Why Is Anyone Listening To The G.O.P.???

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/opinion/27herbert.html?hp The party of trickle down economics and a trillion dollar deficit are complaining about the economic stimulus packaged being proposed. While job cuts continue and the economy teeters on the brink of disaster, the G.O.P. plays like Nero, fiddling while America burns!!!

Democrats In Control: Will They Blow It

Being a lefty I should be very happy: Democrat in White House, Democratic House and Senate, NY Governor Democrat and NYS Assembly and Senate Democratic. So what's the problem??? On the federal level, President Obama needs to be given the opportunity to lead. The Senate and the House must work with the President. If there are disagreements, they should be worked out and not turned into a public stand off. Some how I can't help but think that Obama's new ideals for governing will meet resistance from the political old school. I hope I'm wrong.

As far as the State goes, I think we are in trouble. Since the Governor has come out with his budget, we have heard nothing from the Legislature as to what they are planning on doing. While I appreciate the position the Governor is in, I don't think he went far enough in cutting state expenses and I have no confidence that the Legislature will do anything about that. The state's financial problem will hang around the Democrats necks unless someone takes the bull by the horns and do what is needed to get our financial ship in order.

I also think that the Governor has badly mishandled the Senate appointment. The appointment of Kristen Gillibrand is a joke. The thought that somehow this will help Paterson in 2010 is way off base. First, her record is not in line with most Democrats in NYS. Secondly, I don't see how she is going to be able to raise the necessary funds available to run and keep the seat. Thirdly, what constituency is she going to bring to Paterson?? The gun-toting farm vote??? Some how I don't see Paterson getting that vote. By the way, did you notice former Republican US Senator Al D'Amato standing at Gillibrand's side at the announcement press conference???

Let me also say that the more I read about the Caroline Kennedy situation, the more I am becoming less supportive of Paterson for 2010. There was no need for the attacks by Paterson's staff once Kennedy bowed out. But this type of sophmoric behavior makes me question this governor's leadership and political abilities. In addition, he has succeeded in pissing off two families that could raise funds: the Kennedys and the Cuomos. You notice I didn't mention the Clintons. I believe that Paterson had no intention of appointing Kennedy and that is partly a result of the Clintons who are still stinging over Caroline's endorsement of Obama. It is more apparent that the President wanted Caroline to get the appointment. What an opportunity for NYS to have a US Senator who would have a pipeline to the White House. Believe me, Kennedy trumps Schumer when it comes to Obama.

I can see a scenario where the Democrats have a bitter primary for US Senate and Governor and the Republicans winning in November over a divided NYS Democratic Party. What a shame....Is it possible that Paterson is getting his advice from the brilliant Niagara County Democratic Chairman Dan Rivera?? It sure looks that way!!!!

A New Beginning Awaits: January 20th

Tomorrow our country will begin the long road back to respectability that the American people demanded overwhelming on November 4th. Hope is back here in the United States with the realization that righting the blunders of the last 8 years will take hard work and sacrifice. Not only on the part of our new President and his administration but also on us the American people.

What made this country great was the resilience and ingenuity of the American people to meet every challenge, not by going out and shopping, but by working hard and striving to do better. The people of the World War II generation sacrificed for the war effort, not only by serving in the military but also here at home.

President Kennedy challenged all Americans to give back to the country which had made it possible for all of us to dream the impossible dream and live that dream. Unfortunately, the last 8 years have shattered that dream and has turned us into a nation of self-indulgent hedonists who really are not concerned with the consequences of our actions as long as I get what I want and the hell with everyone else.

The President sets the tone for the nation. Roosevelt told us that we had nothing to fear but fear itself. Kennedy called us to serve to make our country better. Tomorrow I believe that President Obama will do the same: he will challenge us to sacrifice and work hard to make this country the best that it can be. He will challenge us by setting the tone that the American way is not to have things handed to us but its to put your nose to the grind stone and work through a tough situation. He will inspire us to take responsibility and to do our part in improving this country.

