Kudos Watch: First Step Iran Nuke Deal A Win For ALL

Anti-American mural in the Iranian capital Tehran. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

From Denny:  Israel is not in charge of America.  So, zip it, Israeli PM Netanyahu.  Entitled to his opinion?  Sure.  Not entitled to lobby Congress and bully this President to get the legislation Israel wants instead of what the American people expect.

It's bad enough Israel has its long reach tentacles into our poorly managed NSA and a stranglehold on our intelligence community, now it's Congress.  Enough.  Stay out of interfering in our national politics, Israel, before we all give you the bum's rush out of the room permanently.  Or, to quote cheeky Stephen Colbert, "You aren't the boss of me!"

Sec. of State Kerry has done a marvelous job of steering the negotiations between the United States and Iran just to get the two countries to engage in this first step toward thawing a deep freezer cold relationship.

Are there a number of problems wooing this new relationship with a vicious regime after 34 years of throwing feces at each other like a room full of gregarious chattering monkeys?  Oh, yeah...

Rainbow Colors Queen Duvet

Check out this modern confetti as art for your bedroom!  More bedding and products available in this design; come see!

Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  And a special thanks to those of you supporting this effort!  You rock!

Russia Steps Up: Gifts Snowden Asylum AND Whistleblower Status

Edward Snowden, Hong Kong, June 2013/Guardian

From Denny:  Russian President Putin surprised the world today and thoroughly infuriated the American government.

He stepped up, courageously smacking Obama in the face, and handed Snowden the gift of a life time: asylum from interrogation, torture and the death penalty in America.

What Putin also handed Snowden was standing in the court of international opinion, indirectly declaring Snowden a whistleblower instead of a traitor to his country.  Putin one, Obama definitely zero.  Other countries will follow suit and offer asylum as well within a few weeks because none of them were too thrilled at how shabbily Obama treated them...

Funny Normal Is Boring Woven Blanket

Check out this funny saying promoting the human race!

Cool WTF? Government Officials Are Voluntarily Giving Up Salaries Back to Taxpayers?

Tired dogs (Photo credit: jimbob!)

From Denny:  Just when we are all so furiously angered at the selfishness of our government officials for the usual screw-ups, pure laziness and lack of will to make positive corrections, there happens to be two of them that rose above and beyond the call of duty.  Yes, there are two federal officials that have landed in the Admiration Corner today.  These two men are class acts.

Turns out the sequestration mess caused high levels of Pentagon civilian employee furloughs - to the tune of 750,000 people.  The plan was to lay off these unhappy folks for 22 days but that has been cut back to 14 days.  Still, it isn't easy to lose one of your paychecks - even though it's spread out over many months through September.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced that huge block of civilian furloughs will save $2.5 billion for the Pentagon budget.  The sequestration across-the-board budget cuts went into effect on 1 March which amounts to $41 billion.  This $2.5 billion employee furlough will be tacked to that reduction.

Funny Friday Enthusiasm iPhone 5 Case

Make each day of the week like Friday and your life will take on new enthusiasm

* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  And a special thanks to those of you supporting this effort!  You rock!

Who Should Be In Charge of Those Drones Bombing Terrorists: CIA or Pentagon?

Drone State? (Photo credit: Truthout.org)

From Denny:  Can it be the CIA numbers more poor judgment cowboys than the Pentagon?  It sure looks like President Obama seems to think so over the objections of the Senators who overseer the intelligence community and the drone program.  These senators are arguing in favor of keeping the current two-pronged version of the drone program with the CIA in addition to the Pentagon.  

From Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, expresses little confidence the Defense Department (DOD) would exercise the same restraint with the controversial drone program that the CIA has exhibited admirably. 

And Sen. Feinstein boldly stated this to the Defense News, "We've watched the intelligence aspect of the drone program, how they function, the quality of the intelligence, watching the [CIA] agency exercise patience and discretion.  The military [armed drone] program has not done that nearly as well." 

Triple Time Modern Wall Clock

Get your retro vintage fashion going on for the home

* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  And a special thanks to those of you supporting this effort!  You rock!

XL Keystone Pipeline: Why Should America Take All The Risks and No Benefits?

XL Pipeline Protest (Photo credit: Talk Radio News Service)

From Denny:  Once again greedy Big Business seeks to hang the American taxpayers with all the liabilities - while they make billions in profits, free to walk away when it goes bad.

The XL Keystone Pipeline is a huge boondoggle that comes out of Canada.  Apparently, the Canadian firm, TransCanada, along with some American energy partners sum up their business mantra in one chant, "Let the Americans pay for it!"

Our State Department has been on a fool's errand writing up a study on the impact on America's environment, concluding it would not be a problem, in order to act like they are satisfying the environment folks.  As usual, everyone rivets their focus upon the distraction, taking their eye off the obvious.

