January 07, 2009
Want to quit drinking in 2009? Address quitting smoking, too
New studies show a synergistic effect between the two addictions. They also show that cigarette-smoking alcoholics smoke more than non-alcoholic smokers. And, while I'm not in Big Pharma's pocket, and don't normally tout particular products, it appears Chantix can help on the smoking side.
Hoffman not in the Cards
The St. Louis Cardinals' search for a new closer will continue to stumble on; long-time aging closer stud Trevor Hoffman appears headed for the Dodgers or maybe the Brewers.
If Hoffman goes to LA, would the Cards take a flier on Takashi Saito and hope he's recovered from his elbow injury?
If Hoffman goes to LA, would the Cards take a flier on Takashi Saito and hope he's recovered from his elbow injury?
Trans-Texas Corridor dead; GOP politics alive and kicking
Gov. Rick Perry, claiming the program was "misunderstood" by the Texas public, who apparently weren't collectively sheeple-ish enough for him, has weighed in on the "demise" of the Trans Texas Corridor. (And, could we just pay some Iraqis to "graciously detain" him for a while?
Uhh, yeah, right. Aside from the most extreme worries about a North American Union (the more moderate level concerns had some grounding), it's clear the public new just what was up, Gov. Helmethair?
And, was this all a matter of coincidence, anyway, on "dismantling" and renaming the TTC? The Texas Department of Transportation fixing to come under more direct oversight from the Lege, if it follows Sunset Commission recommendations, and Lil Rickster looking ahead to 2010.
Hutchison thinks not.
Uhh, yeah, right. Aside from the most extreme worries about a North American Union (the more moderate level concerns had some grounding), it's clear the public new just what was up, Gov. Helmethair?
And, was this all a matter of coincidence, anyway, on "dismantling" and renaming the TTC? The Texas Department of Transportation fixing to come under more direct oversight from the Lege, if it follows Sunset Commission recommendations, and Lil Rickster looking ahead to 2010.
Hutchison thinks not.
A new target for Hamas?
"Joe the Plumber," aka Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, is going to cover the Israel-Hamas fight for 10 days as a Pajamas TV reporter.
Obama says will attack waste, fraud, abuse
Not a ding on Obama, whom I hope succeeds in this effort, but per his pledge, haven't we heard this all before? From Reagan, and other GOPers, with "welfare fraud" and "Medicaid fraud" (try looking at private health insurance fraud, perhaps?) to the Clinton/Gore "reinventing government" pledge.
That said, not all the $1 trillion or m ore in annual deficit projections for the next couple of years is Obama's fault.
Part of this, beyond general economic mismanagement and incompetence by his administration, is Bush's fault. Things such as TARP and the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac prop-up, which the Bush Administration labeled as "investments," are counted as part of this $1 trillion by the Congressional Budget Office, and rightfully so.
That said, not all the $1 trillion or m ore in annual deficit projections for the next couple of years is Obama's fault.
Part of this, beyond general economic mismanagement and incompetence by his administration, is Bush's fault. Things such as TARP and the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac prop-up, which the Bush Administration labeled as "investments," are counted as part of this $1 trillion by the Congressional Budget Office, and rightfully so.
Pakistan admits citizenship of Mumbai attacker
After weeks of silence, Pakistan has admitted that surviving Mumbai attacker Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasib is a Pakistani national.
And, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has fired his security advisor, Mehmood Ali Durrani, apparently related to this revelation.
And, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has fired his security advisor, Mehmood Ali Durrani, apparently related to this revelation.
Russia 2009, like Russia 1998, could affect world economy
Jim Jubak at MSN lists several reasons to worry about Russia's current economic problems. The problem starts with Gazprom and Rosneft and slumping oil and gas prices. Jubak also notes that Russian companies owe nearly half a trillion to foreign investors. Finally, the ruble is in the tank.
Summary? All this plus tight credit markets could hurt Russian energy development when oil and gas prices start going back up more. Read the full story for more.
Summary? All this plus tight credit markets could hurt Russian energy development when oil and gas prices start going back up more. Read the full story for more.
Yay! Mississippi passes Texas
We in the Lone Star State are now just No. 3 in teen pregnancy rates, edged by No. 2 New Mexico and lapped by No. 1 Mississippi.
Another good reason for Obama to get TOTALLY out of Iraq …
And to not dump too many new troops in Afghanistan, either?
Those $1 trillion deficits he expects for several years to come. Of course, since Shrub has put the Iraq spending off budget, technically, Obama cuts in Iraq spending wouldn’t make a difference to the budget. But, such cuts would make a difference to investors from Wall Street, Shanghai and elsewhere.
Even outside of that, the key tell is the deficit as percentage of gross domestic product. Here, Obama’s potential 7 percent deficit would break Ronald Reagan’s 1983 6 percent previous non-war record.
That said, part of this is Bush's fault. Things such as TARP and the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac prop-up, which the Bush Administration labeled as "investments, are counted as part of this $1 trillion by the Congressional Budget Office, and rightfully so.
Oh, speaking of that, I am getting tired of talking heads saying we’re in the worst economic crisis since the Depression. Being old enough here to remember the 1980-82 double-dip recession, I can say that current economic stats aren’t yet close to matching even that situation.
While whistling past the economic graveyard sometimes is just that, at other times, it’s good self-talk. At this time, especially since there’s no evidence to back up media doom and gloom talk, we could use more whistling past the graveyard.
Those $1 trillion deficits he expects for several years to come. Of course, since Shrub has put the Iraq spending off budget, technically, Obama cuts in Iraq spending wouldn’t make a difference to the budget. But, such cuts would make a difference to investors from Wall Street, Shanghai and elsewhere.
Even outside of that, the key tell is the deficit as percentage of gross domestic product. Here, Obama’s potential 7 percent deficit would break Ronald Reagan’s 1983 6 percent previous non-war record.
That said, part of this is Bush's fault. Things such as TARP and the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac prop-up, which the Bush Administration labeled as "investments, are counted as part of this $1 trillion by the Congressional Budget Office, and rightfully so.
Oh, speaking of that, I am getting tired of talking heads saying we’re in the worst economic crisis since the Depression. Being old enough here to remember the 1980-82 double-dip recession, I can say that current economic stats aren’t yet close to matching even that situation.
While whistling past the economic graveyard sometimes is just that, at other times, it’s good self-talk. At this time, especially since there’s no evidence to back up media doom and gloom talk, we could use more whistling past the graveyard.
Speaker Straus a boost for urban Texas
Over at THE Dallas Morning News, William McKenzie has the basic insight on why Texans of any political stripe, whether Repubilican, Democratic, independent or third party, if they’re from around Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio or Houston, should welcome Joe Straus as Speaker of the Texas House rather than Tom Craddick:
Indeed. Craddick’s Midland is smaller than a number of DFW or Houston suburbs. Even Mdiland-Odessa combined is smaller than a few.
