The Enigmatic and Evil George W. Bush

Good Morning Bloggers - We don't have much time left when it comes to the embarrassing debacle that is the Bush Administration, but almost as if to tweak us even more before leaving office, the so-called President has decided to pretty much ignore a new middle eastern war in favor of cutting brush at his Crawford Ranch. It seems there's no end to the joke that is George W. Bush.

My position is simple, I do believe that Israel has a right to defend itself, and the Gaza attacks were probably necessary, but I also feel that excessive force is unwarranted. That's what seems to be unfolding now. The danger of a wider, regional conflict is VERY serious, and now I'm terrified by what is unfolding in the Gaza Strip.

People, WE could be drawn into a larger conflict. That is something that we CANNOT AFFORD right now. The US has to get involved to calm the situation NOW! Instead, Bush refuses to leave his vacation, and Rice hasn't left her Washington office. They don't seem to be doing anything!

To give us some perspective, this is the very same President, the one who claims to honor his promises to the American people with a seriousness only Republicans can understand, who pledged to resolve the Middle East peace process from Annapolis just 13 months ago. Well, the White House quietly dismissed that promise last month. Now it's taken that breakdown one step further by IGNORING the Middle East all together.

George W. Bush, the narcissistic fool, who Republicans continue to defend for psychotic reasons few others understand, REFUSES to leave his final vacation to try and mitigate the disaster unfolding before our eyes. Just like Katrina, the man's inaction and incompetence will worsen a serious situation that might have been helped under normal leadership. It's almost as if he dares us to despise him even more.

We're facing the possibility of a larger WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST. What is Bush doing? He has ABANDONED HIS POST, LEFT THE SINKING SHIP, and FLED THE FIELD OF BATTLE. Much like during Katrina, his desertion is leading to more death, more destruction. The Republican leadership should be demanding more action NOW to prevent increased cross-border conflict! Instead, they continue to defend him. Again, we must endure the bizarro world of the far right.

Again and again, the American people are left to wonder how we got into this nightmare. Once more, we are forced to watch our leaders DO NOTHING. Oh well, I guess if the war spreads, and the Middle East and other parts of the world IGNITE in conflict, then at least George W. Bush and his supporters will be far away from the action. That's justice for you, and more of the same if you ask me.

George W. Bush, you are either EVIL or inept, incompetent, and inadequate to do the job. You have been one or the other for a long time now. Like any soldier who is incapacitated, mentally like you or physically like most, you should be removed immediately!

Unfortunately, we have to endure you for another 20+ days. We need to be rid of your bad luck NOW! You are a bad omen poisoning the world, and when the time comes, GOOD RIDDANCE TO BAD RUBBISH has never been more relevant. Oh yes, and God help the people of the Middle East, and the world.

Tuesday's Political Rant #1 - Michael

Personal Tribute: Poppies and Remembering Our Fallen Heroes

Good Morning Bloggers - I don't know about you guys, but I have been curious lately about those little red paper flowers EVERYBODY seems to wear on their lapels in the UK.

At first I thought they might represent the Labor Party rose, albeit a pretty bad representation. I was wrong. I discovered they represent poppy flowers that commemorate the fallen from the Great War, or World War One for those living after the second great war.

The icon has a fascinating history. It turns out we used to wear them on this side of the pond during the early part of the twentieth century. Unfortunately, their popularity, along with our memories of that war, has faded.

Along with the Cross of Malta, the Buddy Poppy is still a symbol of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. So, take some time to appreciate that little paper flower the next time you see it on somebody's lapel. It represents a great deal of history, and honor, on both sides of the Atlantic.

I don't mean to geek out on you more, but it is interesting to find such powerful symbolism in the world. The UK is still full-throated in the way it honors Remembrance Sunday - the second Sunday of November, or the Sunday nearest to November 11th (Remembrance Day). The UK still goes all out in its attempt to honor its fallen, something I think is worth mentioning considering the amount of time.

Of course, it turns out that tomorrow happens to be the day. Incredibly, the Great War ended at 11 a.m. on November 11th in 1918. For almost a century now, it continues to be marked overseas by ceremonies at local war memorials in most towns and villages. Millions of people will join in. Wreaths of poppies are still laid on the memorials and, most impressive, two-minutes of silence is still held at 11 a.m. across the UK - led by the Queen.

The poppy became popular as a symbol because Great War veterans believe the flower evokes the memories and emotions of the time. It became associated with the war after the publication of a poem written by Col. John McCrae of Canada.

The poem, In Flander's Field, describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen. I found the poem quite beautiful after reading it. I hope you like it too. I think we should honor the men and women who died in that Great War by remembering here.

In Flander's Field
by John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Btw, that honor extends to my grandfather, William Raymond Gordon. He was a veteran of that war. He went over to train with the French in 1917 and served in the 26th Infantry Division, or the Yankee Division - so named because they were derived from National Guard units throughout New England.

He was a machine gunner fighting with the 26th at Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, Chateau Thierry, and Soisson. He was wounded by mustard gas before leaving Europe at the end of the war.

So, this is for you "Pa." I'm sorry some of us forgot that symbol of your sacrifice. You and your men deserve better. I guess this will have to be my way of trying to remember, and honor, you. I hope you and your fellow soldiers found peace.

Great War Remembrance Day Personal Tribute #1 - Michael

PS - A blogger and very old friend commented on this post and provided a link to a wonderful video of a song commemorating the fallen of that Great War. To watch it click here. Thanks Rope!