American Irish Men's Fitted T-Shirt

Check out the luck of the American Irish!

What to Do With China Stealing Business and State Secrets

Figure 6. Medium and Intercontinental Range Ballistic Missiles. Note: China currently is capable of targeting its nuclear forces throughout the region and most of the world, including the continental United States. Newer systems, such as the DF-31, DF-31A, and JL-2, will give China a more survivable nuclear force. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

From Denny:  For generations of Westerners China has always been a place of intrigue, deception and manipulation of the truth.  Well, face North and smell the coffee, folks, because it isn't going to change any time soon - so it's time that governments and Big Business learn to deal with it.

For the past two years in particular the world has been complaining about how aggressive China is in ferreting out state secrets and business secrets via cyberattacks.

They also have started specializing in attacking American news media outlets, even tiny niche journalist bloggers like me.  Guess I should feel more "special" than annoyed? America thinks that calling China out into the open about the issue will shame them into stopping.  How ridiculous can you get?  Don't you understand these people?  


This mug is America's tech community frazzled with cyberattacks:

Monster Cat High on Treats Large Mug

Does your kitty love treats? Does your kitty transform into Monster Cat when the treat bag comes out? This is your mug!

Visual Insights: Obama Photo: Entering Bullet Proof Prez Limo, 5 March 2013

Visual Insights: Obama Photo: Entering Bullet Proof Prez Limo, 5 March 2013: From Denny:  The life of a president is a world so far removed from the average citizen that sometimes the only way to understand it is through the White House photos.  This White House is more accomplished at releasing candid photos of the people in government as they go about the country's business than was the Bush White House.

The Bush era was forever about manipulating public opinion to the extreme they attempted to create one too many fairy tales for posterity - and it backfired.  While every White House likes to promote their brand, as does the Obama White House, this one is more on balance delivering the mundane moments to the public as well as the promotional.  Official White House photographer Pete Souza does an outstanding job capturing a constantly moving target in a myriad of situations from the campaign trail to the Oval Office meetings.

This one was taken today of President Obama as he arrived at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.  He was visiting service members to award two purple hearts.  Notice the narrow field of view composition to emotionally connect the viewer to the narrow emotional and physical spaces in which a president moves through their day.  Click on the link above to view.

Warriors Pearl Foundation Mug

Helping homeless female military veterans come home. Support the effort!

* * *  Support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new! 

Is This Syrian Opposition Leader al-Khatib Really Trustworthy for the U.S.?

Sec. of State Kerry, left and Mouaz al-Khatib,
Syrian opposition leader

From Denny:  Today, newly minted Sec. of State Kerry met with the one man the West hopes can create a way to end the civil war mess in Syria where President Assad has massacred countless thousands of his own people.

Far too many are children Assad chose to torture and then kill, throwing their bodies out like garbage for their parents to see.  Of course, this idiot actually thought those heinous acts would intimidate the people, instilling fear for their leader, when all it did was convince them to fight harder to topple him.

Meanwhile, the West, especially America, has been desperately seeking one man who can unite all the various disorganized and disparate factions who are fighting their own tyrannical government.  Today's situation must be a lot like it was when Americans were fighting the British in the early years of the American Revolution when the other European countries were unsure with whom to talk and if it was wise to arm them.

Now, enter on to the world stage this Sunni Muslim geophysics engineer and Islamic preacher who supposedly professes equality for women, political plurality and does not want foreign military intervention.  He sure talks a good game.  Anyone remember Ahmed Chalabi from Iraq?  While this man, Mouaz al-Khatib may not be as oily or as greedy as VP Cheney's Chalabi, can we really trust him?


The perfect mug to describe the Middle East political mess:

Monster Cat High on Treats Mug

Does your kitty love treats? Does your kitty transform into Monster Cat when the treat bag comes out? This is your mug! "THIS is your CAT high on treats"

Fiscal Follies: What Everyone Is Ignoring For The Cure

Corporate welfare corrupts democracy (Photo credit: DonkeyHotey)

From Denny:  Here we go again with the Great Republican Distraction.  This time it's the smoke and mirrors about whacking away at Social Security and Medicare and now Obamacare.

Most especially Social Security had nothing to do with running up the precious deficit but to hear the Republicans tell it all "those 47 percent moochers" are running up the deficit with all these villainous entitlements which said moochers have paid into that fund part of their paychecks for years.  If Big Business and sloppy politicians had quit slipping their greedy hands into big accounts like Social Security over the past few decades none of us would be having this discussion.

Will the Democrats allow the lies to stand?  What will they do about this constant shell game from the opposition party?  Definitely it's time for a bold stand and bold thinking to get the job done.  After all, the business community is stressing and hand-wringing about driving over the fiscal cliff.  This from the same guys who refuse to pay taxes into the system but enjoy corporate welfare taking gobs of money out of the country's collective treasury.  Yes, in case you missed it - that is the imagery of really bad sex. :)

Santa Diva Cat Snowflake Ornament

Check out Diva Cat adorned with her Santa hat just in time for the season!

