Tim Kaine just blew me away. He was calm, thoughtful, and sincere. He laid out some relly good ideas and goals. I found myself really listening to him carefully, and liking what I heard.
I know some wondered why he was picked, and I can see why now. This guy is good and can only get better. We may have just seen the unveiling of the next President of the Unitied States. We could do much worse.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Friday, January 27, 2006
The Alito Filibuster
Is the Alito filibuster a good idea? I can see problems (mostly political), but the basic idea is a good one. I would even go so far as to say it's an excellent one. If Alito is, as liberals believe going to rubberstamp the conservative viewpoint of Scalio and Thomas, than the filibuster - though failed - puts in place the mechanism whereby Democrats did everything they reasonably could to stop this nomination. As the year goes on, and if Alito tows the line toward more loss of personal privacy, including abortion rights; we will look back on this attempted filibuster as a watershed moment in the growing of the Democratic spine.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Iran and nukes
Well, isn't this just a mess? It's really ugly all the way around. I think there is a way to avoid the nuclear scenario though. That would be the one where we (and who "we" are is yet to be determined) disable enough of Iran's nuclear facilities to set them back some 20 years. A couple of things – the Muslims in this world already hate the US, the great Satan, so there's nothing to lose there. Hopefully, the current hateful environment on the planet won't last forever. If you think back to the state of affairs in 1941-1942, I would say emotionally the planet is in about the same state. But, we didn't stay that way.
As much as I think we made a huge mistake attacking Iraq, it seems like a no-brainer not to see that an attack on Iran that includes us is inevitable. We need to be the ones who decide when and who decide how.
The only question in my mind is do we have enough military forces, bombs, etc to get the job done? And, by the way, I am not advocating using ground forces here. Warn the cities that have the nuke facilities in advance, give the people time to get out, than take out the plants, research labs etc. Also, let's get some covert action going on the scientists in Iran. Kidnap, kill, whatever it takes to get the brains of the operation out of the picture.
Now, before you liberals have a stroke, remember I'm a Pragmatic Liberal. And it's as pragmatic as hell to take the nuclear scenario out of Iran's future.
As much as I think we made a huge mistake attacking Iraq, it seems like a no-brainer not to see that an attack on Iran that includes us is inevitable. We need to be the ones who decide when and who decide how.
The only question in my mind is do we have enough military forces, bombs, etc to get the job done? And, by the way, I am not advocating using ground forces here. Warn the cities that have the nuke facilities in advance, give the people time to get out, than take out the plants, research labs etc. Also, let's get some covert action going on the scientists in Iran. Kidnap, kill, whatever it takes to get the brains of the operation out of the picture.
Now, before you liberals have a stroke, remember I'm a Pragmatic Liberal. And it's as pragmatic as hell to take the nuclear scenario out of Iran's future.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Can a 42 year old even get through basic training?
So, the Army plans on reaching its recruitment goals by luring in grandparents. The top age allowed has been raised to 42. It sounds like some kind of SNL routine, but sadly, it's the truth.
Do we actually think a 42 year old (and I can say this with authority) will even make it through basic training? Will the arthritis get in the way? Or other ailments endemic to the early 40's population?
If this is the only way to meet the Army's goals; don't we run the risk of having an Army literally incapable of the job it is tasked to do?
And, on a more practical note, isn't the health care of these recruits going to be inordinately high?
Do we actually think a 42 year old (and I can say this with authority) will even make it through basic training? Will the arthritis get in the way? Or other ailments endemic to the early 40's population?
If this is the only way to meet the Army's goals; don't we run the risk of having an Army literally incapable of the job it is tasked to do?
And, on a more practical note, isn't the health care of these recruits going to be inordinately high?
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Illegal Immigrants
There is lots of news today about the Catholic Church and its supposed support for the illegal immigrants.
I want to ask a different question. How would this country look and run if all of the illegal immigrants were to be deported? Have you spent any time looking into the kinds of jobs they perform? From my experience, they work in large numbers in the service industry - maids, stockers, field workers, and more recently in the construction industry. My question is, with the US unemployment rate running about 5%, where do we think we are going to get the workers to replace the illegal aliens?
