Can anyone suggest some moderate Republicans to follow on twitter? I do want to know what they think. I now follow McCain and Gingrich. I will continue to follow Gingrich as a private citizen. McCain, as I have stated in the past, apparently has forgotten that he got trounced in the election. He never suggests any alternative to whatever he is bitching about so I quit following him. He is wasting my time and digital space.
As far as I can tell, he doesn't like "pork" projects and so 49 states get them and AZ doesn't. In the mean time, a well informed person with access to vital information spends his time whining and not offering any alternatives.
I want to hear from moderate Republicans and how they would do something different rather than just bitchin' and moanin'. Does one exist? Please tell me we Republicans have someone else to look to for the future.
I would prefer they keep their nose out of our personal business and beliefs and get back to worrying about fiscal responsibility for all, not just the lower and middle class folks, but also the banks, insurance companies, rich folks, etc. I want them to champion tort reform. Just think if George Bush and the Republican congress he had for 6 years had worked at true tort reform as hard as Obama is working on something he believes in - health care reform. If GWB had worked as hard on tort reform as Ronald Reagan did to reduce government size, we wouldn't have had U.S. Air paying some Imams who scared a plane full of people with their actions. Actions they knew that would cause fear among some fliers.
I don't want to spend all my time thinking about GWB, but until they put up a true reformer, GWB will be the face of the party and its excessive love for money and spite for those of us in the shrinking middle class and below.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Flight Security
The Dutch are now going to use the technology of full body scans. Good for them, good for the U.S. as they are doing this on flights bound for our country. It is crazy that we developed this technology and then don't use it because people on the extremes of the parties sponsored legislation banning the use.
Yes, a bi-partisan ban on the device that would have allowed TSA employees (or European counterparts) to see the explosives in the dude's underwear. This was sponsored by a conservative Republican who apparently thinks the workers would be studying and lusting over our "imaged" bodies. The co-sponsor is a liberal Democrat who thinks it is an invasion of rights. Really? I think the guy trying to blow up the plane is much bigger invasion of rights.
Times have changed folks, time to take threats seriously and to use whatever means necessary to provide security in a quick and efficient fashion. Perhaps some of the detractors just enjoy pat-downs. Totally unreasonable to jeopardize our lives when we have developed a superior, if not fail safe, technology.
Yes, a bi-partisan ban on the device that would have allowed TSA employees (or European counterparts) to see the explosives in the dude's underwear. This was sponsored by a conservative Republican who apparently thinks the workers would be studying and lusting over our "imaged" bodies. The co-sponsor is a liberal Democrat who thinks it is an invasion of rights. Really? I think the guy trying to blow up the plane is much bigger invasion of rights.
Times have changed folks, time to take threats seriously and to use whatever means necessary to provide security in a quick and efficient fashion. Perhaps some of the detractors just enjoy pat-downs. Totally unreasonable to jeopardize our lives when we have developed a superior, if not fail safe, technology.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Terrorists
The terrorist goes missing in his country. His father calls the U.S. Embassy and says he is worried that his kid has become radical and a threat. He is put on a list. Not the "No Fly" list.
Yesterday, two Muslims are on a flight to Phoenix on U.S. Air. They speak in a foreign tongue, go to the bathroom too long, and scare a lady to death so she complains of unusual behavior to the crew. Police, feds, etc. are called to meet the plane upon arrival in Phoenix.
What do these things have in common?
They point out how delicate this situation with flying and terrorists is and how it will stay that way. In the first case, the guy clearly should have been put on a "No Fly" list and his U.S. Visa taken away. That is it. Sorry buddy, no chance to appeal. Stay where you are. Even your parents are afraid of you.
The second case points out what will happen if we allow the first case to happen. We will all be detained, searched, probed, and be late every time we fly because someone will become afraid when confronted with an Arabic looking person, or any person of color from another country. We will be afraid because the "No Fly" list and other tools aren't used fully.
Add the other business problem: U.S. Air paid those Imams a few years ago who were chanting and praying and moving seats, etc. on a flight from Minneapolis to Phoenix. PAID. Now, do they want to confront these two guys speaking another language and scaring their other paying customer? You are the CEO - what do you tell the workers to do?
