The decision by the Supreme Court on ObamaCare is an opportunity for both the right and left to find out how to think like the other side. It may sound stupid. The value in such an excercise is to look for a way to share political power rather than gain a monopoly in political power.
This right/left split is getting very boring and predictable. While no one may have expected Justice Roberts to have been the swing vote, it is possible that he felt it was in the best interest of the court and the nation that such a split decision break on his opinion rather than one of the associate justices.
Justice Roberts decision suggests to this slightly educated but observant student of politics that he sought a middle ground as much as anything.
The hypocrisy that comes from this desire for monopolistic political power is blinding the body politic. In listening to the rants about "deception" by the administration on the issue of a tax versus a mandate, made those on the left think about deception by another administration on the issue of war.
The cry for war by the right is once again growing. This will leave the left in the position of needing to use the same tactics as the right so as to maintain a balance or worse yet pursue a political power at all cost, thus continuing the cycle.
We need a political and economic middle class to absorb or blunt the shots given/taken by both sides of the political spectrum.
The kind of social order that both sides enjoy in the same period of history does not grow in the grinding heat. It can only blossom in a Spring/Fall like kind of political temps.
The body politic enjoy's it's tech - perhaps tools can be built to create an ointment to easy the chaffing.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Caught a couple of segments of Part 1 of 4 of the Frontline series:Money, Power and Wall Street It was preceeded by a presentation of the "American Experience" on the particulars of the '29 crash and the lead up to the great depression. It is a thought provoking set of programs. It is actually painful to be a citizen who worked for a large Bank's operations that had manipulations and accounting of the products mentioned in the piece. Credit Default Swaps and Direvatives were small parts of my job. I was not a executive, just a software engineer that built tools for management.
As a culture, we learned absolutely nothing from the "Greatest Generation" that we let it happen and that we have allowed ourselves to be so divided that to fix it will require things different that great plans. It will require some form of submission on one side and/or an acceptance of those submitting. Loosely analogous to the civil war reconstruction, or loosely analogous to the pattern of Christ and the Roman Empire. Perhaps that of the acceptance of Neo of the virus from Agent Smith in the final Matrix: Revolutions or better yet that of Washington's farewell to the troops and leaving the Presidency.
We need to be a whole again. The Red and Blue states need to let the purple bruising of coming together to heal.
As a culture, we learned absolutely nothing from the "Greatest Generation" that we let it happen and that we have allowed ourselves to be so divided that to fix it will require things different that great plans. It will require some form of submission on one side and/or an acceptance of those submitting. Loosely analogous to the civil war reconstruction, or loosely analogous to the pattern of Christ and the Roman Empire. Perhaps that of the acceptance of Neo of the virus from Agent Smith in the final Matrix: Revolutions or better yet that of Washington's farewell to the troops and leaving the Presidency.
We need to be a whole again. The Red and Blue states need to let the purple bruising of coming together to heal.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
The Price of Gas!!!!
It truly pains me. It hurts my head for any political or financial analyst to explain what goes into the price of gas. Recently I heard that 22% is due to speculation. Another portion is due to refinery's seasonal change in the blends. Others allocate an undefined portion to a lack of drilling.
But when the price of gas jumps 10 cents in less than 2 minutes, live on the evening News - something is wrong! This is not a function of supply and demand.
It is a strain to believe that there are simplistic or small set of reasons. The national AVERAGE rose some 3 cents over night!
Is it possible that there are too many layers of different kinds of market driven forces? Perhaps it is along the lines of a several bubbles, within a one of several larger bubbles? And these larger bubbles are in a still larger bubble.
And yet there is one undeniable, irrevocable constant to the economic of the price of gas. The Supply of Gas will run out! The timeframe we are talking about is not in terms of epoc's. Even if it is a 200 years, it will run out!
Even if we drill baby drill - and then drill some more - the wells will run dry!
What is also insulting is that those who lived throught the gas-lines of the late 70's are expected to believe the non-sense about gas prices, as if something has changed!
Something was either broken then, or it is broken now. Logic suggests that it cannot be the same thing both times. There is logical disonance when I relive that period in my mind as the gas pump poking my car stops at 75 dollars because they have not been programmed for higher totals.
The issue is not Republican or Democrat. It is a national security issue, only because there is not even a cabal of business or corporate executive that are control it. The market forces are outstripping the corporation/citizen ability to cope - they can only profit - regardless of the supply.
I am missing something - there is something wrong with the picture at the pump - and God-dammit - I WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S WRONG!!!!
Keep the prices high
- just tell me an explanation of the price of gas that is more concrete than an explanation about UFO's!
Hell, jack the price up another nickle if the explanation can allow the individual to research and understand the true costs of a gallon of 1970's gas compared against 2012 gas. It is not simple inflation.
Why?! Why not??
It truly pains me. It hurts my head for any political or financial analyst to explain what goes into the price of gas. Recently I heard that 22% is due to speculation. Another portion is due to refinery's seasonal change in the blends. Others allocate an undefined portion to a lack of drilling.
But when the price of gas jumps 10 cents in less than 2 minutes, live on the evening News - something is wrong! This is not a function of supply and demand.
It is a strain to believe that there are simplistic or small set of reasons. The national AVERAGE rose some 3 cents over night!
Is it possible that there are too many layers of different kinds of market driven forces? Perhaps it is along the lines of a several bubbles, within a one of several larger bubbles? And these larger bubbles are in a still larger bubble.
And yet there is one undeniable, irrevocable constant to the economic of the price of gas. The Supply of Gas will run out! The timeframe we are talking about is not in terms of epoc's. Even if it is a 200 years, it will run out!
Even if we drill baby drill - and then drill some more - the wells will run dry!
What is also insulting is that those who lived throught the gas-lines of the late 70's are expected to believe the non-sense about gas prices, as if something has changed!
Something was either broken then, or it is broken now. Logic suggests that it cannot be the same thing both times. There is logical disonance when I relive that period in my mind as the gas pump poking my car stops at 75 dollars because they have not been programmed for higher totals.
The issue is not Republican or Democrat. It is a national security issue, only because there is not even a cabal of business or corporate executive that are control it. The market forces are outstripping the corporation/citizen ability to cope - they can only profit - regardless of the supply.
I am missing something - there is something wrong with the picture at the pump - and God-dammit - I WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S WRONG!!!!
Keep the prices high
- just tell me an explanation of the price of gas that is more concrete than an explanation about UFO's!
Hell, jack the price up another nickle if the explanation can allow the individual to research and understand the true costs of a gallon of 1970's gas compared against 2012 gas. It is not simple inflation.
Why?! Why not??
Saturday, January 08, 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE1DuBesGYM
Well Said!!!! Now let's do this with Governance - perhaps the rules of the House and Senate for the purpose of correcting negative aspects of partisanship in favor of productive partisanship - aka cooperation
More on this later...
Sunday, November 21, 2010
There is "Anger Management". There is "Conflict Management" which is different from "Conflict Resolution". Different from them is "Conflict Transformation". I am not an expert in any of these specific subjects or concepts.
However, conflict and anger are a constituent part of every day life and the everyday part of a citizen role in American's life.
I am conflicted and troubled by the partisanship of our American system of governance.
As an additional piece of information to be used later in this piece, I have developed software for the past 30 years. I have first hand stories of conversions one generation of software to the next generation. Much of that has been in the financial realm. These translations are constants and it even involves conservative vs progressive perspectives. Even in the past 10 years there has been evolutions from Email to Facebook to twitter and smart phones.
Since the beginning of this system of governance has been the postal service. This module of our system is becoming obsolete. It is becoming a fiscal burden. The bricks and mortar infrastructure is running the risk of becoming physical eye-sores if the USPS goes out of business. It is an illogic of waste. This is a conflict in terms of utility and history.
There is also a jobless issue that is a part and a problem of the fiscal system for our current system of governance. From where I sit, a significant component of this joblessness is the technological advancement of society. Things have become more efficient and at the sametime requiring fewer citizens to do more work in the business realm.
