Saturday, March 12, 2011
We Will Have Reached the Depths...
...if Rep. Michele Bachmann makes any headway in the primary system. Oh, hang on, I forgot where I live. Of course it's entirely probable that she will do just fine in various parts of the country.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The Muslims are Coming, the Muslims are Coming!!
I just find this whole thing that Rep. Peter King is doing to be just strange. Other words came to mind, but I had to settle on strange. Is there really something wrong with holding hearings on domestic terrorism across the board? We do still have those concerns. I mean what happened in Tempe, AZ and Wichita, KS were acts of domestic terror, as horrible as what happened at Fort Hood. Why single out American Muslims? Hell, I am surprised that the "New" Black Panther Party isn't being called in for this (though I am sure there might be a separate Congressional hearing for all four of those guys soon enough).
It's also more than fair to bring up King's support for the Irish Republican Army back in the day, a real terrorist organization. I remember those stories coming out of the UK and Ireland when I was an adolescent. Considering his support for the IRA, I am sure that King would have bristled at the notion of the Brits hauling in all Northern Ireland Catholics to see if they were doing enough to stop the terror plots of the IRA, and rightly so. It's hard to blame the whole for the actions of a few.
I found a great editorial on this issue from a Jewish perspective, another religious minority within the U.S.
We don't need to go down this path. We are better than this.
It's also more than fair to bring up King's support for the Irish Republican Army back in the day, a real terrorist organization. I remember those stories coming out of the UK and Ireland when I was an adolescent. Considering his support for the IRA, I am sure that King would have bristled at the notion of the Brits hauling in all Northern Ireland Catholics to see if they were doing enough to stop the terror plots of the IRA, and rightly so. It's hard to blame the whole for the actions of a few.
I found a great editorial on this issue from a Jewish perspective, another religious minority within the U.S.
We don't need to go down this path. We are better than this.
Wisconsin IV: Pyrrhic Victory in Wisconsin?
If the reports I am hearing are correct, then it looks like the Wisconsin GOP caucus is in the process of removing the collective bargaining component from their emergency repair bill, which requires that state senate quorum, and submitting it as a stand alone bill, which can be passed without the Wisconsin senate Democrats present.
If this is the case, then the short term politics are totally in the GOP's favor; it looks like a smart move both to eliminate the problem that has paralyzed the state, as well as kill collective bargaining for Wisconsin state workers. I do wonder if that new bill would include the public unions that supporter Gov. Walker in his campaign too. Surprisingly, it took them this long to sort this possible escape out for themselves.
The long term effects both on collective bargaining for state workers, as well as the political futures of the GOP elected, are harder to discern.
UPDATE: I just found another report on this, so it looks like the GOP is about to do its will (though it apparently isn't the people's will in Wisconsin anymore, if the various polls are correct).
If this is the case, then the short term politics are totally in the GOP's favor; it looks like a smart move both to eliminate the problem that has paralyzed the state, as well as kill collective bargaining for Wisconsin state workers. I do wonder if that new bill would include the public unions that supporter Gov. Walker in his campaign too. Surprisingly, it took them this long to sort this possible escape out for themselves.
The long term effects both on collective bargaining for state workers, as well as the political futures of the GOP elected, are harder to discern.
UPDATE: I just found another report on this, so it looks like the GOP is about to do its will (though it apparently isn't the people's will in Wisconsin anymore, if the various polls are correct).
City Reinventions
It's more than likely true that I've read Edward Glaeser's columns in the New York Times in the past, and simply not bothered to read his name. It's likely that I've read Glaeser, because of his seeming love and definite support of cities. Since I LOVE cities, and tend to gravitate toward things that discuss cities, particularly renaissances, then I am sure that Glaeser's words have crossed my eyes. But it wasn't until Glaeser appeared on The Daily Show, that I finally paid attention and got the man's name.
In reading Glaeser's explanation for why Seattle, a city that was in line like many other industrial cities to falter as the 20th century came to a close (like Detroit, as was called out in the column), managed to reinvent itself and become the crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest, I found myself shaking my head. Glaeser's point regarding the highly educated Seattle workforce is a salient one, but there were also highly educated engineers and business people in Detroit. Yet I am guessing that the presence of a large number of black folks (skilled and unskilled), coupled with the race riot of 1967, had a great deal to do with the trajectory of Detroit.
That Seattle did not experience the level of abandonment by the white population that Detroit experienced was, I think, as important to the success of one versus the other, as Glaeser's point regarding an educated workforce. Wayne State University and the University of Michigan (to a lesser extent) serve Detroit as the University of Washington (among other schools) serves Seattle, so it isn't as though there is no access to the highly educated in Detroit.
