They don't mind polluting our children's drinking water
They don't mind saddling our children with their fiscal mismanagement
They don't mind unleashing an environmental apocalypse upon our children
They don't mind sending our children off to die in wars of aggression

Once again, with the exception of yours truly, the entire DailyKos community missed the point of Armando's outing.  There is no need to get caught up in nuance. Armando's outing can be understood, and lessons best learned for the rest of us, by breaking the circumstances down into a simple mathematical formula:

Successful Professional Life + Compelling Online Presence = Target for Outing

I read several articles to identify the arguments in support of a constitutional amendment banning gay-marriage, with the purpose of highlighting and assessing the validity of the more "substantive" arguments. I've ignored biblical literalists, those fixated on the mechanics of sexual activity, bigots, demagogues and opportunists. Rather, I have sought to consider this issue from the perspective of principled or pious conservatives, who have yet to realize that their own moral opposition does not necessitate a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Of the articles I reviewed, two arguments worthy of note are the "slippery-slope to polygamy" argument, and the "circular reasoning marriage equals procreation equals marriage" argument.

The critical thinking process requires awareness that "slippery slopes" and "circular reasoning" are logical fallacies that undermine the decision-making process. But I did not select these phrases to describe the arguments; their proponents did so themselves. That they use these phrases to describe their own arguments should say something about the validity of their conclusions.

It's either gnaw glass or go on a tirade.  I chose the bloodless version.

I'm not quite sure how I ended up on every god-forsaken Republican snail-mail, spam and phone list, but that's neither here nor there.  Although these communiqués precipitate much heaving and gnashing-of-teeth, I don't ask to be removed because I'm a masochistic bastard (e.g. "I want to see what the enemy is up to"). Here in California's 50th Congressional district, it's amazing the number of trees that have been felled, the number of new NSA wiretap records that have been created, and the number of Viagra advertisements that have been pushed aside, in the pitiable attempt to thrust Brian Bilbray, like a barbed anal probe, into the body-politic of North County San Diego.

The MSM is jumping all over the "sounds of gunfire" story, as made a brief foray into the Rec List this morning. As was explored in the comments section of that diary, many Kossacks wonder if this is yet another example of media obfuscation of a larger, more volatile story.

As va dare diaried yesterday and the comments continued into this morning, the New York Times is reporting that the U.S. military is likely to confirm that the deaths of two dozen Iraqi civilians, including a number of women and children, was indeed a sustained and methodical sweep, lasting over several hours, by U.S. Marines.

The brouhaha over William Jefferson's freezer burning shenanigans has received a smattering of attention over the last few days, but after reading John Nichol's piece in The Nation (via www.commondreams.org), and upon review of the diaries and comments relevant to the matter, I see this story as a little more complex than a cursory review of the matter suggests. We liberals are fond/accused of analyzing issues ad nauseum based on their relative level of complexity, while others sort through their bumper stickers or wait on Rush to issue an edict.  This appears to be just such a case.

Who has divorced their own family?

Between my father and me, political issues are the elephant in the room. And I believe the dynamics found in our relationship are reflected in America at large: relatively good-intentioned, busy people doing their best to survive and meet their obligations, while keeping conflict at a minimum so everyone is comfortable at the dinner table. But the political polarization that rages today in the domestic landscape finds no outlet between my father and me, and has created significant psychological pain.  This pain is exacerbated given both of our intense political passions. I inherited that passion from him, although I fall on the opposite end of the political continuum.  The form of such passion is one of the reasons why I love him, the substance is why I hold him in profound contempt.

The issue is further complicated by my family's seeming alignment with his particular authoritarian worldview, not out of any particular effort on their part to parse the relevant issues, just out a misplaced sense of "respect."

So this is the issue that finally awakens me from my lurking stupor. As many of you, I decided to voice my concern with my telephone carrier, AT&T. Following is my email exchange with them.  I provide this so that others can crib what they wish, or perhaps educate me on the finer points of law...which I suppose I am apparently incapable of grasping, given my leftist bent.

I'm too lazy to wear a Halloween costume. I usually just say, "I'm a Republican, BOO!"  I get looks, but whatever. I decided it would be fun to see if people could guess this year, without my having to say anything.

I thought to start the day holding my breath, because Birkenstock hippies forced real Americans to accept their feel-good air quality standards. But I couldn't very well hold my breath all day - although sharply reduced oxygen flow to the brain would certainly make my disguise more convincing.

continue beyond the flip if you dare...

Given their message discipline, why DOES the White House let Rummy out to talk to people that can record what he says? Now, we have a "12-year quagmire, give or take..." `No shit,' say we.  But what about everybody else?  Even my father, dittohead extraordinaire, declined to comment this morning.  Not quite an admission that he's dead fucking wrong...but we're making progress on the cognitive dissonance front.

Anyway, I'm still trying to figure out the "genius" behind Rummy's latest admissions.  Is it the soft racism of lowered expectations? Is it a red herring or Jedi mind trick?  Is it Rove's coupe de grace? Or is it just the inevitable...when what one says is contraindicated by what IS, eventually reality will squeak out here and there.  And when it does, it hits the national forehead with the subtlety of a flying meat tenderizer, and goes over about as well as a raucous fart in church.

That being said...

As an insider in the action-packed world of federal education-lending, I want to pass along some recent education-related activity from the Hill. Some will be interesting to uber-wonks.  Some will be titilating to those with college loans or may need them in the future.  Still others will be fascinated that work is actually being done...