There have been mind bending changes in terms of person-to-person communication and in terms of social communication or "social networking".
Folks interested in following Professional sports invented the "Fantasy League". Utilizing technology, a segment of humanity known for physical confrontations (and I'm talking about the fans - especially here in Phila) has found a personal and different way to decide the question "my team is better than your team" that does not involve territory. Is this a form of a societal "conflict transformation"?
Yet for all of these kinds advancements, we are not a happier society - why? Why has there not been a parallel advancement in the system of governance and making social decisions? It can be argued that all or most of our social or governance ills are based on our inability to make decisions.
If it is possible, I would suggest that American Citizens are overwhelmed by the amount of information at hand to make choices - so they opt for "none of the above". We opt for the convenience because so much of the information on both sides are similar, delineation is not easy and show we end up becoming unhealthy. We the people need "a something" to make the best decisions and a lot of them.
We the people need a production line system of governance decisions, that is capable of being scaled for the large and small as needed.
Ok enough already, let's get to punchline.
For consideration: A constitutional amendment proposal to formalize a "confrontation transformation" mechanism to address these temporary periods of partisanship caused by social overwhelm.
In this particular period, 3 element be combined in an Manhattan Project scale. Utilize imagination to envision the following:
A "fantasy league" with a purpose. A "Fantasy Congress"
A system of governance is created in parallel to our current system
The purpose of the "Fantasy Congress" is to develop and create a complete and comprehensive parallel system of governance.
When I do this with a piece of software I call the process "clone and modify". In the software realm this has the advantages of maintaining the existing system and also providing a baseline to gauge the development.
At a very specific moment of conditions, and very high levels of certifiable consensus or agreement, the "big Switch" is made, just as software is "Released", updated or generationally improved. The proposed constitutional amendment is passed and accepted.
The ascent of the currently powered , not just "We the people", will be acquired by the quality and nature of the new version and not before.
Just as Twitter on smartphone can't exist without the histories of Alexander Graham Bell and the Internet, the "big Switch" would include the very best of all our American history and governance.
As a specific timeline of "big Switch" is undefined, a sense of anticipation is built into the process. Much as the "Man landing on the moon" effort. Much of engineering is a theory, that is only proven when complete. Also not unlike the saying from Football - "on any given Sunday".
We can start with a basically clean slate.
The "Fantasy Congress" would take a very under utilized governance component (the USPS) and re-purpose it. They would legislate the local rules of the local level "Fantasy Townhall" and facilitate the translations into the "Fantasy State Legislature".
Individuals would form the "Fantasy Congress" in there homes based on the rules from the local zip code provider. Just as in a "Fantasy League", the commissioner determines the nature of points and when they are awarded.
Jobs across the country could be created to develop and maintain the infrastructure of the "Fantasy Congress".
Participants would be charged fees, that could be made tax-deductible or returned after the "big Switch".
Individuals would get pay outs from those fees as various point constructs are acheived by their slate of players on there team of "Fantasy League"
Political Action Committiee or Groups pushing an agenda would advertise to and financially support leagues that seem to ally and therefore refine the specifics of their "message"
Player's or the Elected and Candidates could get points for financial transparency and other condoned behaviors.
The rosters of "players/elected" available to the individual would not be limited to local folks.
The political election season would parallel sports league that ends with a championship game when the "one" who represents the best of the league is determined by the game.
Media and talking heads on both sides of political spectrum could earn money from advertising for adding relevant point changes just as ESPN does for Fantasy Football.
The reader of this will bring their own personality into the imagination elements. Some items will cause more angst then others. It will be easy to dismiss as the components do not intuitively lead to all of the others initially. As a software developer, of many years that is exactly how we have gone from A. Bell to Smartphones and from the earth to moon.
Now is as good a time any to go into the "undiscovered country" and find the American Government of the next iteration. It may take a period of time. It may take a generation. However it is measured, and as surely as time has a direction, the American system of that undefined period will be different. As surely as there are 50 states now compared to the 13 the founding fathers started.
Change is a constant. It is time for We the people to change back into Pioneers (the imagery Sarah Palin might like) and go into the undiscovered country of the future America and build to the "Switch". Today's step is tomorrow's footprint and the futures path from history.
However, conflict and anger are a constituent part of every day life and the everyday part of a citizen role in American's life.
I am conflicted and troubled by the partisanship of our American system of governance.
As an additional piece of information to be used later in this piece, I have developed software for the past 30 years. I have first hand stories of conversions one generation of software to the next generation. Much of that has been in the financial realm. These translations are constants and it even involves conservative vs progressive perspectives. Even in the past 10 years there has been evolutions from Email to Facebook to twitter and smart phones.
Since the beginning of this system of governance has been the postal service. This module of our system is becoming obsolete. It is becoming a fiscal burden. The bricks and mortar infrastructure is running the risk of becoming physical eye-sores if the USPS goes out of business. It is an illogic of waste. This is a conflict in terms of utility and history.
There is also a jobless issue that is a part and a problem of the fiscal system for our current system of governance. From where I sit, a significant component of this joblessness is the technological advancement of society. Things have become more efficient and at the sametime requiring fewer citizens to do more work in the business realm.
There have been mind bending changes in terms of person-to-person communication and in terms of social communication or "social networking".
Folks interested in following Professional sports invented the "Fantasy League". Utilizing technology, a segment of humanity known for physical confrontations (and I'm talking about the fans - especially here in Phila) has found a personal and different way to decide the question "my team is better than your team" that does not involve territory. Is this a form of a societal "conflict transformation"?
Yet for all of these kinds advancements, we are not a happier society - why? Why has there not been a parallel advancement in the system of governance and making social decisions? It can be argued that all or most of our social or governance ills are based on our inability to make decisions.
If it is possible, I would suggest that American Citizens are overwhelmed by the amount of information at hand to make choices - so they opt for "none of the above". We opt for the convenience because so much of the information on both sides are similar, delineation is not easy and show we end up becoming unhealthy. We the people need "a something" to make the best decisions and a lot of them.
We the people need a production line system of governance decisions, that is capable of being scaled for the large and small as needed.
Ok enough already, let's get to punchline.
For consideration: A constitutional amendment proposal to formalize a "confrontation transformation" mechanism to address these temporary periods of partisanship caused by social overwhelm.
In this particular period, 3 element be combined in an Manhattan Project scale. Utilize imagination to envision the following:
A "fantasy league" with a purpose. A "Fantasy Congress"
A system of governance is created in parallel to our current system
The purpose of the "Fantasy Congress" is to develop and create a complete and comprehensive parallel system of governance.
When I do this with a piece of software I call the process "clone and modify". In the software realm this has the advantages of maintaining the existing system and also providing a baseline to gauge the development.
At a very specific moment of conditions, and very high levels of certifiable consensus or agreement, the "big Switch" is made, just as software is "Released", updated or generationally improved. The proposed constitutional amendment is passed and accepted.
The ascent of the currently powered , not just "We the people", will be acquired by the quality and nature of the new version and not before.
Just as Twitter on smartphone can't exist without the histories of Alexander Graham Bell and the Internet, the "big Switch" would include the very best of all our American history and governance.
As a specific timeline of "big Switch" is undefined, a sense of anticipation is built into the process. Much as the "Man landing on the moon" effort. Much of engineering is a theory, that is only proven when complete. Also not unlike the saying from Football - "on any given Sunday".
We can start with a basically clean slate.
The "Fantasy Congress" would take a very under utilized governance component (the USPS) and re-purpose it. They would legislate the local rules of the local level "Fantasy Townhall" and facilitate the translations into the "Fantasy State Legislature".
Individuals would form the "Fantasy Congress" in there homes based on the rules from the local zip code provider. Just as in a "Fantasy League", the commissioner determines the nature of points and when they are awarded.