Reasonably, Congress should pass a law saying that if a person brings a legitimate concern to the flight crew, the airline company can act, and there will be no lawsuit allowed. Instant tort reform. Then Congress and the President will make the "No Fly" list mean just that. Even if we do all of these things and detain, search, probe all of us, there will be some dumb ass who will find a way to get something on board the plane, train, or automobile. Welcome to the 2010s.
Thank God that some guy wrestled that terrorist to the floor of the plane. Also good that the terrorist dude was the one to get burned. Idiot.
Yesterday, two Muslims are on a flight to Phoenix on U.S. Air. They speak in a foreign tongue, go to the bathroom too long, and scare a lady to death so she complains of unusual behavior to the crew. Police, feds, etc. are called to meet the plane upon arrival in Phoenix.
What do these things have in common?
They point out how delicate this situation with flying and terrorists is and how it will stay that way. In the first case, the guy clearly should have been put on a "No Fly" list and his U.S. Visa taken away. That is it. Sorry buddy, no chance to appeal. Stay where you are. Even your parents are afraid of you.
The second case points out what will happen if we allow the first case to happen. We will all be detained, searched, probed, and be late every time we fly because someone will become afraid when confronted with an Arabic looking person, or any person of color from another country. We will be afraid because the "No Fly" list and other tools aren't used fully.
Add the other business problem: U.S. Air paid those Imams a few years ago who were chanting and praying and moving seats, etc. on a flight from Minneapolis to Phoenix. PAID. Now, do they want to confront these two guys speaking another language and scaring their other paying customer? You are the CEO - what do you tell the workers to do?
Reasonably, Congress should pass a law saying that if a person brings a legitimate concern to the flight crew, the airline company can act, and there will be no lawsuit allowed. Instant tort reform. Then Congress and the President will make the "No Fly" list mean just that. Even if we do all of these things and detain, search, probe all of us, there will be some dumb ass who will find a way to get something on board the plane, train, or automobile. Welcome to the 2010s.
Thank God that some guy wrestled that terrorist to the floor of the plane. Also good that the terrorist dude was the one to get burned. Idiot.
Football
Okay - we all know that professional football has now replaced baseball as the national pastime. Too bad as I always loved that baseball doesn't employ a clock - where there is a will there is a way without a clock's limitations.
Now, to answer the question in my own head - who in football am I rooting for and why?
The Packers are my sentimental choice because once a Packer fan, always a Packer fan. Too bad they will probably play the AZ Cardinals in the first round. Would love to see both teams move past round one. Perhaps something crazy will happen and they won't meet in round one.
The Cardinals - historically the worst professional sports franchise in America. Ridiculous really. However, I admit that I jumped on the bandwagon last year as the lowly Cardinals made the most amazing run to the Super Bowl. Great game too. They get my fiscal vote for sure because hosting a game is great for the economy. Hosting two would be even better.
The Vikings - never been a fan, in fact, have always rooted against the purple. But, they have Favre, for all his faults, still one of the most exciting players to play the game - ever! Looks a little tired right now and might be too much to ask for a 40 year old to garner the energy needed. We shall see.
Unfortunately, all three teams are in the NFC, thus cannot meet in the Super Bowl.
Assuming that the planets don't align correctly, thus the Cardinals don't get a bye in round one, I believe they will play the Packers at home. If the Cardinals win, they will likely have to go on the road for game two. No economic impact there except perhaps beer and team gear sales.
So I vote for the Packers or Cardinals to make it to the NFC Championship game against the Vikings. Whichever team comes out of that scrum should beat whoever comes out of the other AFC. Would love to see the Packers against the Colts in the "big game."
Go Packers, Cardinals, Favre, in that order.
Now, to answer the question in my own head - who in football am I rooting for and why?
The Packers are my sentimental choice because once a Packer fan, always a Packer fan. Too bad they will probably play the AZ Cardinals in the first round. Would love to see both teams move past round one. Perhaps something crazy will happen and they won't meet in round one.
The Cardinals - historically the worst professional sports franchise in America. Ridiculous really. However, I admit that I jumped on the bandwagon last year as the lowly Cardinals made the most amazing run to the Super Bowl. Great game too. They get my fiscal vote for sure because hosting a game is great for the economy. Hosting two would be even better.
The Vikings - never been a fan, in fact, have always rooted against the purple. But, they have Favre, for all his faults, still one of the most exciting players to play the game - ever! Looks a little tired right now and might be too much to ask for a 40 year old to garner the energy needed. We shall see.