The days of the American manufacturing economy are gone, and with them the ability for most Americans to achieve a decent wage with just a high school education.  For those in the services and retail industries to advance, access to a decent college education is vital. Without affordable college educations, the gap between lower and upper income wage earners will continue to expand, much like it did in the late 1800s.  However, unlike then, education is still widely accessible today. We must ensure it stays that way, and students aren't priced out of the opportunity.

Update [2005-5-25 16:48:12 by SnyperKitty]: added poll [UPDATE} broke the poll, sorry about that More hot legislative action below the fold...

<satire>

SECTION ONE "My Road to Damascus" or "Why I Was Satan's Bitch and You Probably Still Are"

Paul had his road to Damascus. I had a night at the drive-in watching "Constantine" and "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."  These movies challenged my absurdly rational, scientific, and secular-humanistic view about life, the universe and everything.  I have had the weekend to contemplate and pray. I now have the glorious TRUTH^TM which I must impart upon you, God's lost children.

On that fortuitous Friday night, an Angel of the Lord, Frenchy, visited me in a cloud of ethereal bong smoke, entered unto my black heart and bitch-slapped my unworthy soul into a penitent submission. Frenchy spake the TRUTH^TM such that my eyes would be opened, my blasphemous heart cleansed, my chronic intellectual flatulence abated.  I am now AWASH in the purifying and tingling ecstasy of the Almighty! I am marinating like a slab of meat in the sweet bodily fluids of Christ! All Praise to Him and to His Favored People, all 100 million of us!

RANT ADVISORY:  This first in a one-part diatribe series is meant only to exercise my first amendment rights (e.g. "swear"), commiserate with the like-minded, open a cathartic and self-indulgent safety-valve , and otherwise mock the ignorant. Any similarity to even-handed dialogue is strictly coincidental. Said rant is liable to meander and end without much warning (other than this one).

EDUCATIONAL CONTENT ADVISORY: The reader is unlikely to learn anything of value without following links. Chances are slim that following the links will lead to anything substantive either.  It might be best to venture elsewhere if the reader is into the whole "pursuit of knowledge" thingie.  Seriously, the author is just perturbed, that's all this is about.

PARENTAL ADVISORY: Pop rocks mixed with a refreshing cola beverage really WILL punch holes in your kid's esophagus!  No shit!

AP Newswire: Under growing pressure to show progress in his second term, President Bush today unveiled a modified terror alert system. The new system was designed to be more user-friendly, providing "Real Americans" with context-specific examples of safety threats, along with practical steps they can take to protect themselves.

The redesign came in response to growing criticism that the old system did not sufficiently terrify the populace or whip them into an appropriately "robust" frenzy of bloodlust and Maniacal Obedience^TM. The new system, featuring "Biff the Terror Clam," was designed to spur family discussion about global annihilation and other matters of national interest. The modified levels from lowest alert to highest include:

Friends, has this ever happened to you:  you wake yourself from a dream that is so laugh-out-loud funny, only to realize that the humor was actually non-sensical jibberish?  Me neither.

Well, a few nights ago, I awoke from a dream about President Bush, in which the lyrics from Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy" looped mercilessly.  I don't remember much of the content of the dream (though there was this thing about a duck and a pickle, more on that some other day). However, over the last few days, I can't get the damn tune out of my head. But you know what they say, "better a song stuck in your head then your head stuck in a cement mixer."  At least that's what I've heard.

The following is my attempt to repel this particularly noxious melodic demon.  I think Glen Campbell would be proud.

Join me for a sing-along below the fold...

So now the Academic Bill of Rights is picking up some McCarthyite, stink-like-ass steam.  Shame on anyone surprised that conservatives, dissatisfied with their domination of such trifling institutions as the Legislative and Executive branches, have set their sights on quashing academia's opposition to their myopic world-view as well.  Perhaps this tasty treat will fade off the radar screen once the Senate finally goes nuclear over judicial nominees (which it will). But for the foreseeable future, this is going to get some serious play. It's too enticing a prospect for these rabid dickwads to pass up.  There's an opportunity to wax indignant and, yet again, shift the focus off the Bush administration's incredible ineptitude. They have lots of quasi-data to manipulate into "reports." It's not as easy to do as just laughing a whole issue off, but they show great proficiency nonetheless. And this quasi-data, other studies show, stinks like ass too. But those studies are probably left-leaning anyway. Almost Parisian.

Join me below the fold, my little butterflies...

Georgia10 brought up an important event yesterday: Senator Obama's First Bill, leading to discussion about some of the most pressing issues facing our nation today: the availability and affordability of a quality college education.  Specifically, Obama seeks to increase the maximum award for Pell Grants from their current $4,050/yr ceiling to $5,100/yr.  While it's easy to agree that the concept is a good one, it's important to avoid knee-jerk conclusions on the appropriate means of funding such an increase.  

Education funding issues are as complex as they are unsensational.  This will be no heart-palpitating rant about feeding tubes. Nevertheless, as I work in the higher education lending community, and am a policy wonk at that, I felt obligated to share some additional information with those that might be interested in this particular subject matter.

So get a cup of coffee, and join me below the fold...

I recently asked my radcon father why it was unreasonable to expect sound environmental policy, to which he replied "the exhaust coming out of today's cars is cleaner than the air going in.  I won't be living in no cave just for a few tree huggin' freaks!"

I could have just asked him "why is the air so dirty going INTO the car then?"

But, since I am one for overkill, I sought to find some middle ground with which to make a reasonable argument for reducing our need for petroleum.  I took advantage of a research assignment in my Economic's class to put together the (very lengthy) following paper.

It has some relevant facts that might prove useful if you're ever trying to make a case.  Crib as you wish