I can't believe it's not a democracy!

This is beyond a fucking outrage:

CREW ASKS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO WHY WALL STREET IS GETTING H1N1 VACCINE AHEAD OF THOSE WHO MOST NEED IT. Yeah, you read that right. CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington) reports: Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) asked Health and Human Service (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to investigate why the Center for Disease Control (CDC) approved the distribution of the H1NI vaccine to Wall Street firms at a time when the vaccine is unavailable to most Americans.

Recent news reports indicate 13 companies, including Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and Time Warner, have been cleared to receive the vaccine.

* * *

Melanie Sloan, executive director of CREW said today, “Although CREW has been unable to uncover the demographic makeup of Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and JP Morgan Chase, it seems safe to assume the vast majority of their employees are not pregnant women, infants and children, young adults up to 24 years old, and healthcare workers.”

There's more. Click the link and read the whole fucking thing. To say that I am appalled would be a gross understatement. If anyone out there thinks that the real power that runs this country isn't located on Wall Street, this story should straighten them out. I guess the bankers and the politicians who love them assume people aren't that pissed because there are no guillotines in public squares, but christ...who thought this was a good idea? As Sloan states: “First, the bailout, then the bonuses, now the vaccine. When will Washington start putting the needs of Main Street above those of Wall Street?”

Sadly, I think we all know that the answer is "never."

Not surprised:

Obama Broke His Word On Detainee Photos: Chief ACLU Lawyer. You know the deal, despite his "commitment to transparency" Obama is now objecting to the release of "showing the harsh treatment of suspected terrorist detainees." Will the release of the photos make head's explode worldwide? Yes. But damn it, it happened, and in order to motivate the public to demand the investigation and prosecution of those who ordered or enabled the torture occur, the photos must be released. No doubt the ACLU will continue to fight (note to self: send the ACLU more cash), so there's that, but man, what a cave. Fortunately, I expect nothing, so I'm not disappointed. Appalled, disgusted, angry, yes, but disappointed? Nope.

It's not just the filthy republicans who are standing in the way of good legislation:

Byron Dorgan’s Wife Lobbied Against Cramdown. Jane Hamsher of Firedoglake writes: One of the key votes against "cramdown" in the Senate came, surprisingly, from Byron Dorgan of North Dakota. According to an FEC lobbying report filed by the American Council of Life Insurers, Dorgan's wife Kimberly worked for them as a lobbyist to defeat the measure during the first quarter of 2009.

There is only one way to stop this--pass legislation barring congressional spouses and other close family members from lobbying while their spouse, father, mother, whatever are "serving." Yes, I'm not holding my breath either. The whole fucking process is so corrupt that I'm thinking the only thing to do is warn the handful of politicians and others who are decent to leave DC and then turn on the water cannons. After all, Hercules had to divert a river to get ride of a mountain of shit. And it worked.

Thanks to Jim for the link. I must note that Jim sent the link to me with the caption "Senator and Mrs. Contemptible Prick. He got that right.

This had better be a fucking joke:

Advisers say Obama may delay tax-cut rollback on wealthy. Jesus H. Christ, how the hell does Obama plan to pay for his stimulus package if he doesn't raise more revenue? And it's not as if the rollback will raise the highest marginal tax bracket to astronomic levels. The highest tax bracket is currently 35%. The highest bracket in 2001 was 39.6%. 4.6% percent difference, not 10% or 20%. Given that the top 10% earn as much as the rest of us and own a hell of a lot more, isn't it time that they do their part to right this country? What the fuck is Obama thinking?

Remember when oil was over $140 a barrel?

Oil prices drop below $50 dollars, hit 3.5-year lows. A small handful of evil filthy greedy people have made a lot of money off of the rest of us, and they are laughing their asses off. And why shouldn't they? Nothing will happen to them. Not a fucking thing.

43 motherfucking douchebag democratic pieces of shit just voted to

let Joe Lieberman feel special and pretty and keep his chairmanships in the senate.  That's right: 43 democratic senators voted to not take away Holy Joe's chairmanships even after he actively worked to get McCain into the white house and criticized Obama.  No, I'm no surprised at all.  If the democrats showed some strength and kicked that whiny-assed bastard to the curb then--and only then--would I have been surprised.  Nope, I am solidly into a "I expect to be disappinted at every turn" phase.  You see, last night I heard that some Obama aides were saying that there won't be a formal investigation of who in the Bush administration was reponsible for greenlighting torture...because we need to move on.  After hearing that, this Joe Lieberman stuff really doesn't matter, does it.

So, I have to think about what I am going to do from now on.  You see, I don't know if I can continue to read about--much less blog about--political stuff anymore.  I am beyond disgusted.  My contempt knows no bounds.  Et cetera.  I have to think about what I am going to do going forward, because I feel like I can't spend another fucking minute thinking or caring about this.  And no, I haven't made any decisions, but I feel like I am getting closer to the answer.  In the interim, I need to take some time off to chill and think, and posting will be very light, at best, between now and the end of the Thanksgiving Day holiday.   

Proof that the wealthy are different than us:

Wall Street cheers as Gannett cuts 1,000 jobs. Only soulless sociopaths would applaud because 1,000 families will now face economic armageddon. Well they may want to temper their enthusiasm a bit. As my friend John has noted, French aristocrats were surprised when the revolution began--they didn't realize the rabble had had enough. Yep, the rabble will always have the element of surprise.

Because we have to observe the rule of law:

Court: Saudi Arabia cannot be held liable in Sept. 11 attacks. Yes, the defendants are protected by sovereign immunity. Wow, I guess the Saudis can do whatever the fuck they want, then. And don't they know it.

Your tax dollars at work:

Report: Iraq contracts have cost at least $85B. A relative handful of people have done very well by W and his excellent Iraq adventure. Gen. Smedley Butler was right--war is a racket. And, sadly, a very lucrative one.

Read this and weep:

THE LEGACY OF GEORGE W. BUSH’S PRESIDENCY -- The Country He Inherited, The Country He Leaves Behind. Anyone reading this post already knows that this country has gone from relative good times to the shitter in only seven years, but seeing the facts in black and white is still stunning. Click the link, but get a box of tissues first.

Thanks to my cousin Chris for the link.