Ditto for the Amarillo and Lubbock – previous Speaker Pete Laney living halfway between the two in Hale Center.
Not since the end of Gib Lewis in 1993 has Texas has an urban/suburban central/eastern Texas Speaker, and Fort Worth in 1993 was still Cowtown to some degree that today’s Fort Worth isn’t.
Straus' emergence is a good thing. The San Antonio Republican is inclusive, understands modern Texas' challenges and hails from an urban area. The latter part is especially important since so many of the state's problems stem from issues surrounding its cities, whether it's transportation systems, air pollution or water supplies.
Indeed. Craddick’s Midland is smaller than a number of DFW or Houston suburbs. Even Mdiland-Odessa combined is smaller than a few.
Ditto for the Amarillo and Lubbock – previous Speaker Pete Laney living halfway between the two in Hale Center.
Not since the end of Gib Lewis in 1993 has Texas has an urban/suburban central/eastern Texas Speaker, and Fort Worth in 1993 was still Cowtown to some degree that today’s Fort Worth isn’t.
Straus, Perry, Hutchison and 2010
Over at THE Dallas Morning News, William McKenzie has an excellent multi-part column on this year’s Texas Legislature, including thoughts on the apparent new House Speaker, Joe Straus.
And, I got to thinking, after reading the last section, will Straus’ leadership of the House affect the 2010 GOP gubernatorial primary between incumbent Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison? Here’s the grafs from McKenzie that got me thinking:
But, we know the gov doesn’t have a lot of power, or always even a lot of legislative throw weight, in Texas. What if Straus is just a little less cooperative with this idea than Tom Craddick would have been?
Or, what if Straus is so successful as Speaker, he gets his own political throw weight and supports Hutchison in some way?
Update: Weighing in on the "demise" of the Trans Texas Corridor, Gov. Helmethair claims he'll have no problems working with Straus. (And, could we just pay some Iraqis to "graciously detain" him for a while?
And, was this all a matter of coincidence, anyway, on "dismantling" and renaming the TTC?
Hutchison thinks not.
And, I got to thinking, after reading the last section, will Straus’ leadership of the House affect the 2010 GOP gubernatorial primary between incumbent Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison? Here’s the grafs from McKenzie that got me thinking:
Perry will consider about every bill this year with an eye toward his 2010 primary race against Hutchison. …
Perry will portray himself as something other than a D.C. Republican like Hutchison. Look for him to side with social conservatives and anti-taxers, which could lead to end-of-session problems. For example, would he veto a new way to pay for water projects and harm Texas?
But, we know the gov doesn’t have a lot of power, or always even a lot of legislative throw weight, in Texas. What if Straus is just a little less cooperative with this idea than Tom Craddick would have been?
Or, what if Straus is so successful as Speaker, he gets his own political throw weight and supports Hutchison in some way?
Update: Weighing in on the "demise" of the Trans Texas Corridor, Gov. Helmethair claims he'll have no problems working with Straus. (And, could we just pay some Iraqis to "graciously detain" him for a while?
And, was this all a matter of coincidence, anyway, on "dismantling" and renaming the TTC?
Hutchison thinks not.
January 06, 2009
Cohen: Stop blaming Israel
Thee loudest drum-beater for Israel and "Israel rules" in the American MSM, Richard Cohen cries a river about all the people allegedly picking on Israel. He adds a claim that Israel apparently needs to continue to occupy the West Bank to keep Qassam rockets from being launched there.
Uhh, lemme see, Rich. That argument worked really well in Lebanon a couple of years ago. Yes, you say Hezbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah says it was a mistake to bait Israel. Doesn't change the fact that the Israeli offensive didn't work quite so well.
Cohen then goes on to accuse the 750,000 or so Israeli Jews in the U.S. of giving up on Israel.
Hey, Rich, did you ever thing that maybe, instead, they just gave up on your idea of Israel?
Uhh, lemme see, Rich. That argument worked really well in Lebanon a couple of years ago. Yes, you say Hezbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah says it was a mistake to bait Israel. Doesn't change the fact that the Israeli offensive didn't work quite so well.
Cohen then goes on to accuse the 750,000 or so Israeli Jews in the U.S. of giving up on Israel.
Hey, Rich, did you ever thing that maybe, instead, they just gave up on your idea of Israel?
Do hunters cause reverse evolution?
In a story that will surely inflame hunters' passion, Newsweek makes a good argument, complete with lost of empirical evidence, that this is exactly the case.
Shrinking, smaller-horned bighorn sheep in Canada. More tuskless elephants in India and Africa. And, the animals not shot as trophies are the losers, or would be the losers, amongst males for breeding rights. Now, with trophy males dead at the end of a smoking gun barrel, they're not.
Some ideas on my part?
States that don't currently have two-sex hunting of game animals should. And, all states should charge even higher prices to hunt males.
Rather than restricting hunting, either to males of a minimum size if males-only, or with that restriction on the male side, perhaps BARRING hunting of males above a minimum size for at least part of hunting season. Or, only allow big bucks to be taken during bowhunting or black powder/muzzle-loader seasons.
Shrinking, smaller-horned bighorn sheep in Canada. More tuskless elephants in India and Africa. And, the animals not shot as trophies are the losers, or would be the losers, amongst males for breeding rights. Now, with trophy males dead at the end of a smoking gun barrel, they're not.
Some ideas on my part?
States that don't currently have two-sex hunting of game animals should. And, all states should charge even higher prices to hunt males.
Rather than restricting hunting, either to males of a minimum size if males-only, or with that restriction on the male side, perhaps BARRING hunting of males above a minimum size for at least part of hunting season. Or, only allow big bucks to be taken during bowhunting or black powder/muzzle-loader seasons.
Coming out of the closet in Hollywood
Not the gay closet, but theconservative closet.
Andrew Breitbart, the conservative founder of Breitbart.com, has launched the website "Big Hollywood" as a cyberspace watering hole for Tinseltown conservatives, complete with space for crocodile tears over their allegedly losing movie roles for breaking Hollywood's liberal omerta.
Seriously, Hollywood has few actual liberals, but many "cause celebrities." And, it has little power to blacklist. In other words, cry me a river, Kelsey Grammar.
Andrew Breitbart, the conservative founder of Breitbart.com, has launched the website "Big Hollywood" as a cyberspace watering hole for Tinseltown conservatives, complete with space for crocodile tears over their allegedly losing movie roles for breaking Hollywood's liberal omerta.
Seriously, Hollywood has few actual liberals, but many "cause celebrities." And, it has little power to blacklist. In other words, cry me a river, Kelsey Grammar.
Indian PM blames Pakistan for Mumbai attacks
In a statement that indicates the seriousness with which New Delhi views last month's terrorist attack in Mumbai, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, normally known for his low-key demeanor, accused Islamabad of using terror as a policy tool.
Singh acknowledged the degree of home-grown terror in his politically, ethnically, culturally and religiously diverse nation, but said the most sophisticated attacks were coming from outside.
