BLOG POSTS
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
MOUNTAINTOP
I can't tell you how much this bothers me.
Has the Hippocratic oath become meaningless, too - like the Constitution and the Golden Rule? Is there anything left of the things I was brought up to believe in?
I need a mountaintop in New Mexico that nobody knows about.
Has the Hippocratic oath become meaningless, too - like the Constitution and the Golden Rule? Is there anything left of the things I was brought up to believe in?
I need a mountaintop in New Mexico that nobody knows about.
DISGUSTED
Think Bush is a doctrinaire asshole? Read this.
Want to know what makes me anti-Semitic? Stuff like this. I haven't got there yet, but they're working on it.
What would they think of Christians who defend Bush on the grounds that America is a Christian state and we can't let anything happen to it?
Probably just what I think of them.
To people like these, moral judgments only apply to the other guy. I know you're scared, you turkeys - and that may explain your attitudes, but it doesn't justify them.
Just tell me who you're supporting in the 2008 election, and I'll run the other way so fast you'll think I was a breeze.
Want to know what makes me anti-Semitic? Stuff like this. I haven't got there yet, but they're working on it.
What would they think of Christians who defend Bush on the grounds that America is a Christian state and we can't let anything happen to it?
Probably just what I think of them.
To people like these, moral judgments only apply to the other guy. I know you're scared, you turkeys - and that may explain your attitudes, but it doesn't justify them.
Just tell me who you're supporting in the 2008 election, and I'll run the other way so fast you'll think I was a breeze.
TAKE HEED
Kathleen Parker, a columnist I normally can't stand, points out that only after Kerry and Gore lost did they become "fully themselves, and in the process, far more electable." Before that, she says, they were"listening to their political advisors and pollsters instead of their own hearts. Trying to be what they thought people wanted them to be, rather than who they are."
And she's right.
Take heed, Democrats, and think many times before you nominate Hillary Clinton.
And she's right.
Take heed, Democrats, and think many times before you nominate Hillary Clinton.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
THEY NEVER QUIT
What do you do when you lose Congress?
This.
According to the New York Times, Bush just signed an executive order which requires each federal agency to have a regulatory policy office run by a political appointee who will supervise the development of the agency's rules.
In other words, the hell with what civil servants and scientists say. The hell with good public policy. The hell with you.
I told you these people would never quit.
The House will have to watch what Bush does, and hold appropriate hearings, because there will be more destruction of intelligent governance, and we'll never know about it if Congress doesn't investigate.
This.
According to the New York Times, Bush just signed an executive order which requires each federal agency to have a regulatory policy office run by a political appointee who will supervise the development of the agency's rules.
In other words, the hell with what civil servants and scientists say. The hell with good public policy. The hell with you.
I told you these people would never quit.
The House will have to watch what Bush does, and hold appropriate hearings, because there will be more destruction of intelligent governance, and we'll never know about it if Congress doesn't investigate.
STAND FIRM
The Senate bill raising the minimum wage contains tax breaks for small businesses, allegedly to offset the cost of the wage increase. The House bill had none of these.
The Senate bill is a huge mistake. The minimum wage is a largely symbolic issue - not that many people are actually affected by it. But it does send a signal that somebody cares about people besides the rich. Small businesses probably include the rich - so the signal is compromised in the Senate bill.
The House had the right idea. Pass the bill clean, let the President veto it and point out to America who cares about who.
When these bills go to conference, I hope Pelosi stands firm.
The Senate bill is a huge mistake. The minimum wage is a largely symbolic issue - not that many people are actually affected by it. But it does send a signal that somebody cares about people besides the rich. Small businesses probably include the rich - so the signal is compromised in the Senate bill.
The House had the right idea. Pass the bill clean, let the President veto it and point out to America who cares about who.
When these bills go to conference, I hope Pelosi stands firm.
Monday, January 29, 2007
THE REVERSE?
Here's the thing about Hillary Clinton: everything she does or says is calculated to advance her presidential ambitions.
She may have a good heart and a good head, she may even have good ideas and good intentions, but her goal is not the public welfare, it's her own career. In principle there's nothing wrong with that, but we have just lived through six years dominated by Republicans who, like Hillary, were solely concerned with their own wealth and ambitions.
I just don't think I can take any more of that.
What I'd like to see is someone who can lead the public back to the attitudes that made this country great. Unfortunately, Hillary doesn't lead; she waits until it's politically safe to say or do something, and then lets us know that's been her position "all along."
We need inspiration - and Hillary isn't inspirational. She's more constipational - it takes her a mighty long time to get ideas out, and she always seems to need a laxative - that is, she needs public urging before she shits out a policy.
In sum, Hillary is too uptight to motivate people whose ambitions are not directly tied to hers.
I like her, but I don't respect her. Or is it the reverse?
She may have a good heart and a good head, she may even have good ideas and good intentions, but her goal is not the public welfare, it's her own career. In principle there's nothing wrong with that, but we have just lived through six years dominated by Republicans who, like Hillary, were solely concerned with their own wealth and ambitions.
I just don't think I can take any more of that.
What I'd like to see is someone who can lead the public back to the attitudes that made this country great. Unfortunately, Hillary doesn't lead; she waits until it's politically safe to say or do something, and then lets us know that's been her position "all along."
We need inspiration - and Hillary isn't inspirational. She's more constipational - it takes her a mighty long time to get ideas out, and she always seems to need a laxative - that is, she needs public urging before she shits out a policy.
In sum, Hillary is too uptight to motivate people whose ambitions are not directly tied to hers.
I like her, but I don't respect her. Or is it the reverse?
Sunday, January 28, 2007
GOOD SIGN
Israel's policy these days seems confused - but I sense that what is happening there now is very much akin to what is happening here, in that liberals and progressives are squaring off with, perhaps, the liberals feeling their oats as they have not in the years since Israeli Conservatives came to power.
Anyway, this story from the BBC suggests that the arrogance of power may be tailing off.
"Raleb Majadele from the Labour Party will be minister without portfolio. Mr Majadele, aged 53, said his appointment would give Israeli Arabs a sense of belonging. Labour Party leader Amir Peretz said it was an historic step towards equality for Israeli Arabs, who make up about 20% of Israel’s population. All Israeli cabinet ministers - except for the ultra-nationalist Minister of Strategic Affairs, Avigdor Lieberman - voted in favour of Mr Majadele’s appointment."
I wish the Israelis as much success in coming to terms with reality as I wish the Democrats in the coming days.
Anyway, this story from the BBC suggests that the arrogance of power may be tailing off.
