*A proposal for the impeachment movement – The reality is that OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IS BROKEN and NO ONE SEEMS ABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. Bush and company discovered and invented ways to neuter checks and balances, and oversight. I believe that they broke laws. I do not believe that current circumstances will yield a congressional trial. I would like to make a suggestion to the forces campaigning for impeachment and to advocates for responsible government. Devote at least a portion of your passion and resources to fixing the problem. Pressure each presidential candidate and each senator and representative to investigate what went wrong during the Bush administration and devise legislation that prevents a recurrence. It is incumbent upon our legislators to repair the system. However, since Congress has been dysfunctional and oft times impotent, we the citizens must vociferously demand they be responsive to renewing accountability. For those congressmen who do not respond, expose their recalcitrance and campaign for their defeat. In less than 11 months the Bush & Cheyney Prestidigitation Show closes. America will be best served focusing our outrage and disappointment on the solution.
*A Tale of Two Senators ~ from Pennsylvania
>Arlen Specter (R) is currently in a hissing contest with the National Football League concerning the New England Patriots against-the-rules video taping of opponents’ signals. In a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Specter said, "I am very concerned about the underlying facts on the taping, the reasons for the judgment on the limited penalties and, most of all, on the inexplicable destruction of the tapes". My “esteemed” senator is not investigating hundreds of millions of U.S. tax dollars unaccounted for in Iraq. He is not investigating Bush’s demolishing of the Civil Rights division in the Justice Department. He is not investigating the CIA’s destruction of interrogation tapes of suspected terrorists. But, look out NFL.
>Bob Casey (D) wrote an important and intelligent commentary for the Philadelphia Inquirer that addresses a subject of great concern – keeping nuclear materials out of the hands of terrorists. Excerpts: “Since the early 1990s, there have been hundreds of reports of attempted smuggling from the former Soviet Union's vast nuclear stockpile... Too many nuclear facilities across the globe still do not have the security safeguards we should demand for stockpiles of fissile material... as many as 40 nations possess the key materials and components required to assemble a nuclear weapon, with security conditions varying greatly...” Casey’s final comment in the article is particularly telling. “The next president, with a strong mandate from Congress, must place at the very top of his or her agenda a full-scale effort to reduce the threat of nuclear terrorism.” I take this to imply that it is not very high on the current agenda. As soon as our leaders finish investigating major league baseball (for performance enhancing substances) and football (for who the hell knows what) they can work on preventing a nuclear bomb from blowing up an American city.
*In need of Xanax ~ Ole! – This week was incredibly exciting. I received an email notifying me that I had won the ROYAL SPANISH SWEEPSTAKE LOTTERY. Ignoring the fact that I had not entered the sweepstake and that there was no mention of the amount awarded, I began thinking like a travel agent. I started a list of the people I wanted to tell where to go. As the adrenalin waned the thought occurred to visit the website noted in the awarding email. Gloom settled over my computer desk when a message window popped up, accompanied by a deafening ding, telling me the website could not be found. I sheepishly tucked my list away for future reference. In the mean time I will continue to be nice to almost everyone
*To your good health – There is an interesting article at alternet.org that discusses 10 Myths About Canadian Health Care. I will note a couple of the points it makes. The link provides the entire article.
~Canada’s system is not socialized medicine where the doctors work for the state. In Canada and many other countries with universal healthcare the doctors run their own private practices. The only difference is that the doctors deal with one insurer (the government) instead of multiple insurers. It is called “single-payer” insurance.
~Canadians choose their own doctor and poor Canadians have exactly the same access to the country's top specialists that rich ones do.
~ Americans and Canadians have exactly the same drugs, made by the same pharmaceutical companies, often in the same factories.
~The Canadian system covers only the basics and depending where you live wait times for an appointment may be a bit longer in some regions. At the same time I have spoken with people who have called a specialist in the U.S. for an appointment and they had to wait 3 months or more.
As America begins to look at changes to the current health care system that is burdened with skyrocketing costs, much misinformation is being disseminated by health insurers and pharmaceutical companies that make inordinate profits under the current system. We do not know what changes the U.S will eventually implement but it would be prudent to become familiar with what does and does not work in other countries as well as being able to separate fact from fiction.
*A Tribute to John Edwards – He has dropped out of the presidential race. However, his strong positions on improving health care, attention to the environment, fairer government and policies for all Americans and the need to reduce the influence of special interests helped shape the platform of the other Democratic presidential candidates.
*Romney ~ Romoney - Mitt Romney has suspended his bid for the presidency. I saw one analysis that concluded he spent about one million dollars for each of the 35 delegates he had garnered. Some attribute his lack of acceptance by Republican primary voters to his being a Mormon. I believe it more likely that people did not believe his flip-flopping lips. Only Romney’s shirts were changed more often than his positions. You can’t fool all of the people all of the time – even the Republican base.
*Up, up and away ~ even if you can get it up – Israeli doctors recently did a study of mountain climbers. They found that erectile dysfunction drugs, such as Viagra, improved performance at high altitudes. Army doctors are now considering giving the drugs to Israeli combat pilots who fly at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. Rumor has it that the new battle cry for these pilots is Mazel Tov!
*The South and racism ~ an optimistic perspective - Highly respected columnist George Curry wrote a commentary this week about Barack Obama’s strong showing among southern voters. Mr. Curry was a teenager in Alabama in the 1960s when the call for civil rights was met with the reactionary likes of George Wallace and Lester Maddox – representatives of a racism mentality forged over generations. The article provides a brief history of that unseemly but revolutionary period as well as Democratic and Republican Party attempts to use this racial divide to their political benefit. Mr. Curry sees the success of Obama as well as other equally important developments as an indication of significant positive change. An excerpt: “Fortunately, the South is vastly different from the South I knew during my childhood. The University of Alabama has since elected an African American as its student body president. Atlanta and Birmingham have elected a string of black mayors; Alabama and Georgia have African Americans in Congress. Public schools in the South are more desegregated than in any other region of the country.” As I noted last week, prejudice is a constant throughout the history of man. Perhaps in our own small corner of the universe we are beginning to nurture a degree of color blindness.
*Everyday is a Superbowl ~ on television – Advertising on TV now averages about 15 minutes an hour. With all of this free time to go to the kitchen for a snack it is no wonder that Americans are overweight. If you want to lose weight, listen to the radio where advertisements average only 10 minutes per hour.
*Quote of the Week – “It's sort of a little poetic justice, in that the people that brewed this toxic Kool-Aid found themselves drinking a lot of it in the end." This was said by billionaire investor Warren Buffett referring to bankers who designed and sold complex investments that have since gone sour. The sub-prime mortgage fiasco occurred when Republican leadership and Democratic impotence surrendered oversight of the financial community. They closed their eyes to the memory of the U.S. Savings and Loan collapse in 1985, a result of deregulation and unsound real estate lending. While there are now laws against performance enhancing steroids our elected leaders enfranchise greed on steroids. Unfortunately, it is far more than the financial community that pays the price.
*Quote of the Minute – “Dick Cheyney is the best Vice President in history”. In a speech to a gathering of the hard-core Republican base group, Conservative Political Action Conference, so spoke George W. Bush, aka, The Worst President in History”.
*What’s It All About? ~ another Brown-out – In testimony to a Senate panel this week U.S. Intelligence Chief Mike McConnell said, “Al Qaeda is gaining in strength from its refuge in Pakistan and is steadily improving its ability to recruit, train and position operatives capable of carrying out attacks inside the U.S. and ...Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, remained in control of the terrorist group and had promoted a new generation of lieutenants.” We have spent hundreds of billions of dollars and almost 4000 American lives in the war on terror and the two individuals responsible for initiating the terror attacks are still around, stronger than ever and based in a country that is led by a dictator whom George Bush touts as our ally. At the same time, early successes in Afghanistan by U.S. troops have been dissipated after Bush reduced our resources in Afghanistan to attack Iraq. The Taliban has since regained a strong presence in Afghanistan and the U.S. is unsuccessfully pleading with NATO to commit additional resources to the region. Also this week Admiral Mike McMullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, Afghanistan is facing "a growing insurgency, increasing violence and a burgeoning drug trade fueled by widespread poppy cultivation." Heckuva job Mr. President!
*If you don’t have a headache yet – Our government continues to reward incompetence/malfeasance. “A North Dakota manufacturer, Sioux Manufacturing, has agreed to pay $2 million to settle a suit saying it had repeatedly shortchanged the armor in up to 2.2 million helmets for the military, including those for the first troops sent to Iraq and Afghanistan.” Grab your meds because here comes the migraine! “Twelve days before the settlement with the Justice Department was announced... the company was given a new contract of up to $74 million to make more armor for helmets to replace the old ones, which were made from the late 1980s to last year.” The investigation resulted from a whistleblower lawsuit filed by Jeff Kenner and Tamra Eishaug, two former managers at Sioux Mfg. These two people deserve medals but it is not likely to happen in the alternative universe that we find ourselves.
