I know, I know but I love dogs. Mediocre acting, mediocre script, questionable directing (awfully sunny for one of Antarctica's worst winters) and overly anthropomorphized dogs. Still, couldn't get the tears to stop in last 15 minutes.
As I think about the movie for those with little ones, it might be a decent way to introduce the idea of (to use the big, scary word) DEATH to the kids. I won't ruin the ending but the overall theme of the movie is uplifting while still dealing with the uncomfortable.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Re: Golden Age of Longhorn Sports Continues
OK, I have to toot the horn of my beloved Razorbacks. Yesterday they won the 2006 SEC Indoor Track and Field Championship. The conference title is the 78th in Arkansas’ history including its 13th SEC indoor championship in 15 tries since entering the SEC in 1992. The Hogs have also won 40 of 44 SEC championships combined in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field in that span.
And to show that this isn't just a SEC thing, here are some stats that might be of interest:
* 26-consecutive conference titles in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track combined from 1987-1995.
* 67 conference championships in the last 72 events Arkansas has entered since 1981-82.
* 12-consecutive NCAA indoor track championships (1984-1995), the longest string of national titles by any school in any sport in collegiate history.
* 31-consecutive league cross country championships (1974-2004).
And finally:
John McDonnell, the UA Head Track coach, has won more national championships (41) than any coach in any sport in the history of college athletics. The next highest is 26 by Pat Henry, former LSU and current track coach at Texas A&M.
In Arkansas, if they DON'T win an SEC and/or NC in track, it's big news. If they could just translate this success to football....
And to show that this isn't just a SEC thing, here are some stats that might be of interest:
* 26-consecutive conference titles in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track combined from 1987-1995.
* 67 conference championships in the last 72 events Arkansas has entered since 1981-82.
* 12-consecutive NCAA indoor track championships (1984-1995), the longest string of national titles by any school in any sport in collegiate history.
* 31-consecutive league cross country championships (1974-2004).
And finally:
John McDonnell, the UA Head Track coach, has won more national championships (41) than any coach in any sport in the history of college athletics. The next highest is 26 by Pat Henry, former LSU and current track coach at Texas A&M.
In Arkansas, if they DON'T win an SEC and/or NC in track, it's big news. If they could just translate this success to football....
Golden Age of Longhorn Sports Continues
From today's Daily Texan:
"The fifth-ranked Texas swimming and diving team dominated the field at the Big 12 Championship this weekend in Columbia, Mo., taking their unprecedented 27th consecutive conference title."
"The fifth-ranked Texas swimming and diving team dominated the field at the Big 12 Championship this weekend in Columbia, Mo., taking their unprecedented 27th consecutive conference title."
Prayers for the Assassin
Picked up my copy yesterday and am having fun with it, but have to say that book cover above is the worst cover ever. It is not just a paper cover wrapped around the book, it is the book. Are they trying to market to graphic novel readers?
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Katrina vs. FEMA vs. Wal-Mart
Dr. Edwin Feulner, president of The Heritage Foundation, has written a column on the efficiency of one of my favorite corporate demons: Wal-Mart. The context is a short comparison of the company and FEMA (and, impliedly, state and local government emergency management teams). If you read Dr. Feulner’s article, there is a part that is a bit confusing...it was the Chicago city council that refused Wal-Mart which is why it opened its new store in Evergreen Park.
His first main point:
"One key reason for Wal-Mart's success, Jackson said, is ‘associates who are dedicated to their communities.’ That local connection helped it deliver goods when government failed. As Investor's Business Daily reported in September, ‘While local and federal groups suffered communications problems and bickered over who was in charge, Wal-Mart sprang into action.’"
Of course the local connection helps; that should surprise no one. First-hand local knowledge and personal incentive will always be great tools for first responders.
His second main point:
"And while Chertoff admits Katrina caught the government flat-footed, Wal-Mart is always ready. In his book ‘The World is Flat,’ New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman wrote, ‘The minute Wal-Mart's meteorologists tell headquarters a hurricane is bearing down on Florida, its supply chain automatically adjusts to a hurricane mix in the Florida stores [Scooter’s emphasis].’ That means plenty of non-perishable food and critical items such as generators appear in stores even before disaster strikes."
I know that I shouldn’t have underestimated the folks in Bentonville and the efficacy of capitalism, but that astounds me. Is this done out of altruism? Certainly the local folks would be trying to help, but as to "management," Wal-Mart critics would say no. Assuming the critics correct, so what? Get the job done.
"Headquarters" making the call means that the corporate equivalent of former FEMA Director Brown made the supply chain adjustment. Why the better results from an equally centralized entity? Why does Wal-Mart have more effective plans in place? Motive is the difference. The market rewards its owners for its company’s management’s planning and the implementation thereof. The owners, in turn, reward management. How hard is that?
This isn't a post against FEMA or a call to privatize it. Of course we need it. This is just a pat on the back to one of the planet's greatest corporate monsters.
Btw, Wal-Mart has meteorologists?
His first main point:
"One key reason for Wal-Mart's success, Jackson said, is ‘associates who are dedicated to their communities.’ That local connection helped it deliver goods when government failed. As Investor's Business Daily reported in September, ‘While local and federal groups suffered communications problems and bickered over who was in charge, Wal-Mart sprang into action.’"
Of course the local connection helps; that should surprise no one. First-hand local knowledge and personal incentive will always be great tools for first responders.
His second main point:
"And while Chertoff admits Katrina caught the government flat-footed, Wal-Mart is always ready. In his book ‘The World is Flat,’ New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman wrote, ‘The minute Wal-Mart's meteorologists tell headquarters a hurricane is bearing down on Florida, its supply chain automatically adjusts to a hurricane mix in the Florida stores [Scooter’s emphasis].’ That means plenty of non-perishable food and critical items such as generators appear in stores even before disaster strikes."
I know that I shouldn’t have underestimated the folks in Bentonville and the efficacy of capitalism, but that astounds me. Is this done out of altruism? Certainly the local folks would be trying to help, but as to "management," Wal-Mart critics would say no. Assuming the critics correct, so what? Get the job done.
"Headquarters" making the call means that the corporate equivalent of former FEMA Director Brown made the supply chain adjustment. Why the better results from an equally centralized entity? Why does Wal-Mart have more effective plans in place? Motive is the difference. The market rewards its owners for its company’s management’s planning and the implementation thereof. The owners, in turn, reward management. How hard is that?
This isn't a post against FEMA or a call to privatize it. Of course we need it. This is just a pat on the back to one of the planet's greatest corporate monsters.
Btw, Wal-Mart has meteorologists?
Friday, February 24, 2006
Re: DB
Krauthammer still not sold either but offers his Meiers solution while outlining what is still the scariest part of all this:
"The greater and more immediate danger is that as soon as the Dubai company takes over operations, it will necessarily become privy to information about security provisions at crucial U.S. ports. That would mean a transfer of information about our security operations —— and perhaps even worse, about the holes in our security operations —— to a company in an Arab state in which there might be employees who, for reasons of corruption or ideology, would pass this invaluable knowledge on to al-Qaeda types."
"The greater and more immediate danger is that as soon as the Dubai company takes over operations, it will necessarily become privy to information about security provisions at crucial U.S. ports. That would mean a transfer of information about our security operations —— and perhaps even worse, about the holes in our security operations —— to a company in an Arab state in which there might be employees who, for reasons of corruption or ideology, would pass this invaluable knowledge on to al-Qaeda types."
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Re: DB
I repeat myself. I think we've all leapt when we should have looked.
Q: Does anyone believe that Bush isn't interested in our nation's security? Borders, you cry. I don't know. I do know that homeland and our military looked at and approve this deal.
Q: Does anyone believe that Bush isn't interested in our nation's security? Borders, you cry. I don't know. I do know that homeland and our military looked at and approve this deal.
DB and Logic and Feelings
Just have to say that I'm violating almost all of my most personal beliefs on this issue.
I'm a firm believer that I should not rely on my NOTORIOUSLY bad feelings and that all my decisions should be made on logic. I'm relying entirely on my feelings on this issue. How can we possibly be considering this?
This especially flies in the face of my thoughts on Economics and the influence of Capitalism in influencing other gov'ts see the light...see China and India.
I'm a firm believer that I should not rely on my NOTORIOUSLY bad feelings and that all my decisions should be made on logic. I'm relying entirely on my feelings on this issue. How can we possibly be considering this?
This especially flies in the face of my thoughts on Economics and the influence of Capitalism in influencing other gov'ts see the light...see China and India.
Re: DB
Appears everyone jumped the gun, for different reasons. The Dims because they saw it as a way to get some homeland defense cred and Rethugs because, on it's face, its seemed suicidal. Looks like everyone is wrong and BUSHMcCHIMPHITTLER was right.
Re: Law of unintended consequences
This is a great example of the Law. Liberal lawmakers, who dislike Wal-Mart, decide it needs to spend more on health care for it's employees. Nice lib sentiment but exactly the wrong result.
Mona Charon's recent book is full of this stuff. Good intentions, or worse, politically expedient motives, can and do lead to disastrous results.
Mona Charon's recent book is full of this stuff. Good intentions, or worse, politically expedient motives, can and do lead to disastrous results.
Best Pro DP World Argument I've read, but...
I'm still agin' it.
It's a thorough and fairly long article...about 20 paragraphs, but anyone who can work in references to Kipling and Maugham deserves to be cited.
From James Glassman at Tech Central Station and the American Enterprise Institute:
"Using Schumeresque logic, the U.S. should ban flights into the U.S. by airlines from Arab countries, and we should certainly bar any cargo from being loaded in Arab ports and bound for the U.S. ("If you are worried about a bomb in a box going off in New York, you need to worry about who loads the container overseas rather than the terminal operator who unloads it in the U.S.," says someone who actually knows something about port security, Theodore Price of Optimization Alternatives, a Texas company that provides terminal-operating software.) In fact, one would suppose that Dubai, with billions at stake, would be more careful -- not less -- about assisting in anti-terror activities at U.S. ports if it is actually operating them."
It's a thorough and fairly long article...about 20 paragraphs, but anyone who can work in references to Kipling and Maugham deserves to be cited.
From James Glassman at Tech Central Station and the American Enterprise Institute:
"Using Schumeresque logic, the U.S. should ban flights into the U.S. by airlines from Arab countries, and we should certainly bar any cargo from being loaded in Arab ports and bound for the U.S. ("If you are worried about a bomb in a box going off in New York, you need to worry about who loads the container overseas rather than the terminal operator who unloads it in the U.S.," says someone who actually knows something about port security, Theodore Price of Optimization Alternatives, a Texas company that provides terminal-operating software.) In fact, one would suppose that Dubai, with billions at stake, would be more careful -- not less -- about assisting in anti-terror activities at U.S. ports if it is actually operating them."
Re: I like my "brighter."
George Will from today's Jewish World Review on the happiness of conservatives:
"Begin with a paradox: Conservatives are happier than liberals because they are more pessimistic. Conservatives think the Book of Job got it right ("Man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward"), as did Adam Smith ("There is a great deal of ruin in a nation"). Conservatives understand that society in its complexity resembles a giant Calder mobile —— touch it here and things jiggle there, and there, and way over there. Hence conservatives acknowledge the Law of Unintended Consequences, which is: The unintended consequences of bold government undertakings are apt to be larger than, and contrary to, the intended ones."
"Begin with a paradox: Conservatives are happier than liberals because they are more pessimistic. Conservatives think the Book of Job got it right ("Man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward"), as did Adam Smith ("There is a great deal of ruin in a nation"). Conservatives understand that society in its complexity resembles a giant Calder mobile —— touch it here and things jiggle there, and there, and way over there. Hence conservatives acknowledge the Law of Unintended Consequences, which is: The unintended consequences of bold government undertakings are apt to be larger than, and contrary to, the intended ones."
Professor Alan Dershowitz
If you didn't catch him on Hugh Hewitt yesterday, be sure to read the transcript on Radio Blogger today. I'm not sure the tone of the discussion comes through in the transcript but it was really nice to hear how civil the discussion was.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Re: Issue 4
I don't read blogs (well, not until recently), so my comment is based upon what I hear on the radio. Rush, Laura Ingram, Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, etc. almost always use the term "liberal", not Democrat. Conversely, most of the hosts on Air America use the term "conservative" instead of Republican. The reason(s), well, I have two:
1) From the time I became politically aware (18,19?) until several years ago, it was always Democrat/Republican and not liberal/conservative because there was no need to label - everyone knew which was which. But, when the hate from both sides began (Rush?), the labels were/are used as a term of spite, of hatred, of disdain.
2) The other, more conspiritorial reason, is to make a greater distinction between the 2 parties (the gap between liberal - conservative is a much wider one than that between Democrat - Republican). Honestly, is there really such a big difference in the garbage we send to DC? The rhetoric certainly sounds different, but the results we get aren't. I don't pay attention to what they say, I try to pay attention to what they do, or don't do and how they vote. Hillary, the darling (for reasons so totally unknown to me) of the Democrats, talks one way, but seems to vote an entirely different way.
I think that there are small factions in each party that fit the extremes - but the vast majority of the public and the vast majority of the elected fools we send to DC are much closer to each other than they want us to think.
