The Nouveau Roman, er American Emperors
Posted by Ercille Christmas at 4/28/2011 9:51 AM 
Categories: Political
Tags: Obama Rahm Emanuel Chuck Schumer Arnold Schwarzenegger Senator Harry Reid Washington Post Israel
Categories: Political
Tags: Obama Rahm Emanuel Chuck Schumer Arnold Schwarzenegger Senator Harry Reid Washington Post Israel
The alternative title for this article is “Lord, Deliver us/US from Pompous, Profligate Politicians” – with good reason. I know that I am not alone in wishing for honest politicians. For even one political cycle, I would love to be able to claim that I am proud of the majority of politicians representing “we the people.” Unfortunately, I cannot. I know that we are all fallible people. But for heaven’s sakes, don’t these folks who go into politics realize that they are held to a higher standard? The only thing “higher” that they seem to cotton onto is that their salaries, perks, and privileges should all be “higher,” or “highest!” King George III never had it so good.
The parade of “higher behavior” begins with this article about “Rahm's Retaliation,” which I read in disbelief – almost. Here is a gentleman who, one would think, should have reached the point in his political life, where he would learn to at least try out magnanimity, given his notoriety for “public outbursts and vulgar language.” He was placed back on the ballot to become mayor. He achieved the office or had it thrust upon him. Chill out. Turn over a new leaf. Yeah, I know – “nice guys finish last.” $50,000 for his inaugural ball? Denied access to reporters? Is this a mayor or an emperor? Mayor Rahm quipped that his family stated that he does not look good in a toga. He might try sackcloth of humility. Good luck, Chicago. You made your “Rahm.” Now lie in it.
The Terminator/Governator left the governor’s mansion in California, and unlike the movie Terminator, he will not be back, right? According to this Daily News article, at least one family will not be willing to welcome him back. One of his last acts as California Emperor, er governor was to reduce the already lenient sentence of the son of one of his political pals. The family of the victim is rightly incensed that the governator did not even bother to inform family members that the convicted murderer of the family’s son was going to have his sentence almost halved. I hate to be the one to break it to the family, but emperors do not have to give prior notice of decisions or apologize for those decisions. Yep, “of course you help a friend,” as the governor succinctly stated. The wronged family should count its blessings that it was not thrown in jail as could have happened Roman times – for daring to question the actions of an emperor?
Senator Schumer showed that he is a quick study in learning the appropriate terms to denigrate the opposition:
“I always use the word ‘extreme’...That is what the caucus instructed me to use this week.”
I know about strategy sessions, planning, use of verbiage, and all of the other expressions used to indicate what tactics will have the most effect in attacking the “enemy.” But, that sentence above is disturbing. It goes beyond mere subterfuge. Well, Sen. Schumer, pretend that I am with the caucus and follow my instructions to the letter: “Stop the damn spending because it has gotten to be extreme!” And while you are at it, learn some humility and apologize for your boorish behavior. Who am I kidding? Being a senator, means never having to say that you are sorry. Politicians are secure in calculating that the masochists, also known as voters, will forget by next election cycle and vote the same politicians, who wronged them, right back in. These citizens/masochists will always remember the last bone thrown their way, forgetting that the bone had flesh previously feasted on by the politicians, before “sharing” those leftovers.
The Washington Post provided an equation of US Senators equals Chinese junket. Having gone through that arduous budget process, some Senators decided to extend their bi-partisan efforts by going on a weeklong trip to China. Are they brushing up on how real emperors operate? They are probably paying homage to the de facto owners of the US. One would think that after borrowing so much from China, that there would not be a need for an “information trip throughout China.” Other Senators are having stopovers in Hong Kong and North Korea. It takes a special person to be a politician. In which other occupation can one hold the job for a few years, get great health care, staffers to read, write and think for one, get a full pension, and buildings named after you?
