Friday's Odds and Ends

Regarding the recent Supreme Court decision to strike down caps on aggregate giving to federal candidates, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts had this to say in an interview in the Washington Post, "If the First Amendment protects flag burning, funeral protests and Nazi parades - despite the profound offense such spectacles cause - it surely protects political campaign speech despite popular opposition."

So, even though more and more Americans would like to see campaign reform that focuses on taking the power of politics away from big business, they've just been given more power? I realize the high court has to uphold the letter of the law, but does the right to free speech really mean the right to buy favors?

 Kris Gentz, a former staff member at the Plano Independent School District, recently pleaded guilty to the charge of embezzlement. Apparently, he and two other staff member embezzled several million dollars by using fraudulent invoices for goods and services. Another staff member noted an unusual invoice and reported it. In his statement to the court, Gentz reportedly said, "...he intends to rectify the unfortunate dilemma."

'Unfortunate dilemma?' It was a crime, not a dilemma.

Now for a little fun. I really related to this from the comic strip, Drabble. Ralph, the dad,  and the kids are at a park and Ralph says, "This is aperfect day for kite flying."

Patrick, the youngest son says, "I don't get it, Dad. Why do you alays want us to learn to fly a kite."

"Kids today don't realize the importance of kite flying," Ralph says as he starts to launch the kite. "It teaches you important things like aerodynamics and perseverance. When you get that kite in the air and then reel it safely back in, there's a sense of accomplishment."

He finishes with, "Every kid ought to know how to fly a kite."

The final panel shows Norman, the older brother with his iPod, and Patrick points to it saying to Ralph, "And every adult should know how to download songs to their iPods."

To which Ralph replies, "What for? I have you guys to do that for me."

Rock on Ralph.

I also loved this one from Bizzaro. A spaceship has landed in a park and an alien that looks like a mutation of an octopus comes down the ramp toward the people gathered to see this phenomenon. The Alien says, "People of Earth - we have captrued all of your most powerful politicians.

"Do EXACTLY as we say or we shall RELEASE them."

Oh, no. Keep them. PLEASE!

Have you flown a kite recently? That was one of my favorite pastimes as a kid. I'm thinking I need to go buy a kite.

Let's All Take a Break

The latest political news has Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama declining public funding for his campaign. He says because of problems with the system, but some political analysts say the reason has more to do with the fact that by declining to participate in public funding, Obama can raise double the $85 million that is the most allowed in the public funding system.

$170 million dollars on a political campaign?

Oh, wait. That is only part of the total to be spent between now and November because on the Republican side, John McCain will raise at least $85 million. So at a minimum, $255 million is going to be spent buying votes. I don't know what you think, but I think that is obscene, especially because that is on top of the millions that have already been spent on the primaries.

I briefly thought I would like to know what the total is that all candidates spent since the primaries began, but decided my blood pressure is better off not knowing.

Here's a novel idea. Why don't we all take a break from politics. Gosh, it's not like we don't know everything we need to know about these candidates after years of the primary campaign.

Okay, it was only one year, but it felt like twenty.

The candidates could take a two month break and rest up for the last big push in September and October. And instead of wasting $255 million dollars, maybe each candidate spends about $10 million in those two months on national advertising.

And in those ads, they can tell us what they are going to do about key issues like the war in Iraq, the budget, health care, global warming, and revamping the political system so it doesn't pander to special interest.

It was once said that anyone could grow up to be president of the United States. Maybe that was true in the late 1800's, but not any more. You have to grow up to be incredibly rich first.