Jobs across the country could be created to develop and maintain the infrastructure of the "Fantasy Congress".
Participants would be charged fees, that could be made tax-deductible or returned after the "big Switch".
Individuals would get pay outs from those fees as various point constructs are acheived by their slate of players on there team of "Fantasy League"
Political Action Committiee or Groups pushing an agenda would advertise to and financially support leagues that seem to ally and therefore refine the specifics of their "message"
Player's or the Elected and Candidates could get points for financial transparency and other condoned behaviors.
The rosters of "players/elected" available to the individual would not be limited to local folks.
The political election season would parallel sports league that ends with a championship game when the "one" who represents the best of the league is determined by the game.
Media and talking heads on both sides of political spectrum could earn money from advertising for adding relevant point changes just as ESPN does for Fantasy Football.
The reader of this will bring their own personality into the imagination elements. Some items will cause more angst then others. It will be easy to dismiss as the components do not intuitively lead to all of the others initially. As a software developer, of many years that is exactly how we have gone from A. Bell to Smartphones and from the earth to moon.
Now is as good a time any to go into the "undiscovered country" and find the American Government of the next iteration. It may take a period of time. It may take a generation. However it is measured, and as surely as time has a direction, the American system of that undefined period will be different. As surely as there are 50 states now compared to the 13 the founding fathers started.
Change is a constant. It is time for We the people to change back into Pioneers (the imagery Sarah Palin might like) and go into the undiscovered country of the future America and build to the "Switch". Today's step is tomorrow's footprint and the futures path from history.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
A thought from the early morning.
I want a political party that is able to resolve all disagreements and issues that includes the people.
I want a political party that has a process or mechanism for resolving all disagreements and issues that include the people.
My interpretation of the GOP of Lincoln, Eisenhower and my Father were not of confrontation first with control a high priority.
I will stipulate that this can be reasonable challenged.
The adage of united we stand, divided we fall is clear, observable, accurate and I believe indisputable.
It is a fact of history, that no dynasty, method of governance has lasted but more than a 1000 years or so.
So the premise, the question at hand - how can America survive without technological or social processes that enable the quick and decisive resolutions between any 2 individuals or parties?
How can America survive when there is profit to be made from the activity of division?
"We the People" are not solving, with satisfaction and a peace in heart, issues between people - either as individual or as groups/parties.
I will stipulate that conflict happens and should not be avoided.
Tensions have a way of clarifying thought.
The fight or flight feature of human nature is an fundamental instinct.
It results in a decision.
We are not making satisfying decisions quickly enough.
More later involving the Tennessee Firefighters, those who say they did what Jesus would do and the illogic of waste...
I want a political party that is able to resolve all disagreements and issues that includes the people.
I want a political party that has a process or mechanism for resolving all disagreements and issues that include the people.
My interpretation of the GOP of Lincoln, Eisenhower and my Father were not of confrontation first with control a high priority.
I will stipulate that this can be reasonable challenged.
The adage of united we stand, divided we fall is clear, observable, accurate and I believe indisputable.
It is a fact of history, that no dynasty, method of governance has lasted but more than a 1000 years or so.
So the premise, the question at hand - how can America survive without technological or social processes that enable the quick and decisive resolutions between any 2 individuals or parties?
How can America survive when there is profit to be made from the activity of division?
"We the People" are not solving, with satisfaction and a peace in heart, issues between people - either as individual or as groups/parties.
I will stipulate that conflict happens and should not be avoided.
Tensions have a way of clarifying thought.
The fight or flight feature of human nature is an fundamental instinct.
It results in a decision.
We are not making satisfying decisions quickly enough.
More later involving the Tennessee Firefighters, those who say they did what Jesus would do and the illogic of waste...
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Observations:
Haiti suffers from a 7.0 Earthquake. Thousands are dead.
Pat Robertson - Former Republican Presidential candidate - allegedly blames the people of Haiti of making a pack with the devil to get the French out.
NBC News has Brian Williams on the ground in Haiti
CNN has Anderson Cooper on the ground in Haiti
CBS has Kaite Couric on the ground in Haiti
ABC has at least Robin Roberts on the the ground in Haiti - Perhaps Diane Sawyer
FOX News has an unknown staffer reporting via Skpe or other internet connections.
The top 3 stories yesterday afternoon on CNN website related to Haiti
The top 3 stories yesterday afternoon on MSNBC website related to Haiti
Only 1 top story yesterday afternoon on FOX website related to Haiti
Within the past week Republican pundits on Fox and else where were indicating that the Democratic party was being Hypocritical and having a double standard over Harry Reid's comments about Barrack Obama.
Analysis:
Without a more detailed investigation or more digging - it is possible the following analysis is imperfect.
Each of the following groups are separate. However, there are significant, influential and vocal elements of these groups that overlap.
The pattern of Fox and Pat Robertson is consistent with the most negative characteristics of the Republican party, Neo-Conservatives, the Religious right and the Bush administration. There may be others to be added.
There is an consistency in this groups logic. The plausible pattern does not indicate - "Fair and Balanced" - but rather a bias and fear stoking. These elements would rather have control by use of fear.
Haiti suffers from a 7.0 Earthquake. Thousands are dead.
Pat Robertson - Former Republican Presidential candidate - allegedly blames the people of Haiti of making a pack with the devil to get the French out.
NBC News has Brian Williams on the ground in Haiti
CNN has Anderson Cooper on the ground in Haiti
CBS has Kaite Couric on the ground in Haiti
ABC has at least Robin Roberts on the the ground in Haiti - Perhaps Diane Sawyer
FOX News has an unknown staffer reporting via Skpe or other internet connections.
The top 3 stories yesterday afternoon on CNN website related to Haiti
The top 3 stories yesterday afternoon on MSNBC website related to Haiti
Only 1 top story yesterday afternoon on FOX website related to Haiti
Within the past week Republican pundits on Fox and else where were indicating that the Democratic party was being Hypocritical and having a double standard over Harry Reid's comments about Barrack Obama.
Analysis:
Without a more detailed investigation or more digging - it is possible the following analysis is imperfect.
Each of the following groups are separate. However, there are significant, influential and vocal elements of these groups that overlap.
The pattern of Fox and Pat Robertson is consistent with the most negative characteristics of the Republican party, Neo-Conservatives, the Religious right and the Bush administration. There may be others to be added.
There is an consistency in this groups logic. The plausible pattern does not indicate - "Fair and Balanced" - but rather a bias and fear stoking. These elements would rather have control by use of fear.
Friday, July 10, 2009
A variation of Hamlet Act 3 Scene 1 for Sarah Palin -
...But that the dread of something after [resignation],
The undiscovered country from whose bourn
No traveler returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry...
Somewhere along the line I got the notion that this
leader was not talking of "death" but the idea of presenting
new concepts and ideas never before discussed in a setting.
The notion is that one idea can make one a pioneer in an
undiscovered country filled with ordinary people.
Right now you are one such pioneer because your vision
is unclear to the "natives" of the discovered country and
their media.
You indicated your resignation was for the benefit of the people.
An act that is similar to that of George Washington when
he gave up the Presidency after 2 terms.
Test that by asking yourself about how you feel about
voter or constituent centered decision support systems.
Is governance failing because the Leaders are not leading?
Or is it that "We the People" are not adequately exercising
power?
Perhaps in a "Republic" it is not the task of the elected to "lead"
but rather to gather and collate all constituent choices of
public concern into a single voice and decision.
The problem is that those with power do not like to give up power.
But you have already done this, just as George Washington.
Would you be willing to explore an idea of undiscovered digital country?
Would you be willing to bring the fruit of that exploration to the natives of the known country - America?
...But that the dread of something after [resignation],
The undiscovered country from whose bourn
No traveler returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry...
Somewhere along the line I got the notion that this
leader was not talking of "death" but the idea of presenting
new concepts and ideas never before discussed in a setting.
The notion is that one idea can make one a pioneer in an
undiscovered country filled with ordinary people.
