderson, perhaps you slept through the last election because Barack Obama was elected President and did, indeed, soundly defeat Senator McCain. To take this as arrogance is a real stretch indeed. Senator McCain, meanwhile, is trying to move as far to the right as humanly possible to defeat the ultra-rightwing talk show blatherer J.D. Hayworth in the Arizona Senate race. No wonder old McCain is trying his best to obstruct this President at every turn.

Secondly, another conservative writer accused Obama of wanting to return American to the days of King George the III with a "share the wealth" agenda. Frankly, I don't think any historian would agree that King George the III ever wanted to share the wealth with anyone but his fellow royals – that's one of the reasons for the American Revolution. I believe the Republicans are closer to George the III because whenever they have been in power for the last 30 years they have tried their best to redistribute the wealth upward and have done a pretty good job of it, while the poor and working classes have lost out. They continue to want to see the wealth concentrated in the hands of a powerful few, which is certainly not what the Founders intended. The Corporatism that is currently behind every Republican idea is so readily apparent that one would have to be blind or in a total state of denial not to see it; worse still is the Republican opposition to any effort to contain the rampant out of control profit-driven health care industry.

With the recent attempt by Well Point to raise premiums as much as 38% on policy holders, public sentiment in favor of a public care health care option will gain a lot more support. When CEO's of these health industries can retire as multimillionaires while the rest of us have to worry about gargantuan price gouging, time is here for real reform. The filthy rich do not need additional millions at the expense of the sick and dying. Oh yes, I might add that I don't think anyone is talking about providing a Corvette to everyone who asks, only that people deserve to be taken care of when they are sick – healthcare indeed should be a right, whereas driving a luxury car certainly is not.

 

Judith Squires

Burbank, Calif.

 

 

Health reform

 

Editor:

 

In response to several letters disapproving of President Obama's conduct at the health care summit and decrying the Democratic reform proposals: I did not find the president arrogant, merely assertive, and assertiveness is something he and the Democrats in Congress will need if they are to solve this country's problems. (For an example of arrogance, see George W. "I'm the decider" Bush.)

Obama and the Democrats are also merely trying to pass a very moderate measure of health care reform – I think their plan doesn't go far enough, but if conservatives are labeling this plan "socialist," just imagine what they'd say about single-payer, universal health insurance coverage, as offered in such "socialist" countries as Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Israel! Anyway, the plan advanced by Senate Democrats, as analyzed by the nonpartisan Politifact.com (a project of the St. Petersburg Times newspaper) would leave employer-provided insurance in place, create greater competition among private insurers through state-based health insurance exchanges, and cut the number of uninsured people by half. I would prefer that no one go uninsured, but this is a start. Also, according to Politifact, for most people, insurance premiums would stay the same or decrease.

This hardly sounds like less coverage for more money, which, sadly, is what we're getting with the current system – I am paying more in premiums for my group health coverage but I've also seen a rise in my co-pays. Also, regarding food versus health care as a right: People don't usually go bankrupt from buying groceries. Many have gone bankrupt, however, from the combination of catastrophic illness and insufficient insurance coverage.

Oh, and P.S. to a certain Zephyr contributor: My point was that in eighteenth-century England, King George III and the aristocracy were not redistributing their wealth to the poor.

 

Trudy Ring

Burbank, Calif.

 

 

Bush v. Gore

 

Editor:

 

Mr. Schock ignores the reality of the Bush v. Gore case. His is a passionate claim that "we was wronged." I don't intend to argue further than to point out two salient facts.

First, the Constitution gives to the states the power to determine how they select electors. It's not a matter of deciding federal law vs. state law. It's a matter of the Constitution. That trumps all. The Florida legislature had passed legislation that invoked the "safe harbor" provisions of 3 USC 5 which implements Article 2, Section 1, cI 2 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court called that to the attention of the Florida Supreme Court.

Second, the per curium opinion on the issue of the 14th Amendment was 7-2 (the 5 member majority plus Souter and Breyer). Was the partial recount a violation of the equal protection clause? Seven members said yes it was. Where they diverged was in whether or how to remedy the wrong.

The decision in Bush v. Gore has much that can be debated. One can argue whether an interpretation of this or that idea is correct. However, we all should deal with the same set of facts. With that said, I'll give you that which you so desperately want, the last word.

 

Eric Johnson

Wetumpka, Ala.

