Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up

The time has come for me to begin my "Diva-fication" for my work week ("Diva" is my work name, kind of like "Diddy" without the annual variations. I was actually given that alias by my early blogosphere friends and I have worn the moniker proudly for more than 5 years). In any case, that means I'll be on radio silence for a couple of days.

Just as I am learning to relax, I have to go back to my bread and butter. Oh, well. C'est La Vie.

Before I take off for the weekend, I wanted to leave you with a little something (I just got done watching "Hairspray" with John Travolta, for the first time): Hairspray- Without Love

It'll take a whole lotta dancin' and singin' to wash this Ten Post Round-Up outta my hair:

1: How many lies can McCain tell before it really, really, starts to matter to the press?...

Just how many times has McCain met the guy he never met?--AMERICAblog

2: No wonder newspapers are going broke...

67% View Traditional Journalism as "Out of Touch"--Crimes and Corruption...

3: Yes, color me very surprised...

Slummy Joe Has “No Comment”--Firedoglake

4: Iraq should be a huge sticking point for all presidential candidates...

Where Will Iraq Be In November?--Huffington Post

5: And interesting idea: Donating your intellectual property upon your death...

IP Donor--J-Walk Blog

6: Shouldn't some organizations offer their services to the troops, for free?...

Does Corporate America really Support Our Troops?--Operation Yellow Elephant

7: Aren't we lucky to have such wise men advising our president?...

FLASHBACK: Five Years Ago, Wolfowitz And Rumsfeld Were ‘Off The Mark’ On Troop Levels--Think Progress

8: Hmmm...I wonder where they got that idea from?...

Turkey Says No Timetable for Iraq Pullout--truthout

9: Wow! Rove says, "Stop Copyin' Me!"...

Rove Dissuades GOP From Rovian Politics--Wonkette

10: Remember when Germany used to be a country we looked at in shame while pointing to our own superiority? How times have changed...

Court shoots down computer surveillance--Yahoo! News

Speaking of hairspray, I swear the more I read the news, the more I swear some of our leaders are obviously huffing something.

326 días hasta el final de un error...

Peace.

(Sometimes, ya gotta dance...)

Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up

My apologies for the late-edition of the round-up, today. I've been feeling a little off, physically, so I decided to take it easy and slept right through the time I normally prepare and post.

And, since I'm not feeling so hot, today, I've gotta keep the music to a light tempo: Color Me Badd - I Adore Mi Amor

Be warned: Some of the links in today's Ten Post Round-Up may make you a bit sick to your stomach, too:

1: Doesn't it feel like we live in a parallel universe, sometimes? We aren't in a "recession", yet, stories like this keep popping up...

U.S. Home Foreclosures Jump 90% as Mortgages Reset--Bloomberg.com

2: The good ol' U.S. of A, living up to a lower standard...

US Quietly Breaks UN Treaty--CommonDreams.org

3: Who says that Republicans lack a sense of humor?...

Tappyfoot McWidestance Is Looking For A Few Good Men--duckplops

4: Will even "100 years" be enough?...

Approaching Our 6th Year Of War--Huffington Post

5: Indeed: "Poor choice of words from a senator who voted against providing our troops with the body armor needed to stop bullets in the first place,"...

GOP Sen.: Iraq bill "a bullet right in the hearts of our troops"--Minstrel Boy

6: Florida goes dark. Well, sort of...

Power Play--Shakesville

7: If you plan to drink and drive in South Dakota, plan on leaving your DNA, too...

South Daytona plans DUI checkpoint Friday along Nova--Signs of the Times

8: Big business depriving the little guy of their right to speak out? I'm really NOT surprised...

comcast casting call--skippy the bush kangaroo

9: McCain doesn't care much about the company he keeps (ONN must have got it right on that Diebold story)...

McCain: ‘It Doesn’t Matter’ If Indicted Congressman Renzi Is Still Part Of My Campaign--Think Progress

10: No, nobody could have predicted that sending the same troops over to a war zone, every other year, for six years, would put undue strain on them...

US Army at the Breaking Point, Schwarzenegger--uncomfortably numb

327 días hasta el final de un error...

Peace.

(Stop the world, I wanna get off...)

Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up

I need a vacation. I don't mean, jus' some time off. I mean a real vacation, that starts with words like "Bahamas" or "Jamaica" and ends with me nodding off after drinking too many Mojitos.

I just got done with what I like to call my "Anti-procrastination Week". I mean, things had piled up so bad that I was seriously considering calling Merry Maids to clean up my house for me so I could actually get things done. It's my own fault, though. I forgot to pick up something else while I was deciding to add to the procrastination pile and then all of a sudden I had too much to do and didn't know where the heck to start.

But, I'm done. Fini. My to-do list is, thankfully, empty (or mostly, so). So, now, all that's left is blogging.

Oh...and music. I was watching Music Choice (per usual) and I decided to switch music channels and basically came across one that plays, predominantly, "Old School" R&B (that's pretty much any R&B music produced before 1995). So all these songs I grew up with and all the songs my girlfriends and I would commit to memory are popping up on the telly and it suddenly occurs to me to ask, "Whatever happened to...?"

I love the interweb. It's fabulous. A universe full of useless information is available at the click of mouse. I won't rehash everything that I found, but I will present to you my findings with a link and with some music (of course).

Do you remember THESE GUYS?: Color Me Badd's All 4 Love Music Video (Version 1) 1992

And I want you to know that I do the Ten Post Round-Up for love, as well:

1: Republican Party afraid of women and black people...whudathunkit?...

Republicans worried about being labeled bigots--Crooks and Liars

2: A huge reason Dizzy does not fly...

UK passenger jet pilot dies mid-flight--CNN.com

3: Little old lady gets the boot from the Elks Lodge...

“Benevolent” Elks Discriminate Against Sweet Lady--Friendly Atheist

4: Not surprising: Guards suffer trauma from traumatizing Gitmo prisoners...

Guantánamo guards suffer psychological trauma--Guardian Limited

5: I've been called to serve, twice, myself...

Madonna Goes To Jury Duty--The Huffington Post

6: This is extremely disheartening, yet, unsurprising, under the Bush Administration...

