The Drifting Mind

Racist, Just Plain Stupid or Both!

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:41:00 +0000

Congressman Joe Wilson, S.C. interrupting the President of the United States during a speech to a joint session and calling the President a liar. In my nearly 62 years, I never remember this ever happening. It's called respect for the office. I don't care what party you are from, you DO NOT disrespect the office of the President. Shame Mr Wilson.

Has this man even read the Health Care Plan? He is the one that is lying!! The plan will NOT pay for health care for illegal aliens, PERIOD!

I understand that Rep. Wilson has since apologized to the President. Now he should apologize to the people of America and the people of South Carolina. Then he should stop lying and misrepresenting the facts and scaring the American people for the sake of politics.

So you decide, is this just a Congressman acting stupidly or do we read into this and the fact that he is from a southern state, that THIS MAN IS A RACIST!!

$8,000 TAX CREDIT FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:36:00 +0000

First-time home buyers will get a tax credit windfall if they buy before December 2009. As part of the economic stimulus bill, first-time home buyers can claim a credit worth $8,000 (or 10% of the homes value, whichever is less) on their 2008 or 2009 taxes.

This credit is refundable, meaning that tax filers see a refund of the full $8,000 even if their total tax bill was less than that amount. Unlike the earlier version of the tax credit which really was a loan, this tax credit does not have to be paid back if the buyers live in the home for at least 3 years.

To qualify for the credit, the purchase must be made between Jan. 1, 2009 and Nov. 30, 2009. Buyers must be first-time home buyers, meaning they cannot have owned a home in the past three years.There also are income restrictions.

To qualify, buyers must make less than $75,000 for singles or $150,000 for couples. Higher income buyers may receive a partial credit up to a certain amount of income.

Taxpayers who already have completed their 2008 returns can file amended returns for 2008 in order to claim the credit.

What's Really Happening with the Financial Bailout

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:25:00 +0000

Please read the article referenced here........

What is really happening? Who is overseeing this bailout?

You should be OUTRAGED!!

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/24012700/the_new_trough

An Historic WOW! from an Average Joe

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:01:00 +0000

I was born in 1948 in the coal mine region of Northeastern Pennsylvania. I grew up in the 50's and 60's and saw and heard a tremendous amount of ethnic and racial stereotyping. There were many ethnic groups, Irish, Polish, Jewish, Eastern European, almost every group you could imagine. They all had their individual stereotype for each other, but in the end they all got along. There were few African-Americans in this area at that time, but regardless of your ethnic affiliation, blacks were not well thought of. As a boy, I didn't think about it much. But as I got older, I began to question. My father was a total bigot and very verbal about it. My mother was a quieter bigot. I remember as a young boy at a lunch counter with my mother, we ordered sandwiches and after seeing a black woman make her sandwich, she would not eat it. It was obvious, she wasn't comfortable with black people, but she refrained from the more hurtful slurs. I came of age in the mid 60's, graduating high school in 1965. Even then, I saw my mother react when an African-American friend came to our home. She didn't say anything immediately, but later that day she expressed her discomfort.

I left the area 2 years later in 1967, moving to Maryland in the DC Metro area. I already knew there were many things wrong with the world and some aspects of my own country. I saw the racial strife and all the horrible things that were happening during the civil rights movement of the time. I was definitely aware of the anti war movement and I was aware of the women's rights struggle. I cared deeply about all these issues. I don't think I was naive, these issues were simple for me.

The war was wrong in my mind. I had friends for the war and against the war. I knew people who volunteered to enlist and I knew people drafted. I knew people who died there and I knew people returning with both physical and emotional scars. But I had my own feeling about the war. It was wrong, so I focused on the struggle to end the war, marching and demonstrating.

The civil rights struggle and the women's movement were easy for me as well. Everyone deserved equal rights under the law. Whether you were white, black, male or female. Everyone should be equal. Why should it matter if you were Irish-American, African-American, male or female. The answer to me was simple, it didn't matter and it shouldn't matter.

