Crazy ideas

Crazy ideas. Republicans seem to be fond of them. For example, Rudy Giuliani has now said he believes we need 10 more combat brigades. We already have the largest defense budget in the world. In fact, larger than all the rest of the world combined. And we have the most sophisticated weaponry in the world. We have no serious military enemies at the moment and probably won't have in any foreseeable future. But Rudy thinks we need ten more combat brigades. That is a crazy idea. I read somewhere the other day that some people believe Rudy is crazy. Now that he has suggested doom if a Democrat gets elected president and now wants more troops I think maybe he is. As our defense budget only exists in part for defense and more importantly to feed our military/industrial/political system it could probably be reduced by 50% and it would make no real difference in the defense of our country. Who are we so afraid of? Be honest.

Another really crazy Republican idea they keep harping on is that if we don't fight them there (in Iraq) we'll have to fight them here. Bush/Cheney keep repeating this even though it is an idea so crazy and stupid it makes no sense whatsoever. When we leave (fat chance) the Iraqis are going to jump into their massive naval armada and chase us home to invade the U.S.? They will use their superior air power to attack us here on the U.S. mainland? Perhaps they will bridge the Atlantic so they can bring their thousands of tanks and howitzers across, chasing our troops all the way. The idea that this would happen is nonsense, utter and complete nonsense, and so absurd there may be some Republicans who believe it (certainly no one else could possibly believe it). It is Republican BALDERDASH.

This is not to say there could not be a few terrorists who might try to enter the U.S. (if there aren't a few already here) and commit some terrible acts against us. But there is nothing stopping them from doing that now. And we do have a very expensive Homeland Security system that is supposed to protect us. Do you think Bush/Cheney are so worried about Iraqis attacking us here because they know they are guilty of faking homeland security (as far as I know we are still virtually defenceless against acts of terrorism). In fact, if terrorists want to attack us here they would be well advised to do it now before our 160,000 troops and 100.000 mercenaries return home.

Still another crazy Republican idea has to do with believing they have any chance whatsoever of retaining the White House or the Congress. Bush's rating is now 28%, Cheney's is much lower. The American public has made it clear they want us out of Iraq but the Republicans persist in supporting this "war." They believe this is going to give them a chance in 2008? This is in the same unreal ballpark as admitting you don't believe in evolution but want to be president. Where do they even find these people?

I had the misfortune last night of having to watch Blood Diamond. Here at Sandhill it is not always possible to avoid such things. How Hollywood must have drooled when they first saw this script! Perfect for the box office. Deals with a current topic, diamond mining, virtually unlimited violence and killing, non-stop shooting, explosions, killing innocent women and children, cutting off hands, the works. Interestingly enough there was no sex (I guess they thought that with all the action they didn't need sex so it was just kind of suggested). The fact that the plot was completely far-fetched and the female lead was less than convincing didn't matter a bit. It was a rousing non-stop bloody murderous depressing motion picture. Oh, I know that such things are really happening in Africa, but they didn't have to go completely overboard on it. I don't recommend it, especially for children. Leonardo was pretty much okay and the black actors were fine. I have always expected Hollywood to make a slapstick picture about buses and trains on their way to the Gas Chambers, but with a romantic interest as well. I will be content to go without it.