Redemption

After the Monica Lewinski debacle I didn't much care for Bill Clinton. I was so angry because he brought such shame to the office of the Presidency. Had he been a member of the House or Senate, a member of the Cabinet or the Supreme Court that's the institution upon which he would have brought shame. Many have never found it within themselves to forgive him.

It isn't my place. When you consider how many politicians have committed similar indiscretions, he certainly does not stand alone. I'm not pardoning it by any means. Maybe these men do live in their own private Hell when caught.

What strikes me about Clinton, though, is that he has become an exemplary ex-President. At least in his public life. His private life is none of my business.

This is a man with tremendous ego and unmatched political skill. I was fascinated as he stood behind Al Gore at the homecoming of Laura Ling and Euna Lee. He did not speak yet he was the hero of the hour.

One day perhaps we'll learn what was said during the face to face with Kim Jong Il but from the body language of the two men I doubt Mr. Clinton, with his jaw thrust forward, was taking any guff!

Putting this accomplishment, the freeing of these two young women, along side all the work he is doing with his Foundation, I think someone has finally trumped Jimmy Carter as the "most presidential former President". No small accomplishment.

It's interesting to me that both these men seem to have come into their own as former Presidents. It's interesting, too, that both men have been far more successful as private citizens than they were as public servants. It's also great to see just how much "seniors" can contribute long after their physical prime and what most would consider the pinnacle of their careers.

The private sector is fortunate to have men such as these. The public sector, as in we the people, are also fortunate for they can "do" without being subjected to the most intrusive of scrutinies.

Tough Love

It was WSU day again for Bacchus. We're beginning our seventh month of controlling his congestive heart failure.

We now have a new cardiology resident, a new cardiology intern and new students passing through on two week rotations. Each has to do their thing with our old boy. It's exhausting for all of us.

No matter, it's a teaching hospital and it's how they learn. I have no argument with their thoroughness. Unfortunately it showed a spate of new or worsening issues. Meds have been adjusted and we'll be monitoring him more closely for a time to see if these changes do or do not work. Our efforts will be no less than before but reality is looking us straight in the eye. Sooner now trumps later. It's tough.

They want to see him again in 5 weeks. That's hopeful. Maybe. Meanwhile things will be handled locally. And the beat goes on. I can only hope it's his heart beat.

Assumptions Can Be Counterproductive

Leonard Pitts had a good column in this morning's Spokesman Review. He addressed, as everyone seems to be doing, the issue as to whether or not our President is legitimate based on the assumption by many that he is not a natural born citizen.

He feels, and perhaps rightly so, that the already weak Republicans are trying to build their platform on this issue. He also points out, importantly, that the "copies" of Obama's Hawaiian birth certificate are considered legal. I might add to the argument that Photoshop is an excellent tool for those who wish to dispute it.

Yesterday was a scorcher so I stretched my aching back out on the couch and watched the Sunday talk shows that I hadn't seen for several weeks. Summer yard work you know.

Three subjects dominated. The "beer summit", Palin's resignation and the "birther" movement. That those subjects dominated didn't surprise me. What did was the venom aimed at our President. Criticize his policies all you want; I've certainly done it often enough. But to "assume" he has all this deep seated hatred for whites is, pardon the pun, beyond the pale. Those espousing this were the FOX conservatives led by Glenn Beck. Others, from other networks, have also pushed the issue with vigor.

That it is being done this long after the election, when it first began, indicates to me the Republicans are even more weak than I thought. If this is the best they can do we'll have Democrats running the country for a good long time. Whether you think it's happening or not, Obama campaigned on hope and change. Not questionable truths and fear. Who won?

Assumptions, presented as truth are dangerous. They are opinion unless backed up with provable fact.

On a lesser level, I received an e-mail from a commenter, "assuming" I was "pissed" because I defended another commenter on my blog. There is nothing further from the truth. I was not "pissed"; I just felt the second commenter had a valid point and said so.

Why do I point this out? It goes to the point that those who "assume" they have the only valid opinion and one dare not disagree with them are little more than bullies. That the Republicans taught and learned this lesson well in the previous administration does not encourage me regarding the party's immediate future!

Fortunately for us there are still journalists and columnists such as Mr. Pitts who can and do present rational commentary on the subjects they address. We may agree or disagree. Their tone makes their view readable. A rant, as hate filled as some have accused Professor Gates as being, only deafens. Hopefully.

Hazy, Lazy Days Of Summer!

I think I'll drift in and out this week. Congress has the good sense to be in recess. I think I could use one too. Tuesday is WSU day. This heat is really tough on Bacchus. It's pretty much a time of watching and waiting. So in that spirit, maybe the video of our backyard pond will help relieve the heat!

How About "Bailing Out" Of This War?

Have you noticed the press is beginning to print an Afghanistan war casualty count? Deja Vu?

It would seem that July was the deadliest month for troops thus far. Seventy perished including 42 Americans.

The General in charge is requesting more troops and Obama is seeking $83.4 billion in a supplemental funding war bill. This is in addition to the $172 billion it has already cost us. When all is said and done the tally is expected to reach the $1 trillion mark. Does that figure sound familiar? Health care overhaul anyone?

I'm curious as to where this money is to come from? We're already over our heads in debt. How much more can we take on?

The Huff Post had an interesting breakdown as to just what $83.4 billion would get when broken down to the state level of obligation. Z.P. Heller, who wrote the piece, used his home state of Pennsylvania as an example. It could provide

- 725,689 people with health care for one year.
- 460,546 Head Start places for children for one year.
- 46,575 Elementary school teachers for one year,

and the list goes on.

As was true in Iraq, this is a different type of "war". I don't see even a hint that we can be more successful where others have failed. I see no more of a strategy to extricate ourselves from this one than Bush had for Iraq.

I'm just suggesting that we need to be aware that while a multitude of domestic overhauls are draining us dry, Obama's war is a contributing factor.

It's costing us money we don't have and men who are becoming more and more in short supply. Something is going to have to give. I wonder what it will be. Just what are our priorities? The Afghanistan people or the American people? Or re-election in 2012.