Leon Konieczny’s Blog

Today is election day. It’s a shame when you think of how many people will not vote. I can’t understand it. Since I turned 18 many (many, many) years ago, I have not missed a single election. I always vote. How can I complain if I don’t do anything to make a difference?  People who do not vote have no right to complain about politics. In a sense, then abdicate their responsibility, opinion, and influence to me and all the other voters, as our votes then count for more.  So, if you don’t want me in control, you better vote.

I am somewhat cynical by nature, though I’ve heard it said that “the power of accurate observation is frequently called cynicism by those who don’t have it.”  Now, if that’s not a cynical statement, I don’t know what is. But I do believe that no matter who wins today, nothing great will happen. Politics is a series of gentle changes and “nudges” of our direction–where we are going as a society. No political party has the ability to suddenly make big changes, but the little changes they can effect can and will have consequences far down the road.

So, if you care about the future, get out there and vote today. Your lone, solitary vote can and will make a difference. Send a message to all your politicians, local, state, and national: You care. You are interested. You can make a difference. Then, hold their feet to the fire and extract from them actions on their promises. You can do it. You can make a difference. Vote!

A few days ago, current Senator (and the 2004 Democrat candidate for president) John Kerry said, “you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. And if you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.”

And immediate firestorm of criticism erupted. Kerry, speaking in public, refused to apologize. Spinsters eventually said he was trying to make a joke about president Bush. But, if you read his words, he didn’t. Still he publicly refused to apologize for this insult to the troops.

Finally, almost two days later, with his tail between his legs, he posted an apology on his web site, a half-hearted apologetic for what he called a failed joke. If it had truly been such a failed joke, why didn’t he apologize immediately? I’ll tell you why, because he’s a liar and a coward, and arrogant son of a bitch!

You know, I am not a huge fan of the job that Bush has done. His “stay the course” gets to be old. But, when I think that John Kerry could have been president with a few hundreds of thousands of more votes, I am so glad that Bush won. The thought of that man, John Kerry, being the president gives me the chills. He is dishonest and disingenuous. With him as our president, we’d have been mired in confusion and retreat, and a lot less safe than we are today.

What are the people of Massachusetts thinking, to have two such senators as Kennedy and Kerry? Surely they must all have their heads up their asses!

But, back to Kerry. What a loser. He’s a disgrace, and his comments only serve to show the low regard in which he hold those who fight the front of protecting our freedom and our country.

Their is a silver lining, however. He can forget about any future chance of running again for president. And we can count our blessings, every day, when we wake up an know that he is not the president of the United States. God Bless America. John Kerry, shame on you!

Or maybe, the buck stops here? You’ve heard this expression. I think it’s been given some new meaning by the Orlando police chief. Orlando is having a record year. A record number of murders, that is. Already at 50 when the old record was in the 30s, we still have 2 months to go in the year. That is a horrible record, a sobering statistic.

So what is Orlando doing about it? The police chief flew to Washington to beg for money to “fix” the problem. What is wrong with this picture? Sure, it is nice to get federal money, but hey, that’s our money already. Our senators and congressmen should already be making sure that we’re getting our fair share. We do not need the police chief “grandstanding” in Washington.

What we need is pressure on local government to cough up the bucks to help deal with the problem. This idea that someone else has responsibility to fix our problems is ridiculous. There is nothing stopping local government with raising the money necessary to help deal with the situation. Who best to know what needs to be done, than those who live here. Why expect politicians a thousand miles away to care? Or to be involved? Why just ask for money to be thrown at a problem.

The Orlando police chief and other local officials and politicians need to “shit or get off the pot.” Why wait for someone else to fix our local problems. We need to take the bull by the horns and get the ball rolling here and now, whatever it takes. That is, if it’s important to us. Think about it!

Yes, shame on the (now former) Florida Congressman who resigned on Friday for sending highly inappropriate email and text message to underage teenage boys who were pages in Congress. This from  “holier than thou” republican who in public bragged about his protection of children from the perils of the Internet, and from sexual predators. Here, he’s one of them.

