*Lox and liver knishes – Certain things do not seem to go together. A recently released study of American Jewry by the American Jewish Committee verified an interesting phenomena/contradiction that I have wondered about. The study found that a strong majority of Jewish Americans are liberal in political philosophy and opposed to the Bush administration and its “campaign against terrorism”. By over a two-thirds majority they believe we should never have invaded Iraq. The contradiction is that the leading political Jewish voices in this country are Bush apologists and conservative/neo-con adherents. They helped concoct and/or support Bush’s misguided and failed unilateral foreign policy and preemptive war. Eric Alterman, writing for The Nation, notes that these less-than-representative Jewish voices dominate the political conversation. They include Irving Kristol, William Kristol, Seth Lipsky, Martin Peretz, Norman Podhoretz, John Podhoretz, Richard Perle, Richard Cohen, Mortimer Zuckerman, Alan Dershowitz, Jeffrey Goldberg, Lawrence Kaplan, Charles Krauthammer, David Horowitz, Jonah Goldberg, David Gelernter, Ruth Wisse, David Brooks and David Frum. Alterman notes, “Given the scare tactics the neocons routinely employ--from their frequent deployment of the intellectually vacuous term "Islamofascism," to Perle and Frum's warning that the nation's only choice is "victory or holocaust"--it is a remarkable tribute to the good sense of American Jewry that it remains a bastion of liberal humanism despite such naked attempts to manipulate longstanding fears and insecurities.” AND, like mayonnaise on corned beef, these pundits have been consistently wrong.
*Jews for Jesus in a Secular Society – This is a phrase I suggest characterizes the above noted Jewish “voices” that strongly support the poster boy for Christianizing America. Included in this group should be the Jewish Orthodox Joe Lieberman who genuflects at the Bush altar and recently endorsed for president John McCain, the man who said that America is a Christian nation. Apparently, selling one’s political soul has become a dollar store commodity.
*Let the games begin – Regardless of who wins the upcoming Democratic primary elections I will feel that America will be the winner. Edwards, Dodd, Biden. Obama, Kucinich, Richardson and Clinton give America a substantively better alternative to what we currently have and what the Republicans are offering. As noted by Markos at dailykos.com “every candidate on the Democratic side shares the same core principles, and that every candidate on the Republican side opposes them.” The choices are so clear and diametrically opposed that any candidates who speak of bipartisanship have a better chance of having pigs feet declared Kosher. Until the Republicans can locate a soul that embraces “American” values and the well-being of us citizens let them continue on the road to political Siberia.
*Platform for change ~ John Edwards– In an email I received this week from the John Edwards campaign he outlines some steps that he would take if elected President: “He will work to restore America's moral authority in the world by upholding the rule of law and safeguarding our civil liberties. He will say no to torture, protect our troops and our values by upholding the Geneva Conventions anywhere American security forces, military or civilian, are engaged. He will also restore habeas corpus. Because no president is above the law, he will respect the letter and spirit of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and end Bush's warrantless domestic spying program.
While much of the Patriot Act was necessary to ensure that intelligence agencies are able to share critical information, it included provisions that have been abused by this administration. John Edwards will restore important safeguards to the three provisions most susceptible to abuse: the "sneak-and-peek" delayed-notice searches, National Security Letters and the business and library records provisions.” These are certainly qualities that I expect of an American president.
*Recommended reading:
~NY Times Editorial 12/31/07 – As America moves beyond the Bush era it is imperative that we understand what took place during this administration so that it can be corrected and not repeated, continued or expanded. This editorial is an excellent primer.
~The Death of the Bill of Rights – markthshark at dailykos.com has written a well-documented timeline about how the Bush/Cheyney administration has damaged our democracy over the past seven years. The change that these men have insinuated into the framework of our government is not widely recognized nor does it bode well for our democratic well-being. When a society is relatively prosperous, relatively peaceful and has enjoyed unprecedented freedoms, there is a sense that it will continue unabated. World history has demonstrated this future view is naive. The vigilance that a free society requires has taken on a new importance.
~Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics has released it top ten ethics scandals of 2007
*Lest we forget – In 2007, one thousand and fourteen (1014) U.S. service men and women were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since these wars began over 3900 American service men and women have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of these deaths as well as 30,000 injuries were unnecessary.
