Bush's America

For the record, I watched his little speech last night. It was better than I expected, though I laughed aloud when he said that he was "asking congress to fund" something. Yeah, he can fund immigration pandering when his polls drop, but can't find funding for foster care or environmental regulation.

One of the things that concerns me about Bush is how well he and Rove and Cheney have been able to constantly redefine what truth is. And they are so very effective at calling on American exceptionalism to shore up their troops, so they reaffirm the notion that America is unique and special and right. So, any fundamental alterations in how our system works go largely unnoticed by those who still believe Bush consults God for every major decision.

For example, this ABC report suggesting that the administration is using phone numbers to root out leaks.

"A senior federal law enforcement official tells ABC News the government is tracking the phone numbers we (Brian Ross and Richard Esposito) call in an effort to root out confidential sources.

'It's time for you to get some new cell phones, quick,' the source told us in an in-person conversation."

Remember, this same administration found it conveninent to out a CIA agent who was working to stop nuclear proliferation to fucking Iran. That's right, they used a leak to send a political version of a horses head to a critic of the war. But when their own inhumanity is exposed--when we find out about torture, or gulags, or wiretapping--those leaks must be exposed, And along the way, why not wipe out the free press? Make sure that those few who actually do reporting are so intimidated or imprisoned that the media becomes exactly what Colbert suggested--people who write down what the President says and prints it.

My experience with Americans on this suggests that they will look at this and A) assume that Clinton must have done just as bad, and B) decide that the news media is so biased against conservatives and Christians that it needs to be intimidated, or C) just not care because America is still the greatest country where you can be free....

One more note in this rant. I am a big fan of the Law & Order, so have picked up a few of the legalese phrases. One of my favorites is the "fruit of the poisonous tree," which means evidence that may have been gathered legally, but was found because of some illegal search or other violation. In other words, it is finding the bloody glove with OJ's DNA, but having to throw it out because they tortured a guy to find out where the glove was.

From a conservative standpoint--and I mean a truly conservative standpoint where you actually believe the Constitution--all of these actions are very dangerous because they ultimately undermine the very judicial system that makes us unique. If this administration was not so arrogant, it might recognize that dotting a few i's and crossing a few t's to ensure oversight and legitimacy could go a long way for them politically and for us systemically. The Data mining of phone records might be a great idea, but it should not be a unilateral decision by King George. Evesdropping on terrorists calling from Yemen is a great idea, but not without some oversight. How do we know, given what we know, that Bush and Rove haven't already used this technology to spy on political opponents?

Democracy is a fragile thing. It is worth nurturing and protecting. Bush isn't doing that. In fact, he has written over 750 times that he doesn't have to protect and nurture that--he is above the law. He is bigger than democracy. He answers only to God.

Our President's military

It has always amazed me that military people continue to support Bush. I have nothing against the military and have a great respect for people who serve, but their willingness to ignore Bush's anti-military stance bothers me. Here are just a few examples of how this President and Rummy have completely undermined the very military they use for political power.
The Washington Monthly points to a Wall Street Journal article where a retired General points out how ridiculous the President's lie of "if the Generals want more troops, we will give them more troops."

"Today Gen. Batiste says the encounter left him furious with Mr. Rumsfeld. 'We had fought and argued about these issues internally ad nauseam and a decision had been made ... . You get what you get and do the best you can. I am not going to air our dirty laundry in public. That is our culture,' he says. 'It was an outrageous question and he knew I couldn't give him an honest answer in a public forum. I felt as though I had been used politically.'"

Or as we await our President's obvious political ploy to use national guard troops to guard the border, this story that the Army is so strapped that they are sending out troops who are either suicidal or completely emotionally and mentally unstable. That isn't right.

