Odds and Ends

I've been enjoying watching the Olympic coverage. Unfortunately, I end up staying up too late. I didn't get to see the opening ceremonies as I had a friend getting married on the auspicious date of 08/08/08. I didn't get home from the reception until most of the ceremonies were over. It's too bad there have been some things marring the "One World" goal of things.

The fact of Russia attacking Georgia is pretty sad. The Bush Administration's denoucing of Russia's act may be how the country feels, but to have Bush making noise to Russia for doing something that our own country, under Bush's command, did to not one, but 2 countries, seems a bit strange. It's like the pot calling the kettle black.

Bush seems to be enjoying watching the Olympics, like he's kicking back, ready to get into private life. Still, he's got 5 more months to do some damage. The latest thing he wants is when building projects come up, and decisions need to be made about enviornmental impact, he wants to take the scientists out of the loop. Whatever department is involved in the project can use thier own bosses to make decisions rather than letting anyone with scientific knowledge study things and make recomendations. I suppose that might save time and red tape, assumming that any government department could cut down on red tape, that is. Bush has always seemed to look upon scientists with distrust. I wonder how we got such an anti-intellectual as President. Just lucky, I guess.

Really Cruel Veto

Today is a beautiful, sunny day. It's in the 60s, but we're starting to get a south wind blowing. This will blow in a storm in a day or two. It's too bad we can't guarentee a storm blowing in on President Bush as a response to his veto of the SCHIPS spending bill. His reasoning is that it puts us on a "slippery slope" toward national health care. I suspect he doesn't want to cut money from his war or offend the health insurance industry, though I can't see how providing health insurance to children who's parents can't afford it could possibly cause the insurance industry any problems. After all, they aren't losing customers at all. These are children who go without health care unless SCHIPS is there. These children go without basic care, wellness check ups, many vacinations, etc. They have to be sick enough to go to an emergency room. It very often ends up costing hospitals and/or State programs more money than SCHIPS would, not to mention children having to get sicker and take longer to heal.

My suggestion to those who care about children's heath, is to write, call or email your State Representative and your Senators that you want them to override Pres. Bush's veto. Surely, with all the money we're spending on Haliburton and Blackthorne, we can spare some for our children's health!