*Quote of note - Clarence Thomas recently told an overflow crowd at Chapman University that he never wanted to become a Supreme Court justice, or even a judge. "There's not much that entices about the job," Thomas said, answering questions from the public that provided a rare glimpse of the man behind the office. "There's no money in it, no privacy, no big houses, and from an ego standpoint, it does nothing for me." I would like to suggest to Justice Thomas that on January 21, 2009 he resign from the Supreme Court and reduce both his misery and that of the majority of Americans since his jurist philosophy is best suited to a Neolithic society.
*Xenophobia ~ pandering – Many are wondering how the subprime fiasco came about. Theories about greedy financial institutions and unethical mortgage sellers aside, we have an answer from the somnambulant Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson. He told potential voters in Iowa that immigrants deserve some of the blame. "A lot of them couldn't communicate with the people they were getting the mortgage from." Hasta la vista Fredo.
*Scratching the surface ~ finding the tarnish – The site dailykos.com has done a series on Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul. When running for this high office virtually nothing in one’s past goes unnoticed. In 1992 The Ron Paul Political Report had the following: “Indeed, it is shocking to consider the uniformity of opinion among blacks in this country. Opinion polls consistently show that only about 5% of blacks have sensible political opinions, i.e. support the free market, individual liberty, and the end of welfare and affirmative action.... Given the inefficiencies of what D.C. laughingly calls the "criminal justice system," I think we can safely assume that 95% of the black males in that city are semi-criminal or entirely criminal... We are constantly told that it is evil to be afraid of black men, but it is hardly irrational. Black men commit murders, rapes, robberies, muggings, and burglaries all out of proportion to their numbers.” No oKKK to Paul.
*Privatizing immorality – “Two hundred and fifty-six people once held in Iraqi prisons -- and who were released without ever being charged with a crime -- have filed suit against a US military contractor for their alleged torture between 2003 and 2004. The former prisoners are asking for millions of dollars in compensatory and punitive damages against CACI International Inc. of Arlington, VA “. The State Department gave private contractors a free rein with no oversight. We will be learning much more about the murder, torture, rape and theft committed by employees of these private companies during the private war within the Iraq war.
*Did he really say that?
-Warning ~ from Mike Huckabee – The Republican candidate for president, once again establishing his “grasp” of foreign policy and protecting the home front, had this to say following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, "We ought to have an immediate, very clear monitoring of our borders and particularly to make sure if there's any unusual activity of Pakistanis coming into the country.”
-Warning ~ about Mike Huckabee – On Meet the Press Mike Huckabee offered his solution to the illegal immigration problem. It goes something like this. During a 120 day window the U.S. will process out 15,000,000 illegal immigrants where they return to their country of origin. (Not to go unnoticed, this would require about 300,000 busloads or 50,000 flights.) The immigrants then apply to return to America while the borders are being sealed. Since this will all occur within 4 months the negative effect on the economy will be minimal.
*What’s good for the goose ~ is good for the goose – Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has been one of the leading advocates for campaign finance reform. He must have meant for other people. The Washington Post reports: “McCain...has spent a long career decrying "special interests" and politicians who offer special access to them in order to raise money. As a presidential candidate this year, McCain has found himself assiduously courting both lobbyists and their wealthy clients, offering them private audiences as part of his fundraising. He also counts more than 30 lobbyists among his chief fundraisers, more than any other presidential contender.” McCain likes to characterize his political campaign bus as the “Straight Talk Express”. It may be the only evidence of “straight talk” in his campaign.
*Bah humbug CIGNA HealthCare – On December 11th doctors at UCLA Medical Center determined that 17 year old Nataline Sarkisyan needed a liver transplant. CIGNA denied payment. A groundswell of protests by friends, nurses and caring people eventually convinced CIGNA to reverse their decision on December 20th – the day that she died. The profits of America’s health insurers and the compensation paid to their executives are growing and the actual coverage that most of us receive is diminishing. This is a poignant example of the questionable state of healthcare insurance in this country. It is a situation that will only improve when a responsible and proactive federal government gets involved. At the present time both health insurers and the pharmaceutical companies virtually own the decision makers in Washington. Republican strategists would have us believe that the “profit motive” is the incentive for corporations to be responsible members of the community. Empirical evidence suggests not in this country in this century. It will require a leadership change in the White House and the congress for Americans and their doctors to regain a more responsible and responsive healthcare system.
