The Holidaze

OK, I'm not good at this. I've been busy working and haven't made an entry.

I've been working two jobs and getting ready for the holidays and haven't had a chance to write in my blog. The holidays went well, but I wasn't feeling well. Hopefully I will get back to posting regularly.

Who's really concerned about the troops?

For those who think the Bush Administration really supports the troops, the truth is coming out.

More is being revealed about Donald Rumsfeld and the Bush Administration and their treatment of the troops in Iraq. I have never thought that this administration really supported the troops. Bush has USED 9/11 and the war in Iraq for his own personal political gain. He says that he is THE Commander in Chief, and will do whatever is necessary to win the Wars (9/11 and Iraq—they are different). Yet, he accused John Kerry of not supporting the troops.

There is a great article in Salon.com today about Donald Rumsfeld and the questions from the troops last week. It seems that the troops had asked the same question to him 7 months ago. Secretary Rumsfeld couldn't answer and had one of the Generals do it instead. 7 months later we still don't have the armor that the troops need to protect themselves. How is this doing everything we can to a) protect the troops and b) win the war.

I'm reading between the lines here, but it costs a lot of money to win a war, and while we are running a huge deficit and President Bush wants to keep cutting taxes, we can only pay for so much. If reports would be able to ask these direct questions about what is really going on, maybe more would be written about this. But, I'm starting to think that Americans don't even care that much about the troops, unless they have a son or daughter or spouse in Iraq.

I'm a published writer!

On July 21, 2004, I wrote a letter to the editor of SF Examiner in response to an Editorial that appeared in the paper trashing Fahrenheit 9/11. I read the article online and wrote back a response. I never heard from them so I assumed that my letter wasn't published. It was published on July 22, which I found while registering my new web site and searching my name on Google!! Here it is....

Antrim on Moore

The manner in which columnist Kathleen Antrim makes her points and express her opinions used to be left for small-time independent radical papers on the fringes of our society, not major newspapers to be respected ["Moore mocks Americans," July 2].

I do not believe that Moore has any contempt for the American people. In fact, it's the opposite.

The movie is pointing out the Bush administration's contempt for Americans. I put it to Ms. Antrim that her extreme reaction to the movie might be that she finds within herself contempt for the common American person and doesn't want to face that.

Bryan Samolinski
Chicago

Martha's Career Move

We all need a second chance, right!?

Don't get me wrong, I think Martha was guilty as sin and deserved to go to prison. I had no sympathy for her when all this "ridiculousness" started two years ago. I somehow love the fact, though, that she is getting a new one hour show on NBC next fall.

A media psychologist was quoted in the Tribune today saying, "What is it about corporate America — particularly those in the entertainment industry — that they have no sense of shame or ethics? They will put anyone on TV so that they can make money." I had to laugh. First, entertainment is a product and if the product sells, the entertainment industry will sell it. Second, I think this man is kidding himself when he says that the entertainment industry is somehow different than the rest of America. The Republicans in the house just re-wrote their ethics rules (so that a member under indictment can still hold a leadership position) so Tom Delay could stay in charge. And corporate America is no different, especially if you are good friends with your boss or employer. People look the other way and have compromised ethics. Nothing really happened from the corporate scandals of two years ago......

My first entry!

My first quarter of grad school has ended. It went well....but now the whole election thing is really setting in. Oy! I don't know if I can last another 4 years with W. running the show. I have to laugh about it or I will get too depressed.....