Right now you are one such pioneer because your vision
is unclear to the "natives" of the discovered country and
their media.
You indicated your resignation was for the benefit of the people.
An act that is similar to that of George Washington when
he gave up the Presidency after 2 terms.
Test that by asking yourself about how you feel about
voter or constituent centered decision support systems.
Is governance failing because the Leaders are not leading?
Or is it that "We the People" are not adequately exercising
power?
Perhaps in a "Republic" it is not the task of the elected to "lead"
but rather to gather and collate all constituent choices of
public concern into a single voice and decision.
The problem is that those with power do not like to give up power.
But you have already done this, just as George Washington.
Would you be willing to explore an idea of undiscovered digital country?
Would you be willing to bring the fruit of that exploration to the natives of the known country - America?
Friday, December 12, 2008
There have been so many items in the news lately that have been truly significant.
Today, the Madoff scandal - being described as a 50 billion dollar ponzi scheme.
Yesterday - A Governor who knows he is being investigated - tries to sell a Federal Senate Seat.
One hundred days, one hundred dollars - a dollar a day in the price of a barrel of oil. Gas has gone from over 4 dollars to reports it might reach a dollar by the end of the year.
There is the collapse of the Auto industry. Collapse of the Auto bailout, a possible a pre-planned bankruptcy for General Motors.
The collapse of the Wall Street banks - Lehman, Bear Stearns...
The creation of the Tarp plan
Oh by the way - the election of President
Not to mention the revision of history by the out going administration.
Is there not a ancient Chinese saying - Pity those who live in interesting time?
As I can digest these things - more commentary to come.
Today, the Madoff scandal - being described as a 50 billion dollar ponzi scheme.
Yesterday - A Governor who knows he is being investigated - tries to sell a Federal Senate Seat.
One hundred days, one hundred dollars - a dollar a day in the price of a barrel of oil. Gas has gone from over 4 dollars to reports it might reach a dollar by the end of the year.
There is the collapse of the Auto industry. Collapse of the Auto bailout, a possible a pre-planned bankruptcy for General Motors.
The collapse of the Wall Street banks - Lehman, Bear Stearns...
The creation of the Tarp plan
Oh by the way - the election of President
Not to mention the revision of history by the out going administration.
Is there not a ancient Chinese saying - Pity those who live in interesting time?
As I can digest these things - more commentary to come.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
YES WE CAN: In Defense of George Bush and Sarah Palin.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
6:46 AM
There is an American Tradition in America. I see this process in several places in our culture and several periods of history. This process behaves like a control of some sort.
Strong components of this process are denial, fear, a bigotry like ignorance, and mis-perception - not necessarily in that order . Frequently it involves a change in level.
The substantive facts are generally agreed upon early and revelations come to light in the latter stages of the process. Issues of performance are present .
What is unclear are the expectations or the definitions of "performance"
What is also unclear is the question of "Control". Is it the person in the process. Are "others" in control.
In non-political interpretations, the "others" are the "cool", the social click, the insiders.
Part of the process is that while the "others" are recognized and accepted, there is a denial factor about the perception of what the "others" due.
There is a denial about the desire to be like the "others". This manifests itself with the presence of the "wanna-be" and the imposter in the "others".
The person in the process cannot assess their contribution until after. Sometimes the person going through the process in knowing participant. Sometimes the person simply defines and perceives the process differently.
In political terms - current political terms - There are 2 elements of the Red side of the aisle. Party affiliation does not specifically matter in the general perspective. The process happens on the political left as well.
The "neo-cons" and radical media elements are major contributors to the "process" that George Bush junior and Sarah Palin - the people, the individuals - are currently dealing with.
Fairness or reality do not play a part to this groups. Control and money are their only concerns. Capitalism to them is something that can never be taken too far. Control to them is something that can never be taken too far.
There are too many factors or too many different profiles of factors in these individuals to explore here and now.
Hyperbole is a key and consistent element in their rhetoric. Conversational control is implemented with volume, speed and directional changes. Issues are left tangling. Full exploration of a subject to the satisfaction of all is not done by this group as it means giving up a certain amount of control.
"We the people" include these elements. "We the people" need to recognize we may have contributed to actually participating in the process. "We the people" may have allowed the process.
I am personally very gratified that President-elect Obama has been elected by such a large margin. He is a good man who to me has demonstrated a logic followed by reason in dealing with priorities. Politically these are traits that George Bush and Sarah Palin do not share with President-elect Obama.
George Bush and Sarah Palin do share with me personally - we are equals and part of "We the People". The "others" are not. The "process" is not part of the Control of "We the People".
The "others" and the "process" need to be broken down into their constituent parts. These entities need to evolve or disappear. In time they will.
The "others" and the "process" are contributors to the difficulties America sees today. Whether it is the economic issues or the issues in international affairs the others and the process are players.
Now is a good time for the constituent parts of the "others" and the "process" to rise above the sum of their parts because it strengthens "We the people".
Saturday, November 08, 2008
6:46 AM
There is an American Tradition in America. I see this process in several places in our culture and several periods of history. This process behaves like a control of some sort.
Strong components of this process are denial, fear, a bigotry like ignorance, and mis-perception - not necessarily in that order . Frequently it involves a change in level.
The substantive facts are generally agreed upon early and revelations come to light in the latter stages of the process. Issues of performance are present .
What is unclear are the expectations or the definitions of "performance"
What is also unclear is the question of "Control". Is it the person in the process. Are "others" in control.
In non-political interpretations, the "others" are the "cool", the social click, the insiders.
Part of the process is that while the "others" are recognized and accepted, there is a denial factor about the perception of what the "others" due.
There is a denial about the desire to be like the "others". This manifests itself with the presence of the "wanna-be" and the imposter in the "others".
The person in the process cannot assess their contribution until after. Sometimes the person going through the process in knowing participant. Sometimes the person simply defines and perceives the process differently.
In political terms - current political terms - There are 2 elements of the Red side of the aisle. Party affiliation does not specifically matter in the general perspective. The process happens on the political left as well.
The "neo-cons" and radical media elements are major contributors to the "process" that George Bush junior and Sarah Palin - the people, the individuals - are currently dealing with.
Fairness or reality do not play a part to this groups. Control and money are their only concerns. Capitalism to them is something that can never be taken too far. Control to them is something that can never be taken too far.
There are too many factors or too many different profiles of factors in these individuals to explore here and now.
Hyperbole is a key and consistent element in their rhetoric. Conversational control is implemented with volume, speed and directional changes. Issues are left tangling. Full exploration of a subject to the satisfaction of all is not done by this group as it means giving up a certain amount of control.
"We the people" include these elements. "We the people" need to recognize we may have contributed to actually participating in the process. "We the people" may have allowed the process.
I am personally very gratified that President-elect Obama has been elected by such a large margin. He is a good man who to me has demonstrated a logic followed by reason in dealing with priorities. Politically these are traits that George Bush and Sarah Palin do not share with President-elect Obama.
George Bush and Sarah Palin do share with me personally - we are equals and part of "We the People". The "others" are not. The "process" is not part of the Control of "We the People".
The "others" and the "process" need to be broken down into their constituent parts. These entities need to evolve or disappear. In time they will.
The "others" and the "process" are contributors to the difficulties America sees today. Whether it is the economic issues or the issues in international affairs the others and the process are players.
Now is a good time for the constituent parts of the "others" and the "process" to rise above the sum of their parts because it strengthens "We the people".
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
A couple of thoughts...
The first was a video of little girl player of Tee Ball age being brought out into the middle of the field to meet the President. There was no audio in the version I saw. As soon as the adult let go of the child's hand, she made a dash for a hole in the fence and beyond. We are talking about going from the first baseline to the third base side and out.
Next is for the Presidential Candidates. If each believe that the partisan characteristic of politics is not good for the country then let's see a McCain & Obama ticket on the Republican side and a Obama & McCain on the Democratic side. Debate that and see if things can be repaired. It would have the virtue of being different and therefore possibly exciting for everyone.