That said, Singh seems to have some darned good evidence of complicity somewhere inside Pakistan (repeat after me: Inter-Services Intelligence) in the dossier Singh's government sent to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.
Singh acknowledged the degree of home-grown terror in his politically, ethnically, culturally and religiously diverse nation, but said the most sophisticated attacks were coming from outside.
That said, Singh seems to have some darned good evidence of complicity somewhere inside Pakistan (repeat after me: Inter-Services Intelligence) in the dossier Singh's government sent to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.
Big Bill Richardson lawyers up
It's looking more and more like the Land of Disenchantment in Fanta Se (aka Santa Fe) for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, starting with the fact he has lawyered up in an ongoing federal investigation of his ties CDR Financial and its president, David Rubin, a Richardson donor.
Also shock me that the Obama team is saying Richardson's disclosures about the grand jury probe were incomplete. Words like "petard," "self" and "hoisting" come to mind.
In case you're wondering what the FBI is investigating, here's the nut grafs:
Couldn't happen to a better guy, perhaps.
Richardson has had an inflated sense of self, even for a politician, for better than a decade. I'm surprised that, given his plaintive worry that people wouldn't know he's Hispanic going by his last name, that he hasn't changed that. Other than some luck and some chutzpah in the world of diplomacy, he had a thin Congressional record, was trouble at Energy, even if he inherited part of Los Alamos and Wen Ho Lee issues, and has a decent but no better environmental record as gov.
Also shock me that the Obama team is saying Richardson's disclosures about the grand jury probe were incomplete. Words like "petard," "self" and "hoisting" come to mind.
In case you're wondering what the FBI is investigating, here's the nut grafs:
In New Mexico, the probe of CDR Financial evolved from a larger, nationwide investigation into allegations that investment firms were giving bribes and gifts to local officials to win lucrative work advising local governments on bonds.
The FBI became interested in the New Mexico finance agency, legal sources said, because CDR and its founder had donated $100,000 to two political action committees headed by the governor. The donations, in 2003 and 2004, were made near the time that the authority awarded two contracts to CDR.
Couldn't happen to a better guy, perhaps.
Richardson has had an inflated sense of self, even for a politician, for better than a decade. I'm surprised that, given his plaintive worry that people wouldn't know he's Hispanic going by his last name, that he hasn't changed that. Other than some luck and some chutzpah in the world of diplomacy, he had a thin Congressional record, was trouble at Energy, even if he inherited part of Los Alamos and Wen Ho Lee issues, and has a decent but no better environmental record as gov.
Obama chops busted on Blago contacts
Judicial Watch, getting papers from Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's office, says Barack Obama hasn't been 100 percent honest about his post-election contacts with the gov. That said, even a blogger as conservative as Ed Morrissey says surely the Senate seat wasn't discussed even in the period right before the Nov. 17 letter from Valerie Jarrett and John Podesta, let alone around the time of the National Governors' Association conference.
But, that all said, two points are interesting, one mentioned by other blogs and one of my own.
First, yes, why didn't Obama release these two documents? If there's nothing to hide, then why not reveal them? The few conservative blogs I read says it goes to Obama's competence.
I disagree. I think it goes to Obama's secretiveness, and that's illustrated by his flip-flop on the FISA amendments bill this summer. (Everybody should note he "flopped" after locking up the Democratic nomination, and take that to heart. While plenty of Obama nominees have said they're against torture, none of them have said they're against infringing civil liberties.)
Second, why was Jarrett involved with the Nov. 17 letter after Obama named her to a WH position, theoretically to get her out of Blago's clutches?
But, that all said, two points are interesting, one mentioned by other blogs and one of my own.
First, yes, why didn't Obama release these two documents? If there's nothing to hide, then why not reveal them? The few conservative blogs I read says it goes to Obama's competence.
I disagree. I think it goes to Obama's secretiveness, and that's illustrated by his flip-flop on the FISA amendments bill this summer. (Everybody should note he "flopped" after locking up the Democratic nomination, and take that to heart. While plenty of Obama nominees have said they're against torture, none of them have said they're against infringing civil liberties.)
Second, why was Jarrett involved with the Nov. 17 letter after Obama named her to a WH position, theoretically to get her out of Blago's clutches?
Burris barred from Senate; legal eagles support him
In what was no surprise, Roland Burris, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's appointee to replace Barack Obama in the Senate, was barred from taking his seat. However, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Senate Democrats were open to discussing how to handle Burris' future.
That flexibility is probably good, because more and more legal scholars of all political philosophies say Reid and the Senate are wrong.
That flexibility is probably good, because more and more legal scholars of all political philosophies say Reid and the Senate are wrong.
Warrantless wiretap suit gets OK
U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker has green-lighted an amended lawsuit by two lawyers who formerly represented a now-defunct Islamic group. This is also good news for the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s lawsuit on FISA immunity; Walker is handing that case, also.
Phosphorus – another US-Israel commonality?
Just as the U.S. allegedly used phosphorus shells in Falluja, Iraq, so Israel reportedly may be doing the same in the Gaza Strip. The issue is still unclear at the moment.
Carpenter to closer for Cards in 2009?
Uhh, I'm not overly fond of this idea of Tony the Red's.
First, the value of closers is often overrated, from where I sit.
Second, the Cards have so far made zero moves, in either free agency or trades, for starting pitching.
So, if Carpenter is healthy enough to be on a Busch Stadium mound next year, he's healthy enough to be out there for the start of the game every fifth contest.
First, the value of closers is often overrated, from where I sit.
Second, the Cards have so far made zero moves, in either free agency or trades, for starting pitching.
So, if Carpenter is healthy enough to be on a Busch Stadium mound next year, he's healthy enough to be out there for the start of the game every fifth contest.
'Israel rules' more than 'Israel lobby' the problem
Saying “Hamas is not the problem; it is a symptom,” Gary Kamiya has an excellent takedown of all the different ways Israel’s attempt to crush Hamas is doomed to failure, or worse.
On the lines of the Stephen Walt piece I blogged about earlier, Kamiya starts with some counterfactual history to illustrate Israel’s wrongness, except he postulates 60 years of angry resistance by ghettoized American Indians. He then tackles how the “Israel rules,” even more than any “Israel lobby,’ make this so hard to discuss in the U.S., even harder than in Israel!
From there, Kamiya notes that, per Napoleon’s murder of the Duc d’Enghein, Israel’s actions toward Hamas are more than a crime, but rather, a blunder.
Finally, he says this is Obama’s first big chacce to prove he does stand for something new in American politics.
For more on what provoked this, read this excellent piece by Helena Cobbam, telling how, among other things, Egypt tried putting the screws to Hamas too hard, as another provocation for the current troubles.
Meanwhile, the loudest drum-beater for Israel rules in the MSM, Richard Cohen, cries a river about all the people allegedly picking on Israel. He adds a claim that Israel apparently needs to continue to occupy the West Bank to keep Qassam rockets from being launched there.