*The President speaks - At a recent press conference President Bush said, “It’s what I do during my presidency. I go around spreading good will, talking about the importance of spreading freedom and peace.” If I were at the press conference I would have asked the location of the freedom and peace he has fostered. It appears to be one of those state secrets.
*A toast to 2008 - Drinking a little alcohol every day, especially wine, may be associated with an increase in life expectancy in middle-aged men. A 40 year Dutch study found that light alcohol consumption was associated with a lower rate of cardiovascular death and of death from all causes, and a nearly four year increase in lifespan. To your good health!
* “Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.” Oprah Winfrey
Showing posts with label Phila. Inquirer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phila. Inquirer. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Thursday, December 27, 2007
12/27/07
2007 left many of us Bushed but still capable of identifying some positive developments as we end the year with a smile.
*A brighter future for America – In less than 13 months there is a very good chance that a Democrat will be in the White House and Democrats will have a greater majority in Congress. I certainly do not believe that Democrats are inherently better than Republicans. My sensibilities lean toward what Democrats have stood for versus Republicans, but both parties have a history of good and bad. Both parties have members that are good and bad. Given campaign finance laws and lack of ethics oversight, Democrats in power will be subject to the same temptations that overwhelmed members of the Republican Party over the last 15 years. During this time the Republican Party has aligned itself with corporate interests and the religious right. I strongly believe this is to the detriment of our country, our society, our freedoms and our well-being. I anticipate that a new Democratic majority will better address the following issues:
· healthcare
· climate change,
· product and food safety
· labor conditions and union rights
· civil rights and the attempt to disenfranchise minorities
· voter rights and verifiable voting machines
· gay rights
· a return of the executive, judicial and legislative branches of government to a state of separate but co-equal status
· appointments to the Supreme Court,
· a return to an apolitical justice system
· a fair and sensible immigration policy and enforcement of immigration laws including penalizing those who hire illegal workers
· a re-emphasis on the separation of church and state
· sensible and practical sex education
· an energy policy not dominated by the sole interests of the energy companies
· better balanced tax laws
· an improved national education program for K-12 students
· strengthening Social Security and Medicare,
· negative effects of globalization that have benefited corporate profits but not the quality and breadth of jobs for the American worker
· foreign policy not predicated on unilateralism and pre-emptive war.
The current administration will bequeath our country serious challenges. I believe that the successors will be more capable of addressing these challenges and more in tune with our needs as a society and as an important member of the world community.
*Congressional power – In response to the Virginia Tech massacre “both houses of Congress passed a bill that will strengthen the Brady background check system. It will help ensure that fewer guns end up in the hands of dangerous people like felons and those who have been found to be a threat to themselves or others because of mental illness.” It is unfortunate that sensible gun legislation first requires a tragedy but at least positive measures are being instituted. This is the first major piece of legislation to prevent gun violence in a decade. There is one caveat. To become law the legislation must first be signed by President Bush. You can learn more about the important work performed by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence at this link.
*People power 1 – A. Siegel at dailykos.com brought the following to my attention. IBM just released a report “Plugging in the Consumer” – “the results of a global poll showed that not only do people say that they are willing to pay more for green energy, they actually are doing so in increasing numbers ... voluntarily. Where the option exists, some 25 percent of polled people, who have the option, are paying additional money to get "clean" power.” The subtitle of this study is “Innovating utility business models for the future” and can be read at this link. I was pleased when my electric utility company recently offered the option, for under $8 per month, to source a portion of our electricity from wind power. We do not have to wait for government to solve all of our problems. The cumulative effect of each of us contributing to responsible energy usage can have very meaningful results. Whether global warming is man-made as the majority of the scientific community and world community believe or a natural cycle of nature as global warming deniers believe, the fact that we have the ability to lessen its destructive influence is undeniable. To not make the effort is mindless.
*People power 2 – The liberal advocacy organization MoveOn.org, in conjunction with the USO, sent a request to its members to donate money so that U.S. military personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world could call home for the holidays. In less than 24 hours MoveOn members donated over $250,000.
