Happy New Year???

Leave it to the current US government and the scientists in their employ. Have you ever in your life experienced such a heartless crew? 2008, in almost every respect, absolutely sucked as years go. War, famine, bi-polarism run rampant, increases in crime rates, unemployment rates, oil and gas prices. The only thing that went down was the assets of the middle class----their 401-k, their houses, their pay......And the government is ADDING a second to 2008 to get all the atomic clocks in tune or some such gibberish!!!! And they claim waterboarding isn't torture?? Compared to what 2008 has wrought, they might be right. They couldn't have let that second get added AFTER midnight so 2009 was a second longer?? Wonder how much my 401-k will lose in that extra second........

Check out this video--the Pirate Dogs and I found it amusing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWiXy55OHyY .

The Pirate Dogs and their family wish that you and yours all have a Happy, Peaceful, and Prosperous New Year!!!!!!!!!!!

Hair and There

It's everyone's time to do lists---resolutions for the New Year, favorite people, disasters, movies, t.v. shows, reality series, etc of 2008. And all ad nauseam. So while Keith does his "Countdown" of favorites and Chris Mathews does his, both on MSNBC, me and the Pirate Dogs figured we'd do a blog posting that doesn't include any such lists!!! Hoo-ray and arf-arrgh.
One thing to comment on is "The Hair"--of course that's Illinois gov. Rod Blagojevich.

This guy is accused of trying to sell the President-elect's Senate seat. I repeat, he is accused of trying to sell the seat. Sen. Harry Reid has issued the declaration that whoever Blago appoints will not be seated. Even Obama says Blago's recommendations should not be accepted. After 8 years of Bush deciding on which American rights to violate and which laws to selectively enforce or ignore, I hope I'm not the only one out here getting nervous about people in power taking actions as if Blago's presumed guilt were a confirmed fact. Doesn't he get a trial or something?? He may be as crooked as ol' Tricky Dick Nixon, but it's a long way from accusation to conviction. I'm not saying we should accept any Blago nominee, but the reasons for rejection shouldn't be the allegations against him. Seems the Illinois legislature should require a special election or some other process that limits Blago's authority while he is under investigation.

Try to get a copy of The Economist for Dec.20-Jan2 (double issue). It's got great articles ranging from angels to music to lighthouses. You can check it out online as well at http://www.economist.com/printedition/index.cfm?d=20081220. The article on oysters is enough to make my mouth water but the Pirate Dogs said they can leave them.

Channeling

My late mother-in-law's birthday is this week-end. See http://zeesgowest.blogspot.com/ for a more serious treatment of this occasion. But Weets Elva has her own take---she channels her grandmother.

As can be observed in these pictures, Weetz (left) looks like "E" (right). Note especially the silver top knot of hair.

Now Weets has a personality like "E" as well. I used to call my wife the "old bat." "E" would call every Saturday morning very early CA time. I'd usually answer and call the old bat to the phone. "E" went over 10 years thinking I said "It's the old bat", not "It's for you, old bat." Needless to say this was a source of tension, unknown to either my spouse or myself, in the relationship with her mother. "E" could also be short when speaking to someone and rather insistent that her ideas and caveats be followed. A lot like Weets' nagging and harping at the other Pirate Dogs to go check out the outside or go to the window and harass some poor passers-by.

It would be fair to say we miss "E" and really wish she could be here to interact with the small doggie grand-daughter who has her hair, expressions, and communicative talents so well emulated. Then again, Weets does such a good job of channeling her that we think of her and appreciate her all the time.

Holiday Message

The Pirate Dogs and I were reading the New York Times online this Christmas Eve morn and came upon a message on the op-ed pages that we not only set as our desk-top background but felt we should share with all of you. Unfortunately we can't insert it in a good readable fashion, so here is the link:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/12/24/opinion/20081224_opart_ono.html

Follow the directions and imagine.................

Questioning My Vote??

The Pirate Dogs are still howling unbelievably about the local church and some of its clientele. So they aren't participating in this posting.

To read the newspapers and listen to cable news is to begin to doubt the wisdom of my vote for Obama. He promised change and a joining of the American people in the middle, an end to the extremes of partisanship and red-vs-blue. Can't we give him a chance to get inaugurated and start work before bringing out all the insignificant b.s that drives the wedges between our peoples??

Take the cabinet choices---no Southerners. Well, the government representatives from that region's record hasn't been very positive in the Bush years. And as a whole, it's not Obama territory. We also do not have any good information on those he might have contacted that decided to continue in their present jobs rather than sign on to the new administration. A lot of Obama supporters are governors who might be of more benefit to the country and their states if they stay in their present circumstances. The other "big deal" about the cabinet is lots of Clinton people. Anyone have any non-Clinton folks with experience in a Democratic administration?? Ever consider we need people who know their way around Washington to really effect the change we need and Obama has promised?

Next is the kerfuffle about Rick Warren. Now I personally can take or leave him and the evangelical movement. Lots of gay rights groups are howling Obama let them down. Would they prefer Jeremiah Wright? Or how about Pope Benedict, who says homosexuals aren't evil but their acts are sinful? Let's give Obama a pass---he's trying to UNITE us, people, and what better way than to have as many of our disparate beliefs and foibles as possible represented in his administration and in the pomp and circumstance of his inauguration. We finally got it right---let's stop the nit-picking and move on!!!!!

Christmas Carol

There has been some digging by the Pirate Dogs. They have researched that most boring of Christmas carols that covers 12 days. In the alley behind our house they have excavated some ancient runes. Their research shows that for all these years, the last 3 verses have been wrong!!!!!!!

In fact, The Twelve Days of Christmas actually ends with:

"Three Pirate Dogs"

"Two Siamese"

"And AndromeClee guarding Cat Food!!

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS FROM THE PIRATE DOGS AND THEIR FAMILY

Of Pirates and Spinners

Captain 'Roid is really pissed off. When last seen, the intrepid Captain was begging her mother to make a new flag for the CPS Nargle proclaiming the "End of the United Nations." According to a report on tonight's BBC America newscast, the UN has signed some declaration allowing countries to pursue the pirates onto Somalian land. Now admittedly, Somalia is a failed state and its sovereignty is open to debate. But to allow other countries, including Iran, China, Great Britain, and the US (talk about politics and pirates making strange bedfellows!!!!) to invade in pursuit of the pirates?? Hopefully all those military men will review Blackhawk Down before doing the same foolish thing.....And why does the US, beacon of religious freedom and defender of the right to democratic processes, so fear an Islamic government in Somalia?? Isn't Islam one of the "Great Religions" alongside Christianity, Judaism, Taoism, Buddhism, etc?? Or is all this "Islamic terrorists are radical extremists" just a smoke screen and the US is really at war with Muslims-----shades of Richard the Lion-Heart and the Crusades...........

Do you remember The Spinners from the '70's and that massively "great" song "Rubber Band Man"?? Actually, I detest that song but all the "oldies" stations seem fixated on it.

But those aren't "the spinners" I'm writing about. I'm thinking about the auto-bailout/union busters and whether the Kennedys are more deserving of power as a dynasty than the Clintons, if MSNBC be believed.

GM and Chrysler are doing worse than Packard did in the 1950's. They hemorrhage cash, blowing through billions a month. Their management has been about as in tune to the needs of the average buyer and the concerns about the deleterious effects of automotive emissions on the decaying of the Earth's atmosphere as Bush and Cheney have been to telling the truth about Al-Qaeda in Iraq, let alone the total misinterpretation of the WMD intelligence.
Now, depending whom one reads, we are either headed for, or are already in, the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. The government has bailed out the financial fat-cats but balks at doing the same for the auto-making fat-cats. The problem is that there are a lot of not-so-fat-cats that would be a lot more hurt by the death of the Big 3. About 1 in 10 American jobs is tied to the auto industry---from parts providers to transportation firms to the workers at the car plants themselves. If we want to see Great Depression type unemployment numbers (like around 25%), then let's allow the Big 3 shut down and add that 10% who lose their jobs to the present 11% without jobs. (I realize the current "official" unemployment rate is about 6% but that does NOT include part-time employees who'd like full-time jobs or those who have stopped trying to find work. That number is over 11%.) That's 21% unemployment. Wouldn't take many, if any, more Citibank job cuts to put us well over that 25% threshold.