And, more importantly, why do we want to do this? If they provide a service that does not seem to be filled by legal aliens or US citizens now, what exactly is the problem with the service they provide?
I want to ask a different question. How would this country look and run if all of the illegal immigrants were to be deported? Have you spent any time looking into the kinds of jobs they perform? From my experience, they work in large numbers in the service industry - maids, stockers, field workers, and more recently in the construction industry. My question is, with the US unemployment rate running about 5%, where do we think we are going to get the workers to replace the illegal aliens?
And, more importantly, why do we want to do this? If they provide a service that does not seem to be filled by legal aliens or US citizens now, what exactly is the problem with the service they provide?
Hillary, Take Two
Well, I've had a night to sleep on it. And, I think I was right, but not completely. Now that Hillary has gotten out there on the attack, she needs to stay there. Certainly she can add clarity to the statements she has made, but don't back down an inch.
And, from what I've seen today on the news she isn't. Furthermore, she has to take on the Republican congress, Bush, and NOW, Laura Bush. How ridiculous is it that what Laura thinks about this gets any air time at all. And, now is a perfect time for Hillary to point out that Laura is not an elected official, and once she gets herself elected to ANY office at all, then she can speak with some authority.
I also notice that Barrack Obama backed up Clinton today on her statements. This is good news. All Democrats need to stay together on this issue, and not just defend the position, but go after the fake outrage of the Republicans. The Republicans have no claim to any outrage about any issue with regard to how Congress is run. They run it, and badly.
And, from what I've seen today on the news she isn't. Furthermore, she has to take on the Republican congress, Bush, and NOW, Laura Bush. How ridiculous is it that what Laura thinks about this gets any air time at all. And, now is a perfect time for Hillary to point out that Laura is not an elected official, and once she gets herself elected to ANY office at all, then she can speak with some authority.
I also notice that Barrack Obama backed up Clinton today on her statements. This is good news. All Democrats need to stay together on this issue, and not just defend the position, but go after the fake outrage of the Republicans. The Republicans have no claim to any outrage about any issue with regard to how Congress is run. They run it, and badly.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Hillary and the Plantation
I see that Hillary Clinton has given a speech in a mostly black church in New York. She stated that the leadership of Congress was "running it like a plantation; and you know what I mean".
Now, she went on the very next sentence to state this meant that they didn't allow any business but their business to see the light of day. That the Democrats were shut out. This is true.
The question is, will anyone remember or bother to note anything other than the "plantation" statement. I don't think so, and I think her comments were at the least not well thought out, and at the worst just stupid. She muddled the whole argument which is a good one to the point where it will be hard to make it now.
I know I rant about the Republican's and their talking points, but there is something to be said about prepared statements that don't end up being taken out of context and creating situations where way too much time is taken up explaining the statements and being on the defensive.
Now, she went on the very next sentence to state this meant that they didn't allow any business but their business to see the light of day. That the Democrats were shut out. This is true.
The question is, will anyone remember or bother to note anything other than the "plantation" statement. I don't think so, and I think her comments were at the least not well thought out, and at the worst just stupid. She muddled the whole argument which is a good one to the point where it will be hard to make it now.
I know I rant about the Republican's and their talking points, but there is something to be said about prepared statements that don't end up being taken out of context and creating situations where way too much time is taken up explaining the statements and being on the defensive.
Friday, January 13, 2006
About Alito...
It seems pretty clear he is on his way to confirmation. Like most nominees lately, he managed to pretty much not say anything, and got away with it. It looks like we're left to hope that once elevated to the bench of the Supreme Court, he will recognize the importance of his job and conduct himself in a way that at least follows the law. We'll see...
What to do about Alito...
I want, really want to feel comfortable with Judge Alito. But, I'm having problems. Surprisingly, it actually doesn't have to do with his pro-life positions. That seems pretty well established, which is not surprising, considering he has been nominated by President Bush.