Child abuse workers badgered to close cases--Miami Herald

7: AHhhhhh! The stoopid! It burns! It burns!...

Texas gov Rick Perry only sees the 'sex' in homosexual--Pam's House Blend

8: I think it's official: We have reached "the stoopid" threshold. Are Australian footballers that ignorant?...

"Confident Decision-Making in Situations That Can Be Quite Complex"--Shakesville

9: What do you mean, my "happy pills" don't work?!?...

Prozac, used by 40m people, does not work say scientists--Signs of the Times

10: John McFlippenFlopper changes his mind about the 10,000 Years War...

McCain: ‘The War Will Be Over Soon’--Think Progress

And couldn't we all jus' use some "happy pills" to get us through to the end of the GWB BFF Bash! I know I could. Unfortunately, I am not a doctor, so you will have to settle for some more music (look at that, a two-fer! Aren't you special?): Color Me Badd's All 4 Love Music Video (Version 2) 1992

328 días hasta el final de un error...

Peace.

(I want you to know I do this blog for love...)

Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up

Ah, Monday...the beginning of another busy work week. It's also when we get to see which of the many news stories that broke before and over the weekend stunk enough to stick.

Personally, I look forward to Monday's because that's when I get to find out what's on Uncle Jay's mind: Uncle Jay Explains the News - February 25, 2008

I know the Ten Post Round-Up is unlikely to ever be considered "stellar", but I certainly hope you find something to propel your thinking:

1: The hits jus' keep on comin' with McCain...

John McCain's other scandal, it's actually quite serious, and criminal--AMERICAblog

2: Does the taxpayer have "Geico" for that?...

The Most Expensive Air Crash in History--CommonDreams.org

3: So, if we allow the telecoms to be open to lawsuits, the terrorists win?...

MSNBC’s Alex Witt and Col. Jack Jacobs Push For Telecom Amnesty--Crooks and Liars

4: And I thought Ron Paul stirred up serious ire amongst the electorate...

The Last Run of Ralph Nader--Dyre Portents

5: GWB calls the "Wambulance"...

FISA: President Specious Opens Yap, Petulantly Stamps Foot…Again--Firedoglake

6: Something to think about...

Plenty to Be Ashamed of...--Identity Check

7: Incorporate police state tactics into your children's playtime!...

Scan-It X-Ray Machine Playset - Seriously?--OhGizmo!

8: Retain the proper amount of body fluids when driving in the carpool lane or face the consequences...

Roadside cameras that detect BLOOD will catch lone drivers who abuse car-sharing lanes--Open Your Minds Eye

9: What are we really accomplishing in Iraq?...

In Tatters Beneath a Surge of Claims--Signs of the Times

10: How GWB exploits the fear of terrorists for political gain...

Timeline Of Bush Admin's Politicization Of Terror, 2002-2008--uncomfortably numb

A trip to outer space, might be a proper send off to a lot of our most prominent politicians and their cronies (let's leave the earth to the "reality-based" community). Maybe they can all go on a really (really, really, really...etc.) long trip to find out, definitively, whether or not Pluto should be designated a planet.

And, then I woke up...

329 días hasta el final de un error...

Peace.

(One small step for man...)

Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up

Great Hoogally-Moogally! The writers' strike is over and the Academy Awards will go on, as scheduled, tonight!

The "Oscars" have always been sort of a big deal in our home, where we play "guess the winner" (and I always win).

This year, I'll probably skip them because I haven't really been keeping up with what movies or stars, etc. got nominations, this year. Well...except "Sweeney Todd" and Johnny Depp (I know I promised ya'll a review ages ago...get off my back now, whydontcha?). BTW, I believe that Tim Burton was robbed...ROBBED, I tell ya!

Moving right along...

I did a search to find maybe a decent musical Oscar performance and couldn't find one that I felt was acceptable. Instead, I decided to post music from another Oscar (The Grouch) singing an extremely trashy version of a James Taylor classic, with the man, himself, I might add: Sesame Street - Your Grouchy Face

No little gold statues in today's Ten Post Round-Up, but maybe you'll find a few gems:

1: An "elementary" discussion of the subprime mess...

The subprime primer--AMERICAblog

2: Will the Democrats stand up or bend over?...

The Terrorists Have Won!--Bring It On!

3: Seen any decent bridges for sale, lately?...

Iran To Go Nuclear In One Year?--Dyre Portents

4: Rich America, Poor America...never the twain shall meet?...

The real reason why the rich see America’s problems differently--Firedoglake

5: More broken promises from the Bush Administration (of course, this is the same president who swore to uphold the Constitution, also)...

"If What I've Done For This Country Isn't Enough For Me To Be A Citizen, Then I Don't Know What Is"--The Huffington Post

6: Is voting really the best way for your voice to be heard by TPTB?...

Your Vote is Your Voice--Identity Check

7: This would be way better than any gold statue!...

americans stand up--life's journey

8: Another government looking to thwart tourism...

Brits Want To Know More About You--ROTUS

9: At least someone in the UK is thinking reasonably?...

Victory of reason: Mandatory DNA database rejected in UK--Signs of the Times

10: Turkey stirring things up in Iraq...

The New Invasion of Iraq--uncomfortably numb

Too bad real life can't be cut, spliced, and edited to be more manageable (leaving out all the parts that make us look bad or stupid or that hurt others).

330 días hasta el final de un error...

Peace.

(And the "Oscar" goes to...)

Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up

It's Thursday. That means I'm in work-mode. Getting ready for work, for me, is more like the way that Jennifer Lopez might prepare versus how Jane Doe blue collar might do so. I dress like I'm going to the Saturday dance and when I'm there, I am there to put on a show (especially on slow nights...which are, thankfully, rare).

Because I am a small town girl who never had the connections to make it to the big time and because I became a mother at a young age, singing karaoke and putting on a show and encouraging others to join me, is the next best thing to the superstardom that I always dreamed of, as a kid. I would rather lose all my limbs and lose my sight and so long as I could sing, I would still find joy in my life.