This points out one of the big perils of a lot of republicans. They stand up with the religious right, known for their self-righteous attitudes. But in reality, they’re no better than anyone else. And, in the case of Rep. Foley, actually worse!

I am sickened and disgusted by this type of reprehensible behavior. It makes me wanna puke. Why is that so many Republicans give lip service to high ideals, but don’t live then in their lives.

Of course, the same can be said for many Democrats, no doubt. But then again, the Democratic party does not pretend to be full of a bunch of conservative Christians. No, the Democratic party is often the party of many left-wing minorities. And I’m sure there are many scum democrats too. But this Foley guy should be punished severely for his inappropriate behavior, and anyone who knew about it and did nothing is equally guilty.

See how the mighty fall when they claim to be holier than thou….

I saw it again the other day. Former President Clinton we being interviewed by Chris Wallace. Clinton was asked why he didn’t do more to stop Osama Bin Laden while he was president. Clinton got visibly upset, pointing his finger, railing at all kinds of bogey men. Boy, was he mad!

It reminds me of the time when he was president, and someone asked him about his “relationship’ with Monica Lewinski. Clinton got visibly upset and pointed his finger and said, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman…. Miss Lewinsky.”

Well, we know that Clinton lied about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky. My take on it is that he is lying about his attempts to get Bin Laden as well. Why else would one of his former advisors steal classified documents regarding that issue.

Clinton is guilty of selective memory. Listen up Bill: “just admit it. you screwed up.” Twice, as it turns out. Well, maybe you can’t call the first time screwing, but he sure had that in his mind at the time. Maybe he didnt’ quite screw Monica, and he didn’t screw Bin Laden, but America, we sure got screwed….especially the 3000+ who were killed on Nine Eleven. Bill, admit your mistakes. Repent, while there’s still time!

Unfortunately, it seems to me that respect is a virtue that is sorely lacking in today’s society. This really came to light as I reflected on some comments in an email exchange lately. I mentioned that I thought that people get what they voted for. My sister emailed back and said that she voted for George Bush and got an idiot.

It’s one thing to disagree with a political figure, even to disagree vehemently. But to call someone like our President and idiote seems to show a basic lack of respect. In truth, a majority of the voting public voted for this man. I doubt if there’s anyone who will agree with every stand that the president takes, but  he is the leader of our nation. If we can’t give him the respect that his office deserves, how can we expect other nations and world leaders to respect him? I we don’t give him fitting respect–even in the face of disagreement with his policies–don’t we undermine the very foundation of our nation: respect for all?

Yes, even MSNBC has an asshole. In the form of a pathetic excuse for a news show host by the name of Keith Olbermann. What a poor excuse for a journalist! I (unfortunately and for the last time ever) last night wathched him and his commentary on the US, on terrorism, on the war in Iraq, and on President Bush. His criticism was over the top. Totally uncalled for. Why, he even made Fox’s Bill O’Reilly seem mild by comparison. Now, I know that in a way this asshole Olbermann is just trying to make ratings. Well, I’ll give him the same ratings I give O’Reilly on Fox News–none!  I will not waste my time on so-called news stations that perpetuate such ascerbically unsound on-air people. I have better things to do with my time than to listen to someone on a so-called news channel rant and rave with their extremely slanted, unprofessional, and basically unsupported views.

To MSNBC: get rid of that clown. He just makes you look bad and desperate for ratings (which is probably the case!).  From my view, you look bad, and you’ll not see me watching him again.

To MSNBC and FOX news, I will still tune in to watch Chris Matthews and Brit Hume. Chris at least has a good semblance of neutrality, and Brit just seems very down to earth. Of the two, I think Brit Hume is more of a journalist, but I think Chris Matthews asks the harder questions of both sides.

As for Keith Ober-whats-his-name, he’s a class A, #1, total and complete asshole. Dump him!