First Post of the summer

Summer is here and it's time to get started writing my post. I've been slacking off on my writing the last couple of weeks, I guess that I have been a little reluctant to post since my beloved Lakers lost the N.B.A finals to the Celtics. My last post was all about how and why I became a lifelong Lakers fan and why I still cheer them on no matter what happens. Alas things didn't turn out as I predicted. The Celtics played a great series and won in six games. So I'll send congratulations out to all the Celtics fans out there and I look forward to next year. The Lakers will be strong again next year and with the Center Andrew Bynum back for injury we will have our own big three of Kobe, Gasol and Bynum to match the Celtics trio of Allen, Peirce and KG.

Now that that's out of the way and my mind I feel that I can safely go on to more important subjects:

It is officially summertime, we have passed the solstice and the big July 4th weekend is fast approaching upon us and like most people I'm planning on taking a few trips to do some outside adventures and some getaways.

I have plans to go hiking in New Hampshire and attending a Music festival in Saratoga Spring New York. Now these are mostly day trips by car but I'm hesitant to go on some more or any longer trips because of the price of gas and the cost of everything else that is associated with the price of gas being so high. E.g. almost everything you use cost more due to the price of oil being so high...

I curse under my breath at George Bush every time that I have to fill my car full of gas. But I don't think that I'm the only one out there who is doing this. Sometimes I feel like cursing out loud just to see what the reaction of the other motorists filling their gas tank is. I figure that most people would agree with me and maybe we could get everyone at the gas station to yell out loud and strong together. That would be nice

I'm lucky that I don't own a huge SUV, Minivan or a Hummer. Even when filling up my medium size car cost around $60. That along with everything else except our paychecks going up get's me mad at the Un-Elected President and all of his crooked cronies. They are allowing the Big Oil companies to ripe us off and reap huge unregulated profits. I would not be surprised at all if some of that money makes it back to Bush and Cheney own pockets. The oil companies have donated millions to their campaigns over the years and in return have made Billions of dollars over the last few years. I think we all have every right to be angry

 

Speaking of people who rip us off-I recently read the book, Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (and Stick you With the Bill) written by David Cay Johnston a Pulitzer-winning New York Times Investigative reporter.

If you are interested how the Government gives away billions of dollars to people and corporations that don't really need the money and how it affects the poor and middle class I highly recommend you read this book this summer? Here's a clip of the author speaking to Terry Cross of NPR radio about his book and giving examples of some off some of the "Free Lunches" enjoyed by the ultra Rich. I think you will find this pretty interesting and very informative.

David Cay Johnson Talk about his book Free Lunch with Terry Gross of NPR Radio

 

 

The Impeachment:

Recently Ohio Congressman, Dennis Kucinich filed 35 counts of Impeachment against George W. Bush in the House of representatives After reading every one of these counts I concluded that each and every one of the indictments is a million times more egregious and has more substance than any of the three counts that were brought up and passed by the Republican led congress against Bill Clinton.

I realize that it is pretty late and the time is short with only around six month left till Bush leaves office on his own but I see no reason that he should not be held accountable for his disregard and contempt of our constitution .The Congress should act on these quickly, vote to impeach and let the Senate decide his fate. The Senate is divide evenly along party lines and it takes a 2/3 Majority or 60 votes to Impeach so the odds are slim that Bush would be kicked out but he should be brought to some sort of justice.

Here's the link to the 35 counts of Impeachment brought up and put on the Congressional record.

Watch it here;

Rep. Dennis Kucinich Introduces 35 Articles of Impeachment: Open Thread

 

 Download | Play  Download | Play

Or read it here:

35 Counts of Impeachment against George W. Bush

Just for the fun of comparison here's the articles of Impeachment that were brought up and passed by the house members - 3 counts of impeachment Against Bill Clinton

 

Speaking of Laughs:

I would like to end this post by remembering one of the true funny and poignant comedians ever, the recently departed George Carlin. George died last week at the age of 71. He leaves behind a great body of work and many people who like me are grateful for all the laughs and unique insights he brought to our lives. He was a real wordsmith who loved poke fun at anything he thought was outrageous or funny. He loved picking on the powerful and the powerful institutions. He made you laugh and think at the same time sometimes he was a little bit profane but he used it to enhance his material without overshadowing the substance of the routine. He never used foul language as a means to just shock you as some bad comedians who have nothing else to say will do. He was an original and a very funny man he will be missed.

Luckily there are tons of George Carlin clips all over the web along with all the Cd's and DVDs and Books out there to buy. One of his books that I truly recommend you read is BRAIN DROPPINGS- A book full of some of his funniest skits and jokes. It really is guaranteed to make you laugh at loud and a book you can pick up at anytime and enjoy reading over and over again.

One last thing, if you ever get those group e-mails that have titles Like George Carlin's Thoughts On Aging or George Carlin's Solution To Save Gas or any similar bulk emails like that and especially the ones that end by telling you to pass it on to ten people you can be assured that it probably did not come from him.

Here's how George explained it

"HOW TO SPOT A FAKE
Here's a rule of thumb, folks: Nothing you see on the Internet is mine unless it came from one of my albums, books, HBO shows, or appeared on my website. If you see something with my name on it, and you really need to find out if it's mine, post a question on my bulletin board ". I found that going to Snoops .com also helps

Here are a couple of my favorite clips:

George Carlin- Baseball and Football ------- Words

 

R.I.P. George and thanks for all the laughs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Fitz]

This is one heck of an entry, Rich! At least when you write, you go for it all.

Sometime, you should read my Essay Formula" (on the sidebar) and write a piece that you can send somewhere to be published. You've got the passion and the insight to do it.

I wonder if in the long run, these high oil prices will change our lifestyles for the better, but I agree, i hate the thought that someone else's pockets are being filled by our honest labors.