Unfortunately, all three teams are in the NFC, thus cannot meet in the Super Bowl.
Assuming that the planets don't align correctly, thus the Cardinals don't get a bye in round one, I believe they will play the Packers at home. If the Cardinals win, they will likely have to go on the road for game two. No economic impact there except perhaps beer and team gear sales.
So I vote for the Packers or Cardinals to make it to the NFC Championship game against the Vikings. Whichever team comes out of that scrum should beat whoever comes out of the other AFC. Would love to see the Packers against the Colts in the "big game."
Go Packers, Cardinals, Favre, in that order.
AZ Foolishness
All places have their local politics and most of it looks pretty silly, especially if you shine a big light on it. School Boards, local politics gone amok much of the time, have interesting power over our schools and what kids see and hear. Think about the school boards that banned the President from encouraging kids to stay in school.
In Phoenix, we have a school board that recently suspended a female choir director for taking her students to Hooter's for lunch. As I recall they were at an event downtown and one of the few places that could take a large group for lunch was Hooter's. Remember - the director is a woman. At any rate, she was suspended because she took her students to Hooter's for lunch - thus showing bad judgement according to the School Board.
In this morning's AZ Republic, newspaper to the 5th largest city in America, a citizen opined on this subject. He wrote:
"Regarding the decision to place Mary Segall, a choir director at Paradise Valley High School, on administrative leave for taking her class to Hooters for a meal:
You'd think Hooters was a strip club by the school board's reaction. Granted, Hooters waitresses are provocatively dressed. So what? This is an age-old method by businesses and organizations to draw attention to their product or service.
One could argue that high schools, colleges and professional sports programs essentially do the same thing. The only difference is they utilize cheerleaders in lieu of waitresses.
No crime was committed. No rule was broken. Nobody was harmed.
The school board should get a life, chill out, start worrying about important stuff and reinstate the teacher."
I copied this here because I couldn't say it better myself.
In Phoenix, we have a school board that recently suspended a female choir director for taking her students to Hooter's for lunch. As I recall they were at an event downtown and one of the few places that could take a large group for lunch was Hooter's. Remember - the director is a woman. At any rate, she was suspended because she took her students to Hooter's for lunch - thus showing bad judgement according to the School Board.
In this morning's AZ Republic, newspaper to the 5th largest city in America, a citizen opined on this subject. He wrote:
"Regarding the decision to place Mary Segall, a choir director at Paradise Valley High School, on administrative leave for taking her class to Hooters for a meal:
You'd think Hooters was a strip club by the school board's reaction. Granted, Hooters waitresses are provocatively dressed. So what? This is an age-old method by businesses and organizations to draw attention to their product or service.
One could argue that high schools, colleges and professional sports programs essentially do the same thing. The only difference is they utilize cheerleaders in lieu of waitresses.
No crime was committed. No rule was broken. Nobody was harmed.
The school board should get a life, chill out, start worrying about important stuff and reinstate the teacher."
I copied this here because I couldn't say it better myself.
Health Insurance Deal
Politics is the art of bargaining - always has, always will. In fact, without bargaining, as we have seen over the last 10 years, nothing good happens. Bargaining loosely equates to compromise. Having said that, the deal made by Ben Nelson, Democratic Senator from Nebraska is over the top. Usually these things don't seem so blatant.
As I have said many times, I believe the health system is broken and can only be repaired by reform created by government. Yes, I know the feds can't run anything properly, but neither can today's corporations. Apparently, our choices are inept government on one end or efficient criminal companies on the other. Given those choices, and the fact that a huge percentage of workers in this country are covered by a "public" option (military, ex-military, teachers, city/county/state/federal government, etc), I would rather have the inept government. That is sad, I might add, but true none-the-less.
As to Nelson's deal, hopefully that vote was needed for to get the bill out of the Senate. Once the bill is reconciled with the House version, then a simple majority vote is all that is needed. Perhaps then, Nelson will reconsider his position and the others will tell him that Nebraskans will pay like the rest of us.
As I have said many times, I believe the health system is broken and can only be repaired by reform created by government. Yes, I know the feds can't run anything properly, but neither can today's corporations. Apparently, our choices are inept government on one end or efficient criminal companies on the other. Given those choices, and the fact that a huge percentage of workers in this country are covered by a "public" option (military, ex-military, teachers, city/county/state/federal government, etc), I would rather have the inept government. That is sad, I might add, but true none-the-less.