*An anniversary remembered – February 5th marked the 5-year anniversary of Colin Powell’s presentation to the U. N. Security Council. One of his introductory comments: “My second purpose today is to provide you with additional information, to share with you what the United States knows about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, as well as Iraq's involvement in terrorism...” During his presentation he said, “My colleagues, every statement I make today is backed up by sources, solid sources. These are not assertions. What we're giving you are facts and conclusions based on solid intelligence.” Recall his description and graphics of mobile chemical labs. Be he a pawn or a deceiver is for history to judge. He will have to resolve with his soul the deaths and injury to almost 35,000 American military personnel. For more detail and analysis on Powell at the U.N I recommend the site tinyrevolution.com.
* Francois de La Rochefoucauld - Quotes
~A man's worth has its season, like fruit.
~A wise man thinks it more advantageous not to join the battle than to win.
~No man is clever enough to know all the evil he does.
Showing posts with label Romney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romney. Show all posts
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Friday, February 1, 2008
2/1/08
*Do not impeach Bush and Cheyney ~ this is not a typo! - About 3 years ago I was emotionally expressing to a friend that Bush and Cheyney should be impeached. My friend said that he was on the fence on this matter. Whenever a lie or abuse by the Bush administration was revealed in the news I would call my friend and ask if he was ready to get off the fence. Needless to say, we spoke quite often. By mid- 2007 he was ready to join me in the call for impeachment. The justification for impeachment remains stronger than ever. The case for impeachment is emphatically made by Elizabeth Holtzman, a former Congresswoman who served on the House Judiciary Committee considering the impeachment of Richard Nixon. Kargo X at dailykos.com offers a succinct list of reasons for impeachment. However, I do not favor impeachment proceedings at this point in time. As Michael Tomasky discusses in a recent article, impeachment would fail (67 votes would be needed in the Senate – no way it would happen) and the unity that this country needs going forward would be jeopardized. An indictment of the Bush administration would also be an indictment of the Republican members of Congress who rubber stamped its programs. Even if overwhelming evidence for impeachment were presented these legislators could not support a conclusion of guilt. I certainly think that our country would be best served if the next president or congress appointed a commission to investigate and assess the illegal activities that occurred during the Bush/Cheney regime. The findings would be utilized to implement safeguards against future abuses of power. We are currently in the process of selecting new leadership for America and our hands will be full correcting the errors, crimes and misdemeanors Bush and Cheyney committed as well as addressing a broad spectrum of other problems America and Americans face. History will oblige the “impeachment” of George Walker Bush and Richard Bruce Cheyney. It is our imperative to move forward.
*Honoring Suharto ~ foreign policy fallacy and folly – “The United States Sunday hailed former Indonesian president Suharto as a "historic figure" who "achieved remarkable economic development," in a statement released by the U.S. embassy. “President Suharto led Indonesia for over 30 years, a period during which Indonesia achieved remarkable economic and social development," said U.S. ambassador Cameron Hume. Here is the truth. Jeffrey Winters, associate professor of political economy at Northwestern University, said “the graft effectively robbed Indonesia of some of the most golden decades, and its best opportunity to move from a poor to a middle class country... When Indonesia does finally go back and redo history, (its people) will realize that Suharto is responsible for some of the worst crimes against humanity in the 20th century," In my lifetime the U.S. has a history of supporting (and in some cases propping up) dictators that have been abysmal for interests of their people. In the case of Suharto the alibi was fighting Communism during the Cold War. Other examples involve dictators in Central America, South America, Africa and the Middle East. To achieve short-term goals America has created generations of people who have been victimized by these dictators and who now despise us. We too easily forget our support of the Shah of Iran led to the long-term hostage situation of Americans. The Iranians still hate us. If the situation were reversed, Americans would feel the same way. There are consequences to our actions and the Bush administration honoring Suharto only exasperates former U.S. decisions that were devoid of moral grounding and foresight. America is not the world and our current standing provides the evidence. When masses of people in many parts of the world demonstrate their hatred for America, instead of changing the channel, ask why.
*Airline security ~ getting down to basics – It confounds me why no one thought of this before. A German travel agency has begun booking travel for nudists that allow the vacationers to be naked on the plane. If this policy can be extended to check-in, security lines would substantially shorten. I do have concern about seat belts but it is probably a guy thing.
*Autism – It is a complex neurological disorder that affects 1 in 150 children. There is currently no cure. It inhibits the ability to communicate with and relate to others. This year more children will be diagnosed with Autism than the combined total for AIDS, cancer and diabetes. Most insurance plans do not cover the required intensive therapy. By clicking on this link about Autism and watching a short video a donation will be made to Autism Speaks, you will learn more about this disorder and a personal donation can be offered.
*Freedom and Opportunity – These two concepts have been American ideals since the founding of our nation. It is a sad fact that slavery continued to exist for 3 generations following the writing of the U.S. Constitution. For almost 200 years Blacks could not go to white schools in parts of the country, eat in white restaurants, drink from white water fountains or ride in the front of the bus. For a century and a half following our founding women had few rights and could not vote. Even today, on average, women earn less pay than men for the same job. There continues to be discrimination due to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, accent, political party affiliation or the brand of athletic shoes that one wears. Prejudice has accompanied the history of man no less virulently than disease. The freedom and opportunity we so boastfully proclaim to ourselves and the world is not without warts. This is not to minimize some of the greatest achievements in the political record of mankind. But deep down inside we know that challenges remain for our nation. This gives us all the more reason to celebrate the prospect of our first Black or female president. Regardless of the election outcome we have evolved – with no apology to creationists.
*Handgun control ~ shooting itself in the foot – When a handgun is purchased a background check is generally required of the purchaser EXCEPT at gun shows and this is a significant loophole. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) has introduced legislation that will keep criminals and other dangerous people (convicted felons, domestic violence abusers, or someone who is dangerously mentally ill) from buying and selling guns without Brady criminal background checks at gun shows. At The Brady Campaign web site you can send an email urging Senators to pass this important bill.
*McCain ~ Dr. Strangelove on Viagra – John McCain recently said that he could see American soldiers in Iraq for 10 years or even 100 years. This week he said that if elected president he would cut government spending sharply and lower taxes. I guess he failed to review the expense vouchers for the Iraq war. He reminds me of the beer-soaked college sophomore at a frat party who will say anything to the attractive coed to get into her dorm.
*McCain ~ bench-pressing the G.W. Bush scepter of fear – In a speech on Sunday John McCain warned supporters, "It's a tough war we're in. It's not going to be over right away. There's going to be other wars." The man driving the “Straight Talk Express” bus is not exactly Karnack incarnate. The history of man on this planet is a history of war. I would prefer a president who exhibits the leadership to avoid war rather than one who is looking to keep us in one that should not have taken place and mongers the next one that has not yet been invented. The need for a very strong national defense remains critical to our security. However, we must be vigilant to the fact that Iraq was the result of a mindset pre-conditioned to war. It is essential that we change the paradigm.
*What recession? – CNN is reporting that Exxon Mobil is expected to earn $10.37 billion in the fourth quarter and $39,000,000,000 (billion) for 2007. Shell just posted 2007 profits of $27.6 billion (a 9% increase over last year), a new record for a U.K. company. That should help fund a few meretricious advertising and lobbying campaigns that assert the use of their product does not harm the environment. Ka-ching.
*Exploding Easter Eggs – When one is a Baptist preacher I guess it is not unusual that many of one’s analogies will have a religious context. Mike Huckabee out-pulpits himself. When asked during a Republican presidential debate whether going to war in Iraq was worth it he replied, “Oh, gosh, yes... we didn't find the weapons doesn't mean they weren't there. Just because you didn't find every Easter egg didn't mean that it wasn't planted." Huckabee must have been busy proselytizing when he missed that fact that no (capital “N” capital “O”) weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq and there was no evidence that they existed and were moved to Syria, Jordan or the ancient mythical land of Lemuria where egg-laying ape-like creatures live. As Jason Linkins points out at the Huffington Post, “Doesn't this crazy "Easter Egg" idea provide the rationale to just invade anybody, anywhere in the world?" Recall that this neo-conservative philosophy led to the Iraq Easter egg hunt. Gosh, golly, gee!
*The hubris of Ralph Nader – That creaking sound you hear is the crypt of Mr. Nader once again opening to explore a presidential run. Many feel that his presence in the Bush-Gore presidential contest helped Bush to victory. Every progressive issue that Nader spent a lifetime championing suffered under Bush. It is beyond sad to see ego trump a life’s work.
*Labeling of cloned food ~ an opportunity to be heard – Nine of ten American consumers want labels on products from clones. Consumers Union has a petition urging Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor the Cloned Food Labeling Act.
