how can this not make you sick?

I’m thinking of making some Constitution Toilet Paper. Somebody would probably think that’s unAmerican, the same kind of somebodies that support this nonsense (via Boing, Boing):

Newsweek is reporting that companies like AT&T, working with the White House are using their money to push for blanket retroactive immunity for their involvement in the administration’s warrantless wiretapping schemes:

But critics say the language proposed by the White House—drafted in close cooperation with the industry officials—is so extraordinarily broad that it would provide retroactive immunity for all past telecom actions related to the surveillance program. Its practical effect, they argue, would be to shut down any independent judicial or state inquires into how the companies have assisted the government in eavesdropping on the telephone calls and e-mails of U.S. residents in the aftermath of the September 11 terror attacks.

The plan is to kill by fiat the court case the EFF is running against these phone companies. What’s weird is the Democrats appear to be going along with this, even though it would effectively cover up the Bush administration’s past crimes. As Glenn Greenwald writes in Salon, quoting a New York Times piece:

Democratic Congressional aides say they believe that a deal is likely to provide protection for the companies.

If you think that the Democrats should stand up to AT&T’s lobbyists, you can call them now:

Call Rep. Nancy Pelosi — 202-225-4965
Call Sen. Harry Reid — 202-224-3542

Tips on what to say on EFF’s Stop the Spying site.

If I suddenly stop blogging, come chat with me through the fence at Gitmo, which is just another criminal operation.

Final thought: if they get immunity, they damn sure better turn over evidence to put some folks in jail for what they’ve done.

silly old yeller

I was going along, minding my own business, and I read a post over at Interstellar Adventures that certainly made me stop and think.

No, I’m not like the guy in her post, but I do have a, shall we say, quick temper. This wasn’t always the case, but it is nowadays.

I get short tempered with the kids. I yell at cars that act like Idiots (or Maniacs, see Carlin, George). Sometimes I yell at the TV. I’m very quick to say “no” to a request, and also can be quick to judge a situation. And I wonder why my kids yell at each other?

One night (day?) recently, I heard my wife and kids around the kitchen table. I think they were working on homework, but they were also talking about something fun they wanted to do. I don’t remember exact details, but the gist of the conversation was that somebody had to go ask Dad about something, and they didn’t want to do it.

My. kids. Didn’t want to talk to me. They were afraid of what I might say. Or do.

Clearly, something’s gotta give. I can’t be perfect, but I can do better. I gotta have more patience, I gotta stop and think before I open my mouth. I gotta support my family more, instead of insisting on rigid compliance with how I expect things to go. Wish me luck.