A Sad Day for Intelligent Republicanism

Hello Papamoka Readers! Did you happen to notice the crowd sizes at most of yesterday's "Tea Parties?" The largest crowd was supposedly in Denver, and it was under 5,000 people. They got smaller and smaller, with most having only a few dozen people. It was pretty embarrassing for the organizers.

Did you also happen to notice how FOX "News" seemed to forget their wide angle lenses yesterday? They kept shooting close-ups giving the illusion the crowds were massive. They had their mics turned way up giving the illusion the crowd noise was much louder too. It was media manipulation at its best.

To think, some people actually consider them a news network. Where were they when tens of thousands were protesting the war? Let's face it, they're a media joke.

There were technical glitches too. Neil Cavuto and Sean Hannity were caught estimating their crowds to be low, and later multiplying them on camera. It was very embarrassing for the "news" network that really can't afford to look any less fair and balanced. Every FOX correspondent was caught overstating their crowd sizes. Their estimates were overturned by local police at day's end.

Did you also happen to notice the composition of the crowds? It was incredible! The majority of the "Tea Baggers" were over 50 and all seemed to be very white. Yes, our senior citizens - the Medicare and Medicaid crowd - were out there holding signs calling President Obama and the Democrats socialists. It was all too much. Some of the events looked like senior citizen Klan rallies - quite anachronistic in the 21st century.

The whole day was embarrassing and outrageous for most of us who watched from the side lines. It showed us just how many Americans (thousands nationally) will actually respond to a call by extreme right-wing groups and media, no matter how wrong the message. It showed the thin edge of the Republican wedge - of people who like to vote against their own best interest. Yesterday was a sad day for American political intellect. It was a sad day in America for intelligent political protest and discourse.

Anyway, in the end the "Tea Parties" were the disaster, the spectacle of stupidity we all thought they would be. The ridiculous concept was ridiculous in the end. The idiots who organized them will hopefully slink away into the shadows where they came from. The weirdos and the wackos who attended will do the same.

The Republican party was the big loser. They now appear more marginalized, more radical, and more out-of-touch than ever. Joining the loser fest are the right-wing media die-hards: Cavuto, Hannity, Limbaugh, Beck and O'Reilly. They now look even more crazy. Do you think they regret it? I doubt it, since I'm sure they got their ratings. They're also all too insane to care.

Michael Boh

Papamoka's Left Coast Contributor

from Our Rants & Raves Blog

Democrats Protect America's Purple Mountain Majesty

Good Morning Papamoka Readers! I have a rare RAVE to offer this morning as I compliment the Democrats and President Obama on passing the largest expansion of the wilderness system in 15 years. It's the Ominbus Public Land Management Act of 2009, and it's FANTASTIC!

The new law, approved in both the House and Senate and soon to be signed by President Obama, bestows the HIGHEST levels of federal protection to over 2 million acres of federal - relatively unspoiled - land throughout nine western states. It's FANTASTIC news!

The Bush Administration and the Republicans loved to claim environmental credentials while secretly giving mineral/mining, logging and energy development rights to their friends on millions of acres of federal land. They did set land (and sea) aside during their tenure, but they also provided access that led to the destruction of more virgin federal land than any administration in history.

Most environmentalists viewed Bush and the Republicans as the 'slumlords" of federal land policy. They were a disgrace. The environment, like so many issues, is another reason not to trust Republicans with government. The Obama Administration has been quietly reversing some of that damage, or at least trying their best.

Unfortunately, the Bush Administration did a good job of committing the federal government to some pretty abusive long-term contracts. WE THE PEOPLE will be screwed by their Republican cronies for DECADES to come.

Anyway, the new bill is incredible! The bill, soon to be a law, will set aside - and SERIOUSLY PROTECT - more wilderness then George W. Bush set aside during his entire eight year nightmare.

The bill is excellent in the way it protects wilderness areas adjacent to urban areas like Los Angeles where I live and enjoy our mountain vistas. Cities should have green belts filled with wildlife within a short ride. It's good for natural balance, beauty, and to offer something to future generations. It also restores rivers devastated by logging throughout the West.

Of course, in predictable fashion, a few bought-and-paid-for Republicans fought the bill, siding with the miners, loggers and oil companies (not to mention they ignored the issue over the past eight years). I especially loved the way Senators like McCain, McConnell, and Chambliss all voted no. Can we guess who their allies are? McCain loves his country houses, but I guess he only cares about the beauty near his own properties.

As always, my favorite California Senators were instrumental in setting aside the largest chunk of land, totalling approximately 700,000 acres. Idaho set aside 517,000, while Colorado took third with 316,000.

Utah, which has some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the nation, fought the legislation. Their Republican delegation limited their exposure to 260,000, which is tiny compared to what should be protected there. Of course, it helped that oil and mineral companies lobbied heavily to keep pristine federal land there available for strip mines and drilling.

I guess I'm most excited because the bill protects lands that I hike and camp on regularly - yes, you've probably guessed I have a passion for wilderness. I've been exploring the wilderness areas outside of LA for almost 10 years now, and knew that most would be lost to developers if federal protections didn't arrive soon. So for me, this is a very happy day.

Thousands of acres filled with cougar, bear, coyote, and all varieties of natural things will be available for future generations. The new protections don't even allow them to build roads into most areas, which I think is the best part. Roads offer access to people who often abuse and destroy, and it's important to preserve as much as possible.

I realize that many of you will consider me a tree hugger or a hippie. No, I just believe that mankind is taking too much from this world. Why is it so wrong to want to preserve the best parts of our world? Why should I be ashamed because I want to preserve our purple mountains majesty? Trust me, in this day and age, they don't preserve themselves.

I'm very proud to want a better world. I would rather opt for less driving, less electricity, and less civilization, to preserve what is beautiful about this planet. The opposition needs to stop its quest to conquer the planet. Mankind cannot consume everything and survive. That is a recipe for disaster.

I'm proud of our elected Democratic leaders. They did a good thing, and deserve our thanks. They also set a good example, because we need to balance consumption with preservation before it's too late. Americans, especially wasteful Republicans, need to focus more on conservation and sustainability. We need more balance. I only hope our Republican friends realize it before it's too late.

Michael Boh
Papamoka's Left Coast Contributor
from Our Rants & Raves Blog