*State of the Union 1 - President Bush’s seventh SOTU speech left me feeling gratified that it was his last one. In my euphoria I will not attempt to address the President’s claims. However, others are not so euphoric. ThinkProgress.org offers a comprehensive and documented fact check on Mr. Bush’s mendacity. This is information and analysis you will not find on the alphabet channels of NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, CNN, MSNBC, or even PBS. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) offered a strong response to Mr. Bush’s stubborn adherence to failed and harmful policies concerning Iraq. The Philadelphia Inquirer offers an editorial that eviscerates Bush’s speech.
*State of the Union 2 - Okay, you knew I would have to make a comment. In his speech the President was emphatic that congress has to cut back on earmarks (pork barrel spending) and he threatened to veto legislation that contained earmarks. The President did not share with us that he is attempting to become a recovering spendaholic. In addition to converting the U.S. budget from a surplus to an avalanche-burying deficit Mr. Bush has signed spending bills containing 55,000 earmarks worth more than $100 billion. That equates to 22 earmarks and almost $4 million each day that he has been in office. Dealing with an addiction is a bitch – especially the stage of denial where one lies to both oneself and others.
*Presidential debates ~ an overview with bias - On Wednesday I watched the debate of the Republican candidates and on Thursday the Democrats. I felt that McCain (with a smirk) and Romney (with bluster) often sounded and acted like children disingenuously saying what they thought their parents wanted to hear while nah nahing each other. As I listened to Clinton and Obama I felt that I was listening to adults with well thought-out plans for this country. Their vision on a number of issues, including healthcare and immigration, differed mainly around the edges. If elected, each of their plans would eventually be fine tuned through congressional negotiations and subject to the degree of majority enjoyed in Congress. With either Clinton or Obama in the White House the future of America would be a lot brighter than its recent past.
*Democracy – At the heart of democracy is the free expression and exchange of ideas. Modern technology makes this more possible today than at any time in our history. Stephen Views the News (SVN) is one example of utilizing the internet to express oneself and share ideas. Writing about my view of the news began in June 2007 with a weekly email to several friends. In October my website was born. It was made possible by a free program provided by Google. By most standards the exposure of SVN is miniscule. At the same time, through another free program - Google Analytics – I know that my writing has been visited by people from 5 continents, from 18 countries (including India, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Bulgaria and Portugal) and from over 260 cities (including Brooklyn, Colorado Springs, Ahmedabab, Tours, Leeuwarden, Beersheba and Athens). I believe that Benjamin Franklin would have thought the internet pretty cool.
*Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790)
*Honoring Suharto ~ foreign policy fallacy and folly – “The United States Sunday hailed former Indonesian president Suharto as a "historic figure" who "achieved remarkable economic development," in a statement released by the U.S. embassy. “President Suharto led Indonesia for over 30 years, a period during which Indonesia achieved remarkable economic and social development," said U.S. ambassador Cameron Hume. Here is the truth. Jeffrey Winters, associate professor of political economy at Northwestern University, said “the graft effectively robbed Indonesia of some of the most golden decades, and its best opportunity to move from a poor to a middle class country... When Indonesia does finally go back and redo history, (its people) will realize that Suharto is responsible for some of the worst crimes against humanity in the 20th century," In my lifetime the U.S. has a history of supporting (and in some cases propping up) dictators that have been abysmal for interests of their people. In the case of Suharto the alibi was fighting Communism during the Cold War. Other examples involve dictators in Central America, South America, Africa and the Middle East. To achieve short-term goals America has created generations of people who have been victimized by these dictators and who now despise us. We too easily forget our support of the Shah of Iran led to the long-term hostage situation of Americans. The Iranians still hate us. If the situation were reversed, Americans would feel the same way. There are consequences to our actions and the Bush administration honoring Suharto only exasperates former U.S. decisions that were devoid of moral grounding and foresight. America is not the world and our current standing provides the evidence. When masses of people in many parts of the world demonstrate their hatred for America, instead of changing the channel, ask why.
*Airline security ~ getting down to basics – It confounds me why no one thought of this before. A German travel agency has begun booking travel for nudists that allow the vacationers to be naked on the plane. If this policy can be extended to check-in, security lines would substantially shorten. I do have concern about seat belts but it is probably a guy thing.
*Autism – It is a complex neurological disorder that affects 1 in 150 children. There is currently no cure. It inhibits the ability to communicate with and relate to others. This year more children will be diagnosed with Autism than the combined total for AIDS, cancer and diabetes. Most insurance plans do not cover the required intensive therapy. By clicking on this link about Autism and watching a short video a donation will be made to Autism Speaks, you will learn more about this disorder and a personal donation can be offered.
*Freedom and Opportunity – These two concepts have been American ideals since the founding of our nation. It is a sad fact that slavery continued to exist for 3 generations following the writing of the U.S. Constitution. For almost 200 years Blacks could not go to white schools in parts of the country, eat in white restaurants, drink from white water fountains or ride in the front of the bus. For a century and a half following our founding women had few rights and could not vote. Even today, on average, women earn less pay than men for the same job. There continues to be discrimination due to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, accent, political party affiliation or the brand of athletic shoes that one wears. Prejudice has accompanied the history of man no less virulently than disease. The freedom and opportunity we so boastfully proclaim to ourselves and the world is not without warts. This is not to minimize some of the greatest achievements in the political record of mankind. But deep down inside we know that challenges remain for our nation. This gives us all the more reason to celebrate the prospect of our first Black or female president. Regardless of the election outcome we have evolved – with no apology to creationists.
*Handgun control ~ shooting itself in the foot – When a handgun is purchased a background check is generally required of the purchaser EXCEPT at gun shows and this is a significant loophole. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) has introduced legislation that will keep criminals and other dangerous people (convicted felons, domestic violence abusers, or someone who is dangerously mentally ill) from buying and selling guns without Brady criminal background checks at gun shows. At The Brady Campaign web site you can send an email urging Senators to pass this important bill.
*McCain ~ Dr. Strangelove on Viagra – John McCain recently said that he could see American soldiers in Iraq for 10 years or even 100 years. This week he said that if elected president he would cut government spending sharply and lower taxes. I guess he failed to review the expense vouchers for the Iraq war. He reminds me of the beer-soaked college sophomore at a frat party who will say anything to the attractive coed to get into her dorm.
*McCain ~ bench-pressing the G.W. Bush scepter of fear – In a speech on Sunday John McCain warned supporters, "It's a tough war we're in. It's not going to be over right away. There's going to be other wars." The man driving the “Straight Talk Express” bus is not exactly Karnack incarnate. The history of man on this planet is a history of war. I would prefer a president who exhibits the leadership to avoid war rather than one who is looking to keep us in one that should not have taken place and mongers the next one that has not yet been invented. The need for a very strong national defense remains critical to our security. However, we must be vigilant to the fact that Iraq was the result of a mindset pre-conditioned to war. It is essential that we change the paradigm.
*What recession? – CNN is reporting that Exxon Mobil is expected to earn $10.37 billion in the fourth quarter and $39,000,000,000 (billion) for 2007. Shell just posted 2007 profits of $27.6 billion (a 9% increase over last year), a new record for a U.K. company. That should help fund a few meretricious advertising and lobbying campaigns that assert the use of their product does not harm the environment. Ka-ching.
*Exploding Easter Eggs – When one is a Baptist preacher I guess it is not unusual that many of one’s analogies will have a religious context. Mike Huckabee out-pulpits himself. When asked during a Republican presidential debate whether going to war in Iraq was worth it he replied, “Oh, gosh, yes... we didn't find the weapons doesn't mean they weren't there. Just because you didn't find every Easter egg didn't mean that it wasn't planted." Huckabee must have been busy proselytizing when he missed that fact that no (capital “N” capital “O”) weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq and there was no evidence that they existed and were moved to Syria, Jordan or the ancient mythical land of Lemuria where egg-laying ape-like creatures live. As Jason Linkins points out at the Huffington Post, “Doesn't this crazy "Easter Egg" idea provide the rationale to just invade anybody, anywhere in the world?" Recall that this neo-conservative philosophy led to the Iraq Easter egg hunt. Gosh, golly, gee!
*The hubris of Ralph Nader – That creaking sound you hear is the crypt of Mr. Nader once again opening to explore a presidential run. Many feel that his presence in the Bush-Gore presidential contest helped Bush to victory. Every progressive issue that Nader spent a lifetime championing suffered under Bush. It is beyond sad to see ego trump a life’s work.
*Labeling of cloned food ~ an opportunity to be heard – Nine of ten American consumers want labels on products from clones. Consumers Union has a petition urging Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor the Cloned Food Labeling Act.