As to Nelson's deal, hopefully that vote was needed for to get the bill out of the Senate. Once the bill is reconciled with the House version, then a simple majority vote is all that is needed. Perhaps then, Nelson will reconsider his position and the others will tell him that Nebraskans will pay like the rest of us.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Foreclosures
Sometimes the "gray-ness" of an issue is simply perplexing. A good place to look at the problem of the extremes.
There is a company called Litton Loan Servicing which is owned by Goldman Sachs. Yes, the Goldman that received billions in TARP, paid it back, and is now paying huge bonuses to bankers for the fine job they did. Hmmm.
The easy thing to do from the "feel sorry for the little guy" side is say that all these foreclosures that Litton is performing are a tragedy and that the bank should work harder to help owners stay in their homes. However, in the end, these folks made a decision to enter into a loan they couldn't afford. Goldman Sach's didn't make them do it, nor did the subsidiary Litton. I didn't either so I don't want to pay for their loan.
On the other extreme, it is easy to say what I just said and hold that this is the way a capitalistic society works. Work hard, make good decisions, be rewarded. However, in that many of the folks being foreclosed on lost their jobs due to the banking industry's arrogance and risky play, I begin to see the "gray."
Apparently reworking loans for people hurt by the near-depression caused by the careless Bush and his banking buddies isn't profitable for the banks and loan servicers. So what? Where is their pride in community? Their humanity? Where is there remorse for the lethal practices they perpetrated on the American economy?
Where is the outrage by the public not yet hammered by their practices? And, where is the courage to say to people who over extended and bought Hummers, summer homes, boats, etc. with phantom funds - so called equity in their homes - "you should have been a better consumer and recognized that this couldn't last."
As I said, no easy situation - very Gray. The extreme positions are untenable and unreasonable. Obama has acted pretty much like a centrist on most issues (no matter what Fox tries or the far liberal left tries to sell you.) As such, he probably could have got more movement from both sides to find a way to "fix" this situation, if congress didn't spend so much time dissing each other and the President himself. However, he is the President and he needs to somehow rise above the fray and "fix" it. Be a leader. That is the only reasonable thing to do.
There is a company called Litton Loan Servicing which is owned by Goldman Sachs. Yes, the Goldman that received billions in TARP, paid it back, and is now paying huge bonuses to bankers for the fine job they did. Hmmm.
The easy thing to do from the "feel sorry for the little guy" side is say that all these foreclosures that Litton is performing are a tragedy and that the bank should work harder to help owners stay in their homes. However, in the end, these folks made a decision to enter into a loan they couldn't afford. Goldman Sach's didn't make them do it, nor did the subsidiary Litton. I didn't either so I don't want to pay for their loan.
On the other extreme, it is easy to say what I just said and hold that this is the way a capitalistic society works. Work hard, make good decisions, be rewarded. However, in that many of the folks being foreclosed on lost their jobs due to the banking industry's arrogance and risky play, I begin to see the "gray."
Apparently reworking loans for people hurt by the near-depression caused by the careless Bush and his banking buddies isn't profitable for the banks and loan servicers. So what? Where is their pride in community? Their humanity? Where is there remorse for the lethal practices they perpetrated on the American economy?
Where is the outrage by the public not yet hammered by their practices? And, where is the courage to say to people who over extended and bought Hummers, summer homes, boats, etc. with phantom funds - so called equity in their homes - "you should have been a better consumer and recognized that this couldn't last."
As I said, no easy situation - very Gray. The extreme positions are untenable and unreasonable. Obama has acted pretty much like a centrist on most issues (no matter what Fox tries or the far liberal left tries to sell you.) As such, he probably could have got more movement from both sides to find a way to "fix" this situation, if congress didn't spend so much time dissing each other and the President himself. However, he is the President and he needs to somehow rise above the fray and "fix" it. Be a leader. That is the only reasonable thing to do.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Twas the Night........Tiger
While inevitable, still clever, and reasonable.
Tiger Woods' Holiday Poem
Twas the night of Thanksgiving and out of the house
Tiger Woods came a flyin', chased by his spouse..