Meanwhile, people in the Seattle region love Seattle, and it is easy to see why. It's a beautiful city. However, people in the Detroit region, and note that I said region, loathe Detroit. If there is ever to be a reinvention of Detroit, then it will be up to the people within the Detroit city limits to do the reinvention. I doubt that the broader Detroit region really cares what happens to that city, and that was sealed as the embers smoldered in 1967.
I hope that Detroit will indeed reinvent itself into something that can serve as a model for the world. Seattle did a great job its way, but it doesn't have to be the only way.
After I saw that interview, I promised myself that I would buy his book, Triumph of the City. I haven't done it yet, but I soon will. What has happened is that I am now looking for his columns and commentary, which brings me to yesterday's Glaeser column in the Times.
In reading Glaeser's explanation for why Seattle, a city that was in line like many other industrial cities to falter as the 20th century came to a close (like Detroit, as was called out in the column), managed to reinvent itself and become the crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest, I found myself shaking my head. Glaeser's point regarding the highly educated Seattle workforce is a salient one, but there were also highly educated engineers and business people in Detroit. Yet I am guessing that the presence of a large number of black folks (skilled and unskilled), coupled with the race riot of 1967, had a great deal to do with the trajectory of Detroit.
That Seattle did not experience the level of abandonment by the white population that Detroit experienced was, I think, as important to the success of one versus the other, as Glaeser's point regarding an educated workforce. Wayne State University and the University of Michigan (to a lesser extent) serve Detroit as the University of Washington (among other schools) serves Seattle, so it isn't as though there is no access to the highly educated in Detroit.
Meanwhile, people in the Seattle region love Seattle, and it is easy to see why. It's a beautiful city. However, people in the Detroit region, and note that I said region, loathe Detroit. If there is ever to be a reinvention of Detroit, then it will be up to the people within the Detroit city limits to do the reinvention. I doubt that the broader Detroit region really cares what happens to that city, and that was sealed as the embers smoldered in 1967.
I hope that Detroit will indeed reinvent itself into something that can serve as a model for the world. Seattle did a great job its way, but it doesn't have to be the only way.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Hullabaloo and NPR
I just read about the conservative "sting operation" against Ron Schiller who worked for National Public Radio's foundation, and all I can say is that I am not really surprised that he is not a fan of the Tea Party people. Naturally, I think that his comments reflect overreach, because I am not convinced that the Tea Party Republicans are racists in the main (but I am not going to buy for a minute that the Tea Party Republicans are racist free; few movements can make that claim regardless of ideology).
I do think that it's interesting that a part of the accusation implied in the video is that it seems suspect even to talk with a presumably "Muslim" group. Of course, that suspicion doesn't seem to extend to the many, many corporations that deal with Middle East oil companies and foundations, so maybe Schiller made his mistake by not talking with a Middle Eastern oil baron (oh and Schiller didn't take the money offered).
I agree with Schiller that NPR should ween itself off of federal funding altogether. NPR doesn't need it, and that is a great thing. Besides, it goes without saying that everyone who was excited by this "gotcha" game here hated NPR anyway. Yet, it will go over their heads that Schiller didn't work in the NPR news division, that he had no say in the editorial content news programming. It will be enough that he's just a "typical liberal."
Meanwhile, I have no problem saying that I LOVE National Public Radio. It has been a primary source of news for me for years (soon I will be able to say decades). I leave my radio on NPR all day. From "World News Today," to "Morning Edition," to "The Diane Rehm Show," to "Tell Me More," to "Fresh Air," to "All Things Considered," I feel informed for the day. Hell, I even enjoy "Stained Glass Bluegrass" on occasion.
The bottom line, in my mind, is that it shouldn't be too surprising that someone tied to NPR is liberal. No shit. With that said, I am more than confident that NPR's news is among the best in the industry, and I appreciate the news division providing me with news I can trust.
I do think that it's interesting that a part of the accusation implied in the video is that it seems suspect even to talk with a presumably "Muslim" group. Of course, that suspicion doesn't seem to extend to the many, many corporations that deal with Middle East oil companies and foundations, so maybe Schiller made his mistake by not talking with a Middle Eastern oil baron (oh and Schiller didn't take the money offered).
I agree with Schiller that NPR should ween itself off of federal funding altogether. NPR doesn't need it, and that is a great thing. Besides, it goes without saying that everyone who was excited by this "gotcha" game here hated NPR anyway. Yet, it will go over their heads that Schiller didn't work in the NPR news division, that he had no say in the editorial content news programming. It will be enough that he's just a "typical liberal."
Meanwhile, I have no problem saying that I LOVE National Public Radio. It has been a primary source of news for me for years (soon I will be able to say decades). I leave my radio on NPR all day. From "World News Today," to "Morning Edition," to "The Diane Rehm Show," to "Tell Me More," to "Fresh Air," to "All Things Considered," I feel informed for the day. Hell, I even enjoy "Stained Glass Bluegrass" on occasion.