 

 

Right to Repair

 

Editor:

 

Few consumer bills are as important to seniors as the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2057). Older Americans often live on a fixed income, and many rely on trusted, reasonably-priced neighborhood repair shops to keep their vehicles serviced, repaired and operating safely. With thousands of car dealers closed, and many others closing, those independent repair shops are critical to keep seniors on the road.

The Right to Repair Act ensures that seniors can continue to enjoy the affordability and convenience of having their vehicles serviced locally. The bill makes certain that car owners, not car companies, retain the choice of where to take the vehicle for service by requiring equal access to repair information, safety bulletins and tools from vehicle manufacturers.

Without the Right to Repair Act, seniors may find their independence severely compromised if they are forced to go to a car dealer for service and repairs, particularly if there is no dealership in their area. Worse yet, they may decide to forgo critical safety repairs because the distance to a dealership is too great.

RetireSafe strongly urges Congress to pass the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act to protect older Americans nationwide. We encourage vehicle owners to make their voices heard by visiting www.righttorepair.org and sending a letter to their U.S. Representative in support of the Right to Repair Act.

 

Thair Phillips, President

RetireSafe

Washington, D.C.

 

 

Mr. Moore goes to Washington

 

Dear President Obama,

I understand you may be looking to replace Rahm Emanuel as your chief of staff.

I would like to humbly offer myself, yours truly, as his replacement.

I will come to D.C. and clean up the mess that's been created around you. I will work for $1 a year. I will help the Dems on Capitol Hill find their spines and I will teach them how to nonviolently beat the Republicans to a pulp.

And I will help you get done what the American people sent you there to do. I don't need much, just a cot in the White House basement will do.

Now, don't get too giddy with excitement over my offer, because you and I are going to be up at 5 in the morning, 7 days a week and I am going to get you pumped up for battle every single day (see photo).Each morning you and I will do 100 jumping jacks and you will repeat after me:

"The American people elected me, not the Republicans, to run the country! I am in charge! I will order all obstructionists outta my way! If the American people don't like what I’m doing they can throw my ass out in 2012. In the meantime, I call the shots on their behalf! Now, Congress, drop and give me 50!!"

Then we will put on our jogging sweats and run up to Capitol Hill. We will take names, kick butts, and then take some more names. If we have to give a few noogies or half-nelson's, then so be it. In our pockets we will have a piece of paper to show the pansy Dems just how much they won by in 2008 – and the poll results that show the majority of Americans oppose the Afghanistan and Iraq wars and want the bankers punished. Like drill sergeants, we will get right up in their faces and ask them, "What part of the public mandate don't you understand, soldier?! Drop and give me 50!"

I know this is the job Rahm Emanuel was supposed to be doing.

Now, don't get me wrong. I have always admired Rahm Emanuel (if you don't count his getting NAFTA pushed through Congress in the '90s which destroyed towns like Flint, Michigan. I know, picky-picky.). He is what we needed for a long time – a no-apologies, take-no-prisoners fighting machine. Someone who is not afraid to get his hands dirty and pound the right wing into submission. Far from being the foul-mouthed bully he has been portrayed as, Rahm is the one who beat up the bullies to protect us from them.

That's certainly what he did in 2006. After six long, miserable years of the middle-class getting slaughtered and the poor being flushed down the toilet, Rahm Emanuel took on the job of returning Congress to the Democrats. No one believed it could be done.

But he did it. Big time. He put the fear of God into the party of Rush and Newt. They had never been so scared. More importantly, though, he instilled a sense of hope in the Democrats that they could actually score the mother of all hat tricks in 2008 – and with you, an African American no less, in the pole position!

It worked. The Darkness ended. The vast majority of the nation wept with joy on the night of the election (those who weren't weeping went out and bought a record number of guns and ammo). Unlike the last president, you didn't "win" by 537 votes in Florida (although Gore won the popular vote by a half-million), you beat McCain nationally by 9,522,083 votes! The House Democrats got a walloping 79-vote margin. The Senate Dems would caucus with a supermajority of 60 votes unheard of in over 30 years. The wars would now end. America would have universal health care. Wall Street and the banks would, at the very least, be reined in. Hardworking citizens would not be thrown out of their homes. It was supposed to be the dawning of a new age.