"Raleb Majadele from the Labour Party will be minister without portfolio. Mr Majadele, aged 53, said his appointment would give Israeli Arabs a sense of belonging. Labour Party leader Amir Peretz said it was an historic step towards equality for Israeli Arabs, who make up about 20% of Israel’s population. All Israeli cabinet ministers - except for the ultra-nationalist Minister of Strategic Affairs, Avigdor Lieberman - voted in favour of Mr Majadele’s appointment."
I wish the Israelis as much success in coming to terms with reality as I wish the Democrats in the coming days.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
WORDS
Why has the press spent so much time analyzing the State of the Union Address? After all, nine out of ten SOTUs have historically been meaningless - and six out of six of Bush's, because he never does what he says he's going to do, and he never talks about what he actually does.
I begin to think the problem is that the press deals with words. They don't actually do anything - unless their spouses insist they change a diaper or take out the trash. So the lamer press - that's most of them - focus on words and ignore deeds. This is a universal phenomenon in American reportage.
Well, maybe the press thinks the pen is mightier than the sword - and maybe it is, in the gestalt, but it isn't when the sword is being swung right at your head. It's the very rare word that changes things, and it's sometimes hard to discern because it's buried in a pile of verbal manure. On the other hand, a deed can turn the world around; the bullet that killed JFK is, I think, directly responsible for the shit we've had to put up with since that day.
I begin to think the problem is that the press deals with words. They don't actually do anything - unless their spouses insist they change a diaper or take out the trash. So the lamer press - that's most of them - focus on words and ignore deeds. This is a universal phenomenon in American reportage.
Well, maybe the press thinks the pen is mightier than the sword - and maybe it is, in the gestalt, but it isn't when the sword is being swung right at your head. It's the very rare word that changes things, and it's sometimes hard to discern because it's buried in a pile of verbal manure. On the other hand, a deed can turn the world around; the bullet that killed JFK is, I think, directly responsible for the shit we've had to put up with since that day.
HEAD
From the Huffington Post:
"After her appendix was removed, Lindsay Lohan was so worried it would be sold on eBay, she asked hospital staff if she could take it home.
"The actress was so convinced her body part might fall into the wrong hands, she put it in her freezer."
There's a girl who understands how insane we have become. Well, maybe not become. Maybe returned to. A hundred years ago her appendix might have wound up in a jar at the Smithsonian.
Speaking of which, where is Saddam's brother-in-law's head?
"After her appendix was removed, Lindsay Lohan was so worried it would be sold on eBay, she asked hospital staff if she could take it home.
"The actress was so convinced her body part might fall into the wrong hands, she put it in her freezer."
There's a girl who understands how insane we have become. Well, maybe not become. Maybe returned to. A hundred years ago her appendix might have wound up in a jar at the Smithsonian.
Speaking of which, where is Saddam's brother-in-law's head?
Thursday, January 25, 2007
SATISFIED
It only took me 50 years to understand why it was so important that rock 'n' roll take a break in the early sixties and stand back for the folk music craze.
Folkies reminded rockers that better playing, more color and more thought could shape their music. That led to Dylan, then Sergeant Pepper, and that led to CSN, and that led to jazz/rock, then Talking Heads and so on into the late 80's when it stopped dead and the talent moved into country music.
If you were born in the late 80's, you're 20 now and you have no idea what it feels like to be part of a generation that makes good music. But hell, you've got your cell phones and reality TV. That, and a million dollars, will keep you satisfied.
Folkies reminded rockers that better playing, more color and more thought could shape their music. That led to Dylan, then Sergeant Pepper, and that led to CSN, and that led to jazz/rock, then Talking Heads and so on into the late 80's when it stopped dead and the talent moved into country music.
If you were born in the late 80's, you're 20 now and you have no idea what it feels like to be part of a generation that makes good music. But hell, you've got your cell phones and reality TV. That, and a million dollars, will keep you satisfied.
WORK FIRST
Well! Tom Friedman finally got something right!
In his current column he points out that there has been no protest in the "Islamic community" against Muslim-on-Muslim murder. A society that tolerates its own self-destruction has little hope of becoming productive on the world stage. That's why Islamic extremism is a threat to the West only so long as the West - or China, or Asia - needs their oil. Stop buying their oil and they descend to camel-jockeying - because there is no impetus for creative development. Are we afraid of a Shiite crescent? Only because the slight drive for economic power they have focuses - like the Soviets did - on the building and use of weapons. That didn't help the Soviets in the long run, and the Middle East - if it doesn't blow everybody up - will not amount to any kind of economic threat. Policy vis a vis the region is easy - stop selling them weapons, stop buying their oil and deprive them of the technology they need to build big bombs. Then let them stew in their own fetid juice.
Friedman says the Muslims need a Martin Luther King. The analogy is interesting, so far as it goes: American blacks (generically) have blamed whites for their problems, without doing the self-examination that would show that they have destructive attitudes they need to eliminate. Martin Luther King died forty years ago, and except for individuals with the drive and the brains to succeed, blacks have not significantly improved their lot since. I don't think they need another Martin Luther King - because the problem now is not segregation but self-destructive behavior. What they need, and the Muslims need, is somebody like Bill Cosby, who would tell them what they needed to hear if they had any interest in listening.
I don't know how you move these huge societal stumbling blocks. As for the Muslims, I'm perfectly happy to let them go back to sleep (assuming the preconditions I mentioned above.) As for the blacks, how do you get them to understand themselves? The most interesting thing about it is that the attitude of underclass blacks (and radical Muslims, too) is identical to the attitude of successful Irish and Jews - we're perfect, so go fuck yourself. But it isn't easy to be self-satisfied when you've got essentially nothing. They need to do the work first, and then get arrogant.
In his current column he points out that there has been no protest in the "Islamic community" against Muslim-on-Muslim murder. A society that tolerates its own self-destruction has little hope of becoming productive on the world stage. That's why Islamic extremism is a threat to the West only so long as the West - or China, or Asia - needs their oil. Stop buying their oil and they descend to camel-jockeying - because there is no impetus for creative development. Are we afraid of a Shiite crescent? Only because the slight drive for economic power they have focuses - like the Soviets did - on the building and use of weapons. That didn't help the Soviets in the long run, and the Middle East - if it doesn't blow everybody up - will not amount to any kind of economic threat. Policy vis a vis the region is easy - stop selling them weapons, stop buying their oil and deprive them of the technology they need to build big bombs. Then let them stew in their own fetid juice.
