Normally, I usually let some time pass between posts. It allows my brain to sift through the news and events, and shape something which I hope makes sense.
But I couldn't pass this up. Rep. Tammy Duckworth is, and always has been, an unfailing, stalwart supporter of our military veterans - especially since she left her legs and part of the use of her right arm on the battle field herself. While I don't always agree with her stances on fiscal issues (too "Blue Dog" for my tastes), when it comes to veterans, she's a special kind of warrior in my book.
It takes a special kind of scum sack to declare that his foot injury, sustained playing prep school football, somehow qualifies him for veteran's disability classification and the resultant windfall of government cash for his business. It speaks volumes that he's been able to get away with this for as long as he apparently has. What's truly sad, however, is the political culture in Washington that fosters this kind of system-gaming. This character is probably just the tip of the iceberg.
The way that Rep. Duckworth conducted herself, in a case which I'm sure was personal to her as an injured veteran, is to be commended. The fact that she was able to keep it together, even through her voice shaking toward the end of her time at the mic, is remarkable. My father was a veteran (Navy), and I've known many who have served in various capacities in our nation's military. I'm not so sure they would be so, well, civil if they were to be confronted by a leech like the contractor witness.
Let's just say - words might fail them.
UPDATE - 7/1/2013: Note Darrel Issa's response after Rep. Duckworth's remarks. Apparently he let her go over time, and noted that it was "time well spent." I guess he's had lots of practice recognizing crooked behavior. Trying to make amends, eh, Rep. Issa?
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Quibbles and Bits, Snowed In Edition
Morsels of varying sizes and shapes. Bon Appetit!
>> I'm amazed at the division that the Edward Snowden affair is causing on the left side of the political spectrum. I've seen and heard what seems to be an equal number of supporters, as there are detractors. Democratic Underground has made for especially interesting reading over the last couple of weeks - and the detractors are in full force, at times reading like only slightly-better-educated versions of the typical right-wing hack. Many progressive radio show hosts have not taken kindly to him, either: listen to Stephanie Miller on a given morning over the last couple of weeks. I'm sure that all this division is causing the Republicans to just jump for glee at whatever hideout serves as their headquarters these days - because that's ultimately who this whole brouhaha is benefiting.
By the way, those on the left that are raising Cain over Snowden and demanding his head on a plate: who are you really trying to protect? I suspect that they know that all of this is a reflection on President Obama, and their real concern is the potential impact on the 2014 and 2016 elections. We cannot afford to have disillusionment drive down turnout and thus benefits the Repubs, but can you blame people for not being especially enthusiastic about casting a vote for a party that betrayed them? Chris Hedges lays it all out in Death Of The Liberal Class - read it.
>> Edward Snowden is being accused by this Administration of espionage. Here's the question: spying on whose behalf????? If this was truly a case of espionage, and he's acting as an agent for somebody, would any of his revelations have seen the light of day? He could have sold this information to an interested nation, with it likely being kept secret, and be paid quite handsomely for it, so I don't think that personal enrichment was his motivation for going public.
>> Not to overstate the obvious, but Mr. Snowden will not get a fair trial in this country. Hong Kong knows that. So does China and Russia, not to mention any other country not completely in America's waning sphere of influence. Honestly - would Hong Kong have made their statement that our extradition request didn't completely meet their legal requirements 15-20 years ago? How about Ecuador's public reminder that Snowden's extradition request will be evaluated based on Ecuador's constitution and laws? The international community is standing up to us, and I say, GOOD! It's high time.
BTW, perhaps the Emperor isn't completely naked - yet. But the skivvies are certainly in full view - and the Moon Over American Exceptionalism is on the rise. See below.
>>I actually think that we're having a discussion that should have been had for a long time - how much are we willing to let any third party, whether that be government or corporate (these days, is there any difference?), intrude and pry into our personal lives and data? From what I'm seeing, especially on the left, we're willing to put up with A LOT of it. Too much, in my opinion. Remember what Ben Franklin was quoted saying, that those who sacrifice freedom for security shall get neither?
How easily intimidated we Americans are.
>>Lastly, a bit of a departure, but perhaps related somewhat: the subject of American Exceptionalism. In my view, American Exceptionalism can be likened to a big, round, plump pair of butt cheeks, between which the collective heads of much of the American population have their heads shoved up and firmly between. In America, we're born with our heads shoved up this space, kept there by the media and the jingoism and belligerent nationalism (which we mistake for patriotism) we were raised with. It's education, experience with other cultures and countries, and a cultural commitment to open mindedness, that begins the prying-out process.
Time to start pulling, ladies and gentleman. And be sure to take a shower afterward - lest the stench wafts around.
>> I'm amazed at the division that the Edward Snowden affair is causing on the left side of the political spectrum. I've seen and heard what seems to be an equal number of supporters, as there are detractors. Democratic Underground has made for especially interesting reading over the last couple of weeks - and the detractors are in full force, at times reading like only slightly-better-educated versions of the typical right-wing hack. Many progressive radio show hosts have not taken kindly to him, either: listen to Stephanie Miller on a given morning over the last couple of weeks. I'm sure that all this division is causing the Republicans to just jump for glee at whatever hideout serves as their headquarters these days - because that's ultimately who this whole brouhaha is benefiting.