*People power 3 – Helen Gym is the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Citizen of the Year. The group she heads, Parents United for Public Education, “has spent the last two years speaking out at Phila. School Reform Commission meetings, poring over budgets, pushing City Council to commit more resources to education, and insisting that the Parking Authority live up to its promise to help fund city schools.” In addition to obtaining increased funding for Philadelphia public schools Parents United seeks accountability at all levels of the school district. Like most of us Mrs. Gym says, “she'd rather not attend so many meetings or be forced to push lawmakers to do their jobs. However, one reality has emerged from the activism of People United: "If we are waiting for someone else to stand up and do what we know to be right, then we will wait forever.” There are many unsung heroes working to improve our quality of life. One may be your neighbor, or you.
*Merry Christmas Mr. President – Several weeks ago I noted that The Center for Constitutional Rights offered people the opportunity to send Mr. Bush a copy of the U.S. Constitution for Christmas. I am proud that my name was on one of the 37,000 constitutions delivered to the White House on December 20th by Santa (noted constitutional lawyer Bill Goodman). You can learn more about the CCR at this link.
*A 2008 resolution ~ just one click a day – There is no cost and each day that you visit The Breast Cancer Site a contribution is made by advertisers that helps fund breast exams for disadvantaged women. It will make you feel in the pink.
*A New Year wish – The number two leader of al-Qaeda announced that he will answer questions by reporters in the near future. I was invited by the Philadelphia Inquirer to submit a question that I would ask. My question: “Since al-Qaeda operatives justify murdering innocents to get to heaven why don’t you, Mr. al-Zawahiri, blow yourself up at the next al-Qaeda executive board meeting?”
*Returning toys ~ getting the lead out – This month the House passed much-needed legislation that gives more funding to the Consumer Product Safety Commission including a new testing lab to identify products with high levels of lead. Perhaps the next step will be to mandate that companies such as Mattel take more responsibility for the safety of their products. In 2007 Mattel had to recall millions of toys manufactured in China due to safety issues. Products with safety issues should be tested before they enter the marketplace.
*The most important step ~ the first step – Last week I noted that the new energy legislation raised the fuel efficiency for automobiles. I was critical that some of the minimums do not go into effect until 2020 but it was a start and the bill included other promising elements: raises yearly production of renewable motor fuels; requires more ethanol in the next decade to be made from non-food "cellulosic" sources like wood chips, switchgrass and other agricultural waste (most U.S. production of ethanol is from corn); energy efficiency of lighting will be improved by about 30 percent, which will force the phaseout of the traditional incandescent light bulb between 2012 and 2014, saving consumers about $13 billion a year in electrical costs; and requires appliances, including residential dishwashers and clothes washers and commercial walk-in coolers and freezers, to use less energy. Congress was able to overcome the intense lobbying by many energy interests and the U.S. auto industry against this legislation. The well-being of Americans took precedence over corporate myopic self-interest. This is a very positive development.
*A school we can learn from – An elementary school in Decatur, GA is an amazing example of diversity and humanity. “More than half the 380 students at this unusual school outside Atlanta are refugees from some 40 countries, many torn by war. The other students come from low-income families in Decatur, and from middle- and upper-middle-class families in the area who want to expose their children to other cultures. Together they form an eclectic community of Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews and Muslims, well-off and poor, of established local families and new arrivals who collectively speak about 50 languages.” This NY Times article details the remarkable story of the students and their history, their parents and the incredible challenges facing this school. It is an especially worthwhile read at this time of year.
*G. W. Bush ~ he brings a smile even to my face – The website thetruthaboutgeorge.com has documented the unintended wit of our nation’s 43rd President. Perhaps a selection of his malapropisms, mispronunciations and misstatements will leave us in a condition of miasma and merriment as we raise our champagne glasses and fortify for the 8th and final year of his royal ruckus:
~See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda."—Confronted by political opposition, Bush explains his strategy on promoting Social Security reform. (Washington Post, "The Ostrich Approach," Dan Froomkin, May 25, 2005)
~"Well, I quit drinking in '86." —Bush, when asked whether, as he embarked on his second four-year term, he saw ghosts of past presidents. (C-SPAN interview, Jan. 30, 2005)
~"Because he's hiding…" —Bush, explaining why Osama bin Laden has yet to be captured. (Washington Post interview, Jan. 16, 2005)
~"The world is more peaceful and more free under my leadership."Source: The Boston Globe, Oct. 29, 2003
~"I am the master of low expectations."Source: Agence France Presse, "Bush Says Middle East Summit 'Met Expectations'," June 4, 2003
~"Do you have blacks, too?"—Bush, speaking to Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso. Source: Salon.com, "Bushed," Jake Tapper, June 20, 2002
~"A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there's no question about it."Source: Business Week Online, "A Gentleman's "C" for W," Richard S. Dunham, July 30, 2001
~Tribal sovereignty means that, it's sovereign. You're a -- you're a -- you have been given sovereignty and you're viewed as a sovereign entity.”—Bush explaining what tribal sovereignty means in the 21st century to a gathering of minority journalists on Aug. 6.