Friedman says the Muslims need a Martin Luther King. The analogy is interesting, so far as it goes: American blacks (generically) have blamed whites for their problems, without doing the self-examination that would show that they have destructive attitudes they need to eliminate. Martin Luther King died forty years ago, and except for individuals with the drive and the brains to succeed, blacks have not significantly improved their lot since. I don't think they need another Martin Luther King - because the problem now is not segregation but self-destructive behavior. What they need, and the Muslims need, is somebody like Bill Cosby, who would tell them what they needed to hear if they had any interest in listening.
I don't know how you move these huge societal stumbling blocks. As for the Muslims, I'm perfectly happy to let them go back to sleep (assuming the preconditions I mentioned above.) As for the blacks, how do you get them to understand themselves? The most interesting thing about it is that the attitude of underclass blacks (and radical Muslims, too) is identical to the attitude of successful Irish and Jews - we're perfect, so go fuck yourself. But it isn't easy to be self-satisfied when you've got essentially nothing. They need to do the work first, and then get arrogant.
SICK OF IT
I'm putting this HuffPo post up almost in toto because it really pisses me off:
"According to the Worcester, MA Telegram & Gazette, on January 11, Elly Kulesza and her family took an uneventful AirTran Airways flight from Boston to Fort Meyers, FL to visit the grandparents. Elly's mom, Julie Kulesza is quoted saying her daughter "was great" on the plane.
"After a few days in the sand and sun, the family returned to the Ft. Meyers airport where they checked their bags and a car seat and boarded a plane for home.
"Once on board, Elly proceeded to melt down.
"Julie and Gerald, the dad, said they did everything they could to calm their daughter. Other passengers offered lollypops and support.
"Adding to the stress of the whole scenario were AirTran employees who kept coming up to the family telling them to "do something."
"The couple assured the employees that they were trying.
"I know from experience that stressing out parents doesn't do a dang bit of good when it comes to calming down their kid.
"After a few minutes, an AirTran employee kicked the family off the plane. The flight took off, with the family's luggage and car seat, as an AirTran supervisor lectured Julie and Gerald on their parenting skills and the child's behavior.
"The family was banned from flying AirTran for 24 hours. Gerald missed a 16-hour shift at his work as an EMT.
"After a Telegram & Gazette reporter called AirTran, the Kuleszas were refunded the $595 for their airfare. They were also offered free airline tickets, which the couple refused - they said they won't be flying AirTran ever again.
"I won't be either, for that matter.
"Parents don't bring their kids on planes to make everyone else miserable, they do it for the same reason everyone flies: to get from point A to point B. When kids freak out on a plane, it is a nightmare for parents, coming from one who has been there.
"Kids fly on planes. They cry sometimes. They fidget, they laugh, they get frustrated. Oh, yeah, and some breastfeed."
Yeah, well, I get on planes to get from point A to point B, too. And it drives me crazy to sit there for hours without a cigarette. So, by the above logic, I should just say "Screw you all," light up, go to jail and be offended at being prosecuted.
Man, I am really sick of parental entitlement. People in public places are entitled to be free from things that would annoy anyone except parents like this one. YOU DON'T GET A MEDAL OF HONOR FOR HAVING A KID. AND WE DON'T GET MEDALS OF HONOR FOR HAVING TO PUT UP WITH YOUR KID.
Next time, drive to Florida and keep your misery to yourself.
"According to the Worcester, MA Telegram & Gazette, on January 11, Elly Kulesza and her family took an uneventful AirTran Airways flight from Boston to Fort Meyers, FL to visit the grandparents. Elly's mom, Julie Kulesza is quoted saying her daughter "was great" on the plane.
"After a few days in the sand and sun, the family returned to the Ft. Meyers airport where they checked their bags and a car seat and boarded a plane for home.
"Once on board, Elly proceeded to melt down.
"Julie and Gerald, the dad, said they did everything they could to calm their daughter. Other passengers offered lollypops and support.
"Adding to the stress of the whole scenario were AirTran employees who kept coming up to the family telling them to "do something."
"The couple assured the employees that they were trying.
"I know from experience that stressing out parents doesn't do a dang bit of good when it comes to calming down their kid.
"After a few minutes, an AirTran employee kicked the family off the plane. The flight took off, with the family's luggage and car seat, as an AirTran supervisor lectured Julie and Gerald on their parenting skills and the child's behavior.
"The family was banned from flying AirTran for 24 hours. Gerald missed a 16-hour shift at his work as an EMT.
"After a Telegram & Gazette reporter called AirTran, the Kuleszas were refunded the $595 for their airfare. They were also offered free airline tickets, which the couple refused - they said they won't be flying AirTran ever again.
"I won't be either, for that matter.
"Parents don't bring their kids on planes to make everyone else miserable, they do it for the same reason everyone flies: to get from point A to point B. When kids freak out on a plane, it is a nightmare for parents, coming from one who has been there.
"Kids fly on planes. They cry sometimes. They fidget, they laugh, they get frustrated. Oh, yeah, and some breastfeed."
Yeah, well, I get on planes to get from point A to point B, too. And it drives me crazy to sit there for hours without a cigarette. So, by the above logic, I should just say "Screw you all," light up, go to jail and be offended at being prosecuted.
Man, I am really sick of parental entitlement. People in public places are entitled to be free from things that would annoy anyone except parents like this one. YOU DON'T GET A MEDAL OF HONOR FOR HAVING A KID. AND WE DON'T GET MEDALS OF HONOR FOR HAVING TO PUT UP WITH YOUR KID.
Next time, drive to Florida and keep your misery to yourself.
WHAT WE NEED
Another pro-Israel caucus created in the United States Congress?
Yes and no.
This one is Christian pro-Israel. That means it's another fundamentalist effort at controlling the course of supposedly secular events to move us toward the Second Coming of Christ.
Just what America needs.
Yes and no.
This one is Christian pro-Israel. That means it's another fundamentalist effort at controlling the course of supposedly secular events to move us toward the Second Coming of Christ.
Just what America needs.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
YOU GOT IT, NORMAN
The White House keep saying that if people don't like Bush's "plan" for Iraq, they need to come up with a better one.
This within months of the report of the Iraq Study Group.
Why are so few people pointing out what bullshit this is? Has memory capacity shortened to a week or two's recall?
And why didn't the Democrats adopt the ISG's report, considering it is far more thoughtful than either Bush's "surge" or the knee-jerk "get out now"?
Probably because the report was thoughtful. People don't want to take the time to figure the problem out. They want it solved immediately, with minimum effort, and they want it to be explainable in three words or less.
We have gotten stupid, haven't we, Mr. Mailer.
This within months of the report of the Iraq Study Group.