Last night, I sat down and watched the movie, "El Cantante". I am a sucker for biographical movies, particularly movies based on the lives of musicians. "El Cantante" is a movie based on the life of one of the Godfather's of "Salsa" music, Hector Lavoe (aka El Cantante/The Singer). This man had the greatest luck, the greatest love, and he was loved by many for his soulful voice, but he still felt lonely. IV drug use, and later AIDS, took his life, too soon (even after he jumped from a 9th floor balcony AND survived).

Sometimes, I feel glad that I "never made it big". Who knows how tragic my own story might have been if I had made it to the big time. My life now is pretty good, despite being broke as a joke. And, I get to sing and entertain people for a living. Not many people actually get to walk around in their life and say that they are actually living a dream (or that they found a way to pursue it, at all). I will never be a superstar, but, hey, I'll settle for being a local celebrity (people don't ask for my autograph, but strangers approach me all the time and tell me how much they enjoy my show...creepy, sure. Inspiring, certainly)!

I searched all over youtube to find the video that I wanted to tag this post with and I found this: El Dia De Mi Suerte "Hector Lavoe" (The Day of My Luck) (It's a song about a guy who has bad luck and can't seem to catch a break...but he's hopeful)

Bastantes sobre mi alegría, nos dejaron consiguen al rodeo de hoy de diez postes:

1: So, another Republican is in trouble for (fill in the blank)...

NY Times: McCain staffers confronted Senator about inappropriately close relationship with young blonde female lobbyist--AMERICAblog

2: That's because we already know the answer, don't we?...

Homeland Security Won't Explain Why the Mexican Border Wall Bypasses the Rich and Connected--AlterNet

3: Let me spell it out for you: R-E-C-E-S-S-I-O-N...

How Many Revised Economic Forecasts Before The Fed Says The “R” Word?--Bring It On!

4: How many more "mistakes" will be made this election cycle?...

CNN: al Qaeda congratulates Obama on WI primary victory--Crooks and Liars

5: Seeing how the other half lives...

Conservatize Me--News Hounds

6: Yup! Racism and bigotry are still alive and well in the US of A...

The Obama haters--Orcinus

7: Uh-huh...things in Iraq are going so well...

Half of Baghdad without water--Signs of the Times

8: Listen to the voices of those who serve...

american heroes--The Sirens Chronicles

9: Wooing future conservatives with liberal-style handouts?...

communitisticq conservatisim--skippy the bush kangaroo

10: So...are we winning or are we losing?...

Richard Perle Claims We’ve ‘Already Won’ The Iraq War But Its Also ‘Far From Over’--Think Progress

Well, that explains it: the news is so confusing because even the people with the answers are confused about the questions and thus cannot respond coherently...or something like that.

334 días hasta el final de un error...

Peace.

(Buenos Dias...)

Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up

You would not believe what I have been going through the last few weeks...well, maybe you could.

It's just that I have been so bogged down with a massive to-do list that would not go away, it seemed like it was out to get me, making it difficult to prioritize anything or kill the tasks in front me. I was feeling extremely overwhelmed.

But, I did it. I stomped the beast...finally! Sure, I have plenty of things ahead of me, but today's (and last week's...and even last month's...yes, I was WAY behind...) to-do list is officially dead and buried. I can finally move on. I just spent the last two days marching through my list...when I finally got to the end of it, I was still looking for work to do. But, now I'm just grasping. My work (for now) is done.

So, of course, it goes without saying, that I have an appropriate (and up-beat) song, to tag this momentous event: Vanessa Williams-Work To Do

I guess I need to get "crackalackin' " on today's Ten Post Round-Up:

1: Speaking of "work", our military is definitely being overworked by GWB...

88% of military officers say Bush has stretched military "dangerously thin"--AMERICAblog

2: Has the mystery been solved on the undersea cables?...

Saboteurs may have cut Mideast telecom cables: UN agency--breitbart.com

3: Bush's Legacy: Africa (But what about THIS country?)....

Bush in Africa--The Huffington Post

4: Onwards and Upwards?...

Jason Leopold no longer working for TruthOut--Its my Right to be Left of the Center

5: The costs of ex-gay programming can be measured in the detriment to individuals and their families...

Videos revealing the secret world of Love in Action--Pam's House Blend

6: This is pathetic and disgusting and very frightening (could this end up being you or me?)...

ABC: Fired officer claims woman's 'fall' gave her black eyes, broken teeth--Raw Story

7: You can run, but you can't hide?...

Consumers may not be able to avoid cloned food--San Francisco Chronicle

8: The "lighter side" of America's health care system?...

Our Nation's Health Care System: It's Fan-tastic!--Shakesville

9: So, do they make a bicycle for five?...

Oil Jumps Above $100--Signs of the Times

10: Hey! At least, they actually provided helmets (what do you expect from a GWBFF?)...

Military contractor rewarded for shortchanging troops--Think Progress

With this country going to H.E.Double-toothpicks, in a hand-basket, it looks like we all have some work to do between now and November.

If only we could rely on our legislators to do their jobs.

335 days until the end of an error...

Peace.

(I think I need a nap...)

It’s a terrific New American Century, right?

I read the paper in the waiting room of oral surgeon's office this afternoon. Bill Kristol and a root canal might seem like a dreadful combination, but, in fact, the unintented humor a Bill Kristol column can be quite the mood elevator.

Today's* column begins with a strained literary allusion that's even more of a George Will parody than George Will columns have been for at least fifteen years. You might think that imitating one famous pundit would be enough for one column, but today's assertion was so absurd that the George Will style literary digression was just the warm-up. To make his main point required a shameless David the Likable imitation:

Republicans tend to think of themselves as the governing party — with some of the arrogance and narrowness that implies, but also with a sense of real-world responsibility. Many Democrats, on the other hand, no longer even try to imagine what action and responsibility are like. They do, however, enjoy the support of many refined people who snigger at the sometimes inept and ungraceful ways of the Republicans. (And, if I may say so, the quality of thought of the Democrats’ academic and media supporters — a permanent and, as it were, pensioned opposition — seems to me to have deteriorated as Orwell would have predicted.)