~"First, let me make it very clear, poor people aren't necessarily killers. Just because you happen to be not rich doesn't mean you're willing to kill."—Bush, speaking about terrorism and povertySource: Public Papers of the Presidents, "The President's News Conference With President Macapagal-Arroyo of the Philippines," May 26, 2003
~"There's an old saying in Tennessee—I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee—that says: Fool me once, shame on [pause] shame on you. [Pause] Fool me [long, uncomfortable, agonizing pause] you can't get fooled again."Source: The Washington Post, "The Reliable Source," Lloyd Grove, Sept. 18, 2002
~"The second pillar of peace and security in our world is the willingness of free nations, when the last resort arrives, to retain aggression and evil by force."—Bush, speaking in London, England, Nov. 19, 2003
~"We've got an issue in America ... too many good docs are getting out of business. Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country."—Bush, telling a crowd assembled in Poplar Bluff, Mo., about a previously underappreciated domestic problem..Source: The Washington Post, "A New Problem, or the Wrong Word?" Dana Milbank, Sept. 7, 2004
~Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.—Bush addressing a group of witnesses at the signing of the Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2005 in Washington, DC on Aug. 4.
*A brighter future for America – Since June of this year I have been writing about the people, issues and policies that I believe demean our country. In the 1960s critics of the critics said, “America, love it or leave it.” They sorely missed the point. One of the marvelous aspects of America is that its citizens have the freedom to voice their opinion. The founders of our country ensured that free speech was an elemental right. It has served us well through times of peace and times of war, through economic struggle and prosperity, through attacks on our freedoms and the expansion of human and civil rights, through strong leaders and weak leaders. Over the last seven years we have seen a president attempt to usurp the power of the congress and the judiciary to serve its narrow ends and the attempt of one political party to makes its position of power permanent. We have seen the economically most fortunate and the business leadership attempt to ensure its increasing dominance of society and we have seen hardcore religionists attempt to extirpate our nonsectarian society. I trust that Americans will vociferously reject these trends and embrace the principles that make us a great society. Happy New Year.
* “My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.” Charles F. Kettering
*A brighter future for America – In less than 13 months there is a very good chance that a Democrat will be in the White House and Democrats will have a greater majority in Congress. I certainly do not believe that Democrats are inherently better than Republicans. My sensibilities lean toward what Democrats have stood for versus Republicans, but both parties have a history of good and bad. Both parties have members that are good and bad. Given campaign finance laws and lack of ethics oversight, Democrats in power will be subject to the same temptations that overwhelmed members of the Republican Party over the last 15 years. During this time the Republican Party has aligned itself with corporate interests and the religious right. I strongly believe this is to the detriment of our country, our society, our freedoms and our well-being. I anticipate that a new Democratic majority will better address the following issues:
· healthcare
· climate change,
· product and food safety
· labor conditions and union rights
· civil rights and the attempt to disenfranchise minorities
· voter rights and verifiable voting machines
· gay rights
· a return of the executive, judicial and legislative branches of government to a state of separate but co-equal status
· appointments to the Supreme Court,
· a return to an apolitical justice system
· a fair and sensible immigration policy and enforcement of immigration laws including penalizing those who hire illegal workers
· a re-emphasis on the separation of church and state
· sensible and practical sex education
· an energy policy not dominated by the sole interests of the energy companies
· better balanced tax laws
· an improved national education program for K-12 students
· strengthening Social Security and Medicare,
· negative effects of globalization that have benefited corporate profits but not the quality and breadth of jobs for the American worker
· foreign policy not predicated on unilateralism and pre-emptive war.
The current administration will bequeath our country serious challenges. I believe that the successors will be more capable of addressing these challenges and more in tune with our needs as a society and as an important member of the world community.