Conservative, liberal, conservative Democrat, liberal Repulican, Democrat, Republican - they are all the same.
1) From the time I became politically aware (18,19?) until several years ago, it was always Democrat/Republican and not liberal/conservative because there was no need to label - everyone knew which was which. But, when the hate from both sides began (Rush?), the labels were/are used as a term of spite, of hatred, of disdain.
2) The other, more conspiritorial reason, is to make a greater distinction between the 2 parties (the gap between liberal - conservative is a much wider one than that between Democrat - Republican). Honestly, is there really such a big difference in the garbage we send to DC? The rhetoric certainly sounds different, but the results we get aren't. I don't pay attention to what they say, I try to pay attention to what they do, or don't do and how they vote. Hillary, the darling (for reasons so totally unknown to me) of the Democrats, talks one way, but seems to vote an entirely different way.
I think that there are small factions in each party that fit the extremes - but the vast majority of the public and the vast majority of the elected fools we send to DC are much closer to each other than they want us to think.
Conservative, liberal, conservative Democrat, liberal Repulican, Democrat, Republican - they are all the same.
Issue 4
This one is pretty interesting. I know this has been covered by better men than me but I'm too lazy to find to look for it. Two not-original ideas. Does "Liberal" feels dirty because it is? See here.
OK, that's not a real response (and it doesn't have a number two) but I'm done for the night.
OK, that's not a real response (and it doesn't have a number two) but I'm done for the night.
Re: Needed laugh and Bush II economic policies
I appreciate and have lived to an extent LJ's situation and know it isn't fun. Having said that, I hope this will be taken in the strictly analytical meaning in which it is intended.
A business's goal (providing maximum return for its owners) is usually in line with the goals of its employees and its customers. I mention employees and customers because they are the two constituencies most closely associated with the company's owners. Often, perhaps most of the time, their interests overlap. Clearly, if customers and employees are not happy with the company, there will be some negative repercussions to the owners' profits.
Occasionally, and increasingly often in a time when technology is advancing more quickly than ever before and a time of globalization (sorry, that's not going to change), those interests diverge.
Suppose a company has a contract terminable at will (as this contract was, notwithstanding the promises at annual reviews, however unfair and morally wrong those broken promises may have been) to obtain anything at $X. The company can later obtain the same resource necessary to provide its product to its customers at $X-$1.00 and therefore, ultimately, provide an increased return to its owners, does that company not have an obligation to to terminate that contract...all other things being equal? (I recognize that employee-owners would argue that all other things in this situation are NOT equal...that situation requires those employee-owners to handle the situation by carefully monitoring the situation and voting in the management that agrees with them. I also acknowledge that in the situation being discussed here...a virtual impossibility with such a huge business entity...but that is the risk run when working for an entity over which one has no control.)
LJ's most revealing comment: "All they have done is gotten rid of American employees (with American salaries, American benefits and American retirement plans) and hired people in other countries (and given them a much lower salary, very few benefits and I can only imagine what type of retirement program they get)."
Well, yes...that is precisely what they have done. And folks are lining up for those jobs in India (in my example) and elsewhere (at least for these white collar jobs) precisely because they are much better jobs than those available from their local employers. American worker suffers and Indian worker profits. American investor/owner and American customer also profits and therefore have more capital to invest or spend. The unemployed suffers, at least temporarily, while s/he determines where her/his value/intellect/skills are better utilized.
Reluctantly resorting to over-used blue collar example: Do we really want to protect the jobs of the the horse drawn carriage manufacturer at the expense of the convenience of the automobile? No, the person who upholsters the carriage seat needs to learn how to work the assembly line in Detroit putting the upholstery on the car. Thank heaven the white collar skills are much more adaptable.
Is the American aspect of this thing really what is so important? Isn't that what we heard in the 70s and 80s so often in connection with the auto industry? How many foreign car manufacturers now employ Americans, in the USA...Toyota...San Antonio? Now, in the energy industry, I can make a national security argument for no foreign outsourcing but that is an issue to be addressed by legislation or shareholder revolt.
Do hope this is taken in the spirit intended.
A business's goal (providing maximum return for its owners) is usually in line with the goals of its employees and its customers. I mention employees and customers because they are the two constituencies most closely associated with the company's owners. Often, perhaps most of the time, their interests overlap. Clearly, if customers and employees are not happy with the company, there will be some negative repercussions to the owners' profits.
Occasionally, and increasingly often in a time when technology is advancing more quickly than ever before and a time of globalization (sorry, that's not going to change), those interests diverge.
Suppose a company has a contract terminable at will (as this contract was, notwithstanding the promises at annual reviews, however unfair and morally wrong those broken promises may have been) to obtain anything at $X. The company can later obtain the same resource necessary to provide its product to its customers at $X-$1.00 and therefore, ultimately, provide an increased return to its owners, does that company not have an obligation to to terminate that contract...all other things being equal? (I recognize that employee-owners would argue that all other things in this situation are NOT equal...that situation requires those employee-owners to handle the situation by carefully monitoring the situation and voting in the management that agrees with them. I also acknowledge that in the situation being discussed here...a virtual impossibility with such a huge business entity...but that is the risk run when working for an entity over which one has no control.)
LJ's most revealing comment: "All they have done is gotten rid of American employees (with American salaries, American benefits and American retirement plans) and hired people in other countries (and given them a much lower salary, very few benefits and I can only imagine what type of retirement program they get)."
Well, yes...that is precisely what they have done. And folks are lining up for those jobs in India (in my example) and elsewhere (at least for these white collar jobs) precisely because they are much better jobs than those available from their local employers. American worker suffers and Indian worker profits. American investor/owner and American customer also profits and therefore have more capital to invest or spend. The unemployed suffers, at least temporarily, while s/he determines where her/his value/intellect/skills are better utilized.
Reluctantly resorting to over-used blue collar example: Do we really want to protect the jobs of the the horse drawn carriage manufacturer at the expense of the convenience of the automobile? No, the person who upholsters the carriage seat needs to learn how to work the assembly line in Detroit putting the upholstery on the car. Thank heaven the white collar skills are much more adaptable.
Is the American aspect of this thing really what is so important? Isn't that what we heard in the 70s and 80s so often in connection with the auto industry? How many foreign car manufacturers now employ Americans, in the USA...Toyota...San Antonio? Now, in the energy industry, I can make a national security argument for no foreign outsourcing but that is an issue to be addressed by legislation or shareholder revolt.
Do hope this is taken in the spirit intended.
Issue 2
I don't know all of them or actually very many. The ones I listed are the most outrageous and therefore most fun to read. Although Kos himself can be out there, it's his commenters, as well as those at DU, that provide the really wild stuff. By the way, I learned about these sites from conservative blogs. Conservative bloggers read these sites to see what the other side is up to. That being said, I think there is a tendency for conblogs to focus on the nuttier stuff and paint all liberals and/or Democrats with a wide brush. Just as Pat Robertson (often and wrongly cited by the MSM as the standard-bearer for the religious right) does not speak for me as a Christian, I know that DU and Kos do not speak for most Democrats. I'm troubled when conblogs point to some of the crazy stuff and say "Look what those nutty libs/Dems think about so and so."
I also read lib sites to check myself: Have I really switched sides or not? Without fail I find myself scratching my head, wondering "What I was thinking all those years?"
This is for another time, but two short observations. Liberals for the most part (in my experience) are not haters of America, as I read on so many consites. Even Rush, who should know better, spouts this crap. Second, libbloggers are much more profane and less civilized that conbloggers. One more. Before my conversion, my idea of a conservative was that of a dumb, mean, rich white guy just trying to make himself richer on the backs of the rest of us. I've been astounded by the depth of thought, the self-examination, the real curiosity about ideas, ethics, morals, etc. that cons have considered and do consider. I never experienced that on the left; it was just unexamined dogma posing as a political philosophy.
I also read lib sites to check myself: Have I really switched sides or not? Without fail I find myself scratching my head, wondering "What I was thinking all those years?"
This is for another time, but two short observations. Liberals for the most part (in my experience) are not haters of America, as I read on so many consites. Even Rush, who should know better, spouts this crap. Second, libbloggers are much more profane and less civilized that conbloggers. One more. Before my conversion, my idea of a conservative was that of a dumb, mean, rich white guy just trying to make himself richer on the backs of the rest of us. I've been astounded by the depth of thought, the self-examination, the real curiosity about ideas, ethics, morals, etc. that cons have considered and do consider. I never experienced that on the left; it was just unexamined dogma posing as a political philosophy.
Re: Bush II Economic Policies
Ok, the sarcasm part...I understand and that's fair and fun. Glad I understood. I think Bush the Younger is the better term, btw.
Re: Bush Policies
I promise to jump in here but had a thing last night following my worst day at the office in a long, long time.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Re: Bush
Don't want to disturb you LJ, but that's how I started. Feeling I had to support something I didn't. It will eventually wear you down and you will realize there is another, and brighter, way.
Re: Needed laugh and Bush II economic policies
Now I'm NOT being sarcastic. Improve the bottom line, are you kidding me?? My ex-employer was recording record earnings every quarter for the last 2 to 3 years I was there. How much more did they need to improve the bottom line?? And "outsourced" is a term used by those of us losing our jobs, but technically, they weren't. They were moved to another country, but still being done by employees (newly hired of course) of the company. Thus, said company can say publicly (though not 1 word in any print media that I have ever seen has mentioned what is going on at said company) that they haven't cut any jobs. Which is true. All they have done is gotten rid of American employees (with American salaries, American benefits and American retirement plans) and hired people in other countries (and given them a much lower salary, very few benefits and I can only imagine what type of retirement program they get). But I guess I should consider myself lucky - I got a severance package. I heard from a friend yesterday that another group (in Houston) is having 127 of the 147 positions moved overseas and that NO packages will be offered. There is some loyalty for you.
And speaking of loyality, the reason that I, and my fellow workers, had the idea/ideal that we were employees for life is because we were told as much. Even up to the time that we got the announcement about our work location, I was told in my annual review (like I was told in every one) that as long as my performance remained where it was, I would retire at said company.
Guess it was my fault I actually believed them.
And finally, about "maximum return for investors". When the big guy came to announce what was going to happen, he took questions and answers. During his spiel, he repeatedly used that phrase..."we are doing what is good for the stockholders"....."we are doing what is best for the investors"...yadda, yadda, yadda. So when Q&A rolled around, I asked him a question. My question was something along the lines of...
"Can you tell me exactly which stockholders you are looking out for? Because, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that everyone in this room, everyone here that is losing their job, is a stockholder and while I don't pretend to speak for them, I would doubt that many of us think this is a good thing. I can tell you that I am a stockholder and I don't think that whomever made this decision was looking out for my best interests."
He didn't like my question and dismissed it by saying to me that the company looks out for all stockholders equally. Yea, right.
And speaking of loyality, the reason that I, and my fellow workers, had the idea/ideal that we were employees for life is because we were told as much. Even up to the time that we got the announcement about our work location, I was told in my annual review (like I was told in every one) that as long as my performance remained where it was, I would retire at said company.
Guess it was my fault I actually believed them.
And finally, about "maximum return for investors". When the big guy came to announce what was going to happen, he took questions and answers. During his spiel, he repeatedly used that phrase..."we are doing what is good for the stockholders"....."we are doing what is best for the investors"...yadda, yadda, yadda. So when Q&A rolled around, I asked him a question. My question was something along the lines of...
"Can you tell me exactly which stockholders you are looking out for? Because, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that everyone in this room, everyone here that is losing their job, is a stockholder and while I don't pretend to speak for them, I would doubt that many of us think this is a good thing. I can tell you that I am a stockholder and I don't think that whomever made this decision was looking out for my best interests."
He didn't like my question and dismissed it by saying to me that the company looks out for all stockholders equally. Yea, right.
Re: Bush II Economic Policies
I was being sarcastic. His policies had nothing to do with it. But, as the resident Democrat, I felt I had to uphold the Democratic mantra and blame him. He is such an easy target.
Re: Needed laugh and Bush II economic policies
There's lots here but quickly: LJ: You've been my good dear (Scooter: back off the Brokeback references) friend since eighth grade. I was as upset as anyone when ["your company" - I can't recall if you've named it so I've changed my original post] did what it did.
However: You seem to be coming from an idea (ideal?) that once hired you were an employee for life. I can see why you might think that. Your mother (at said-company) and my father (at Texaco for 35+ years) were examples of how the big oil companies used to employ people for life. You got caught on the short side of the old days.
Said-company outsourced your job to improve the bottom line. That's its mandate: maximum return for its investors.
Now: I'm out of my area and I'll let Scooter clean up my droppings.
However: You seem to be coming from an idea (ideal?) that once hired you were an employee for life. I can see why you might think that. Your mother (at said-company) and my father (at Texaco for 35+ years) were examples of how the big oil companies used to employ people for life. You got caught on the short side of the old days.
Said-company outsourced your job to improve the bottom line. That's its mandate: maximum return for its investors.
Now: I'm out of my area and I'll let Scooter clean up my droppings.
Re: Bush II Economic Policies
Precisely which policies caused the outsourcing? (If you were just being sarcastic, I apologize.)