Why are so few people pointing out what bullshit this is? Has memory capacity shortened to a week or two's recall?
And why didn't the Democrats adopt the ISG's report, considering it is far more thoughtful than either Bush's "surge" or the knee-jerk "get out now"?
Probably because the report was thoughtful. People don't want to take the time to figure the problem out. They want it solved immediately, with minimum effort, and they want it to be explainable in three words or less.
We have gotten stupid, haven't we, Mr. Mailer.
HOOEY
There seems to be rising concern, due to the prevalence of the iPod, that Americans are retreating into social isolation. This when half of America, including iPod users, are on their cell phones all day long. That is, if they're not texting or using IM.
I sense a new bullshit social science developing - a new job for people who prey on us all, treating "social isolation" with weekly therapy sessions.
Well, if they need to come up with another "illness" to earn a salary by, let me suggest they deal with people who can't stand a minute alone, who hang up on one pointless cell phone call just to make another, so they're in touch with someone all the time. That's sick, in my opinion. But we're not likely to see a cure. Because the media and the experts depend on the same phenomenon to sell us the line of crap that we need what they purvey.
But for God's sake, don't let them call it science. It's just hooey pitched by people who have degrees from better colleges than Dr. Phil.
I sense a new bullshit social science developing - a new job for people who prey on us all, treating "social isolation" with weekly therapy sessions.
Well, if they need to come up with another "illness" to earn a salary by, let me suggest they deal with people who can't stand a minute alone, who hang up on one pointless cell phone call just to make another, so they're in touch with someone all the time. That's sick, in my opinion. But we're not likely to see a cure. Because the media and the experts depend on the same phenomenon to sell us the line of crap that we need what they purvey.
But for God's sake, don't let them call it science. It's just hooey pitched by people who have degrees from better colleges than Dr. Phil.
THE NEXT TWO YEARS
U.S. Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a Democratic bill to increase the federal minimum wage for the first time in a decade, demanding it first include small-business tax relief.
Democrats fell short of the 60 needed to end debate and go to passage of the House-passed measure, which would raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour from $5.15 per hour over two years.
This is what we're going to see for the next two years. Things like this will send a clear message to the public that if there's something good for America that you really want, you're going to have to replace some more Senators - and a President.
Democrats fell short of the 60 needed to end debate and go to passage of the House-passed measure, which would raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour from $5.15 per hour over two years.
This is what we're going to see for the next two years. Things like this will send a clear message to the public that if there's something good for America that you really want, you're going to have to replace some more Senators - and a President.
BIG FUN AHEAD
If this is an indication of the depths of Republican iniquity that Democrats intend to plumb, we are in for a lot of fun in the next two years.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
HUMAN BEING
Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton are trying to create a coalition of small Baptist groups to serve as a counterweight to the Southern Baptist Convention, which I consider the source of much of the trouble we've had with the religious right.
This was Carter's idea, and it's a great one. It's become obvious that moderate Baptist leaders have been either uninterested or unable to put pressure on the SBC to back off radical politics.
Jimmy Carter has done more than any ex-president to promote social justice and eliminate contention. God bless the man, I love him dearly, and I wish he'd been as good a president as he is a human being.
This was Carter's idea, and it's a great one. It's become obvious that moderate Baptist leaders have been either uninterested or unable to put pressure on the SBC to back off radical politics.
Jimmy Carter has done more than any ex-president to promote social justice and eliminate contention. God bless the man, I love him dearly, and I wish he'd been as good a president as he is a human being.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
MISFITS
I've been thinking about the jobs certain people should have had, as opposed to the ones they have. Here's a list so far:
George Bush - bartender
Condi Rice - on the mike at Burger King
Dick Cheney - school janitor
Dennis Hastert - high school shop teacher
Tom Delay - used car salesman
Barack Obama - cabana boy
Hillary Clinton - librarian
Scooter Libby - hotel surfboard concession
Harry Reid - croupier
James Inhofe - on the waste management truck
Mark Foley - South Beach maitre d'
John Edwards - day care center operator
Joe Leiberman - Fuller Brush man
Feel free to add to the list.
George Bush - bartender
Condi Rice - on the mike at Burger King
Dick Cheney - school janitor
Dennis Hastert - high school shop teacher
Tom Delay - used car salesman
Barack Obama - cabana boy
Hillary Clinton - librarian
Scooter Libby - hotel surfboard concession
Harry Reid - croupier
James Inhofe - on the waste management truck
Mark Foley - South Beach maitre d'
John Edwards - day care center operator
Joe Leiberman - Fuller Brush man
Feel free to add to the list.
Friday, January 19, 2007
IMPEACH
Article I, Section 9, Clause 2 of the Contitution: “The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.”
During Senate Judiciary Committee hearings yesterday, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales: "there is no express grant of habeas in the Constitution. There is a prohibition against taking it away." As if that made any difference. He's wrong, anyway.
Impeach him. He's not incompetent, he's dangerous.
YES!
From the Hill's Pundit Blog:
"Hillary Clinton has plummeted in the new Rasmussen Poll due out today. She is now down to 22% with Obama at 21% and Edwards up to 15%. Her campaign staff has been flatfooted and her reaction to the Edwards’ offensive over the war has been slow. When she should have been in the US protesting Bush’s speech, she was in Iraq posing for photo ops.
"Edwards is winning the race to the left, the key place to be in the Democratic Primary."
YES!
Now if we could only find a good Democratic candidate.
"Hillary Clinton has plummeted in the new Rasmussen Poll due out today. She is now down to 22% with Obama at 21% and Edwards up to 15%. Her campaign staff has been flatfooted and her reaction to the Edwards’ offensive over the war has been slow. When she should have been in the US protesting Bush’s speech, she was in Iraq posing for photo ops.
"Edwards is winning the race to the left, the key place to be in the Democratic Primary."
YES!
Now if we could only find a good Democratic candidate.
YEARS
From MyDD:
"An Iranian offer to help the United States stabilize Iraq and end its military support for Hezbollah and Hamas was rejected by Vice President Dick Cheney in 2003, a former top State Department official told the British Broadcasting Corp.
"The U.S. State Department was open to the offer, which came in an unsigned letter sent shortly after the American invasion of Iraq, Lawrence Wilkerson, former Secretary of State Colin Powell's chief of staff, told BBC's Newsnight in a program broadcast Wednesday night. But, Wilkerson said, Cheney vetoed the deal."
Idiot. Moron. Ideologue. It will be years before we discover all the damage this man has done.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
ROTTEN
Yesterday the House voted to reduce interest rates on need-based student loans by half. The tally was 356-71.