In typical David Brooks style, Kristol admits to some minor fault common to Republicans in an attempt to seem fair and open-minded. Of course, that minor admission is followed by the assertion that we're better off putting our faith in Republicans to govern the country responsibly. He even throws in David Brooks style insinuations about Democrats as elitists; "refined people who snigger," "academic and media supporters."

Well, since Kristol wants us to believe that Republicans know how to govern responsibly, I'll repeat Stephen Colbert's question:

How’s the New American Century?

*In today's Picayune, yesterday's NYT.
Cross-posted at Moldy City

Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up

There is so much going on in the world, today, it's getting hard to keep up.

That's why I had to go out and upgrade my coffee mugs. I need more of my morning cuppa to keep me from nodding off while reading the tons of news stories and blog posts that come my way on a daily basis.

Sadly, there is not a concoction, legal or otherwise, that keeps my head from exploding whenever I read about the shenanigans of our illustrious president and his cohorts.

But, so long as I have my morning cuppa (in the new and improved 20 oz mug) and instant messaging (to chat with SSG Dizzy on a daily basis), I'm a happy camper. Sure, I have worries. But, I am doing just fine.

So, today, I present to you some mood music from Mary J. Blige: Mary J. Blige - Just Fine - Official Music Video

Unfortunately, "fine" is not a word that can describe what you will find in today's Ten Post Round-Up:

1: "Thanks for the endorsement, Mr. President. Now, please go away"...

McCain To Bush: Don’t Stand So Close To Me--Crooks and Liars

2: I'd put him in my "fave five"...

Charles Barkley Calls Out “Fake Christians”--Friendly Atheist

3: "Because this is the one kind of hate no one seems to be willing to stand up against"....

Just One More Dead Faggot--The Huffington Post

4: After reading this, my head hurts...ALOT...

Religion and nanotechnology--Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies

5: Where there's smoke, there's fire or The louder they scream, the harder they fall...

Your Monday Republican child porn post..--Its my Right to be Left of the Center

6: Yo, can you spare an extra $3 Mil?...

Six Million Tracks--J-Walk Blog

7: John McCain is certainly no Bill Clinton...

Fox Host Trace Gallagher Admits John McCain Has Temper & Threw Around F-Bombs In Congress--News Hounds

8: Momma's don't let your babies grow up to be Bushes...

Willie Nelson: Impeach Bush, "Throw The Bastards Out"--Open Your Mind's Eye

9: Think Canada is neutral in the "war on terra"? Think again...

Canada's secret war in Iraq--Signs of the Times

10: You don't say?...

poverty destroys people--skippy the bush kangaroo

As scary and hopeless as the news is, most days, I'm thankful for the Internet. I am happy to have access to news at my fingertips from hundreds of sources, rather than relying on the mostly unreliable "mainstream" media.

Ignorance may be bliss, but I prefer to rely on my morning cuppa for that light-headed feeling.

336 days until the end of an error...

Peace.

(Make mine triple grande, plz...)

Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up

Rise and shine, sleepy-heads!

I realize that it's President's Day and a federal holiday. (Enjoy it. The next one isn't until Memorial Day, in May). Many of you are enjoying the last of a four-day weekend. Sadly, there are no holidays for Mommies. But, on the upside, since the bank and post office are closed, I have a legitimate excuse for not getting my errands done, today.

Today is supposed to be a day to honor the presidency. But, with GWB at the helm, there's little, if anything, whatsoever, to honor. All I can think of is that old urban legend about George Washington chopping down the cherry tree and then confessing to doing so. The current George, wouldn't know the truth if it were a huge wart on his posterior.

I wonder what Uncle Jay has to say about this holiday: Uncle Jay Explains Presidents Day!

Let's see if we can uncover the truth in today's Ten Post Round-Up:

1: Is it just me or are the financial shenanigans going on under GWBs watch reminiscent of that movie, "The Blob"?...

Spitzer on Bush (News) (Commentary)--Acerbic Politics

2: Look, up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! Um...maybe you should just run...

Don't miss the decaying spy satellite overhead the next few days--AMERICAblog

3: Some people jus' should not have a national audience...

Glenn Beck: if you’re an ugly woman, you’re probably a progressive as well--Crooks and Liars

4: Media pundits, beware!...

Pundit Police Watch News Talkers 24/7--The Huffington Post

5: Are Americans dumber than ever?...

‘R we dunces?--Joanne Jacobs

6: More goodies for JFK conspiracy theorists to devour...

Jack Ruby did it!--O'DonnellWeb

7: This is rich! "Touch Therapy" to cure "teh gay"...

News from (not so Ex-)Gay "therapy" land--Pam's House Blend

8: How many more convicted murderers will be exonerated in Mississippi?...

Eddie Lee Howard: Mississippi's Next Exoneration?--Reason Magazine

9: Subprime nonsense being replicated in other credit markets...

Mind boggling--Scatablog

10: Guess we'll be having tofu burgers for dinner...

USDA Orders Nation's Largest Beef Recall--Signs of the Times

I suddenly have a hankerin' for cherry pie and cherry coke...

Hey, if the Bush administration policies haven't killed you, you might as well enjoy life just a teensy bit, right?

337 days until the end of an error...

Peace.

(Don't forget the whipped cream...)

Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up

Just gonna keep it simple, today.

That seems like something that is missing from my life right now: simplicity.  Of course, that's not going to change any time in the very near future, so long as SSG Dizzy is still doing the Iraq Deployment Shuffle.

Thankfully, I have music to keep me connected to my spiritual self.  And, after two nights of listening to hard rock and hip-hop, it's nice to settle down, the rest of the week, with some contemporary R&B and Neo-Soul.

I definitely need to go pick up a couple of new R&B CDs to add to my music collection. It's inspiring to note that Chaka Khan has been making records (and looking like a "Bad Mamma Jamma") for more than 30 years: Chaka Khan - Love You All My Lifetime. I hope I look nearly as good as she does when I hit my 50s...

For better or worse, there is very little that's simple in today's Ten Post Round-Up:

1: First, Mellencamp told McCain to stop using his music at campaign stops. Now, Huckabee gets called out...