Re: "Closet-leftie"
Well. There's so much here is tough to know where to start. It seems to me you've raised the following issues:
1. Is it "leftie" or "lefty?"
2. Why do I know "all" the lefty sites? (LJ is referring to Kos, DU, and Willis, to which I referred him after he said he didn't read very many blogs, being new to the blogosphere. I assumed he would just reject out of hand what he might read, at say The Corner or Hewitt, so I referred him to sites he might find more in line with his thinking. (His statement about not reading blogs came in response to my email to him and Scooter that we ought to put sites on our blogroll and start the process of reaping all the crazy blog money.))
3. Do you like punctuation as much as I do? (Not actually raised by LJ but a fair inquiry nonetheless.)
4. Scooter's point in the comments: What's wrong with "liberal?" The folks at Kos and DU are proud to use the term. You seem to think it's tainted.
5. Do I read the lefty sites just to see what they are saying or for some other reason?
6. Why are the Dims blue (re "true blue Democrat")? I've always thought they should be red and Rethugs blue. (I think the answer is that some network (MSM, grr) at some point in the not-too-distant past arbitrarily chose those colors for its map during coverage of a presidential election. Anyone? Bueller? (Might as well reference it since I had to look up the spelling.)
7. (Subtext of #5 and the big issue.) Has Michael, after being a lifelong, steadfast, and vocal liberal (sorry LJ, that's the term), caved into peer and/or profession(?) pressure and now claims insincerely that he is a conservative because that is now the mainstream, i.e., the "safe" thing to do/be?
OK. That's a lot of typing for me. LJ (or Scooter) if you read this before I get back to it, tell me where I've misinterpreted LJ.
1. Is it "leftie" or "lefty?"
2. Why do I know "all" the lefty sites? (LJ is referring to Kos, DU, and Willis, to which I referred him after he said he didn't read very many blogs, being new to the blogosphere. I assumed he would just reject out of hand what he might read, at say The Corner or Hewitt, so I referred him to sites he might find more in line with his thinking. (His statement about not reading blogs came in response to my email to him and Scooter that we ought to put sites on our blogroll and start the process of reaping all the crazy blog money.))
3. Do you like punctuation as much as I do? (Not actually raised by LJ but a fair inquiry nonetheless.)
4. Scooter's point in the comments: What's wrong with "liberal?" The folks at Kos and DU are proud to use the term. You seem to think it's tainted.
5. Do I read the lefty sites just to see what they are saying or for some other reason?
6. Why are the Dims blue (re "true blue Democrat")? I've always thought they should be red and Rethugs blue. (I think the answer is that some network (MSM, grr) at some point in the not-too-distant past arbitrarily chose those colors for its map during coverage of a presidential election. Anyone? Bueller? (Might as well reference it since I had to look up the spelling.)
7. (Subtext of #5 and the big issue.) Has Michael, after being a lifelong, steadfast, and vocal liberal (sorry LJ, that's the term), caved into peer and/or profession(?) pressure and now claims insincerely that he is a conservative because that is now the mainstream, i.e., the "safe" thing to do/be?
OK. That's a lot of typing for me. LJ (or Scooter) if you read this before I get back to it, tell me where I've misinterpreted LJ.
Needed to have a laugh today
First, to give some background. I am a victim of the Bush II economic policies - my job was outsourced to a foreign country in 2004 and, to date, I have been unable (despite the supposed rising employment rate) to find a job. Maybe if I move to the UAE, become a citizen of that country, then get a job overseeing a US port I can get a job - anyway, I digress...
I lost out on a job yesterday (came down to myself and another applicant) so I was a bit depressed. Needed something to cheer me up. And thanks to a fellow SSJ'er, I had my laugh this morning. One has to laugh, because if you don't, then you have to focus on the types of leaders we have these days and what they are, or aren't, doing in DC.
from Democratic Underground
I lost out on a job yesterday (came down to myself and another applicant) so I was a bit depressed. Needed something to cheer me up. And thanks to a fellow SSJ'er, I had my laugh this morning. One has to laugh, because if you don't, then you have to focus on the types of leaders we have these days and what they are, or aren't, doing in DC.
from Democratic Underground
Is a fellow SSJ'er a "closet-leftie"?
This person seems to know all the Democratic-leaning blogs and news sites (I refuse to use the the term "liberal" like all the right-wing radio hosts use). He obviously reads them (and I'm sure will say he does so just to see what they are saying). And, he used to be a true blue Democrat. One wonders if this whole move to the right is just "going with the flow"- going with the mainstream. I think that deep down, he still is one of "us", but due to peer and profession pressures, he is hiding it. Enquiring minds want ot know....
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Re: LJ "VOTP"
I'll try to answer your questions as best I can:
He was in prison, but I don't recall why. But the prison wasn't Casa Rosada, as it wasn't and isn't a prison. He became President (the first time) in 1946. After Evita died in 1952, he hung on until a coup in 1955 sent him to excile, in Spain I believe. He returned to Argentina and became President again in 1973, but died in office less than a year later.
The Casa Rosada was not a prison - it is the Presidential Palace / gov't house. It was originally a fort, but I've never read anything that said it was a prison.
The "Mothers of May Square" march every Thursday (and have done so every Thursday for 20+ years) demanding justince for "los desaparecidos" (the young people who disappeared during the military government's reign from 1976 to 1983). When I was marching with them, I thought the signs and banners they had were referring to that. Our Argentine friends told me when I asked them what the banners and signs said, that they referred to the world bank forgiving Argentina's foreign debt.
I guess the Mothers are figuring out that they need to branch out to protest other things so that they can recruit younger protesters. I would assume that the Mothers themselves are getting old and dying off.
Hope this answers your questions
He was in prison, but I don't recall why. But the prison wasn't Casa Rosada, as it wasn't and isn't a prison. He became President (the first time) in 1946. After Evita died in 1952, he hung on until a coup in 1955 sent him to excile, in Spain I believe. He returned to Argentina and became President again in 1973, but died in office less than a year later.
The Casa Rosada was not a prison - it is the Presidential Palace / gov't house. It was originally a fort, but I've never read anything that said it was a prison.
The "Mothers of May Square" march every Thursday (and have done so every Thursday for 20+ years) demanding justince for "los desaparecidos" (the young people who disappeared during the military government's reign from 1976 to 1983). When I was marching with them, I thought the signs and banners they had were referring to that. Our Argentine friends told me when I asked them what the banners and signs said, that they referred to the world bank forgiving Argentina's foreign debt.
I guess the Mothers are figuring out that they need to branch out to protest other things so that they can recruit younger protesters. I would assume that the Mothers themselves are getting old and dying off.
Hope this answers your questions
A Confession
I too have marched shirtless. Here I am getting ready for my morning march to the local Stop and Rob for cigs.
Re: LJ "VOTP"
OK, A little research tells me (I think) that Casa Rosada is the prison where Peron was held in 1945 (for what I don't know) and that descamisado means shirtless and that the men waiting for Peron's release(?) took their shirts off because it was hot.
Can you fill in the details? Why was Peron in prison? Why/how did he get out? Why do people march every Thursday? Why were you marching (VOTP, I know, but what do you mean?)? What does "PAGO" on the sign mean? Why are you so short and wearing a scarf on your head?
Can you fill in the details? Why was Peron in prison? Why/how did he get out? Why do people march every Thursday? Why were you marching (VOTP, I know, but what do you mean?)? What does "PAGO" on the sign mean? Why are you so short and wearing a scarf on your head?
Friday, February 17, 2006
Katrina Evacuees Donation Update...Feb 17 Update
I posted previously about my wonderful clients' generosity in purchasing two homes for Katrina family evacuees and the wonderful work of Foundation Communities.
A second family has now been chosen. I did not have the opportunity to meet this family so I asked one of the great folks at Foundation Communities to write a bit about the new family. This is what she sent me (only slightly edited to protect identities):
When the dad and mom heard about the storm, they didn’t hesitate to pack up their two daughters, 6 and 4 and just start driving. They eventually made their way to Austin. The dad has an aunt and uncle (and several cousins) who live in Austin, and they figured that they could stay there for awhile. The aunt and uncle took in over 20 relatives who were fleeing the storm!
A second family has now been chosen. I did not have the opportunity to meet this family so I asked one of the great folks at Foundation Communities to write a bit about the new family. This is what she sent me (only slightly edited to protect identities):
When the dad and mom heard about the storm, they didn’t hesitate to pack up their two daughters, 6 and 4 and just start driving. They eventually made their way to Austin. The dad has an aunt and uncle (and several cousins) who live in Austin, and they figured that they could stay there for awhile. The aunt and uncle took in over 20 relatives who were fleeing the storm!
The mom, who grew up in New Orleans and never dreamed of leaving, thought they would eventually return home. Then they visited what was left of their apartment in the ninth ward. The roof was gone, the walls were moldy, and nothing was salvageable. It was at that point that she began to see things as a sign that they were to start a new life in Austin. In New Orleans, she had been an elementary school teacher and a Girl Scout leader for her oldest daughter’s troop. Now she works for AISD as a substitute teacher. She hopes that in May when teaching jobs usually open up, she’ll be able to secure a full-time teaching position. She has just joined a new church, and feels more and more at home in Austin every day.
The dad also grew up in New Orleans. Recognizing there wasn’t any opportunity for him in New Orleans, he had thought about leaving, but didn’t want to take his wife far from her family. With a high unemployment level and most jobs only paying minimum wage, it was hard to save and get ahead. Before coming to Austin, he’d worked at the Superdome. Right after arriving in Austin, he got a job working in the warehouse at Large Austin Computer Related Company with which most of you are familiar. He’s very happy with his job and although it requires him to work the night shift it pays $4 more per hour than he ever made in his life.
As soon as they arrived in Austin, their aunt immediately enrolled the two girls in school. Since then, the girls have adjusted amazingly well. They love their new school, teachers and friends. On the weekends, the girls get to see their Aunt, Uncle and cousins. It has become a weekly event for the family that is here to get together for Friday night dinner.
In New Orleans, they thought about purchasing a home, but were waiting to become more financially stable to do so. With a job that paid minimum wage, the dad knew it would have been a long time before they would have been able to save enough. When mom and dad mom were told that they were the second HOPE family, mom couldn’t stop screaming with excitement. "This is really a dream for us, we’re staying in Austin!" Dad put on his Longhorn hat, a present from his wife, and they drove off to visit their new home.
Come on, visit Foundation Communities and help.
Nat Hentoff of the Village Voice...my favorite Lib
While I'm not nearly as concerned as Mssrs. Hentoff, Weyrich or Will, I do have misgivings about the horribly tagged "domestic spying" program. Mr. Hentoff employs the term, "warrantless surveilling."
Quoting Weyrich on FBI tactics, not on warrantless surveilling, "However, put another administration in power —— one bent on enforcing political correctness —— and it will no longer be Greenpeace or PETA that is under the microscope.
"It will be property-rights groups, pro-lifers, defenders of traditional values, Second Amendment stalwarts."
Part of the solution offered by Hentoff from today's JWR:
"Instead of keeping lists of who appears with whom at various meetings, it would be much more restorative of constitutional values if conservatives, liberals and independents were to unite in a campaign to strengthen the currently lamentable state of teaching the history and contents of the Constitution throughout all levels of our educational system.
How many colleges, for instance, have as many courses, if any, on that founding explanation of why we are Americans, as does the conservative Hillsdale College in Michigan? And I would start in the lower grades around the country with how we gained, and have kept, our liberties. Not jingoistic stories, but the actual tumultuous history of our Constitution. And, by the way, are key presidential advisers Alberto Gonzales, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld constitutional scholars? The president needs one."
Seems his problem is not just with the administration but also the lack of public outcry.
Quoting Weyrich on FBI tactics, not on warrantless surveilling, "However, put another administration in power —— one bent on enforcing political correctness —— and it will no longer be Greenpeace or PETA that is under the microscope.
"It will be property-rights groups, pro-lifers, defenders of traditional values, Second Amendment stalwarts."
Part of the solution offered by Hentoff from today's JWR:
"Instead of keeping lists of who appears with whom at various meetings, it would be much more restorative of constitutional values if conservatives, liberals and independents were to unite in a campaign to strengthen the currently lamentable state of teaching the history and contents of the Constitution throughout all levels of our educational system.
How many colleges, for instance, have as many courses, if any, on that founding explanation of why we are Americans, as does the conservative Hillsdale College in Michigan? And I would start in the lower grades around the country with how we gained, and have kept, our liberties. Not jingoistic stories, but the actual tumultuous history of our Constitution. And, by the way, are key presidential advisers Alberto Gonzales, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld constitutional scholars? The president needs one."
Seems his problem is not just with the administration but also the lack of public outcry.
SSJ's "Voice of the People"
This is a post to do nothing but to prove my bona fides as a voice of the people:
This is yours truly (in the back left), showing solidarity with the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, taken in April 2005 in Buenos Aires. I joined their weekly Thursday march in front of the Casa Rosada. And I did feel like a true descamisado (even though I didn't remove my shirt).
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This is yours truly (in the back left), showing solidarity with the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, taken in April 2005 in Buenos Aires. I joined their weekly Thursday march in front of the Casa Rosada. And I did feel like a true descamisado (even though I didn't remove my shirt).