Those struggles, marches and demonstrations worked. People became aware, laws were enacted and changed. Things did get better. People believed they were changing the world and the fact is, we did.

But laws alone were not enough. It also took a generational change. We cared about more important things. We raised our children to care and to be more tolerant. Here we are today, some 40+ years later.

Look at what has taken place in this great country. Women have more than seriously been considered for the highest offices in our country. An African-American has been elected President for the first time in the history of our country. I am so happy to have seen this in my lifetime.

This is a great country! We are far from perfect and I'm sure we will never be perfect, but we can and we will continue this great experiment in Democracy.

Always think for yourself, always believe in what's right, always question authority, always speak out and always VOTE!

Congratulations Mr. President Elect!!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:43:00 +0000

I'd like to say something here, but I think this picture says enough!!!

Who is Anti American and Who Puts Country First?

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:14:00 +0000

What is going on in our country and this election? Why can the Republicans only focus on division, hate and demagoguery? This country has so many issues that need discussion, yet the Republican candidate and his party just continue to focus on non-issues. John McCain's slogan is "Country First". What a JOKE!

If Senator McCain believed in country first, he would be focusing on the issues and not his own political gains. This campaign is just constant bullshit about Senator Obama. He pals around with terrorist, he's a Muslim, he's anti-American. A constant barrage of stupid and untrue allegations. There are crazies at these rallies screaming hateful comments and threats. This is America for God's sake. Anyone should have the right to run for any public office without the fear of what crazies the opposition may unleash.

Sarah Palin is at it constantly. Rally after rally, fomenting this hatred and lies. I have been conscious of American politics and Presidential elections since 1960 and this person is the worst choice I have ever seen for a running mate. She is NOT qualified to be Vice President let alone President. This just scares the hell out of me. We need to send her back to Alaska and pray she stays there.

Now we have the latest crazy to be unleashed by the right wing Republicans. This women is insane! She thinks Senator Obama is un-American and has even said that members of the Congress may be un-American. Why Michele? What makes him (or anyone else) un-American? Tell me. Is it simply that they don't share your opinion? Do you have facts or evidence of this statement? I believe that it is you who is un-American! You are an elected public official who uses your office and public platform to spew hatred and division instead of representing the voters who put you in office. I pray you lose your reelection bid.

When will this stop? I don't know, but I do know that it has to stop! The far right of the Republican party has been responsible for dividing this country for too long. We are all Americans. We all love our country. We all have the right to vote. We all have the right to decide if we are Republican, Democrat or Independent. We don't need the kind of hatred and lies being thrown out in rally after rally and these obscene robo calls. STOP THIS BULLSHIT! STOP IT NOW!

Today, I saw a truly great American put his "Country First". General Colin Powell is an American that has shown that he can transcend politics and see what our country needs at these troubling times. I commend General Powell for his patriotic actions.

I know who I'm voting for. I voting for the future of my country. I'm voting for the person who really cares about the direction our country has been talking and wants to be a part of changing that direction. I'm voting for the person we need to lead us at this time. I'm voting for Senator Barack Obama!!!

Vision and Resources

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:15:00 +0000

The United States desperately needs a new Energy Plan. We are totally dependent on Oil (Foreign Oil) and this needs to stop. We need to find and develop alternative energy sources. Finally, there is a man with vision and resources who is trying to put forth a plan. The man is T. Boone Pickens and you can find out more about his plan at http://www.pickensplan.com/

Please take the time to visit and hopefully join to change the direction of our country. Wind Power, Solar Power, Biofuels, etc. They are there, the technology is there, We need to go there. The next President needs to be willing and able to work with Congress and Business to invest in and develop these energy sources.

This isn't just about climate change, this is about the future and independence of our country.

In Memory of Sean Taylor

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:38:00 +0000

Sean.......you will be missed! Now we can only imagine what you would have accomplished.

The Drums of War are Beating Again

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:35:00 +0000

An average American speaks.......

