The O'Finky Factor

Recent polls indicate that 65% of John Q. Public feels that the war in Afghanistan may need to be escalated to destroy terrorism there.  Up to 80% of John Q. Public would favor going to war in Iran, informal polls suggest.  Needless to say, both polling results are based on abject ignorance, not as many would lament, abject stupidity... (Published November 18, 2009)

Wake up America, rub the sleep out of your eyes.  The FBI, the CIA, and military “intelligence” have never been “great shakes” at doing their jobs.  They are all still neophyte agencies in the eyes and minds of the rest of the world, and in truth, they have never matured into really competent, effective entities... (Published November 11, 2009)

General Casey, on Meet the Press, exemplified the “honorable,” but psychologically unbalanced, attitude of military leadership in this country.  He repeatedly denied that the “Army” missed anything in not identifying Major Hasan’s serious mental issues leading to his attack on so many innocent victims at Ft. Hood... (Published November 8, 2009)

Republican Congress people, led by Michelle Bachman and other unstable personalities, today, led an emotional protest, despite some paid participants, against President Obama and his proposed healthcare initiatives... (Published November 5, 2009)

Not to rain on our party, baseball fans, but after watching Cole Hamels last year, throwing “strikes” four or five inches off the plate, I realized two things... (Published November 4, 2009)

Apparently, in 1945, Congress extended a degree of antitrust exemption to the Insurance Industry.  The excuse they used was that this would, somehow, not only translate into huge campaign graft, but also lower insurance rates... (Published October 17, 2009)

Listening to Ariana Huffington this morning, I could hear my own thoughts echoing across the air waves. Ms. Huffington, while not as verbally abusive as myself, managed to state, very simply, the challenges that face Mr. Obama... (Published Oct 11, 2009)

(The Nasty Part) Will some twenty six years of distinguished service in the US Office of Special Counsel go for naught if Mr. Reukauf succumbs to the “brothel” of retarded Christian law?... (Published Oct 8, 2009)

(The Polite Part) The Junior Bush era, with political prosecutions of people like Don Siegelman, Paul Minor and Alex Latifi was officially blessed by recently appointed Associate Counsel William Reukauf... (Published Oct 8, 2009)

Recently, I read a story published in the ABA Journal: “The Curious Case of Alex Latifi.” Latifi, the owner of Axion Corporation, a relatively small defense contractor with a knack for providing lower cost, higher quality products for the U.S. Government, suddenly found himself under siege by “Witch hunter” Alice Martin.... (Published September 28, 2009)

I have advanced the notion, which I feel is ironclad, that it is, by default, unconstitutional to have nine lawyers, at once, on the U.S. Supreme Court... (Published September 25, 2009)

Dear Rays Diary... (Published September 10, 2009)

It is very difficult amid the warring factions and emotional debates regarding national health care, to see and preserve those liberal and conservative principles that our country stands for... (Published September 9, 2009)

"PG-13 Version" of previous article, for more sensitive folks!

We would like to thank President Bush, Herrs Cheney and Rumsfeld, friends Wolfowicz, Franks, the Republican National Committee, the AMA, AOA, various medical associations, Blackwater International and Halliburton for their kind assistance in protecting us from Saddam Hussein and his “Merry Men,” and from thousands of Afghan drug addicts... (Published August 20, 2009)

At the risk of being accused of beating a dead horse, I must again give advice to President Obama about healthcare. It is, ironically, the same advice I have suggested to my medical association for exactly eighteen years.... (Published August 19, 2009)

Recently, there has been much talk of the 80 billion dollar deal cut by the Obama administration with the pharmaceutical companies. The deal, undoubtedly, includes rebates and reduction of costs for Medicare patients who have reached the infamous “doughnut hole.”...(Published August 17, 2009)

Criticizing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for implying that the United States has a problem with its election system is absurd. Poor Pat Buchanan, whining every time somebody admits a weakness in our government is absurd... (Published August 13, 2009)

With simple competitive bidding in Part D, Medicare recipients will receive twice as much in drug benefits for the exact same money paid out now. If anything, prices for drugs would be even less than those in Canada and currently in the VA program... (Published August 7, 2009)

Of course, Nancy Pelosi doesn’t want a “Truth Commission” which might expose hundreds of rotten criminals like Cheney, Rumsfeld, Gonzalez, Rove and scores of corrupt prosecutors and judges in the inherited Bush Injustice System... (Published August 2, 2009)