*Congressional power – In response to the Virginia Tech massacre “both houses of Congress passed a bill that will strengthen the Brady background check system. It will help ensure that fewer guns end up in the hands of dangerous people like felons and those who have been found to be a threat to themselves or others because of mental illness.” It is unfortunate that sensible gun legislation first requires a tragedy but at least positive measures are being instituted. This is the first major piece of legislation to prevent gun violence in a decade. There is one caveat. To become law the legislation must first be signed by President Bush. You can learn more about the important work performed by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence at this link.
*People power 1 – A. Siegel at dailykos.com brought the following to my attention. IBM just released a report “Plugging in the Consumer” – “the results of a global poll showed that not only do people say that they are willing to pay more for green energy, they actually are doing so in increasing numbers ... voluntarily. Where the option exists, some 25 percent of polled people, who have the option, are paying additional money to get "clean" power.” The subtitle of this study is “Innovating utility business models for the future” and can be read at this link. I was pleased when my electric utility company recently offered the option, for under $8 per month, to source a portion of our electricity from wind power. We do not have to wait for government to solve all of our problems. The cumulative effect of each of us contributing to responsible energy usage can have very meaningful results. Whether global warming is man-made as the majority of the scientific community and world community believe or a natural cycle of nature as global warming deniers believe, the fact that we have the ability to lessen its destructive influence is undeniable. To not make the effort is mindless.
*People power 2 – The liberal advocacy organization MoveOn.org, in conjunction with the USO, sent a request to its members to donate money so that U.S. military personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world could call home for the holidays. In less than 24 hours MoveOn members donated over $250,000.
*People power 3 – Helen Gym is the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Citizen of the Year. The group she heads, Parents United for Public Education, “has spent the last two years speaking out at Phila. School Reform Commission meetings, poring over budgets, pushing City Council to commit more resources to education, and insisting that the Parking Authority live up to its promise to help fund city schools.” In addition to obtaining increased funding for Philadelphia public schools Parents United seeks accountability at all levels of the school district. Like most of us Mrs. Gym says, “she'd rather not attend so many meetings or be forced to push lawmakers to do their jobs. However, one reality has emerged from the activism of People United: "If we are waiting for someone else to stand up and do what we know to be right, then we will wait forever.” There are many unsung heroes working to improve our quality of life. One may be your neighbor, or you.
*Merry Christmas Mr. President – Several weeks ago I noted that The Center for Constitutional Rights offered people the opportunity to send Mr. Bush a copy of the U.S. Constitution for Christmas. I am proud that my name was on one of the 37,000 constitutions delivered to the White House on December 20th by Santa (noted constitutional lawyer Bill Goodman). You can learn more about the CCR at this link.
*A 2008 resolution ~ just one click a day – There is no cost and each day that you visit The Breast Cancer Site a contribution is made by advertisers that helps fund breast exams for disadvantaged women. It will make you feel in the pink.
*A New Year wish – The number two leader of al-Qaeda announced that he will answer questions by reporters in the near future. I was invited by the Philadelphia Inquirer to submit a question that I would ask. My question: “Since al-Qaeda operatives justify murdering innocents to get to heaven why don’t you, Mr. al-Zawahiri, blow yourself up at the next al-Qaeda executive board meeting?”
*Returning toys ~ getting the lead out – This month the House passed much-needed legislation that gives more funding to the Consumer Product Safety Commission including a new testing lab to identify products with high levels of lead. Perhaps the next step will be to mandate that companies such as Mattel take more responsibility for the safety of their products. In 2007 Mattel had to recall millions of toys manufactured in China due to safety issues. Products with safety issues should be tested before they enter the marketplace.
*The most important step ~ the first step – Last week I noted that the new energy legislation raised the fuel efficiency for automobiles. I was critical that some of the minimums do not go into effect until 2020 but it was a start and the bill included other promising elements: raises yearly production of renewable motor fuels; requires more ethanol in the next decade to be made from non-food "cellulosic" sources like wood chips, switchgrass and other agricultural waste (most U.S. production of ethanol is from corn); energy efficiency of lighting will be improved by about 30 percent, which will force the phaseout of the traditional incandescent light bulb between 2012 and 2014, saving consumers about $13 billion a year in electrical costs; and requires appliances, including residential dishwashers and clothes washers and commercial walk-in coolers and freezers, to use less energy. Congress was able to overcome the intense lobbying by many energy interests and the U.S. auto industry against this legislation. The well-being of Americans took precedence over corporate myopic self-interest. This is a very positive development.