Why We Fight
From today's Houston Chronic: The director on his conclusion after making the film: "We fight because it's lucrative, thanks to collusion among the defense industry, Congress, the Pentagon, think tanks and media."
On Michael Moore: "[He] inspires young people to be engaged in the politics of our time. And that is a tremendously valuable contribution." On his politics: "I'm a radical centrist." Whatever that is.
Yep, LJ, sounds like a movie for you.
On Michael Moore: "[He] inspires young people to be engaged in the politics of our time. And that is a tremendously valuable contribution." On his politics: "I'm a radical centrist." Whatever that is.
Yep, LJ, sounds like a movie for you.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Re: Coulter
A) Nice "peppering."
B) I'm an AC fan, having hated, HATED, her as a CLL.
C) I've (and I'll let the others speak for themselves) used that epithet.
D} Scooter, check me on this but don't we (and others) traditionally demonize the "other"?
B) I'm an AC fan, having hated, HATED, her as a CLL.
C) I've (and I'll let the others speak for themselves) used that epithet.
D} Scooter, check me on this but don't we (and others) traditionally demonize the "other"?
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Coulter craters, sort of, following SSJ "peppering"
Ann, following the scathing SSJ attack, from today's Yahoo news:
"If you don't want to get shot by the police, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, then don't point a toy gun at them. Or, as I believe our motto should be after 9/11: Jihad monkey talks tough; jihad monkey takes the consequences. Sorry, I realize that's offensive. How about "camel jockey"? What? Now what'd I say? Boy, you tent merchants sure are touchy. Grow up, would you?"
Ok, maybe it wasn't due to SSJ...
Wasn't Paul a tent merchant?
"If you don't want to get shot by the police, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, then don't point a toy gun at them. Or, as I believe our motto should be after 9/11: Jihad monkey talks tough; jihad monkey takes the consequences. Sorry, I realize that's offensive. How about "camel jockey"? What? Now what'd I say? Boy, you tent merchants sure are touchy. Grow up, would you?"
Ok, maybe it wasn't due to SSJ...
Wasn't Paul a tent merchant?
Monday, February 13, 2006
Ann Coulter's Recent Comment, a Gaff?
From CNSNews, this from the mercurial Ann Coulter:
Referring to Iran, Coulter said, "What if they start having one of these bipolar episodes with nuclear weapons? I think our motto should be, post-9/11, 'Raghead talks tough, raghead faces consequences.'"
Lazy, lazy, lazy.
I know I appear to be contradicting myself from my dhimmitude post, but this is less about free speech than common sense and good taste in what is really funny. I supported Ms. Coulter for her post 9/11 comments about going to the terrorists, holding a gun to their heads (or was it swordpoint?) and forcing their conversion to Christianity (which I think got her dismissed from several conservative websites/publications) because that was clearly journalistic/editorial license to make a point about the anger felt in the aftershock of the September attacks. No clear thinking person thought she genuinely advocated such an action.
Here the quote is just lazy and not funny. I don’t think it rises to hate speech (I don’t even know what that is) or reflects genuine racism…just a lazy effort to get a laugh. She’s better and smarter than that. Profanity was only funny out of the mouths of Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, George Carlin and, heck, I’ll even go as far as Eddie Murphy. For everybody else, it’s lazy. Use of such a term is beneath her. "Raghead" was amusing the first time I heard it...25 years ago during the Iranian hostage crisis.
Ms. Coulter, cut back on the schedule and work a little harder. (This from a guy who's bought and read or listened to three of your books, never misses a column...and is a huge fan who happens to be very lazy.)
Referring to Iran, Coulter said, "What if they start having one of these bipolar episodes with nuclear weapons? I think our motto should be, post-9/11, 'Raghead talks tough, raghead faces consequences.'"
Lazy, lazy, lazy.
I know I appear to be contradicting myself from my dhimmitude post, but this is less about free speech than common sense and good taste in what is really funny. I supported Ms. Coulter for her post 9/11 comments about going to the terrorists, holding a gun to their heads (or was it swordpoint?) and forcing their conversion to Christianity (which I think got her dismissed from several conservative websites/publications) because that was clearly journalistic/editorial license to make a point about the anger felt in the aftershock of the September attacks. No clear thinking person thought she genuinely advocated such an action.
Here the quote is just lazy and not funny. I don’t think it rises to hate speech (I don’t even know what that is) or reflects genuine racism…just a lazy effort to get a laugh. She’s better and smarter than that. Profanity was only funny out of the mouths of Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, George Carlin and, heck, I’ll even go as far as Eddie Murphy. For everybody else, it’s lazy. Use of such a term is beneath her. "Raghead" was amusing the first time I heard it...25 years ago during the Iranian hostage crisis.
Ms. Coulter, cut back on the schedule and work a little harder. (This from a guy who's bought and read or listened to three of your books, never misses a column...and is a huge fan who happens to be very lazy.)
Coppin' a (dhimmi) tude
The effect of the "spontaneous" riots in reaction to the publication of the cartoons in Denmark really is having a startling effect, a "chilling effect" on the press. The press may claim it is out of respect for the Muslim culture but fear (probably justified) is really what's at play here. How else can the press in the US have published so few of the offending images? This IS news. When did our press, not to mention our State Department, become such wimps? What has happened to the crusty, cigar smoking editors lionized in the past?
The Arab press has long published horrific cartoons of Jews, not to mention furthering the myth of the Protocols of Zion yet the "demonstators" want us to give up a right that they are unwilling to surrender themselves. Besides, modern western trends notwithstanding, there is no right not to be offended.
From today's Townhall article by Diana West:
"Wherever Islam conquered, surrendering dhimmi, known to Muslims as "people of the book (the Bible)," were tolerated, allowed to practice their religion, but at a dehumanizing cost."
She goes on to describe that cost:
"There were literal taxes (jizya) to be paid; these bought the dhimmi the right to remain non-Muslim, the price not of religious freedom, but of religious identity. Freedom was lost, sorely circumscribed by a body of Islamic law (sharia) designed to subjugate, denigrate and humiliate the dhimmi. The resulting culture of self-abnegation, self-censorship and fear shared by far-flung dhimmi is the basis of dhimmitude. "
Our self-censorship is our preemptive submission to dhimmitude.
The Arab press has long published horrific cartoons of Jews, not to mention furthering the myth of the Protocols of Zion yet the "demonstators" want us to give up a right that they are unwilling to surrender themselves. Besides, modern western trends notwithstanding, there is no right not to be offended.
From today's Townhall article by Diana West:
"Wherever Islam conquered, surrendering dhimmi, known to Muslims as "people of the book (the Bible)," were tolerated, allowed to practice their religion, but at a dehumanizing cost."
She goes on to describe that cost:
"There were literal taxes (jizya) to be paid; these bought the dhimmi the right to remain non-Muslim, the price not of religious freedom, but of religious identity. Freedom was lost, sorely circumscribed by a body of Islamic law (sharia) designed to subjugate, denigrate and humiliate the dhimmi. The resulting culture of self-abnegation, self-censorship and fear shared by far-flung dhimmi is the basis of dhimmitude. "
Our self-censorship is our preemptive submission to dhimmitude.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Re: 9/11 documentaries
Wolcott is a tool. He declared George Galloway "a hero for our time." He roots for hurricanes to inflict maxium damage (in a post the coward subsequently took down which, as I understand blogger ethics, is a no-no). I think I'll let Scooter handle this attack on VDH.
Not surprisingly, when I was a CLL I really liked him. Frank Rich and MoDo too. Excuse me now; I feel dirty and need to wash.
I'll address "Why We Fight" later.
Not surprisingly, when I was a CLL I really liked him. Frank Rich and MoDo too. Excuse me now; I feel dirty and need to wash.
I'll address "Why We Fight" later.
9/11 documentaries
I ran across this article from James Wolcott in Vanity Fair. Of course, given my political leanings and "conspiratorial worldview", I loved it. It hit all the points that resonate with me:
1) the "fear" mentality that the current administration pushes and pushes upon us
2) the influence of the "military-industrial complex"
3) the coup d'état of American foreign policy by neoconservative ideologues
4) the influence of right-wing of think tanks
5) the "taboo" of any 9/11 images or video
6) and a personal favorite, the linking, then un-linking, of Saddam Hussein and 9/11
I hope to see both movies ("Why We Fight" and "The Unrecovered"), though I have a feeling the latter will be difficult to find.
1) the "fear" mentality that the current administration pushes and pushes upon us
2) the influence of the "military-industrial complex"
3) the coup d'état of American foreign policy by neoconservative ideologues
4) the influence of right-wing of think tanks
5) the "taboo" of any 9/11 images or video
6) and a personal favorite, the linking, then un-linking, of Saddam Hussein and 9/11
I hope to see both movies ("Why We Fight" and "The Unrecovered"), though I have a feeling the latter will be difficult to find.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Blackwell, Swann and Steele
History and War
As I continue through Victor Davis Hanson's Carnage and Culture, I am just aghast at how little "Western Civ" I know. In addition, as I learn more, I really do begin to see just how relevant that history is to today.
From his site today, a fairly lengthy piece from the American Enterprise Magazine:
"Apart from these specific historical lessons, there are four bothersome facts about war that contemporary minds, full of utopian hopes, often fail to grasp.
First: There is often a savage utility to war. The great pathologies of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries —— slavery, Nazism, fascism, Japanese militarism, and communism —— were ended only through force and military deterrence. More recently, brutal bullies like Manuel Noriega, Slobodan Milosevic, and Mullah Omar were stopped from preying on others only by the barrel of a gun. The U.S. military did more in three weeks early in 2003 to save threatened Iraqis and begin humanitarian improvements than 12 years of no-fly zones and a fraudulent United Nations Oil-for Food program had accomplished."
I know, I've become an absolute groupie.
From his site today, a fairly lengthy piece from the American Enterprise Magazine:
"Apart from these specific historical lessons, there are four bothersome facts about war that contemporary minds, full of utopian hopes, often fail to grasp.
First: There is often a savage utility to war. The great pathologies of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries —— slavery, Nazism, fascism, Japanese militarism, and communism —— were ended only through force and military deterrence. More recently, brutal bullies like Manuel Noriega, Slobodan Milosevic, and Mullah Omar were stopped from preying on others only by the barrel of a gun. The U.S. military did more in three weeks early in 2003 to save threatened Iraqis and begin humanitarian improvements than 12 years of no-fly zones and a fraudulent United Nations Oil-for Food program had accomplished."
I know, I've become an absolute groupie.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
UT plans expasion of DKR Memorial Stadium
From today's Austin American Statesman:
University of Texas System regents on Thursday are expected to approve spending nearly $150 million to remodel and expand Royal-Memorial Stadium.
The project, scheduled to be completed in August 2008, would boost seating capacity for football games to more than 90,000.
University of Texas System regents on Thursday are expected to approve spending nearly $150 million to remodel and expand Royal-Memorial Stadium.
The project, scheduled to be completed in August 2008, would boost seating capacity for football games to more than 90,000.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Blackwell Update
Monday, February 06, 2006
Mother Sheehan a Sock Puppet?
And this from that conservative rag the San Francisco Chronicle.
(If I have to hear about her moral authority one more time.)
(If I have to hear about her moral authority one more time.)
Update: Victor Hanson's Carnage and Culture
Got about a hundred and twenty pages into it over the weekend. Must reading for history buffs, military or otherwise. Caveat, as one starts a new chapter, skip ahead a few pages to the simple maps of the battlefield...makes reading the battle descriptions much easier to follow.
The premise is that democratic citizens wage war better than any other type of culture...the Greek's winn at Salamis (after Thermopylae), Alexander kicking Darius's butt at Guagamela. Even in the loss of 70-80,000 Romans to a far outnumbered Hannibal at Cannae, Hanson shows how those fighting for democratic ideals perform better (in this case outcome notwithstanding) than their counterparts under a tyrant.
Coincidentally, I read this from Hanson at RealClearPolitics.com today:
"So is Europe now finally at the front or will they retreat Madrid-like in the face of the inevitable second round of terrorist bombings and threats to come?
"Americans are not confident, but we should remember at least one simple fact: Europe is the embryo of the entire Western military tradition. The new European Union encompasses a population greater than the United States and spans a continent larger than our own territory. It has a greater gross domestic product than that of America and could, in theory, field military forces as disciplined and as well equipped as our own."
The article is a breath of fresh air follwing his and Mark Steyn's recent pieces on the EU.
The premise is that democratic citizens wage war better than any other type of culture...the Greek's winn at Salamis (after Thermopylae), Alexander kicking Darius's butt at Guagamela. Even in the loss of 70-80,000 Romans to a far outnumbered Hannibal at Cannae, Hanson shows how those fighting for democratic ideals perform better (in this case outcome notwithstanding) than their counterparts under a tyrant.
Coincidentally, I read this from Hanson at RealClearPolitics.com today:
"So is Europe now finally at the front or will they retreat Madrid-like in the face of the inevitable second round of terrorist bombings and threats to come?
"Americans are not confident, but we should remember at least one simple fact: Europe is the embryo of the entire Western military tradition. The new European Union encompasses a population greater than the United States and spans a continent larger than our own territory. It has a greater gross domestic product than that of America and could, in theory, field military forces as disciplined and as well equipped as our own."