Does anyone think all those Republicans would have joined in this vote when Delay and Hastert were running the House?
Now these guys know how rotten they've been, and they're trying to save their asses. Sorry - the public still wants their asses in 2008.
Does anyone think all those Republicans would have joined in this vote when Delay and Hastert were running the House?
Now these guys know how rotten they've been, and they're trying to save their asses. Sorry - the public still wants their asses in 2008.
YO MAMA
Bush has agreed to disband the NSA warrantless surveillance program and to put requests for eavesdropping before the FISA court.
That's a tremendous victory for the cause of constitutionality - but does Bush understand the problem yet? I wouldn't bet on it.
So thank God the Democrats won in November. Or they'd still be listening to your call to yo mama in Martinique.
That's a tremendous victory for the cause of constitutionality - but does Bush understand the problem yet? I wouldn't bet on it.
So thank God the Democrats won in November. Or they'd still be listening to your call to yo mama in Martinique.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
$3.00 CAN OF SOUP
Just listening to Keith Richburg on Washington Post radio, talking about the homeless problem in France. He points out that Paris has gotten incredibly expensive, and France has a hu ge problem with unemployable young people for whom their economy is not providing jobs.
Two things immediately occur to me. As wealth concentrates in Europe and in cities like New York, prices are driven ever higher because New Yorkers, Parisians and others whose wealth is pretty much driven by the financial markets can afford to pay so much more for things. For years I've said that the inflation figures we're given are a lie. A can of Progresso soup cost me almost $3.00 two days ago. A loaf of bread is inching toward the same figure. To some people, that's a hell of a lot of money for a can of soup or a loaf of bread. To New Yorkers it's not even worth a thought.
The bottom line on that is that if the wealth of the top 1% keeps driving up prices on everything, sooner or later society is going to break. There will be guns in the streets, which is why, I suspect, Republicans are so determined not to let anyone put in anti-gun laws, and why they are so focused on the military. Sooner or later the wealthy are going to have to put the rest of us down. That's when we find out that America is already fractured, and the battle will define who is American and who is not.
The second thing that occurs to me is that the French unemployment situation sounds an awful lot like the situation in Egypt and so much of the Arab world which has contributed so much to the growth of radical Islam. It's not just that Muslims in France are likely to be radicalized; it's also that plain old Frenchmen are going to be looking for revenge, in a proto-fascist movement, or maybe something completely new.
The point is, the wealth imbalance is going to have consequences. There is no sign of them yet, but there will have to be.
Two things immediately occur to me. As wealth concentrates in Europe and in cities like New York, prices are driven ever higher because New Yorkers, Parisians and others whose wealth is pretty much driven by the financial markets can afford to pay so much more for things. For years I've said that the inflation figures we're given are a lie. A can of Progresso soup cost me almost $3.00 two days ago. A loaf of bread is inching toward the same figure. To some people, that's a hell of a lot of money for a can of soup or a loaf of bread. To New Yorkers it's not even worth a thought.
The bottom line on that is that if the wealth of the top 1% keeps driving up prices on everything, sooner or later society is going to break. There will be guns in the streets, which is why, I suspect, Republicans are so determined not to let anyone put in anti-gun laws, and why they are so focused on the military. Sooner or later the wealthy are going to have to put the rest of us down. That's when we find out that America is already fractured, and the battle will define who is American and who is not.
The second thing that occurs to me is that the French unemployment situation sounds an awful lot like the situation in Egypt and so much of the Arab world which has contributed so much to the growth of radical Islam. It's not just that Muslims in France are likely to be radicalized; it's also that plain old Frenchmen are going to be looking for revenge, in a proto-fascist movement, or maybe something completely new.
The point is, the wealth imbalance is going to have consequences. There is no sign of them yet, but there will have to be.
TOO SOPHISTICATED
In Rhode Island and Massachusetts, by law, they remove the little gadgets from gas pump nozzles that allow you to prop them open without holding them. The ostensible reason is to prevent people from driving away from the pumps with the nozzles still in their gas tanks.
In Florida and throughout the South they don't remove those gadgets. Does this mean people are dumber in New England than in the South? Or just that New England legislatures think they're dumber? Then again, they don't have helmet laws in the South, either. Maybe the Southern idea is that government ought to keep out of people's lives unless it's strictly necessary. That's a pretty good idea, I think.
But then there's Terri Schiavo. Now I'm confused about the South. If the lack of helmet laws means it's okay to kill yourself, why stop people from killing themselves more directly?
Oh, this is all too sophisticated for me. But I think it all means that nobody cares what you do to yourself unless you violate a religious law. God doesn't like suicide, but he doesn't mind stupidity. So the next time you feel like killing yourself in Florida, find a stupid way to do it, but not so dumb that it doesn't work.
In Florida and throughout the South they don't remove those gadgets. Does this mean people are dumber in New England than in the South? Or just that New England legislatures think they're dumber? Then again, they don't have helmet laws in the South, either. Maybe the Southern idea is that government ought to keep out of people's lives unless it's strictly necessary. That's a pretty good idea, I think.
But then there's Terri Schiavo. Now I'm confused about the South. If the lack of helmet laws means it's okay to kill yourself, why stop people from killing themselves more directly?
Oh, this is all too sophisticated for me. But I think it all means that nobody cares what you do to yourself unless you violate a religious law. God doesn't like suicide, but he doesn't mind stupidity. So the next time you feel like killing yourself in Florida, find a stupid way to do it, but not so dumb that it doesn't work.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
ASSES ON THE LINE
The New York Times now reports that more women are living without spouses than living with them. I can't figure out whether this is a woman's story or a political story. And the reason I can't figure it out is that no one is coming up with similar statistics on men.
I don't know the details, but I assume that there are more women than men in the U.S., if only because women live longer (which could easily explain a lot of those women without spouses, if anyone feels like explaining this finding at all). If that's true, then it is possible that more men live with spouses than without. If that's the case, this is a story of female empowerment. They don't need men. Good for them.
But if more men are now living unspoused than otherwise, this is a twofold story: one, it's political, a repudiation of the control "family values" has had on politics, and an indication that all that Christian conservative horseshit is finally going out of date. And two, it's sociological - meaning that both men and women are coming to the conclusion that living with a particular representative of the opposite sex for a legally-determined forever is not a viable way of life. They'd rather live with their iPods and their Blackberries.
If it's the latter, I see the day coming when there will be two political parties vying for power in America - one made up of women and the other of men. That's the coming battle, folks - it's going to get down to brass tacks. Women are already prepared for it. Men have no clue. Wake up, maledom! Your asses are on the line.
