Debra Galant Explains the Universe

More on the emperor's new clothes

From the New York Times lead editorial today:

Mr. Bush was grave and impressive while reading his opening remarks, which focused on the horrors of terrorism and the great good that could come from establishing a free and democratic Iraq. No one in the country could disagree with either thought. But his responses to questions were distressingly rambling and unfocused. (emphasis mine)

From Tom Shales in the Washington Post:

Bush stopped in mid-answer and for a few seconds appeared to have lost his train of thought. Looking anxious, he fell back on phrases and thoughts he'd used earlier, saying he and the world changed after 9/11, which was a truism, and that in the 21st century, America is no longer protected by the oceans on either side. But that's been true since the invention of nuclear weapons and of missiles to deliver them from halfway around the world. (emphasis mine, again)

Look! The emperor's naked!

Was everyone there on quaaludes? The Prez rambled on and on, giving the same answer over and over, and looked exactly like a fourth grader who forgot what he was talking about right in the middle of his oral book report. And the press just let him.

Question? Was there a question? Um, liberty, Iraq, freedom. What were we talking about again? Hmmm. You there, what's your name? Mistake? Hmmmm. Let me think. That really stumped me on my interview for Yale too. I must have made one. Can I get back to you on that? Next. Apologize? You know the saddest thing is when people die....I was just talking to Laura about this the other day. We were on our way to the store, and well there was the strangest thing by the side of the road, you remember that movie, the one with that guy in it, it was kind of like that...Hmmm. What was the question again?

Seriously, the people who work at McDonald's have more focus than this.

Calling Michael Newdow

It's Easter Sunday. Here's President Bush's official Easter Message:

President's Easter Message

Easter 2004

The Lord is risen indeed…
Luke 24:34

I send greetings to Christians around the world as they gather to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus' life and teachings continue to speak to every generation, and Christians believe his miraculous Resurrection provides hope for the future and offers us the promise of new life.

Through His ministry and sacrifice, Jesus demonstrated God's unconditional love for us. He taught us the importance of helping others and loving our neighbors. His selfless devotion and mercy provide a remarkable example for all of us.

As families and friends gather to enjoy this Easter season, we celebrate God's gift of freedom and His love that conquers death. For those who observe Easter, our faith brings confidence that good will overcome evil and that joy is everlasting. Today, we give thanks for God's many blessings and pray for His peace in the affairs of men.

Laura joins me in sending our best wishes for a happy Easter.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Which led me over to www.restorethepledge.com and Michael Newdow's often-mocked attempt to remove the words "under God" from the Allegiance.

What I didn't know what the Pledge existed for years without the words "under God," and that they were added during the Joe McCarthy era. Quoting Newdow:

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Above is the version of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America first approved by the Congress in 1942. It evokes feelings of patriotism and unity, and brings together the vastly different cultures, ethnicities, languages and backgrounds that form the common experience called America. It reaffirms our commitment to the freedoms guaranteed in our Constitution, and reflects the foundation of that amazing document: that diversity is a blessing which only strengthens our nation. This is especially true concerning religion, which the Framers recognized as uniquely divisive, causing them to set forth that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."

We have done well since those first ten words of the Bill of Rights (i.e., the "Establishment Clause") were written in 1789, and generally held true to that principle. Yet, in 1954 - fueled by the Cold War and blinded by McCarthyism - Congress violated its oath. After sixty-two secular years, the Pledge - first introduced by a private magazine in 1892 - was changed. Our elected officials felt it necessary to inject religion into the Pledge, and "under God" was interlarded into that promise which had previously embraced all Americans.

If the boilerplate "under God" violates the first Amendment, how much more so "The Lord is risen indeed" from Luke? Not to mention "Through His ministry and sacrifice, Jesus demonstrated God's unconditional love for us."

Not to take away from Easter or "the importance of helping others and loving our neighbors," but does the resurrection belong on official White House letterhead?

Do you have to be Christian to love your neighbors? Or your country?

Just wondering...

And one more thing. The Iraqis also wrap religion in their flag.

It says: God is Great.

Ralph Nader

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't Touch That Dial! 24 v. State of the Union

© Debra Galant 2004

"WHAT????? I live for Tuesday at 9pm! The State of the Union address is already on every other channel! Talk about it on FOX News! Don't strip us of 24 and make us wait another SEVEN days! This is so frustrating to have to skip a week - every season this happens - and 24 is such a riviting (sic) show that you have to stay on top of...FOX, you've created all these24 Addicts - and you refuse to give us our fix! Shame on you!" – 24 fan on Fox’s online discussion board

Really, it wasn't that bad missing "24" tonight, was it? In fact, without a score sheet, it would have been hard to tell which you were watching: Fox's critically-acclaimed political thriller or the State of the Union address.

President of the United States:
24: Large-pored black guy with chance for Oscar nomination
SOTU: Simian-looking white guy with lock on Republican nomination

Threat:
24: Nation at imminent risk from Salazar brothers and Nina, who are arm-wrestling over weapons of mass destruction
SOTU: $120 billion war rescues nation from “dozens of weapons of mass destruction-related program activities" while pissing off the rest of the world

Secret weapon:
24: Jack Bauer
SOTU: USA Patriot Act

Comic relief:
24: Kim Bauer getting chased by a mountain lion
SOTU: Eye-rolling by Ted Kennedy

Writing:
24: Entire thing tightly-scripted by professional writers
SOTU: Entire thing tightly-scripted by professional writers

Family values:
24: Baby shows up at CTU and causes general tizzy
SOTU: One little state okays gay marriage and causes general tizzy

Audience reaction:
24: General acclaim, tempered by smart-ass comments from Gustave at Television Without Pity
SOTU: Many standing ovations from half of the room

Next episode:
24: Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, 9 pm. Eastern time
SOTU: Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2005, 9 pm. Eastern time

eBay merchandise:
24: Kiefer Sutherland signed poster, $40 starting bid on eBay
SOTU: GEORGE W BUSH AUTOGRAPH VIP COBALT CUFFLINKS, $49 starting bid on eBay