Irony In Spades and Stupid-Ass Insurance Companies

In a statement regarding new sanctions against Zimbabwe today, President Bush declares that "No regime should ignore the will of its own people and calls from the international community without consequences." That quote is from whitehouse.gov so there's no media slant at all. Apparently he doesn't realize his own words apply to him as well. Thick with irony to say the least.

Can we, the people, impose sanctions against this asshole who claims to be our president? Please? Although many people (myself included) have made fun of Dennis Kucinich in the past, and probably will in the future, I respect his desire to impeach the president. Rep. Conyers has recently had a hearing but the impeachment was withdrawn to my dismay. I still support bringing charges of High Treason against our "commander-in-chief" -- see my previous post for my case. Why do I support this instead of impeachment? Simply put: High Treason carries the death penalty.

The Law of the Land (18 U.S.C. § 2381): "whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States."

In other news, I was in pain today from said accident and made a rare Saturday visit to the Chiropractor for an emergency adjustment. Yesterday the Progressive adjuster called me wanting to settle. First he bad mouthed chiropractors in general, then he wanted to know why I wasn't better, after which he seemed dismayed than an independent medical exam (commissioned by State Farm) found that I wasn't faking. He also didn't seemed thrilled that I am seeing a spinal specialist on the 6th. He kept insisting I give him "a number" so the case would go away and I said if I have to sign a total release, I won't do that. I repeated my demand that all medical bills related to this case be covered in perpetuity and that would guarantee there wouldn't be a lawyer involved. He insisted again I give him a number to which I replied "seven figures." He indicated he'd lose his job over that and somehow he thought that I would care. I don't expect seven figures, but if, as expected and indicated by two doctors so far, I have suffered permanent damage to my vertebrae (c4 through c6) there will be lawyers and there will be demands of seven figures AND medical bills. He doesn't know me very well and he thinks I'm easy and stupid. Progressive's actions so far have all indicated they think I'm an idiot. They have insulted me and antagonized me. Every time they contact me, my level of irritation increases. The medical bills are going to be well into the five figures and their driver rear-ended us, so how they think a $1250 settlement would make me happy is insulting, condescending, and shows they have no care for my well being. The feeling, after the fact, is mutual. If anyone knows a very good personal injury lawyer, I think it will be time for me to start looking. Since most of my friends and co-workers have all seen my discomfort and misery these past months, there are a slew of witnesses. Progressive seems to think there is a negotiating process -- there isn't. They get to pay the doctor. The end. I don't negotiate. Putting money in my pocket isn't what I want. I want to be better. If they feel the only way to make that happen, then the answer WILL be seven figures, guaranteeing enough to cover my medical bills related to this incident. (I will be sending a second formal complaint to the State of Florida about Progressive and the way I've been treated. They've already lied to me once.)

I also have an appointment to take Scooter to the vet today because I am greatly concerned about her. She's eating almost nothing and not dumping any more (probably 'cause she's not eating much). She seems a bit lighter too, obviously but we're trying to get her to gain weight and it's failing. Her back legs are obviously bothering her a bit more because she is starting to be a bit shaky when she walks. I just raised her food bowl too see if that makes her a bit happier.

Mom's visit today was cancelled, so I'm going to go out with Erin tonight. My aunt is in town but it doesn't appear I will see her this trip due to scheduling conflicts. Grandma had a tooth pulled yesterday and isn't feeling well over that.

Reminder: everyone must join The Umbrella Hat Society. It's completely free. All you need is an Umbrella Hat and a digital camera. There's a Facebook group too. Join up.

What I Believe

(First, congratulations to Erin on her new TV. She saw it yesterday whilst we were browsing various stores, and decided to buy it. So this morning I went with her in my new X5 -- with the skanky iDrive system but otherwise wonderful -- to move it back to her house. I must say, after we set it up, I am insanely jealous. Though 2" smaller than my TV it is way better. WAY better. We then went to CompUSA for an HDMI cable and Ikea for a stand. We built the stand, hooked up her new PS3 for BluRay operation, and had a grand ole' time.)