Boston Rocker Tells Huckabee to Lay Off--The Associated Press

2: Russia is calling "foul" on US plans to shoot down falling spy satellite...

Russia: US Satellite Shot a Weapons Test--BREITBART.COM

3: GWB is up to his usual tricks. It's as if Congress (and the US Constitution) don't even exist...

W W W?--Bring It On!

4: Are GWBs eyes brown? Pull up your hip-waders, folks...

Countdown’s Bushed! Your Lying Eyes Edition--Crooks and Liars

5: Some good news for AIDS programs in Africa...

$42 Million Raised in Valentine Art Auction for AIDS--Good News Network

6: Sadly, there is no good news about the economy...

Consumer Confidence Lowest In 16 Years--The Huffington Post

7: Yes, Virginia, there are gay Republicans. But, will they endorse McCain?...

Will the Log Cabin Republicans saddle up with McCain?--Pam's House Blend

8: Trying to get smokers to quit...one piece of red tape, at a time...

UK: Smoking Licenses Proposed--Signs of the Times

9: GWB and the wiretapping law: Much ado about nothin'...

Experts: FISA will suffice as PAA expires--Think Progress

10: Umm...this isn't good...

UK's last 1,000 soldiers rushed out to Balkans--Telegraph.co.uk

Some days, I wish I lived in a GWB-style bubble, so I could pretend that life was still good despite the chaos that surrounds me. But, I find little joy in my own personal success, knowing so many people are suffering because of what our country's leaders have been doing to us, lo, these past several years.

338 days until the end of an error...

Peace.

(Apparently, life is best lived in an oblivious bubble...)

Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up: Valentine's Day Treats

Ah...Valentine's Day. A day for sweethearts to express their love for one another. Sadly, like Christmas, this holiday has been so over-commercialized that too many of us feel like we have to meet some pretty high expectations to come out of this day unscathed.

I have never expected much from SSG Dizzy, except for the usual flowers (red and white...our first date/wedding colors) and chocolates (it feeds my addiction). I frown on expensive gifts like jewelry and the like because I am basically a simple girl. Besides, my husband spoils me rotten, so Valentine's Day is like any other day of the year, only everyone celebrates, not just us.

I've always been a firm believer that we should take time to express our love and adoration for all those whom we care for. That's why, I always include gifts for my children and friends on Valentine's Day. And I have something for you, my dear reader.

I give you the gift of music, of course: My Funny Valentine - Michael Bublé. If you follow to the end of today's Round-Up, you will find the rest of your gifts, just bear with me.

There's a whole lotta love (and hatin') goin' on in today's Ten Post Round-Up.

1: Larry Craig gets a Valentine from the Senate Ethics Committee...

Larry Craig gets spanked by the Ethics Committee -- but not that hard--AMERICAblog

2: Thankfully, John McCain's Valentine was outvoted...

Who’s Your Maverick? John McCain Votes In Favor Of Torture--Crooks and Liars

3: New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo served 16 Valentines to the nation's largest health care insurer....

Insurers Accused Of Using "Rigged Data" To Manipulate Customers--The Huffington Post

4: Welch's sending out "lickable" Valentines?...

Tasteful Ads--J-Walk Blog

5: The "General" sends a Valentine to a Christian Persecution Expert...

Get Tight With Christ--Jesus' General

6: Something sweet to remember about an Illinois presidential candidate who beat the odds?...

A Cinder-fella story--Left of Centrist

7: GWB is trying to scare up more frightened Valentines...cuz life is sweeter for him when we are afraid...

More Scared=More Safe?--One Pissed Off Veteran

8: Retailers got a sweet morsel in January...thanks to rising gas prices...

Retail sales surprisingly strong in January in U.S.--Signs of the Times

9: Conyers introduces Valentines to be served against some of GWBs BFFs...

Conyers introduces Miers/Bolten contempt resolutions--Think Progress

10: Black Velvet for the Neo-Con who has everything, this Valentine's Day...

Black Velvet Bush Administration Will Make Your Eyes Bleed with Joy--Wonkette

Now that you have had your fill of "funny" Valentines, how's about we talk about dinner. Especially for you, I present a Valentine's Day pork chop:



A rose from my very own garden:



And a trip around the world:



Peace and Love

(You can never have too much chocolate...)

Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up

According to Lil' Dizzy, tomorrow is "Happy Valentine's Day" and she is very excited about what Cupid is going to leave for her.

I'm excited, too, since I noticed a very large expenditure in our bank account and I have been assured by SSG Dizzy that our account has not been hacked by his distant Nigerian cousins.

Sadly, Cupid probably wouldn't make it into this country, if he had to cross the border (via land or air), since he is carrying what some would assume was a deadly weapon; his arrows considered weapons of mass disruption.

Poor Cupid seems to get a bad rap this time of year: stupid cupid--connie francis

If only shady Nigerians were our only troubles in today's Ten Post Round-Up.

1: Help may be on the way for folks who are having mortgage troubles...

Feds announce plan to delay foreclosures--Anything Goes & General News

2: Telecoms sing "neener, neener, neener" as America waves bye-bye to her 4th Amendment rights...

The Bill and the Capitol Hill Mine Disaster--Brilliant at Breakfast

3: "30-day freeze on foreclosures seems to be the equivalent of offering a band-aid to a patient in need of an organ transplant"....

Housing Crisis: “Project Lifeline” Dead On Arrival--Bring It On!

4: Right-wing bloggers are hatin' on Left-wing bloggers cuz "librals" have too much time on their dirty, &^%$, hands...

How the Right explains the Left’s online dominance--Crooks and Liars

5: Immigration: The scapegoat for what ails ya...

The Immigration Coin Trick--The Huffington Post

6: There are a bunch of Democrats who voted with the Republicans on immunity for the telcos, who would sure love to hear how much you "heart" what they did for to you...

The following Democrats must be voted out of office..--Its my Right to be Left of the Center

7: Faux Nooz spins the FISA vote in a positive light...

How Fox News Reported On "The Single Largest Invasion of Privacy in the History of the Country."--News Hounds

8: In high school, my literature teacher told me this would "Neh-Vah" happen...