But some Senators blame all the failings of the auto industry on the wage disparity between the union workers up north and the non-union laborers in the foreign plants south of the Mason-Dixon line. Taking a real crisis and scapegoating people who will lose their livelihoods to avoid taking action while changing the focus of the argument to something totally non-related is major SPIN!! Even if a UAW member makes $71.00 an hour, that's only $150,000/year!!! And that's nowhere near what an executive at either an auto maker or a financial firm makes!!!! As a matter of fact, it's 1.5% of the 10-million dollar paychecks and bonuses common in executive suites or a Major League Baseball locker room. So let's not blame the union. Deny the bail-out if you don't think management can turn around these companies but let's stop the b.s.

So Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg threw her hat into the ring for the US Senate seat formerly warmed by former first-lady Hilary Clinton (all this assumes she gets confirmed for Secretary of State and resigns). Caroline has a lot going for her. First, her maiden name is Kennedy. She's the only surviving child of JFK and Jackie. She's a major upgrade in looks from Mrs. Clinton and I think she's also better looking than Sarah McPalin (remember her??). So give her the job already. But first we need to watch interminable hours of every Clintonista with an axe to grind and all the MSNBC "analysts" and commentators who need to justify their salaries since the election is over stir up controversy. Who cares if Andrew Cuomo is divorced from one of Caroline's cousins?? What possible effect does it have on her qualifications for the Senate, which are about the same as Hilary's when she was first elected----a member of a family that was in the White House as well as being a lawyer. And Caroline even had a pony at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue!!!!
So enjoy "Rubber Band Man" when you hear it and wish we only had to deal with the musical Spinners instead of the bozo spinners masquerading as learned gentlemen. Hang on to your money and hope January 20 comes faster. But keep your shoes handy just in case...........

Road Trip

Hi,

Remember me, Leny (that's pronounced like the "lena" in Magdalena which is my given name), First Mate of the CPS Nargle? Well this Thanksgiving I got to accompany my parents on a road trip to CA to visit my human siblings and their families. We drove thru NM, AZ, and a lot of CA---over 1300miles. Dad was glad gas is under $2.00/gallon.


I met my nephew Rocket, a Boston terrier. He's the canine member of the family with 5 kids, my dad's son 's family. Rocket is a typical male---couldn't keep his grubby paws off these beauteous buns. I really like the human pups and guarded them from any and all adults who didn't get clearance from me to visit them. They live on a cul-de-sac with lots of human puppies!! I felt it was my job to screen any adults I didn't know and make sure they had legitimate reasons for approaching the playing children. Can't be too careful in today's world, that's what ol' Crow's-Nest Weetzie always sez....


My mom made a sweater for one of the human pups and she looks so cute in it. I hassled my dad to do a video about the trip and here we go----you'll get to see him, me, Rocket, kids, and scenery. Thanks to Glenn Frey and Jackson Brown for writing the soundtrack song, the version is from the live reunion album Hell Freezes Over.

We got to spend some time with my human sister and her whippets, Mystified and the Lummox. I was my usual dominant self, even though the Lummox is pretty bad. I guess it's just me, so lovable!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! I certainly did!!!!!!

Somali Pirates

I know Capt. 'Roid has been very excited about the Somali Pirates. I also realize not everyone is as into pirates as I am, living with the Pirate Dogs. So here is an article from the Nov. 20 issue of The Economist together with a link to the complete article with graphics:

AHOY THERE!
Nov 20th 2008

The pirates of Africa's most failed state get ever more ambitious, and dangerous

TO BOARD the SIRIUS STAR, one of the world's largest oil tankers, Somali pirates had to haul themselves up ropes tied to grapnel hooks the height of London's Big Ben, with the 330-metre (1,100 feet) long ship pitching all the while in the tropical swell. Then there was the location, way out in the high seas, fully 450 nautical miles off the coast of Kenya. The feat of vertiginous thuggery will be taken everywhere as proof of what is possible; it was the biggest ever catch by any pirate, anywhere in the world.
As if to underline the point, the tanker's capture on November 15th, with $110m of crude oil bound for America, was followed by several other hijackings by Somali pirates, including a Thai tuna boat, a Turkish chemical tanker, an Iranian freighter loaded with wheat and a Greek bulk carrier. Against this, an Indian warship, the INS TABAR, reported that it had blown a Somali pirate "mother ship" to smithereens in retaliatory fire on November 18th. Warships from several countries now patrol the Somali coast.
Taken together, the attacks increase the threat against merchant shipping to levels not seen since the second world war. Every tanker using the Gulf and every freighter using the Suez Canal is now a potential pirate target, no matter what course they navigate or how big they are.
As a nascent and profitable industry in a failed and starving state, the Somali pirates will not lack for recruits. A share in a ransom translates into an easier life of meat and honey; not just pirate parties but a beautiful bride, a camel, a home, even a car. Conversely, the ransoms mean higher insurance premiums for the rattled shipping industry, delays for customers as more ships choose the longer passage around the Cape of Good Hope, lower revenues for the Suez Canal, and for the oil markets yet another variable to work into already volatile prices. Piracy will be bad news even for Somalia, accelerating the Talibanisation of the south by armed Islamist groups as more secular-minded gunmen abandon their poorly paid defence of Mogadishu for adventures at sea.
As THE ECONOMIST went to press, the SIRIUS STAR had dropped anchor off the Somali pirate port of Haradheere. There it joined a dozen or more other vessels, all anchored at ransom, their crews, about 250 people in all, held at gunpoint. Among them is the MV FAINA, a Ukrainian freighter captured in September with a cargo of tanks almost certainly bound for south Sudan (with Kenyan government help). Ransom demands for the FAINA have dropped from $20m to $8m since it was surrounded by American and Russian warships, but there is still no agreement on its release. The pirates are likely to ask in excess of $30m ransom for the SIRIUS STAR.

See this article with graphics and related items at http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12650244&fsrc=nwl

Pirates Redux

So some Indian Man-of-War zapped a Somali pirate "mother ship." Do you believe this stuff??? They actually had a meeting in the White House---W and the National Security Council---to discuss these high seas hijackings. And some Pentagon spokesman had a press conference and said it was incumbent on shipping companies to provide their own protection, like hiring armed security contractors. So our government can no longer protect our interests on the high seas from SOMALI PIRATES!!!!!!!!!!!!! The level of incompetence just gets more astounding daily. No wonder the economy resembles a Russian nuclear reactor.
January 20 cannot come soon enough.

Bail---in or out????

How about them Somali Pirates?????????? 12 ships in 7 days from an area of the ocean patrolled by the US Navy, Her Royal Majesty's Navy, the EU, the Emirates, and Kingdoms of the Gulf!!!! YeeHAW!!!!!!!!!!! The Pirate Dogs hope they get to keep their loot and that they use it to improve the standard of living in the Horn of Africa, one of the poorest and most badly governed places in the entire world.
I need to correct the last post---There were a couple of inconsistencies in the sources. Apparently the ship was taken in the Gulf of Aden and is now anchored in the Indian Ocean some 450 miles from Mombasa, Kenya. Capt. 'Roid apologizes for the misinformation.
Now that the Somalis have bailed out their ships, how about the bail-out in DC of the BIG 3? I thought this was a capitalistic nation, not a welfare state. If I ran my business with as little forethought and lack of planning as that exhibited by the CEOs of the Detroit mega corporations, I'd deserve to be fired or run into bankruptcy. Now I fully appreciate that we cannot allow the auto industry to go the way of the airlines. There's always places to go and someone to take the risk and fly there. No sane person would buy any major asset from a company in Chapter 11. Cars last years and anyone purchasing one wants to make sure he can keep his investment on the road. But a free ride out of their hole is the last thing we should support as taxpayers or citizens.
I believe that successful people should get the fruits of their hard work. And executives who can't formulate a decent forward-looking business plan should go back to the business correspondence school they came from for a refresher course.
Memo to our representatives----
NO BAILOUT!!! No LOANS to the auto Industry without STRINGS!! WE THE PEOPLE need to see how OUR money will be used to sustain the industry and IMPROVE the performance of its products----MORE MPG, MORE environmentally friendly, NO MORE loans or taxpayer dollars after this ONE time.
After all, if a bunch of Somali pirates can outperform the navies of the allegedly advanced economies, our congress, senate, and captains of capitalism should be able to give us some bang for our buck in a car that gets 50-plus MPG, is safe and fun to drive.
Let's get our people in WaWa DC this message!!!!!