This morning, I listened to Diane Rheme on my way home from Yoga. A guy from the national guard was talking about our President's military policy. He really hates (as do I) the way that this President and Cheney sold this war as an easy venture. He was critical of those who want to withdraw, but also noted that there should be alternatives. I really understand that. As horrified as I have been with the implementation of this war, I am afraid that complete withdrawal will have far more negative consequences than staying. But staying should be with a serious plan. He said something about locking 10 of the brightest minds in a room until they come up with some ideas. As he said, "America should have more choices than George W. Bush or Cindy Sheehan."

OU and OSU agree

The Simpsons episode tonight addressed the teaching of creation "science." Unfortunately, the public dialogue on this subject has been lacking and I am very glad that the Zoology departments from OU and OSU have spoken out about evolution being a fact. Our society likes to create false opposites under the guise of fairness (as Norman's own state representative illustrates in this story) where any alternative explanation is an equally valid explanation.

The Norman Transcript - 'Where we stand': "Ola Fincke, zoology professor who drew up the original draft of the statement, said calling evolution a "fact" probably surprises many in the public. However, she said it is the sole explanation for organism creation that can be tested, but has not been proven wrong.

"There is no valid alternative to evolution," Fincke said."

Presenting Intelligent Design or Creation as science is intellectually dishonest and misleading. Intelligent Design is about faith. Evolution is about science. I don't see what is so difficult about that.

Finally, a sane word on the ACLU

Stephen Carter takes on the conservative christian mantra of demonizing the ACLU. Along the way, there are a few challenging words for liberals like myself. Good reminders.

The ACLU Is Not Evil - Christianity Today Magazine: "I spend most of my driving time nowadays listening to Christian radio. Most of what I hear is edifying and uplifting. But now and then a genuine clunker comes along, often in the form of a politically active Christian who derides anyone who disagrees with his version of biblical wisdom. One of the nastiest words, at least for many radio preachers, seems to be liberal.

Now, I have often been described as a liberal myself--although rarely by liberals. Once, after I gave a talk at a small Christian college in the Bible Belt, a concerned student carrying one of my books approached me. He had enjoyed the lecture, he assured me, but something in my book troubled him. He flipped to a page on which I had complimented something President Bill Clinton had said. The student then turned to me, the look of worry still on his face, and told me I must have written this because I was, really, a liberal. This student believed it was impossible for the good guys--the way he said liberal told me that liberals were not among them--to say anything positive about President Clinton.

The host of a popular syndicated Christian radio program once told me that he had received death threats--not just a few, but a lot--during the Clinton administration. His sin? Reminding listeners of their obligation to pray for those God had placed in positions of authority, whether or not they happened to agree with their policies."

Dammit. When I agree with these guys, what does that mean?

Joe Scarborough on the NSA data mining (even though the Prez assured it wasn't data mining--it is most definately data mining) : "But no less so the conservatives who have fought national ID cards and gun registration for years out of fear of big government."

And Newt? Are you kidding me?

Newt Gingrich: "I'm not going to defend the indefensible. The Bush administration has an obligation to level with the American people. And I'm prepared to defend a very aggressive anti-terrorist campaign, and I'm prepared to defend the idea that the government ought to know who's making the calls, as long as that information is only used against terrorists, and as long as the Congress knows that it's underway.
But I don't think the way they've handled this can be defended by reasonable people. It is sloppy. It is contradictory, and frankly for normal Americans, it makes no sense to listen to these three totally different explanations."

Protest music

A friend gave me Neil Young's album yesterday. It isn't too bad. Some good songs. The one that everyone has been talking about is the one calling for the impeachment of the president. Musically it is ok. The lyrics are better.

Neil Young Let's Impeach the President

Let's impeach the president for lyin'
Misleading our country into war
Abusing all the power that we gave him
And shipping all our money out the door

Who's the man who hired all the criminals
The white house shadows who hide behind closed doors
And bend the facts to fit with their new story
Of why we have to send out men to war

Let's impeach the president for spyin'
On citizens inside their own homes
Breaking every law in the country
By tapping our computers and telephones

What is Al Queda blew up the levees
Would New Orleans have been safer that way?
Sheltered by our government's protection
Or was someone just not home that day?