Every year brings us closer to 1984--Signs of the Times

9: This is too many women to be arbitrating their rape cases through their (allegedly) delinquent employer...

38:--Think Progress

10: Halliburton: Safe place for rapists, no place for women...

Gang-Rape Victim Says She and Others Silenced by Halliburton--truthout

Apparently, if you are not a big donor friend of Bush's, then justice need not be delivered to you. Not only will it be delayed; you will be kicked as it's being denied.

At least the Nigerian scam artists are good for a laugh...

Peace.

(Cupid: The Rambo of Love!...)

Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up

Ooh...look at the calendar.

No. Not at Abe Lincoln's Birthday!

Valentine's Day is two days away.

I certainly hope you already pre-ordered those flowers for your special someone. And, trust me, today is the last day for you to get the best chocolate and not the slim pickin's you can get on the clearance rack at your local drugstore.

Besides, with the recession set to hit hard and very soon, this V-Day may be your last chance to go all "gangbusters", for awhile. So make this one count, guys (and dolls).

In case you are still needing some help in the way of tips for how to observe Valentine's Day, here's a little bit of youtubery for you to study on: VALENTINE'S DAY DON'TS

Sorry. No hearts and flowers in today's Ten Post Round-Up. But, I believe you'll find a tasty morsel or two to whet your intellectual appetite.

1: Well, you won't find red roses or red Valentine's hearts in Saudi Arabia, this week. Heck, anything red is banned entirely...

Another Step Backwards: Cupid Outlawed By Saudi Arabia--BFD Blog!

2: Surprisingly, they are not really acting in secret, they live among us and they could even be our employers or our neighbors...

American Brownshirts--BlondeSense

3: And, yet, despite such poor planning, the wingnut brigade still insists we are winning...

Why We Are Not Winning In Iraq--Bring It On!

4: Might Congress sue the president to keep him pursuing his long-term military goals in Iraq?...

Webb Suggests Legal Action Against Bush On Iraq--The Huffington Post

5: Banks still stickin' it to the lil' guy...

Credit crunch? The Fed interest rate is in the basement right?--Its my Right to be Left of the Center

6: If only there were a free market alternative to using the US Postal Service...

Postal Monopoly raises rates again--LPCO Blog

7: If only Mr. Gore was in the race...

Why Al Gore Would've Won--The Ostroy Report

8: What is the IRS trying to hide?...

IRS Flouts Court Orders, Refuses to Release Data on Its Tax Enforcement Activities--Public Citizen

9: Something is very wrong in this country when a business is treated more like a person than an actual, you know, person...

Corporations Given 'Human Rights,' Humans Are Denied Them--Signs of the Times

10: First there was the parody. Now, the parody has a parody...

'Yes, We Can' Parodies Better Than 'Yes, We Can'--Wonkette

SSG Dizzy got lucky, this year, since I'm sure there are some who would think I was heartless for not letting this latest deployment be a great excuse to get out of celebrating Valentine's Day, I decided to let it go, this time.

I guess I'll just start the tab and make sure he cashes it out in about 98 days.

Peace.

(Save the dark chocolate coconut pieces for Dizzy!...)

Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up

Yeah. Get your butt up! It's Monday. I'll wait right here while you go get your morning cuppa...

Hurry up, now. I don't want you to be late for Uncle Jay's lesson for today: Uncle Jay Explains the News - February 11, 2008

No real predictions in today's Ten Post Round-Up. I mean, how hard is it to predict that some colossal nonsense will come out of the mouth of some representative of GWB, or even the man, himself? That's like trying to predict whether or not Britney or Paris will be in the news, today.

Moving right along...

1: Maybe it's jus' me, but maybe there are jus' some endorsements I would try to avoid. But, that's jus' me...

Colin Powell may support Democrat or Independent in ‘08--CNN Political Ticker

2: British Olympians told, "Keep mum!"...

Zip Your Lip On The China Trip--duckplops

3: It's not all in your head. It really may be genetic...

The Liberal Mind vs the Conservative Mind -- Genetic?--The Huffington Post

4: Some voters are more worthy than others?...

94,000 Humans Don't Count--Jesus' General

5: Another day, another religious sex scandal...

Tennessee: ex-minister indicted for rape - told woman he was removing a demon inside her--Pam's House Blend

6: More Republican election shenanigans...

Republicans act true to form--Scatablog

7: GWB thinks that waterboarding "ain't nothin' but a thang..."...

A Smiling President Chats About Torture--Shakesville

8: No, thanks! I'll keep my crow's feet and laugh lines...

Botox Linked To Respiratory Failure And Death, FDA Advises--Signs of the Times

9: GWB says, "tomato", others say, "torture"...

Former Navy airman describes ‘water torture.’--Think Progress

10: Sadly, many vocal anti-war activists have actually been saying pretty much this same thing for the last 4 years or so...

AP Poll: Leaving Iraq Will Help Economy--

It could be worse...: 343 days until the end of an error...

Peace.

(I predict that, tomorrow, GWB will tell another lie!...)

Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up

I love the weekends, but they are entirely too short, even for a gal like me whose bread and butter is made on those last fabulous days of the week.  Even a party girl like me needs her beauty rest.

But, alas, duty calls and I do believe a "Ten Post Round-Up" is the first thing on my "to-do" list, today.

In four days it will be Valentine's Day and, aside from a box full of Necco Sweethearts, I'll be without my sweetie, this year.  Nevertheless, I still feel very lucky.  Some folks have mixed feelings about the upcoming holiday, just check out this Postsecret youtube: PostSecret Valentine Video

Not too many secrets in today's Ten Post Round-Up. Just the usual nonsense, particularly where the current occupant of the White House is concerned...

1: The administration confesses to an international crime and still not a peep about what should happen next...

Torture Is Impeachable and Has Been Confessed to--AfterDowningStreet

2: Children are being drugged for "their own good"...

How Teenage Rebellion Has Become a Mental Illness--AlterNet

3: Is Ron Paul getting out of the presidential rat race?...

Ron Paul Signals He May Drop Presidential Bid - What Now For His Supporters?--Crooks and Liars

4: Veterans and children are expendable to GWB...