Pirates

I noticed some weird things on the computer over the week-end. The Captain seemed very excited and the rest of the crew could barely contain themselves. It wasn't until I caught the news on NPR's All Things Considered this evening, reinforced by the banner running along the bottom of the screen on MSNBC, that I saw the light.
America prides itself on its Armed Forces. But perhaps we now have an incident that is definitive proof that WE ARE STRETCHED TOO THIN!!!!!

Right under the Navy's nose, 450 miles off the coast of Mombasa, Kenya, in the Gulf of Aden, the Somali Pirates have struck again. This time an Arabian tanker with 2million barrels of oil worth about $100million. Apparently the freighter strayed off the recommended and well patrolled shipping lanes. "Gotta hand it to those Somalis", said Capt. 'Roid. "They got gigantic brass cajones!!!!!!!" The captain of the Pirate Dogs also wished their compatriots a fair wind and hoped they might dip their beak in any profit the venture realized.

An Open Letter to President-elect Obama

Dear Barack,

I hope it's OK to address you that way. I already broke the keyboard on my dad's laptop so spelling out all that President-elect stuff is tough. Have you any conception how hard it is for a dog to type anyway?? No opposable thumbs.

I loved your speech, especially because you and I have in common that we're mutts. And going for a shelter dog is an outstanding example for you to give this country. Do you believe these cretins still have kill shelters in some states? I'm a refugee from one in Ohio. I got sent to New Hampshire and adopted. Here's a picture of me at the shelter meeting my new family:

In case you can't tell from the picture, I'm a Sharprador. That's a cross between a Shar-Pei (you know, those Chinese wrinkle hounds) and a Labrador Retriever. I'm about 51 pounds now and I guess I'm fully grown. The vet says my tongue is tie-dyed because it's got a lot of blue on it.

I'm a very fast runner, even though I sometimes get a little careless. One time I was going wicked fast around the corner of the house and I slipped into a pruned rose-bush. One thing about "Sharpies" is very fragile, thin skin. I had to get stitches and have my wound drained. I looked like hell in that lampshade too, don't you think?

But I'm all recovered and very happy, especially with my favorite chew bone:

I really think you should consider a Sharprador for your white House pet. Our breed is very affectionate and loving. We are good watchdogs. I am amazing at catching chip turks that Dad throws my way. And there's lots of Shar-Pei/Lab mixes in shelters too!!!! Of course we aren't the most hypo-allergenic of breeds, but you could always just get the kid shots, right?? I mean how could you pass up a dog that looks like this?????????

Congrats on your new job,

Leny

First Mate of the CPS Nargle and the Pirate Dogs

Economics PD3

Most of the attention the Pirate Dogs pay to economic issues consists of sitting in the kitchen whenever a person goes there, hoping for food to be either given them or dropped on the floor where they can scarf it up. Pretty simplistic and operating at a very basic level.

Now the three of them, joined by my wife and I, watched the President-elect and the stage full of economic heavy hitters do a press conference. We liked the part about the shelter dog the best---the Obama girls really deserve a Sharprador (even if Leny would out-cute them) and wouldn't the Humane Society so benefit from the exposure!!! But the serious issue of the economy did get us thinking......


The auto industry gets a lot of attention. It did in Mr. Obama's remarks before the media. It is probably, after the financial sector, the most needy segment of the manufacturing sector. But a bail-out or loan package MUST be tied to the long-term environmental needs of not only the country but the planet. There were autos that could get 30MPG twenty years ago. This is no longer a goal but an attainable standard. It's our belief that any aid package to the car makers have at the very least a fleet fuel economy standard of 50MPG or more and that this standard be attained within two years!!! Also the car makers should be encouraged to dedicate themselves to improving their core competencies, i.e, building efficient,competitive automobiles, and discouraged from ventures into mortgages and banking. GM Bank and Ditech (mortgages from GMAC) are examples of this phenomenon. If the talent is diluted into so many ancillary ventures, how can the manufacturer be competitive with the foreign companies who keep their eye on the ball. A certain financial acumen is necessary to assist buyers in financing their new (and probably over-priced) vehicle, but a mortgage company and a bank??????????

So by all means, let's put together a stimulus package. And let's support our domestic industries, the few we have left. But let's make sure that this support is aligned with the longer term goals of energy independence and reversing the damage we've done to our planet.

11/4 Hangover

The election is done. I heard a story on NPR Wednesday night that Kenya had declared Thursday a national holiday because of the election of Barack Obama as president of the U.S. One segment reported that people went to the grave of Obama's father and chanted that he had sired a king. I didn't think the popular vote margin was quite that large, but I do believe that it's a good thing for America's image around the globe.

Congratulations to Auntie Bucksnort!!! Her granddaughter Paloma Luz had a tropical storm named after her---Paloma is bearing down on the Caymans and Cuba as I write this Thursday evening. Way to go Dove Light!!!!!!!!!!! But now the Pirate Dogs want to storm NOAA---their idea is to get the National Weather Service to name hurricanes from the BACK of the alphabet. Some muttering from the Captain about Weetzie being more potent than a Dove..................Gotta let those dogs out more during the day.

Watching MSNBC post-election. I can't believe the stories coming out about Sarah Palin. I may not be a fan of hers, but to state that she doesn't know the countries in North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico), the ones that make up NAFTA, or that she doesn't know Africa is a continent, not a country, all that seems a little over the top. She obviously doesn't care to share what knowledge she might possess---witness the Katie Couric interview question about what magazines or newspapers she reads---all of them, whatever they put in front of me was the response. I don't think anybody (Keith "Big Head" Olbermann excepted) would laugh too hard if she admitted to Fins and Feathers Alaska or the Anchorage Daily News. Maybe US, People, Time or Newsweek. But everything?? Come on. This woman is a master politician and apparently quite the manipulator. Really says something negative about John McCain's campaign that they pick her to be "a heartbeat away" from the presidency and then throw her under the bus when they lose. Shame on the McCain campaign and aren't we glad we didn't elect such a pathetically poor decision maker as our leader?

Election Day

The Pirate Dogs and I have been closely following this year's campaign for the last two years at least. We've gotten information from all kinds of emails, ads, MSNBC, FoxNews, CNN, various newspapers, word of mouth, blogs, you name it. I will say that I have the http://factcheck.org/ short cut on my desktop. And if you are a serious voter, I hope you also have used this to cull the wheat from the chaff. Check out http://zeesgowest.blogspot.com/ for some quotes and commentary on this election, especially the posts since October 31.

So the Pirate Dogs and I are ready to endorse a candidate. Let me say that my wife and I have always liked and respected John McCain. In the past he has worked hard for campaign reform and he has reached out to the Democrats in the Senate--McCain-Feingold being a prime example of this. But of late we have lost this respect. His latest attack ads have a Rovian quality to them, not unlike what W and Karl did to McCain in the 2000 primaries. John had a plethora of really outstanding figures to choose as vice-president, among them Joe Lieberman, Tom Ridge, and Mitt Romney. He chose Sarah Palin. Now, she's interesting, but compared to these others, she is a tremendous lightweight. The Pirate Dogs wish her well, maybe in 2016 after she gets some chops. But for 2008, we will go with the same candidate endorsed by a conservative newspaper/magazine of British heritage, The Economist:

Barack Obama is uniquely qualified to lead us into the future. His world view, formed by his bi-racial roots, should bring a new, fresh, and much-needed perspective to American foreign policy. And we really need that after the damage to our reputation caused by Guantanamo, torture, and the devolution of the Geneva convention perpetrated by the present regime. The difference between the two candidates is basically simple---McCain is a link with the past, when he was perhaps great. Obama is the future and that's what we need to vote for!!!