*A school we can learn from – An elementary school in Decatur, GA is an amazing example of diversity and humanity. “More than half the 380 students at this unusual school outside Atlanta are refugees from some 40 countries, many torn by war. The other students come from low-income families in Decatur, and from middle- and upper-middle-class families in the area who want to expose their children to other cultures. Together they form an eclectic community of Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews and Muslims, well-off and poor, of established local families and new arrivals who collectively speak about 50 languages.” This NY Times article details the remarkable story of the students and their history, their parents and the incredible challenges facing this school. It is an especially worthwhile read at this time of year.
*G. W. Bush ~ he brings a smile even to my face – The website thetruthaboutgeorge.com has documented the unintended wit of our nation’s 43rd President. Perhaps a selection of his malapropisms, mispronunciations and misstatements will leave us in a condition of miasma and merriment as we raise our champagne glasses and fortify for the 8th and final year of his royal ruckus:
~See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda."—Confronted by political opposition, Bush explains his strategy on promoting Social Security reform. (Washington Post, "The Ostrich Approach," Dan Froomkin, May 25, 2005)
~"Well, I quit drinking in '86." —Bush, when asked whether, as he embarked on his second four-year term, he saw ghosts of past presidents. (C-SPAN interview, Jan. 30, 2005)
~"Because he's hiding…" —Bush, explaining why Osama bin Laden has yet to be captured. (Washington Post interview, Jan. 16, 2005)
~"The world is more peaceful and more free under my leadership."Source: The Boston Globe, Oct. 29, 2003
~"I am the master of low expectations."Source: Agence France Presse, "Bush Says Middle East Summit 'Met Expectations'," June 4, 2003
~"Do you have blacks, too?"—Bush, speaking to Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso. Source: Salon.com, "Bushed," Jake Tapper, June 20, 2002
~"A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there's no question about it."Source: Business Week Online, "A Gentleman's "C" for W," Richard S. Dunham, July 30, 2001
~Tribal sovereignty means that, it's sovereign. You're a -- you're a -- you have been given sovereignty and you're viewed as a sovereign entity.”—Bush explaining what tribal sovereignty means in the 21st century to a gathering of minority journalists on Aug. 6.
~"First, let me make it very clear, poor people aren't necessarily killers. Just because you happen to be not rich doesn't mean you're willing to kill."—Bush, speaking about terrorism and povertySource: Public Papers of the Presidents, "The President's News Conference With President Macapagal-Arroyo of the Philippines," May 26, 2003
~"There's an old saying in Tennessee—I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee—that says: Fool me once, shame on [pause] shame on you. [Pause] Fool me [long, uncomfortable, agonizing pause] you can't get fooled again."Source: The Washington Post, "The Reliable Source," Lloyd Grove, Sept. 18, 2002
~"The second pillar of peace and security in our world is the willingness of free nations, when the last resort arrives, to retain aggression and evil by force."—Bush, speaking in London, England, Nov. 19, 2003
~"We've got an issue in America ... too many good docs are getting out of business. Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country."—Bush, telling a crowd assembled in Poplar Bluff, Mo., about a previously underappreciated domestic problem..Source: The Washington Post, "A New Problem, or the Wrong Word?" Dana Milbank, Sept. 7, 2004
~Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.—Bush addressing a group of witnesses at the signing of the Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2005 in Washington, DC on Aug. 4.
*A brighter future for America – Since June of this year I have been writing about the people, issues and policies that I believe demean our country. In the 1960s critics of the critics said, “America, love it or leave it.” They sorely missed the point. One of the marvelous aspects of America is that its citizens have the freedom to voice their opinion. The founders of our country ensured that free speech was an elemental right. It has served us well through times of peace and times of war, through economic struggle and prosperity, through attacks on our freedoms and the expansion of human and civil rights, through strong leaders and weak leaders. Over the last seven years we have seen a president attempt to usurp the power of the congress and the judiciary to serve its narrow ends and the attempt of one political party to makes its position of power permanent. We have seen the economically most fortunate and the business leadership attempt to ensure its increasing dominance of society and we have seen hardcore religionists attempt to extirpate our nonsectarian society. I trust that Americans will vociferously reject these trends and embrace the principles that make us a great society. Happy New Year.
* “My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.” Charles F. Kettering
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