I saved the best for last. The president should be given his due, in managing to make derogatory remarks about yet another group of Americans. Calling all “slugs,” also known as government workers – according to your president! Report for duty and try to do some work. In all fairness to the president, this slip up probably should be attributed to “Teleprompter Tom,” the pet name I gave to the president’s Teleprompter. If “T-Tom” had been programmed to function beyond spitting out the scripted words for regurgitation, “he” would be able to control the spontaneous remarks and sanitize them before they are released from the mouth of the president. Another excuse that could be used to exculpate the president is the fact that, as the article states “the 50 or so Democrats giving the maximum contribution got a little something extra for their $38,000 and change.” At least they were not called idiots or slugs for paying $38,000 for one meal. Some folks work all year and do not rake in that amount. On the other hand, the president did give those donors a $12,000 discount. If they had gone to the Rahm hoedown in Chicago, they would have had to shell out $50,000.
I am trying to get a handle on these Signing Statements. Are they in reality a tool for the president to act like an emperor, without the title of emperor? The Congress sends a bill for his signature. He, or his staff, reads it. He, or his staff, decides to ignore parts of it. He does so by signing a statement that essentially states: “You twerps in Congress, I choose not to sign this part of your bill, and there is nothing that you can do about it. Have a nice day.” I guess we cannot be too hard on the president for refusing to give up his czars. It would be like a toddler being forced to give up his “blankie.” I am going to have to apologize for my uncontrolled fits of laughter when I read the following quote, attributed to then Senator Obama:
“We’re not going to use signing statements as a way of doing an end-run around Congress.”
Yep, it does take a special person to be a politician. The politician in the White House managed to poke the nation of Israel in the eye – once again. Jews were celebrating Passover as usual, as a celebration of freedom from bondage, an occasion specific to Israel. Only a special politician could take that occasion and work in a tribute to Muslims with their “social transformation and liberation unfolding in the Middle East and North Africa.” Instead of telling Israel to “have a nice day,” he told them almost the equivalent in Hebrew. Nice touch.
At least Israel did get an acknowledgement of its special holiday. Not so fortunate were Christians in the US, where Easter, or at least the national observance of Easter Sunday, went un-proclaimed by the president. If all Christians cherished and acknowledged their faith in the manner of the president, his statement that America is “no longer a Christian nation,” could come to fruition. Israel, Americans, Christians are peculiarly selected for either neglect or denigration in the world presided over by the current US president. I am a glass half full kind of person, so I am taking comfort that, unlike during the reign of some Roman emperors, no Christians in the US have been assigned to be road kill for lions – yet. If it ever comes to saving my body, I am changing the title of my religious affiliation to “Earth Day Changeling.” The president recognizes the “religion” of Earth Day. My life could be spared.
The president may have ignored Easter Sunday, but from reports, the Monday after Easter was going to be a rollicking day of Easter Bunnies, Yoga, eggs and all of the other trimmings of the season. There is no word if arugula was to be part of the menu. The theme of the annual Easter festivities at the White House was “get up and go.” The president may not have succeeded in parting the Red Sea, although he was “the one” for whom we were waiting, or whatever version he had in his inauguration speech. But, could he turn out to be prophetic with that “get up and go” slogan, when November 2012 rolls around? His opponent in the presidential race could turn that slogan around on him.
This article by Mr. Marshall Frank, with its 33 questions for the president, concludes:
“If your presidency is to be so “transparent,” please answer the aforementioned questions so that Americans will feel confident that you have no hidden agenda, that you are as honest as you say, that your are wholly American and we can focus our attentions on important issues, domestic and foreign, without these constant distractions which only one person can clear up: That’s you, Mr. President.”
This just in! Mr. Frank may have just had at least one question answered. More on that later. I have two. I previously asked at least one. Why are the actions taken on behalf of the citizens of the US, somehow always prove to be deleterious to those same citizens, especially to taxpayers? Why for someone born in the US, almost every opportunity is taken to denigrate the US and its people? I am still not perfectly clear on that. Or, it could be that I refuse to believe the evidence, that the actions of the president may have exactly the consequences he intends them to have. Maybe this could all be a hustle, chief among the hustles, a deficit hustle.