Flip...
Flop...
Flip...
Flop...
Flip...

Let's impeach the president for hijacking
Our religion and using it to get elected
Dividing our country into colors
And still leaving black people neglected

Thank God he's crackin' down on steroids
Since he sold his old baseball team
There's lots of people lookin' at big trouble
But of course the president is clean

Thank God
Thank God
Thank God
Thank God...

Christian Nationalism

Salon.com's own Michelle Goldberg has written a book on Christian reconstructionism. You can read an excerpt at Salon after you watch an ad. What bothers me is that I know many, many conservative Christians who don't believe this stuff. But they defend Tim Lahaye, Delay and even Falwell and seem to be unaware of the kinds of programs these people promote. They speak highly of Roy Moore, but don't understand what kind of racist he is.

Anyway. Read on, if you dare:

"Those who don't have a year to spare can attend one of more than a dozen Worldview Weekend conferences held every year in churches nationwide. Popular speakers include the revisionist Christian nationalist historian David Barton, David Limbaugh (Rush's born-again brother), and evangelical former sitcom star Kirk Cameron. In 2003, Tom DeLay was a featured speaker at a Worldview Weekend at Rick Scarborough's former church in Pearland, Texas. He told the crowd, 'Only Christianity offers a comprehensive worldview that covers all areas of life and thought, every aspect of creation. Only Christianity offers a way to live in response to the realities that we find in this world. Only Christianity.'

Speaking to outsiders, most Christian nationalists say they're simply responding to anti-Christian persecution. They say that secularism is itself a religion, one unfairly imposed on them. They say they're the victims in the culture wars. But Christian nationalist ideologues don't want equality, they want dominance. In his book 'The Changing of the Guard: Biblical Principles for Political Action,' George Grant, former executive director of D. James Kennedy's Coral Ridge Ministries, wrote:

'Christians have an obligation, a mandate, a commission, a holy responsibility to reclaim the land for Jesus Christ -- to have dominion in civil structures, just as in every other aspect of life and godliness.
"But it is dominion we are after.
Not just a voice.
It is dominion we are after. Not just influence.
It is dominion we are after. Not just equal time.
It is dominion we are after.
World conquest. That's what Christ has commissioned us to accomplish. We must win the world with the power of the Gospel. And we must never settle for anything less...
Thus, Christian politics has as its primary intent the conquest of the land -- of men, families, institutions, bureaucracies, courts, and governments for the Kingdom of Christ.'"

Josh Marshall says Bush down to 29%

by comparison, during impeachment much demonized Clinton was

"1/1998 Approve 58%
Disapprove 29%"

This needs to stop

I hope I am over-reacting to this NSA database issue. I hope that the Bush supporters are right. But since we have no hearings or investigations by our congress, we really don't know, do we? The same people who assured us that they knew where the wmd were and that we would be greeted as liberators want us to just trust them.

[BTW, I just realized one very personal area where I have seen this shit before. My church split after I left college. It split because they had called a real dirt bag as a pastor. A real idiot. Not only was he one of the worst preachers I ever heard, he was, by all accounts a wife abuser. Many people in that church recognized they had made a huge error in calling him. But a good half of the church felt that since God had "led" them to call him, who were they to question God? It feels like a good many Americans feel the same way about Bush. Perhaps this is just one of the reasons I am skeptical when someone assures me they know what God believes on any given subject. But as bad as it was for a church, it is horrible for a country.]

Ok, I know I have a relatively small audience here. But some of you also blog and know other people. I am asking that we all take a few minutes and call our representatives. I just did. Better yet, since both senators didn't even want to know my name, take 5-10 minutes and write a hand-written note asking for some investigation into this President. I don't care if you are Republican or Democrat, we all live under a system of laws, and we all know that we elect a president not a king.

With all respect, ask that we simply exercise checks and balances.

