Thanks, Dick.

Former VP Dick Chaney was on the Today Show this morning selling his "tell-all" book.

Thanks, Dick--not for writing the book which I will absolutely not read--but for confirming to the world that you are indeed a deranged lunatic who pretty much called the shots during the 8 years this nation suffered under George W. Bush (and you...and Karl Rove).

Now, for God's sake, go away.

Is this the apocalypse?

Hurricanes? Earth quakes? What's happening? Is this it? Is this how we're going to go? Oh no!

The Coming Political Season

Well, it has pretty much started and there will be no end to it until after November, 2012. The screaming, name-calling, accusations, insults, hostility, you name it-from both sides-whether you're a democrat or republican.

Every single morning show has someone on with an agenda and the evening news? Forget about it.

There's no escape except to leave the TV off, stop reading newspapers and magazines and definitely do not look at newsy web sites.

But who can do all of that? No one. There's no escape.

On that note, it's off to a Bed & Breakfast in Vermont for two and a half days. That should help.

Rick Perry for President (NOT)

Rick Perry is the governor of Texas (remember the last one?). He has just announced his intention to seek the republican nomination.

Now before I go any further, let's be completely clear about something. I couldn't care less what religion a person chooses to follow. Every single person has the constitutional right to worship as they choose. I don't care if you're Christian, Jewish , Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Confucius or if you worship ants. It doesn't matter AS LONG AS you don't try to shove it down my throat.

When that happens, then we're going to have a problem.

Now, back to Rick Perry. It is my belief that, based on his words and actions thus far, he will attempt to do exactly that.

We already have enough people--mostly republicans frankly--trying to tell you how to worship, who to marry or what to do with your body. We certainly don't need any more.

The irony of all of this is it's the republicans who are always telling us they believe government has become too intrusive and they want less of it. Then they go on to tell you what to do or not to do.

Enough! Stay in Texas, Rick. They deserve you.

Web site ideas

I need some ideas on how to make my website more interesting.

There are two particular links that draw very little traffic: The Month Page and Potpourri.

Thank you for any suggestions. I appreciate it.

georgeswebpage.com
george.stockwell@gmail.com

Who's Responsible-Part II

This morning's first news item was the report that the credit rating of the US has been downgraded.

This, no doubt, is due to the recently completed debt ceiling fiasco that we all watched pretty much because nothing else was being discussed.

Are we headed for a double-dip recession? Well, in spite of what you've been hearing, no one knows.

But one thing I do know for sure. Tea Party Republicans would love to see one. Furthermore it is the Tea Party that would have happily watched the US economy go over a cliff had there not been a deal on the debt ceiling.

This group is in my view nothing short of white-collar terrorists. They pose more of a threat than anything else to this country's economic health.

They need to go.

Your ears are big...so you must be wrong!

Ad Hominen. A Latin phrase meaning, roughly, attack the person, not his idea.

I've been getting firsthand experience with this ever since I started writing a column for Newtown Patch (newtown.patch.com)

Most of my pieces are fairly innocuous but from time to time, as most recently, I touch upon political issues.

That's when the loons squirm out of the woodwork and play their games.

Rather than stick to analyzing the logic of my position, they proceed to tear me apart personally.

When this happens, I know I've won the argument.

So, who are these people? Sad to say, the overwhelming majority are those whose political persuasion is anchored firmly on the far right--or what I've come to identify as the lunatic fringe.

It's not bad enough that they're abusive. The problem is they're also loud--very loud.

Sad to say, Congress is also full of these types. They're known largely as Tea Party Republicans. But let's face it, the left has their share too. Witness Al Sharpton.

Nothing can be done about the 'fringe' on the national level. They have the right to voice their opinion. But what about the people in my own town who comment on my Patch pieces? What's the appropriate response to them?

Silence. That's what. Rule number one: Never, EVER, engage the fringe. It's a no-win endeavor. It just encourages them. It's like jacking up the volume on a Bose speaker.

Eventually they'll go away. They have to sleep sometime.