There are many forms of stupidity, of course, most of which are “simple.” These forms usually end up hurting an individual and his immediate family... (Published June 30, 2009)

Sooner or later, We, the American People, the President, patients, physicians, all health care providers, the heretofore useless and corrupt Injustice Department, and even the equally corrupt and incompetent US Congress will need to look at what this country and its citizens need instead of simply what lobbies want... (Published June 22, 2009)

[Sports Blog... Letter sent to Mr. Maddon, Rays Manager]

As a long suffering Rays fan, I have watched hitters like Carlos Pena and BJ Upton struggle at the plate... (Published June 19, 2009)

I’ve been publishing my Blog for the past few years because I could no longer tolerate the utter insanity around me. As I watched and read, I observed one mildly mentally ill politician after another, each parading across the news and air waves with virtually no link with reality... (Published June 2, 2009)

[Part IV of IV] The problem with not investigating and in some way setting punishment is grievous indeed! Historically, what is the fate of societies with two sets of laws, one for peons and one for the artistocrats?...(Published May 14, 2009)

[Part III of IV] I have written before that I have little moral disdain for the use of torture, but intense legal disdain for abuse of the practice... (Published May 14, 2009)

 [Part II of IV] Despite the fact that I respect the expertise of people like Tim Geithner and Eric Holder, I have little respect for their truly abysmal records... (Published May 14, 2009)

[Part I of IV] At the behest of my staff and other victims of my rants and raves, I’d like to get a few things off of my chest. Armed with little more than elementary logic and observations, I welcome any reasonable commentary and perspective on these issues... (Published May 14, 2009)

It is absolutely not President Obama’s choice as to whether there is an investigation into torture or the corruption and politicalization of the Justice Department under the Junior Bush administration. Any objection the President has and any objection by his attorney general is clearly obstruction of justice... (Published April 24, 2009)

It’s almost funny how every serious act of terror or piracy seems to lead, eventually, to the military industrial complex that so worried President Eisenhower. The neoconservative movement, basically an idealistic movement of nonfascist Jewish ex-Communists away from the violence and dictatorial control of Lenin and Stalin, has become, itself, the problem... (Published April 13, 2009)

My favorite pastime for the last few years is trying to put things into plain English. My guess is that hardly anyone really gives a damn about torturing sadistic terrorists or horrible criminals... (Published April 6, 2009)

I seem to suffer from a terrible malady. Periodic exacerbations leave me speechless, believe it or not. These attacks of logic do not always lead to perfect conclusions, but they are always stimulating and troubling at the same time... (Published March 31, 2009)

It’s time to put on my simpleton’s hat again and think out loud. Let me see: I make more money than most people, but I’m not about to use any extra cash to invest. I’ve lost half of my wealth already- I appreciate my “tax cuts,” but for every dollar that I “save,” the treasury has to print an extra “dollar” to make up for it... (Published February 25, 2009)

Recently, Tom Daschle removed himself as candidate for the post of Health and Human Resources Director. President Obama apologized for his “mistake,” apparently for incomplete vetting of his appointee. Mr. Obama- please “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” Providence is speaking to you!... (Published February 4, 2009)

In 2006, after years of “ranting and raving” against such varied issues as politics, sports and medicine, I finally sat down and began writing my web log. The “straw that broke the camel’s back,” of course, was 9/11 and the subsequent anal response of our government, including the attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq... (Published January 27, 2009)

Recently, I had the pleasure of hearing Pat Buchanan, one of my favorite news commentators, quote the most crucial theme of all my political articles, the idea that it is the job of politicians to concern themselves with what their constituents need as opposed to what they want... (Published January 6, 2009)

Ah! Perspective rears its ugly head again! Senator Select Burris- take your seat! Yes, there are times when things do become painfully “obvious” as opposed to “apparent,” and this is one of them... (Published January 6, 2009)

Haldol, not Alcohol:

Sometimes things are so strikingly similar that they cannot escape comparison. The idea that the world of sports is a microcosm of the world of politics cannot be ignored... (Published December 22, 2008)

Joe, Please read my article “Talk is Cheap.” As an apologist for George Bush, you forget that throughout his entire presidency, this presidential child has purposely chosen the most partisan and incompetent people that he could possibly find... (Published December 3, 2008)