She wielded a nine iron and wasn't too merry,
Cause a bimbo's phone number was in his Blackberry.
He'd been cheatin' on Elin, and the story progressed.
Woman after woman stepped up and confessed.
He'd been cheatin' with Holly, and Jaimee, and Cori,
With Joselyn, and Kalika. The world had the story.
From the top of the Tour to the basement of blues,
Tiger's sad sordid tale was all over the news.
With hostesses, waitresses, he had lots of sex,
When not in their pants, he was sendin' them texts.
Despite all his cryin' and beggin' and pleadin',
Tiger's wife went investin' -- a new home in Sweden.
And I heard her exclaim from her white Escalade,
"If you're gettin' laid then I'm gettin' paid."
She's not pouting, in fact, she is of jolly good cheer,
Her prenup made Christmas come early this year.
Tiger Woods' Holiday Poem
Twas the night of Thanksgiving and out of the house
Tiger Woods came a flyin', chased by his spouse..
She wielded a nine iron and wasn't too merry,
Cause a bimbo's phone number was in his Blackberry.
He'd been cheatin' on Elin, and the story progressed.
Woman after woman stepped up and confessed.
He'd been cheatin' with Holly, and Jaimee, and Cori,
With Joselyn, and Kalika. The world had the story.
From the top of the Tour to the basement of blues,
Tiger's sad sordid tale was all over the news.
With hostesses, waitresses, he had lots of sex,
When not in their pants, he was sendin' them texts.
Despite all his cryin' and beggin' and pleadin',
Tiger's wife went investin' -- a new home in Sweden.
And I heard her exclaim from her white Escalade,
"If you're gettin' laid then I'm gettin' paid."
She's not pouting, in fact, she is of jolly good cheer,
Her prenup made Christmas come early this year.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Pink Gloves
As always, I like to promote anything that has to do with breast cancer. I was asked to forward this link. Here it is. Enjoy!
https://webmail.west.cox.net/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.youtube.com%252Fwatch%253Fv%253DOEdVfyt-mLw
Totally reasonable.
https://webmail.west.cox.net/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.youtube.com%252Fwatch%253Fv%253DOEdVfyt-mLw
Totally reasonable.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Tort Reform
As I have opined many times in the past, I believe the health care reform should include some tort reform as well. There are many examples of crazy suits. Here is one that doesn't sound crazy - at least at first.
In northern AZ a police officer made an illegal u-turn on a state highway and was struck by a motorcyclist driving in the opposite direction. The motorcyclist was killed and the cop sustained minor injuries.
All with me so far? Sounds like a suit just waiting to be won. The killed motorcyclist was in his late 40s. His family did sue and they won $2.3M. Sounds like a lottery, doesn't it?
Can't blame the system for awarding the money, right?
Turns out that the motorcyclist had more than double the legal limit for alcohol in the blood system and also marijuana. So the moral of the story is this:
Even when one party is drunk and stoned when he dies, society wants to help them by rewarding money that currently belongs to an insurance company (as in this case), the government, or a big corporation. In other words, we as a society refuse to teach personal responsibility or to take responsibility for our own actions and then wonder why government officials are so irresponsible.
Totally unreasonable.
In northern AZ a police officer made an illegal u-turn on a state highway and was struck by a motorcyclist driving in the opposite direction. The motorcyclist was killed and the cop sustained minor injuries.
All with me so far? Sounds like a suit just waiting to be won. The killed motorcyclist was in his late 40s. His family did sue and they won $2.3M. Sounds like a lottery, doesn't it?
Can't blame the system for awarding the money, right?
Turns out that the motorcyclist had more than double the legal limit for alcohol in the blood system and also marijuana. So the moral of the story is this:
Even when one party is drunk and stoned when he dies, society wants to help them by rewarding money that currently belongs to an insurance company (as in this case), the government, or a big corporation. In other words, we as a society refuse to teach personal responsibility or to take responsibility for our own actions and then wonder why government officials are so irresponsible.
Totally unreasonable.
Disfunction
I have heard that the griping and partisan politics has always been bad in D.C. but I fail to believe it was ever this bad. Barack Obama ran on a platform that had at the center of it the reform of health care or at least insurance.