So, I was thinking these past few days if I would be a good president or not. Mostly not because I don't suffer fools gladly and most politicians are fools. As president you have to be able to work with idiots (or in the case of our current president, he IS the idiot). I suppose being elected dictator for life would have some appeal, though I don't see it happening.

I'd never get elected. Not so much skeletons in my closet, because my life is pretty boring when it comes to stuff like that, but more along the lines of when a reporter asked a question, I'd answer it. You know questions on gun control, immigration, death penalty, abortion, and so on. No proper politician ever actually answers the question with a position. I would.

I thought it would be fun to actually do that here:

Gun Control. The constitution of the USA grants the right to bear arms. I support that right. The constitution was written when there were rifles and small single chamber hand guns. There were no AK-47s. I do not support the right to own an AK-47 or any automatic or semi-automatic gun. I do think you must reach the age of majority to own one. And I think you need a license and to have it registered.

Abortion. I wish Barbara Bush had one. However, I believe that is something for the lady and man involved to discuss. It is not the concern of the government.

Gay Marriage. All for it. Why shouldn't gay people have the right to the same misery straight people have? Who cares? If you love someone and want to ruin it by getting married, why is it the business of the government?

Drinking Age. 18. Voting Age. 18. If you're old enough to die for your country, you are old enough to drink and vote. Preferable you will vote before you drink.

Criminals. Felons should not have the right to vote. In fact, by committing a felony, you lose most of your rights. Why is anyone even discussing this?

Welfare. Welfare is for people who can't work because of a disability. Welfare is not for people with 3 or more kids. I suppose we must grandfather existing people in, but if you have a third child, you are banned from welfare. Unless of course, you work for a year, then you have 120 days to find a new one. Fair is fair. If you pay in, you get out.

Unemployment. If there's a job that meets your skill set and it's listed with the unemployment office, you may not collect. You go get the job. If you're not working, no job is beneath your dignity. (Exceptions for religious reasons are allowed. For example nobody reasonably would expect a Jew or Muslim to work in a pork factory.)

Religion. I am opposed but see no reason other people can't participate. However the constitution requires separation of church and State. It will be reinforced and enforced.

Age of Consent. Sixteen. Go ahead, prove you're an adult. Give us all a good laugh. But really, go on. Once you're sixteen you're on your own. Of course, this is also the age at which your parents can run your ass out on the street if you don't want to follow their rules as stupid as you feel they may be.

Smoking. Banned in public. What you do behind closed doors is up to you. You are also prohibited from Medicare and Medicaid if you smoke. Smoking is a choice. Choices have consequences.

Presidential Veto. Line item veto. This will kill pork-barrel politics. This must be done.

Immigration. If you can support yourself, and can prove it, then you're welcome. If you can't, you're not. Every country requires some basic skills and knowledge such as working understand of the local language and customs and history and heritage. This will be the same for the USA.

Death Penalty. I was for it for many years. Now I am opposed except for an allowance for High Treason (for which, in a previous post, I nominated George Bush). I am opposed because study after study proves it doesn't work. It costs more to kill someone than keep them in jail without parole. Solitary confinement is fine. I also think allowing the victim (or family thereof) thirty minutes alone in a room with the person who wronged them -- at their option of course -- does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment. It's fair play.

I also favour taxing the gas companies for profits in excess of a certain percentage of income. You remember the windfall profit tax? Good idea, but not properly implemented. There's a solution and I'd come up with one.

I'd repeal the Patriot Act. It violates every freedom this country stands for and the fact the people in this country accept it as a good thing proves just how stupid the masses are. Yes, that means you.

Income tax. Yes. Flat taxes are unfair to the poor. However a modified version with certain exemptions would certainly work. If you earn below poverty level, your tax is $1 per year. This means everyone files. If you earn more than that, probably a flat 15% until your income is double the national average when it goes up to 20%. Or some scale like that. Deductions for education and medical expenses allowed. One wishes to encourage those habits because in the long run smart, healthy people cost the government a lot less.

Social Security. Keep it. Can it be fixed? No idea.