I am pleading with all Americans to wake up, pay attention and listen to what our so called leaders are saying (again). George Bush is saying things like "unless we want World War III, we cannot allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons". Dick Cheney simply states that "we will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon". They are using the words "weapons of mass destruction" again. We have heard all these words before. We have seen this posturing of our "leaders" before. Why should we believe them again? Why should we let them get away with it again?

These are the men who have spent the last 7 years lying to us. They have subverted the Constitution, destroyed our civil liberties, sanctioned torture and put us in a war that cannot been won. Other countries in the world no longer look at America as a beacon of light for justice and a democracy to be emulated, now we are simply looked at as a country to fear.

Every time someone speaks out, these men and their spin network call them everything from un-American, un-patriotic, phony soldiers and sometimes even traitors. When Rep. Stark lets his emotions get the better of him on the floor of the House, they cry "that was mean, take that back". When MoveOn.org puts an ad in a newspaper, the outrage from the right screams unfair, they can't say that kind of stuff in America. What happens is that our Congress wastes their time and ours by writing, debating and voting on resolutions sanctioning Americans for speaking out. All this serves to distract us from the more important issues. The last I checked, I believe our Constitution gives us the right to speak.

So, I am speaking out. These men who took solemn oaths(1) to protect and defend the Constitution, instead interpret the Constitution as they see fit to meet their needs and plans. They and members of their administration have ignored and sometimes broken laws in the execution of their plans. They were complicit in outing a covert CIA operative because they were pissed off at her husband for exposing their lies. So I ask, who are the real traitors?

1. ("made in due legal or other express form, as a declaration or agreement: a solemn oath")

Bush Wants $46 Billion More For Wars

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:30:00 +0000

If George Bush was the CEO of some fictitious corporation and ran this corporation like he has the country, he'd be fired!!

He heads the planning for the roll-out of some great product (the Irag war), decides what's needed to produce this product (our military), whips up a media campaign to support the launch of this new product (baffles the public with BS), sells this new idea to his board of directors (the Congress).

Then completely screws up the entire product.
1. Insufficient planning
2. No exit strategy
3. Insufficient budget
4. Lousy execution
5. Substantial losses

But, does he take his losses and give up? Not our boy George. He just keeps changing the plan hoping things will get better. He escalates the ad campaign hoping to continue his successful selling of this product. Convinces his board of directors (by the way, they should now be fired also) that more money and more time will make this product succeed. I think my point is made.

How many times can he get away with this?

One more thought...now we know why he vetoed SCHIP. He knew he wanted the money for something else.

The Non-Congress

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 18:03:00 +0000

What is going on in Washington? This Congress (both the House and the Senate) are SO out of touch with their constituents and frankly they should be able to recognize that fact. But they seem to be oblivious!

The majority of the American people want some kind of change in the Iraq War. Some want out completely, some want a timetable for withdrawal, some would be satisfied with some kind of change in direction but Congress can't seem to agree on anything other than continued funding. Something like 74% of Americans support SCHIP even to the point of paying higher taxes to pay for this program, yet this Congress doesn't have the moral balls to override the President's veto of this bill. The Republicans can't seem to gather the strength to stand up to the President (top down rule is still the standard of the Republican party). The Democrats still haven't found their spines and to be honest, I'm starting to wonder if they ever will.

Our lawmakers are squandering their time on ridiculous measures like sanctioning MoveOn.org and debating whether or not to condemn the Ottoman Empire for something that happened a century ago.

Stand up America! These people work for you. You voted them into office and you can vote them out of office. Write to them, call them, email them, let them know that if they continue to govern this way they may not be in office next term.

Illegal Immigration

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 16:55:00 +0000

First, let me remind readers that The Drifting Mind is a Liberal Blog. I am a liberal and I make no apologies for that. With that said, my position may surprise you.