The first was a video of little girl player of Tee Ball age being brought out into the middle of the field to meet the President. There was no audio in the version I saw. As soon as the adult let go of the child's hand, she made a dash for a hole in the fence and beyond. We are talking about going from the first baseline to the third base side and out.
Next is for the Presidential Candidates. If each believe that the partisan characteristic of politics is not good for the country then let's see a McCain & Obama ticket on the Republican side and a Obama & McCain on the Democratic side. Debate that and see if things can be repaired. It would have the virtue of being different and therefore possibly exciting for everyone.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Iranian Missles + Russian Defense + Hindenburg Omen + Bear Market/Collapse + Oil Fog + Election Fog ----> Let stew until October (with political surprises, and stock market witching hours) then divide by neo-cons and what do you get ???? I don't know - I'm really asking!
Is the Corporation a Citizen or individual as per the state? According to Robert Riech’s recent book, corporations are citizens. The organization form called a corporation are key each of the elements of the tensions in the title.
This is not a rant against the machine. Nor is it praise for the success for capitalism. Let’s invent a new term that perhaps better expresses the notion. “Corporatism” or “Corporacrhy”– It differs from the “Oligarchy” in that the single physical beings in an Oligarchy are replaced with the single entity Corporate Citizen. It differs from capitalism in that the forces bigger and different.
The entrepreneur works in an capitalistic environment. In corporatism, the entity creates the environment. Perhaps it is similar to that of the Gods of Olympus in ancient Greece.
Well, the point of this writing is that just like our Governmental system is failing in many respects under the Bush Administration version of Representative Democracy and the concept of Unitary Executive, I would suggest that “Corporatism” is failing the individual.
Capitalism is still working and is an underpinning of Corporatism. Capitalism is a good thing.
Capitalism is not a part of the oil/gas issue because there is no anaylsis that says what is the cause of the spike in Gas since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Capitalism is the local gas station raising his prices because he knows he can. But I keep hearing that there is no profit from the gas, it is all in the adjoining convenience store where the source of profit. And the blame shifting goes on.
Something is failing. I don't want to be ranting for no reason. I have seen many versions of the the Phila. Eagles "Miracle in the Meadowlands". Things can change. But it worth remembering that the "Miracle" is the exception to the common - most typical or logical outcome.
Is the Corporation a Citizen or individual as per the state? According to Robert Riech’s recent book, corporations are citizens. The organization form called a corporation are key each of the elements of the tensions in the title.
This is not a rant against the machine. Nor is it praise for the success for capitalism. Let’s invent a new term that perhaps better expresses the notion. “Corporatism” or “Corporacrhy”– It differs from the “Oligarchy” in that the single physical beings in an Oligarchy are replaced with the single entity Corporate Citizen. It differs from capitalism in that the forces bigger and different.
The entrepreneur works in an capitalistic environment. In corporatism, the entity creates the environment. Perhaps it is similar to that of the Gods of Olympus in ancient Greece.
Well, the point of this writing is that just like our Governmental system is failing in many respects under the Bush Administration version of Representative Democracy and the concept of Unitary Executive, I would suggest that “Corporatism” is failing the individual.
Capitalism is still working and is an underpinning of Corporatism. Capitalism is a good thing.
Capitalism is not a part of the oil/gas issue because there is no anaylsis that says what is the cause of the spike in Gas since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Capitalism is the local gas station raising his prices because he knows he can. But I keep hearing that there is no profit from the gas, it is all in the adjoining convenience store where the source of profit. And the blame shifting goes on.
Something is failing. I don't want to be ranting for no reason. I have seen many versions of the the Phila. Eagles "Miracle in the Meadowlands". Things can change. But it worth remembering that the "Miracle" is the exception to the common - most typical or logical outcome.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
At this hour on my local cable channels there is a variety with an unintentional theme. There is the morning news with stories of the war and the coming election. There is an episode of the original Star Trek. On TMC is a movie - a drama based on a real event.
As my daughter asks me to drive her to school, the subject of the movie gives a moment of thinking my daughters perception of real event. I think of what has changed since I was her age. I think of what has not changed since I was her age.
As a reader, you may know where I'm going. So, let me take a few minutes…indulge me.
Mrs Clinton, Mr Obama are asking me to make my choice as to which will face Mr McCain to decide on the future. When making any choice, one cannot avoid thinking of what has gone before. It is instinctive to want to learn from the past. It is instinctive to not want to repeat mistakes.
Well, I am not sanguine about this nations ability to do learn from the past. While it may be instinctive for the individual to want to learn from the past, the dynamics of the group, the state, the nation some how lacks this characteristic.
What I want to choose for the future of my nation is the course that will give us that ability.
You know what I also want...I don't want to be disappointed. I want reasons to to participate in the political process. This is the measure of the candidates for me. Of the promises made which are the most realistic. Which will be able to draw enough from either side into a center and take us to where we need to go.
Let's take the price of gas. When I was a teenager, we were told that gas prices were rising because there was no more gas to be had. Yet when Katrina struck prices have spiked even more dramatically. My daily commute is causing me to lose money for the the year. My cost of living increases are not keeping up with gas and tolls. The point is not my current situation, that is a subject for another day. The point is that presidential administrations of Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Bush have not produced a reality that deals with the issue on a substantive basis - hence disappointment - and a reason to give in.
We are no more likely to go back to the moon than we are to resolve the gas issue.
I want to vote for a candidate who will enable the me to discuss politics in a productive manner rather than as a simple list of greviances. We owe it to our fathers of the "Greatest generation" to develop a form of governance that enables and encourages people to "politic" in a fashion that the founding fathers were striving for.
Free association thoughts that are resonanting include JFK's challenge. "...We choose to..." fill in the blank "...in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills"
When I think of my history of votes for Presidents and what has become the realities, I'm left with disappointment and frustration. The country has not filled in the blank and taken on any given challenge. We have simple been made to live in fear. And for this I own a share of responsibility - small because I am but one.
I want Ms. Clinton and Mr. Obama to resolve the democratic party nomination process quickly so as to not give the forces that seek to manipulate power the advantage. My share of "We the People" wants the productive sense. The past is to be fondly remembered, perhaps temporarily visited. The past is a building block for the future. The past are logic and reason for our national steps to a wisdom for our futures and the history of our childrens futures.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Issue: This kind of article sucks the life out of me…
Specific: WASHINGTON — The bulletin reached President Bush toward the end of his news conference Thursday.
Peter Maer of CBS News Radio asked: "What's your advice to the average American who is hurting now, facing the prospect of $4-a-gallon gasoline, a lot of people facing ... "
"Wait, what did you just say?" the president interrupted. "You're predicting $4-a-gallon gasoline?"
Maer responded: "A number of analysts are predicting $4-a-gallon gasoline."
Bush's rejoinder: "Oh, yeah? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that."
Commentary: I am a 48 year old married man with 2 daughters. One finished college and the other is starting to think about college. I work for a living. I commute an hour each way each day. I started working with my current company on 9/11. The price of gas was between 1-2 dollars a gallon. We went to the President's war and the price of gas remained stable. Katrina hits and now, between the increases in gas, tolls and food, after 6+ years, I'm not making more than when I started.
I've gotten cost of living raises, but they have not kept pace.
I am old enough to remember the gas crunch of the 1970's – first hand. I accepted the increase then without liking it..
Over the years, I ignored the increase in the size of cars and gas and the fact that the world never ran out of gas! It was good for the country!
Ok, now Katrina hits – and gas again spikes – and 2 years later, prices are spiking again for little to no apparent reason.
Why is this kind of ignorance by the "War President" good for national security?
Address: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004250070_watch29.html
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Issue: 2 items from Omaha Nebraska:
1) Breaking News - As many as five people have been shot at a shopping mall in Omaha, Nebraska; police are searching for a gunman, CNN affiliates report.