Im Just Saying: Funny Political Thought About Romney

Mitt Romney - Caricature (Photo credit: DonkeyHotey)

From Denny:  Since I could care less who wins or who loses the GOP race for president, I'm free to mock it in style.

At our house we were watching the GOP primary returns for the last three states of Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri.  Much to everyone's surprise it was the non-candidate Santorum that ran away with two of the races.

Though delegates were not awarded it is Santorum that has basically caught up with front-runner Mitt Romney by about 86 for Santorum to 94 delegates for Romeny.  The winner needs about 700 to win.

Santorum, a Catholic, has sharpened his message to be known as the middle class guy and conservative.  Romney is painted as the rich guy who is out of touch.

Lately, since getting trounced in the last race Romney is working hard to overcome the perception by portraying himself as a sensitive guy.  He even laid claim to being a Mormon minister for 10 years and how he truly understands the unemployed and marital difficulties as a result of not being able to pay your bills.

So, here is my I'm Just Saying:

America: How A Bad Credit Rating Hurts Us All

From Denny: With no debt ceiling deal in sight, Congress still squabbling and the American public fuming, we are left with contemplating just how damaging it will be to our daily lives if America defaults.

For an economic powerhouse like our country to be downgraded from its AAA rating is humiliating considering our status in the world. How can a country that gives away billions of dollars in foreign aid, finances an endless march of third world governments, no longer be able to pay its bills?

American Flags On The Moon: What Happened To Them Since 1969?

Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: How many in America can remember where they were when the astronauts planted the American flag on the moon? You know they made six trips.

Whenever we celebrate our summer holiday on the Fourth of July, often our thoughts turn to remembering various places with which we associate it. Football games, the giant tattered flag waving back at us from Ground Zero on 911, Memorial Day parades and bedecked graves, the White House flag at half mast when a Senator or President dies, a flag draped coffin of a fallen warrior from a foreign war returned home with respect.

The space shuttle program ends this week in hot steamy July. Have you ever wondered what happened to those old flags on the moon after all these decades?

Wisconsin: Voters Slap Down GOP, Female Dark Horse Wins State Supreme Court Seat

Wisconsin protests at the capitol, Madison, in March


From Denny:  An obscure election got the royal treatment from activists and voters. Voters so hated Gov. Scott Walker's controversial anti-union initiatives they came out in droves to defeat a GOP incumbent for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The surprise dark horse vote came for Democrat unknown JoAnne Kloppenburg, down by an astounding 30 points right before the election. She is a state attorney general with support from several unions.

Election officials tallied her win at a razor thin 235 votes over the GOP incumbent of 12 years, Justice David Prosser, who is known to be sympathetic toward Gov. Walker's policies.  Prosser had come out of his primary with a 55 percent vote win.  Kloppenburg was second of four candidates with only 28 percent of that primary vote.  Prosser was expected to experience an easy runaway win - that fizzled because of unusually high voter turnout.

How Senator Ted Kennedy Affected Your Life in America

From Denny: Did you know that Ted Kennedy passed over 300 bills during his tenure in the Senate? He also co-authored another 550!

“Ted Kennedy changed the circumstances of tens of millions of Americans,” VP Biden.

How did he affect our lives today? How does that translate into your everyday life that this generation may take for granted was always there?

Here are just a few examples that make life easier for so many to live well:

Wheelchair ramps: wheelchair access in public places; those are thanks to Ted Kennedy.

Minimum wage: you earn more thanks to Kennedy

Children’s Health Insurance: he went to bat for the most vulnerable members of our society – children

Kennedy was the driving force behind COBRA - for people in need of health insurance when just fired from a job.

He developed personal relationships with people like a 6 year old child suffering from diabetes who could have benefited from stem cell research. He didn’t just use her in front of the cameras for politics. She first wrote him a letter asking for his help on pushing for stem cell research; he read that letter on the Senate floor. For years he privately corresponded with Lauren Stanford, thanking her for her help and encouraging her in her fight with juvenile diabetes. The public never knew about that.

Obama is now the 44th President!

Just finished watching Obama's speech and other news coverage - what an historic time, what emotion for millions around the world. There must be millions of people crowded together on the Washington Mall. It reminds me of when the Pope in Rome, Italy celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Square and a million strong gather.

Interesting is that the ceremony ran a little long and by so doing Obama became the 44th President exactly at noon BEFORE he took the oath of office four minutes later. How many of you knew that bit of trivia?

Congrats Mr. President! May you be successful in all endeavors.

Denny

A new day is here!
Photo by stephentrepreneur @ flickr

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