I have a theory. Unlike the case with the opening of the vault of Al Capone, the president’s birth certificate vault was opened, and a long form appeared. My theory is that the long form birth certificate was released April 27, 2011 as the president’s way of observing the death of the maker of the Teleprompter, that device that has played such an important role in the president’s life. The Federal Reserve president is holding his own news conference, reportedly the first in the history of this body. Has there been a malfunction in the money printing presses?
What am I to make of a president who allowed a soldier to be tried, incarcerated, lose his pay, his pension and his rank, when this president had the power to put an end to the soldier’s dilemma? I am talking about Ltc. Terry Lakin, whose records are more “transparent” than the president’s. I have formed the opinion of a president who is cold and calculating. I know that the cries of “racism” will probably erupt because this nobody, yours truly, dares to question the motives of the “first black president.” I may not be the first black anything, but I am a black female. On the question of racism, it occurred to me to wonder what actions the president would have taken vis-à-vis the releasing of the birth certificate, if the soldier who had questioned the president’s bona fides had been a black soldier. Would the president have let a “brother” go through this ordeal?
I am not one of the birther brigades, but I am of the opinion that a US citizen who was not born to parents, who are both US citizens, by birth, should never be president of the US. Loyalties become divided. As an aside, those folks who tout the US Constitution as a “living, breathing document” should be made aware that it is being suffocated as we speak, by blatant disregard for its tenets. As another aside, with all due respect, Mr. President, since you took the leap to release the birth certificate, why not let it all hang out – the other records – that is. Show the world the brilliance of your educational and working records. I may still not vote for you, but at least I will know that you are academically qualified to be president. Unless, it is that you and the other politicians paraded throughout this article, resemble the celebrities “indicted” in the article of Doug McIntyre, in which he gives the following summation:
“While the peasants absorb everything from double-digit unemployment to underwater home mortgages to four-dollar-a-gallon gasoline, the celebrated sail above their Twitter followers in G4's, immune to life's slings and arrows.”
My fellow peasants, we had all better wake up and more carefully scrutinize these folks for whom we are casting our votes. This country is in serious trouble. Even if we try to drown our sorrows with our opiate of choice, including living vicariously through “celebrities,” we still have to wake up in the morning. The national nightmare will still be there. As for the other celebrities, including the future king and queen of England, I no longer pay attention to your goings and comings. Life has become its own reality show. As Mr. McIntyre did, I wish the royals well. I will not be following the news reports of the ceremonies. I will probably be watching reruns of The Rifleman, from an era when men were men – even on screen.
The parade of “higher behavior” begins with this article about “Rahm's Retaliation,” which I read in disbelief – almost. Here is a gentleman who, one would think, should have reached the point in his political life, where he would learn to at least try out magnanimity, given his notoriety for “public outbursts and vulgar language.” He was placed back on the ballot to become mayor. He achieved the office or had it thrust upon him. Chill out. Turn over a new leaf. Yeah, I know – “nice guys finish last.” $50,000 for his inaugural ball? Denied access to reporters? Is this a mayor or an emperor? Mayor Rahm quipped that his family stated that he does not look good in a toga. He might try sackcloth of humility. Good luck, Chicago. You made your “Rahm.” Now lie in it.
The Terminator/Governator left the governor’s mansion in California, and unlike the movie Terminator, he will not be back, right? According to this Daily News article, at least one family will not be willing to welcome him back. One of his last acts as California Emperor, er governor was to reduce the already lenient sentence of the son of one of his political pals. The family of the victim is rightly incensed that the governator did not even bother to inform family members that the convicted murderer of the family’s son was going to have his sentence almost halved. I hate to be the one to break it to the family, but emperors do not have to give prior notice of decisions or apologize for those decisions. Yep, “of course you help a friend,” as the governor succinctly stated. The wronged family should count its blessings that it was not thrown in jail as could have happened Roman times – for daring to question the actions of an emperor?
Senator Schumer showed that he is a quick study in learning the appropriate terms to denigrate the opposition:
“I always use the word ‘extreme’...That is what the caucus instructed me to use this week.”