The case of the Republican State of Alabama versus Don Siegelman, the rightful governor of that state, is the shining example of a subculture that lies above the law... (Published December 2, 2008)

Oddly enough, in a way, this article is about the death penalty and imprisonment in America. It is, as usual, a vain attempt at “perspective in America,” a country made more infamous in the past eight years than any nation since World War II Germany... (Published December 1, 2008)

THE BUILDING RAGE

As long as we are asking “simple minded” questions... (Published November 22, 2008)

THE CALM

As a lifelong Democrat, I cannot possibly express how disappointed I am in the utter lack of leadership in the House and Senate... (Published November 21, 2008)

Hannity- a cute, pleasant guy with a great head of hair, not a deep thinker. When engaged with his adversary, does not usually argue “ad hominem.” When he does, I just turn him off... (Published November 20, 2008)

Apparently, President Bush is not the only one in his administration who cannot read or spell. It’s the “Free Market System” you’re so desperately trying to save, not the “Free Money System.” M-A-R-K-E-T, George, not M-O-N-E-Y! ...(Published November 18, 2008)

A funny thing happened some years ago. President Bush, a young man by today’s standards, in his twenties or thirties, read a book. He did not, apparently, read the entire book.* I honestly do not know if he has ever read an entire book... (Published November 17, 2008)

For many years, I have agonized over the issues of “fairness” and “equity.” These concepts used to be included in the Constitution and in our Canon of Law. Over the years, my “agony,” like that of so many others, has morphed into anger, even rage, at a government that so brazenly breaks every trust it has ever had with the American people... (Published November 14, 2008)

A few things are becoming increasingly clear. First, the massive, countless abuses of the Junior Bush administration will, undoubtedly, continue in the next 60 plus days. Secondly, scores of Bush appointees will continue to faithfully abuse their positions up to the last possible moment... (Published November 14, 2008)

A few days ago, I had the interesting pleasure of listening to Glen Beck’s radio program. As usual, Mr. Beck identified a real problem... (Published November 12, 2008)

As I watched my favorite “pundit,” Chris Matthews finally express his anger at a Republican Strategist, it occurred to me (for the thousandth time):

“Now you get ‘mad’ Chris; what happened? Network free you guys to wake up- a stimulus package in your coffee?”... (Published November 11, 2008)

Today, I watched an ex-prosecutor and defense attorney discussing the plight of an eight year old child accused of first degree murder. Living in Florida, I, like the prosecutor, realize that in Florida the child’s chance of being tried as an adult is a virtual “slam dunk.”... (Published November 8, 2008)

The election of John McCain, ironically, would make me a better man. I'd go to synagogue every day and pray to God that nothing happens to endanger McCain's health!

Recently, John McCain suggested that the government directly subsidize loans in danger of foreclosure- this would cost some 300 billion dollars, he suggested. Democrats and Republicans both laughed at this “simple minded” solution. They argued that it would not be fair for those of us who are paying our mortgages faithfully to subsidize those who are not... (Published November 3, 2008)

This is an open letter that was sent to the Major League Baseball's World Umpire Association on October 28, 2008 in response to the 2008 World Series.

Mr. Greenspan’s pitiful testimony before Congress shows, to me, how far and how dangerously (Neo) Psychosis has spread. Alan Greenspan, sadly, a once “brilliant” economist, not only believes that his exaggerated “Free Market” theory is still generally correct, but that under it, the fall of the World Marketplace is a once in a century aberration!... (Published October 27, 2008)

President Bush’s prize project, “No Child Left Behind,” under-funded and mismanaged, has, of course, for all intents and purposes, been “left behind.” Money, however, may not be the ultimate problem... (Published October 20, 2008)

In honor of the Jewish New Year, I believe the following prayer, recited in most synagogues on every Sabbath and every holiday, expresses our forefathers’ concept of God and country... (Published October 13, 2008)

“I want this, I want that, I want this, I want that!”    “It doesn’t make any sense!”    “I said I want it!” “But!” “I want it! I want it! I want it!” “   OK, whatever you want…”  (Published October 1, 2008)

In Europe they call it Neoliberalism.  Here we call it Neoconservatism.  Practically speaking we have been more and more submerged in Neopsychosis since the 1970’s...(Published July 23, 2008)