*State of the Union 1 - President Bush’s seventh SOTU speech left me feeling gratified that it was his last one. In my euphoria I will not attempt to address the President’s claims. However, others are not so euphoric. ThinkProgress.org offers a comprehensive and documented fact check on Mr. Bush’s mendacity. This is information and analysis you will not find on the alphabet channels of NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, CNN, MSNBC, or even PBS. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) offered a strong response to Mr. Bush’s stubborn adherence to failed and harmful policies concerning Iraq. The Philadelphia Inquirer offers an editorial that eviscerates Bush’s speech.
*State of the Union 2 - Okay, you knew I would have to make a comment. In his speech the President was emphatic that congress has to cut back on earmarks (pork barrel spending) and he threatened to veto legislation that contained earmarks. The President did not share with us that he is attempting to become a recovering spendaholic. In addition to converting the U.S. budget from a surplus to an avalanche-burying deficit Mr. Bush has signed spending bills containing 55,000 earmarks worth more than $100 billion. That equates to 22 earmarks and almost $4 million each day that he has been in office. Dealing with an addiction is a bitch – especially the stage of denial where one lies to both oneself and others.
*Presidential debates ~ an overview with bias - On Wednesday I watched the debate of the Republican candidates and on Thursday the Democrats. I felt that McCain (with a smirk) and Romney (with bluster) often sounded and acted like children disingenuously saying what they thought their parents wanted to hear while nah nahing each other. As I listened to Clinton and Obama I felt that I was listening to adults with well thought-out plans for this country. Their vision on a number of issues, including healthcare and immigration, differed mainly around the edges. If elected, each of their plans would eventually be fine tuned through congressional negotiations and subject to the degree of majority enjoyed in Congress. With either Clinton or Obama in the White House the future of America would be a lot brighter than its recent past.
*Democracy – At the heart of democracy is the free expression and exchange of ideas. Modern technology makes this more possible today than at any time in our history. Stephen Views the News (SVN) is one example of utilizing the internet to express oneself and share ideas. Writing about my view of the news began in June 2007 with a weekly email to several friends. In October my website was born. It was made possible by a free program provided by Google. By most standards the exposure of SVN is miniscule. At the same time, through another free program - Google Analytics – I know that my writing has been visited by people from 5 continents, from 18 countries (including India, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Bulgaria and Portugal) and from over 260 cities (including Brooklyn, Colorado Springs, Ahmedabab, Tours, Leeuwarden, Beersheba and Athens). I believe that Benjamin Franklin would have thought the internet pretty cool.
*Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790)
Friday, November 30, 2007
12/1/07
*The world as a village of 100 people – A reader sent me this interesting website that examines the premise: If we could reduce the world’s population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all existing human ratios remaining the same, the demographics would look something like this:
~60 Asians – 12 Europeans – 5 North Americans – 8 Latin Americans – 14 Africans
~49 females – 51 males
~82 non-white – 18 white
~89 heterosexual – 11 homosexual
~33 Christian – 67 non-Christian
~5 would control 32% of the entire world’s wealth, and all of them would be US citizens
~80 would live in substandard housing
~24 would not have any electricity
~67 would be unable to read
~1 would have a college education
~50 would be malnourished and 1 dying of starvation
~33 would be without access to a safe water supply
~1 would have HIV and 1 would be near death
Seeing oneself in this context is enlightening. Most of the time my thoughts of the “world” revolve narrowly around what directly affects me. I imagine that this same phenomenon applies to you, our elected leaders and our national and foreign policies. Perhaps if we saw the world in a broader way we would have a greater appreciation for our good fortune to live in America. If our leaders saw the world in a broader context perhaps polices would have more positive results. America is not the world – it is a small part of a much larger and diverse community. The site offers some interesting implications of this data and is worth a visit.
*Once in a while the good guys win – In May of 2000 Pacific Northwest timber moguls donated $1 million to the Republican Party to help elect George W. Bush. In return they were promised that the Bush administration would lift certain logging restrictions that protected the environment and salmon populations. The administration kept its bargain with the devil by intentionally misinterpreting and ignoring the scientific data. Environmental groups and local communities stood up to this not untypical sell-out by Bush to big business interests. “In April a federal court ruled the administration acted illegally by suppressing scientific dissent when it illegally modified environmental safeguards, known as the Aquatic Conservation Strategy, developed in 1994 as part of the Northwest Forest Plan.” "In the end the government wasted millions of dollars in staff and attorney time all for nothing. We were able to keep the salmon protections in place because the government couldn't get any reputable scientist to go along with their scheme” said Earthjustice attorney Patti Goldman. I say don’t blame the President. His belief system precludes science.
*Pondering profit motives - In Eugene Jarecki's documentary film Why We Fight, about the U.S. military-industrial complex, U.S. foreign policy critic Chalmers Johnson states: "I guarantee you when war becomes that profitable, you are going to see more of it." The Iraq war has generated billions of dollars for defense and supply companies. The privatization of many military functions in Iraq has resulted in 180,000 personnel (more than the number of our military personnel) working for private companies in Iraq – most of which have strong ties to Bush, Cheney and the Republican party. No recession in this sector - merely a loss of life, limb and taxpayer assets.
*Standing up for your candidate – A politician in Thailand is distributing Viagra to older men in hopes of gaining their vote in the December elections. I think that this tactic is an excellent way to maximize the use of campaign funds. It gains the vote of the older man and probably the vote of a surprised but happier wife.
*Lott trots to K Street - Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) indicated that he may resign from the Senate (after 30-plus years) before the end of the year. Having just been re-elected in 2006, the move raises questions about the timing of the decision. It is likely that Lott is racing a new law that goes into effect January 1, 2008. Under current law a Senator or Representative must wait one year after leaving office before becoming a lobbyist. The new law requires a two-year waiting period – a law that Lott voted against. Former senators, representative, staff and family have made huge amounts of money working for Washington D.C. (K Street) lobbyists where they use their connections to influence legislators and public officials. Industry and trade groups fund this influence. The musical chairs of influence benefit all but the disenfranchised average citizen. I suggest that former elected officials and staff have a waiting period of 5 years before they can register as lobbyists. In the mean time they can seek real jobs and avoid the stigma of prostitution.
*The two faces of Cheney – As VP of the U.S Dick Cheney has been a leading force against Iran with threats of bombing the country and the imposition of sanctions. As CEO of Halliburton Cheney danced around the law to do business with Iran. In 1995 President Bill Clinton signed an executive order barring U.S. investments in Iran’s energy sector. Halliburton then set up an offshore subsidiary that engaged in dealings with Iran, a country the U.S. deemed a terrorist state. Of course, such epiphanies for the disingenuous members of the Bush administration generate little surprise. The offshore subsidiary gambit by Cheney may have been a loophole in the law but it demonstrates an even larger loophole in his integrity. He was for Iran (when it benefited his personal gain) before he was against it. Does Halliburton manufacture bombs?
*The third face of Cheney ~ Energy – Some may recall that in the early days of the Bush presidency Dick Cheney held secret policy meetings with America’s major oil companies – Exxon/Mobil, BP, Chevron and many of their fellow goniffs (crooks). Since it was a secret meeting we do not know what was discussed. What we do know is that when Bush took office a gallon of gasoline cost $1.45. Today, that same gallon costs $3.07. Coincidence?
*Romney’s tolerance of intolerance – Mitt Romney has faced anti-Mormon attacks in his primary run for the Republican presidential nomination. He subsequently has been asking Americans not to adversely judge him because he is a Mormon. However, he has no problem feeding the salivating racism of the political right in order to curry their favor. Steve Benen at the carpetbaggerreport.com notes that when Romney was asked if he would consider Americans of the Islamic faith for his cabinet if elected president Romney replied, “…based on the numbers of American Muslims [as a percentage] in our population, I cannot see that a cabinet position would be justified. But of course, I would imagine that Muslims could serve at lower levels of my administration.” As Benen notes, discriminating against Muslims or gays is a plus situation in appealing to the Republican base. Recall how Karl Rove energized the religious right to vote for Bush with the promise to “protect” them from gays and this was supported by the majority of the Republican leadership. What a sad commentary that a major political party in 21st Century America fuels itself with hate and prejudice. Of course, using Romney’s “demographics”, a Mormon would not qualify to run for president.
*Sex question of the week – Palm Beach Community College has approved medical insurance for employees’ pets. The Board of Trustees, however, voted down medical insurance for employee domestic partners even though the plan would not have cost the school anything because it pays employee premiums only, not those of dependents. The question this raises for me: If an employee has 2 dogs or 3 cats or 4 gerbils of the same sex are the pets disqualified from plan participation?
*I would laugh if not so sad ~ I would cry if my eyes didn’t burn – Twelve states are suing the Environmental Protection Agency for “weakening regulations that for two decades have required businesses and industries to report the toxic chemicals they use, store and release.” The “protection” that the EPA currently provides is no better than a condom with a hole. Where is congressional oversight? I guess it does not really matter since congress is so impotent there is no need for a condom.