I know about strategy sessions, planning, use of verbiage, and all of the other expressions used to indicate what tactics will have the most effect in attacking the “enemy.” But, that sentence above is disturbing. It goes beyond mere subterfuge. Well, Sen. Schumer, pretend that I am with the caucus and follow my instructions to the letter: “Stop the damn spending because it has gotten to be extreme!” And while you are at it, learn some humility and apologize for your boorish behavior. Who am I kidding? Being a senator, means never having to say that you are sorry. Politicians are secure in calculating that the masochists, also known as voters, will forget by next election cycle and vote the same politicians, who wronged them, right back in. These citizens/masochists will always remember the last bone thrown their way, forgetting that the bone had flesh previously feasted on by the politicians, before “sharing” those leftovers.
The Washington Post provided an equation of US Senators equals Chinese junket. Having gone through that arduous budget process, some Senators decided to extend their bi-partisan efforts by going on a weeklong trip to China. Are they brushing up on how real emperors operate? They are probably paying homage to the de facto owners of the US. One would think that after borrowing so much from China, that there would not be a need for an “information trip throughout China.” Other Senators are having stopovers in Hong Kong and North Korea. It takes a special person to be a politician. In which other occupation can one hold the job for a few years, get great health care, staffers to read, write and think for one, get a full pension, and buildings named after you?
I saved the best for last. The president should be given his due, in managing to make derogatory remarks about yet another group of Americans. Calling all “slugs,” also known as government workers – according to your president! Report for duty and try to do some work. In all fairness to the president, this slip up probably should be attributed to “Teleprompter Tom,” the pet name I gave to the president’s Teleprompter. If “T-Tom” had been programmed to function beyond spitting out the scripted words for regurgitation, “he” would be able to control the spontaneous remarks and sanitize them before they are released from the mouth of the president. Another excuse that could be used to exculpate the president is the fact that, as the article states “the 50 or so Democrats giving the maximum contribution got a little something extra for their $38,000 and change.” At least they were not called idiots or slugs for paying $38,000 for one meal. Some folks work all year and do not rake in that amount. On the other hand, the president did give those donors a $12,000 discount. If they had gone to the Rahm hoedown in Chicago, they would have had to shell out $50,000.
I am trying to get a handle on these Signing Statements. Are they in reality a tool for the president to act like an emperor, without the title of emperor? The Congress sends a bill for his signature. He, or his staff, reads it. He, or his staff, decides to ignore parts of it. He does so by signing a statement that essentially states: “You twerps in Congress, I choose not to sign this part of your bill, and there is nothing that you can do about it. Have a nice day.” I guess we cannot be too hard on the president for refusing to give up his czars. It would be like a toddler being forced to give up his “blankie.” I am going to have to apologize for my uncontrolled fits of laughter when I read the following quote, attributed to then Senator Obama:
“We’re not going to use signing statements as a way of doing an end-run around Congress.”
Yep, it does take a special person to be a politician. The politician in the White House managed to poke the nation of Israel in the eye – once again. Jews were celebrating Passover as usual, as a celebration of freedom from bondage, an occasion specific to Israel. Only a special politician could take that occasion and work in a tribute to Muslims with their “social transformation and liberation unfolding in the Middle East and North Africa.” Instead of telling Israel to “have a nice day,” he told them almost the equivalent in Hebrew. Nice touch.
At least Israel did get an acknowledgement of its special holiday. Not so fortunate were Christians in the US, where Easter, or at least the national observance of Easter Sunday, went un-proclaimed by the president. If all Christians cherished and acknowledged their faith in the manner of the president, his statement that America is “no longer a Christian nation,” could come to fruition. Israel, Americans, Christians are peculiarly selected for either neglect or denigration in the world presided over by the current US president. I am a glass half full kind of person, so I am taking comfort that, unlike during the reign of some Roman emperors, no Christians in the US have been assigned to be road kill for lions – yet. If it ever comes to saving my body, I am changing the title of my religious affiliation to “Earth Day Changeling.” The president recognizes the “religion” of Earth Day. My life could be spared.