The Democratic, far left Liberals are unhappy about the Senate version of health reform because of limits on abortion funding and the lack of a public option. The Republicans, are just plain against anything that they perceive as pro-Obama. If Obama suggested that all Republican run businesses have their taxes cut in half, they would object and obstruct. The Conservative part of the Reps are just plain "out there."
What that leaves is either no reform or completely watered down reform which achieves very little. But some achievement is better than none. So whatever Obama can get out of this cowardly group, he should take. Then slowly add more features until we have something that will not bankrupt the country like the current non-system will.
Not sure why the liberals are pushing so hard for abortion to be included. While the majority of Americans support a woman's right to choose, that doesn't mean that most want to fund abortions. They would just rather not have the government intervene in their decision making about their own bodies or those of their loved ones.
The Democratic, far left Liberals are unhappy about the Senate version of health reform because of limits on abortion funding and the lack of a public option. The Republicans, are just plain against anything that they perceive as pro-Obama. If Obama suggested that all Republican run businesses have their taxes cut in half, they would object and obstruct. The Conservative part of the Reps are just plain "out there."
What that leaves is either no reform or completely watered down reform which achieves very little. But some achievement is better than none. So whatever Obama can get out of this cowardly group, he should take. Then slowly add more features until we have something that will not bankrupt the country like the current non-system will.
Not sure why the liberals are pushing so hard for abortion to be included. While the majority of Americans support a woman's right to choose, that doesn't mean that most want to fund abortions. They would just rather not have the government intervene in their decision making about their own bodies or those of their loved ones.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
2009 - The Year of the Unethical and Stupidity
2009 should be remembered for the lack of ethics and complete stupidity.
Begin with Tom Daschle, nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services didn't pay taxes. Tim Geithner, plausible (barely) story but still didn't pay his taxes. N.M. Governor Richardson withdrawing from nomination because of ethic concerns.
Not to be outdone, the Republicans had their normal idiocy. S.C Governor Mark Sanford admits to a long affair, one he used public money to fly to South America to have. Sarah Palin - Death Panels - I needn't say any more. Republican's invoking the names of Hitler and Saddam to describe the president's desire to address school kids and encourage them to stay in school. Oh My God How Will We Survive The Madness?
Sports guys being killed (Steve McNair) while having affairs, Tiger dropping unbelievably far as his dalliances become more broad (no pun intended) and numerous.
These are just a few of the crazy and unreasonable examples of the lack of ethics. Let us hope that 2010 sees an increase in these important areas.
I am sure you can think of a few hundred more examples and encourage you to leave a few in the comments.
Begin with Tom Daschle, nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services didn't pay taxes. Tim Geithner, plausible (barely) story but still didn't pay his taxes. N.M. Governor Richardson withdrawing from nomination because of ethic concerns.
Not to be outdone, the Republicans had their normal idiocy. S.C Governor Mark Sanford admits to a long affair, one he used public money to fly to South America to have. Sarah Palin - Death Panels - I needn't say any more. Republican's invoking the names of Hitler and Saddam to describe the president's desire to address school kids and encourage them to stay in school. Oh My God How Will We Survive The Madness?
Sports guys being killed (Steve McNair) while having affairs, Tiger dropping unbelievably far as his dalliances become more broad (no pun intended) and numerous.
These are just a few of the crazy and unreasonable examples of the lack of ethics. Let us hope that 2010 sees an increase in these important areas.
I am sure you can think of a few hundred more examples and encourage you to leave a few in the comments.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Tiger Again
Tiger has been a very busy boy apparently over the years. The longer this drags on, the more he will be harmed by this.
I personally think he will channel his energies into golf - not good news for Phil, Ernie, Padraig, etc. Jack Nicklaus' records are going to fall as Tiger entrenches himself in what he does well - golf. He apparently is bad at marriage and family, and seems smart enough to know that. His only reasonable response will be to be the best golfer by a bigger margin that he already was.
I personally think he will channel his energies into golf - not good news for Phil, Ernie, Padraig, etc. Jack Nicklaus' records are going to fall as Tiger entrenches himself in what he does well - golf. He apparently is bad at marriage and family, and seems smart enough to know that. His only reasonable response will be to be the best golfer by a bigger margin that he already was.
The Peace Prize
I have read that conservatives have chosen to ignore Barack Obama's speech, instead just continue to pan the choice for a new president. I have read the whole speech, and as usual with Obama, there is something for everyone.
