the slow, steady drum beat toward the upcoming election

While there will be no shoe-ins during this upcoming election cycle, we've all been watching the sometimes humorous, always entertaining field of would-be Republican candidates trip all over one another in their sprint toward the nomination.

At the first "real" straw poll, Michele Bachmann garnered first place in the Iowa unofficial count, followed closely by self-proclaimed Libertarian, Ron Paul. However, most Americans (including myself) were unaware of what exactly this poll entailed. I was surprised to discover Bachmann purchased approximately 4,000 tickets at $30 per to insure her capture of the top prize? She then followed this "win" by going on many Sunday-morning political talk shows to tout her win.

It seems the one with the most money takes top prize...

As the dust settled, or, even as the dust was settling, Texas Gov. Rick Perry leaped smack dab into the fray.

Ah, Rick Perry...

As he was campaigning in New Hampshire, Perry told his audience there was no such thing as man-made global warming... blaming scientists for scaring "ordinary" folks.

Several weeks [and one hurricane later], we can reevaluate his words as we've watched Irene sweep up the eastern coast, leaving a wide path of destruction in it's wake. The state of Vermont [still under water in some parts] will take weeks to return to a sense of normalcy.

According to Perry, there is no such thing as "global warming"... and even worse, he has no idea just how old the planet really is. [for those who really want the answer, the accepted age is approximately 4.55 billion years, give or take a few...]

But, back to global warming...
 
According to online Wikipedia: Global warming is the continuing rise in the average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans. Global warming is caused by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, resulting from human activities such as deforestation and burning of fossil fuels. This finding is recognized by the national science academies of all the major industrialized countries and is not disputed by any scientific body of national or international standing.

For those who don't understand what this means; basically scientists are suggesting (strongly) that "global warming" will lead to greater negative weather patterns across the globe, which is not a good thing for humanity (or other living creatures).

Given his utter lack of knowledge, is Rick Perry really the best nominee available to lead the Republican party to a successful campaign season in 2012?

I sure wonder...

God save us from the morons...

realities

Tonight as I drove home, listening to the news, I heard the Syrian ambassador to the UN [H.E Bashar Ja'afari] likening the unrest in Britain to the multiple government-endorsed murders taking place in Syria.

He dismissed the role his president [Bashar al-Assad] and government have taken against their own and yet, al-Assad may ultimately arrive in the Hague to face charges for crimes against mankind [like so many other despots ].

Granted, there is enormous unrest currently occurring in Britain, mainly because the economic situation is frighteningly grim if you happen to be poor, black, or both.

However, to suggest there is any correlation between the two countries is preposterous. While British police are out in force, dealing with this crisis brought on by social inequality, the Syrian military is taking careful aim at the civilian population, targeting anyone foolish enough to live in certain townships, or anyone attempting to go about their daily business. Now, don't misunderstand what I'm attempting to convey. Everyone should be allowed to go about their business, without fear of retribution, yet, this is not the case in many states [countries]. And to allow the Syrian ambassador to suggest otherwise is downright disgusting. The unrest in Syria is occurring because forty years of rule has turned this country into a dictatorship, and Syrians would finally like some say in their lives...

But let's talk about the current situation in Britain...

While I disagree that "hooliganism" is ok, I understand the motivation behind these individuals out in the streets, destroying what they will never own. I live in Los Angeles and remember the enormous destruction that occurred after the Rodney King incident. After centuries of feeling a lack of inclusion in society, it was very easy for some to revert to violence and mayhem, although if you lived in the vicinity of the violence, it was difficult to condone. Some of those who live in the immediate area refrained from violence and theft, but many living in the area affected by the brutality reverted to the same, not realizing or understanding they were affecting the area where they lived, shopped and worked. After the smoke cleared, many of the businesses closed shop, many mom & pop stores shut their doors, and the poor were made poorer.

I fear this will become a similar situation in Great Britain...