I don't know the details, but I assume that there are more women than men in the U.S., if only because women live longer (which could easily explain a lot of those women without spouses, if anyone feels like explaining this finding at all). If that's true, then it is possible that more men live with spouses than without. If that's the case, this is a story of female empowerment. They don't need men. Good for them.
But if more men are now living unspoused than otherwise, this is a twofold story: one, it's political, a repudiation of the control "family values" has had on politics, and an indication that all that Christian conservative horseshit is finally going out of date. And two, it's sociological - meaning that both men and women are coming to the conclusion that living with a particular representative of the opposite sex for a legally-determined forever is not a viable way of life. They'd rather live with their iPods and their Blackberries.
If it's the latter, I see the day coming when there will be two political parties vying for power in America - one made up of women and the other of men. That's the coming battle, folks - it's going to get down to brass tacks. Women are already prepared for it. Men have no clue. Wake up, maledom! Your asses are on the line.
OBAMA'S BULLSHIT
Well, I watched Barack Obama's announcement of intent to set up an exploratory committee, and I have to say I now think he's full of shit.
I agree with his positions - well, they're not positions, they're actually centrist liberal platitudes with no meat on them and no solutions to anything. But so far as they went, I agreed. My problem is that he spoke in the same bullshit politickese that every other insincere candidate is using.
The only candidate I can support - until I have to choose between somebody and a Republican - is someone whom I can look at and listen to and conclude that he or she is actually telling me truthfully what he or she thinks. That means someone whose language suggests that he or she isn't just telling me what he or she thinks I want to hear.
John McCain was that, for a while; not anymore. What I got from Obama's bullshit is that he wants to be president. And that is not a reason to vote for him.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
PHILOSOPHY
Someone I care about a lot told me the other day that since there were a billion Muslims in the world, and 10% of them were terrorists, there were 100 million Muslim terrorists loose.
He's incredibly bright, he's Jewish and a strong supporter of Israel.
When someone with his brains buys into this kind of hooey, I have to wonder what Israel is doing to him on his frequent visits there.
I guess everyone has blind spots where their usual logic and reasoning aren't able to function, much as x-rays can't go through lead shields. But why must religion shut down the brain? Or is it ethnicity, in this case, which is the black hole?
So I pointed out to him that if he were right, Israel right now would be a blasted plain. Or else there are a hell of a lot of lazy Muslim terrorists.
It's like he's expecting the End of Days - not the ecstatic Christian version but the unhappy Jewish kind, where all the Hebrews are dead, particularly his family. Things are bad enough, I said, if you just look at reality. I'm sure he'd be more comfortable if he could kill them all - but that would be impossible, just think of the stench. Better safe than sorry, he says; that's why we have walls, holes and nukes.
He's incredibly bright, he's Jewish and a strong supporter of Israel.
When someone with his brains buys into this kind of hooey, I have to wonder what Israel is doing to him on his frequent visits there.
I guess everyone has blind spots where their usual logic and reasoning aren't able to function, much as x-rays can't go through lead shields. But why must religion shut down the brain? Or is it ethnicity, in this case, which is the black hole?
So I pointed out to him that if he were right, Israel right now would be a blasted plain. Or else there are a hell of a lot of lazy Muslim terrorists.
It's like he's expecting the End of Days - not the ecstatic Christian version but the unhappy Jewish kind, where all the Hebrews are dead, particularly his family. Things are bad enough, I said, if you just look at reality. I'm sure he'd be more comfortable if he could kill them all - but that would be impossible, just think of the stench. Better safe than sorry, he says; that's why we have walls, holes and nukes.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
THE FUNDAMENTAL
“President Bush lifted the drilling ban Tuesday for Alaska’s Bristol Bay, clearing the way for the Interior Department to open the fish-rich waters to oil and natural gas development.”
Congress can stop this executive order by specifically banning opening this bay. And here's the fundamental of the next two years:
Bush is going to keep pushing, and Congress will need to react quickly to each Bush move. Republican votes on this legislation need to be publicized. Democrats can use Bush to bury Republicans who support him. Bush isn't even trying to convince Americans he's right.
Bush doesn't get it. Let's hope Democrats do, and we watch the death of the first American fascist administration.
This is how you do it. From the AP:
Anti-terror legislation sailed through the House on Tuesday, the first in a string of measures designed to fulfill campaign promises made by Democrats last fall.
Patterned on recommendations of the commission that investigated the Sept. 11 attacks, the far-reaching measure includes commitments for inspection of all cargo carried aboard passenger aircraft and on ships bound for the United States.
The vote was a bipartisan 299-128, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi took the speaker's rostrum to announce the passage of the first legislation to clear under the new Democratic majority.
Congress can stop this executive order by specifically banning opening this bay. And here's the fundamental of the next two years:
Bush is going to keep pushing, and Congress will need to react quickly to each Bush move. Republican votes on this legislation need to be publicized. Democrats can use Bush to bury Republicans who support him. Bush isn't even trying to convince Americans he's right.
Bush doesn't get it. Let's hope Democrats do, and we watch the death of the first American fascist administration.
This is how you do it. From the AP:
Anti-terror legislation sailed through the House on Tuesday, the first in a string of measures designed to fulfill campaign promises made by Democrats last fall.
Patterned on recommendations of the commission that investigated the Sept. 11 attacks, the far-reaching measure includes commitments for inspection of all cargo carried aboard passenger aircraft and on ships bound for the United States.
The vote was a bipartisan 299-128, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi took the speaker's rostrum to announce the passage of the first legislation to clear under the new Democratic majority.
iCAR
There is only one way the American auto industry can save itself: that is to put out green vehicles running on entirely new technology - like, maybe, this.
They had a chance with the hybrid and blew it. They've been putting out some cars and trucks with good design, but they're years too late for that approach - I don't care how great a Chrysler looks, it's still a Chrysler and I'm not going to buy it.
But why can't they emulate Apple and come up with something which changes the very nature of personal mobility? American brains can do that - just not GM's, so far.
Why is our auto industry so flaccid on ideas? I don't know - too many second-rate MBA's who got the degree for the reason lawyers used to - their daddy insisted on it, and they had no better plan?
Okay, Apple - forget about the iPhone and come up with the iCar. The whole world will be at your feet.
They had a chance with the hybrid and blew it. They've been putting out some cars and trucks with good design, but they're years too late for that approach - I don't care how great a Chrysler looks, it's still a Chrysler and I'm not going to buy it.