Bush prefers criminals

Watched Olbermann last night and listened to constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley discussing our system. He suggests that our checks and balances have deteriorated under this presidency and this congress--especially this congress because they refuse to even investigate this president.

"Turley: Well, first of all this President's theory of his power I think is now so extreme that it's unprecedented. He believes that he has the inherent authority to violate federal law. He has said that. Not just the signing statements and the infamous torture memo-that Alberto Gonzales signed. It was stated that he could in some circumstances order federal officials to violate federal law and this is consistent across the board with this President. Frankly, I'm not too sure what he thought he was swearing to when he took the oath of office to uphold the Constitution and our laws. I've never seen a President who is so uncomfortable in his constitutional skin."

So we have a president who seems to scoff at the law. Turley compares Bush to the mob in that he seems to reward law breakers.

"Despite the vocal surprise, Hayden's nomination is actually all too predictable. While alleged violations of federal laws have long been viewed as a negative resume item, it doesn't appear to be a problem for Bush's inner circle. From his very first appointments, Bush appeared inclined toward officials who appear willing to treat the law as a mere technicality."

And for those who continue to say this is nothing, take a look at this story: NSA has massive database of Americans' phone calls

"The National Security Agency has been secretly collecting the phone call records of tens of millions of Americans, using data provided by AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth, people with direct knowledge of the arrangement told USA TODAY.
The NSA program reaches into homes and businesses across the nation by amassing information about the calls of ordinary Americans %u2014 most of whom aren't suspected of any crime. This program does not involve the NSA listening to or recording conversations. But the spy agency is using the data to analyze calling patterns in an effort to detect terrorist activity, sources said in separate interviews."

Motherhood in America; and other items of the day.

I think this is an important issue--and one that receives political attention but not political action. I posted a link to the Manifesto story the other day, but here Ruth Rosen addresses it with even more context. First, she clearly reaffirms what we need to not forget--that despite all the language of family values and our adoration of motherhood, we as a country do not adequately help either mothers or children--especially if they are in the poor category.

But Rosen also does a nice little recap of the history of Mother's day:

"Let me take you on a brief tour of this holiday's history. Mother’s Day began as a day to commemorate women’s public activism, not as the celebration of one individual mother’s devotion to her own family. In 1858, Anna Reeve Jarvis organized Mother’s Work Days in West Virginia. Her immediate goal was to improve sanitation in Appalachian communities."

******

Speaking of a divide between our rhetoric and reality, evidently America is second to last in infant mortality among industrial nations: "CHICAGO - America may be the world's superpower, but its survival rate for newborn babies ranks near the bottom among modern nations, better only than Latvia."

******

Much ink and cyberprint has been devoted to the problems of the Religious right--some of that here at Streak's blog. (Just a little). But Andrew Sullivan presents a very thoughtful critique of the problem here

"What to do about it? The worst response, I think, would be to construct something called the religious left. Many of us who are Christians and not supportive of the religious right are not on the left either. In fact, we are opposed to any politicization of the Gospels by any party, Democratic or Republican, by partisan black churches or partisan white ones. 'My kingdom is not of this world,' Jesus insisted. What part of that do we not understand?"

*****

So, we find out that our HUD secretary refused a contract to someone who was not a Bush supporter. And this isn't speculation. The man admitted it.

Talking Points Memo: by Joshua Micah Marshall May 9, 2006 03:39 PM: "Just as interesting was Jackson's follow-on statement in which shows his understanding of how government contracting works: political supporters get contracts so they can pump a percentage of the profits back into the political party. Standard machine politics, at best. Organized bribery, at worst. And whatever you want to call it, the guiding principle of all contracting and government spending in the second Bush administration.

Said Jackson: 'He didn't get the contract. Why should I reward someone who doesn't like the president, so they can use funds to try to campaign against the president? Logic says they don't get the contract. That's the way I believe.'"