My bigger issues are arising with his truthfulness. The discussions today about his membership in the now defunct Concerned Alumni of Princeton. He was a member; in fact he listed it on his resume for a job in the Reagan administration in 1985. The merits/demerits of the association aside, his answer that he didn't "remember" being a member is disingenuous at best and an outright lie at worst. This man can quote extensively from numerous court cases going back over a 15 years period, but can't "remember" if he belonged to a group "demonstrating its anti-gay, anti-minority and anti-female sentiments"?
That defies belief, plan and simple. This judge is lying and I think pretty much everyone in the hearing room knows it. To my mind that disqualifies him from the job of Supreme Court Justice on the face of it. He's lying about this, what else is he lying about, or will lie about in the future? Why does he have so much trouble acknowledging being a member of this group? He can easily state that he does not hold these views today; that time and maturity have changed his beliefs. I could believe that; it happens to all of us.
As it stands though; I find him to be disingenuous and dishonest. I don't want him on the Supreme Court.
My bigger issues are arising with his truthfulness. The discussions today about his membership in the now defunct Concerned Alumni of Princeton. He was a member; in fact he listed it on his resume for a job in the Reagan administration in 1985. The merits/demerits of the association aside, his answer that he didn't "remember" being a member is disingenuous at best and an outright lie at worst. This man can quote extensively from numerous court cases going back over a 15 years period, but can't "remember" if he belonged to a group "demonstrating its anti-gay, anti-minority and anti-female sentiments"?
That defies belief, plan and simple. This judge is lying and I think pretty much everyone in the hearing room knows it. To my mind that disqualifies him from the job of Supreme Court Justice on the face of it. He's lying about this, what else is he lying about, or will lie about in the future? Why does he have so much trouble acknowledging being a member of this group? He can easily state that he does not hold these views today; that time and maturity have changed his beliefs. I could believe that; it happens to all of us.
As it stands though; I find him to be disingenuous and dishonest. I don't want him on the Supreme Court.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
King George
"It is slowly becoming clear that the Bush administration's real goal is not winning the right to torture, or to spy on Americans, or to lock people up without recourse. It is absolute power."
This is from a Salon opinion piece about the push for absolute power. The old saying, absolute power corrupts absolutely is particularly apt for this president. Here's a man raised in wealth and privilege; never having to actually be responsible for any of his actions. The thought that he would have of himself as truly above the law isn't surprising. Nor is it surprising that he feels himself to be the chosen one. Barbara always treated him that way. So has Laura.
The unfortunate part comes in when he takes these dysfunctional beliefs and adds that to the fact that he isn't even really a properly elected president. Truly, why would we think he would behave differently? His intellect won't allow it; it upbringing won't allow it, and his entourage won't allow it either.
This is from a Salon opinion piece about the push for absolute power. The old saying, absolute power corrupts absolutely is particularly apt for this president. Here's a man raised in wealth and privilege; never having to actually be responsible for any of his actions. The thought that he would have of himself as truly above the law isn't surprising. Nor is it surprising that he feels himself to be the chosen one. Barbara always treated him that way. So has Laura.
The unfortunate part comes in when he takes these dysfunctional beliefs and adds that to the fact that he isn't even really a properly elected president. Truly, why would we think he would behave differently? His intellect won't allow it; it upbringing won't allow it, and his entourage won't allow it either.
The Polar Ice Cap Is Melting
Here's an article sure to upset anyone living near any coast on the planet:
Polar Ice Cap Melting
The melting of the polar ice cap has accelerated over the last few years, and scienetists are rightly concerned about what this means for us.
"Even if temperatures and conditions went flat from this point forward, we anticipate that Arctic ice would eventually disappear," Scambos said.
What this means is hard to say exactly, except that the polar ice cap is melting, and will completely melt regardless of what we do going forward.
It's not clear how much the sea level will rise, but some experts think it could rise 23 feet by the end of this century. I won't be around for the big day, but my great grandchildren will, and I'm sorry we're saddling them with this fiasco.