Uhh, lemme see, Rich. That argument worked really well in Lebanon a couple of years ago. Yes, you say Hezbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah says it was a mistake to bait Israel. Doesn't change the fact that the Israeli offensive didn't work quite so well.
On the lines of the Stephen Walt piece I blogged about earlier, Kamiya starts with some counterfactual history to illustrate Israel’s wrongness, except he postulates 60 years of angry resistance by ghettoized American Indians. He then tackles how the “Israel rules,” even more than any “Israel lobby,’ make this so hard to discuss in the U.S., even harder than in Israel!
From there, Kamiya notes that, per Napoleon’s murder of the Duc d’Enghein, Israel’s actions toward Hamas are more than a crime, but rather, a blunder.
Finally, he says this is Obama’s first big chacce to prove he does stand for something new in American politics.
For more on what provoked this, read this excellent piece by Helena Cobbam, telling how, among other things, Egypt tried putting the screws to Hamas too hard, as another provocation for the current troubles.
Meanwhile, the loudest drum-beater for Israel rules in the MSM, Richard Cohen, cries a river about all the people allegedly picking on Israel. He adds a claim that Israel apparently needs to continue to occupy the West Bank to keep Qassam rockets from being launched there.
Uhh, lemme see, Rich. That argument worked really well in Lebanon a couple of years ago. Yes, you say Hezbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah says it was a mistake to bait Israel. Doesn't change the fact that the Israeli offensive didn't work quite so well.
January 05, 2009
‘You know,’ Caroline Kennedy wants to be a senator
The New Yorker takes a look at her overuse of this hackneyed phrase, in which overuse she follows in the footsteps of Uncle Teddy.
Counterfactual history, Six-Day War and Gaza today
Stephen Walt offers the bipartisan foreign policy establishment – or the segment of it that will listen – some provocative food for thought about issues in the Gaza Strip.
I’m waiting for the neocon hack job to come out of the mouth of the American Enterprise Institute, Bill Kristol or the New Republic in response.
And now, the Weekly Standard has opened its mouth.
Also weighing in, the loudest drum-beater for Israel in the MSM, Richard Cohen cries a river about all the people allegedly picking on Israel. He adds a claim that Israel apparently needs to continue to occupy the West Bank to keep Qassam rockets from being launched there.
Uhh, lemme see, Rich. That argument worked really well in Lebanon a couple of years ago. Yes, you say Hezbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah says it was a mistake to bait Israel. Doesn't change the fact that the Israeli offensive didn't work quite so well.
I’m waiting for the neocon hack job to come out of the mouth of the American Enterprise Institute, Bill Kristol or the New Republic in response.
And now, the Weekly Standard has opened its mouth.
Also weighing in, the loudest drum-beater for Israel in the MSM, Richard Cohen cries a river about all the people allegedly picking on Israel. He adds a claim that Israel apparently needs to continue to occupy the West Bank to keep Qassam rockets from being launched there.
Uhh, lemme see, Rich. That argument worked really well in Lebanon a couple of years ago. Yes, you say Hezbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah says it was a mistake to bait Israel. Doesn't change the fact that the Israeli offensive didn't work quite so well.
Feinstein pissed at Obama
Sen. Betty Crocker, head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is steamed at Barack Obama’s nomination of Leon Panetta to head the CIA.
She said she wants an intelligence professional to head the Agency.
Worse than that, former Senator Barack Obama committed the cardinal sin of not “stroking” a committee chair, or even notifying a committee chair before news media broke the story.
She said she wants an intelligence professional to head the Agency.
Worse than that, former Senator Barack Obama committed the cardinal sin of not “stroking” a committee chair, or even notifying a committee chair before news media broke the story.
Yet more reason to distrust Larry Summers
At a soiree symposium hosted by the Kansas City Federal Reserve, he verbally attacked Raghuram Rajan’s presentation that suggested just maybe free market don’t always get it right.
Subaru defies auto sales odds
The Japanese automaker is the only major manufacturer to post higher sales for 2008. GM, on the other hand, had its worst sales year in half a century.
Bolton, Yoo give Obama advice
If this isn’t rich. Mr. Torture, former BushCo DoJ legal advisor John Yoo, and Mr. Fuck the World, Senate-unapproved UN ambassador John Bolton, both of whom advised Bush on how to trample over Congress, tell Barack Obama don’t do that in a New York Times editorial.
Love Field kypes me out of $20
I have complained about the incident I am detailing below:
I was overcharged for a Dec. 30-Jan. 4 parking trip at Love Field. Even though I was parked in the **B** lot for five days, I was charged at **A** lot rates. As it was after 11 p.m. when this happened, I was too tired to argue about it, or to think about arguing about it, at the parking booth at the time it happened.
Terminal ID: 07894276
Merchant ID: 800000789427006
Batch: 000278
Inv: 13
Date: Jan. 4, 2009
Time: 23:06:04
Auth no: 458966
Customer name, per my Visa card: XXX
I would appreciate your communication as quickly as possible as to how you will rectify this.
We'll see if I get any results.
I was overcharged for a Dec. 30-Jan. 4 parking trip at Love Field. Even though I was parked in the **B** lot for five days, I was charged at **A** lot rates. As it was after 11 p.m. when this happened, I was too tired to argue about it, or to think about arguing about it, at the parking booth at the time it happened.
Terminal ID: 07894276
Merchant ID: 800000789427006
Batch: 000278
Inv: 13
Date: Jan. 4, 2009
Time: 23:06:04
Auth no: 458966
Customer name, per my Visa card: XXX
I would appreciate your communication as quickly as possible as to how you will rectify this.
We'll see if I get any results.
Will Summers lead Obama to global-warming sellout?
Let’s just say that, from his lever-pulling position inside the executive branch, Larry Summers will continue to oppose a carbon cap-and-trade system.
That said, I agree with Summers that a straightforward carbon tax is better. BUT… due to its regressive nature, it should be ameliorated with something else.
But, given that B.O. himself, drawing on the expertise of neolibs like Summers, already is festooning his stimulus package with GOP-favored, GOP-pandering tax cuts for big biz, a tax to make carbon taxes fairer ain’t gonna happen.
That said, I agree with Summers that a straightforward carbon tax is better. BUT… due to its regressive nature, it should be ameliorated with something else.
But, given that B.O. himself, drawing on the expertise of neolibs like Summers, already is festooning his stimulus package with GOP-favored, GOP-pandering tax cuts for big biz, a tax to make carbon taxes fairer ain’t gonna happen.
Southwest Airlines racks up three black marks
I flew to Albuquerque Dec. 30-Jan. 4 to visit my sister, brother-in-law, and young niece and nephew.
First, my outgoing flight from Dallas Love was about 30 minutes late Dec. 30.
Second, my return flight Jan. 4 was 15 minutes late.
Third, and worst of all, was bad customer service from Southwest.
When my flight arrived at Albuquerque Dec. 30, our checked luggage was never placed on a baggage carousel. Instead, it was just dumped on the floor in the baggage claim area.