But the Republicans were not going to go quietly into the night. You see, instead of having just one Rahm Emanuel, they are all Rahm Emanuels. That's why they usually win. Unlike most Democrats, they are relentless and unstoppable. When they believe in something (which is usually themselves and the K Street job they hope to be rewarded with someday), they'll fight for it till the death. They are loyal to a fault to each other (they were never able to denounce Bush, even though they knew he was destroying the party). They dig their heels in deep no matter what. If you exiled them to a lone chunk of melting polar ice cap, they would keep insisting that it was just a normal "January thaw," even as the frigid Arctic waters rose above their God-fearing necks ("See what I mean – this water is cold! What 'global *warming*'?! Adam and Eve rode dinos ... aagghh!!. .. gulp gulp gulp").

We thought we were all done with this craziness, but we were mistaken. Like a beast that you just can't cage, the Republicans convinced not only the media, but you and your fellow Dems, that 59 votes was a *minority*! Precious time was lost trying to reach a "consensus" and trying to be "bipartisan."

Well, you and the Democrats have been in charge now for over a year and not one banking regulation has been reinstated. We don't have universal health care. The war in Afghanistan has escalated. And tens of thousands of Americans continue to lose their jobs and be thrown out of their homes. For most of us, it's just simply no longer good enough that Bush is gone. Woo hoo. Bush is gone. Yippee. That hasn't created one new friggin' job.

You're such a good guy, Mr. President. You came to Washington with your hand extended to the Republicans and they just chopped it off. You wanted to be respectful and they decided that they were going to say "no" to everything you suggested. Yet, you kept on saying you still believed in bipartisanship.

Well, if you really want bipartisanship, just go ahead and let the Republicans win in November. Then you'll get all the bipartisanship you want.

Let me be clear about one thing: The Democrats on Election Day 2010 are going to get an ass-whoopin' of biblical proportions if things don't change right now. And after the new Republican majority takes over, they, along with a few conservative Democrats in Congress, will get to bipartisanly impeach you for being a socialist and a citizen of Kenya. How nice to see both sides of the aisle working together again!

And the brief window we had to fix this country will be gone.

Gone.

Gone, baby, gone.

I don't know what your team has been up to, but they haven't served you well. And Rahm, poor Rahm, has turned into a fighter – not of Republicans, but of the left. He called those of us who want universal health care "f***ing retarded." Look, I don't know if Rahm is the problem or if it's Gibbs or Axelrod or any of the other great people we owe a debt of thanks to for getting you elected. All I know is that whatever is fueling your White House it's now running on fumes. Time to shake things up! Time to bring me in to get you pumped up every morning! Go Barack! Yay Obama! Fight, Team, Fight!

I'm packed and ready to come to D.C. tomorrow. If it helps, you won't really be losing Rahm entirely because I'll be bringing his brother with me – my agent, Ari Emanuel. Man, you should see him negotiate a deal! Have you ever wanted to see Mitch McConnell walking around Capitol Hill carrying his own head in his hands after it's just been handed to him by the infamous Ari? Oh, baby, it won't be pretty – but boy will it be sweet!

What say you, Barack? Me and you against the world! Yes we can! It'll be fun – and we may just get something done. Whaddaya got to lose? Hope?

Retardedly yours,

 

Michael Moore

Flint, Mich.

 

P.S. Just to give you an idea of the new style I'll be bringing with me, when a cornhole like Sen. Ben Nelson tries to hold you up next time, this is what I will tell him in order to get his vote: "You've got exactly 30 seconds to rescind your demand or I will personally make sure that Nebraska doesn't get one more federal dollar for the rest of Obama's term. And then I will let everyone in your state know that you wear Sooner panties, backwards. Now drop and give me 50!"

 

 

Sociopathic leaders

 

Editor:

 

Let me begin by stating that I believe the Executive and Legislative Branches of Washington are sociopathic in their collective behavior. I am a licensed counselor, licensed to diagnose mental illness. I have encountered numerous sociopaths who are among the most dangerous of all humans.

To diagnose a sociopath, three or more of the following seven characteristics must be met: 1) failure to conform to social norms, 2) deceitfulness; manipulativeness, 3) impulsivity and the failure to plan ahead, 4) irritability and aggressiveness, 5) reckless disregard for the safety of self or others, 6) consistent irresponsibility, and 7) the lack of remorse after having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another person. I could argue a very strong case that Washington's legislative and executive behavior meets all seven of the above characteristics.