But regardless how you vote, the Pirate Dogs love you and whatever the outcome, we wish you peace.

Happy Halloween

Today I saw a sign on a church advertising a "Festival of Lights" for the evening of October 31. I'm sure my conception of this is very different from theirs. My ideal would be all these kids dressed in costumes carrying flashlights or lit up pumpkins throughout the neighborhood where all the windows have illuminated Jack-o-Lanterns or glow-in-the-dark black cats or witches...... cackle cackle.... boil and bubble, toil and trouble..... wingardium leviosa. Please can I have some extra candy????

But this is a special time of year for the denizens of the CPS Nargle. Obviously they can't have chocolate and too much sugar is worse for their teeth than for the average kid. But they get excited none the less.

Captain 'Roid has been plotting in the Nargle about vengeance on the cats. Her musings are interrupted whenever anyone goes into the kitchen, however. The Captain is the original chow hound. You can see from her face she just was giving orders ending in "ARRRRGH". Just look at that scowl!!!! Lord help whichever cat she has decided to take action against.

Now First Mate Leny has just returned from her patrol of the perimeter of the yard. Her primary duty is to bark and hassle any travelers in the alley behind the house. She also keeps a wary eye out for any stray cats who happen by. Her favorite prey is Skippy-Kee who loves to tease and run. But have you ever seen a cuter pirate dog?

Lookout Weetzie keeps both eyes peeled for trouble, especially in the form of joggers or walkers in front of the house. Her assignment is to nag the First Mate until the latter goes to the window and acts ferociously enough to deter any passers-by. Even though Weet's right eye doesn't look all that clear in the picture, she doesn't miss a trick---or treat.

After all, isn't that what this holiday is all about?????????? So be generous, especially if these three come to your door:

Happy Halloween from the Pirate Dogs. Remember, they love you and a little treat goes a long way----Trust me, you don't want their "TRICKS."

Sunday Thoughts

Sunday morning----- Sitting in a recliner, relaxing with coffee, reading the Sunday New York Times (online---wouldn't get it until Tuesday by mail here). I just finished mowing the lawn and doing some other chores that don't get done during the work week. Sunday mornings.......

I just read a segment somewhere that talked about the "liberal religious" movement. What??????????? Today's "religious right" would definitely not be confused with any progressive agendas. Anti-abortion, anti-same-sex relationships, anti-Muslim, anti-immigration, anti-just about any kind of social progress it seems. (Just for the record, being "pro-choice" is NOT the opposite of being "pro-life." I personally find the use of abortion as a means of birth control unacceptable. It's a failure to excercise the plethora of choices and options already available. It mocks the very term "pro-choice.")

Take the modern harvest celebration. The Christian Church around the corner is having a "Fall Festival"; the Nazarenes down the road are having "Neewollah" (isn't speaking backward a sign of demonic possession----just asking). I like the idea of putting Christ back into Christmas and also favor putting the Witch back into Halloween. I hate the political correctness namy-pamby-ism that doesn't allow parades of costumed kids on the last day of October. We make sure that if there's candy left over, it's the type we like best!!!!

By the way, the liberal religious movement I referred to above was the Berrigan brothers and other clergy opposed to the Vietnam war. I wish our present day clergy had the same moral fortitude, but seeing the size of some of these churches, I guess the need to fill them with donating worshippers frequently overrides a sense of moral conviction. As the ad for one of the Baptist congregations states: "Religion with a casual approach." Now if that's not an oxymoron.........

Time Travel

Driving on the highway the other day, a perfect confluence of events punctured the space-time continuum and transported me back to when long hair for men was ok and my guitar strap was red with white doves alternating with white peace symbols.

The radio was playing Ohio by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. As the vocal wailed "Four dead in Ohio" I passed a pick-up with a bumper sticker reading America, Love It or Leave It. Serious flashback, man.........................Today, we'd say Blue or Red, Joe the Plumber or "palin around with terrorists". ( I meant to spell it that way!!!!)

Why there are people who "'oppose your interests' and 'really believe that if they can make you afraid enough or angry enough, you can be tricked into voting against yourself. It is all part of the same contempt, and [on Election Day] you can show them the mistake they have made.' The debate wasn't between left or right, but between 'the politics of fear and the politics of trust. One says: you are encircled by monstrous dangers. Give us power over your freedom so we may protect you. The other says: the world is a baffling and hazardous place, but it can be shaped to the will of men...cast your vote for trust, not just in leaders or policies, but trusting your fellow citizens, in the ancient tradition of this home for freedom and, most of all, for trust in yourself."

If that don't sound like the Bush/Cheney era and the tone of the 2008 presidential campaign, I don't know what would. Divisiveness, the culture wars, an unpopular military action overseas, fear of terrorism and crime......The above is from Nixonland by Rick Perlstein on pgs.536-537. The context is a televised speech by then Senator Edmund Muskie of Maine exhorting voters to cast their ballots the next day for Democratic candidates. The fear-mongers were Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew. And their speeches and approaches would be so familiar to John McCain and Sarah Palin----because they are the same. And for me, Edmund Muskie's words ring as true today as when he spoke them on that evening in 1970.

Vote early if you can (I did) and please vote with your head, not your fears!!!!!

Plumbers and Attacks

Joe the Plumber, Joe the Plumber, Joe the Plumber, Joe the Plumber, Joe the Plumber, Joe the Plumber, Joe the Plumber.....A campaign that gets too much money can become corrupt.....
These are Republican talking points, coming in large part from the candidate John McCain himself. Personally, I'd be distancing myself from Plumbers and corruption if I were a Republican. Or doesn't the Maverick remember a little break-in at the Watergate Hotel by someone linked to him personally, G. Gordon Liddy, a member of Nixon's Plumbers, the epitome of corrupt campaigning. John, John, John, where did you go?

So there I was, walking through the bedroom. When a flash erupted from the top of the Nargle. Poor little Weetzie the look-out fled in terror. AndromeClee had leaped from the mast of the ship and slashed her vicious claws at the look-out. And the Captain is brooding in the recliner.......

Another Roller Coaster

So another roller coaster week comes to a close. The president addressed the nation about the economy and caused the Dow to fall and our retirement investments to lose value. I'd estimate he's causing me to add 2 months to my planned retirement date every time he opens his fool mouth!!!!! Enough already----let's inaugurate the winner of Nov. 4 on Nov. 5 before W can wreak any more havoc.

Then Saturday Night Live---Sarah "'Cuda" Palin and Sarah "Tina Fey" Palin on the same screen. Holy secret identity crisis!!!!! That's like Superman and Clark Kent or Batman and Bruce Wayne appearing in the same frame!!!!!!!!!!!! Will this nation ever recover................

Next, there was Meet the Press on Sunday. Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama. But even more tellingly, he emphasized what America is all about. It makes no difference if a candidate is Arab, Muslim, black, or a veteran, old, white, and out of touch. As long as he's an American and eligible for the presidency. Powell showed more sense with his observations than either candidate has shown with their attacks. Maybe McCain's biggest error was not getting him for V.P. Or perhaps it's a sign of how low the Republican Party has sunk that it could not field him as their candidate.

Thursday night was miraculous. Not only do los socquitos rojos thrive on being 3 games down, they came back in 2 innings from SEVEN runs down as well!!!!! And they won Saturday!!!!! Isn't it a foregone conclusion who will win Sunday and sweep the Phillies in 4???? Like there's any suspense left to the baseball season.........

Space Cadet

Talk about appropriate venues for campaign appearances!!!! Sarah Palin (click on the link and click on objects around the picture, especially the door on the left---do that several times!! Save the red phone for last.) has a rally scheduled for Sunday in Roswell New Mexico.