*Star-dudded endorsement – Barack Obama is being supported by Oprah so Hillary Clinton lined up Barbara Streisand. Flash has its place but I would prefer to see a bit more substance in what the candidates stand for and what solutions they propose for the monumental problems facing this nation. And yet, perhaps this approach makes sense since as a nation we are consumed with the next media download on the Ipod, Blackberry, computer, X-Box, Sling Box, Hi Def TV, satellite radio and cell phone ring tone. There just is not enough time to devote to what is going on in our country. Bush and Cheney and Rove understood this phenomenon. They realized that too few were paying attention thus enabling them to get away with almost anything.
*President Bush’s best friend 1 – Russian President Vladimir Putin is up for re-election. In addition to critical journalists and political opponents disappearing/dying under unusual circumstances and political rivals being arrested it is now being reported that, “With the Kremlin determined to see a high turnout in Sunday's election, many Russians say they are being pressured to vote at work under the watchful eyes of their bosses or risk losing their jobs.” There is nothing like bringing back the good old days.
*President Bush’s best friend 2 – John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia was overwhelmingly voted out of office due to two policies he closely held with Bush - the Iraq war and denial of climate change. The once widely popular Howard has served as PM since 1996.His defeat was considered humiliating given that a year ago his re-election was considered a given. The new PM Kevin Rudd campaigned on removing Australia’s 550 combat troops from Iraq and joining the Kyoto Treaty whose aim is to address climate change. This now leaves America as the only industrialized country not participating in the Kyoto Treaty (172 nations participate). And most of the minimal support that comprised the Iraq “coalition” is disappearing. It is also interesting to note that the former heads of Great Britain and Italy and Spain join Howard in being forced out of office largely due to their Iraq positions. America and President Bush truly “stand alone” in the world.
*Another friend of President Bush 1 – Meet Mark W. Everson. He is a Republican family values kind of guy (with a wife and two children) who worked in the Bush administration from 2001 until recently. His jobs included Commissioner of the IRS, a position he left in May to become President and CEO of the Red Cross with a $500,000 salary. He has stepped down after revelations that he was "engaged in a personal relationship with a subordinate employee." I say it could have even been worse for Mr. Everson. The subordinate employee was a female, thereby avoiding the embarrassment experienced by a number of other prominent Republicans in recent months whose trysts were with the same gender.
*Another friend of President Bush 2 – Meet the Saudis. “Saudi Arabia has released 1,500 prisoners suspected of belonging to a radical Islamic group after the prisoners underwent what was described as a five-week counseling program”. What a novel approach - fighting terrorism with sensitivity seminars. Not so sensitive was the Saudi decision to order a young woman to be physically beaten as “punishment” for being in a situation where she was gang-raped. When Middle East leaders complain that Americans do not understand them they are spot on.
*Rudy, Rudy, Rudy ~ Another “law and order” derriere orifice – We now learn that while Giuliani was Mayor of NYC his extra-marital affair with the woman now his current wife cost the taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars. When hizzoner snuck off to the Hamptons to cavort with Judith Nathan he billed NYC agencies for security costs. The funding came from agencies responsible for regulating loft apartments, aiding the disabled and providing lawyers for indigent defendants. Republicans like Giuliani believe that such agencies should not even exist so there is no problem stealing their funds. Let’s call it reallocating the resources to benefit the “benefitted”.
*Victoria’s Secret ~ no longer – If you lust for Victoria’s Secrets (VS) products or catalog allow me to temper your libido. The National Labor Committee has issued a report that VS abuses foreign guest workers in Jordan. “D.K. Garments is a subcontract factory with 150 foreign guest workers (135 from Bangladesh and 15 from Sri Lanka), which has been producing VS garments for the last year.... The VS workers toil 14 to 15 hours a day, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 or 10:00 p.m., seven days a week, receiving on average one day off every three or four months. Despite being forced to work five or more overtime hours a day, the workers are routinely shortchanged on their legal overtime pay, being cheated up to $18.48 each week in wages due them... Workers are allowed just 3.3 minutes to sew each $14 Victoria's Secret women's bikini, for which they are paid four cents... The workers are housed in primitive dorms which have only irregular access to water. During winter months, when the temperatures can drop to freezing, the workers' dorms have neither heat nor hot water.” I find that what goes into Victoria’s bra and panties is no longer hot to me. In fact, it is very cold.
* ... the 20th century has been characterized by three developments of great political importance: The growth of democracy, the growth of corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy.
Alex Carey, Australian social scientist
~60 Asians – 12 Europeans – 5 North Americans – 8 Latin Americans – 14 Africans
~49 females – 51 males
~82 non-white – 18 white
~89 heterosexual – 11 homosexual
~33 Christian – 67 non-Christian
~5 would control 32% of the entire world’s wealth, and all of them would be US citizens
~80 would live in substandard housing
~24 would not have any electricity
~67 would be unable to read
~1 would have a college education
~50 would be malnourished and 1 dying of starvation
~33 would be without access to a safe water supply
~1 would have HIV and 1 would be near death
Seeing oneself in this context is enlightening. Most of the time my thoughts of the “world” revolve narrowly around what directly affects me. I imagine that this same phenomenon applies to you, our elected leaders and our national and foreign policies. Perhaps if we saw the world in a broader way we would have a greater appreciation for our good fortune to live in America. If our leaders saw the world in a broader context perhaps polices would have more positive results. America is not the world – it is a small part of a much larger and diverse community. The site offers some interesting implications of this data and is worth a visit.
*Once in a while the good guys win – In May of 2000 Pacific Northwest timber moguls donated $1 million to the Republican Party to help elect George W. Bush. In return they were promised that the Bush administration would lift certain logging restrictions that protected the environment and salmon populations. The administration kept its bargain with the devil by intentionally misinterpreting and ignoring the scientific data. Environmental groups and local communities stood up to this not untypical sell-out by Bush to big business interests. “In April a federal court ruled the administration acted illegally by suppressing scientific dissent when it illegally modified environmental safeguards, known as the Aquatic Conservation Strategy, developed in 1994 as part of the Northwest Forest Plan.” "In the end the government wasted millions of dollars in staff and attorney time all for nothing. We were able to keep the salmon protections in place because the government couldn't get any reputable scientist to go along with their scheme” said Earthjustice attorney Patti Goldman. I say don’t blame the President. His belief system precludes science.
*Pondering profit motives - In Eugene Jarecki's documentary film Why We Fight, about the U.S. military-industrial complex, U.S. foreign policy critic Chalmers Johnson states: "I guarantee you when war becomes that profitable, you are going to see more of it." The Iraq war has generated billions of dollars for defense and supply companies. The privatization of many military functions in Iraq has resulted in 180,000 personnel (more than the number of our military personnel) working for private companies in Iraq – most of which have strong ties to Bush, Cheney and the Republican party. No recession in this sector - merely a loss of life, limb and taxpayer assets.
*Standing up for your candidate – A politician in Thailand is distributing Viagra to older men in hopes of gaining their vote in the December elections. I think that this tactic is an excellent way to maximize the use of campaign funds. It gains the vote of the older man and probably the vote of a surprised but happier wife.
*Lott trots to K Street - Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) indicated that he may resign from the Senate (after 30-plus years) before the end of the year. Having just been re-elected in 2006, the move raises questions about the timing of the decision. It is likely that Lott is racing a new law that goes into effect January 1, 2008. Under current law a Senator or Representative must wait one year after leaving office before becoming a lobbyist. The new law requires a two-year waiting period – a law that Lott voted against. Former senators, representative, staff and family have made huge amounts of money working for Washington D.C. (K Street) lobbyists where they use their connections to influence legislators and public officials. Industry and trade groups fund this influence. The musical chairs of influence benefit all but the disenfranchised average citizen. I suggest that former elected officials and staff have a waiting period of 5 years before they can register as lobbyists. In the mean time they can seek real jobs and avoid the stigma of prostitution.
*The two faces of Cheney – As VP of the U.S Dick Cheney has been a leading force against Iran with threats of bombing the country and the imposition of sanctions. As CEO of Halliburton Cheney danced around the law to do business with Iran. In 1995 President Bill Clinton signed an executive order barring U.S. investments in Iran’s energy sector. Halliburton then set up an offshore subsidiary that engaged in dealings with Iran, a country the U.S. deemed a terrorist state. Of course, such epiphanies for the disingenuous members of the Bush administration generate little surprise. The offshore subsidiary gambit by Cheney may have been a loophole in the law but it demonstrates an even larger loophole in his integrity. He was for Iran (when it benefited his personal gain) before he was against it. Does Halliburton manufacture bombs?