But why can't they emulate Apple and come up with something which changes the very nature of personal mobility? American brains can do that - just not GM's, so far.
Why is our auto industry so flaccid on ideas? I don't know - too many second-rate MBA's who got the degree for the reason lawyers used to - their daddy insisted on it, and they had no better plan?
Okay, Apple - forget about the iPhone and come up with the iCar. The whole world will be at your feet.
Monday, January 08, 2007
BOYCOTT BULLSHIT!
Not that it's much of a change, but since the November election the rightwing punditocracy has nothing except absurdities and hate to offer. Proving, of course, there was never any sane substance there.
Congressional Democrats are ignoring them, and so should we. There are only two remaining reasons to spend a single minute considering the sayings of what used to be called the lunatic fringe until the lunatics took over the government: one, to see their statistics on how big the boobocracy (their listener base) is, and two, to get advance notice in case one of them - like the president - plans to do something crazy - like bomb Iran.
They won't go away if you ignore them. But every second you spend on them is a second taken away from something productive and positive you could be doing. If your uncle kept saying nutty things, you'd tune him out. So tune out Rush Limbaugh - unless you believe what he says.
While we're at it, why don't we ignore what the president says? He hardly ever says anything new, and when he does, it's both absurd and completely predictable. We want to know what he does, not what he says he's doing - and certainly not his rationale for what he says (or does), since that way (trying to follow his process) lies madness. Anybody you know want to think like Bush?
Time to stay away from the endless press conferences and spin. Time to stop inviting people on political talk shows who are full of meaningless yak. Time to focus on what is actually happening.
I realize a boycott of bullshit would put millions out of work. But don't we need bridges repaired, and barbed wire strung on the range? No one should be paid for talking about pointless stuff - we all do that all day every day, for free.
Shut 'em down. All of 'em. Even liberals. Even me. Give your ears a rest. Air out your brain. Then you can figure out what you think - and if you can't figure that out, you might be able to figure out why you don't know what you think.
Congressional Democrats are ignoring them, and so should we. There are only two remaining reasons to spend a single minute considering the sayings of what used to be called the lunatic fringe until the lunatics took over the government: one, to see their statistics on how big the boobocracy (their listener base) is, and two, to get advance notice in case one of them - like the president - plans to do something crazy - like bomb Iran.
They won't go away if you ignore them. But every second you spend on them is a second taken away from something productive and positive you could be doing. If your uncle kept saying nutty things, you'd tune him out. So tune out Rush Limbaugh - unless you believe what he says.
While we're at it, why don't we ignore what the president says? He hardly ever says anything new, and when he does, it's both absurd and completely predictable. We want to know what he does, not what he says he's doing - and certainly not his rationale for what he says (or does), since that way (trying to follow his process) lies madness. Anybody you know want to think like Bush?
Time to stay away from the endless press conferences and spin. Time to stop inviting people on political talk shows who are full of meaningless yak. Time to focus on what is actually happening.
I realize a boycott of bullshit would put millions out of work. But don't we need bridges repaired, and barbed wire strung on the range? No one should be paid for talking about pointless stuff - we all do that all day every day, for free.
Shut 'em down. All of 'em. Even liberals. Even me. Give your ears a rest. Air out your brain. Then you can figure out what you think - and if you can't figure that out, you might be able to figure out why you don't know what you think.
GOOD NEWS
From Think Progress:
"Yesterday on Fox News Sunday, Weekly Standard editor Fred Barnes excitedly discussed how new Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) may block the new congressional leadership from pursuing its objectives. “There was really an important thing that Mitch McConnell said,” Barnes explained, which was that “the minority can guarantee not much is done.”
"Barnes claimed that he has “talked to [McConnell] many times, and he’s the great master of the filibuster, among other things.” Barnes also said that President Bush “has great tools” like “the veto, executive orders, recess appointments and so on” to block congressional efforts."
Best news I've heard all year (eight days). They still don't understand that the voters are telling them how we want things to go. I guess that's because they still think it's their prerogative to tell the voters how things are going to go. The Republicans' big problem is - they know how to manipulate the democratic system, but they don't understand the point of democracy.
They are unable to learn.
Let 'em filibuster and veto every bill the public wants. Let 'em make the record they're going to have to run on in 2008. Let's see how many of them are still around when the next Congress convenes. And let's see who's president then.
Obstruction = self-destruction, when America is awake.
"Yesterday on Fox News Sunday, Weekly Standard editor Fred Barnes excitedly discussed how new Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) may block the new congressional leadership from pursuing its objectives. “There was really an important thing that Mitch McConnell said,” Barnes explained, which was that “the minority can guarantee not much is done.”
"Barnes claimed that he has “talked to [McConnell] many times, and he’s the great master of the filibuster, among other things.” Barnes also said that President Bush “has great tools” like “the veto, executive orders, recess appointments and so on” to block congressional efforts."
Best news I've heard all year (eight days). They still don't understand that the voters are telling them how we want things to go. I guess that's because they still think it's their prerogative to tell the voters how things are going to go. The Republicans' big problem is - they know how to manipulate the democratic system, but they don't understand the point of democracy.
They are unable to learn.
Let 'em filibuster and veto every bill the public wants. Let 'em make the record they're going to have to run on in 2008. Let's see how many of them are still around when the next Congress convenes. And let's see who's president then.
Obstruction = self-destruction, when America is awake.
NICE
How long have I been saying this?
It's always nice when a piece of intellectual honesty pops up - but unless it metastasizes it isn't worth a damn.
It's always nice when a piece of intellectual honesty pops up - but unless it metastasizes it isn't worth a damn.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
WHY?
Everyone knows Bush's plan to "surge" 20,000 troops into Iraq won't work. Even John McCain. So why is he doing it? Two things I can think of.
1. To help dig McCain out of the hole he's dug himself. McCain can say "I told you we needed 50,000 troops."
2. As a first step. When this doesn't work, Bush can send in the other 30,000.
UPDATE: FROM AMERICABLOG
"McCain, who was supporting Bush's planned escalation in the Iraq war is now saying he may not support the escalation. Of course, McCain's reason for flip-flopping is insane: Bush's proposal may not send as many additional US troops to die in Iraq as John McCain would like, and Bush may not plan on keeping those additional troops in Iraq as long as John McCain would like to keep them there."
See?
1. To help dig McCain out of the hole he's dug himself. McCain can say "I told you we needed 50,000 troops."
2. As a first step. When this doesn't work, Bush can send in the other 30,000.
UPDATE: FROM AMERICABLOG
"McCain, who was supporting Bush's planned escalation in the Iraq war is now saying he may not support the escalation. Of course, McCain's reason for flip-flopping is insane: Bush's proposal may not send as many additional US troops to die in Iraq as John McCain would like, and Bush may not plan on keeping those additional troops in Iraq as long as John McCain would like to keep them there."