For the uninitiated, Roswell is the home of the only UFO crash that yielded an alien body. Even the McDonald's has an alien and flying saucer theme. The creature was whisked off to Area 51 in the Nevada desert for scientists in the employ of the US Air Force to examine and experiment on. I kid you not--here's proof:

Down that dirt road is the crash site, now on private property. The sign has the contact info for the tour company that can show you the site. Guess beef prices were down and this guy needed something to hold him over...............

Speaking of abductions, shouldn't the government and Wall Street do that to the formerly lame-, now dead-duck President W? Have you noticed that the biggest drops in the Dow this past week all came on days when George W. spoke to the American people about the economic crisis and how his government's actions would get us through it!! Maybe the 'Cuda-Pit Bull-Hockey Mom should go to Wall Street and W can visit Roswell. Then we'd know there was really extraterrestrial life because I'm sure he's a fish those UFO pilots would throw back!!!!!!!!

The Last Debate

OK, I'm sure you've all been deluged with the analysis and commentary about the last presidential debate Wednesday night. So what have I got to add? Probably not much, but............
As the Pirate Dogs and I watched the candidates, we noticed a couple of statements that screamed out for some further exposition but as of this posting I haven't seen any---in the N Y Times, on MSNBC, the BBC, FoxNews, etc.

First, does John McCain really equate Down's Syndrome with autism??? And does the fact that Sarah Palin has a Down's baby make her one of the world's foremost authorities on autism and special education as Mr McCain stated???

Second, did anyone else out there catch the bit about making people who serve in the army teachers without making them go through all the rigors of certification?? Does John McCain believe that any veteran can teach?? Enlistment standards are so low that they waive high school graduation and minor drug offenses!!!!! I think BETTER teachers are what's needed, not just more of them.

Don't forget to pay attention to reason and think before you vote. The Pirate Dogs are counting on you since they can't get that armament ship and take over in DC.

Flashback

"We see Americans dying on distant battlefields abroad...We see Americans hating each other...at home. And as we see and hear these things, millions of Americans cry out in anguish. Did we come all this way for this?...When the strongest nation in the world can be tied down for four years in a war...with no end in sight; When the richest nation in the world cannot manage its own economy; And when the president of the United States cannot travel abroad or to any major city at home without fear of a hostile demonstration-then it's time for new leadership for the United States of America...My friends, America is a great nation. And it is time we started to act like a great nation around the world."


So did John McCain say this? Or Barack Obama? Maybe Joe Biden? In my humble opinion it seems to exhibit too much understanding of our times to come from Sarah Palin.


The answer is---NONE OF THE ABOVE. The quote is excerpted from Richard Milhous Nixon's speech accepting the 1968 Republican nomination for president of the United States as reported in the book Nixonland by Rick Perlstein (pgs 304-305).


The parallels to 1968 just keep on manifesting themselves. Obama "pals around" with terrorists according to Ms. Palin. Did she, or anyone else in the McCain organization, note that the terrorist, Bill Ayers, formerly with the Weather Underground who botched a couple of bombings when Obama was 8 years old, was named citizen of the year in Chicago in 1997? For helping with educational reform in the City of Chicago---serving on the same board as Obama? Which educational kudos have the Republican ticket won? And do you, watching your retirement funds bleed away into the bank accounts of the stupor-rich like Cheney, W, and, yes, John McCain, really care about this issue??? If you do, then you deserve what's happened to you.

Syndromes

Syndromes seem to be in the forefront around here this week. The Pirate Dogs' look-out has SDS, the Captain has SDS, and even I was SDS. And they're all different syndromes!!!!!!!!

Weets is part chihuahua so she is very noisy and aggressive---Small Dog Syndrome.
'Roid has the foulest breath in the western world, the result of a peculiar and disgusting habit I won't go into here--Stinky Dog Syndrome.
And this blogger was fairly radical in his younger years, even joining Students for a Democratic Society in college.
So why all the "syndrome-icity" this particular week??
How's your 401-k? How's your trust in the sitting government to get us on the right track? If you have any syndromes, now's the time to give them free reign. Loosen that halter and give them their head.



I think I've decided on the elections. Paris Hilton for Prez, Tina Fey for VP. (Although Gina Gershon does a good job as well.) Paris makes sense on the environment and the pool-side shots could be inspiring as well as profitable for the government. Sales of her exploits would dwarf the tax cuts of either main-stream candidate and could result in a surplus. Tina does a better Palin than Sarahcuda. Only problem is after she gets elected, where would she get her material? No worry though, the current VP candidate has just regurgitated the same lines since she was nominated. Is there really that big a difference between 6 weeks and 4 (or 8) years??
Hey, after this week we need to exhibit a sense of humor more than ever.

In a more serious vein, I'm currently reading Nixonland by Rick Perlstein. The sub-title pretty much summarizes the premise--"The rise of a president and the fracturing of America." I'm only about a quarter of the way through the 800-plus pages but the parallels from the 1968 campaign to today's are striking and, for me, terrifying. I have watched film of the current Republican rallies where either of the candidates whipped up the crowd to the point of denouncing the Democratic nominee as an Arab, a terrorist, or, even worse, calling for his head. First off, pandering to racism and fear is Nixonian. That's a large part of how he won. The "Silent Majority", "law and order", the menace of racial warfare. Have we learned nothing in 40 years? Watching McPalin is remembering Tricky Dick and Spiro. I've long felt that the Baby Boomers squandered their potential with their pursuit of riches pre-empting the idealism of the counter-culture. Now we pay for it with the Republican attacks that, let's face it, are racist without saying that word. I've seen comments on other blogs where people wrote about their fathers saying "Good, they shot another Kennedy" about RFK's assassination in 1968. I can remember comments about how "that uppity nigger" Martin Luther King got what was coming to him, also in 1968. I get the same feelings of foreboding listening to some of the McPalin supporters today. And I try to remember that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" but still there's this thing in he back of my mind..............a motorcade in Dallas, Nov 22 1963....

See http://zeesgowest.blogspot.com/ post for October 11 for a powerful video. We can take back this country. We can undo what Nixon spawned and W has promulgated.

WE ARE THE ANSWER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thimk

The Pirate Dogs are in a frenzy tonight. Commodore Cody took over the Nargle for most of the evening. Capt. 'Roid is agitated over the Somalian pirates. Seems they let the US Navy surround that hijacked munitions freighter. So rather than give up, the Somalis are threatening to blow the thing up. Let all the armaments sink and forgo the $millions in ransom. 'Roid and the crew wanted a share of the money (they'd love to help their dad retire this year) or the ship itself so they could stage a coup up the Potomac. Oops, that'll get the Pirate Dogs on the Homeland Security watch list...................Good thing their mom made a fresh batch of bone turks and there are leftover waffles from breakfast to sustain them.

Two pertinent definitions:

liberal
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
1.favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.
2.(often initial capital letter ) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.
3.of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism.
4.favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.
5.favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.
6.of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies.
7.free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.
8.open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.
9.characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts: a liberal donor.
10.given freely or abundantly; generous: a liberal donation.
11.not strict or rigorous; free; not literal: a liberal interpretation of a rule.
12.of, pertaining to, or based on the liberal arts.
13.of, pertaining to, or befitting a freeman.
–noun
14.a person of liberal principles or views, esp. in politics or religion.
15.(often initial capital letter ) a member of a liberal party in politics, esp. of the Liberal party in Great Britain.
Synonyms 1. progressive. 7. broad-minded, unprejudiced. 9. beneficent, charitable, openhanded, munificent, unstinting, lavish. See generous.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
conservative
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
1.disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change.
2.cautiously moderate or purposefully low: a conservative estimate.
3.traditional in style or manner; avoiding novelty or showiness: conservative suit.
4.(often initial capital letter ) of or pertaining to the Conservative party.
5.(initial capital letter ) of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Conservative Jews or Conservative Judaism.
6.having the power or tendency to conserve; preservative.
7.Mathematics. (of a vector or vector function) having curl equal to zero; irrotational; lamellar.
–noun
8.a person who is conservative in principles, actions, habits, etc.
9.a supporter of conservative political policies.
10.(initial capital letter ) a member of a conservative political party, esp. the Conservative party in Great Britain.
11.a preservative.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

So if we are to move forward which should it be??