The president may have ignored Easter Sunday, but from reports, the Monday after Easter was going to be a rollicking day of Easter Bunnies, Yoga, eggs and all of the other trimmings of the season. There is no word if arugula was to be part of the menu. The theme of the annual Easter festivities at the White House was “get up and go.” The president may not have succeeded in parting the Red Sea, although he was “the one” for whom we were waiting, or whatever version he had in his inauguration speech. But, could he turn out to be prophetic with that “get up and go” slogan, when November 2012 rolls around? His opponent in the presidential race could turn that slogan around on him.
This article by Mr. Marshall Frank, with its 33 questions for the president, concludes:
“If your presidency is to be so “transparent,” please answer the aforementioned questions so that Americans will feel confident that you have no hidden agenda, that you are as honest as you say, that your are wholly American and we can focus our attentions on important issues, domestic and foreign, without these constant distractions which only one person can clear up: That’s you, Mr. President.”
This just in! Mr. Frank may have just had at least one question answered. More on that later. I have two. I previously asked at least one. Why are the actions taken on behalf of the citizens of the US, somehow always prove to be deleterious to those same citizens, especially to taxpayers? Why for someone born in the US, almost every opportunity is taken to denigrate the US and its people? I am still not perfectly clear on that. Or, it could be that I refuse to believe the evidence, that the actions of the president may have exactly the consequences he intends them to have. Maybe this could all be a hustle, chief among the hustles, a deficit hustle.
I have a theory. Unlike the case with the opening of the vault of Al Capone, the president’s birth certificate vault was opened, and a long form appeared. My theory is that the long form birth certificate was released April 27, 2011 as the president’s way of observing the death of the maker of the Teleprompter, that device that has played such an important role in the president’s life. The Federal Reserve president is holding his own news conference, reportedly the first in the history of this body. Has there been a malfunction in the money printing presses?
What am I to make of a president who allowed a soldier to be tried, incarcerated, lose his pay, his pension and his rank, when this president had the power to put an end to the soldier’s dilemma? I am talking about Ltc. Terry Lakin, whose records are more “transparent” than the president’s. I have formed the opinion of a president who is cold and calculating. I know that the cries of “racism” will probably erupt because this nobody, yours truly, dares to question the motives of the “first black president.” I may not be the first black anything, but I am a black female. On the question of racism, it occurred to me to wonder what actions the president would have taken vis-à-vis the releasing of the birth certificate, if the soldier who had questioned the president’s bona fides had been a black soldier. Would the president have let a “brother” go through this ordeal?
I am not one of the birther brigades, but I am of the opinion that a US citizen who was not born to parents, who are both US citizens, by birth, should never be president of the US. Loyalties become divided. As an aside, those folks who tout the US Constitution as a “living, breathing document” should be made aware that it is being suffocated as we speak, by blatant disregard for its tenets. As another aside, with all due respect, Mr. President, since you took the leap to release the birth certificate, why not let it all hang out – the other records – that is. Show the world the brilliance of your educational and working records. I may still not vote for you, but at least I will know that you are academically qualified to be president. Unless, it is that you and the other politicians paraded throughout this article, resemble the celebrities “indicted” in the article of Doug McIntyre, in which he gives the following summation:
“While the peasants absorb everything from double-digit unemployment to underwater home mortgages to four-dollar-a-gallon gasoline, the celebrated sail above their Twitter followers in G4's, immune to life's slings and arrows.”
My fellow peasants, we had all better wake up and more carefully scrutinize these folks for whom we are casting our votes. This country is in serious trouble. Even if we try to drown our sorrows with our opiate of choice, including living vicariously through “celebrities,” we still have to wake up in the morning. The national nightmare will still be there. As for the other celebrities, including the future king and queen of England, I no longer pay attention to your goings and comings. Life has become its own reality show. As Mr. McIntyre did, I wish the royals well. I will not be following the news reports of the ceremonies. I will probably be watching reruns of The Rifleman, from an era when men were men – even on screen.
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