Update: The HUD office now says that he wasn't being serious--that he was speaking hypothetical. Josh Marshall has a post suggesting that the scenario Jackson described suggests that the contract offer broke down when possibly Jackson asked the recipient for a campaign contribution. Otherwise, how would this subject even come up?

*****

Saw a streaming video of the Dixie Chicks at Amazon with some of one of their other songs. They sound good, and I am looking forward to this cd. Last week I picked up Alejandro Escovedo's first studio album in some 6 years and like it very much.

Question: has anyone here purchased the Neil Young protest album? I know, I know, I can hear it streaming at his site, but that is inconvenient for me. I just want to know if it is worth buying beyond the voting with my feet/dollars.

*****

I will return to a couple of subjects as I finish up some grading. The mock-interview with Dobson came out of some thinking about how conservatives might view the sovereignty of God. I am also working on a followup to the Springsteen post and my Oklahoma roots.

My interview with Dobson

Streak sits down with James Dobson.

S: Greetings, Mr. Dobson.

D: That's "Doctor" Dobson. And greetings, liberal blogging dog.

S: Why did you decide to sit down with me, Doc?

D: I have to get something off my chest. It is time for me to come out of the closet.

S: Do you mean--?

D: That's right, I am rich and powerful.

S: But we knew that sir.

D: You may have assumed, but I am tired of hiding my economic orientation. I was born to be rich and powerful and I am not going to pretend that I wasn't.

S: So, are you saying that wealth is biologically determined?

D: I am saying that God determines (in his wisdom) who is rich and who is poor. I came here to speak with you because it is the liberal blogging dogs who attack me so vociferously for my wealth and power. It is a perverted form of bigotry and I am fighting back. I am tired of being accused of sinning just because I live with more money than you will ever see and can call the President on the phone.

S: Some do think that the Bible is hard on wealth. What do you say to that?

D: All of those passages must be seen in a certain context. The Bible was written in a time where the richest were evil and anti-Christian. Of course, Jesus gave them a hard time. But we know more about wealth now. We know more about people.

S: Hmm

D: We have learned from creation scientists that God "creates" things--they don't just happen. Therefore, God decided that some can be wealth and others can't. Kind of like deciding skin color. God just chose that on his own.

S: Or like being Gay?

D: No, liberal blogging dog. Of course people choose to be gay. Creation scientists have shown that too. And the Bible is clear that is wrong.

S: So, you see yourself as a leader of this persecuted group and you have an agenda to speak out?

D: Exactly. There have even been people within churches who used to criticize wealth as if people chose their economic orientation. Fortunately, not only have most conservative churches started embracing wealth, but they are wealthy themselves. Which really proves us right.

S: So, wealthy people have had a tough time? And need their own civil rights movement, if you will?

D: Of course. It has been very tough for my people throughout history. The French Revolution. [Winces in pain] They killed some of us then. Took away our property. Even here in America there have been those who like to demonize us. Every election cycle, we become easy targets for candidates trying to scare liberals to the polls.

S: But we shouldn't be afraid?

D: Of course not. Rich people are just like you and me. Kind of. They are your neighbors and friends. Well. Not really. Unless you are already wealthy. But we are normal people, trying to buy second and third houses and drive in the largest cars we can afford.

S: What about fears that you are trying to recruit children?

D: That is just ridiculous. Of course, we try to encourage those who have been annointed by God to enjoy their wealth. But if you are born poor, you will stay there. No recruiting will change that. [chuckles]

People just need to accept us for who we are. [fights back tears] But we shall overcome. Someday. [Raises fist above his head] But for now we need to be bold: We're Rich and we're here. Get used to it!

More music

Today, we picked up Bruce Springsteen's We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions: Music: Bruce Springsteen and have spent a few hours listening and watching the dvd portion.

At times, with the "Erie Canal," or the old spiritual, "O Mary Don't you Weep" it is as good as it gets. When he plays "Shenandoah" it is hard not to weep openly.