*The third face of Cheney ~ Energy – Some may recall that in the early days of the Bush presidency Dick Cheney held secret policy meetings with America’s major oil companies – Exxon/Mobil, BP, Chevron and many of their fellow goniffs (crooks). Since it was a secret meeting we do not know what was discussed. What we do know is that when Bush took office a gallon of gasoline cost $1.45. Today, that same gallon costs $3.07. Coincidence?
*Romney’s tolerance of intolerance – Mitt Romney has faced anti-Mormon attacks in his primary run for the Republican presidential nomination. He subsequently has been asking Americans not to adversely judge him because he is a Mormon. However, he has no problem feeding the salivating racism of the political right in order to curry their favor. Steve Benen at the carpetbaggerreport.com notes that when Romney was asked if he would consider Americans of the Islamic faith for his cabinet if elected president Romney replied, “…based on the numbers of American Muslims [as a percentage] in our population, I cannot see that a cabinet position would be justified. But of course, I would imagine that Muslims could serve at lower levels of my administration.” As Benen notes, discriminating against Muslims or gays is a plus situation in appealing to the Republican base. Recall how Karl Rove energized the religious right to vote for Bush with the promise to “protect” them from gays and this was supported by the majority of the Republican leadership. What a sad commentary that a major political party in 21st Century America fuels itself with hate and prejudice. Of course, using Romney’s “demographics”, a Mormon would not qualify to run for president.
*Sex question of the week – Palm Beach Community College has approved medical insurance for employees’ pets. The Board of Trustees, however, voted down medical insurance for employee domestic partners even though the plan would not have cost the school anything because it pays employee premiums only, not those of dependents. The question this raises for me: If an employee has 2 dogs or 3 cats or 4 gerbils of the same sex are the pets disqualified from plan participation?
*I would laugh if not so sad ~ I would cry if my eyes didn’t burn – Twelve states are suing the Environmental Protection Agency for “weakening regulations that for two decades have required businesses and industries to report the toxic chemicals they use, store and release.” The “protection” that the EPA currently provides is no better than a condom with a hole. Where is congressional oversight? I guess it does not really matter since congress is so impotent there is no need for a condom.
*Star-dudded endorsement – Barack Obama is being supported by Oprah so Hillary Clinton lined up Barbara Streisand. Flash has its place but I would prefer to see a bit more substance in what the candidates stand for and what solutions they propose for the monumental problems facing this nation. And yet, perhaps this approach makes sense since as a nation we are consumed with the next media download on the Ipod, Blackberry, computer, X-Box, Sling Box, Hi Def TV, satellite radio and cell phone ring tone. There just is not enough time to devote to what is going on in our country. Bush and Cheney and Rove understood this phenomenon. They realized that too few were paying attention thus enabling them to get away with almost anything.
*President Bush’s best friend 1 – Russian President Vladimir Putin is up for re-election. In addition to critical journalists and political opponents disappearing/dying under unusual circumstances and political rivals being arrested it is now being reported that, “With the Kremlin determined to see a high turnout in Sunday's election, many Russians say they are being pressured to vote at work under the watchful eyes of their bosses or risk losing their jobs.” There is nothing like bringing back the good old days.
*President Bush’s best friend 2 – John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia was overwhelmingly voted out of office due to two policies he closely held with Bush - the Iraq war and denial of climate change. The once widely popular Howard has served as PM since 1996.His defeat was considered humiliating given that a year ago his re-election was considered a given. The new PM Kevin Rudd campaigned on removing Australia’s 550 combat troops from Iraq and joining the Kyoto Treaty whose aim is to address climate change. This now leaves America as the only industrialized country not participating in the Kyoto Treaty (172 nations participate). And most of the minimal support that comprised the Iraq “coalition” is disappearing. It is also interesting to note that the former heads of Great Britain and Italy and Spain join Howard in being forced out of office largely due to their Iraq positions. America and President Bush truly “stand alone” in the world.
*Another friend of President Bush 1 – Meet Mark W. Everson. He is a Republican family values kind of guy (with a wife and two children) who worked in the Bush administration from 2001 until recently. His jobs included Commissioner of the IRS, a position he left in May to become President and CEO of the Red Cross with a $500,000 salary. He has stepped down after revelations that he was "engaged in a personal relationship with a subordinate employee." I say it could have even been worse for Mr. Everson. The subordinate employee was a female, thereby avoiding the embarrassment experienced by a number of other prominent Republicans in recent months whose trysts were with the same gender.
*Another friend of President Bush 2 – Meet the Saudis. “Saudi Arabia has released 1,500 prisoners suspected of belonging to a radical Islamic group after the prisoners underwent what was described as a five-week counseling program”. What a novel approach - fighting terrorism with sensitivity seminars. Not so sensitive was the Saudi decision to order a young woman to be physically beaten as “punishment” for being in a situation where she was gang-raped. When Middle East leaders complain that Americans do not understand them they are spot on.
*Rudy, Rudy, Rudy ~ Another “law and order” derriere orifice – We now learn that while Giuliani was Mayor of NYC his extra-marital affair with the woman now his current wife cost the taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars. When hizzoner snuck off to the Hamptons to cavort with Judith Nathan he billed NYC agencies for security costs. The funding came from agencies responsible for regulating loft apartments, aiding the disabled and providing lawyers for indigent defendants. Republicans like Giuliani believe that such agencies should not even exist so there is no problem stealing their funds. Let’s call it reallocating the resources to benefit the “benefitted”.
*Victoria’s Secret ~ no longer – If you lust for Victoria’s Secrets (VS) products or catalog allow me to temper your libido. The National Labor Committee has issued a report that VS abuses foreign guest workers in Jordan. “D.K. Garments is a subcontract factory with 150 foreign guest workers (135 from Bangladesh and 15 from Sri Lanka), which has been producing VS garments for the last year.... The VS workers toil 14 to 15 hours a day, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 or 10:00 p.m., seven days a week, receiving on average one day off every three or four months. Despite being forced to work five or more overtime hours a day, the workers are routinely shortchanged on their legal overtime pay, being cheated up to $18.48 each week in wages due them... Workers are allowed just 3.3 minutes to sew each $14 Victoria's Secret women's bikini, for which they are paid four cents... The workers are housed in primitive dorms which have only irregular access to water. During winter months, when the temperatures can drop to freezing, the workers' dorms have neither heat nor hot water.” I find that what goes into Victoria’s bra and panties is no longer hot to me. In fact, it is very cold.
* ... the 20th century has been characterized by three developments of great political importance: The growth of democracy, the growth of corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy.
Alex Carey, Australian social scientist
Thursday, October 4, 2007
10/4/07
*Civics Class 101 – A recent poll found that 55 percent of Americans believe the U.S. Constitution establishes a Christian nation. When John McCain was asked, “What do you think”, he responded, “I would probably have to say yes, that the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation.” This from a U.S. Senator and presidential candidate!
Article IV of the U. S. Constitution:
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.
The First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
The founders of our country did not establish a Christian or any other religious nation. The founders established a secular nation. They were aware that many of the Europeans who first settled America were fleeing religious persecution, Christians fleeing Christians. The founders specifically required the separation of church and state to avoid such miscarriages in “the name of God”. And yes, I take offense to anyone who would undermine the bedrock of our freedoms.
*The Christian Right has announced it is considering forming a political party that would launch a presidential candidate. Perhaps they have come to the conclusion that in the foreseeable future they will not own another president as they did George W. Bush - lock, stock and bible.
*Don’t touch that dial – Free speech is “free speech” whether it is a Fourth of July parade, the Skinheads marching, the Ku Klux Klan prancing or Rush Limbaugh frothing. Under our system of democracy an individual or group has the freedom to express their point of view even if a minority or majority of citizens deem the message offensive or mindless. Many are now calling for Limbaugh to be removed from his very successful radio program. His recent remark that Iraq war vets who feel we should get out of Iraq were phony soldiers was offensive and mindless. Our Constitution and democratic tradition provide Mr. Limbaugh the right and freedom to speak his mind. We have the freedom to not listen.
*Words of wisdom - When you open your mouth your mind is on parade.
*A transmission with no “reverse” - For the first time I heard a reasonable explanation of why Bush and Cheney did not have an exit strategy for Iraq. Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) explains that they did not intend to leave. I guess this also explains the permanent huge military bases we have built in Iraq as well as the largest and most expensive embassy the U. S. has ever built. The State Department refused comment when I asked if the embassy included an Exxon/Mobil wing.
*Legislative Masturbation - Congress has extended funding for a core abstinence-education program established by the Bush administration. As I previously noted, the program is a demonstrable failure. "Their actions defy logic and common sense," said James Wagoner, president of Advocates for Youth. First, Congress funds what Mr. Wagoner called unproven abstinence programs. Then it commissions a study that shows they don't work, but lawmakers ignore those results and continue to fund the programs.” I was optimistic that the new Democratic congress, at a minimum, would not continue ineffective, counter-productive and wasteful programs established by a Republican-led legislature that was unfettered during Bush’s first six years. My disappointment is palpable.
