The Angry Jew

The rantings of an Angry Jew in The Pacific Northwest

” If you knew that the fetus was gay, would you still want to save it?”

Bumper sticker seen in Portland, OR.

Maybe that is what is missing from my life.  I have nothing to believe in.  I have had absolutely no inspiration to write lately.  This despite the fact that the usual lunacy and lack of common sense continues to swirl around us all. 

I’m missing out on Brittney suing a Florida radio station for  using her “wig out” bald picture on billboards, Jericho brought back from the dead for at least 7 episodes thanks to tons of nuts being sent to CBS, a great book that I need to share with you all,  Scooter Libby asking for a stay of his sentence while he appeals, a massive immigration raid on a Portland area fruit “sweat shop”, an employer asking for a year of perfect performance in exchange for a job, and Fred Thompson moving up in the polls.

You would think with all that, I would have taken advantage of all this down time and written up a storm, but like I said, nothing has really inspired me.  Until this morning.  it was a smile.

If you have a second, grab today’s Oregonian and turn to page D5, or for my lazy readers, just click here ,  this is the mug of Greg Oden, one of two players being looked at as The Trailblazers first round draft choice.  Now this isn’t about basketball or money or even fame.  To me, it said, I’m living my dream.

Maybe it’s OK to dream again.  Better that then the nightmare I have been living.  I’m going to try to keep that smile in my head, to remind me of what might be.

A big shout out to The Secret Alien, who gave me a few minutes of his time and one hell of a lot to think about the other day.  He had a great line that I wanted to quote here, but for the life of me, I can’t remember it.  Maybe he will share it with me here.

I have always said that I try to stay three steps ahead of life, because I know I am going to get pushed two steps back.  Alas, it seems like life has taken on a new tactic, because I am getting pushed back a block and a half.

Just as I see the end of one problem peeking over the horizon, another rears it’s ugly head.  Someone close has a set back, forcing me to distance myself even further, another problem at work with major repercussions, yet another fiscal crisis with no solution in sight.  I handle all of these as best I can.  I seek help and council.  Yet, as always, I feel on the edge of just shutting down.

While pulling the covers over my head, sticking my fingers in my ears and screaming “LALALALALA I can’t hear you” at the top of my lungs feels very attractive, I know it will accomplish nothing.

Am I just spinning my wheels, going nowhere fast?  Is there some reason behind this?  A punishment for a crime that I am unaware of?  A detail that I missed finally catching up with me?   Who knows?  Who cares.

I just have to plod along.  No plans, dreams on hold, watch and wait.  For better or worse, we are dealt a hand of cards and I have to play them best I can and pray no one can tell that I am betting my last buck on pair of deuces.  

A raid by Federal authorities and Beaverton Police on Saturday netted what authorities are calling one of the largest piracy rings in the country.  Officers seized more then 50,000 items valued at over $758,000 in twin raids at two area swap meets.  The items included counterfeit DVD’s, Music CD’s, sunglasses, clothes and purses.  But to my way way of thinking, this is not the real story.

Today, police released the names of the ten suspects arrested Saturday.  All were Hispanic.  Now, this is not so unusual given that Hillsboro is a largely Hispanic community.  my question is this…How many of those arrested were legal residents in this country?

Now calm down, if you read the story you would have thought the same thing.  It can’t be helped.  Illeagal immigration has become THE hot button issue.  I have nothing against immigrants.  My mothers parents were immigrants from eastern Europe.  What I do have a problem with is people coming here illegally and then demanding they be treated the same as any citizen of this country.

You earn your right to be a citizen.  If you are in this country illegally, you are, by definition, a criminal, and should be treated as such.  All this talk about the rights of illegal immigrants is pure hogwash.  They have no rights.  I am tired of hearing about how poor illegal aliens are mistreated by employers, receiving sub-standard wages and working conditions.  You know what, if they were here legally, the would have protection under our laws and would have legal recourse.

But Mr Angry Jew, you say, they are just here doing jobs no American wants to do.  Bullshit!!!!!  If there was not a pool of labor ready to do these jobs for 25 cents on the dollar, employers would be forced to pay a living wage.

I am so tired of this endless debate on immigration reform.  Mainly, because it is not reforming immigration.  It is legalizing illegal immigration.  I have posted my plan for dealing with illegal immigration.  Lets hear yours? 

Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard is on the war path again.  He has found another cause to get his name in the paper.  Gee, you think he might be eyeing the mayors job come next election.  He has found something much more insidious then the smokers he went after last time, now, it’s Duct Tapers.

If you have ever been to downtown Portland this time of year, you will have noticed small squares of sidewalk cordoned off with duct tape.  Names are then chalked onto these squares.  Is it a construction project?  Nope.  Is it an anti war protest?  Far more serious.

This is how we Portlander’s reserve prime viewing spots for the Festival of Roses Grand Floral Parade, and ole Randy is going to put a stop to it.  You see, according to Randy, this tactic is used by “Pinky ring wearing, Hummer polishing” out of towner’s to cheat good, decent , hard working, locals out of prime viewing spots. 

And I am forced to agree with him, but not for the reasons you might think.

See, I hate parades.  Always have.  Never really saw the entertainment value in them, but hey, different strokes for different folks.  I have only been to one in my life time.  The Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena.  I was still in Jr. High when a friends mom took us.  We did it up right.  We took folding chairs and sleeping bags. a cooler stocked with snacks and drinks.  We bundled up against the December chill, and we were in our spot by 8 PM. 

It was an all night party.  This was back when the Rose Parade was on New Years Eve.  Tradition held that at midnight, a gigantic marshmellow fight would break out, with silly string in support.  It was awesome.  We had so much fun that by the time the parade actualy started, we were sacked out wishing someone would stick a sock in all the brass sections of the marching bands.

Anyhow, my feeling on the matter is if you want a particular piece of real estate to view the parade, you should have to occupy it.  I have done it for concert tickets, movies (yes, I camped for 4 days on Hollywood Blvd. for the first showing of The Empire Strikes Back) hell, even new rides at Magic Mountain.

So I say, ban the duct tapers.  See Randy, I can agree with you.  Now go find a REAL issue to fix, will you

David Wu, our elusive Congressman from the 1st district, has finaly been heard from. He responded to what I like to call The Angry Jew Immigration Solution. The text of his reply follows:

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for undocumented aliens earning legalization through military service. I appreciate hearing from you on this issue.

Over the last year, Congress has spent much time debating immigration enforcement and the unauthorized alien population. Some assert that the United Stateshas not truly tried immigration enforcement, arguing that most of the resources have been devoted to border enforcement rather than fully engaging in other types of immigration enforcement. Others contend that only a legalization program can reduce the unauthorized population. In addition, Congress could expand the immigration enforcement role of other federal agencies and state and local law enforcement. Many fear, however, that this option will distract the agencies and local law enforcement from their primary missions. Since many of the unauthorized aliens come to the United States for economic opportunities, some argue that a guest worker program, creating opportunities for a large number of aliens to come to the United States to work, could significantly reduce unauthorized migration. Others argue that an increase in the enforcement of the prohibition against hiring illegal alien workers and the use and manufacturing of fraudulent documents would make it more difficult forunauthorized aliens to find work, resulting in a decrease in the unauthorized population.

Like you, some observers feel that undocumented aliens should be able to earn legalization through military service or other federal service such as Americorps or the Peace Corps. Currently, while active military service personnel who are legal U.S. residents can expedite their applications for citizenship, there is no provision for illegal aliens to serve in the military to obtain immigration benefits. I will keep your thoughts and concerns in mind as Congress discusses immigration reform and debates how to best address the problem of illegal immigration.

Thank you again for writing to me on this issue. If I can be of any additional assistance, please contact me at 503-326-2901 or 800-422-4003. If you would like to receive regular email updates from me, please go to my website at www.house.gov/wu to sign up.

With warm regards, David Wu Member of Congress

Well there you have it, “Gee, what a great idea, but it is far too simple to work.”. Told Ya So

Starting Thursday, the city of Portland is going to undergo it’s yearly transition to a Navy liberty port.  That’s right boys and girls, It’s Fleet Week here in the Rose City. 

I have to tell you, this is my favorite time of year here.  I love hanging out with the boys and girls in uniform, hearing how the Navy has changed from my day.  Pre-9/11, the X and I would host a sailor or marine, give them a place to crash, see the sights, have a BBQ.  Those days are over.  The threat of terrorism killed the Host A Sailor program, but it has not dampend my desire to show my support for all of our people in uniform.