Bush Budget Cuts Federal Health Programs Vital to the Health of All Children--Fox Business

5: Did "The Crusades" ever really end?...

Same Old Battle, Different Century--Identity Check

6: A vote for Romney (was) a vote for whom?...

Why Romney Dropped Out--J-Walk Blog

7: GWB definitely has his own way with words...

Bush to tornado victims: 'Life is unfair'--Raw Story

8: Bush administration officials jus' can't get no respect...

Wall Street Gives Bernanke a Vote of No Confidence--Signs of the Times

9: Congressional earmarks: BAD, GWB earmarks: GOOD...

Bush stuffs 2009 budget with earmarks.--Think Progress

10: Some banks never learn...

Once Bitten, Twice Bitten? Banks Return to Subprime--Wall Street Journal

Jus' keep tellin' yourself: 344 days until the end of an error...

Peace.

(I'm only heartless on Wednesdays!...)

Right Wingers Fear Obama

Now is the time for all good progressives to come together in support of Barack Obama. Last week, Ann Coulter announced that she would campaign for Hillary Clinton if John McCain were selected as the GOP candidate; and now Rush Limbaugh is ready to do his part for the GOP by putting on his own fundraiser. Even if that fundraiser is for the only politician that he believes can unite his party - Hillary Clinton.

RUSH: All right, folks, I need to ask you a question, personal question from me to you. Do I sound like I need cheering up here? I'm getting e-mails from friends, "Boy, you sound like you could use a little cheering up." And they're sending me these stupid little Internet jokes, "for you to smile," like an Internet joke would cheer me up. Spam would cheer me up. But do I sound like I need to be cheered up? I can't wait 'til the Drive-Bys get hold of my thought, my consideration of helping Hillary raise money. They'll miss the reason. They'll just publicize, "Limbaugh is so upset at Romney getting out, he's thinking of raising money for Hillary, period."

But the reason for raising money for Hillary is because that apparently my party is relying on fear and loathing of Hillary to get the nomination, to unite Republicans, who are, some of them, off the reservation. The Republicans do not seem to be relying on leadership in their party to unite the party. They seem to be relying on all these external things, nobody is going to vote for Hillary, negative turnout factor. What if she's not the nominee? We've got make sure she's the nominee if the Republican Party is to be unified. What more loyal thing could I do than to run a fundraiser for Mrs. Clinton? You watch, though, you watch how that will be questioned.

And then he added these little gems:

RUSH: She just polarizes people. I think she's going to gin up enough anti-Hillary turnout out there to perhaps be a boon to whoever the Republican nominee is.


CALLER: Absolutely.

RUSH: Now, if Obama is the nominee, we are doomed, and you should get ready and prepared for it now.

CALLER: I agree.

RUSH: I'm going to tell you something else that's going to happen. In addition to all this emotion that Hillary's going to revive in people, all this, "I don't care, I'm not going to vote for that woman," you know she's going to redefine negative turnout. You know she is polarizing. I'm going to tell you what's going to happen. It's already started, I pointed this out. Last week after one of the primaries, Anna Quindlen, Newsweek magazine, "How Old is Too Old?" she laid the foundation for the Drive-Bys' eventual turning on McCain as an old guy getting older. I want to predict to you that once he's got this sewn up you're going to see the Drive-By Media start doing stories on his age, and they're not going to be mean, they are not going to be vicious, they're going to be almost sorrowful. Somebody wrote about this in American Thinker today, too, and I can't remember the name. I think I've got it here in the Stack, but take a look at some of the pictures from last night on television. Here you had McCain, you've got an aging senator here, and an aging governor, gray-haired governor there, you've got old people, gray-haired, blue-haired Bloody Mary gang, women, blue hair in the hives and so forth, you've got pearls and so forth. You contrast that to the Obama crowd that is youthful, it's energetic, it wasn't stoic. I am telling you, if that doesn't work, they're going to go after this age business, and they'll do it almost regretfully. We're going to get the worst pictures of McCain. We're going to get him looking tired. We're going to hear references to his forgetfulness. "Isn't it just a shame?" And if that doesn't work, then they're going to do stories on the fact he's nuts. Just mark my words. Mark my words and don't doubt me.

Even "Newtie" has a crush on Obama:

"I am surprised how she underperformed and how well Senator Obama is doing," Gingrich said on "Good Morning America." "I think Senator Obama is slowly and steadily pulling away. The difference in fundraising capability is getting wider. They had 16,000 people in Boise turn out for Senator Obama Saturday. That's an unheard-of kind of turnout."

"I think he's becoming an unusual phenomena in American politics, almost harkening back to John F. Kennedy," Gingrich continued. "I think he's going to be very formidable for Clinton to stop."

And some parting shots from Man Coulter:

"A serious case could be made to support Hillary Clinton," she declared, offering the analogy of Winston Churchill backing Stalin in the fight against Hitler in WWII. "I'm not equating Hillary Clinton to Stalin, and if I did I apologize to Stalin's descendents... I'm not comparing McCain to Hitler. Hitler had a coherent tax policy." Later, she added, "The only way I can promise that I won't vote for Hillary Clinton is if John McCain appoints her as his vice president."

Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up

So much news, so much to do, so little time. Let's jump right in, shall we?

Morning cuppa?: Check

Daily Youtubery?: Check. Ledisi - Alright

Today's Ten Post Round-Up?: Check.

1: Democrats stormed the polls, Tuesday...

Democratic turnout thumped GOP turnout yesterday--AMERICAblog

2: Court tosses sexual assault case back to be fought on Halliburton's turf...

Case Of Alleged Sexual Assault Against Halliburton Staffers Won’t Go To Trial--Crooks and Liars

3: "Meanest Mom" deserves two-thumbs up...

Good Parenting and the "Meanest Mom"--The Huffington Post

4: Student stand up for his beliefs, gets kicked out of school...

Teen says he was kicked out for not standing for Pledge of Allegiance--Las Vegas Review Journal

5: "So if we take him at his word, the President is willing to let Americans die to protect the phone companies". ...

Senator Kennedy On FISA Veto Threat--Minstrel Boy

6: The Faux Nooz channel has no love for McCain...