Before other airlines started charging for checked bags, I rarely flew Southwest. While Love Field is closer to my house than D/FW, I never bought all the PR spin about Southwest. And, its agreeing to slow terms in phasing out the Wright Amendment at Love shows that it has no problems playing airline duopoly with American.
That said, not all airlines charge for the first checked bag at least. And, with Wright slow in phasing out, I doubt I'll give any bonus points to Southwest in planning future flights in the near term.
Oh, and a separate bitch: Why, why, does Southwest STILL not let people at least initiate customer service comments/complaints by e-mail?
For years, they have said the same thing on their website:
Bull. Southwest might be in danger of becoming Just.Another.Company.
First, my outgoing flight from Dallas Love was about 30 minutes late Dec. 30.
Second, my return flight Jan. 4 was 15 minutes late.
Third, and worst of all, was bad customer service from Southwest.
When my flight arrived at Albuquerque Dec. 30, our checked luggage was never placed on a baggage carousel. Instead, it was just dumped on the floor in the baggage claim area.
Before other airlines started charging for checked bags, I rarely flew Southwest. While Love Field is closer to my house than D/FW, I never bought all the PR spin about Southwest. And, its agreeing to slow terms in phasing out the Wright Amendment at Love shows that it has no problems playing airline duopoly with American.
That said, not all airlines charge for the first checked bag at least. And, with Wright slow in phasing out, I doubt I'll give any bonus points to Southwest in planning future flights in the near term.
Oh, and a separate bitch: Why, why, does Southwest STILL not let people at least initiate customer service comments/complaints by e-mail?
For years, they have said the same thing on their website:
We are hard at work designing a system that will allow us to accept and respond to e-mail, yet maintain that personal touch that you have come to expect from Southwest.
Bull. Southwest might be in danger of becoming Just.Another.Company.
More curtains pulled back off Northeast Corridor financial shenanigans
I say Northeast Corridor because the bullshit of the last decade (extending back to Larry Summers' time as Slick Willie's frontman) couldn't have happened without Washington and Wall Street acting in tandem.
Basically, the current financial systemis deeply broken. Can it be fixed?
The same pair of authors have some suggested points, from letting big financial com panies fail in a structured fashion as necessary, through getting rid of the Moody's and Fitch's of the world, to tightening the regulatory screws - and the accountability screws - at the SEC.
Basically, the current financial systemis deeply broken. Can it be fixed?
The same pair of authors have some suggested points, from letting big financial com panies fail in a structured fashion as necessary, through getting rid of the Moody's and Fitch's of the world, to tightening the regulatory screws - and the accountability screws - at the SEC.
Obama panders to GOP on stimulus; TPM starts to see light?
It is pretty sad when Barack Obama is proposing to First, we have the ADN getting scooped out Bush-Bush on tax cuts as part of his economic stimulus.
And, that's only PART of this Christmas tree. Read the full story for details. In non-inflated dollars, the total Christmas tree sounds like Reagan's 1981 cuts.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell still ain't satisfied. He wants money to states to increase the federal portion of Medicaid spending to be made a loan.
Hey, Obamiac Kool-Aid drinkers, any of you ready to start taking off the rose-colored glasses?
Josh Marshall isat Talking Points Memo.
The Obama tax-cut proposals, if enacted, could pack more punch in two years than either of President George W. Bush's tax cuts did in their first two years. Mr. Bush's 10-year, $1.35 trillion tax cut of 2001, considered the largest in history, contained $174 billion of cuts during its first two full years, according to Congress's Joint Committee on Taxation. The second-largest tax cut -- the 10-year, $350 billion package engineered by Mr. Bush in 2003 -- contained $231 billion in 2004 and 2005.
And, that's only PART of this Christmas tree. Read the full story for details. In non-inflated dollars, the total Christmas tree sounds like Reagan's 1981 cuts.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell still ain't satisfied. He wants money to states to increase the federal portion of Medicaid spending to be made a loan.
Hey, Obamiac Kool-Aid drinkers, any of you ready to start taking off the rose-colored glasses?
Josh Marshall isat Talking Points Memo.
January 04, 2009
WHAT is up with the Anchorage Daily News on Tripp Palin?
First, we have the ADN getting scooped by People magazine, a non-news enterprise
Then, the mystery deepened, with People changing its initial report of the day of Tripp's birth, two different birth weights reported, etc., the ADN gave us an unbylined story as its initial reporting.
That, then, was followed by Gov. Palin's lying press release about Tripp's birth, in which the ADN didn't challenge a single claim of Palin's press secretary about unidentified alleged lies in media coverage of Tripp's birth.
Then, the ADN runs an inane story on People's "Levi's not a dropout" phone call from Sarah Palin.
You can e-mail Kyle Hopkins, perpetuator of the latest non-story "story," here.
Other e-mail addresses include:
1. Pat Dougherty -- Senior Vice President & Editor
2. Julie Wright -- Managing editor
3. David Hulen -- Assistant managing editor
Here's what I told the four:
Write them something similar yourself!
Also ask the triumvirate of editorial brass hats this:
Why is rural affairs reporter Kyle Hopkins, rather than Sean Cockerham, your state politics reporter, covering Tripp's birth, anyway?
Update, Jan. 3: None of the four ADN folks above have responded to my e-mails. Please, take up the cudgels!
Then, the mystery deepened, with People changing its initial report of the day of Tripp's birth, two different birth weights reported, etc., the ADN gave us an unbylined story as its initial reporting.
That, then, was followed by Gov. Palin's lying press release about Tripp's birth, in which the ADN didn't challenge a single claim of Palin's press secretary about unidentified alleged lies in media coverage of Tripp's birth.
Then, the ADN runs an inane story on People's "Levi's not a dropout" phone call from Sarah Palin.
You can e-mail Kyle Hopkins, perpetuator of the latest non-story "story," here.
Other e-mail addresses include:
1. Pat Dougherty -- Senior Vice President & Editor
2. Julie Wright -- Managing editor
3. David Hulen -- Assistant managing editor
Here's what I told the four:
Let me see, so far you've been stiffed with a non-press report from Gov. Palin's press spokesman Bill McAllister, followed by uncritically printing one that had the whopper lie of claiming "misinformation" in coverage of Tripp's birth without specificing WHAT misinformation was run by either conventional media or blogs.
In between, the ADN has run your story about Sarah's phone call to People, and had its initial report of the birth being nothing but linking to People's story.
So, when is the ADN going to do some ACTUAL reporting?
1. What hospital was Tripp born in?
2. Any information, on background (to get around HIPAA for attribution in a story) from someone from that hospital?
3. Any pics? What? No photog sent to that hospital, if you knew which one it was?
4. If you didn't know which one it was, why not?
Couple of other things:
First, if McAllister refused to answer follow-up questions, why was that not noted in the initial press release story?
Second, did ADN editorial staff think of running a list of those follow-up questions on which he stiffed you?