2) Emerging from Air Force One at Eppley Airfield near Omaha, Mr. Bush said it was clear from the intelligence assessment “that the Iranian government has more to explain about its nuclear intentions and past actions.”
Specific: These items are directly connected in political rhetorical terms. They are related to the shooting in Lancaster, Pa. not long ago. They connection is the collective mindset of the nation. My prediction for the shooter is Neb will be for no reason - Much as the shooter in Lancaster, Pa. The specific issue is that President Bush and very specifically the Neo-Con movement is to blame for making it legitimate and ok to act without logic and reason.
Comment: I have been wanting to write about this for sometime. The inspiration was the Lancaster Pa. shooting in an Amish school house. If I remember correctly, the President was in that area about a couple of months of the shooting. The sense or emotion was the pointless nature. The unpredictable nature. The Terrorist nature of the act. Just as this Omaha shooting already being labeled. "Who have thought..." is what witnesses are already saying as they come out of the Mall.
The world is a dangerous place. Death comes to all. The world, this planet and America will end - some day. How it ends is a key subject for discussion. How a life begins and ends involves a great deal of human choice. A key subject for discussion is the path followed and life lead are important.
Much literature is devoted to these subjects. The Bible, Star Trek and even the Wizard of OZ or the current "Tinman" if not taken too far, offer great life changing insights. These are not the only writings or even the best.
"Too much or anything is not necessarily a good thing..."
President Bush and the Neo-cons since the mid-90's have been setting this stage or environment we are in. The Neo-cons have allied with Fox News and the Enrons other "Supercapitalists" to create a national mindset that we all want to get along and possibly profit from, but can't.
This is another key subject for discussion. A specific example of this is the story on 20/20 recently about a McDonalds manager who followed company policy strictly, that with she stripped a customer naked and accused her of stealing on the word of a voice on the phone. The story went onto explain that the voice was not even in the state and was impersonating a police officer.
Assuming there was no sexual perversion in the motivation, one significant motivation of this manager was the strength of her desire to please and adhere to the policies of the corporation. More than she simply didn't want to get fired. She must have had some thought that it would be good for the company that she caught someone stealing from the corporation.
This story highlights the crossed line between the "capitalist" and the "Supercapitalist". These folks in a local McDonalds acted without logic and reason of their own. These folks are no different from the staffers at Enron who the executives destroy the company. The common element in both companies is the encouragement of the pursuit of power for the sake of power - not pursuit of power for the sake of benefits.
In my humble opinion, the capitalist is one who knows the where the line is that if crossed they become a supercapitalist. The function and purpose of any business is to benefit society because society is the customer. Without a functioning society then business cannot survive. A functioning society is one that in which there is minimal instability in both the short and long terms. Business cannot survive instability.
Yet the Supercapitalist Neo-Con's of which the President is to be included, might assert that the purpose and function of business is to make business only - and that society is almost irrelevant. I would speculate that he has not given this a thought.
So where does that leave us, well the McDonalds employees, Enron and other must feel like the fans of the Texas Rangers when Bush traded Sammy Sosa to the cubs. Frustrated and unsatisfied.
Here is a speculation or conjecture. The connection between the shooters and the President - and hence the concern. The President is showing signs of succumbing to the environment he help to create. The shooters in Lancaster and Omaha, have some level denial about the consequences on those left behind.
President Bush in denying ALL of OUR intelligence services is also denying logic and reason. Logic and Reason are the first bricks toward wisdom.
Wisdom is the only path to follow in a dangerous situation. Wisdom is what the Bible would want us to learn. I'm not exactly a religious scholar or a very religious person, but I can't imagine any version of God of the Bible wanting mankind to give up wisdom.
My daughter and I had a loud discussion recently about her future, college and our current financial condition. There are hard realities for her that only logic, reason and wisdom will be able to resolve. President Bush, the Supercapitalist and the Neo-con ideologies and the national mindset will not resolve these things for me and her.
Presidents, corporations and conservatives have in the past been inspirations for national mindsets that have enabled families of those times to resolve their issues.
I'll even say it again, if President Bush and and his administration bring Peace to the middle-east - I stand in line to add his face to the Mount Rushmore.
This can be written off as the rants of just another loon.
That's perhaps the most gauling thing of all.
No matter how high gas prices get, my wife insists that a 10 dip in prices is a good thing. She ignores that prices have not yet gone to pre-Katrina prices.
I'll get the cheaper gas but I won't like it. I will be angry.
I'll buy the President's line and the next, but I won't like it. I will be angry.
I've lived a life and chosen paths that were right.
I've married, raised 2 daughters to maturity, worked hard and even tried to be an entrepeneur. Yet the world is not a better place because of other like me. It has changed in large measure to the effort of President Bush and his peers.
This was not the promise of Kennedy, Goldwater or Reagan.
The constitution says that "We the people..." have the power, if not those like me then who does?
Does this mean I'm absolved of giving a damn?
If I don't have a share of power then am I responsible for my share of the nations state?
If I'm not responsible then please explain to me why I should give a damn if there are shooter's in the mall?
If I'm not responsible then please explain to me why I should give a damn if the shooter in the mall is a Iranian, Iraqi, Saudi or Korean - terrorist or not?
I am....
I know...
I will...
And that's why...
1) Breaking News - As many as five people have been shot at a shopping mall in Omaha, Nebraska; police are searching for a gunman, CNN affiliates report.
2) Emerging from Air Force One at Eppley Airfield near Omaha, Mr. Bush said it was clear from the intelligence assessment “that the Iranian government has more to explain about its nuclear intentions and past actions.”
Specific: These items are directly connected in political rhetorical terms. They are related to the shooting in Lancaster, Pa. not long ago. They connection is the collective mindset of the nation. My prediction for the shooter is Neb will be for no reason - Much as the shooter in Lancaster, Pa. The specific issue is that President Bush and very specifically the Neo-Con movement is to blame for making it legitimate and ok to act without logic and reason.
Comment: I have been wanting to write about this for sometime. The inspiration was the Lancaster Pa. shooting in an Amish school house. If I remember correctly, the President was in that area about a couple of months of the shooting. The sense or emotion was the pointless nature. The unpredictable nature. The Terrorist nature of the act. Just as this Omaha shooting already being labeled. "Who have thought..." is what witnesses are already saying as they come out of the Mall.
The world is a dangerous place. Death comes to all. The world, this planet and America will end - some day. How it ends is a key subject for discussion. How a life begins and ends involves a great deal of human choice. A key subject for discussion is the path followed and life lead are important.
Much literature is devoted to these subjects. The Bible, Star Trek and even the Wizard of OZ or the current "Tinman" if not taken too far, offer great life changing insights. These are not the only writings or even the best.
"Too much or anything is not necessarily a good thing..."
President Bush and the Neo-cons since the mid-90's have been setting this stage or environment we are in. The Neo-cons have allied with Fox News and the Enrons other "Supercapitalists" to create a national mindset that we all want to get along and possibly profit from, but can't.
This is another key subject for discussion. A specific example of this is the story on 20/20 recently about a McDonalds manager who followed company policy strictly, that with she stripped a customer naked and accused her of stealing on the word of a voice on the phone. The story went onto explain that the voice was not even in the state and was impersonating a police officer.
Assuming there was no sexual perversion in the motivation, one significant motivation of this manager was the strength of her desire to please and adhere to the policies of the corporation. More than she simply didn't want to get fired. She must have had some thought that it would be good for the company that she caught someone stealing from the corporation.
This story highlights the crossed line between the "capitalist" and the "Supercapitalist". These folks in a local McDonalds acted without logic and reason of their own. These folks are no different from the staffers at Enron who the executives destroy the company. The common element in both companies is the encouragement of the pursuit of power for the sake of power - not pursuit of power for the sake of benefits.
