Somebody in the World has a Fascist Agenda

I've had it up to here with these people. I want my language back.
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, fascism is "a system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism."
If one considers motive, means, and opportunity, it is much more likely that the Bush administration is guilty of fascism than a bunch of guys in caves in Afghanistan or wherever.
For sixty years the United States has stood solidly behind and given unflinching support to Zionism and the State of Israel. Recently people who oppose our position have begun to explore ways take more direct action against us. I'm not saying we've been wrong. I'm saying that it's just a tiny bit disingenuous for us to act like we've never given anybody in the Muslim world the least bit of provocation. Apart from destroying Iraq for no apparent reason, what is the last positive thing we did for them?
Terrorism is a very real issue in the world. It should not be used as a pretext for transforming our republic into a police state.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the President is said to be trying to push through more of the same judicial nominees before he loses control of the Congress.

Update: See Keith Olbermann's response to Rummy's questionable assessment of reality.

A Word About Hospitalman Chadwick Kenyon

Hospitalman Chadwick T. Kenyon, 20, of Tucson, Ariz., died Aug. 20 of injuries suffered when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the Al Anbar province, Iraq.
Doc Kenyon was assigned to the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Update: The Corpsmen I mention on here came from somewhere... were loved by someone... and each of them will be missed. Here's a piece in the Tucson Citizen about Doc Kenyon.
Semper Fi

Speaking of Morality and Immorality

I saw on MSNBC this morning that Tamara Hoover agreed to resign under a settlement agreement. I'm disappointed but I respect her decision.
Briefly, she's a high school art teacher in Austin whose partner posted a lot of pictures of her on Flikr, a few of which were nudes. A student came across them and pointed them out to another teacher who was not well-disposed toward Ms. Hoover. School administration wanted to terminate her for immorality.
It defies logic that nudity should be considered immoral prima facie... obviously by the same people who consider breast feeding immoral; but I wasn't in line to share the consequences if she'd lost. This is one of those moments when it's a embarrassing to be part of 21st century American society.
I hope that ultimately this works out for her. I trust that the people who came after her will eventually get what they deserve as well.

Happy Birthday, Millie!

A quick shout out to Millie Garfield of My Mom's Blog today on her 81st birthday!
Happy Birthday, Millie; and sincere best wishes for many more years of good health and great happiness!
You're a hero to Elderbloggers everywhere!

Thank you, Ronni at TGB.