*How do you want your burger? – Hold the E-Coli. Topps Meat Co. has recalled 22 million pounds or the equivalent of over 80,000,000 frozen hamburgers. The USDA said that 25 illnesses are under investigation in 8 states. I would suggest that the time to investigate is before product is shipped. U.S. regulatory agencies in recent years have been hampered by under-funding and a federal government philosophy of under-investigating. It will probably take 25 deaths before congressmen trip over each other calling for greater inspection of America’s food supply. Perhaps Joe Lieberman will introduce a resolution in the Senate condemning the E-Coli bacteria as a threat to the American people. This threat we know is real.
*Last minute holiday shopping - On September 30th, with only 86 days left until Christmas, Wal-Mart began cutting prices in its toy department. One game in particular caught my eye and I decided to rush over to my nearest neighborhood temple of shopping. With the price reduced from $18.96 to $10.00 I knew that “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” would not stay on the shelves for long. I was sure that the 535 senators and representatives in Congress would not pass up the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities, especially if the price is right. I ignored the sale on imported toothpaste.
*Can’t wait for the Olympics - A Philadelphia Inquirer editorial discussed the lack of management and the mismanagement of China’s environment. The devastating health implications for the world’s most populous country is daunting. It points out how government leadership is vital to a people’s well-being. The environmental degradation cited in the editorial leads a reasonable person to question the wisdom of consuming any edible product originating in China. If you plan on attending the Olympics in China next year it would be prudent to pack a large quantity of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Never mind. A large quantity of U.S. produced peanut butter was recently recalled for botulism infection. Go with jelly sandwiches.
*Speaking of environmental hazards - The number of environmental cases brought by the EPA between 2002 and 2006 is down 70% from that of the mid-nineties. This must be a good sign for our environment. No. The agency now employs only 85% of the minimum number of investigators required by law. Compounding the problem is the laissez faire approach the Bush administration has employed as a watch-dog of the environment and industry. This deficiency in oversight exacerbates the problem because polluters are emboldened to ignore anti-pollution laws. Can you say “perfect storm”?
A pro-environment Bush official – It has taken almost seven years to hear those words but DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff went on the record. He was defending the building of a wall along the Mexican border to keep out illegal immigrants. He said, "Illegal migrants really degrade the environment. I've seen pictures of human waste, garbage, discarded bottles and other human artifact in pristine areas. And believe me, that is the worst thing you can do to the environment." Mr. Chertoff did not comment on “lesser” things you can do to the environment such as greenhouse gasses, chemical waste being dumped into rivers and lakes, strip mining or not inspecting cargo from foreign countries that potentially contain nuclear, chemical or biological hazards.
~In a related story, the mayors of 4 Texas cities bordering Mexico object to the government’s building of the wall and have refused permits and access necessary to begin construction. This should make for some very interesting court cases.
*Don’t Be a Litter “Bug” – While Dept. of Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff is busy fighting trash I wonder if he saw the AP article about vulnerable germ research labs. “Federal terror-fighting agencies can't identify all the American research laboratories that could become targets of attackers, congressional investigators have found”. At least 409 facilities work with 72 of the world’s deadliest organisms and poisons “The Government Accountability Office asked a dozen agencies whether they kept track of all the labs handling dangerous germs and toxins, or knew the number. All responded negatively.” And please remember to pick up your human artifact when visiting a pristine area.
*Friends in high places policy - Last week I noted the higher cost of Blackwater contractors in Iraq performing the security job a soldier used to do. Some specifics: “A single Blackwater security contractor costs the government $1,222 per day to guard U.S. civilian personnel, or $445,000 per year. That's six times the cost than a U.S. Army soldier performing the same function.” Since 2003 Blackwater no-bid contracts have totaled $1,000,000,000 (billion). The CEO of Blackwater is Erik Prince. He has strong ties to the White House and his family is very influential in the Republican Party. His company employs many prominent Republicans including Joseph Schmitz. He was appointed by Bush in 2002 to "oversee and police the Pentagon's military contracts as the Defense Department's Inspector General." Can you say “cozy”?
*Society Page ~ Rudy and Bo hanging out - Rudy Giuliani did not attend the presidential debate addressing the concerns of Black America (he had also skipped the Latino Americans debate). His alibi was a scheduling issue. His “issue” was a fundraiser with Bo Derek at the Santa Barbara Biltmore. A West Coast party with the beautiful star of the movie “10”! Who could blame him? Well, any citizen looking for a presidential candidate that is serious about understanding their needs and problems.
*Flash Observations:
~ In the 2008 elections for the Senate, Democrats will be defending 12 seats while Republicans will have to defend 22. This could prove to be the Catch 22 that will minimize the GOP influence in Congress.
~In another Mea Culpa Post Factum Newt Gingerich says that the Republicans ran a cheap and nasty campaign against John Kerry in 2004. Ya think?
~The U.S. debt is approaching $10,000,000,000,000 (TRILLION). The amount equates to $30,000 for every citizen in this country. Allowing congress to continually raise the debt ceiling is akin to hiring Mel Gibson to be the bartender at a Bar Mitzvah.
~Australia has been steadfast in its support of the U.S. military action in Iraq. It has announced that it will not participate in any military action against Iran. It is alleged that Bush is contacting allies to gain support for his Iran policies. I believe that the disrespect that Bush has garnered internationally will leave him isolated on his Iran quest.
*Children of God - I have listened to all of the reasons that President Bush spewed in justifying his veto of health insurance for 10 million uninsured children. As usual, his narrow and myopic reasoning did not account for the future cost and misery that poor health for these youngsters and soon-to-be-adults will bring. He and his brethren stand upon their respective pulpits sermonizing about the sanctity of unborn babes. Once they navigate the womb, screw them.
*Republican strategy ~ subtle and practical – Thomas B. Edsall at the Huffington Post offered an interesting explanation as to why the Republican Party is doing everything it can to lose the presidential election in 2008.
“Perhaps Republican kingpins consider the best possible long-term strategy letting Democrats take over responsibility for the extraordinary mess Bush will leave behind. The next president will have to deal with Iraq, Iran with the bomb, biological and chemical threats, $8.98 trillion in national debt, global warming, rising gas prices, a Mideast on fire, overstretched troops, a legion of returning wounded soldiers, a country unprepared for its aging population, North Korea's supply of nuclear technology to Syria, a steadily eroding dollar, a surging China, and an exponential increase in the number of those who wish America ill.”
Bush believes that history will see him as another Winston Churchill. His successor best have the ability to part the Red Sea and turn water into wine.
*Friends of Mr. Clean – Mitt Romney recently said, "our numbers have shown that we are able to raise the money." While Hillary Clinton has been rightfully criticized for accepting money from fugitive Norman Hsu one hears little about Romney’s sugar daddies. Meet Alan Fabian, one of Mitt’s largest fundraisers. He is currently under indictment on 23 charges including fraud, money laundering, perjury, and obstruction of justice. Meet Robert Lichfield. Founder of Worldwide Association of Specialty Schools, Lichfield is named in a federal lawsuit charging that students of the "behavior modification" schools … were subjected to "physical abuse, emotional abuse and sexual abuse." The suit had 140 defendants at last count. Lichfield has been asked to resign his spot on the Romney finance team. Imagine the turpitude of the person Romney would appoint as Secretary of the Treasury. Also of interest is that 25% of the money raised by the Romney campaign has come from Mitt Romney. I guess there is something to be said for a self-starter.
*"Be not intimidated... nor suffer yourselves to be wheedled out of your liberties by any pretense of politeness, delicacy, or decency. These, as they are often used, are but three different namesfor hypocrisy, chicanery and cowardice."
John Adams (1735 – 1826), Founding Father, 2nd US President
Article IV of the U. S. Constitution:
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.
The First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
The founders of our country did not establish a Christian or any other religious nation. The founders established a secular nation. They were aware that many of the Europeans who first settled America were fleeing religious persecution, Christians fleeing Christians. The founders specifically required the separation of church and state to avoid such miscarriages in “the name of God”. And yes, I take offense to anyone who would undermine the bedrock of our freedoms.
*The Christian Right has announced it is considering forming a political party that would launch a presidential candidate. Perhaps they have come to the conclusion that in the foreseeable future they will not own another president as they did George W. Bush - lock, stock and bible.
*Don’t touch that dial – Free speech is “free speech” whether it is a Fourth of July parade, the Skinheads marching, the Ku Klux Klan prancing or Rush Limbaugh frothing. Under our system of democracy an individual or group has the freedom to express their point of view even if a minority or majority of citizens deem the message offensive or mindless. Many are now calling for Limbaugh to be removed from his very successful radio program. His recent remark that Iraq war vets who feel we should get out of Iraq were phony soldiers was offensive and mindless. Our Constitution and democratic tradition provide Mr. Limbaugh the right and freedom to speak his mind. We have the freedom to not listen.