Polar Ice Cap Melting
The melting of the polar ice cap has accelerated over the last few years, and scienetists are rightly concerned about what this means for us.
"Even if temperatures and conditions went flat from this point forward, we anticipate that Arctic ice would eventually disappear," Scambos said.
What this means is hard to say exactly, except that the polar ice cap is melting, and will completely melt regardless of what we do going forward.
It's not clear how much the sea level will rise, but some experts think it could rise 23 feet by the end of this century. I won't be around for the big day, but my great grandchildren will, and I'm sorry we're saddling them with this fiasco.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Let's try this again
Obviously, I'm no expert at doing web pages! So, here (I Hope) is the actaul, correct link to my Blog through my ISP. Geez, I guess I should have taken that class.
Pragmatic Liberal
Pragmatic Liberal
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
NEW WEB SITE
I'm taking advantage of my ISP's offer to host a web site - for free - and switiching my blog over there. Here's the new url:
Pragmatic Liberal
I hope those who enjoy my thoughts, or maybe just check in to disagree, will come on over to follow the blog.
Thanks so much for those who have checked in regularly. I'll keep posting at the new site.
Teresa Wyeth
Pragmatic Liberal
I hope those who enjoy my thoughts, or maybe just check in to disagree, will come on over to follow the blog.
Thanks so much for those who have checked in regularly. I'll keep posting at the new site.
Teresa Wyeth
Kerry and 2008
I want to believe I've heard it wrong. That there's no way John Kerry would even think about running again. Not after running one of the worst campaigns I have ever seen. The man DIDN'T RESPOND to the Swift Boat attacks. What does that say about his ability to respond to a threat as President?
I'll be up front though. I voted for him in 2004. It was clear that we needed to get Bush out of office - and I'm not really prescient, I just didn’t want the power grab to continue, as it apparently has.
Let someone else run as the Democratic candidate. Someone who will strike back at those who launch unfounded attacks. Someone who isn't afraid of upsetting some wing of the party. Someone who realizes that the very liberal wing of the party is going to vote for whoever wins the nomination. What other choice do they have? Nader? Never again.
I want someone strong enough to respond to the filth dished out by the fundamentalist rightwing whackos.
I'll be up front though. I voted for him in 2004. It was clear that we needed to get Bush out of office - and I'm not really prescient, I just didn’t want the power grab to continue, as it apparently has.
Let someone else run as the Democratic candidate. Someone who will strike back at those who launch unfounded attacks. Someone who isn't afraid of upsetting some wing of the party. Someone who realizes that the very liberal wing of the party is going to vote for whoever wins the nomination. What other choice do they have? Nader? Never again.
I want someone strong enough to respond to the filth dished out by the fundamentalist rightwing whackos.
Abramoff Cops a Plea
What does it all mean? Can we expect him to give us details on his dealings with members of congress? I know he was somewhat of an equal opportunity briber, but he was way more generous to the Republicans.
Certainly one of his biggest benefactors was Tom DeLay. I hope he brings down lots of people in high places.
Certainly one of his biggest benefactors was Tom DeLay. I hope he brings down lots of people in high places.
New Blog
I'm in the process of setting up a web site through Homestead. I'll double post both places for a while, and let you know when I switch completly over to the new site.
Monday, January 02, 2006
A Lawless President
Well, it's official now. The President has stated in his signing statement re: the McCain Amendment:
As far as Bush is concerned, if he wants to break the law, he will. If congress the media can't stop him from usurping power from congress and the courts, the name "King George" will be more than just a sarcastic phrase.
The executive branch shall construe Title X in Division A of the Act, relating to detainees, in a manner consistent with the constitutional authority of the President to supervise the unitary executive branch and as Commander in Chief and consistent with the constitutional limitations on the judicial power, which will assist in achieving the shared objective of the Congress and the President, evidenced in Title X, of protecting the American people from further terrorist attacks.
As far as Bush is concerned, if he wants to break the law, he will. If congress the media can't stop him from usurping power from congress and the courts, the name "King George" will be more than just a sarcastic phrase.
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