The article is a breath of fresh air follwing his and Mark Steyn's recent pieces on the EU.
Friday, February 03, 2006
RE: great writer vs great book
(LJ: Are the lack of caps on purpose?). I'm the fellow SSJ referenced, and that's not exactly what I said. LJ found it odd that Capote became so well known based on one book. In fact he was something of a literary darling upon publishing his first novel. (Don't have time to link.) I opined that there were several authors who had written only one novel and were well known: Harper Lee, J.D. Salinger (I know more than one , Zoey and somebody, but who read that?), Margret Mitchell.
Who else?
Who else?
great writer vs great book
I went to see "Capote" last week (I was expecting a so-so movie with a great performance by PSH - was pleasantly surprised that the movie itself was very good and while PSH is getting all the deserved hype, there were also several other excellent performances) and was reflecting on the post-script at the end of the film, which was that he never completed another book after "in cold blood". Since that book was published in 1963/1964 and he died in 1984, I was rather surprised by this revelation. That got me to thinking, then why is he considered such a great writer, because while he is reputed to be one of the great authors of our time, "in cold blood" is the only thing I can name that he wrote. I know he had to have written something before "in cold blood", but it obviously hasn't registered with me. Can a writer get the label of "great" just by writing one great book? Or, should the book be labeled as great, not the author?
One of my fellow SSJ's I believe will argue that if one writes a great book, then said author is therefore great. I'm not sure I would agree, yet I can see both sides of the argument. If Shakespeare (assuming that he did write everything attributed to him) only had written one play (let's assume that play was "Hamlet"), should he be labeled as great? The play itself is.
But, if the one play were, say, "Twelfth Night", then would he?
One of my fellow SSJ's I believe will argue that if one writes a great book, then said author is therefore great. I'm not sure I would agree, yet I can see both sides of the argument. If Shakespeare (assuming that he did write everything attributed to him) only had written one play (let's assume that play was "Hamlet"), should he be labeled as great? The play itself is.
But, if the one play were, say, "Twelfth Night", then would he?
2000 year old thought on Anonymous Giving
Matthew 6:2-4:
2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you...."
2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you...."
Lileks Uses Scooter’s Contribution
An ardent fan of James Lileks since discovering his website via link at Bill Whittle’s ejectejecteject, I was pleased this morning to see I’d made a small contribution to today’s Bleat.
In yesterday’s Bleat (I’d link it but the most recently archived Bleat seems to be Wednesday’s), he mentioned that he had been doing a lot of his writing lately standing up. I’ve been searching for an affordable stand-up desk that doesn’t look like a drafting table for several years now so I can get off my duff for at least some of the day at the office. During that search I somehow learned that our Secretary of Defense uses one so I sent Mr. Lileks a link to Department of Defense photo showing Secretary Rumsfeld at work.
I was tickled when Lileks wrote me back just a few hours after I sent him my note; I can’t imagine how many emails he must get in a day. (Reminded me of January, 2001 when I wrote Marvin Olasky, Editor in Chief of World Magazine, out of the blue at his UT email address asking for church recommendations in Austin...sent that one about midnight and he replied about five hours later.)
Lileks included the DOD link in today’s Bleat. I couldn’t be happier. My work is done. I'm taking the day off.
(Could I possibly have squeezed in any more gratuitous references to real bloggers in a pathetic hope of getting noticed?)
In yesterday’s Bleat (I’d link it but the most recently archived Bleat seems to be Wednesday’s), he mentioned that he had been doing a lot of his writing lately standing up. I’ve been searching for an affordable stand-up desk that doesn’t look like a drafting table for several years now so I can get off my duff for at least some of the day at the office. During that search I somehow learned that our Secretary of Defense uses one so I sent Mr. Lileks a link to Department of Defense photo showing Secretary Rumsfeld at work.
I was tickled when Lileks wrote me back just a few hours after I sent him my note; I can’t imagine how many emails he must get in a day. (Reminded me of January, 2001 when I wrote Marvin Olasky, Editor in Chief of World Magazine, out of the blue at his UT email address asking for church recommendations in Austin...sent that one about midnight and he replied about five hours later.)
Lileks included the DOD link in today’s Bleat. I couldn’t be happier. My work is done. I'm taking the day off.
(Could I possibly have squeezed in any more gratuitous references to real bloggers in a pathetic hope of getting noticed?)
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Who will replace Vince Young?
Another top 5 class for Mack Brown. From the Houston Chronicle. Gotta love it when they're already in school.
Bart Whitaker update
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Katrina Donation Update...Feb 3 Update
UPDATE: As I suspected, my client has approved the first family. I couldn't be happier.
Interviewed a family today who will likely be the beneficiaries of my client's generosity.
For those who haven't been here before, I have a client who has purchased two new homes (3/2s) here in Austin for use by Katrina family evacuees for two to three years with an option to purchase at the end of the term. They will pay some nominal rent which will be held in trust by Foundation Communities and possibly used as the down payment at the time of the purchase. Foundation Communities will also tutor them with financial/budgeting and other skills.
It will also set up a savings account for the acquisition of the home into which the family will contribute and FC will match. I love my client and FC (extra thanks to FC for all the initial screening of the families as I never could have done all that) for doing this but this post is about the family.
This family spent 4 horrible days in the convention center and ended up in Austin not even knowing where they were headed. Even the trek to the convention center was brutal. None of them had ever left the Crescent City before this plight.
The family consists of the dad of 33 years and the mom of about 31. They have one son (4) and another due in April. He obtained a furniture assembly job from a large national retail chain the day after the job fair here in Austin about a week or so after arriving in Austin. He'd been assembling furniture in the Big Easy for seven years and was making about $7.50 an hour. He's already had two raises here and is making almost $12.00 an hour. She (formerly a manager for a fast-food restaurant in N.O....ran out of nicknames) is currently in school learning about medical billing and, now having met her and knowing a bit about the medical market here, I'd bet that she'll be making $12.00-$14.00 an hour after she graduates. The little one is as cute and well behaved as he can be...at least he was during the course of the interview. Dad made one trip back to inspect their one bedroom house in the central business district and could only retrieve/salvage one item: their son's bicycle.
This is a truly deserving family and I'm confident my client will ultimately approve them. What a blessing for this family. Ownership of the American Dream out of the disaster. I couldn't be prouder of my client and the good work of Foundation Communities. Could things still go south? Sure, but I've met the folks with this outfit and I'm confident that their follow up will give this family every chance at the Dream.
To assist with that good work, visit here.
Hat-tip: thanks to my friends at Community New Start for connecting me with Foundation Communities.
Interviewed a family today who will likely be the beneficiaries of my client's generosity.
For those who haven't been here before, I have a client who has purchased two new homes (3/2s) here in Austin for use by Katrina family evacuees for two to three years with an option to purchase at the end of the term. They will pay some nominal rent which will be held in trust by Foundation Communities and possibly used as the down payment at the time of the purchase. Foundation Communities will also tutor them with financial/budgeting and other skills.
It will also set up a savings account for the acquisition of the home into which the family will contribute and FC will match. I love my client and FC (extra thanks to FC for all the initial screening of the families as I never could have done all that) for doing this but this post is about the family.
This family spent 4 horrible days in the convention center and ended up in Austin not even knowing where they were headed. Even the trek to the convention center was brutal. None of them had ever left the Crescent City before this plight.
The family consists of the dad of 33 years and the mom of about 31. They have one son (4) and another due in April. He obtained a furniture assembly job from a large national retail chain the day after the job fair here in Austin about a week or so after arriving in Austin. He'd been assembling furniture in the Big Easy for seven years and was making about $7.50 an hour. He's already had two raises here and is making almost $12.00 an hour. She (formerly a manager for a fast-food restaurant in N.O....ran out of nicknames) is currently in school learning about medical billing and, now having met her and knowing a bit about the medical market here, I'd bet that she'll be making $12.00-$14.00 an hour after she graduates. The little one is as cute and well behaved as he can be...at least he was during the course of the interview. Dad made one trip back to inspect their one bedroom house in the central business district and could only retrieve/salvage one item: their son's bicycle.
This is a truly deserving family and I'm confident my client will ultimately approve them. What a blessing for this family. Ownership of the American Dream out of the disaster. I couldn't be prouder of my client and the good work of Foundation Communities. Could things still go south? Sure, but I've met the folks with this outfit and I'm confident that their follow up will give this family every chance at the Dream.
To assist with that good work, visit here.
Hat-tip: thanks to my friends at Community New Start for connecting me with Foundation Communities.
Rep. Harold E. Ford, Jr. and Sen. Barak Obama
I know that Obama is the current Dem. fave for up and comimg African-American pols, but I've always been impressed with the Congressman from Tennessee.
I need to look at their voting records.
I need to look at their voting records.
Bush echoes SSJ...
echoing Gaffney on "nucular" energy.
The quote from Gaffney's column: "Secondly, we have a proven model for doing things differently. We have diversified sources to meet many of our energy needs (for example, coal, nuclear power, hydroelectric and biomass)."
We've got to follow the French lead here.
The quote from Gaffney's column: "Secondly, we have a proven model for doing things differently. We have diversified sources to meet many of our energy needs (for example, coal, nuclear power, hydroelectric and biomass)."
We've got to follow the French lead here.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
re: american idol
I think most people watch it for the freak factor. To laugh at them, to hear the judges mock them - no other reason. The "winners" wouldn't get the time of day from record companies (in fact, I think I have read that many of the contestants tried and tried before AI and were turned down, of course) - it's only because they make it to the semi-finals or something that they get to record anything (part of the deal of winning).
Music is all about taste. What you may like, I may hate. I remember, back in the day, walking down the main drag in college and hearing some music coming from a store. I was drawn to it, because it was different. And thus, I turned my friends on to Joe Jackson. My friends said.."who"? And I said..."you won't be asking that in a couple of years". And the rest, as they say, is history.
(And before you get all James Frey on me - the paragraph above is a memoir and is how I remember the event. Some of the names, places and events may have been embellished.)
Music is all about taste. What you may like, I may hate. I remember, back in the day, walking down the main drag in college and hearing some music coming from a store. I was drawn to it, because it was different. And thus, I turned my friends on to Joe Jackson. My friends said.."who"? And I said..."you won't be asking that in a couple of years". And the rest, as they say, is history.
(And before you get all James Frey on me - the paragraph above is a memoir and is how I remember the event. Some of the names, places and events may have been embellished.)
American Idol
OK, a little different for us. If Althouse* can do it without being embarrassed, why can't we?
I've watched with varying degrees of interest since it started. I enjoy the early bad stuff more than the end game. I have realized this season that I apparently have no ear for good singing. People I thought were no good were praised by the judges and people I thought terrible weren't according to the judges.
Scooter and LJ, you (at least at some time in the distant past) had the pulse of the music scene; what say ye?
*Like she needs my reference. I assume if you're reading this you know who Althouse is, so why the reference? Because if you don't, you must. She's that good.
I've watched with varying degrees of interest since it started. I enjoy the early bad stuff more than the end game. I have realized this season that I apparently have no ear for good singing. People I thought were no good were praised by the judges and people I thought terrible weren't according to the judges.
Scooter and LJ, you (at least at some time in the distant past) had the pulse of the music scene; what say ye?
*Like she needs my reference. I assume if you're reading this you know who Althouse is, so why the reference? Because if you don't, you must. She's that good.
Mother Sheehan needs your encouragement
Here. Formerly clueless loony lefty (FCLL) admission: I once gave money to DiFi.
This just in: She'll be at SOTU, courtesy of some San Fran congressperson.
UPDATE: LJ reports she's been arrested.
This just in: She'll be at SOTU, courtesy of some San Fran congressperson.
UPDATE: LJ reports she's been arrested.
More on Oil Prices for LJ
May I recommend a short article by Walter E. Williams a paragraph of which follows:
"After Hurricane Katrina struck, gasoline prices shot up almost a dollar nearly overnight. Some people have been quick to call this price-gouging, particularly since wholesalers and retailers were charging the higher price for gasoline already purchased and in their tanks prior to the hurricane. The fact of business is that what a seller paid for something doesn't necessarily determine its selling price. Put in a bit more sophisticated way: Historical costs have nothing to do with selling price. For example, suppose you maintained a 10-pound inventory of coffee in your cupboard. When I ran out, you'd occasionally sell me a pound for $2. Suppose there's a freeze in Brazil destroying much of the coffee crop, driving coffee prices to $5 a pound. Then I come around to purchase coffee. Are you going to charge me $2 a pound, what you paid for it, or $5, what it's going to cost you to restock your coffee inventory?"
It's not hard and it's a real condemnation of public education (including my UT Finance Degree) that every American high school grad is not armed with this. I learned more about economics in one week reading Thomas Sowell's Basic Economics (buy here, proceeds benefit SSJ, NOT) than I did in college.
"After Hurricane Katrina struck, gasoline prices shot up almost a dollar nearly overnight. Some people have been quick to call this price-gouging, particularly since wholesalers and retailers were charging the higher price for gasoline already purchased and in their tanks prior to the hurricane. The fact of business is that what a seller paid for something doesn't necessarily determine its selling price. Put in a bit more sophisticated way: Historical costs have nothing to do with selling price. For example, suppose you maintained a 10-pound inventory of coffee in your cupboard. When I ran out, you'd occasionally sell me a pound for $2. Suppose there's a freeze in Brazil destroying much of the coffee crop, driving coffee prices to $5 a pound. Then I come around to purchase coffee. Are you going to charge me $2 a pound, what you paid for it, or $5, what it's going to cost you to restock your coffee inventory?"