Every “good man,” I think, goes to his grave with regrets about those things he did wrong. The rest of us go with a clean conscience either because we deny the validity of our “sins” or at one point we suddenly “believe!” Joe (Scarborough), you’re stuck. You will go with your sins on your sleeve... (Published July 16, 2008)

July 4^th, 2008, U.S. Independence Day. Last night we watched Charlie Wilson’s War. It is the remarkable account of how Congressman Charlie Wilson and a maverick CIA agent managed to secure arms for Afghan freedom fighters. It is the story of how they helped a rag-tag army of peasants destroy the mighty army of the Soviet Union and eventually the entire Soviet Empire... (Published July 5, 2008)

July fourth- a good day for John McCain to be making his Vice Presidential choice. Right now McCain’s campaign is in total disarray- actually, I feel, through no fault of his own.. The man, John McCain, is, of course, in the wrong party... (Published July 4, 2008)

They say that “a coward dies a thousand deaths,” which may explain the fate of our “fourth estate,” the “Press Corpse.” They’ve done it again...(Published July 3, 2008)

It is time! As the new Presidential election draws ever closer, most people, Republican and Democrat, take the mistaken view that George Bush is almost out of office, that mercifully he cannot cause more trouble. Beware! Nothing can be further from the truth!... (Published July 2, 2008)

Yes, I disagree with George Will. This is not the Classic American Presidential Election. With George W. Bush, the attempt at such extreme division of wealth and power, the creation of hugely divided classes of wealthy and powerful, makes this election different... (Published June 11, 2008)

I disagree with George Will when he says that the McCain-Obama election is a Classic American Election. He states this because, as he points out, the confrontation represents the “classic” Republican concept of privatization and free enterprise vs. the more socialistic Democratic idea of sharing or dividing the wealth. The concepts are classical, but the contest is not... (Published June 10, 2008)

Most of my recent writing started out as “silly me” allowing myself to think out loud. Things started to get more serious when I tried so hard to make sense of Mr. Bush and his Neopsychotic policies. To my amazement, I found fully half of Bush’s Neopsychotic accomplices were actually Jewish... (Published June 6, 2008)

It is sad and painfully ironic when we criticize Mr. McCain for saying how he truly feels: Mr. McCain does not ever want to send soldiers to the Middle East to defend our oil interest. The horrible irony is that even I, as a liberal democrat, and you people that are loyal Republicans, both wish in our hearts that the reason that we attacked Iraq were our lust for oil... (Published May 5, 2008)

If I were 12 years old, as President, would I decide to attack a country like Iraq? Would I ask about the consequences, whether they actually had WMD’s? Would I ask what it had to do with Saudi Arabians attacking our country? (Published May 5, 2008)

They eat their young. When nothing else is left, they will eat their young. When is enough enough?... (Published May 2, 2008)

I am certainly not a religious person, but I respect religion when it accomplishes its function in society: to make us better people and to help us to accept our role in the universe... (Published April 24, 2008)

Recently, Reverend Wright was rightfully criticized for comments labeled “over the top” by most media sources. These included various subjects, including accusations that the present administration conspired to bring on the 9/11 attack on our country... (Published March 28, 2008)

Hillary Clinton is not a particularly good speaker. So What! Adult voters wanting to hear about real issues: education, economics, foreign policy, individual, constitutional rights, don’t care as much about being entertained as they do about understanding what is said... (Published March 28, 2008)

Perspective is a guiding light, not a preordained magic bullet like “Capitalism,” “Socialism,” or even “Communism.” They all work, ironically, but only under the right circumstances and none of them on their own. They are all “concepts,” and like religious concepts, no one has the patent on the “ideal” economic system... (Published March 28, 2008)

Let’s do all of the Presidential Candidates, Democrat and Republican, and our own country a great favor... (Published January 30, 2008)

It is the measure of the religious person as to whether he uses his religion to better himself- to make him (or her) a better soul or does he let his religion use him? Does one vote his conscience or his religion?... (Published January 30, 2008)

One of the most curious phenomena, found primarily in Republicans, is the practice of severe self-mutilation. The practice started, of course in the Catholic Church, but recently was reinforced when Jesus appeared to Mitt Romney in the Mormon Tabernacle... (Published Jan. 4, 2008)

A new year is supposed to bring with it resolutions based on both mistakes and appreciation of things well done. Somehow, I cannot help but think of the seven new years preceding this one. They were “lean” and they were “fat” as the bible would say- the rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer... (Published Jan. 1, 2008)