See?
TRUTH
Seems to me to be some truth here.
There are people in this country - and apparently in Israel - who believe it is OK for the good guys to use nukes. Unfortunately, they also believe that who is a good guy is not a matter of perspective but absolute, implacable truth.
Many Muslims, of course, have the same idea. With a different set of good guys. Let's hope they're not thinking what Georgie is.
And let's get rid of the idea of absolute truth in everything less provable than 1 + 1 = 2.
There are people in this country - and apparently in Israel - who believe it is OK for the good guys to use nukes. Unfortunately, they also believe that who is a good guy is not a matter of perspective but absolute, implacable truth.
Many Muslims, of course, have the same idea. With a different set of good guys. Let's hope they're not thinking what Georgie is.
And let's get rid of the idea of absolute truth in everything less provable than 1 + 1 = 2.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
BALLS
My uncle, a fervent Zionist, hands me a review by Michael Oren, an Israeli, of Jimmy Carter's book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid."
In the article, Oren criticizes Carter, an evangelical Baptist, for drawing away from the tradition of American Christians - going back to the Mayflower and including Presidents Wilson, McKinley, Teddy Roosevelt, Truman, Johnson and Bush 43 - of supporting the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Israel.
That Carter draws away from the usual evangelical position - which promises no good to Jews in the long run - is to me a wonderful thing. He was always the only political Baptist who could see beyond church doctrine, and the most honest president we have ever had. But Oren, like many Israelis and American Jews, does not choose to get Jimmy Carter's point.
Carter has made it perfectly clear he believes in Israsel's right to exist. Carter's primary issue is with the way Israel has dealt with the Palestinians. And once again Jews conflate opposition to Israeli policies with denial of the right of the state to exist, or with anti-Semitism.
There are four entities I can think of right now - I'm sure there are more - which refuse to take a look at their own attitudes and policies and contend that any opposition is fundamentally heretical. These are the Bush Administration, radical Christianity, radical (and some moderate) Muslims and some Israeli and American Jews.
None of them are helping to move civilization along. The world would be better off without any of them. But the world would be worse off without Jimmy Carter, a man who has the balls to speak the truth.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
DIPSHIT
There is no end to this dipshit, is there.
Let's face it, what Bush really wants is to establish unassailable executive power before he leaves office - at least so he can keep from becoming a lame duck when the Democrats start sending him legislation he won't sign.
Let's face it, what Bush really wants is to establish unassailable executive power before he leaves office - at least so he can keep from becoming a lame duck when the Democrats start sending him legislation he won't sign.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
TABLOID POLITICS
Unbelievable.
According to the New York Times, people in Washington are concerning themselves with debating when the Democrats' first 100 hours actually begins, and how the time will be calculated.
Must be the reason they don't read the bills they vote on - it ain't the substance, it's the surface that counts up there.
According to the New York Times, people in Washington are concerning themselves with debating when the Democrats' first 100 hours actually begins, and how the time will be calculated.
Must be the reason they don't read the bills they vote on - it ain't the substance, it's the surface that counts up there.
Monday, January 01, 2007
WIPE OUT
Here's how the Democrats are going to wipe out McCain's chances of election as president.
By the time they're through, they'll be praying that the Republicans hand McCain the nomination.
By the time they're through, they'll be praying that the Republicans hand McCain the nomination.
NAH
From Daily Kos:
"Taking office today, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer immediately acted to strengthen ethics rules in the executive branch:
"Spitzer's measures ban gifts from lobbyists, end personal use of state cars, computers and equipment; prohibit nepotism, and ban his ex-employees from lobbying the executive branch. Other executive orders ban statewide officials — including Spitzer — from appearing in state-paid commercials, criticized as free campaign ads. Another measure establishes a state commission to make sure that candidates for judicial appointments are qualified."
You think the denizens of Manhattan - like, the financial industry - will take a hint from what Spitzer did and clean up their own act?
Nah. But good for Spitzer. We need a lot more like him.
"Taking office today, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer immediately acted to strengthen ethics rules in the executive branch:
"Spitzer's measures ban gifts from lobbyists, end personal use of state cars, computers and equipment; prohibit nepotism, and ban his ex-employees from lobbying the executive branch. Other executive orders ban statewide officials — including Spitzer — from appearing in state-paid commercials, criticized as free campaign ads. Another measure establishes a state commission to make sure that candidates for judicial appointments are qualified."
You think the denizens of Manhattan - like, the financial industry - will take a hint from what Spitzer did and clean up their own act?
Nah. But good for Spitzer. We need a lot more like him.
A THOUGHT
John Roberts wants Federal judges' salaries raised. Apparently a number of Federal judges have left the bench for more lucrative careers.
Seems to me if you put a few Democrats on the bench, you might have a better chance of keeping them on the job. If you believe your role as a Federal judge is to take care of your friends - or your friends' genre, or class - then it follows you might get a little pissed as your friends, with your help, outearn you. But if you believe your role is to administer justice, there might be a few job satisfactions besides cash.
Just a thought.
Seems to me if you put a few Democrats on the bench, you might have a better chance of keeping them on the job. If you believe your role as a Federal judge is to take care of your friends - or your friends' genre, or class - then it follows you might get a little pissed as your friends, with your help, outearn you. But if you believe your role is to administer justice, there might be a few job satisfactions besides cash.
Just a thought.
FAIR AND BALANCED
Here's a headline from today's Palm Beach Post: "New Congress may lift minimum wage to $7.25".
To be fair and balanced, there should have been a second story, headlined: "New Congress may not lift minimum wage to $7.25".
Or better yet, skip the whole thing and save a couple of trees.
To be fair and balanced, there should have been a second story, headlined: "New Congress may not lift minimum wage to $7.25".
Or better yet, skip the whole thing and save a couple of trees.
JC IN '07
According to a new AP poll, 25% of Americans believe Jesus will return in 2007.
The date will be contemporaneous with the introduction of the 2008 Pontiacs.
Count me in. I've decided not to fight the inevitable. Particularly after learning that another 30% believe Jesus will return in time to run for president. Party affiliation has not been announced.
The date will be contemporaneous with the introduction of the 2008 Pontiacs.
Count me in. I've decided not to fight the inevitable. Particularly after learning that another 30% believe Jesus will return in time to run for president. Party affiliation has not been announced.
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