Time for a Break

And if my beloved Boston Red Sox and the L A Dodgers survive early October and both make it to the Fall Classic, then the Soquitos Rojo will face Joe Torre, Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe, and maybe even Nomar Garciaparra. Talk about "wheel in the sky keeps on turning".....



The Captain is having rear knee problems. She now has a new nickname, Ratso Roido, after my favorite Dustin Hoffman character, for which he really deserved the Oscar as best actor:

For those unfamiliar with this film, he's the one on the right, Ratso Rizzo. The guy on the left is Angelina Jolie's father.

A list of websites or magazines I read or visit regularly---unlike Saracuda, I don't have a problem letting you know where I get my information:

The Atlantic http://www.theatlantic.com/ (The Atlantic Monthly has been around over 100 years. I've subscribed to the print edition for years.)

The Economist http://www.economist.com/ (socially liberal, financially conservative with an English perspective-- I subscribe to the print edition as well as online)

The National Review http://www.nationalreview.com (William F. Buckley started this in the '60's. Conservative and well-written. It's ok to be right-wing as long as you think.)

The Nation http://www.thenation.com/ (Left as it gets but well written and thoughtful)

The New Republic http://www.tnr.com/ (Dates back to the counter-culture but also well thought out.)

And of course, the national newspaper of record, The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/ (The op-eds are intelligent, thought-provoking, and very well written.)

Please be informed on the FACTS before you vote. This is the most important election since 1968 and, like the Congress on the bail-out/rescue, we really need to get this correct!!!! Normally I'd say "right" but I don't think that's the proper direction............

Remember, the Pirate Dogs depend on you because they can't vote and they love you.

Someone Please Tune In the Picture

I see more ads for Ditech mortgages (from GMAC) and GMAC Bank than I see for GM cars. So GM is now earning more from the financial sector than from manufacturing?

We owe ever more to China and India, and the petro-dollars we send to the Gulf of Arabia are now being used by Gulf countries' sovereign wealth funds to shore up our banks!!

The Economist magazine, hardly a left-wing publication, stated "The financial-services industry's share of total American corporate profits rose from 10% in the early 1980's to 40% at its peak last year. By one calculation, profits in the past decade amounted to $1.2 trillion more than you would have expected." And this was from the Sept. 20, 2008 edition, before the meltdown Monday, Sept. 29!!!!

Tie these items together and it's easy to see why the US is well down the road to being a second class power. Financial engineering has replaced real engineering. Anybody else think this picture needs adjusting??

On a more hopeful note, Captain 'Roid has been following with interest the saga of the freighter that the Somalian pirates captured. Seems there's about $40 million worth of old Soviet tanks and artillery aboard. It was headed for Kenya. The Somalis want a $20 million ransom for it. Our captain would love a share of that money to help her parents retire, but the gleam really comes to her eye when she thinks about her and the rest of the Pirate Dogs sailing that ship up the Potomac, taking over Washington, and helping all of us........................

Christian Nation

I received a very unwelcome email a couple of days ago about how Muslims can't be Americans. It was ignorant , racist, and repugnant. See cz's blog for some of the quotes and details. I feel the need to comment on this entire email/blogging/propaganda campaign that this election cycle has degenerated into. I really am disgusted by the ignorance and the absolutely unChristian behavior of the purveyors of this trash. Allow me to present a few facts:

First, Islam, also known as Mohammedanism, is one of the THREE great mono-theistic (for those of you who send garbage emails, that means belief in ONE GOD) religions. The other two are Judaism and Christianity. I hope all of you readers are familiar with those, at least. Abraham and Jesus are both revered as prophets in Islam. There isn't any Arabian desert moon-god.

Second, if Barack Hussein Obama is a Muslim, then why is there a big scandal about the relationship with the Christian minister Jeremiah Wright??? You can't have it both ways.

Perhaps it is time to decide if in fact we are a Christian nation. There's an awful lot of people professing to follow the teaching of Christ who seem more like followers of the Pharisees. Remember in the New Testament when Jesus said he was the new order, that the greatest commandment was to love God and also to love thy neighbor as thyself? Or when he instructed that he who was without sin should throw the first stone at the adulterous woman? He also replied with the parable of the good Samaritan when queried as to whom one's neighbor was. Wasn't His Crucifixion the ultimate turning of the other cheek? The attacks on homosexuals, the needless war in Iraq, the torture of people of Middle Eastern descent in places like CIA rendition centers, Abu Ghraib, or Guantanamo--- are these acts those of a nation purporting to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ?

Please don't misunderstand me. I have contempt for the people who flew those planes on 9/11. I believe our nation should do all in its power to bring the planners to justice. But to villify a race, to use "Islamic terrorism" as an excuse to put aside the excercise of our Christian principles, to use false attacks on a candidate because he is different, these are the tactics of the Sanhedrin. And I hope all the God-fearing " Christians" remember whom they had killed. Or do some of them even know????

Pirate Dog-onomics

So first the meltdown, then the deal, then the no-deal, then more negotiations ad nauseam while my retirement funds shrink and shrink and shrink.........

The Pirate Dogs just don't get it. For them, economics is simple and transparent. Their favorite treat, home made bone turks, are kept in a CLEAR GLASS jar. 'Bout as transparent as it gets, right? When they want a treat, they let us know either by barking, pointing, or doing something obnoxious to get our attention, then repairing to the kitchen and staring at the jar. Simple supply and demand. They demand bone turks, we supply them. No derivatives or CDOs here. Just basic macroeconomics at work.

Maybe we should send the three of them to Washington DC???

The Commodore

Ah the Pirate Dogs were in a frenzy this morning. Their beloved CPS Nargle had become unwelcoming. It was the arrival of the Commodore.

Readers are aware of the Pirate Dogs, Skippy Kee, and Androme-Clee . But there is another denizen of this domicile: Commodore Cody. And this morning he took command of the Nargle :

Now Cocklatine Cody is a geriatric male Siamese cat---over 10 years old. He takes no guff from any other resident of the house including the humans. His claws are sharper than sabers and he can flash them quicker than an épée maestro. The Pirate Dogs have nothing but respect for this fellow, hence the moniker Commodore. He truly is their Master and Commander, in the spirit of
Richard Bolitho, Horatio Hornblower, and Jack Aubrey. So his appearance on board caused them consternation and confusion. As I write this much later in the evening, the pirates are huddled in the living room and the Commodore is still ensconced upon the poop deck.

Bubble-licious

So the financial bubble is bursting. The housing bubble has supposedly already burst. But these are so intertwined that there is probably more pain coming. How did we get to this point?



As I understand it, the housing bubble was inflated, at least in part, by low interest rates and easy credit terms. Remember the days, not so long ago, when a buyer was required to have 20% of the purchase price for a down-payment on a house. The principle and interest on the mortgage loan could not exceed 25% of their gross monthly income and the buyer's total monthly payments had to be less than 33% of that income. Remember when real interest rates were positive numbers? Thanks to central banks, many interest rates today are less than the rate of inflation. That makes borrowed money cheaper than the money earned by trade or work. Add new "mortgage products" like interest-only mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages to a loosening of lending standards, i.e., the ability to repay the loan, and people can obtain more house than they can afford to pay for in actual terms. Good for low income and young buyers until the rates adjust and their payments increase faster than their wages which is the scenario over the last seven or eight years.



So now the chickens have come home to roost. These ill-conceived and improperly vetted loans have gone into default, there's a glut of over-priced McMansions on the market. Real estate prices are plummeting, probably searching for a sustainable level based on real economic data about wages, output, and productivity. And the geniuses of financial engineering have packaged all these toxic loans into "financial instruments" so devious that experts like bond and credit ratings agencies, as well as the bankers and financial traders, can't assign the risk to those to whom it belongs. So taxpayers will pay for all this with a government bail-out so the system doesn't totally stop functioning. It would be much worse if the credit markets tighten for small businesses and companies that need some credit to keep the doors open.