It's not hard and it's a real condemnation of public education (including my UT Finance Degree) that every American high school grad is not armed with this. I learned more about economics in one week reading Thomas Sowell's Basic Economics (buy here, proceeds benefit SSJ, NOT) than I did in college.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Terrence Mallick's The New World
Had really hoped for good things from this one. Mallick, a good Texas boy at least at times in his life, directed one of my favorite movies of all time: 1978's Days of Heaven.
Days of Heaven had a great cast with Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, Sam Shepherd in the leads and the wonderful Linda Manz as the young wannabe Mud Doctor: "I've been thinking what to do wit' my future. I could be a mud doctor. Check out the earth. Underneat'."
I thought Q’orianka Kilcher was quite good, if a little, er, mercurial? John Rolfe was pretty good, too, and Christopher Plummer gets better as he ages. Unfortunately, Colin Farrell plays the key male role as Captain John Smith. After having watched Alexander recently, I've decided Farrell is the world's most overrated actor. (In every battle scene in Alexander, he looked terrified.) He is no better in this role though in his defense, the dialogue of both movies left a lot to be desired.
As I think abouth comparisons between the two, it occurs to me that in many ways, the stories are similar...ambition, love triangle, etc...
Like Days of Heaven, this movie moves at a snail's pace. It's listed at 135 minutes, but felt longer. Days of Heaven compensated for the slow pace with the incredible narration of Manz (see above quote, not as funny to read it but hearing it as narration is as much a scream as it is tragic) whereas the "narration" of The New World comes from our eavesdropping on the thoughts of Smith and Pochahontas, contemplating Mother Earth (at least for Pochahontas) each other, themselves and, most painfully, his angst.
Also like Days of Heaven, New World was beautifully filmed. I believe it was filmed using only natural light. The last "film" I remember trying that was also too long: Kubrick's Barry Lyndon.
It wasn't as politically correct as I had feared, but if could have just watched the last hour, I'd have been much happier. Leaving the theater, I heard a lot of this, "I'm picking the movie next time." I have no one to blame but myself.
Days of Heaven had a great cast with Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, Sam Shepherd in the leads and the wonderful Linda Manz as the young wannabe Mud Doctor: "I've been thinking what to do wit' my future. I could be a mud doctor. Check out the earth. Underneat'."
I thought Q’orianka Kilcher was quite good, if a little, er, mercurial? John Rolfe was pretty good, too, and Christopher Plummer gets better as he ages. Unfortunately, Colin Farrell plays the key male role as Captain John Smith. After having watched Alexander recently, I've decided Farrell is the world's most overrated actor. (In every battle scene in Alexander, he looked terrified.) He is no better in this role though in his defense, the dialogue of both movies left a lot to be desired.
As I think abouth comparisons between the two, it occurs to me that in many ways, the stories are similar...ambition, love triangle, etc...
Like Days of Heaven, this movie moves at a snail's pace. It's listed at 135 minutes, but felt longer. Days of Heaven compensated for the slow pace with the incredible narration of Manz (see above quote, not as funny to read it but hearing it as narration is as much a scream as it is tragic) whereas the "narration" of The New World comes from our eavesdropping on the thoughts of Smith and Pochahontas, contemplating Mother Earth (at least for Pochahontas) each other, themselves and, most painfully, his angst.
Also like Days of Heaven, New World was beautifully filmed. I believe it was filmed using only natural light. The last "film" I remember trying that was also too long: Kubrick's Barry Lyndon.
It wasn't as politically correct as I had feared, but if could have just watched the last hour, I'd have been much happier. Leaving the theater, I heard a lot of this, "I'm picking the movie next time." I have no one to blame but myself.
the latest "trial of the century" begins today
A trial that many Houstonians, and ex-Houstonians, have been waiting for starts today. Trying to put myself in the mind of Lays' attorney - do you argue that he was just incompetent? A CEO who had a huge salary, but did nothing (being involved, oversight, leadership) to earn it? Would I, as a jury member, even believe this defense?
The drama, of course, will be when the other "senior executives" rat him out and testify against him. Of course, even if he is found guilty, he'll declare that he doesn't have any assets to pay any restitution and will spend any prison time at a River Oaks Country Club style prison. Of course, if he were a friend of the Clintons and/or a Democrat, he'd be sent to a place where "husband and wife" has a much different connotation.
hostile jury, ya think?
The drama, of course, will be when the other "senior executives" rat him out and testify against him. Of course, even if he is found guilty, he'll declare that he doesn't have any assets to pay any restitution and will spend any prison time at a River Oaks Country Club style prison. Of course, if he were a friend of the Clintons and/or a Democrat, he'd be sent to a place where "husband and wife" has a much different connotation.
hostile jury, ya think?
Saturday, January 28, 2006
"N.O. Gang Wars Spill Into Area"
That's the lead story in today's Houston Chronicle. Police have identified 11 Katrina evacuees as suspects in a string of homicides, robberies and kidnappings since November. One of these Crescent City cretins, who goes by the charming nickname "B-Stupid," cycled through the Orleans Parish jail at least six times last year. Within days of each arrest, he was released on bail. HPD homicide Captain Dale Brown does not intend to let that happen here. "We think they are going to find things are a little bit different than in Lousiana." Got to find him first, though.
Previously: "Too many rules, too much police presence."
Hurtt sees no spurt in crime
Evacuees are taking what they can in the best Big Easy style
Altercation at Houston high school
Previously: "Too many rules, too much police presence."
Hurtt sees no spurt in crime
Evacuees are taking what they can in the best Big Easy style
Altercation at Houston high school
Friday, January 27, 2006
Send $100 to Ken Blackwell
From City Journal:
While he debated whether to leave the Charterist Party to become either a Democrat or a Republican, Blackwell got an invitation to visit Reagan in the White House, where the president told Blackwell the story of his own political conversion. "I walked out of there knowing that I was going to join the party myself. It was clear to me that I stood a better chance of following my principles as a Republican," says Blackwell.
From dashiki wearing Alinskyite to Reagan Republican...that is a man I have to assist, however modestly.
While he debated whether to leave the Charterist Party to become either a Democrat or a Republican, Blackwell got an invitation to visit Reagan in the White House, where the president told Blackwell the story of his own political conversion. "I walked out of there knowing that I was going to join the party myself. It was clear to me that I stood a better chance of following my principles as a Republican," says Blackwell.
From dashiki wearing Alinskyite to Reagan Republican...that is a man I have to assist, however modestly.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Adaware
I've had a Trojan desktop highjacker for several months...Adaware, a free service, remedied it. Thanks Adaware.
Now I can look at Leonidas at Thermopylae without all the difficulties.
Now I can look at Leonidas at Thermopylae without all the difficulties.
Energy Diversity
Frank Gaffney doesn't really address it like I'd like in his column but we've got to add Nuclear Energy back into the equation. He does address Electricity.
He also addresses some of the issues about which this Righty with a single Lefty bone (the Green Bone) is concerned...and praises (or at least single out) this Righty's hometown:
"Interest in such plug-in hybrids is about to get a further boost, thanks to a national grassroots campaign being kicked off at the National Press Club today. Led by Austin, Texas — a place President Bush used to call home — and its public utility, Austin Energy, this initiative is backed by a coalition of cities and counties from across the country, some 100 power utilities, national security experts (including yours truly [Frank Gaffney]) and various public policy organizations. The idea is to raise awareness about and demonstrate demand for plug-ins, while encouraging governments at all levels to provide incentives for manufacturers to meet that demand. (For more on this coalition, see www.PluginPartners.com.) " [Mr. Gaffney, if that is too much of a quote to have lifted, I apologize.]
How is it that the Left can admire our Euro-betters so, and ignore all the French nuclear plants?
He also addresses some of the issues about which this Righty with a single Lefty bone (the Green Bone) is concerned...and praises (or at least single out) this Righty's hometown:
"Interest in such plug-in hybrids is about to get a further boost, thanks to a national grassroots campaign being kicked off at the National Press Club today. Led by Austin, Texas — a place President Bush used to call home — and its public utility, Austin Energy, this initiative is backed by a coalition of cities and counties from across the country, some 100 power utilities, national security experts (including yours truly [Frank Gaffney]) and various public policy organizations. The idea is to raise awareness about and demonstrate demand for plug-ins, while encouraging governments at all levels to provide incentives for manufacturers to meet that demand. (For more on this coalition, see www.PluginPartners.com.) " [Mr. Gaffney, if that is too much of a quote to have lifted, I apologize.]
How is it that the Left can admire our Euro-betters so, and ignore all the French nuclear plants?
Hugh Hewitt listeners rip Joel Stein...
The LA Times columnist really tried to express, in my view, some of the Left's hypocrisy, for "supporting the troops," but not the cause. His column is certainly incendiary but I also find it refreshing.
HH and others were outraged about the column's insensitivity, but I think it honest.
If Michelle Malkin has not yet unloaded, you better duck Joel.
His last line though, in reference to parades for returning military, was a bit over the top:
"Seriously, the traffic is insufferable."
HH and others were outraged about the column's insensitivity, but I think it honest.
If Michelle Malkin has not yet unloaded, you better duck Joel.
His last line though, in reference to parades for returning military, was a bit over the top:
"Seriously, the traffic is insufferable."
Texas Border Scare, if true
I know nothing about this website but am starting to hear more and more of these rumors:
"Mexican soldiers and civilian smugglers had an armed standoff with nearly 30 U.S. law enforcement officials on the Rio Grande in Texas Monday afternoon, according to Texas police and the FBI."
"Mexican soldiers and civilian smugglers had an armed standoff with nearly 30 U.S. law enforcement officials on the Rio Grande in Texas Monday afternoon, according to Texas police and the FBI."
Monday, January 23, 2006
"...a decidedly conspiratorial worldview"
How true!! I do believe in a wide variety of conspiracy theories and the whole "9/11 war on terror" has just added new fodder for those of us who share this worldview. So I offer this - compliments of Keith Olbermann from October 12, 2005. (scroll down until you find The Nexus of Politics and Terror)
One or two could be a coincidence - but 13?! I smell conspiracy...
One or two could be a coincidence - but 13?! I smell conspiracy...
Carmine said two boys; here are three.
I meant to get this up before he posted but didn't. We welcome "Love Johnson" to SSJ. (Scooter: I didn't think I had to say anything to him about his screen name, but clearly I did. Sorry.)
I intended to say a little bit about "LJ" and what to expect but his post speaks for itself. I'll add that LJ is an old friend of ours (30-plus years for me and about 20 for Scooter) and in addition to a definite lefty bent, he has a decidedly conspiratorial worldview.
Two comments LJ: (1) proofread (you seem to have a "shall" where you wanted "say;" (2) mix in a dictionary occasionally (it's "elicit" not "illicit").*
Hey, if we can't hold each other up for public ridicule, what's the point?
Anyway, welcome LJ. I'm looking forward to an interesting discussion. (Yes I intend to post more often.)
*This is going to come back to bite me. Hard. I dislike proofing, can't spell worth a damn, and my spell checker doesn't work.
I intended to say a little bit about "LJ" and what to expect but his post speaks for itself. I'll add that LJ is an old friend of ours (30-plus years for me and about 20 for Scooter) and in addition to a definite lefty bent, he has a decidedly conspiratorial worldview.
Two comments LJ: (1) proofread (you seem to have a "shall" where you wanted "say;" (2) mix in a dictionary occasionally (it's "elicit" not "illicit").*
Hey, if we can't hold each other up for public ridicule, what's the point?
Anyway, welcome LJ. I'm looking forward to an interesting discussion. (Yes I intend to post more often.)
*This is going to come back to bite me. Hard. I dislike proofing, can't spell worth a damn, and my spell checker doesn't work.
the voice of the people
First, a cell phone. Next, Tivo. Now, a blogger. Guess I'm officially part of the 21st century. My role (as I see it) is to question, debate and offer a more, shall we shall, leftist view than my fellow secondhand smoking jacks. And to ask logical (well, at least they understand my particular brand of logical) questions and illicit their opinions and views on current events and subjects.
They are the voice of the bourgeoisie - I am the voice of the people!
Thanks guys for inviting me - I'll try to live up to the high standards set so far.
They are the voice of the bourgeoisie - I am the voice of the people!
Thanks guys for inviting me - I'll try to live up to the high standards set so far.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Whew, maybe I’m not a geek...
Peter Suderman at National Review Online on my favorite show...Battlestar Galactica.
[Update] No comments in three or four days...I guess I am a geek.
[Update] No comments in three or four days...I guess I am a geek.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Texas Football Pride
I've had the great joy of seeing the UT Tower lit with the No. 1 from my patio for about 10 days. It's back to normal now and I miss the "Orange" and the "1."
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Drill in ANWR
I hate when I don’t think of these arguments. This is also about Native Americans. Thanks to Tara Sweeney. It's not just national security and capitalism and cheaper energy costs. And this from me, whose only lib bone in my body is my green bone.