Given the background of Trig's birth, I can't believe inquiring minds aren't getting more out of you.
Write them something similar yourself!
Also ask the triumvirate of editorial brass hats this:
Why is rural affairs reporter Kyle Hopkins, rather than Sean Cockerham, your state politics reporter, covering Tripp's birth, anyway?
Update, Jan. 3: None of the four ADN folks above have responded to my e-mails. Please, take up the cudgels!
Big Bill bows out from Commerce
Obama gets his first Cabinet nomination ding, as New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has withdrawn his name from nomination as Barack Obama's Secretary of Commerce.
Richardson cited an ongoing federal grand jury probe over "pay-to-play" questions. An Albuquerque grand jury is looking into whether CDR Financial Products was given a contract with the New Mexico Finance Authority because of pressure from Richardson.
Given the current situation in Illinois, I'll give you 5-1 odds that Obama staff saw something on internal vetting and/or FBI checks and asked Senor Richardson to exit the nomination process, stage left.
Richardson cited an ongoing federal grand jury probe over "pay-to-play" questions. An Albuquerque grand jury is looking into whether CDR Financial Products was given a contract with the New Mexico Finance Authority because of pressure from Richardson.
Given the current situation in Illinois, I'll give you 5-1 odds that Obama staff saw something on internal vetting and/or FBI checks and asked Senor Richardson to exit the nomination process, stage left.
Third-hand smoke?
Some scientists and health professionals worry a health hazard could lurk in all the smoking-caused pollutants that stick to walls, curtains, etc. in homes, etc. primariliy frequented by smokers.
According to the story, among the substances in third-hand smoke are hydrogen cyanide, butane, toluene - used in paint thinners, arsenic, lead, carbon monoxide, and even the radioactive polonium-210.
Read the full story and make your own judgments.
According to the story, among the substances in third-hand smoke are hydrogen cyanide, butane, toluene - used in paint thinners, arsenic, lead, carbon monoxide, and even the radioactive polonium-210.
Read the full story and make your own judgments.
Reid - No Triple-J in the Senate
If Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is ready to use the Capitol Police to bar Roland Burris from the Senate, what would he have done if, Read against his express wishes, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich had appointed Jesse Jackson Jr.? Showed up in person on the Senate steps with an Uzi? Designated Joementum to do that?
Oh, and it's interesting that the potential appointees Reid opposed were all African-American. No, I don't think he's racist, but, he has boxed himself into more of a corner re Bobby Rush's claims.
Oh, and it's interesting that the potential appointees Reid opposed were all African-American. No, I don't think he's racist, but, he has boxed himself into more of a corner re Bobby Rush's claims.
Obama wants to expand unemployment bennies
And, it sounds like a generally good idea. Unemployment bennies for part-time employees sounds particularly good. Government support for employers to offer COBRA benefits is also good. Even better is letting people laid off from companies that did not offer health insurance to immediately apply for Medicaid.
Read the full story for more.
I will add the suggestion of a COLA for the minimum wage as another boost.
Read the full story for more.
I will add the suggestion of a COLA for the minimum wage as another boost.
Israeli stupidity on display again in Gaza - with US support
First, it's clear that Israel wants to crush Hamas in Gaza. But, haven't we been through this, over and over, through the past 26-plus years, since 1982 Lebanon?
Hamas won't be crushed. Its leadership will move elsewhere, destabilizing Arab countries, whether Lebanon, Egypt or Jordan. (I don't see Hamas in Syria.) Israel increases Arab-world enmity and solves nothing. Meanwhile, Gaza itself becomes the locus for a grassroots intifada or similar.
Meanwhile, at the U.N. Security Council, the U.S. snuffs a cease-fire resolution. Shock me.
Now, if Israel's resolve is to crush Hamas, short of using scorched-earth tactics, this operation will run past Jan. 20. I'll take a guess that somebody pushes the Security Council for a new resolution under the new U.S. Obama Administration.
I'll also take a guess that the Obama Administration severely waters down anything with the threat of a similar veto.
Hamas won't be crushed. Its leadership will move elsewhere, destabilizing Arab countries, whether Lebanon, Egypt or Jordan. (I don't see Hamas in Syria.) Israel increases Arab-world enmity and solves nothing. Meanwhile, Gaza itself becomes the locus for a grassroots intifada or similar.
Meanwhile, at the U.N. Security Council, the U.S. snuffs a cease-fire resolution. Shock me.
Now, if Israel's resolve is to crush Hamas, short of using scorched-earth tactics, this operation will run past Jan. 20. I'll take a guess that somebody pushes the Security Council for a new resolution under the new U.S. Obama Administration.
I'll also take a guess that the Obama Administration severely waters down anything with the threat of a similar veto.
January 03, 2009
Good thing SOMEBODY is testing the water in Tennessee
So far, since last month's coal ash tailings sludge spill, the EPA has rather "conveniently" managed to test only waters upstream of the spill.
Downstream? Well, private testing has stepped into the gap, and the results are ugly - arsenic as high as 30x allowable limits and lead at 21x, among other things.
Downstream? Well, private testing has stepped into the gap, and the results are ugly - arsenic as high as 30x allowable limits and lead at 21x, among other things.
Once again, Toyota is about to do it again
While it remains a bit of a question right now as to whether the Chevy Volt will ever see mass production, Toyota is, once again, looking at "doing it again" - this time with a solar-powered car.
January 02, 2009
Should we tear down NASA-military barriers?
If it is just for developing joint rocket technology, as the story indicates, I'm in full agreement.
It might also break down some hidebound thinking inside NASA.
It might also break down some hidebound thinking inside NASA.
Remind me not to fly AirTran
Yes, AirTran DOES own the Irfan family an apology after giving them the back of the corporate hand, which in tern came after panicky passengers apparently engaged in some Muslim profiling.
Obama as Britney - don't just blame MSM
If, per Politico, a blog like HuffPost is also running pix of a topless, swimsuit-wearing Barack Obama in Hawaii and fluff headers for accompanying blog posts and stories, then MSLBs can't just blame the MSM on this issue, of calling Obama "Britney Spears," as Politico did itself.
And, also contrary to MSLBs, don't think Obama isn't laughing all the way to the bank with this puff coverage.
And, also contrary to MSLBs, don't think Obama isn't laughing all the way to the bank with this puff coverage.
Want a safer cig?
Texas is one of five new states requriring safe-burning cigarettes. But, don't just avoid being one of the 800 people a year who die from cigarette-caused fires. Instead, avoid being one of the 44,000 a year who die from smoking caused illness.
That is the real safe cigarette.
That is the real safe cigarette.
Harry Reid never had these cojones with GOP
But, he wants to arrest Roland Burris if Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's nominee to Barack Obama's empty Senate seat shows up to claim it?
This is just crazy. And Blago is still laughing all the way to ... wherever.
If Senate Democrats get to the point of forcing Burris to sue, Bobby Rush WILL try rally the Congressional Black Caucus. But, that group may itself split on involvement with the issue.