On a personal note, I had a family connection listening to Bruce's version of "My Oklahoma Home." The Streak's came through Arkansas and Oklahoma over a hundred years ago. They settled in the strip area and spread out to cause problems throughout Oklahoma. Returning here has a familiar sense. Listening to the music of Oklahoma's past also has a familiar sense.

These are my people. This is my history. This is my past. Good and bad.

Anyway. Music has that ability to connect us all to the past, present and the spiritual.

O Mary, Don't You Weep

O Mary, don't you weep, don't you mourn
O Mary, don't you weep, don't you mourn
Pharaoh's army get drownded
O Mary, don't you weep

Well Mary wore 3 links of chain
on every link was a Jesus' name
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep

Well Moses stood on the Red Sea shore
And smote' the water with a two by four
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep

We shall overcome. Indeed.

Family values

As our friend MS noted, being a mother in America is not necessarily an easy venture. For all the pandering about family values and obsession with children, the reality is that if you aren't middle class or above, a pregnancy is a huge challenge to your economic world.

Help America's Mothers and Families Now! | Moms Rising

Friday music

A few songs on my walk into school:

1) Gemma Hayes "Work to a Calm"
2) Cowboy Junkies, "Misguided Angel (live)"
3) Jayhawks, "In my wildest Dreams"
4) Nickel Creek, "Best of Luck"
5) New Pornographers, "Use It"
6) Alejandro Escovedo, "Pissed off 2 AM"
7) Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, "The Angel's Share"

Friday morning roundup

As everyone knows, I am sure, Zacarias Moussaoui received a life sentence instead of the death penalty. I was shocked at this verdict, since I assumed that the jury would jump at the chance to execute someone who wanted to take credit for part of 9-11. America, at times, seems to have a real bloodlust, and seems to enjoy capital punishment. But at least three jurors proved me wrong, and I think this verdict is a victory for our American way of life. As this columnist suggested:

The U.S. won the more important victory. Jurors showed that,
in a civilized nation where law reigns over savagery, the
government must prove to 12 people that, beyond a reasonable
doubt, the accused should die.
They demonstrated that citizens will spend days sifting
through evidence and examining their consciences to reach the
right decision. They showed that the urge for vengeance doesn't
always trump a rational assessment of the evidence.

That is a good thing. I always thought that our response to Bin Laden and his thugs had to be that we valued our system and our laws and our moral values more than we hated them. Let's hope this is the start of a good conversation on what we stand for.

*****

Later in that same piece, Woolner suggests that the government went after Moussaoui, not because they had the best case against him, but because the other suspects had been tortured and that would come out in a public trial.

When you think of the damage this administration has done to America, it boggles the mind. I am sure this isn't the first time that Americans tortured people and couldn't use it at trial. But it does appear to be the first time that an administration has tried to justify and allow torture.

*****

One more thing on the death penalty. I am sure there are some lamenting that Moussaoui will live out his life in prison, and they probably think I am some kind of bleeding heart liberal who cares more for this idiot's life than I do for those who died in 9-11. They couldn't be more wrong. I just know that killing this idiot won't help. Not only that, but I also understand that America has forgotten a pretty ancient punishment, that in its own way, is far more powerful--shunning.

In this case, we had the choice between what Bush wanted which would have made Moussaoui a martyr and well-known throughout the terrorist world in a way that he probably never was or could have been as a terrorist, or we can have him languish in jail and push him out of our minds. We have the option and the choice to forget about him and not talk about him. And he will be aware of that. That is pretty strong punishment, if you ask me.

*****

Evidently, even conservatives are starting to dislike Bush. Well, at least 45 percent of them. But that is certainly not good news for the man.

Just 33 percent of the public approves of Bush's job performance, the lowest of his presidency. That compares with 36 percent approval in early April. Forty-five percent of self-described conservatives now disapprove of the president.