Yesterday, Prince William County, Virginia passed sweeping new immigration measures for the county. There is much discussion in the news, both local and national about this. First, let's understand that the operative word in this debate is "Illegal". These measures are not intended to attack immigrants in general. The wording is clear, anyone stopped or detained for breaking the law will be subject to having their immigration status checked. Police will be empowered to check the immigration status of anyone who breaks the law, whether for speeding or shoplifting, if they believe that person is in the country illegally. What the hell is so wrong with this? Immigration is a huge problem in our country and I applaud Prince William County and other local jurisdictions around the country for acting where the federal Government has failed. The measure also blocks illegal immigrants from using some county services such as, bus tours for senior citizens, leadership training programs for adults and rental and mortgage assistance. OK, why should we fund and provide mortgage assistance to illegal immigrants? Duh? This one I particularly enjoy, the measure will also prohibit illegal immigrants from getting business licenses! You mean that they could before?

The federal Government has not seriously addressed this problem. I'm not even sure they can meaningfully address this problem. Let the states and local jurisdictions do this, it will ultimately work better at the local level anyway.

We have a problem, we need to address the problem. If you are here legally, you don't have any need to be concerned. If people want to immigrate here and build a better future for themselves and their families, welcome. If you are here illegally, leave.

Billo's Mother Fucking Iced Tea

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:11:00 +0000

A little fun from The Drifting Mind. This is our first, of hopefully many products that will help spread the word and get more people thinking and questioning authority.

If you like this on a t-shirt, go to our online store and purchase yours today.

If you don't understand this, you don't watch the news.

If you have any ideas for The Drifting Mind, let us know.

A Politician With a Consciense

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 00:31:00 +0000

Today, former Vice President Al Gore won the Nobel Prize. As most people already know, Mr. Gore has been spending a lot of his time, over many years, trying to get people and governments all around the globe to wake up and understand what carbon emissions are actually doing to damage our planet. I received the following email from Mr. Gore earlier today...........

Dear Tom,

I am deeply honored to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. This award is even more meaningful because I have the honor of sharing it with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change--the world's pre-eminent scientific body devoted to improving our understanding of the climate crisis--a group whose members have worked tirelessly and selflessly for many years. We face a true planetary emergency. The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity. It is also our greatest opportunity to lift global consciousness to a higher level.

My wife, Tipper, and I will donate 100 percent of the proceeds of the award to the Alliance for Climate Protection, a bipartisan non-profit organization that is devoted to changing public opinion in the U.S. and around the world about the urgency of solving the climate crisis.

Thank you,

Al Gore

With politics being what it is today, Democrats and Republicans constantly fighting and bickering instead of focusing on what they should, it is refreshing to know that Mr. Gore (a politician) can be so selfless in accepting this great honor and donating the entire prize to continue the work he feels so passionate about.

I tip my hat to you Al. You don't need to thank us, we need to thank you! Our country and the world need many more people like you.

Thank you Mr. Vice President.

The one state recession.......

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 16:55:00 +0000

Last night I started watching the Republican Presidential debate. This debate was focused on the economy and as a real estate agent, I was interested. I turned the debate off after the first question. Both Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney responded to a question about the housing market by stating that the economy overall is in good shape and the housing market/crisis is not as bad as everyone says. In fact, they both stated that relative to the foreclosure crisis and it's affect on the economy, we are seeing a "one state recession". That state being Michigan where foreclosure rates are extremely high.

Here's the reality. Michigan's foreclosure rate of 1 filing for every 320 households ranked the third highest for July 2007. Detroit does rank the highest for metro areas with 1 filing for every 97 households. Nevada is actually the highest in the nation for July 2007 with a filing rate of 1 in every 199 households and Georgia ranked #2 with 1 filing for every 299 households.

Nationwide, foreclosures rates for July 2007 increased 9% from June 2007 and a whopping 93% increase from July 2006. The truth is that for July 2007, the foreclosure rate nationally was 1 filing for every 693 households.

Are they stupid or are they lying? I don't know. But I do know that they are WRONG. The housing market is a national problem. It is affecting consumer confidence and it's only a matter of time before this lack of consumer confidence begins to affect other areas of the economy. Wake up America! The first step to solving a problem is admitting there is a problem!

All of these statistics according to http://www.realtytrac.com/.
To view a list of foreclosures rates nationwide by state please visit: http://www.realtytrac.com/ContentManagement/Library.aspx?ChannelID=9&ItemID=3221