This is just crazy. And Blago is still laughing all the way to ... wherever.
If Senate Democrats get to the point of forcing Burris to sue, Bobby Rush WILL try rally the Congressional Black Caucus. But, that group may itself split on involvement with the issue.
January 01, 2009
Atheists sue over 'so help me God' - misinformed on Constitution
Fox News reports that the Freedom from Religion Foundation and famous atheist Michael Newdow are suing to get "so help me God" out of the Presidential oath of office.
Given that Michael Newdow, and one "village idiot atheist" troll to this post are showing that they should be forever banished from a courthouse until they pass two philsophy classes - one in logic (including modal logic) and another in epistomology, or something similar, I'm overhauling the original post.
First, no, I have not read the actual lawsuit. And, now that, per a comment from the troll, it's clear that Newdow is a fucking idiot, I have no need or desire to do so.
I assumed (a dangerous action with some people), that Newdow and the FFRF were suing Barack Obama as well as, possibly an ancillary plaintiff, Chief Justice John Roberts.
But, NOOOO.
They're suing ONLY Roberts.
That, despite the clear fact that "so help me God," as well as the person administering the oath of office, are both a choice of the new president.
Given that the "so help me God" is not Constitutionally prescribed, it's a matter of individual choice. Therefore, if Obama wants to say "so help me Allah," "so help me Buddha," or "so help me Flying Spaghetti Monster," he has that right. And, the Newdow/FFRF suit could be seen as violating HIS civil rights.
Washington chose to add the phrase, and use a Bible, at his inaugural and the two actions have become traditional since.
From Washington's adding of the "so help me God" and use of a Bible onward, these issues are adiaphora, matters of choice for the individual president as part of his (or her, should we ever get there) day of inauguration.
Nothing is stopping President Obama from ditching one or both as it is, though.
Commenter Brian Westley shows his own ignorance on the second part of the president's choice, as well as showing himself ignorant of history.
Newsweek points out they have a whole crockload of other things wrong in their suit, starting with the fact that they’re suing the wrong branch of government over the wrong oath.
(Update, Oct. 23, 2015. Having now run into Westley on Patheos, on thegenerally very good Godless in Dixie blog, I'll point out that per Wikipedia's page on Newdow, its section on this suit, I stand by everything I've written.
Update, June 16, 2020: Per my response to Mr. Westley, who I guess is still a mix of bored and Gnu Atheist 11-plus years on, I do need to update one thing. Godless in Dixie is not very good at all. Neil Carter, and his paid minions, it would appear, are pretty hardcore Gnu Atheists. I say this after having been blocked from commenting there multiple times. Carter also doesn't know the bible quite as well as he claims. A bit on the updated reality of Godless here, and much more from my primary philosophy, critical religion and critical thinking site.)
Nothing requires the Chief Justice, or ANY Supreme Court justice, to conduct the oath of office. (I challenge you to show me where in the constitution it says that).) Calvin Coolidge was sworn in by a justice of the peace after Harding's death. LBJ was sworn in by a federal district judge after JFK's assassination.
I have no problem pointing out where atheists are wrong, or acting as "village idiot atheists" or "ugly atheists." I said so about the Dennett/Dawkins idea of "brights."
And, given that Mr. Westley, the trolling commenter here, refused to tell me what he thinks of the merits of the case legally, or the atheist grounds for filing it, and also refuses to disavow Newdow's illogic, until he can address the facts of the matter in a more logical manner than he has, I don't think he'll be commenting here again.
In other words, if Newdow really has no problem with Obama adding the words, since it's Obama's choice who swears him in and what words they ask him to read, Newdow is even more of a fucking idiot than he was four years ago.
I'm am atheist myself who can point out that other atheists are in fact ignorant of the constitution. And, the ignorance is not about the presidential oath; it's about the First Amendment issue involved.
In short, in what is a Twilight Zone moment, I agree with the Veep from the Family Research Council Fox quoted in its story.
That said, Peter Sprig of the Family Research Council is full of bullshit when he claims a successful suit would establish atheism as a national religion.
Atheism is NOT a religion. As a cyberfriend of mine notes, in an online aphorism, "Calling atheism a religion is like saying NOT collecting stamps is a hobby."
Or, per another truism, from before the Internet: "Atheists and Christians are alike, except that we disbelieve in one more god than all the gods you disbelieve, such as Zeus, Allah, Odin, Ganesh, Krishna, etc."
Would I prefer an inauguration free from religious symbolism? Yes. But, the other atheists in question are clearly looking down the wrong end of the First Amendment telescope on this issue, and in so doing, perpetuating steretypes of the "ugly atheist."
Frankly, I think Newdow is as much a gloryhound as American Athiests' Dave Silverman.
Given that Michael Newdow, and one "village idiot atheist" troll to this post are showing that they should be forever banished from a courthouse until they pass two philsophy classes - one in logic (including modal logic) and another in epistomology, or something similar, I'm overhauling the original post.
First, no, I have not read the actual lawsuit. And, now that, per a comment from the troll, it's clear that Newdow is a fucking idiot, I have no need or desire to do so.
I assumed (a dangerous action with some people), that Newdow and the FFRF were suing Barack Obama as well as, possibly an ancillary plaintiff, Chief Justice John Roberts.
But, NOOOO.
They're suing ONLY Roberts.
That, despite the clear fact that "so help me God," as well as the person administering the oath of office, are both a choice of the new president.
Given that the "so help me God" is not Constitutionally prescribed, it's a matter of individual choice. Therefore, if Obama wants to say "so help me Allah," "so help me Buddha," or "so help me Flying Spaghetti Monster," he has that right. And, the Newdow/FFRF suit could be seen as violating HIS civil rights.
Washington chose to add the phrase, and use a Bible, at his inaugural and the two actions have become traditional since.
From Washington's adding of the "so help me God" and use of a Bible onward, these issues are adiaphora, matters of choice for the individual president as part of his (or her, should we ever get there) day of inauguration.
Nothing is stopping President Obama from ditching one or both as it is, though.
Commenter Brian Westley shows his own ignorance on the second part of the president's choice, as well as showing himself ignorant of history.
Newsweek points out they have a whole crockload of other things wrong in their suit, starting with the fact that they’re suing the wrong branch of government over the wrong oath.
(Update, Oct. 23, 2015. Having now run into Westley on Patheos, on the
Update, June 16, 2020: Per my response to Mr. Westley, who I guess is still a mix of bored and Gnu Atheist 11-plus years on, I do need to update one thing. Godless in Dixie is not very good at all. Neil Carter, and his paid minions, it would appear, are pretty hardcore Gnu Atheists. I say this after having been blocked from commenting there multiple times. Carter also doesn't know the bible quite as well as he claims. A bit on the updated reality of Godless here, and much more from my primary philosophy, critical religion and critical thinking site.)
