Coffee Shop Weekly
FROM the COFFEE SHOPS to the BARSTOOLS
What the Real People are Saying
Warning! Not Politically Correct Because We Don’t Have To Be
August 02, 2004
CSW 26
The Coffee Shop is Open
And the people say…………….
LET’S PLAY SPIN THE…….. HEADLINES
Friday, July 23, 2004
"We are not safe," says 9/11 report
By Seattle Times news services
Ed. Note: The 9/11 report actually says “We are safer then before 9/11 but we are not safe.” Now that’s not what the headline implies, is it? That’s called spin!! If you wear a seat belt your safer but not safe. Injuries can still happen. So to spin you would headline “WEARING A SEAT BELT IS NOT SAFE”
9/11 report questions war against terrorism
The Washington Post
Ed. Note: The 9/11 report didn’t question the war on terrorism, it questioned the phrase “war on terrorism” saying it was too broad. Just a little more spin.
Just two examples that caught my eye of how this report has been and will be spun. Watch out in Boston. FYI
And speaking of the 9/11 report, I downloaded and read most of the 500 plus pages. It used 7 meg plus of storage, a big file. Before getting into any details I’ll summarize: We are in big trouble.
Ed.
JOHN KERRY WANTS IN YOUR PANTS
(IF YOU’RE WEALTHY)
One of John Kerry’s brainy ideas is to increase the taxes on the wealthy to pay for lower income families’ health insurance. Now maybe you think that’s fine but we think it is stupid and un-American (and we didn‘t steal that term from his wife Teresa Heinz Kerry). Why should the more fortunate carry the burden of anyone’s health insurance but their own? If Kerry wants to move down that socialistic road, so be it. Not on our dime. We’re for health insurance for everyone, we’ll grant you that. But don’t single out a class and say they should foot the bill. The “rich” pay the lions share of the taxes now, as a percentage and in real dollars. Is Kerry proposing we return to the Jimmy Carter era when tax rates were at 70% plus and inflation in the teens? That’s where they were, my friends, that’s where they were. Can you imagine paying 70% of your income in taxes?
Look, an insurance plan should come from the government. The expense should be equitable and shared by us all. Personal subscription costs should be based on ability to pay.
Politicians need to “blue sky” a little more. Here’s one idea? Create a “health insurance” insurance. If you have health insurance through your employer and you lose your job, this insurance will pay the employer’s share of your health insurance and you continue to pay your portion. It’s better than losing all of your coverage and much better than paying for all of your coverage. I’m not talking COBRA although it could act as a COBRA supplement. Just a thought. An idea. A start. That’s what it’s all about. It’s called “blue sky” thinking. Get with it congress.
But I digress. Come on and band together. We can’t let Kerry into our house by way of the White House. Bush/Cheney 2004.
CONVENTION NOTES
Monday
Bill Clinton takes a ton of credit for things he had nothing to do with such as the economy of the 90’s. But there is one undeniable trait about this man; he sure can work a crowd. I thought his speech Monday was an excellent presentation albeit all about him. He looks good. He lost weight, had a neat haircut and made no jetliners wait this time, and his W. C. Fields nose is clearing up nicely. Good job, Bubba.
Hillary disappointed. Not much there. Definitely not presidential.
Al Gore had to be on an extra dose of something because he was really subdued but still stupid.
We’ll just forget about Carter.
The rest of the speakers can be ignored. No big deal. Time fillers only.
Tuesday
Howard Dean was his typical loud self. He was treated like a rock star. But I’m not sure if the applause was for him or because the delegates were glad he wasn’t the nominee.
Teresa Heinz Kerry was anticipated to be a star. She failed (see “notes and quotes” first comment).
Obama was very good although as a newcomer he apparently didn’t get the “no bashing” memo. The NAACP will love him.
Ted Kennedy didn’t get the memo either or maybe he just didn’t or couldn’t read it. My guess? The latter. He’s a TJ (typical jerk).
Ron Reagan was whining about stem cell research and didn‘t have his facts straight. He is a turncoat to his father’s Republican legacy. Grow up and shut up. He’s a momma’s boy TJ. Stem cell research is too important to have its banner carried by this guy.
The rest of the speakers can be ignored. No big deal. Time fillers only.
Wednesday
The Reverend Al Sharpton and Dennis “the menace” Kucinich just ranted their same old rhetoric that meant nothing. When Sharpton spoke, I felt like putting a couple of bucks in the offering plate. Their presentations were bad as were their messages. They tie with Al Gore for the “who cares?” honor.
John Edwards spoke of how good everything will be here and all over the “whirl” if he and Kerry are elected. A $4000 tuition tax credit, $1000 daycare tax credit, increase in the minimum wage so no man lives in poverty, and health insurance for all America is their promise. A utopia. And to paraphrase Edwards, they will make the rich pay for it all. That’s fair, isn’t it? Why should some people work harder and have more than others? Let’s raise the minimum wage to oh, let’s say $85,000. No, $385,000. Don’t you see? It doesn’t matter because if you make the minimum wage you are still at the bottom. The difference? Milk at $48/gal. and Krispy Kremes at $120/doz. (Lay off my Krispy Kremes).
Why don’t we all just work for the state, spread the wealth? Hard work and success won’t matter anymore as long as the democrats can use your money to give to everyone else. Haven’t other governments tried this? Haven’t we tried to overthrow them?
These guys are starting to scare me.
And in a surprise turn of events, John Kerry was nominated to run for president. Like a dog chasing a car, if he ever catches it what’s he gonna do with it?
The rest of the speakers can be ignored. No big deal. Time fillers only.
Thursday
John’s big night. He reported for duty right on time. His speech was the best I’ve heard him give. Presentation, 4 stars; substance, 2 stars (out of 8). He still wants to give the house away on the backs of a few. And someone please tell me what 3 purple hearts have to do with being president. That song is getting old.
So, this is the editor reporting off duty.
Thank you ladies and gentlemen for your attention and have a good evening.
The bar is open.
Comment on this or any story Coffeeshopweekly@neo.rr.com