National Day of Funk

Admittedly, Thursday's have been down days for me this year. Down in multiple ways--a day of rest and sometimes a day of brooding introspection. Today was both. I drove around for some errands and flipped through the stations. Happened across Dobson and heard him interviewing Henry Blackaby, who you might recall from one of my earlier rants on this. I have to run to a reception, so will keep this brief.

But through this interview and all the other crap on religious radio ran the theme that God really prefers Americans and has through our history. This day of prayer is not about others, but about us. Replete were references to God Bless America and calls to pray for the President "no matter what your political beliefs are." Not once in this admittedly small sample did I ever hear a voice of concern for our putative enemies or even the less fortunate around the world. Not once. Oh, they love the passages from the OT where God does some smiting, but when some radical starts talking about peace and enemies, the Bible "needs to be read in context."

From Matthew: "'You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?"

God Bless America? No. May God bless us all.

Sin: cont.

Thanks to Anglican for this, but here is a great little example of how the ten commandments have become more weapon than shared confession.

Short version: Stigler, Oklahoma erects ten commandments monument on their courthouse at the behest of a local pastor. Monument not only seems like an idol, but misspells adultery for number 7.

The Friar (blog owner) extends a lot of grace to the pastor for his belief that God called him to do this and that his motives were essentially good. I will leave that up to him. But this does expose a clear problem with the current ten commandment controversy.

The Christians in Stigler don't seem to have noticed the error, because the ten commandments statue/monument/idol is not for them. Much like the school prayer debate, nothing is stopping the concerned Christians from reading the commandments, or praying, or studying the Bible. It seems clear that their intent is to make others do these things.

And that is the problem.

America worship?

Perhaps I am alone on this, but I find the entire hubbub over the National Anthem in Spanish a trivial and unimportant event. Not only that, but it reminds me of the flag worship waving that occurs during elections, flag burning debates, and periods of zenophobia.

People act as if our flag, pledge and anthem are the foundations of our culture. They aren't. Not even close. They are simple (and sometimes powerful) symbols of our country. But the foundation is our Constitution that supports free speech, assembly, religious practice, and the rule of law (last part not applicable in Bush America). Our constitution is the envy of many, and clearly a brilliant document. The flag? Manufactured in China and other places by exploited labor. The anthem? A former drinking song and musically marginal piece (imho). Not trivial, but not the point either. Our system is what separates us, not our damn anthem. Hell, if we have to compete there, the French anthem beats ours hands-down.

This symbol worship always scares me as it has fascist overtones. After all, it certainly doesn't require a democratic system to produce flag-waving, nation-chanting crowds of people.

Let's keep our eye on the ball. Our governmental system is worth protecting. Get mad about Bush ignoring 750 laws that he signed. Get mad that the NSA is wiretapping people without warrants. Someone singing the National Anthem in Spanish shouldn't even make the news.

Update. Check the comments. Mary and I both added links to show that a) this is far from the first time that the National Anthem has been sung in Spanish. The government (ours) commissioned just such a thing in 1919, and Bush himself had the anthem sung at his first inaugural and sang it himself one time--yes, in Spanish. Seriously, I am starting to wonder if these guys can tell the truth at all.

Bush angry, says Colbert is a doody head

Ok, not really. But Shakespeare's Sister links to a US News story that says the President was angered by a comedy routine that accurately reflects his presidency.

"Comedy Central star Stephen Colbert's biting routine at the White House Correspondents Association dinner won a rare silent protest from Bush aides and supporters Saturday when several independently left before he finished.'Colbert crossed the line,' said one top Bush aide, who rushed out of the hotel as soon as Colbert finished. Another said that the president was visibly angered by the sharp lines that kept coming.'I've been there before, and I can see that he is [angry],' said a former top aide. 'He's got that look that he's ready to blow.'"

Again, I would have some sympathy but I still remember just how arrogant this President and his people were when their support numbers were in the 70s. What goes around comes around. He who sows the wind, reaps the whirlwind.