What I took away from it is that he totally gets the complaints, and might even agree. But, being a leader means using whatever means to try to move people in a particular direction. He has delievered yet another fabulous speech.
Statements from the speech that should thrill the conservatives (if they were honest:)
"Compared to some of the giants of history who have received this prize Schweitzer and King; Marshall and Mandela my accomplishments are slight. And then there are the men and women around the world who have been jailed and beaten in the pursuit of justice; those who toil in humanitarian organizations to relieve suffering; the unrecognized millions whose quiet acts of courage and compassion inspire even the most hardened of cynics. I cannot argue with those who find these men and women some known, some obscure to all but those they help to be far more deserving of this honor than I."
"Yes, terrible wars have been fought, and atrocities committed. But there has been no Third World War. The Cold War ended with jubilant crowds dismantling a wall. Commerce has stitched much of the world together. Billions have been lifted from poverty. The ideals of liberty, self-determination, equality and the rule of law have haltingly advanced. We are the heirs of the fortitude and foresight of generations past, and it is a legacy for which my own country is rightfully proud."
"But as a head of state sworn to protect and defend my nation, I cannot be guided by their examples alone. I face the world as it is, and cannot stand idle in the face of threats to the American people. For make no mistake: Evil does exist in the world. A nonviolent movement could not have halted Hitler's armies. Negotiations cannot convince al-Qaida's leaders to lay down their arms. To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicism it is a recognition of history, the imperfections of man and the limits of reason.
I raise this point because in many countries there is a deep ambivalence about military action today, no matter the cause. At times, this is joined by a reflexive suspicion of America, the world's sole military superpower."
For the less conservative:
"So yes, the instruments of war do have a role to play in preserving the peace. And yet this truth must coexist with another that no matter how justified, war promises human tragedy. The soldier's courage and sacrifice is full of glory, expressing devotion to country, to cause and to comrades in arms. But war itself is never glorious, and we must never trumpet it as such."
"Where force is necessary, we have a moral and strategic interest in binding ourselves to certain rules of conduct. And even as we confront a vicious adversary that abides by no rules, I believe that the United States of America must remain a standard bearer in the conduct of war. That is what makes us different from those whom we fight. That is a source of our strength. That is why I prohibited torture. That is why I ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed. And that is why I have reaffirmed America's commitment to abide by the Geneva Conventions. We lose ourselves when we compromise the very ideals that we fight to defend. And we honor those ideals by upholding them not just when it is easy, but when it is hard."
"The same principle applies to those who violate international law by brutalizing their own people. When there is genocide in Darfur, systematic rape in Congo or repression in Burma there must be consequences. And the closer we stand together, the less likely we will be faced with the choice between armed intervention and complicity in oppression."
For everyone, whether you like Barack Obama or not, here is the link to the text.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/10/barack-obama-nobel-acceptance-speech
What I took away from it is that he totally gets the complaints, and might even agree. But, being a leader means using whatever means to try to move people in a particular direction. He has delievered yet another fabulous speech.
Statements from the speech that should thrill the conservatives (if they were honest:)
"Compared to some of the giants of history who have received this prize Schweitzer and King; Marshall and Mandela my accomplishments are slight. And then there are the men and women around the world who have been jailed and beaten in the pursuit of justice; those who toil in humanitarian organizations to relieve suffering; the unrecognized millions whose quiet acts of courage and compassion inspire even the most hardened of cynics. I cannot argue with those who find these men and women some known, some obscure to all but those they help to be far more deserving of this honor than I."
"Yes, terrible wars have been fought, and atrocities committed. But there has been no Third World War. The Cold War ended with jubilant crowds dismantling a wall. Commerce has stitched much of the world together. Billions have been lifted from poverty. The ideals of liberty, self-determination, equality and the rule of law have haltingly advanced. We are the heirs of the fortitude and foresight of generations past, and it is a legacy for which my own country is rightfully proud."
"But as a head of state sworn to protect and defend my nation, I cannot be guided by their examples alone. I face the world as it is, and cannot stand idle in the face of threats to the American people. For make no mistake: Evil does exist in the world. A nonviolent movement could not have halted Hitler's armies. Negotiations cannot convince al-Qaida's leaders to lay down their arms. To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicism it is a recognition of history, the imperfections of man and the limits of reason.
