Who Didn't See This Coming?

Yet another crack appears in the facade of the GOP. As I've said, I just don't see the Republican Party surviving intact for very much longer. For folks like Arlen Specter, Olivia Snowe and Susan Collins the truth is too large to ignore: There is no place in the GOP for moderates. I don't know what death wish has driven the party to strive toward fringedom, but - as Randi Rhodes once put it - every Republican sounds like Foghorn Leghorn. When not even 25% of the people will admit to being a Republican, it's time to proclaim the truth that is self-evident: The GOP is a white, Southern party with extremist views regarding social issues. As such, it cannot be considered an opposition party, so much as an impediment to progress.

So, what is a moderate supposed to do? When you are threatened with a primary challenge by the powers that be, just for supporting a spending bill designed to keep the country from falling into a Depression? When any hint of bi-partisanship is shown, you are labeled a "RINO" (Republican In Name Only)? If you're not willing to fall into lockstep with party leadership, and you truly feel you can continue to serve the public - you go where you see the rest of the country is going. Pragmatic? Sure. Cynical? Maybe. Smart? You betcha!!!

Book Chat

With everything going on in our lives - and the world at large - it can be difficult to find the time to read for pleasure. Given the level of discourse here at Brushfires - a source of pride for your humble host - I imagine there a more than a few readers here. So, what sorts of things do you read? When is your favorite time to read? What are you reading right now?

I am currently reading "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" which is a hilarious book about punctuation. No, you read that right, a funny book about apostrophes, commas, etc. Being more than a bit of a grammar nerd, this book appeals to me in many different ways. If you know the difference between "its" and "it's", and enjoy humorous writing, I highly recommend this book.

Lazy Post Saturday

It's time again to play "You Write the Caption" in which we take a photo of a recent event and - hopefully - mock it mercilessly. Have at it:

The New Economics

I was wondering about something. People are talking about how they are being affected by the recession, and changes they are making in their personal spending. Now, in the 3-plus years since I left the bank, I have experienced a 50% increase in my salary, so I am doing better financially then ever in my working career. Heck, I'm thinking of buying a house, which - while a definite change in spending - isn't exactly the sort of thing meant by the talking heads.

Has the economic downturn affected you negatively? Has it curtailed your spending? Are you worried about losing your job? House? Do you think that what President Obama is attempting to do will work, or will it make things worse?

Flame On...

Seriously, just get it out of your systems. I have no intention of reading any of the comments on this post, so say the most vile hateful things you can think of about me and each other.

If there aren't 200 comments on this post, I will be very disappointed. In fact, I'm sorely tempted to leave it up until there are...

UPDATE: Only 66 posts? Plus, I heard that you guys were actually discussing things!!! See, even when I give you permission to be mean, you folks just don't take direction. ;-)

I think that in the future, when things start getting really ugly, I'll just throw one of these up and let everyone get it out of their systems... (I didn't read any of the posts, was there any really juicy stuff?)

Dear President Obama - WTF?!?!?!?!?

For some reason, I can't find this in the written media. I'm probably not trying hard enough. It's worth checking out Keith Olbermann's report (4/7) on the warrantless wiretapping under Bush, and the discouraging, disappointing and disgusting response by the Obama administration.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/vp/30116228#30096316

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/vp/30116228#30096358

If it was a bad thing when Bush was doing it, it's even worse under the new administration. Tyranny is not Change. And Despotism is still evil, know matter how benevolent it may appear.

Doing one really shitty thing after a whole bunch of good things doesn't make it smell any less vile. Clean up your act, President Obama!!!

(Here's Olbermann's continuation of the report tonight (4/8): http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/vp/30116228#30116228)

UPDATE: I have asked that you all police yourselves, so that I do not have to. After reading the last few comments on the last post, I fear I may have been asking too much. I have three options - turn on the comment monitoring, delete offensive posts (who decides?), or discontinue the blog. While the third option makes me sad to even consider, the first two are total and complete pains in the ass and will quickly lead to number three out of sheer annoyance. Please, please, please (did I say 'please'?) act like the grown-ups I know you can be. If you don't like what someone posts, make a strong argument in favor of your point of view - don't let the conversation devolve into perceived personalities. This experience has been way more positive than not - but lately...

Hope Springs Eternal

When we began our little adventure here at Brushfires, there seemed to be a general consensus that this not be a sports blog. I have adhered to that desire, but with the new baseball season about to commence, I wanted to take an opportunity to express why this baseball fan (Giants fanatic) feels such love for the game.

Many people are familiar with the iconic film of Carlton Fisk coaxing his ball fair in the 1975 World Series (http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200807313224115 - hang out for about a minute and you'll see it). That is the exact moment that I fell in love with baseball. Watching the games was a way for me to spend time with my father. He left for his job in San Francisco before we got up in the morning, got home took his shower, ate dinner and allowed himself some down time before he hit the sack to do it all again the next day. His treat was to watch a ball game. Back in the 70's there wasn't as much televised baseball as there is today. (Heck, the Giants exhibition game against the A's is on tv right now.) Mostly, it was the A's or the Giants - if they were playing the hated Dodgers. Anyway, that's how I happened to be watching baseball on October 12, 1975 and saw a man, by sheer force of will, make a foul ball go fair. And, the unabashed joy that he showed when the ball hit the foul pole was the impetus for a crush on Carlton Fisk that lasted for years.

For me, baseball isn't just about men getting paid ridiculous sums of money to play a game for a living. It isn't about feeding some unfulfilled need to feel successful by living vicariously through the accomplishments of others. It's about community, shared history - and hope. I can talk to any baseball fan and find common ground with people with whom I may have nothing else in common.

Hope - on Opening Day, all teams have the same record, and anything is possible. Now, obviously some teams have a better chance coming out of the gate than others. But every so often, baseball - just like life - can provide the most delightful surprises. Just think of the 1969 Miracle Mets, or the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays!

Is there something in your life - an external event or experience - that provides a special thrill, an opportunity for fellowship, such as I have described here?