The follow are verbatim excerpts from The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout, Ph.D., ISBN#O-7679- 1581-X: “…superficial charm ... to seduce other people ... a kind of glow or charisma ... a grandiose sense of self-worth ... It is not that this group fails to grasp the difference between good and bad; it is that the distinction fails to limit their behavior ... but not to care at all about the effects on society, on friends, on family, on our children ... guiltlessness defies the imagination ... Sociopathy stands alone as a "disease" that causes no dis-ease , no subjective discomfort. Sociopaths are often quite satisfied with their lives and perhaps for this very reason there is no effective "treatment" no intervening sense of obligation based in emotional attachments ... Amoral and uncaring ... He is cold as ice… this is the essence of sociopathic behavior and desire ... the only thing left – is to win ... brilliant at winning. Can dominate, bend others to his will ... controlling others – winning – is more compelling than anything (or anyone) else ... the ultimate injustice that a person could be evil, and still feel fine about himself ... Sociopaths are infamous for their refusal to acknowledge responsibility for the decisions they make, or for the outcomes of their decisions ... ‘consistent irresponsibility’ in the language of the American Psychiatric Association – is the cornerstone of the (sociopathic) diagnosis.” In her book, Stout cites case studies of very intelligent and cunning sociopaths who maneuvered their way into very high positions of power and authority, naming many world leaders. She states the “Tools of the Trade” are charm, spontaneity, seduction, acting skills, presenting benevolence, insightfulness, creativity, and addiction to risk-taking.

The impulsive aggressiveness to win, to run over every American, to run over our Constitution and the guiding principles of our founding fathers is absolutely appalling to me. Republicans, Democrats, and the President have no heart in the cunning gamesmanship of governance. The game is to win regardless of the health of our nation.

Six months ago I found hope for our country for the first time in decades in GOOOH. GOOOH is an acronym for Get Out Of Our House. GOOOH seeks to replace all 435 seats in the House of Representatives. It does not target the Senate or the President. When there are enough GOOOH representatives in the House our Congress and President will have to do the business of our nation by a different value, moral, and ethical system. Unlike other patriot movements, GOOOH has a vision, a defined goal, a specific plan, and is working that plan only, none other. GOOOH has one focus, one target, the House. It's GOOOH time. Go to www.GOOOH.com and see for yourself. In whatever way you choose, get involved and help save our wonderful country from the collective sociopathic scene in Washington's abhorrent behavior. It's time to GOOOH!

 

Roy Nichols

Ashtabula, Ohio

 

 

Rape kits

 

Editor:

 

Violence committed primarily against women and children must be taken seriously. Last year, an investigation by my office discovered that thousands of unprocessed rape kits were sitting in police stations across the state. We will never know the number of attackers who got away with these heinous crimes or how many assaults could have been prevented if every rape kit had been tested promptly and followed up on by law enforcement.

The justice system's failure to process evidence collected from sexual assault cases sends a horrible message to survivors of these devastating crimes. That needs to change.

Please help me make Illinois the first state in the nation to require that every rape kit collected be submitted for DNA testing within ten business days. Call your state senator and ask them to support Senate Bill 3269, the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act, sponsored by Senator Toi Hutchinson, which is awaiting a vote by the full Illinois Senate.

 

Lisa Madigan

Illinois Attorney General

Springfield

 

 

Brady on women’s issues

 

Editor:

 

On March 9th several women's groups held a press conference to denounce gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady's positions on "women's issues."

His position on abortion bothers them, calling him "anti-choice" and "anti-woman." He believes that babies are human beings and not a "choice," deserving of a chance at life. As a mother of three and grandmother of two, I wholeheartedly agree.

They erroneously claim he is opposed to stem cell research, which is false. He supports using adult stem cells, which are already successfully treating many life-threatening diseases. The truth is that he opposes wasting money on embryonic stem cell research, which to date, has not produced one successful treatment for any disease. Brady is right on both the ethical and the financial aspect.

Then there's his position on marriage. He believes that one man and one woman constitutes a marriage. These groups would like to redefine it to suit their agenda, which is the normalization and acceptance of homosexuality. To accomplish this, they want "same-sex" marriage. Bill Brady sponsored the Marriage Amendment and that obviously upsets them.

It's worth mentioning that today's Rasmussen poll has Brady leading among women by 17 points.

As a woman, these groups certainly do not speak for me. I will support Bill Brady for Governor.

 

Kathy Valente

Lansing