Time Out

I took a couple days off. I know that's suicide in blogworld, but then again, I never was one to play by the rules. So what's been going on? Well, Andy Samberg and Justin Timberlake debuted their sequel to "Dick in a Box", titled "Mother Lover" on SNL over the weekend. Funny shit, and it's gotten people discussing whether J.T. will be one of Saturday Night Live's best hosts, on the list with Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. I think Timberlake is an extremely talented young man: his voice is the best I've heard in years; his acting chops have been proved in "Alpha Dog" and "Black Snake Moan"; he has shown an enthusiasm for poking fun at himself; still, to put him in a league with Steve Martin may be a bit premature. The fact that J.T. doesn't take himself too seriously is encouraging, something we see less and less in celebrities.

What else? Well, Dick Cheney is wasting no time in trying to discredit our President. Ironic, considering that anyone who dared criticize the Bush "Administration" was branded a traitor. Moreover, it is unprofessional, unprecedented, and unconscionable for a former Vice President or President to smear a sitting President. Even Bill Clinton held his tongue, which is saying a lot about Clinton. What really strikes me about all this is Cheney's complete honesty about using torture on prisoners. He has just admitted to war crimes on his part and on the part of George Bush, and nobody seems to find this offensive. This can no longer be swept under the rug. An investigation must take place, and Democrats and Republicans who were made aware of these tactics should be found complicit and punished. I am seriously disappointed in President Obama for his reticence to launch an inquiry.

That's all for now kids.

Yours for the greater good,

Dale Howard Swinehart

Buckeye Pride (and Shame)

Some days I just want to let everyone know that I'm a Buckeye, born and raised in Troy, Ohio. I am proud of this. My father attended Ohio State University for 6 years (no, he wasn't slow, that's how long it took him to finish 4 years of undergrad and 3 years of law school). In fact, when he went to High School in New Philadelphia, Woody Hayes was Dad's History teacher.

Yes, I am proud to be a Buckeye. And as long as I live in Indiana or anywhere else, I will always be a Buckeye. I also happen, by virtue of being from Troy, to be a sometime member of Ohio's 8th congressional district, which is represented in the U.S. House by whosoever the voters choose.

Lately, and for the past 19 years or so, the voters of Ohio's 8th Congressional District have chosen John Boehner to be their elected representative in Washington, D.C. A quickly rising star in the Republican Party and popular hydrophobe, Boehner has risen to the position of House Minority Leader. (Actually, he was Majority Leader up until this past January, after American voters decided that 8 years of Republican control of the government created economic and social conditions that, shall we say, needed changed.)

Ever the loyal Republican, Boehner refuses to let this setback affect how he does business. Even now, he is on the attack against President Obama, a freely elected representative who wants, he claims, to put partisan attacks behind him and concentrate on the healing and regrowth of the nation.

In a recent post on The Plum Line, a commercial spot, sponsored by Boehner, suggests that Obama is making America safe for terrorists. I find this disappointing, because Obama promised us that he would keep us safe FROM terrorism. But Congressman Boehner, along with colleagues Eric Cantor and John McCain, show us otherwise. The awful truth is that Obama hates America and wants the terrorists to win. Just watch the video they produced for us.