Nothing requires the Chief Justice, or ANY Supreme Court justice, to conduct the oath of office. (I challenge you to show me where in the constitution it says that).) Calvin Coolidge was sworn in by a justice of the peace after Harding's death. LBJ was sworn in by a federal district judge after JFK's assassination.
I have no problem pointing out where atheists are wrong, or acting as "village idiot atheists" or "ugly atheists." I said so about the Dennett/Dawkins idea of "brights."
And, given that Mr. Westley, the trolling commenter here, refused to tell me what he thinks of the merits of the case legally, or the atheist grounds for filing it, and also refuses to disavow Newdow's illogic, until he can address the facts of the matter in a more logical manner than he has, I don't think he'll be commenting here again.
In other words, if Newdow really has no problem with Obama adding the words, since it's Obama's choice who swears him in and what words they ask him to read, Newdow is even more of a fucking idiot than he was four years ago.
I'm am atheist myself who can point out that other atheists are in fact ignorant of the constitution. And, the ignorance is not about the presidential oath; it's about the First Amendment issue involved.
In short, in what is a Twilight Zone moment, I agree with the Veep from the Family Research Council Fox quoted in its story.
That said, Peter Sprig of the Family Research Council is full of bullshit when he claims a successful suit would establish atheism as a national religion.
Atheism is NOT a religion. As a cyberfriend of mine notes, in an online aphorism, "Calling atheism a religion is like saying NOT collecting stamps is a hobby."
Or, per another truism, from before the Internet: "Atheists and Christians are alike, except that we disbelieve in one more god than all the gods you disbelieve, such as Zeus, Allah, Odin, Ganesh, Krishna, etc."
Would I prefer an inauguration free from religious symbolism? Yes. But, the other atheists in question are clearly looking down the wrong end of the First Amendment telescope on this issue, and in so doing, perpetuating steretypes of the "ugly atheist."
Frankly, I think Newdow is as much a gloryhound as American Athiests' Dave Silverman.
Nobody called, nobody wanted me
I forgot to turn on my cell phone yesterday.
Then, when I remembered
I had forgotten to turn it on,
I still didn’t turn it on
Until this evening.
But, nobody had called for me
Anyway.
No voicemails, no text messages.
Not even a list of missed calls.
I guess I’ll survive.
Do I have a choice?
Well, it seems pretty stupid otherwise.
I never thought I would appreciate
The wireless link to the outside world.
But, sometimes it relieves a bit of loneliness;
Is there anything so bad about that?
After all, farmers a century ago led our nation in suicides
Before the wireless waves of radio
Relieved the mind-numbing, stupefying tedium
Of life after dark
In the not-so-idyllic rural heartland.
So, before we overl8y bemoan
The electricity-gobbling technology of modern life,
Let us remember that many would-be Luddites
Actually do not want to make too far a trip
Back into the oh-so-idyllicized past.
Talk of carbon taxes, or traded caps,
Can be a time for reflection
At just what price we paid for our modern era,
And just what we have been paying to escape.
(It still would be nice, though,
To escape the sense, the expectation,
Of on-demand availability
Others may have of us now.
Or that we have of ourselves.)
-- Dec. 31, 2008
Then, when I remembered
I had forgotten to turn it on,
I still didn’t turn it on
Until this evening.
But, nobody had called for me
Anyway.
No voicemails, no text messages.
Not even a list of missed calls.
I guess I’ll survive.
Do I have a choice?
Well, it seems pretty stupid otherwise.
I never thought I would appreciate
The wireless link to the outside world.
But, sometimes it relieves a bit of loneliness;
Is there anything so bad about that?
After all, farmers a century ago led our nation in suicides
Before the wireless waves of radio
Relieved the mind-numbing, stupefying tedium
Of life after dark
In the not-so-idyllic rural heartland.
So, before we overl8y bemoan
The electricity-gobbling technology of modern life,
Let us remember that many would-be Luddites
Actually do not want to make too far a trip
Back into the oh-so-idyllicized past.
Talk of carbon taxes, or traded caps,
Can be a time for reflection
At just what price we paid for our modern era,
And just what we have been paying to escape.
(It still would be nice, though,
To escape the sense, the expectation,
Of on-demand availability
Others may have of us now.
Or that we have of ourselves.)
-- Dec. 31, 2008
My initial Tom Craddick prediction
Can Tom Craddick get re-elected as Speaker of the Texas House? Like two years ago, he claims he has the votes while Dems and anti-Craddick Republicans say he doesn't.
Who's right?
Well, the Dallas Morning News has a rundown of the 64 committed, or theoretically so, anti-Craddick Democrats.
No shock, but PLENTY of disgust, that DeSoto's Helen Giddings does NOT have her name on that letter. Just what the hell is she getting from Craddick? More than just committee assignments? Does Tom keep her "sprightly" in some way?
The News has more on the anti-Craddick chess board at this point, as well.
All of which leads to my take.
If only 64 of the 74 Dems in the Texas House have signed the anybody-but-Craddock pledge<, and at least a few of them are squishes, then I would have to say his chances of keeping the speakership are at least 50-50.
Craddock opponents may counsel that House Republicans who lead the anti-Craddock charge have yet to center on one prime opponent, and that, when this happens, then Democratic support against Craddock will solidify.
I disagree.
To counter that, I note that Craddock has yet to, publicly at least, dole out goodies to Craddock Democrats of the recent past. And, if necessary, he may offer to change his behavior this session or even apologize for some rough elbows in the past, he could shore up his support.
Who's right?
Well, the Dallas Morning News has a rundown of the 64 committed, or theoretically so, anti-Craddick Democrats.
No shock, but PLENTY of disgust, that DeSoto's Helen Giddings does NOT have her name on that letter. Just what the hell is she getting from Craddick? More than just committee assignments? Does Tom keep her "sprightly" in some way?
The News has more on the anti-Craddick chess board at this point, as well.
All of which leads to my take.
If only 64 of the 74 Dems in the Texas House have signed the anybody-but-Craddock pledge<, and at least a few of them are squishes, then I would have to say his chances of keeping the speakership are at least 50-50.
Craddock opponents may counsel that House Republicans who lead the anti-Craddock charge have yet to center on one prime opponent, and that, when this happens, then Democratic support against Craddock will solidify.
I disagree.
To counter that, I note that Craddock has yet to, publicly at least, dole out goodies to Craddock Democrats of the recent past. And, if necessary, he may offer to change his behavior this session or even apologize for some rough elbows in the past, he could shore up his support.
Possible New Year’s resolution No. 1
From me? Hmm.
How about driving to the Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas sometime from Jan. 21 or soon thereafter, and giving a full-moon greeting to Dallas’ newest couple?
(Before the Secret Service manhandles me and beats me to a pulp, that is.)
And, amongst your resolutions?
How about driving to the Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas sometime from Jan. 21 or soon thereafter, and giving a full-moon greeting to Dallas’ newest couple?
(Before the Secret Service manhandles me and beats me to a pulp, that is.)
And, amongst your resolutions?
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