I raise this point because in many countries there is a deep ambivalence about military action today, no matter the cause. At times, this is joined by a reflexive suspicion of America, the world's sole military superpower."
For the less conservative:
"So yes, the instruments of war do have a role to play in preserving the peace. And yet this truth must coexist with another that no matter how justified, war promises human tragedy. The soldier's courage and sacrifice is full of glory, expressing devotion to country, to cause and to comrades in arms. But war itself is never glorious, and we must never trumpet it as such."
"Where force is necessary, we have a moral and strategic interest in binding ourselves to certain rules of conduct. And even as we confront a vicious adversary that abides by no rules, I believe that the United States of America must remain a standard bearer in the conduct of war. That is what makes us different from those whom we fight. That is a source of our strength. That is why I prohibited torture. That is why I ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed. And that is why I have reaffirmed America's commitment to abide by the Geneva Conventions. We lose ourselves when we compromise the very ideals that we fight to defend. And we honor those ideals by upholding them not just when it is easy, but when it is hard."
"The same principle applies to those who violate international law by brutalizing their own people. When there is genocide in Darfur, systematic rape in Congo or repression in Burma there must be consequences. And the closer we stand together, the less likely we will be faced with the choice between armed intervention and complicity in oppression."
For everyone, whether you like Barack Obama or not, here is the link to the text.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/10/barack-obama-nobel-acceptance-speech
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tiger Again
So now we know. Maybe not the details, but everyone knows. I admire the guy for battling hard to keep this as private as possible, even as the ladies begin to surface with emails and recordings.
Leave him alone - this may cost him his marriage and family and millions of dollars. Maybe Gatorade, AT&T, Nike et. al. will not toss him aside right now, but do you think they will renew? Some will not.
When Jack Nicklaus said that Tiger still has to break his (Jack's) records, and that life has a way of getting in the way of golf, do you think this is about what he was talking?
Leave him alone - this may cost him his marriage and family and millions of dollars. Maybe Gatorade, AT&T, Nike et. al. will not toss him aside right now, but do you think they will renew? Some will not.
When Jack Nicklaus said that Tiger still has to break his (Jack's) records, and that life has a way of getting in the way of golf, do you think this is about what he was talking?
John McCain - You Lost Buddy - Get Over It!
John McCain has lost his marbles. The war mongers got what they want - more war. McCain got what he wants - more war. Even moderates (I guess like me) got what we wanted - more war. Well, it isn't that we want the war to be escalated, it just seems the only prudent course of action. More war is never reasonable.
McCain, not being able to blast away at the man who soundly defeated him one year ago because he got - more war - so now he blasts away at giving a time line for getting out. For a guy who claims to understand finances (but didn't know how many houses he owned), he sure thinks we can just hang there in Afghanistan indefinitely. Totally unreasonable.
Do the deal, tell the Afghanis to take control, and get the hell out of, well, hell ASAP.
McCain, not being able to blast away at the man who soundly defeated him one year ago because he got - more war - so now he blasts away at giving a time line for getting out. For a guy who claims to understand finances (but didn't know how many houses he owned), he sure thinks we can just hang there in Afghanistan indefinitely. Totally unreasonable.
Do the deal, tell the Afghanis to take control, and get the hell out of, well, hell ASAP.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Tiger "The Billion Dollar Man" Woods
Tiger has woes. Unbelievable really. You rarely see him anywhere except on a golf driving range, between the ropes on the course, or in commercials - lots of commercials.
So what to think about an accident in the early a.m. hours, in his drive way, taking out the fire hydrant and a tree. Add his lovely wife wielding a golf club, supposedly to help free him. Hmmm.
In the end, does he have a right to his privacy or did he give that up when he became a highly paid pitchman, or the teacher of America's youth at his foundation? I think he has reasonable claim to privacy on his property. Still.......doesn't this cater to the worst in all of us? Don't we really want to know what really happened and really soon?
So what to think about an accident in the early a.m. hours, in his drive way, taking out the fire hydrant and a tree. Add his lovely wife wielding a golf club, supposedly to help free him. Hmmm.
In the end, does he have a right to his privacy or did he give that up when he became a highly paid pitchman, or the teacher of America's youth at his foundation? I think he has reasonable claim to privacy on his property. Still.......doesn't this cater to the worst in all of us? Don't we really want to know what really happened and really soon?
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