I hope everyone in Portland will join me downtown this weekend to show their support for our armed forces.  Remember, you don’t have to support the war to support the young men and women who have taken on the burden of our nations defense.  Buy them a drink, pick up a dinner check, play tour guide, or just say “thank you for your service.”

Trust me, the smiles you get in return are going to make it worthwhile.

OK Shawn, you asked for it, your going to get it. 

I supported Bill Clinton in his first run for The White House.  I was idealistic back then, and in Bill’s prime demographic.  The sax solo on Arsinio sucked me right in.  Great, I thought, the first young(ish) charismatic leader we have had since Kennedy.  I let the “I never inhaled” thing go, we were all high back then, I just figured he had to say it.  I took time off from my job to watch the now famous state of the union address where Bill promised national health care for all, only to see it never come to pass.

Then came Whitewater, Lewinsky, Ken Starr, and the sale of influence to the Chinese.  I have trouble relating to everyone saying what a great president Bill was, when all he did was teach America that oral sex is not sex and that you do not have to have any integrity to hold the highest office in the land.

Now, along comes Hillary, the democratic front runner for ‘08.  All I can say is , I don’t trust any of them.  They are going to tell us anything we want to hear to get elected.  I am sure she is going to try to get her agenda through congress and stamp her legacy on to the annals of history, but truth be told, my choice is going to come down to whoever big buisness  can find to be the most palatable. 

The sad truth is, government for and by the people died a quiet death a long time ago.  Nobody cares anymore.  We all want someone else to fix the problems we face in a 30 second sound bite, just don’t raise my taxes, don’t make it harder or less convenient for me, and you can do anything you want.  That is the prevailing attitude in America today.

We accept assaults on our liberty, just so long as it does not happen to me.  They tell us, if you don’t have anything to hide, you have nothing to worry about.  Is that really the concept America was founded on?  The administration trots out these laughable plots, like the capture of the band of evil terrorists who were planning to blow up JFK airport.  If you actually read the indictments, these guys were more like the gang that couldn’t shoot straight, but they are trotted out to us as proof that the curtailing of personal freedom is justified.

If Hillary gets enough support from the large corporations, the well funded special interests, and the wealthiest of Americans, she will be President, regardless of what was once the American middle class thinks.  Thats just the sad truth of it. 

Scooter Libby, aid to DARTH Cheney and the man who was found guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice in the outing of CIA agent Valerie Plume is soon to be off to a 2 1/2 year stay in a federal resort.

Word from the White House is that a Presidential pardon may be in the works.  Well hell, why stop there.  I mean, really, all the guy did was make public the name of a CIA operative.  Is that a crime?  So a jury of his peers, got to wonder where they found 12 people who felt it was OK to endanger a career government employee for politicalgain, wouldn’t that be Scooter’s peer group, found him guilty and a Federal judge passed sentence.  He is still protesting his innocence, so that should be good enough, right?

There are lots of people in prison today who were convicted of crimes, who to this day profess their innocence, shouldn’t they be getting pardons too?  John Walker, Sirhan Sirhan, Charles Manson, all proclaimed their innocence, but then again, they are not buddies with the president, so I guess they will just have to serve out their sentences.

Just in case Scooter, I say pick up a Buns of Steel video and start working out.  I got the feeling Ole George is gonna let you hang on this one.

It seems like as the temperatures rise here in the Northwest, I.Q.  scores are still dropping at an alarming rate.

Just yesterday, a couple was arrested for leaving their kids in the car at a mall in Clackamas.  Mom went in to exchange some shoes while the kids baked in the car.  police reported measuring the temperature inside was 120 degrees.  Thankfully, the kids were treated and released from the hospital the same day.

Earlier this week, a woman was arrested for attempting to mail her husband pot and meth.  His address? The county jail.  Apparently no one told her that prisoners mail is screened.  It could have been easier if he was having an affair with a prison guard.  Apparently, this is a big problem here in the State, as the Oregonian ran a two page story on it today.

I still say, we have to start culling this herd, before Homo Erectus becomes an endangered species.  As long as we protect stupid people from their selves, they will continue to breed.  Let natural selection do it’s work.