*Words of wisdom - When you open your mouth your mind is on parade.
*A transmission with no “reverse” - For the first time I heard a reasonable explanation of why Bush and Cheney did not have an exit strategy for Iraq. Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) explains that they did not intend to leave. I guess this also explains the permanent huge military bases we have built in Iraq as well as the largest and most expensive embassy the U. S. has ever built. The State Department refused comment when I asked if the embassy included an Exxon/Mobil wing.
*Legislative Masturbation - Congress has extended funding for a core abstinence-education program established by the Bush administration. As I previously noted, the program is a demonstrable failure. "Their actions defy logic and common sense," said James Wagoner, president of Advocates for Youth. First, Congress funds what Mr. Wagoner called unproven abstinence programs. Then it commissions a study that shows they don't work, but lawmakers ignore those results and continue to fund the programs.” I was optimistic that the new Democratic congress, at a minimum, would not continue ineffective, counter-productive and wasteful programs established by a Republican-led legislature that was unfettered during Bush’s first six years. My disappointment is palpable.
*How do you want your burger? – Hold the E-Coli. Topps Meat Co. has recalled 22 million pounds or the equivalent of over 80,000,000 frozen hamburgers. The USDA said that 25 illnesses are under investigation in 8 states. I would suggest that the time to investigate is before product is shipped. U.S. regulatory agencies in recent years have been hampered by under-funding and a federal government philosophy of under-investigating. It will probably take 25 deaths before congressmen trip over each other calling for greater inspection of America’s food supply. Perhaps Joe Lieberman will introduce a resolution in the Senate condemning the E-Coli bacteria as a threat to the American people. This threat we know is real.
*Last minute holiday shopping - On September 30th, with only 86 days left until Christmas, Wal-Mart began cutting prices in its toy department. One game in particular caught my eye and I decided to rush over to my nearest neighborhood temple of shopping. With the price reduced from $18.96 to $10.00 I knew that “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” would not stay on the shelves for long. I was sure that the 535 senators and representatives in Congress would not pass up the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities, especially if the price is right. I ignored the sale on imported toothpaste.
*Can’t wait for the Olympics - A Philadelphia Inquirer editorial discussed the lack of management and the mismanagement of China’s environment. The devastating health implications for the world’s most populous country is daunting. It points out how government leadership is vital to a people’s well-being. The environmental degradation cited in the editorial leads a reasonable person to question the wisdom of consuming any edible product originating in China. If you plan on attending the Olympics in China next year it would be prudent to pack a large quantity of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Never mind. A large quantity of U.S. produced peanut butter was recently recalled for botulism infection. Go with jelly sandwiches.
*Speaking of environmental hazards - The number of environmental cases brought by the EPA between 2002 and 2006 is down 70% from that of the mid-nineties. This must be a good sign for our environment. No. The agency now employs only 85% of the minimum number of investigators required by law. Compounding the problem is the laissez faire approach the Bush administration has employed as a watch-dog of the environment and industry. This deficiency in oversight exacerbates the problem because polluters are emboldened to ignore anti-pollution laws. Can you say “perfect storm”?
A pro-environment Bush official – It has taken almost seven years to hear those words but DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff went on the record. He was defending the building of a wall along the Mexican border to keep out illegal immigrants. He said, "Illegal migrants really degrade the environment. I've seen pictures of human waste, garbage, discarded bottles and other human artifact in pristine areas. And believe me, that is the worst thing you can do to the environment." Mr. Chertoff did not comment on “lesser” things you can do to the environment such as greenhouse gasses, chemical waste being dumped into rivers and lakes, strip mining or not inspecting cargo from foreign countries that potentially contain nuclear, chemical or biological hazards.
~In a related story, the mayors of 4 Texas cities bordering Mexico object to the government’s building of the wall and have refused permits and access necessary to begin construction. This should make for some very interesting court cases.
*Don’t Be a Litter “Bug” – While Dept. of Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff is busy fighting trash I wonder if he saw the AP article about vulnerable germ research labs. “Federal terror-fighting agencies can't identify all the American research laboratories that could become targets of attackers, congressional investigators have found”. At least 409 facilities work with 72 of the world’s deadliest organisms and poisons “The Government Accountability Office asked a dozen agencies whether they kept track of all the labs handling dangerous germs and toxins, or knew the number. All responded negatively.” And please remember to pick up your human artifact when visiting a pristine area.
*Friends in high places policy - Last week I noted the higher cost of Blackwater contractors in Iraq performing the security job a soldier used to do. Some specifics: “A single Blackwater security contractor costs the government $1,222 per day to guard U.S. civilian personnel, or $445,000 per year. That's six times the cost than a U.S. Army soldier performing the same function.” Since 2003 Blackwater no-bid contracts have totaled $1,000,000,000 (billion). The CEO of Blackwater is Erik Prince. He has strong ties to the White House and his family is very influential in the Republican Party. His company employs many prominent Republicans including Joseph Schmitz. He was appointed by Bush in 2002 to "oversee and police the Pentagon's military contracts as the Defense Department's Inspector General." Can you say “cozy”?
*Society Page ~ Rudy and Bo hanging out - Rudy Giuliani did not attend the presidential debate addressing the concerns of Black America (he had also skipped the Latino Americans debate). His alibi was a scheduling issue. His “issue” was a fundraiser with Bo Derek at the Santa Barbara Biltmore. A West Coast party with the beautiful star of the movie “10”! Who could blame him? Well, any citizen looking for a presidential candidate that is serious about understanding their needs and problems.
*Flash Observations:
~ In the 2008 elections for the Senate, Democrats will be defending 12 seats while Republicans will have to defend 22. This could prove to be the Catch 22 that will minimize the GOP influence in Congress.
~In another Mea Culpa Post Factum Newt Gingerich says that the Republicans ran a cheap and nasty campaign against John Kerry in 2004. Ya think?
~The U.S. debt is approaching $10,000,000,000,000 (TRILLION). The amount equates to $30,000 for every citizen in this country. Allowing congress to continually raise the debt ceiling is akin to hiring Mel Gibson to be the bartender at a Bar Mitzvah.
~Australia has been steadfast in its support of the U.S. military action in Iraq. It has announced that it will not participate in any military action against Iran. It is alleged that Bush is contacting allies to gain support for his Iran policies. I believe that the disrespect that Bush has garnered internationally will leave him isolated on his Iran quest.
*Children of God - I have listened to all of the reasons that President Bush spewed in justifying his veto of health insurance for 10 million uninsured children. As usual, his narrow and myopic reasoning did not account for the future cost and misery that poor health for these youngsters and soon-to-be-adults will bring. He and his brethren stand upon their respective pulpits sermonizing about the sanctity of unborn babes. Once they navigate the womb, screw them.
*Republican strategy ~ subtle and practical – Thomas B. Edsall at the Huffington Post offered an interesting explanation as to why the Republican Party is doing everything it can to lose the presidential election in 2008.
“Perhaps Republican kingpins consider the best possible long-term strategy letting Democrats take over responsibility for the extraordinary mess Bush will leave behind. The next president will have to deal with Iraq, Iran with the bomb, biological and chemical threats, $8.98 trillion in national debt, global warming, rising gas prices, a Mideast on fire, overstretched troops, a legion of returning wounded soldiers, a country unprepared for its aging population, North Korea's supply of nuclear technology to Syria, a steadily eroding dollar, a surging China, and an exponential increase in the number of those who wish America ill.”
Bush believes that history will see him as another Winston Churchill. His successor best have the ability to part the Red Sea and turn water into wine.
*Friends of Mr. Clean – Mitt Romney recently said, "our numbers have shown that we are able to raise the money." While Hillary Clinton has been rightfully criticized for accepting money from fugitive Norman Hsu one hears little about Romney’s sugar daddies. Meet Alan Fabian, one of Mitt’s largest fundraisers. He is currently under indictment on 23 charges including fraud, money laundering, perjury, and obstruction of justice. Meet Robert Lichfield. Founder of Worldwide Association of Specialty Schools, Lichfield is named in a federal lawsuit charging that students of the "behavior modification" schools … were subjected to "physical abuse, emotional abuse and sexual abuse." The suit had 140 defendants at last count. Lichfield has been asked to resign his spot on the Romney finance team. Imagine the turpitude of the person Romney would appoint as Secretary of the Treasury. Also of interest is that 25% of the money raised by the Romney campaign has come from Mitt Romney. I guess there is something to be said for a self-starter.
*"Be not intimidated... nor suffer yourselves to be wheedled out of your liberties by any pretense of politeness, delicacy, or decency. These, as they are often used, are but three different namesfor hypocrisy, chicanery and cowardice."
John Adams (1735 – 1826), Founding Father, 2nd US President
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