National Health Insurance. Yes. The private system will still be available but everyone who is a citizen of the USA will have basic coverage. If you want better coverage, buy your own insurance or pay for it out of your pocket. Not a citizen, that's most unfortunate, but that's not our problem. If you are here on a legal work permit, you may buy insurance as part of the national program. But unless you are paying into the system, you cannot use it.

Education. Our works pretty good. Some states suck, but that's the states' issue. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

National ID card? I'm all for it. Just like a passport, but a card. It's basically a passport card for use within the USA. And it could be a driver's license and voter's ID card. Sure, it's a little big brother-ish but I'd much rather have one card for everything.

I'd fix our money. Every other country has a different colour for each bill. Did you know our money is printed on full colour intaglio printing presses? They just don't use that feature. Really. I'd ban the $1 bill and consider making the bills different sizes like many countries do. Harder to counterfiet, and easier to tell apart.

I'd make the campaigns limited to 90 or 120 days before elections. Everyone would vote on the same day. In alternating years we'd have the democrats on one week and the republicans the following week. We'd switch weeks the following year. This would be for national elections only. States, as always, could do whatever they want.

Speed Limits. That right is returned to the states except on Interstates and US Highways. If the federal government pays, we get to say. If the state pays, they get to say. Federal speed limit in the day 80 and night 65 -- reduced to 60 and 55 if raining or snowing or foggy.

Air Travel. 3 ounces? We'll fix that shit our first day. I'll give you three damned ounces you stupid-ass bureaucrat. There's nothing wrong with profiling to prevent terrorism. That two year old kid isn't a security risk. Send him through the metal detector and worry about the 30 year old guy behind him. Yes, everyone's a threat but some people are a bigger threat than others.

Cars that get less than 15MPG are banned for personal use. For corporate use the reality is there are certain needs and that number will be lower. Every year the minimum will go up 2mpg. Car companies whose fleets do not have an increasing average fuel economy of 10% per year will be subject to DOUBLE income tax. Cars that have 50mpg or better will be exempt from sales tax. This number will also increase every year.

Anyway, that's a start. So you know.

Bush is a Liar and hypocrite. Proof.

When you say one thing and then say another statement which contradicts your first one, that makes you a liar. Bush is a liar. He's a rat bastard too, but that's my personal opinion.

ACTION ONE:
If there's a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is. If the person has violated law, that person will be taken care of. -- George W. Bush, Feb 10, 2004

I don't know about you, but that's pretty clear and simple. No room for any interpretation.


ACTION TWO:
Yesterday, George Bush commuted the sentence of Scooter Libby. He disregarded the wishes of the public and the judicial system and the jury and did what he wanted. Apparently, the leak wasn't so important. He's a hypocrite.

ACTION THREE:
WASHINGTON (AP)- President George W. Bush on Tuesday refused to rule out an eventual pardon for former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby. "As to the future, I rule nothing in and nothing out," the president said a day after commuting Libby's 2 1/2 year prison term in the CIA leak case. Bush said he had weighed his decision carefully to erase prison time for Libby, a former aide to Vice President Dick Cheney. "I made a judgment, a considered judgment," the president said. "I stand by it." At the same time, he left the door open for the possibility of a pardon later.

He's a liar and hypocrite. Flat out, unequivocally, and without any doubt. If you needed proof here it is IN HIS OWN WORDS. Apparently justice is not for his friends, but only other people. I just cannot begin to tell you how upsetting this is. I personally feel that Libby should have been tried for Treason along with Bush who clearly knew what was going. Treason still carries the federal death penalty. Real justice would see Bush get tried for Treason against the United States of American and for single-handedly subverting our justice system (and don't forget Mr. Gonzales dismissal of the attorneys either).

I say, let's try him for High Treason (and the death penalty as prescribed upon conviction) as an example to those who would use the office of president to put their personal goals and desires ahead of those of our country. The good of the nation is what the president is supposed to serve and he is losing his way more and more every day.

The Law of the Land (18 U.S.C. § 2381): "whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States."

By definition releasing that information gave aid to the enemy, and by Bush's own words we are at war with terrorists. We are at ware, aid was given to the enemy. All requirements for High Treason have been met. The penalty is death. I say, let's do it.

Impeachment just isn't good enough. Kill the bastard.