In my humble opinion, the capitalist is one who knows the where the line is that if crossed they become a supercapitalist. The function and purpose of any business is to benefit society because society is the customer. Without a functioning society then business cannot survive. A functioning society is one that in which there is minimal instability in both the short and long terms. Business cannot survive instability.
Yet the Supercapitalist Neo-Con's of which the President is to be included, might assert that the purpose and function of business is to make business only - and that society is almost irrelevant. I would speculate that he has not given this a thought.
So where does that leave us, well the McDonalds employees, Enron and other must feel like the fans of the Texas Rangers when Bush traded Sammy Sosa to the cubs. Frustrated and unsatisfied.
Here is a speculation or conjecture. The connection between the shooters and the President - and hence the concern. The President is showing signs of succumbing to the environment he help to create. The shooters in Lancaster and Omaha, have some level denial about the consequences on those left behind.
President Bush in denying ALL of OUR intelligence services is also denying logic and reason. Logic and Reason are the first bricks toward wisdom.
Wisdom is the only path to follow in a dangerous situation. Wisdom is what the Bible would want us to learn. I'm not exactly a religious scholar or a very religious person, but I can't imagine any version of God of the Bible wanting mankind to give up wisdom.
My daughter and I had a loud discussion recently about her future, college and our current financial condition. There are hard realities for her that only logic, reason and wisdom will be able to resolve. President Bush, the Supercapitalist and the Neo-con ideologies and the national mindset will not resolve these things for me and her.
Presidents, corporations and conservatives have in the past been inspirations for national mindsets that have enabled families of those times to resolve their issues.
I'll even say it again, if President Bush and and his administration bring Peace to the middle-east - I stand in line to add his face to the Mount Rushmore.
This can be written off as the rants of just another loon.
That's perhaps the most gauling thing of all.
No matter how high gas prices get, my wife insists that a 10 dip in prices is a good thing. She ignores that prices have not yet gone to pre-Katrina prices.
I'll get the cheaper gas but I won't like it. I will be angry.
I'll buy the President's line and the next, but I won't like it. I will be angry.
I've lived a life and chosen paths that were right.
I've married, raised 2 daughters to maturity, worked hard and even tried to be an entrepeneur. Yet the world is not a better place because of other like me. It has changed in large measure to the effort of President Bush and his peers.
This was not the promise of Kennedy, Goldwater or Reagan.
The constitution says that "We the people..." have the power, if not those like me then who does?
Does this mean I'm absolved of giving a damn?
If I don't have a share of power then am I responsible for my share of the nations state?
If I'm not responsible then please explain to me why I should give a damn if there are shooter's in the mall?
If I'm not responsible then please explain to me why I should give a damn if the shooter in the mall is a Iranian, Iraqi, Saudi or Korean - terrorist or not?
I am....
I know...
I will...
And that's why...
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Issue: Nature of the Beast - This is wrong Mr Bush for you to be upset
Specific: "It's one thing to have an adversarial ... relationship -- hard-hitting journalism -- it's another when the journalists' rhetoric goes beyond skepticism and goes over the line into overt, unrelenting hostility and personal animosity," former President George Bush said."
Comment: I wonder if the President's Father watches the Fox network. Does he pay any attention to Ann Coulter and those of Talk Radio? Did he pay any attention to what happened to President Clinton? How about the scrutiny of Senator Clinton got today. Because she made a reference to her ability to deal with "bad men". Fox news covered this because they thought it was a reference to former President Clinton. The former President was impeached for lying about a sex act about 10 years ago. That former President's wife - stayed with him - for now going on 10 years after the event. I think the President's father should factor this into his thoughts.
The current administration talked of weapons of mass destruction - and none have been found. This one gaff alone - going to war for reasons other than those clearly stated or for reasons that were not substantiated - should have to be some kind of clear violation. Only Congress can declare war. An authorization of force is not a blank check declaration of war for a President to fill-in later and on many copies.
The end result may work out for the President in years to come. But as of now, young men and women who volunteered to fight to protect the nation are dying for unsubstantiated concerns. Of those who have been killed since Saddam's hanging, and since the 3rd free national election - and those who will die - how many feel that a non-nuclear Saddam and a non-Christian religious differences are worth giving their lives?
And this President's father who made a different choice when presented with the same choices about Saddam, feels that "personal animosity" is unwarranted?
Address: http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyid=2007-01-26T223441Z_01_N26396581_RTRUKOC_0_US-BUSH-FATHER.xml&src=rss&rpc=22
Specific: "It's one thing to have an adversarial ... relationship -- hard-hitting journalism -- it's another when the journalists' rhetoric goes beyond skepticism and goes over the line into overt, unrelenting hostility and personal animosity," former President George Bush said."
Comment: I wonder if the President's Father watches the Fox network. Does he pay any attention to Ann Coulter and those of Talk Radio? Did he pay any attention to what happened to President Clinton? How about the scrutiny of Senator Clinton got today. Because she made a reference to her ability to deal with "bad men". Fox news covered this because they thought it was a reference to former President Clinton. The former President was impeached for lying about a sex act about 10 years ago. That former President's wife - stayed with him - for now going on 10 years after the event. I think the President's father should factor this into his thoughts.
The current administration talked of weapons of mass destruction - and none have been found. This one gaff alone - going to war for reasons other than those clearly stated or for reasons that were not substantiated - should have to be some kind of clear violation. Only Congress can declare war. An authorization of force is not a blank check declaration of war for a President to fill-in later and on many copies.
The end result may work out for the President in years to come. But as of now, young men and women who volunteered to fight to protect the nation are dying for unsubstantiated concerns. Of those who have been killed since Saddam's hanging, and since the 3rd free national election - and those who will die - how many feel that a non-nuclear Saddam and a non-Christian religious differences are worth giving their lives?
And this President's father who made a different choice when presented with the same choices about Saddam, feels that "personal animosity" is unwarranted?
Address: http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyid=2007-01-26T223441Z_01_N26396581_RTRUKOC_0_US-BUSH-FATHER.xml&src=rss&rpc=22
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Issue: This General is a NEOCON and a reason to be feared
Specific: "They're absolutely committed to the 50-, 100-year plan."
Comment: I suspect this is not an unusual perspective among the Neocon's, The President and his administration. It also supports the notion of a problem. It is the a lack of perception.
I don't think it occurs to fellow citizens of this mindset, that the reason the middle-east is a national security interest is because of our dependence on oil? It supports the notion that the military-industrial complex is simply looking for job-security.
It supports the notion that the "complex" is getting desparate. "Terrorism" was to be the new "Communism". But it doesn't seem to have the "legs" to go a sufficient distance.
This notion of a "100 year plan" is mind boggling.
I don't necessarily know how to explain how I get my response.
What occurs to me is that if a commitment to technology got us the gadgets of the 20th century, then energy independence can easily achieved by capitalist methods, for the amounts suggested by making war for a 30 years.
They are foregoing profit or cost savings in favor of violence, destruction and job-security.
This logic is vague and unclear. They wisdom is even more in doubt.
Specific: "They're absolutely committed to the 50-, 100-year plan."
Comment: I suspect this is not an unusual perspective among the Neocon's, The President and his administration. It also supports the notion of a problem. It is the a lack of perception.
I don't think it occurs to fellow citizens of this mindset, that the reason the middle-east is a national security interest is because of our dependence on oil? It supports the notion that the military-industrial complex is simply looking for job-security.
It supports the notion that the "complex" is getting desparate. "Terrorism" was to be the new "Communism". But it doesn't seem to have the "legs" to go a sufficient distance.
This notion of a "100 year plan" is mind boggling.
I don't necessarily know how to explain how I get my response.
What occurs to me is that if a commitment to technology got us the gadgets of the 20th century, then energy independence can easily achieved by capitalist methods, for the amounts suggested by making war for a 30 years.
They are foregoing profit or cost savings in favor of violence, destruction and job-security.