Ashby out!
I don't like it. I'll get Milo for half the Astros games and two guys I don't know. I don't like it one bit.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Rush v. Hugh
Was thinking today, and it is likely not an original thought, Hewitt seems a Republican first and Limbaugh a Conservative. Not anything revelatory...just crossed my mind.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
This weekend...
One thing you said this weekend that I've been thinking about...
"Rush does a disservice when he says Dems want America to fail because they love America but just don't get/understand how things really work."
I paraphrase but you get my meaning.
I agree that what you say is true about the Dem base...the voters. I'm not sure I agree about the the big guns in the Party. I'm not ready to let them off the hook. A writer at Townhall last week said that he'd talked to a Repub ME senator until he was blue in the face about tax cuts but she couldn't change her position because of a segment of her electorate.
She chooses to take her stance because of her base in spite of the facts.
If Rush refers to Leadership, I'll agree because they know, or should know, better.
"Rush does a disservice when he says Dems want America to fail because they love America but just don't get/understand how things really work."
I paraphrase but you get my meaning.
I agree that what you say is true about the Dem base...the voters. I'm not sure I agree about the the big guns in the Party. I'm not ready to let them off the hook. A writer at Townhall last week said that he'd talked to a Repub ME senator until he was blue in the face about tax cuts but she couldn't change her position because of a segment of her electorate.
She chooses to take her stance because of her base in spite of the facts.
If Rush refers to Leadership, I'll agree because they know, or should know, better.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
George Will on Analog Welfare
I love Will but rarely does he make me laugh.
In his column on the the "compassionate conservatism" of tax dollars subsidizing TV viewers for the switch to digital, he asks:
"Why is this a crisis? Because, although programming currently is broadcast in both modes, by April 2009 broadcasters must end analog transmissions and the government will have auctioned the analog frequencies for various telecommunications purposes. For the vast majority of Americans, April 2009 will mean ... absolutely nothing. Nationwide, 85 percent of all television households (and 63 percent of households below the poverty line [emph. added]) already have cable or satellite service."
He calls the pending house version of the law (cheap at $990M, ack!) the "No Couch Potato Left Behind Act."
In his column on the the "compassionate conservatism" of tax dollars subsidizing TV viewers for the switch to digital, he asks:
"Why is this a crisis? Because, although programming currently is broadcast in both modes, by April 2009 broadcasters must end analog transmissions and the government will have auctioned the analog frequencies for various telecommunications purposes. For the vast majority of Americans, April 2009 will mean ... absolutely nothing. Nationwide, 85 percent of all television households (and 63 percent of households below the poverty line [emph. added]) already have cable or satellite service."
He calls the pending house version of the law (cheap at $990M, ack!) the "No Couch Potato Left Behind Act."
Former Ambivalence about Immigration Reform
I've always been of two minds on the issue. I've always felt that as a nation of immigrants, we should welcome those who come here to make a better life for themselves and their families. If they needed to cut corners to get here, so be it. If I were struggling to put bread on my family's table, I'd make like Jean Valjean and do what it takes.
Since 9-11 though, I've become uncomfortable with my position. Clearly, the possibility of terrorists crossing illegally changes everything. That's easy. The question of what to do to stop them is more difficult. I have no answers and that is not the subject of this post.
Another thing that has changed my feelings about the issue has to do with multi-culturalism (and its sister, political correctness) and the "balkanization" of our country (and Europe as demonstrated in France with the riots and the UK with the recent bombings there). It is the transformation from the "melting pot" to the "salad bowl" our country seems to be experiencing. I know the problems here are nowhere near that of France, Germany and apparently the UK, but I fear it is only a matter of time.
As she usually does, Peggy Noonan has asked some questions in her column today that offer some of the reasons why my thinking has changed. I think it primarily a matter of respect:
"What does it mean that your first act on entering a country--your first act on that soil--is the breaking of that country's laws? What does it suggest to you when that country does nothing about your lawbreaking because it cannot, or chooses not to? What does that tell you? Will that make you a better future citizen, or worse? More respecting of the rule of law in your new home, or less?"
Since 9-11 though, I've become uncomfortable with my position. Clearly, the possibility of terrorists crossing illegally changes everything. That's easy. The question of what to do to stop them is more difficult. I have no answers and that is not the subject of this post.
Another thing that has changed my feelings about the issue has to do with multi-culturalism (and its sister, political correctness) and the "balkanization" of our country (and Europe as demonstrated in France with the riots and the UK with the recent bombings there). It is the transformation from the "melting pot" to the "salad bowl" our country seems to be experiencing. I know the problems here are nowhere near that of France, Germany and apparently the UK, but I fear it is only a matter of time.
As she usually does, Peggy Noonan has asked some questions in her column today that offer some of the reasons why my thinking has changed. I think it primarily a matter of respect:
"What does it mean that your first act on entering a country--your first act on that soil--is the breaking of that country's laws? What does it suggest to you when that country does nothing about your lawbreaking because it cannot, or chooses not to? What does that tell you? Will that make you a better future citizen, or worse? More respecting of the rule of law in your new home, or less?"
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Subsidize Big Oil!
Thoughts on Windfall Profits from Paul Greenberg:
"What about the millions of Americans whose retirement depends on their mutual funds, in which oil stocks are heavily represented? How many of those pension funds are dependent on the oil companies' profits, and what happens to those pensions if the profits evaporate? Don't the pensions shrink, too? Instead of talking about laws against price-gouging, shouldn't Congress now be holding impassioned hearings, complete with widows and orphans, to ask how it can help increase Big Oil's income to help those dependent on it? Worse news could still be ahead: The price of gas, which hovered around $3 a gallon on Labor Day, now has dropped some 80 cents and could dip below $2 a gallon by Christmas. Oh, the humanity! Shouldn't Congress act before it's too late? Disaster impends!"
Can't we all agree on this?
"What about the millions of Americans whose retirement depends on their mutual funds, in which oil stocks are heavily represented? How many of those pension funds are dependent on the oil companies' profits, and what happens to those pensions if the profits evaporate? Don't the pensions shrink, too? Instead of talking about laws against price-gouging, shouldn't Congress now be holding impassioned hearings, complete with widows and orphans, to ask how it can help increase Big Oil's income to help those dependent on it? Worse news could still be ahead: The price of gas, which hovered around $3 a gallon on Labor Day, now has dropped some 80 cents and could dip below $2 a gallon by Christmas. Oh, the humanity! Shouldn't Congress act before it's too late? Disaster impends!"
Can't we all agree on this?
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Anathema? Update
Does anyone know why the noun "anathema" never has an article in front of it?
"My conservative views are anathema to my liberal friends."
instead of
"My conservative views are an anathema to my liberal friends."
Update: I may not know anything about predicate nominatives, but the folks at Princeton don't seem to have any difficulty using an indefinite article:
"he is an anathema to me"
"My conservative views are anathema to my liberal friends."
instead of
"My conservative views are an anathema to my liberal friends."
Update: I may not know anything about predicate nominatives, but the folks at Princeton don't seem to have any difficulty using an indefinite article:
"he is an anathema to me"
Monday, December 05, 2005
George Will on "Windfall" Profits
George Will offers this pocketbook argument against the tax:
"They [Robert J. Shapiro, former undersecretary of commerce in the Clinton administration, and Nam D. Pham, an economist] calculate that 41 percent of oil company stocks are owned by pension plans and individuals' retirement accounts. Hence much of the tax's burden would have fallen on current and future retirees, reducing both the market value of, and dividends paid by, those stocks. The cost to all the oil companies' shareholders, in forgone stock appreciation and dividends, would have ranged -- depending on oil prices and inflation -- from $21.3 billion to $121.8 billion per year."
I know I'm the only person on the planet who cares about this stuff but actions have consequences and our representatives have to consider them while they preen.
"They [Robert J. Shapiro, former undersecretary of commerce in the Clinton administration, and Nam D. Pham, an economist] calculate that 41 percent of oil company stocks are owned by pension plans and individuals' retirement accounts. Hence much of the tax's burden would have fallen on current and future retirees, reducing both the market value of, and dividends paid by, those stocks. The cost to all the oil companies' shareholders, in forgone stock appreciation and dividends, would have ranged -- depending on oil prices and inflation -- from $21.3 billion to $121.8 billion per year."
I know I'm the only person on the planet who cares about this stuff but actions have consequences and our representatives have to consider them while they preen.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Update: a tonic for Abe Foxman
Update from Isi Liebler at the Jerusalem Post:
It is therefore highly regrettable that organizations devoted to promoting pluralism and combating anti-Semitism would paint friends as adversaries. This is hardly the way to retain the support of the one American major group that consistently and unconditionally supports Israel. It is surely wrong and counterproductive to insult friends and allies, even if we differ with them on many other issues.
If we had 50 million evangelicals in Europe the situation for Jews would be dramatically different. Conversely, we would do well to ask ourselves what the status of Israel and Jews in the United States would be in the absence of our evangelical supporters.
I know about the historical persecutions, but have never figured out the fears expressed today.
Thanks to Rabbi Lapin, Julia Gorin and Jeff Jacoby for weighing in. Foxman gets a bit tiresome.
Lapin:
As an Orthodox rabbi with an unquenchable passion for teaching Torah and devoting myself to the long term interests of Judaism and America’’s Jewish community, I believe we Jews must turn our backs on the secularism that will sink us all. An act of friendship would be welcome. Let us all go out of our way to wish our many wonderful Christian friends——a very merry Christmas. Just remember, America’s Bible belt is our safety belt.
Gorin:
Apparently, Jews don't have enough enemies in this world, and the one friend they have is one too many. Or perhaps these two and the Jews who think like they do figure that the world doesn't stand a chance against Islam, so why not help battle the only remaining religion standing in its way of world domination?
Jacoby:
On the contrary: It makes me feel grateful -- to live in a land where freedom of religion shelters the Hanukkah menorah in my window no less than the Christmas tree in my neighbor's. That freedom is a reflection of America's Judeo-Christian culture, and a principal reason why, in this overwhelmingly Christian country, it isn't only Christians for whom Christmas is a season of joy. And why it isn't only Christians who should make a point of saying so.
It is therefore highly regrettable that organizations devoted to promoting pluralism and combating anti-Semitism would paint friends as adversaries. This is hardly the way to retain the support of the one American major group that consistently and unconditionally supports Israel. It is surely wrong and counterproductive to insult friends and allies, even if we differ with them on many other issues.
If we had 50 million evangelicals in Europe the situation for Jews would be dramatically different. Conversely, we would do well to ask ourselves what the status of Israel and Jews in the United States would be in the absence of our evangelical supporters.
I know about the historical persecutions, but have never figured out the fears expressed today.
Thanks to Rabbi Lapin, Julia Gorin and Jeff Jacoby for weighing in. Foxman gets a bit tiresome.
Lapin:
As an Orthodox rabbi with an unquenchable passion for teaching Torah and devoting myself to the long term interests of Judaism and America’’s Jewish community, I believe we Jews must turn our backs on the secularism that will sink us all. An act of friendship would be welcome. Let us all go out of our way to wish our many wonderful Christian friends——a very merry Christmas. Just remember, America’s Bible belt is our safety belt.
Gorin:
Apparently, Jews don't have enough enemies in this world, and the one friend they have is one too many. Or perhaps these two and the Jews who think like they do figure that the world doesn't stand a chance against Islam, so why not help battle the only remaining religion standing in its way of world domination?
Jacoby:
On the contrary: It makes me feel grateful -- to live in a land where freedom of religion shelters the Hanukkah menorah in my window no less than the Christmas tree in my neighbor's. That freedom is a reflection of America's Judeo-Christian culture, and a principal reason why, in this overwhelmingly Christian country, it isn't only Christians for whom Christmas is a season of joy. And why it isn't only Christians who should make a point of saying so.
Monday, November 28, 2005
National Review and Narnia
Ok, the cover of NR this week has me ready to subscribe. When I did that silly summer at Oxford, I made a point of having a pint at the "beak and baby" or Eagle and Child...the pub where the Inklings met.
Thanks to Vox Day for reminding me.
Thanks to Vox Day for reminding me.
Still more on "Gouging"
I know this is quickly becoming a sick obsession of mine, but Ben Lieberman makes more good points on the issue at Heritage:
"Katrina hit the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, and the resulting combination of reduced oil production, knocked-out refineries and closed pipelines sent gasoline prices skyrocketing nearly 50 cents per gallon in a week. At its worst on Sept. 5, the national average hit $3.06 per gallon."
and then:
"The lesson is that markets work. Katrina-induced supply shortfalls caused an immediate jump in prices, which quickly triggered a series of self-correcting actions. The additional profit motive sent the oil industry scrambling to make repairs even before the floodwaters had receded, bringing supplies back online very quickly. Similarly, the high prices attracted extra gasoline from Europe and elsewhere to the American market."
"Katrina hit the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, and the resulting combination of reduced oil production, knocked-out refineries and closed pipelines sent gasoline prices skyrocketing nearly 50 cents per gallon in a week. At its worst on Sept. 5, the national average hit $3.06 per gallon."
and then:
"The lesson is that markets work. Katrina-induced supply shortfalls caused an immediate jump in prices, which quickly triggered a series of self-correcting actions. The additional profit motive sent the oil industry scrambling to make repairs even before the floodwaters had receded, bringing supplies back online very quickly. Similarly, the high prices attracted extra gasoline from Europe and elsewhere to the American market."
