Progress?

This is like the idiot saying we are "turning corners"

if you turn enough corners you are going in circles - and if you do keep going - you erode the ground you are circling on and sink deeper...

So here is a clip from Youtube about "progress" - mad king george style:

Having Fun [instead of ranting]

Sometimes there are more fun activities than ranting : - )...even ranters need a break - especially when you can learn to sail on the Columbia River.....[and the temperature is near 100 in your house]




Pictures from a delightful cruise Wednesday evening.......

How much more is going to be revealed before....

Before impeachment proceedings start?

The former Surgeon General, Richard H. Carmona, said that the administration forbade him to speak on certain subjects, told him to put the idiots name in 3 times on every page [#@$#$$%@#] and to make speeches in support of other idiots...[R's]
I commend him for speaking out - but ask why did he not speak out BEFORE? When he was still in his position.....

Too many of these appointees speak out only after they leave the job....when it's sort of too late.

But this is not too late this time since Henry Waxman is allowed to do his job [and he does it quite well I must add.]

So this is from Henry;

July 11, 2007

Honorable Michael O. Leavitt
Secretary
Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I am writing to request documents related to political interference with the work of the Office of the Surgeon General.

Yesterday, the Committee held a hearing on the Surgeon General's Vital Mission: Challenges for the Future. At the hearing, Dr. Richard Carmona, the most recent Surgeon General, testified that during his term, political appointees edited his public remarks, blocked him from developing or issuing several reports or calls to action, and denied travel requests on political grounds.

To assist the Committee in its investigation of these events, I request that you provide the following:

1. All documents related to the Surgeon General's report on global health;

2. All documents related to the Surgeon General's report on prison health;

3. All documents related to the Surgeon General's proposed reports on mental health preparedness and on emergency preparedness;

4. All documents relating to requests for Dr. Carmona to speak at events outside the Department, including events for other government agencies or the White House. Please indicate whether the request was accepted or denied; and

5. All travel requests submitted by Dr. Carmona, beginning in August 2002 through the end of his term. Please indicate whether the request was approved or denied.

The Committee requests that you produce these documents on or before July 25, 2007.

The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is the principal oversight committee in the House of Representatives and has broad oversight jurisdiction as set forth in House Rule X. An attachment to this letter provides additional information about how to respond to the Committee's request.

If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact me or ask your staff to contact Art Kellermann or Naomi Seiler with the Committee staff at (202) 225-5056.

Sincerely,

Henry A. Waxman
Chairman

Are we hot yet?

I have only lived in Oregon for 3 years but do understand that temperatures in the 100's in Portland are not usual. Last year the heat wave [global warm?] came later in July - this year it starts later today [July 9th]...

As one who does not tolerate high temperatures very well - I must be careful...and as I do not have air conditioning - my computer and I will be taking time off this week as it soars into the 100 plus range here...thankfully, I can roll right into the Columbia River to cool off....or kayak to a beach and swim where my feet touch bottom : - )

My dog and cat are already staying in the house - and that is totally not like either of them...I watch them for impending weather - they are good forecasters!

Is the globe warmer? I say yes...Having lived in the Boston area for about 15 years [60's and 70's], I recalled only a very few days during that time frame where it got to near or over 100. While in D.C. [80s and 90's] many summers were unbearable as the outside temps were in the high 90's [plus] during the day and "cooled off" to the high 80's at night...Then I moved back to New England, further north than Boston and saw record heat almost every summer...more days near 100 than in my entire time in Boston... And now heat waves in July in Oregon!

Hmm...the wing nuts, during the cold spells last winter laughed about global warming as it was cold - we had very unusual cold here in Portland...the nay-sayers fail to understand that global warming produces both hot and cold climate changes...

Now look at the recent devastation in Texas , the fires out West and the heat waves in Europe. If you are older than 50 - you know this is an odd pattern of weather..

For me, I'd like to to see reduced global warming.. someday I'd like to have grandchildren who can see glaciers on Mt. Hood or in Glacier National Park...to be able to enjoy a summer outside an air conditioned building..to not be subjected to heat advisories and smog alerts...to breather cleaner air, to swim in cleaner waters, have birds and fish to look at, and see the country as I saw back in the 50's and 60's....


My "backyard" hammock......