This logic is vague and unclear. They wisdom is even more in doubt.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Issue: Illustration of 2 non-partisan communications problems in politics. 1) A lack of a generalized accuracy or a common sense. A detachment from a common element in current American Life. 2) A lack of a commitment to play or cooperate with different mindsets. A refusal to accept others for the benefit of the whole. It suggests a desire for control of power that does not incorporate others.
Specific:
HOST: I’m curious, have you ever googled anybody? Do you use Google?
BUSH: Occasionally. One of the things I’ve used on the Google is to pull up maps. It’s very interesting to see — I’ve forgot the name of the program — but you get the satellite, and you can — like, I kinda like to look at the ranch. It remind me of where I wanna be sometimes.
Reference:http://thinkprogress.org/2006/10/23/bush-says-he-uses-the-google/
Comment: In a longer clip, it has been alleged that the President made a a reference to "the Internets". I don't want to pick on the President. It reflects a great deal about his relationship to and with technology.
In terms of motivations, the specifics indicate a desire to be in tune with a political group. People who use computers is who is attempting to relate. Computers are common things today. There are some elements that can be considered "common sense". The combination of the use of the preposition "the" and that lack of understanding "google" is a program indicates the speaker does not have this "common sense" about computers. Yet the speaker is attempting a quality of knowledge that he does not have. This motivation to appear as having a "something" that one does not possess - clearly takes a higher priority in his subliminal thought processes.
This elevated motivation is characterisitic of politicians. On many subjects this conduct is acceptable to a certain degree. On many subjects it is a good ice breaker. On many subjects it can be a good debate tactic.
However, on the subject of war. What if the individual's understanding of things as destructive to the world as war, is as faulty as it is with technology? Clearly, the technology of war has changed the nature of war. So can a speaker who clearly has a faulty or incomplete understanding of technology, have a complete and necessary understanding of war?
Point number 2, to the desire for the isolation of power. When the speaker thinks he has used "the google", his choice of maps is not to understand the enemy or the terrain of war. It is a choice that indicates a desire to be left alone. A place of isolation.
People with any kind of power, whether political or otherwise, should be encouraged to share the power for the benefit of as many as possible - if not all.
Specific:
HOST: I’m curious, have you ever googled anybody? Do you use Google?
BUSH: Occasionally. One of the things I’ve used on the Google is to pull up maps. It’s very interesting to see — I’ve forgot the name of the program — but you get the satellite, and you can — like, I kinda like to look at the ranch. It remind me of where I wanna be sometimes.
Reference:http://thinkprogress.org/2006/10/23/bush-says-he-uses-the-google/
Comment: In a longer clip, it has been alleged that the President made a a reference to "the Internets". I don't want to pick on the President. It reflects a great deal about his relationship to and with technology.
In terms of motivations, the specifics indicate a desire to be in tune with a political group. People who use computers is who is attempting to relate. Computers are common things today. There are some elements that can be considered "common sense". The combination of the use of the preposition "the" and that lack of understanding "google" is a program indicates the speaker does not have this "common sense" about computers. Yet the speaker is attempting a quality of knowledge that he does not have. This motivation to appear as having a "something" that one does not possess - clearly takes a higher priority in his subliminal thought processes.
This elevated motivation is characterisitic of politicians. On many subjects this conduct is acceptable to a certain degree. On many subjects it is a good ice breaker. On many subjects it can be a good debate tactic.
However, on the subject of war. What if the individual's understanding of things as destructive to the world as war, is as faulty as it is with technology? Clearly, the technology of war has changed the nature of war. So can a speaker who clearly has a faulty or incomplete understanding of technology, have a complete and necessary understanding of war?
Point number 2, to the desire for the isolation of power. When the speaker thinks he has used "the google", his choice of maps is not to understand the enemy or the terrain of war. It is a choice that indicates a desire to be left alone. A place of isolation.
People with any kind of power, whether political or otherwise, should be encouraged to share the power for the benefit of as many as possible - if not all.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Issue:Brit Hume point to Juan Williams - an oberservation to be concerned about.
Specific:Brit Hume made the comment that the uproar about the phone record collection database issue, that was raised this past week by the USA Today piece, was wrong because we are "at War".
Comment:Several thought flooded my mind. One I hope to God that people are truly paying attention. Another is that Brit and the Fox network are modern-day War Profiteers. Another is it seems obvious Mr. Hume makes a consciencous decision not acknowlede future potentials problems. There is a parallel to the DaVinci Codes.
"So dark the con of ..." Americans. There is a key notion NOT discussed about the DaVinci code. It is not that of divinity of Jesus. It is not possible descendants of Jesus. Jesus would still be worth worship WITHOUT this thing. It is a thing a men. Human males. It is the motivation for control.
Jesus would still exist without the Vatican. As America can exist without Washington D.C.
Republicans and those like Brit Hume, or O'Reilly are performing the same algorithm on the American people as the Catholic church is doing to it's parishoners.
They are making themselves necessary.
They are not dealing with the problems or the challenges.
For if there are no problems or challenges, then there is no need for leadership.
People might dismiss me as liberal, but this is not the case.
What I object to most in politics - left or right - is the absence of logic, reason and decision.
Brit Hume must be able to recall or know of several key facts when he dismisses any concerns about that are bad press for the President and the Republicans. It was a Republican who proposed to repeal the 22nd ammendment (term limits for the President). There are several current administration members who served in the Nixon White House.
The logic that is missing, is the algorithm of what happens if these powers of TAKEN (not given) by this WAR President is used by a future President with less of a concern for the American people. Will The President be around or capable of defending the American people from that future Presidential Administration?
So the question is which is the bigger risk: evil Terrorists today or an evil President in a future administration?
The buildings that terrorist blow up can only be restored in a terms of years
The trust in government that a bad President can only be restored in terms of generations or decades.
Slavery was written into the constitution, and we are still healing those wounds.
How many generations will it take after the evil President(who has misused President Bush's WAR powers), to correct?
Republicans will say that's too far in the future to be concerned about.
To that I say bullshit.
Specific:Brit Hume made the comment that the uproar about the phone record collection database issue, that was raised this past week by the USA Today piece, was wrong because we are "at War".
Comment:Several thought flooded my mind. One I hope to God that people are truly paying attention. Another is that Brit and the Fox network are modern-day War Profiteers. Another is it seems obvious Mr. Hume makes a consciencous decision not acknowlede future potentials problems. There is a parallel to the DaVinci Codes.
"So dark the con of ..." Americans. There is a key notion NOT discussed about the DaVinci code. It is not that of divinity of Jesus. It is not possible descendants of Jesus. Jesus would still be worth worship WITHOUT this thing. It is a thing a men. Human males. It is the motivation for control.
Jesus would still exist without the Vatican. As America can exist without Washington D.C.
Republicans and those like Brit Hume, or O'Reilly are performing the same algorithm on the American people as the Catholic church is doing to it's parishoners.
They are making themselves necessary.
They are not dealing with the problems or the challenges.
For if there are no problems or challenges, then there is no need for leadership.
People might dismiss me as liberal, but this is not the case.
What I object to most in politics - left or right - is the absence of logic, reason and decision.
Brit Hume must be able to recall or know of several key facts when he dismisses any concerns about that are bad press for the President and the Republicans. It was a Republican who proposed to repeal the 22nd ammendment (term limits for the President). There are several current administration members who served in the Nixon White House.
The logic that is missing, is the algorithm of what happens if these powers of TAKEN (not given) by this WAR President is used by a future President with less of a concern for the American people. Will The President be around or capable of defending the American people from that future Presidential Administration?
So the question is which is the bigger risk: evil Terrorists today or an evil President in a future administration?
The buildings that terrorist blow up can only be restored in a terms of years
The trust in government that a bad President can only be restored in terms of generations or decades.
Slavery was written into the constitution, and we are still healing those wounds.
How many generations will it take after the evil President(who has misused President Bush's WAR powers), to correct?
Republicans will say that's too far in the future to be concerned about.
To that I say bullshit.
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