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Happy to be a Lawyer this day before Thanksgiving
In about 20 minutes I'm heading to a walk-through of two newly constructed homes. On behalf of a client of mine, if all goes well, we will close on the purchase of the two homes on Monday.
What's the big deal? My client is purchasing the two homes to provide housing to Katrina evacuees. Yes, FEMA has extended the hotel vouchers for another month but that can't go on forever.
Special thanks to Foundation Communities, for assistance in finding the families for the homes and creating the program which, if all goes well, will have these families on their feet financially and purchasing these homes in two or three years.
Special thanks to my client as well. Your generosity is extraordinary.
Update: finished the walk-though and the houses are beautiful. These will be tow very fortunate families, indeed.
What's the big deal? My client is purchasing the two homes to provide housing to Katrina evacuees. Yes, FEMA has extended the hotel vouchers for another month but that can't go on forever.
Special thanks to Foundation Communities, for assistance in finding the families for the homes and creating the program which, if all goes well, will have these families on their feet financially and purchasing these homes in two or three years.
Special thanks to my client as well. Your generosity is extraordinary.
Update: finished the walk-though and the houses are beautiful. These will be tow very fortunate families, indeed.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Tow-heads
A colleague of mine brought his two sons to the office today and the term "tow-heads" immediately sprang from my lips.
Their hair reminded me of my current and erstwhile nephews and nieces.
I've never known how the term was derived. Now, thanks to Word Detective, I know:
"In the case of 'tow-head,' understanding the phrase depends on knowing that 'tow' is another word for raw flax or hemp fibers. 'Tow' in this sense is apparently unrelated to the 'pull' sense of 'tow,' and comes from a prehistoric [Scooter's note: not sure I buy that] German word meaning 'to spin or weave.' Flax fibers in their natural state are a very light golden color, so 'tow-head' is a logical description of someone with very light or blonde hair. The phrase 'flaxen-haired' applied to such people is somewhat more common than 'tow-head,' although both phrases are gradually disappearing."
Their hair reminded me of my current and erstwhile nephews and nieces.
I've never known how the term was derived. Now, thanks to Word Detective, I know:
"In the case of 'tow-head,' understanding the phrase depends on knowing that 'tow' is another word for raw flax or hemp fibers. 'Tow' in this sense is apparently unrelated to the 'pull' sense of 'tow,' and comes from a prehistoric [Scooter's note: not sure I buy that] German word meaning 'to spin or weave.' Flax fibers in their natural state are a very light golden color, so 'tow-head' is a logical description of someone with very light or blonde hair. The phrase 'flaxen-haired' applied to such people is somewhat more common than 'tow-head,' although both phrases are gradually disappearing."
The death of manners
Don't miss George Will on manners.
From today's Jewish World Review:
"Actually, manners are the practice of a virtue. The virtue is called civility, a word related —— as a foundation is related to a house —— to the word civilization."
From today's Jewish World Review:
"Actually, manners are the practice of a virtue. The virtue is called civility, a word related —— as a foundation is related to a house —— to the word civilization."
Monday, November 14, 2005
More on "Windfall Profits"
From Jeff Jacoby:
"Exxon's profits last quarter amounted to 9.8 cents for every dollar of sales. Is that obscene? Well, it was more profitable than Shell (which netted 7.8 cents of each dollar of revenue) or Chevron (6.6 cents) or BP (4.6 cents). But compared to Coca-Cola (21.2 cents), Bank of America (28.3 cents), or Microsoft (33.2 cents), it was nothing to write home about. "
And:
"Over the past 25 years, according to the Tax Foundation, oil companies paid state and federal taxes of more than $2.2 trillion (in inflation-adjusted dollars). During the same period, the companies' profits totaled $630 billion...."
Who's responsible for high gasoline costs and shivering children in the north?
"Exxon's profits last quarter amounted to 9.8 cents for every dollar of sales. Is that obscene? Well, it was more profitable than Shell (which netted 7.8 cents of each dollar of revenue) or Chevron (6.6 cents) or BP (4.6 cents). But compared to Coca-Cola (21.2 cents), Bank of America (28.3 cents), or Microsoft (33.2 cents), it was nothing to write home about. "
And:
"Over the past 25 years, according to the Tax Foundation, oil companies paid state and federal taxes of more than $2.2 trillion (in inflation-adjusted dollars). During the same period, the companies' profits totaled $630 billion...."
Who's responsible for high gasoline costs and shivering children in the north?
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Wiseguy
Just got my Wiseguy (Mel Profitt) dvd set in the mail. For those who don't recall, it was a short-lived series in the 80s with Mel Proffitt appearing in 1987.
Ken Wahl plays a DEEP undercover agent and as I recall, there were about three subseries within the series...each subseries being about eight or ten episodes.
Mel Profitt and his sister Susan are Vancouver kingpins in the coke smuggling trade. Mel is played by Kevin Spacey and Susan by Joan Severance. Both characters were very quirky and the sibling relationship quite disturbing.
Can't wait to get home.
Ken Wahl plays a DEEP undercover agent and as I recall, there were about three subseries within the series...each subseries being about eight or ten episodes.
Mel Profitt and his sister Susan are Vancouver kingpins in the coke smuggling trade. Mel is played by Kevin Spacey and Susan by Joan Severance. Both characters were very quirky and the sibling relationship quite disturbing.
Can't wait to get home.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Redundant Rambling about Price "Gouging" and "Windfall" Profits
Seems to me that those are two terms that we've read a lot recently.
I remember reading in Thomas Sowell's Basic Economics an example he gave about price "gouging." I believe it was about the scarcity of hotel rooms and flashlights following a disaster like a tornado or hurricane. By "gouging," retailers and hotels actually more efficiently allocate resources by forcing the first family to reach the hotel or the flashlight store to think twice before taking more than they might really need: two rooms for the family of four at the hotel or four flashlights rather than just one. Thus, there is a room and flashlight available for the next family because the first family was priced out of the second room and a second, third or fourth flashlight.
He reiterated the argument after the 2004 hurricanes in Florida here at Jewish World Review.
The argument certainly made sense intellectually, but somehow still seemed wrong. My first thought was that the millionaire would still be able to take all the rooms and flashlights but, on further reflection, that would be an anomaly indeed, most millionaires having bolted for safer climes long before the tragedy struck.
So take most millionaires out of the equation.
Most of the people bolting Houston in those 20 hour traffic jams were pretty much regular folks. My friends who came to Austin were in fact relieved when they could purchase gasoline at "outrageous" prices. They didn't like it but were relieved to get the gas.
I remember hearing about a guy gassing up his 200 gallon cigarette boat before heading to Lake Travis and thought, "What a selfish S.O.B. All these folks up from Houston and he's sucking up 200 gallons." He is my millionaire. Fortunately, there were not too many of those and I think Houston was completely back in business in about a week.
I've seen the free market model work and still it seemed somehow wrong. Then it hit me: the model didn't seem wrong; it felt wrong. If I've learned anything in forty-five years, I've learned that feelings (mine, at least) are notoriously unreliable.
Walter Williams and John Stossel have also written about this recently and have helped me put things in perspective.
What are the alternatives to the "market" or Smith's "Invisible Hand?"
First, there is government. Katrina efforts don't speak too well for governmental efforts, but assume that, practically speaking, government works as it did in Texas. Williams, elsewhere in JWR, would call the taxation aspect of government assistance "theft" and Stossel implies that without the taxation, the government's alternative is "totalitarianism." (Both positions sound extreme here but Williams just means that government taxing us for altruistic purposes is both unconstitutional and forcing us to contribute to charity that we might or might not support. Stossel just means that the government could just order people to to the needed work).
By the way, it has always seemed to me that the idea of one or a hundred making making a million economic decisions rather than millions making dozens of economic decisions that affect them directly is inherently illogical...maybe it worked in feudal times when there were far fewer decisions to be made, but not today. A subject for later.
Second, there is altruism. This is what gets me beyond the "feeling" that the market should be forced to work differently. Whatever we have seen in government efforts over the last year (disgraces in Tsunami and Katrina and, in my view, triumphs in Texas and Florida), we have seen people, especially Americans, shine with their generosity. Generosity of Amerians goes a long way to lessen my concerns about Williams' $20.00 loaf of bread or Stossel's $20.00 bottle of water, too.
But Stossel is right that we cannot rely on Blanche's "kindness of strangers" to get us through more than the short term. It may even get us a great deal of the way through the mid-term, but it seems to me it is the market upon which we must ultimately rely because, as much as we might like to do require otherwise, we have to let the people decide what to do with their own assets of time, talent and treasure.
Basic Economics should be must reading for every American high school student...ok, maybe college student. My biggest gripe as I read it was that Sowell repeated too many of his points. In hindsight, he was just teaching. One can actually read the book once and learn the basics of economics, funny how he picked the title. The man knows his audience and what his audience needs.
I learned in one week reading Sowell more about economics more than I did in two semesters at my beloved University. (I rationalize that by telling myself that as a sophomore, I wasn't really paying attention. College, like youth, is too often wasted on the young.)
Ok, I'm going to bed.
I remember reading in Thomas Sowell's Basic Economics an example he gave about price "gouging." I believe it was about the scarcity of hotel rooms and flashlights following a disaster like a tornado or hurricane. By "gouging," retailers and hotels actually more efficiently allocate resources by forcing the first family to reach the hotel or the flashlight store to think twice before taking more than they might really need: two rooms for the family of four at the hotel or four flashlights rather than just one. Thus, there is a room and flashlight available for the next family because the first family was priced out of the second room and a second, third or fourth flashlight.
He reiterated the argument after the 2004 hurricanes in Florida here at Jewish World Review.
The argument certainly made sense intellectually, but somehow still seemed wrong. My first thought was that the millionaire would still be able to take all the rooms and flashlights but, on further reflection, that would be an anomaly indeed, most millionaires having bolted for safer climes long before the tragedy struck.
So take most millionaires out of the equation.
Most of the people bolting Houston in those 20 hour traffic jams were pretty much regular folks. My friends who came to Austin were in fact relieved when they could purchase gasoline at "outrageous" prices. They didn't like it but were relieved to get the gas.
I remember hearing about a guy gassing up his 200 gallon cigarette boat before heading to Lake Travis and thought, "What a selfish S.O.B. All these folks up from Houston and he's sucking up 200 gallons." He is my millionaire. Fortunately, there were not too many of those and I think Houston was completely back in business in about a week.
I've seen the free market model work and still it seemed somehow wrong. Then it hit me: the model didn't seem wrong; it felt wrong. If I've learned anything in forty-five years, I've learned that feelings (mine, at least) are notoriously unreliable.
Walter Williams and John Stossel have also written about this recently and have helped me put things in perspective.
What are the alternatives to the "market" or Smith's "Invisible Hand?"
First, there is government. Katrina efforts don't speak too well for governmental efforts, but assume that, practically speaking, government works as it did in Texas. Williams, elsewhere in JWR, would call the taxation aspect of government assistance "theft" and Stossel implies that without the taxation, the government's alternative is "totalitarianism." (Both positions sound extreme here but Williams just means that government taxing us for altruistic purposes is both unconstitutional and forcing us to contribute to charity that we might or might not support. Stossel just means that the government could just order people to to the needed work).
By the way, it has always seemed to me that the idea of one or a hundred making making a million economic decisions rather than millions making dozens of economic decisions that affect them directly is inherently illogical...maybe it worked in feudal times when there were far fewer decisions to be made, but not today. A subject for later.
Second, there is altruism. This is what gets me beyond the "feeling" that the market should be forced to work differently. Whatever we have seen in government efforts over the last year (disgraces in Tsunami and Katrina and, in my view, triumphs in Texas and Florida), we have seen people, especially Americans, shine with their generosity. Generosity of Amerians goes a long way to lessen my concerns about Williams' $20.00 loaf of bread or Stossel's $20.00 bottle of water, too.
But Stossel is right that we cannot rely on Blanche's "kindness of strangers" to get us through more than the short term. It may even get us a great deal of the way through the mid-term, but it seems to me it is the market upon which we must ultimately rely because, as much as we might like to do require otherwise, we have to let the people decide what to do with their own assets of time, talent and treasure.
Basic Economics should be must reading for every American high school student...ok, maybe college student. My biggest gripe as I read it was that Sowell repeated too many of his points. In hindsight, he was just teaching. One can actually read the book once and learn the basics of economics, funny how he picked the title. The man knows his audience and what his audience needs.
I learned in one week reading Sowell more about economics more than I did in two semesters at my beloved University. (I rationalize that by telling myself that as a sophomore, I wasn't really paying attention. College, like youth, is too often wasted on the young.)
Ok, I'm going to bed.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
First US case of Avian Bird Flu?
A week ago I started to feel something coming on...started all the pseudo-science preventives...massive Vitamin C doses and the other stuff they put in those pre-cold things and that horrible tasting zinc stuff.
Didn't work, I think I've been hit by H5N1.
Didn't work, I think I've been hit by H5N1.
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