Neil Cavuto Compares John McCain to Norman Bates--News Hounds

7: "Twinkie tax" idea man asks Mississippi WTF?...

You Know It's Bad When...--Reason Magazine

8: Trick question: Is there anything GWBs administration hasn't "fixed" (and by "fixed", I mean in the FUBAR sense)?...

9/11 director had links to Bush, book says--Seattle Times

9: Those zany Republicans...

GOP senators block stimulus package.--Think Progress

10: Chicago voting hi-jinx...

'Magical Inkless Pens' Help Obama Carry Nothing In Chicago--Wonkette

Sunny disposition despite the stuff that passes for news in this day and age? Check.

Prepare for a great weekend? Check.

Peace.

(Why, yes I am a cock-eyed optimist!...)

Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up

Despite my self-imposed news blackout, I was still following the blogs in my Google Reader.  I also have one that my readers can follow, on my own website's sidebar.  If you had been watching it throughout the evening, you would have noted that there was a lot of primary reports highlighted from most of my favorite bloggers.  Which is why I am glad I had the tv set to soft, soulful, music because I'm sure that the media noise machine was wailing.

I went to go see my bestest friend, on her birthday.  She had to work, so I went to hang out with her on her job site for a couple of hours and came home to read more primary news until my eyes couldn't take it anymore.

Now that Superduperfragilistic Tuesday is over, most of America is waking up to find out that John McCain cleans up very nicely, delegates-wise and that the Democrats still have time to decide whether it's gonna be Hillary or Obama who will get the nod.

The most interesting bit of news I came across before my head hit the pillow, last night, was about America's most illustrious preacher: Jesus Camp's very own and former star pastor for New Life Church, Ted Haggard.  Apparently, he's been kicked out of his de-gayification program!  Of course, that's really bad news for Ted and his friends who hoped that they could "pray away the gay", but I have a feeling that there is going to be quite a bit of schadenfreude kicked around today among my blogging compatriots (you know who you are!).

Now, if I could only find a song that reflected exactly how I'm feeling right about now...: "Ted Haggard Is Completely Heterosexual" by Roy Zimmerman

I know some of you may find this hard to believe, but there actually was other news, yesterday, so let's review in today's Ten Post Round-Up:

1: Speaking of...um...religious leaders...Ted Haggard's former friend, James Dobson, definitely does not "heart" the Republican presidential front runner...

Religious right leader James Dobson: I will not vote for McCain--AMERICAblog

2: Nope, GWBs administration really is THAT corrupt...

A Republican HUD scandal for a new generation--Crooks and Liars

3: Super Tuesday? Not so "super" for the stock market...

Ouch - Super Duper Recession Tuesday, Too--Cut to the Chase

4: Great News for Kraft Foods, not so good news for the nation's economy...

Mac & Cheese Sales Spike--The Huffington Post

5: Just please tell me, is it torture or not?...

It’s Official: Waterboarding Is Not Torture--J-Walk Blog

6: For the record, Hillary Clinton is not the first woman to run for president and neither is Barack Obama the first black person to run for president on the Democratic ticket (She ran "to give a voice to the people the major candidates were ignoring.")...

Shirley Chisholm's 1972 Presidential Campaign--Jo Freeman.com

7: In your face, skinny-minnies!...

The Burden of Healthy Living--Reason Magazine

8: And, btw, fat people? Way more outgoing than skinny-minnies...

Japan study says sociable people get fat and worriers thin--Reuters UK

9: Beetroot juice: It's a very good thing...

Research shows a daily does of beetroot juice can beat high blood pressure--Signs of the Times

10: I've said it before and it bears repeating (often) that every day in GWBs administration is "opposite day": Whatever he says he's GOING TO DO, expect him to do THE OPPOSITE...

Bush Cuts Funding For Democracy Intiative, One Week After Touting Program In SOTU Speech--Think Progress

I'm sure I don't need to mention that this is the same president who was taking spiritual and political advice from a preacher who was so far in the closet, even R. Kelly couldn't find him.

The snark machine is warmed up and ready to go and I haven't even finished my first morning cuppa.

Peace.

(say it with me: schadenfreude...)

Dizzy's Ten Post Round-Up

Ah, Super Tuesday. The talking heads will be all atwitter watching the polls in 22 states and waiting to see which Democrat/Republican comes out on top at the end of today's primary bonanza.

There will be a news blackout in this house (as always) until after 10pm. I can't stand play-by-plays, so watching the talking heads hold their breath and trying to "predict" who's going to get what state is about as interesting as watching paint dry.

Or maybe I'll just dance...

I could party like it's 1999, but I'll take Paula Abdul's advice and: Dance Like There's No Tomorrow

There are plenty of bloggers chattering away about the primaries and the candidates involved in today's shenanigans, so we'll look at some other things going on in the world in today's Ten Post Round-Up:

1: For all the talk about "change", you do realize that the next president could mos' definitely be a Washington "insider"?...

Next president could come from Senate--Anything Goes & General News

2: As many prepare for the future, by voting today, keep in mind that there are hearings going on at Gitmo, this week...

Rotten To The Core--Crooks and Liars

3: Milwaukee is trying to combat statutory rape, problem is, their ad campaign is a little creepy...

"Just because she has the body, doesn't mean she has the brain."--Jezebel

4: Fiction defeating fact, in minds of British teens...

Winnie the who?--Joanne Jacobs

5: Still can't decide who to cast your vote for?...

Electoral Compass--O'DonnellWeb

6: Decoding the real employment figures...

Revisiting the real employment stats from time to time -- and taking off from there--Scatablog

7: Blogroll Amnesty Day: a rousing success!...

b.a.d. gratitude--skippy the bush kangaroo

8: What's in your water bottle?...

Plastic Bottles Release Potentially Harmful Chemicals (Bisphenol A) After Contact With Hot Liquids--Signs of the Times

9: Good question...

Who's Your Mortgage Broker Working For?--truthout

10: The science of high heels?...

Tall Tales about High Heels--WIMN's Voices

On that note, I'm gonna go put on my dancing shoes.

Peace.

(Please don't stop the music!...)