But let's also address the real causes of these bubbles. The lack of transparency in many "financial instruments" needs to be addressed. And the entity charged with this regulation is the federal government. The public does not need to own Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or AIG. These companies, as well as the others still operating in the financial sector, need to perform their function under their charters in the market according to the regulations governing what is acceptable in the markets---investing, not gambling. Proper vetting of applicants for loans. Transparency in investment solicitations.



Congress should not pass the bail out without asserting its responsibility for economic oversight and without guarantees that it will indemnify the taxpayers against a further melt-down.

TWTW

This is the week that was. Just phenomenal. From the campaign gaffes to the Wall Street melt-down.
As today's New York Times says---the sound of the bubble bursting. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/weekinreview/21leonhardt.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin
I've long subscribed to the theory that when a country/economic entity begins to make money by making money, i.e., letting the financial sector become dominant over the manufacturing or other sectors of the economy, decline results. The dotcom correction, the housing bubble, the trade deficit, and now the latest financial snafus illustrate this. I wonder how many people with money in various funds, saving for their retirement, can define financial derivatives, cdo's, tranches, hedge funds, or the myriad other "financial products" they are involved with, wittingly or not. Let alone understand them. And now the government is going to spend something like $700BILLION to $1TRILLION to buy these tarnished "investment instruments". That's OUR money!!!!! If the Federal Government can raise this money for the purpose of rescuing financiers-turned-gamblers it can certainly raise this sum to fully fund the Social Security endowment and Medicare so poor working people don't have to trust their retirement savings to those same gamblers, which is what the privatization of Social Security is. I believe the money would be better spent in this way and in reimbursing small investors for their losses thanks to the financial mismanagement of their investments by these same gamblers. John McCain has voted to privatise Social Security. He still believes in this. I'm sure Sarahcuda has some canned response along the same lines.

I live in a region of the country where "NOBAMA08" bumper stickers significantly outnumber the ones that read "IF YOU ARE NOT OUTRAGED YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION." Perhaps this week will get more of these people to pay attention.

The Captain's Latest Plan

What a week!!!! Financial melt downs, bail outs, campaign peccadilloes, yuck!!! But the Pirate Dogs have a new plan for us------ Monday we were watching The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. Usually the crew pays attention when dogs appear on screen but that insipid Purina One commercial with that overly compliant and obviously dim-witted Retriever-type dog makes them ignore the tv. But the story that followed the ad, that's another story. Captain Roid perked right up as Rachel related Google's plan to green itself up by moving some, if not all, of its computer centers to barges in the ocean. The reasons she cited for this action were reduced costs (hence more profit) in real estate taxes and upkeep and using water to cool the computers which should enhance the company's greening up image. But what drew the attention of the Captain was one of the possible downsides of the plan. Ms. Maddow talked about weather disasters such as hurricanes being a hazard to the barges. She also mentioned pirates as a potential hazard. The Captain then proceeded to the Nargle and came up with her plan---taking over Google!!

Imagine----you or your child searches for information on computer chips. Normally you would find a picture like this:But instead, since the Pirate dogs now control "The Google", you get their interpretation of your search parameters---Chip Turks (otherwise known as rawhide flips), of which they have a treasure chest full:

Going to the doctor, or searching a site like WebMD for information on your skeletal malfunctions normally would lead to something like this--
But our crew of buccaneers has taken over and their image is of their favorite treat: BONE-turks:
Finally, your fourth grader needs to do research for a civics paper, the topic is agriculture, and she googles wheat. When the servers were land based, she'd probably have gotten an image like this:

But after the takeover the monitor displays a portrait of Crow's Nest Weetzie!!!!!

So good luck to Google and all its users if they go ahead with their offshore plan. And happy (belated) talk-like-a-pirate day from Capt. Roid, First-mate Leny, and Crow's Nest Weetzie!!!

"ARRRGH!"

Equal Time

First, a word about comments. I moderate the comments on this blog. I try to be fair and reasonable and I hope that readers who honor this blog with comments do so in the spirit of the blog--open discussion, expanding the mind, and a little fun. So I don't allow comments from "Anonymous" to appear. I've had a couple from this moniker and they were personal attacks like you're an eastern liberal and why don't you move back there. I welcome and encourage comments on any post but please keep them in the spirit of the blog. Even if you don't agree with something that appears, present your arguments. I pledge to try to be fair and as impartial as I can be when moderating comments. And the Pirate Dogs promise too.....

About the Republican convention--I found I was glad I had a mute button. Sarah Palin was impressive in front of the microphones. But I got sort of bored by the rest of the speakers. From Mitt complaining about "liberal Washington"(!!!!?!!!?!!) to Rudy's almost-imitation of a hockey mom (pitbull, no lipstick) to the endless paeans to John McCain's bravery and maverick credentials--my father was a hero in WWII and he was not qualified to run for president. There was so much about patriotism, strength under the duress of torture, and maverick tendencies that I almost thought they weren't going to nominate McCain but had switched to Mel Gibson, who played all those roles (lead character in The Patriot, tortured in Braveheart, and the inimitable "the name is Brett" Maverick). Then I remembered he was born in Australia, so they must have been talking about McCain.

I have always respected John McCain, his service in the Navy and the Senate. I think I even wrote in his name on my ballot in 2000. But he wasn't a ship captain or exec, he was a fighter pilot. This plays well with his maverick identity but not his leadership as an officer. That experience was negligible in that he didn't have command responsibilities like Ike or JFK. His votes over the last year against the environment, against the prohibition of torture, against the new GI Bill, and for the misguided efforts in Iraq have eroded this respect and, for me, raised doubts about the very independence he so promotes. As for Sarahcuda, I hope I soon hear what she thinks rather than the same canned sound bites from the convention she has so far uttered at every whistle stop. And I don't think it's sexist to want answers to her feelings on God and government, or the internet rumor that her son only joined the army because the other option was jail on a vandalism charge. It's out there and should be addressed. After all, it's as least as relevant as Obama's having attended madrassas. "Sauce for the goose, Saavik." (Leonard "Spock" Nimoy to Kirstie "Lt Saavik" Alley in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)

Labor Day Weekend

So the traditional end of summer has come. Here in Eastern NM it's pretty rainy, cloudy, and humid. More than we usually get, much less than Down East.


I watched the DNC last week and will hit the high spots such as they may be of the RNC this week if Hurricane Gustav doesn't force its postponement. Instead of Sarah Palin (who???????) all the talking heads, or I prefer Frank Rich's term "bloviators", are tracking the storm. It looks like the Big Easy is gonna get clobbered again. Hopefully the present administration is performing as well as they are talking about their preparedness. Pray for the Gulf Coast.


Speaking of prayer, "[T]hey believed in America as they believed in God-they could not really ever expect that America might collapse and God yet survive, no, they had even gone so far as to think that America was the savior of the world, food and medicine by one hand, sword in the other, highest of high faith in a nation which would bow the knee before no problem since God's own strength was in the die." Describes the current royalty under Dubya, doesn't it? But this passage is about the Republicans from Miami and the Siege of Chicago by Norman Mailer written in 1968. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.



Ever note the similarity between Antonin Scalia and Julius Hoffman??? Both think it's ok for defendants to be shackled and gagged in the presence of the jury. Fair trial??? About as fair as a good dunking chair in Salem MA.



I see Rush Limbaugh's pleas for a repeat of Chicago in Denver didn't happen. A few protesters, a couple yahoos with guns investigated for a possible assassination plot. I don't think I understand why there won't be massive protests in St Paul. It's McCain who's come out for the draft. Of course, we don't need a draft. Dubya and "Dead Eye Dick" both learnt the lessons from their Vietnam draft evasion--the National Guard!!! So they send the Guard to do multiple tours in the Middle East. What the hell, they'd just dodge a draft, this way they have to serve!!! Get with the program, McCain. By the way, does John McCain really think so little of women that he believes he will pick up their votes by having a female running mate?? I am certainly no fan of Hillary but her speech Tuesday last was very good, especially when she asked her supporters if it was her or what she stood for that was important. Maybe the Rovians running the McCain "campaign" should have listened in.........

