It's over!  I tried very hard to be a good "partner" to you but you insist on hanging out with your former "lover", Fisa, and making me look like a fool.  Sure, Fisa might be rich from all the money the Telco's gave and might even be "good looking".  But, I've been loyal and faithful for decades and you dom't seem to respect and appreciate that. So, I'm demanding a divorce. Finally

It arrived in an plain, white 8x10 envelope. A picture window on the front contained the address and above that the words, in large red letters: "DO NOT DESTORY" and the warning "Delivery delay or obstuction punishable under U.S. Code. See Title 18, Sec 1708 U.S. Code" I could smell the scent of fear like a rancid perfume wafting from its surface.

I looked on the back. In small print: The Heritage Foundation - 214 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E. - Washington, D.C.20002. I contemplated thowing it into the recycling bin without opening it but my curiosity got the best of me. I believe in being informed of the "WingNut Agenda".  This was a look inside their collective psyche --- unpleasant as that might be.   I opened it.  

More after the fold...

In response to my email to them about their position on FISA, I got the following email from the American Legion. Although well written and seemmingly well considered, the AL position on Illegal Wiretapping and Telcom Immunity is just a rehashing of the White House talking points.

Simply stated:

The American Legion believes S. 2248 would modernize FISA, ensure the future cooperation of the private sector, and safeguard the very civil liberties we all value.

So, it's imperative that to protect "civil liberties", the American Legion believes we should step on those "civil liberties"; the political version of "backburning" as used in forest fires where you burn a portion of forest to save the greater portion of it.

More below the fold...

It seems the Wingnuts really need a boogey man and when they lost the USSR, they set about finding a new one. In their desperation, they chose Muslims and Islam. It doesn't matter that the vast majority of Muslims are peace loving types who simply want to work hard, put food on the table and live a blessed life. That makes no difference to Cal Thomas and the Culture of Hate that needs something, anything to feed on.

(Please note I don't provide links to WingNut propoganda. You can find the source yourself. Cal Thomas' drivel is in a huge number of WingNut publications, unfortunately.)

In a comment on another diary last week, I found this gem:

The basic premise of worth is reflected by the value an individual has with regards to his/her contribution to the economic model of the company.   This value is demonstrated by the wages or salary that person makes.   A CEO makes millions because that is his/her worth.  It isn't about who works hardest or who has been there the longest.

I can't really get my head around the cynicism of this statement but I'll try because it seems to be at the core of what some consider "Economics 101" and what others, like me, consider... well... offensive.

I am a few pages from finishing this book and figured I'd pass along my impressions for the benefit of those interested in some good holiday reading or a gifting idea.  "A Thousand Splendid Suns" was reviewed by NYT back in May.  A friend gave me her copy a couple weeks back saying, "You've gotta read this". I figured, yeah, sure.  I need something to put me to sleep at night. Well, this wasn't the one!