As Americans we need to take the challenge and not complain but show the resilience that our forefathers have exhibited. Tomorrow is the beginning to restore the lustre to the stars and stripes. Tomorrow is the beginning to restore the pride of being an American, not by putting a magnet on your car, but by showing through our actions that we are a country who cares about the most vulnerable, that cares about our environment and that cares about our neighbors both within our borders and around the world.

I await tomorrow believing in my heart that Barack Obama is the right person at the right time to lead this country. I pray for him and his family and for this country. The road will not be easy but together we can succeed. God Bless our new President!!!! God Bless the United States of America!!!!

Bush and the Media Need To Be Held Accountable

http://www.truthout.org/011509J This article is the first that I have seen which not only holds Bush accountable but also places blame on the mainstream media. Their failure to ask questions, their failure to push the Bush Administration is enough to make old time correspondents like Walter Cronkhite shake their heads in disgust. Maybe they were afraid that Michael Powell was going to pull their license. Or maybe they were afraid that they would end up like Dan Rather: fired and outcasted by CBS. At the end of the day, the mainstream media failed us just like our government did. They turned into the propaganda arm of the Bush/neo-con agenda. They are as big a disgrace as Bush and his cronies. Whatever happened to the days of Woodward and Bernstein.

There truly needs to be a push to break up the media conglomerates. Let's go back to the way it used to be. You only can own one AM and FM station. You can't own a newspaper and a radio and television station. We need regulation!!!!!

Some Random Thoughts On A Cold January Night

While being hunkered down on this cold January night, some random thoughts:

* It's really incredible hearing and reading lefties criticize President Obama for reaching across to righties. Hello, Obama's original message was there are no red states or no blue states but the United States. That's why he won by such a big margin!!!

*The Caroline Kennedy bashing is really unbelievable. Here is a woman who doesn't need to run for office. She is not beholden to anyone. Yet, the average joe wants experience. November 2008 was a vote for change not experience but here in WNY we are always way behind the curve.

*There is plenty of debate over whether anything should be pursued against high ranking Bush officials for war crimes and abuse of power. While I agree that the Obama Administration has bigger concerns, I still believe that people need to be held accountable in order for our country to move forward and to begin the process of improving our standing around the world. This can't be swept under the rug!!! A special prosecutor needs to be appointed reporting to a non-partisan committee is necessary.

*The Fighting Lefty is a big fan of The John Restaino Show but I take exception to the latest blog. I am a Catholic and I do not condone extreme anti-abortionists. I also believe that the Church's position is off-base. In fact, I think that you will find that a majority of Catholics in the U.S. do not agree with the Church's position on abortion or contraceptives. The emphasis should be placed on preventing unwanted pregnancies. Outlawing abortions will not prevent them. I think linking Catholics with extremists is off based.

*And finally what are the odds of George Bush saying I'm sorry tomorrow night?

Politics Of The Past Confront Obama

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/01/11/2009-01-11_give_presidentelect_barack_obama_the_bal.html This article hits it on the head and is the reason why us lefties need to be ready to FIGHT!!!!!

One More Reason For Kennedy

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/07/opinion/07dowd.html I couldn't have said it better!!!

Bush: The Audacity Of Hype

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/04/opinion/04rich.html?em January 20th can't come fast enough!!!!!

Colorado Gov. Picks School Supt. to Replace Sen. Salazar...Hmmn and Supt. Has No Political Experience!!!!

The Denver Post is reporting that the Governor of Colorado is appointing the Supt. of Schools for the City of Denver to replace Senator Ken Salazar who is being appointed Secretary of the Interior by President-Elect Obama. And guess what, the supt. has never held public office!! Through a spokesperson for the Governor, Governor Ritter indicated that with the recent election of President Obama it is clear that people want change, they want new ideas and they don't want your typical politician. Interestingly enough, the Colorado political establishment is questioning the move. Sound familiar???? And why not the national outcry about this???? Gvernor Ritter understands that the political climate has changed. Too bad the political dinosaurs in Colorado and here in New York can't see that!!!

G.O.P.: The Party Of Whiners

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/02/opinion/02krugman.html?_r=1&em The Republican Party needs to look at itself and realize that their divisive strategy of Atwater and Rove will not work anymore. All of the early signs indicate that they still don't get it!!!