The bottom line, in my mind, is that it shouldn't be too surprising that someone tied to NPR is liberal. No shit. With that said, I am more than confident that NPR's news is among the best in the industry, and I appreciate the news division providing me with news I can trust.
Monday, March 7, 2011
I Feel Matt Damon's Pain
I just finished reading an interview with Matt Damon in The Independent. Damon expressed real disappointment in the moves of the Obama administration, particularly with its Wall Street dealings. I've found it funny that there are so many people who think that supporters of the President are just in lock step with his actions.
It just ain't true.
Anyone who has read this blog over time knows that my criticisms started during the transition process, before President Obama was sworn in. I loathed Obama's economic team, and we got exactly what I suspected, in terms of Wall Street: nothing. I wish the anger now being hurled at public unions and working class folks had been hurled at Wall Street and Congress. But that is a longer discussion that I don't feel like dealing with in this post.
If Damon is representative of many '08 Obama supporters, then I think that 2012 is going to be yet another election where people are voting for the lesser of two evils. And that is a shame. So far, I see too many missed opportunities for the Obama administration. I was hoping for Roosevelt, either of them, and that simply wasn't in the cards. I suppose it's better that we didn't end up, on the other side, with a Hoover, Coolidge or Hoover during these troubling times.
It just ain't true.
Anyone who has read this blog over time knows that my criticisms started during the transition process, before President Obama was sworn in. I loathed Obama's economic team, and we got exactly what I suspected, in terms of Wall Street: nothing. I wish the anger now being hurled at public unions and working class folks had been hurled at Wall Street and Congress. But that is a longer discussion that I don't feel like dealing with in this post.
If Damon is representative of many '08 Obama supporters, then I think that 2012 is going to be yet another election where people are voting for the lesser of two evils. And that is a shame. So far, I see too many missed opportunities for the Obama administration. I was hoping for Roosevelt, either of them, and that simply wasn't in the cards. I suppose it's better that we didn't end up, on the other side, with a Hoover, Coolidge or Hoover during these troubling times.
It's Strange to Agree (Mostly, Though Not Entirely) with George Will
Let me begin by saying that I'd heard about Will's looming Sunday Washington Post column, but I was not prepared to find myself nodding in agreement so frequently. I was so glad to see someone actually say that Mike Huckabee straight up lied. That is a word that is not used enough in the press.
Huckabee goes into this discussion about President Obama being raised in Kenya, which is bullshit. The last time I checked a map, Hawaii and Indonesia aren't particularly adjacent to Kenya. Huckabee then talks about how the Mau Mau Rebellion influenced Obama, because he was "raised by his Kenyan relatives," as opposed to the white people who are originally from Kansas and moved eventually to Hawaii who actually raised Obama. So of course, when Huckabee is called out on his bullshit, he dispatches a spokesperson to say that he "misspoke" and meant to say Indonesia. This, naturally, requires a sentient being to conclude that the Mau Mau Rebellion of Kenya was really the Mau Mau Rebellion of Indonesia. Sadly, there is a percentage of the American populace who bought that pile of shit.
Bear false witness much, Rev.?
As I've said repeatedly, there are many ideological reasons for criticizing the moves of the Obama Administration (hell, I've made several), but those reasons need to be based on actual facts, if they are to be given any attention. Huckabee simply decided to pander to a group of people who lost sense of reality a long time ago. That George Will is calling this out now (rather late in my opinion) is a little refreshing.
Where I differ with Will, regarding this particular column, is on naming Haley Barbour as a "plausible Republican" president. Personally, I would rather go into exile than to see that Republican from Mississippi get that job.
Huckabee goes into this discussion about President Obama being raised in Kenya, which is bullshit. The last time I checked a map, Hawaii and Indonesia aren't particularly adjacent to Kenya. Huckabee then talks about how the Mau Mau Rebellion influenced Obama, because he was "raised by his Kenyan relatives," as opposed to the white people who are originally from Kansas and moved eventually to Hawaii who actually raised Obama. So of course, when Huckabee is called out on his bullshit, he dispatches a spokesperson to say that he "misspoke" and meant to say Indonesia. This, naturally, requires a sentient being to conclude that the Mau Mau Rebellion of Kenya was really the Mau Mau Rebellion of Indonesia. Sadly, there is a percentage of the American populace who bought that pile of shit.
Bear false witness much, Rev.?
As I've said repeatedly, there are many ideological reasons for criticizing the moves of the Obama Administration (hell, I've made several), but those reasons need to be based on actual facts, if they are to be given any attention. Huckabee simply decided to pander to a group of people who lost sense of reality a long time ago. That George Will is calling this out now (rather late in my opinion) is a little refreshing.
Where I differ with Will, regarding this particular column, is on naming Haley Barbour as a "plausible Republican" president. Personally, I would rather go into exile than to see that Republican from Mississippi get that job.
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