Shelfari

In the right hand column I've added a new feature---a link to Shelfari. Hopefully I'll be more consistent in updating it than the rest of the blog. I hope it's a feature readers will appreciate.

Pirate Dogs Bios #3: The First Mate

We met at the Stratham NHSPCA shelter. The celebrated Tan Dog, Saint Hannah, had been put down because of a recurring cancer and at that time, the Captain wasn't exhibiting the personality she later developed. So we joined the line on an autumnal Tuesday morning for the debut of the latest dogs entering the NH shelters from other states' kill centers. Since people in NH pay attention to and follow spay policies and recommendations, the state has a paucity of animals available for adoption and imports dogs from other states. The animals arrive on Thursday, spend a few days being examined and evaluated, and are made available for adoption on Tuesday of the following week. So we arrived right at the time of the shelter's opening, at the very front of the queue. ( If you are in the market for an animal who'd benefit from your love and attention, check them out http://www.nhspca.org/ )

We passed several dogs we'd seen previously and wished them well. Then at the back of the kennel there was a large cage. A black form ran to the very back of it. Too shy?? We almost passed by but then the creature rushed forward to the door of the cage, grasping a rubber ball in its jowls, talking to us intensely and pleadingly. It was more than we could stand---I spread my arms in front of the cage and sent my wife to get a leash so we could get the dog out of the kennel. The sign on the wall said "Ella."

Ella bounded out of the cage and was so appreciative at the attention. One wise policy the NHSPCA has is having the existing pet(s) meet the prospective adoptee to determine their ability to get along. The Captain and Ella hit it right off. Would that we could foresee how well.......

So we took Ella home. We quickly realized that "Ella" sounded too much like "Emma", the Captain's given name, so we renamed the newest addition after a couple of our favorite New Mexico locales--Ella was christened Magdalena Cochiti. Of course that's far too many syllables for a dog to comprehend, so we call her Leny (pronounced lane-y), a contraction of Magdalena.

Leny is a Sharprador, i.e., a Labrador Retreiver Shar-Pei cross. She's actually more of a Flop-ra-dor in behavior, using the Shar-Pei fighting tactic of suddenly lying down--flopping--- to get under her adversary. A strange mixture---mostly a Lab's black body with a face that has massive jowls and thanks to Shar-Peian wrinkles, Leny frequently sports a worried or concerned expression.

As previously noted, Leny was thought to blame for some destruction in our house and joined the Captain on the CPS Nargle. Leny has the propensity to skin problems that afflicts Shar-Peis. We'd had her less than a week when she barreled around the corner of the house, slipped, and impaled herself on a cut-back rose bush. This required her to be confined in a lampshade for several days

and the wounds flushed with betadine. What a way to bond with your new puppy--lifing it into the bathtub, flushing her wound out, lifting her out of the bathtub, not cuddling her but rather all the while hoping to keep her away from your body so you don't stain your clothes with the solution......Wonder what Leny thought of it all?


She has fully recovered and is as sweet as she was in that cage in Stratham NH. Condemned to an Ohio kill shelter as an "unclaimed stray" she found her way to NH and now lives with her family and the Pirate Dogs in NM. Leny comes immediately when summoned and is never more than an arm's length away, waiting for a belly rub. "Unclaimed Stray"???? Please..........

Random Thoughts

So my brother from Washington state was here for a visit. He brought the western WA weather with him. It's been rainy and sorta cool the last week. Not at all what one would expect in New Mexico in August. So we'll blame my brother. Why not? Just to let you know how cool it was, my niece-in-law, stopping on their trip from Maine to California, commented on the weather. She expected it to be much warmer!!! And she's from Maine!!!! I think there's still snow on the ground there.

The chile harvest is in. I spent the requisite hour or so getting my chiles and having them roasted. I can relax for another year knowing that I have these freezer bags full and ready to go. Most of the fun is standing in the roasting line chatting with other shoppers and exchanging recipes. And when you get home, peel a chile, stuff some cheese in it, wrap it in a tortilla (preferably a fresh one from the local tortilleria) and microwave it.....culinary heaven.

I see politics as usual is firing up as the Olympics wind down. There was a piece tonite on BBC World News America about the Russian freeze of the Czech spring 40 years ago. The Democratic party convention starts Monday in Denver. I wonder what the cable and network news will have to say about the Democratic convention in Chicago in 1968. Remember Crosby and Nash---"Please come to Chicago....We can change the world."

I wonder if we did.............................And if so, for the better??

Pirate Dogs Bios #2: The Crow's Nest

The newest of the Pirate Dogs is the subject of this biography. We think Weetzie-Bat is a chihuazer, a cross betwen a schnauzer and a chihuahua. She is a rescue from the local kill center. Yes, we live in an area where dogs surrendered or captured and brought to the pound have a death sentence imposed on them. Weets had one day left. So my wife took pity and brought her home. I think her pound name was Rosie or something equally saccharine and unbecoming. We know she came from another town and first christened her "Melrose Mousie" but a friend commenting on the picture in her adoption notice made note of the ears that could likely be used for flying. That, and the dog's nasty disposition (small dog syndrome), brought to mind a young adult book with the title and heroine Weetzie-Bat. Thus was she named.

Weets, being the least in stature of the Pirate Dogs, became the look out for the crew. She perches on the back of furniture as if it were a crow's-nest high above the decks of the CPS Nargle.

Her primary raison d'etre seems to be barking and snarling at real or imaginary passers-by. God forbid someone on the tv rings a doorbell. That sets off the loudest cacophony of all! Of course, being the most diminutive canine buccaneer, Weets barks and nips at Leny to get her to threaten the perceived intruders. A true denizen of a crow's-nest!

Lately Weets has begun to channel my late mother-in-law. There was this hair-cut, sort of spiky and silver. And she sort of glowers at me when I playfully pull her tail (tail wedgies). She has been known to lie under the covers on the bed and growl at any contact with her person. So Weetzie-Bat and Weets-Elva are morphing together and who knows how this will affect the chain of command on the Nargle. Time will tell.

Pirate Dogs Bios #1--The Captain

Every crew needs a captain and the CPS (Canine Pirate Ship--what did you expect??) Nargle is no exception. As previously reported, the Captain of the Nargle is Emma Hermione Granger Watson 'Roid. (Obviously this blogger is somewhat influenced by the writings of J K Rowling and the movies based on her works.)

The 'Roid is the one Pirate Dog that is not a rescue from a shelter. She was purchased from a "home breeder" to be a pet and a transition upon the inevitable demise of Hannah, the famous/infamous Tan Dog we had for over a dozen years. Hannah gave Emma the name 'Roid because Hannah considered the new usurping puppy a royal pain in the derriere.

Emma purports to be a well behaved dog, as befits her cockapoo lineage. Only after Leny arrived did the true nature of the Pirate captain manifest itself. 'Roid is a sneak. She uses her compliant behavior to mask the evil doings of her mind, the sinister machinations of her brain. Knowing the larger, newer animal would be blamed for any household destruction, Emma-roid began her reign of terror. She chewed furniture, sheets, even the kitchen wallboard. It took her less than five minutes to destroy two fairly expensive retractable leashes by chewing the nylon lead just above the connecting link to the collar so the lead material simply retracted and could not be recovered or repaired. But this got her what she desired---The CPS Nargle!!!!

It was the acquisition of the crate that became a canine pirate ship that fostered the camraderie and bonding that turned three dogs into feared buccaneers. This gave them their ship and the opportunities for Captain 'Roid to formulate her stratagems and convey them to her crew. The latest escapade has already been chronicled on this blog--the foiled plan to eliminate Skippy-Kee http://piratedogspilgrims.blogspot.com/2008/05/missing.html. And of course it was the Pirate Dogs who inspired the 580 miles for a cheeseburger adventure http://piratedogspilgrims.blogspot.com/2008/05/driving-580-miles-for-burger.html.

And the mastermind of these exploits is the captian, Emma-roid!!!