House Republicans Pass New Budget-Massive Social Program Cuts Countered By More Tax Breaks

The veteran sees the nation going down the toilet. It's headed that way, and I dare anyone to refute that with hard evidence. The House today passed a new budget that somehow seems to contradict itself. This budget will make massive cuts to social programs, such as Medicaid, student financial aid, government pensions, etc. That alone, while painful to many Americans, might have really helped to turn the economy around (assuming that no one got sick and everyone could already afford college tuition). However, on top of this, they're also trying to push through $106 billion dollars in further tax cuts. Friends, we already pay lower taxes per capita than the vast majority of industrialized nations on the planet. How badly do your taxes hurt you? Hey, Bill Gates! Do taxes really kick you in the wallet each year? Are you on food stamps? No, I didn't think so. No offense to my example, Mr. Gates, but that's where the cuts are going to go. Michael Moore will have the opportunity to write another friendly thank-you letter to President Bush for his tax break, and that means he'll have more money to contribute to non-neocon candidates! YAY! Seriously, folks, we're screwed. We're getting to the point where the economy is starting to hit a downhill slide from which we might not recover. Once again, 'It's the economy, stupid!'

Let's Talk About Condi and Terrorism

From Knight Ridder's Washington bureau: The annual international terrorism report for 2004 has been cancelled. The question in front of us, dear readers, it "Why? Why would they cancel a report on international terrorism, a report that might draw public interest?" The veteran will tell you why. The Bush administration wrote a check that they couldn't cash. The fabled 'war on terrorism' is a losing battle. Let's talk about terrorism, in general, for a moment. When the planes crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field, President Bush called for a mighty campaign to eradicate terrorism from the face of the earth. Where is the problem in this, you may ask? Well, the administration's dirty little war propoganda makes it seem like terrorism is a new thing; the propoganda makes it seem like Al Qaeda's little charade is the most horrible terrorist threat in history, led by the most dangerous terrorist leader in the world. Friends, this is a misleading and inaccurate idea. Terrorism, much like war, has been around as long as mankind has stalked the earth. Does the veteran back up Bin Laden's little jihad? HELL NO. Osama Bin Laden is a right bastard, and that's a nice way of putting it. Is his organization the worst or only terrorist organization in the history of the world? ANOTHER HELL NO! How about guerilla fighters in Viet Nam? How about Stalin's little killing teams that made communism in a country as large as Russia possible? How about our own Ku Klux Klan and other private militia groups in the United States that propogate violence against people based on race, gender, and religion? The veteran is willing to bet that since the advent of the hand-held weapon, there have been at least a thousand terrorist groups in the world at any given time. George Bush and Condoleeza Rice would like to impress upon us, the American People, that terrorism will die with Al Qaeda and Iraqi insurgents. They don't want us to read about the some 635 SIGNIFICANT terrorist attacks in 2004, not counting those made by Iraqi insurgerents. No nation on Earth, I repeat, NO NATION ON EARTH possesses the financial or military resources to eradicate terrorism completely. Sorry, folks, it's not gonna happen. The National Counterterrorism Center tried to make their annual report, but Condi's State Department shot it down. They don't want you and me to know that this is one fight we can't win. Yes, the federal government should keep some things secret in the interest of the populace. This, however, is just to cover their own overpaid asses. I'll get off my soapbox now.

A Tough Fighter for Military Freedom

Sorry about the post name; I couldn't think of anything better. The veteran is happy to announce that the movement to allow open gays and lesbians into the U.S. military has a strong fighter on the Republican side. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen from Florida is currently fighting for a new bill that will allow homosexuals into the military, openly and freely. I, for one, see this as an exciting opportunity for our national defense. Upon passage of this bill, homosexuals who may be afraid of legal persecution in the military will no longer need to fear, and it may even boost recruiting and retention significantly enough to reduce callbacks and stop-losses. Having had several homosexual friends while I was in the Marine Corps, I can say from experience that being gay does NOT make one a poor soldier/seaman/marine/airman (I've known gays from each branch). This is a great opportunity to win a major battle against bigotry and boost our numbers greatly. Don't fear the change; embrace the improvement.

Back

The veteran just got in from spending the weekend with his [sort of] mother-in-law in Marion, VA. We're back pretty late as there was a rather dire accident on I-81 approaching Wytheville. A tractor-trailer appeared to be partially hanging over the side of an embankment, and traffic was backed up several miles. I'm off to bed, and hopefully there'll be an update worth making tomorrow.

Pope John Paul II Close To Death

The Vatican is currently denying claims made by italian press that the Pope has died. As of 2:10 PM EST, CNN and Rawstory are working on this developing story.