“Perspective”- You are a little pest. As our beloved President Reagan said: “There you go again!” ... (Published Dec. 24, 2007)

Many far right wing Christians act toward the “Islamic fascists” just as the crazed and unthinking left wing fanatics act toward right wing Christians... (Published Oct. 11, 2007)

[The following questions were submitted on 9/25 to Tim Russert (emcee) of MSNBC to be heard for the 9/26 Democratic Presidential Debates in New Hampshire]... (Published September 25, 2007)

If I were a Presidential candidate, say Joe Biden, I would say: I believe that General Petraeus is lying. I hope he is not... (Published Sept 17, 2007)

In the past 5 years, blindly following our leader has made traitors of us all. It has made both the Republicans and Democrats cowards as well... (Published September 11, 2007)

From the beginning, we needed a coalition to go into Iraq. We could not entice Arab countries into the coalition, even Turkey, because they knew it was wrong to go in. Period... (Published September 7. 2007)

In light of the ever-expanding role of illiteracy in this country, with an administration that rejects research like a black plague, the greatest and most tragic irony of this new millennium is the absurd “Faith Based Initiative.”... (Published August 27, 2007)

America is at a true crossroads. For the first time in over 200 years, our most prized national treasure, the Constitution, is under siege from all directions... (Published August 27, 2007)

...The military draft is justified only for defense of the country, not for overthrowing sovereign nations after a delusional President hears the voice of God... (Published August 16, 2007)

As I plod through “Cobra II” and Rumsfeld’s Folly, as I see the sick saga of Dick Cheney continue to unfold, I cannot help but note the most serious psychological factors at play... (Published August 14, 2007)

"In the oft quoted, but usually forgotten words of President Reagan: 'There you go again.' 'Business as usual.'... (Published July 3, 2007)

“These people” keep saying that the “enemy of the world” is the “Muslim Jihadist.” Let’s see. For 1500 years or so the enemy of the world was the “Christian Jihadist,” now it’s the “Muslim Jihadist.” Let’s take turns… “my dance…, your dance…”...( Published June 6, 2007)

When it comes to the U.S. Constitution, I feel like one of the last of a dying breed; the “strict constructionist.”... (Published May 15, 2007)

As I listen to George Tenet lie about his "doubts" regarding the war in Iraq (knowing "for sure" is not "doubt")... (Published May 2, 2007; Edited May 8, 2007)

Perspective- damn pesky thing- interferes with what you do, worse, with what you want to do... (Published April 26, 2007)

A Continuation of "Taking Refuge From Ignorance"... (Published April 25, 2007)

I am truly underwhelmed especially by two Democratic candidates for President... (Inadvertently left off blog... Originally Published March 12, 2007)

WASHINGTON: Jim Smith, owner of an assault rifle, was gunned down by Meyer Litsky, a 64-year old furniture maker, this past Monday. Litsky, apprehended by police immediately after the shooting, claimed he had just killed a terrorist... (Published April 19, 2007)

Where people are not naturally endowed with stupidity, how can it best be cultivated? This is the title and main concern of a paper that should have been written thousands of years ago...       (Published April 10, 2007)

In a more serious vein, I have to say that I’ve never really taken the idea of Good (i.e. “God”) vs. Evil (the power of evil: the Devil) seriously.  It makes you wonder, however, how “good people” like Misters Wolfowitz, Mehlman, Kristol, Fund, to name only a few, can be seduced into embracing Neofascism...    (Published April 10, 2007)

Mr. Fund- please drop the naïve act...   (Published March 12, 2007)

I agree- Scooter Libby should be pardoned...    (Published March 8, 2007)

War Crimes are... well... war crimes...    (Published March 8, 2007)

Part I of a Multi-Part Series     (Published Feb 8, 2007)

Ask not what your country can do for you, Ask what you can do for Mr. Bush!...    (Published Jan 11, 2007)

The other day, I tried to explain to my 9-year old grandson why we cannot win the “war” in Iraq...     (Published Jan. 9, 2007)

Yuletide Reflections: A Rare Visit To The Inner Man        (Published Dec. 23, 2006)

I am a small town family doctor. I find that physicians often need to “oversimplify” situations in order to treat and cure illness. Most physicians, it seems to me, make poor politicians for this reason. In politics, simple solutions may often lead to “throwing the baby out with the bathwater.”...       (Published May 4, 2006)