By the way, those on the left that are raising Cain over Snowden and demanding his head on a plate: who are you really trying to protect? I suspect that they know that all of this is a reflection on President Obama, and their real concern is the potential impact on the 2014 and 2016 elections. We cannot afford to have disillusionment drive down turnout and thus benefits the Repubs, but can you blame people for not being especially enthusiastic about casting a vote for a party that betrayed them? Chris Hedges lays it all out in Death Of The Liberal Class - read it.
>> Edward Snowden is being accused by this Administration of espionage. Here's the question: spying on whose behalf????? If this was truly a case of espionage, and he's acting as an agent for somebody, would any of his revelations have seen the light of day? He could have sold this information to an interested nation, with it likely being kept secret, and be paid quite handsomely for it, so I don't think that personal enrichment was his motivation for going public.
>> Not to overstate the obvious, but Mr. Snowden will not get a fair trial in this country. Hong Kong knows that. So does China and Russia, not to mention any other country not completely in America's waning sphere of influence. Honestly - would Hong Kong have made their statement that our extradition request didn't completely meet their legal requirements 15-20 years ago? How about Ecuador's public reminder that Snowden's extradition request will be evaluated based on Ecuador's constitution and laws? The international community is standing up to us, and I say, GOOD! It's high time.
BTW, perhaps the Emperor isn't completely naked - yet. But the skivvies are certainly in full view - and the Moon Over American Exceptionalism is on the rise. See below.
>>I actually think that we're having a discussion that should have been had for a long time - how much are we willing to let any third party, whether that be government or corporate (these days, is there any difference?), intrude and pry into our personal lives and data? From what I'm seeing, especially on the left, we're willing to put up with A LOT of it. Too much, in my opinion. Remember what Ben Franklin was quoted saying, that those who sacrifice freedom for security shall get neither?
How easily intimidated we Americans are.
>>Lastly, a bit of a departure, but perhaps related somewhat: the subject of American Exceptionalism. In my view, American Exceptionalism can be likened to a big, round, plump pair of butt cheeks, between which the collective heads of much of the American population have their heads shoved up and firmly between. In America, we're born with our heads shoved up this space, kept there by the media and the jingoism and belligerent nationalism (which we mistake for patriotism) we were raised with. It's education, experience with other cultures and countries, and a cultural commitment to open mindedness, that begins the prying-out process.
Time to start pulling, ladies and gentleman. And be sure to take a shower afterward - lest the stench wafts around.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Piecing Together The Ransom Note
Over the last few weeks, whenever I read or watched the news I always felt like I'm reading one of those archetypal ransom notes, where the words and letters were cut out of various magazines, newspapers, and other sources, and taped/glued together in a hodgepodge.
I've been following the events going on in Turkey over the last couple of weeks, and found myself being reminded quite vividly about how the #Occupy movement was treated with a similar level of brutality. I've read various items on the internet and in the friendly neighborhood Barnes and Noble that seem to carry a common theme: learn to live with and be happy with less, finding fulfillment with less, etc. etc. etc. This message is also implied in proclamations like that recently issued by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, who seems to think that the reason for the college debt crisis is that there are too many people going to colleges and not enough getting into the trades like plumbing and carpentry. It's especially galling when that message, as well-meaning as it might be, is being issued by the "money press" like CNBC, with admonitions about "resourcefulness", and the old canard about how necessity is the mother of all invention and innovation. And to hear politicians (even Republicans, from whom a message like this is par-for-course) say that the automatic increase in student loan rates is a good thing because personal responsibility is "cool" - don't get me started.
Anything, so that Corporate America and the rich don't have to pay one more dime to the Government, which they now own anyway. They've already "gone Galt", in a financial sense.
And if they own the Government, and if "We The People" are supposed to BE the Government in a "democracy", then who does Corporate America, by extension, own?
That's right, WE THE PEOPLE. They own US.
The ransom note is becoming increasingly easy to decipher. It's varying fonts and cut-out words and phrases are now seen for all:
Dear People:
SIT DOWN, & SHUT the F**K UP.
I've been following the events going on in Turkey over the last couple of weeks, and found myself being reminded quite vividly about how the #Occupy movement was treated with a similar level of brutality. I've read various items on the internet and in the friendly neighborhood Barnes and Noble that seem to carry a common theme: learn to live with and be happy with less, finding fulfillment with less, etc. etc. etc. This message is also implied in proclamations like that recently issued by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, who seems to think that the reason for the college debt crisis is that there are too many people going to colleges and not enough getting into the trades like plumbing and carpentry. It's especially galling when that message, as well-meaning as it might be, is being issued by the "money press" like CNBC, with admonitions about "resourcefulness", and the old canard about how necessity is the mother of all invention and innovation. And to hear politicians (even Republicans, from whom a message like this is par-for-course) say that the automatic increase in student loan rates is a good thing because personal responsibility is "cool" - don't get me started.
Anything, so that Corporate America and the rich don't have to pay one more dime to the Government, which they now own anyway. They've already "gone Galt", in a financial sense.
And if they own the Government, and if "We The People" are supposed to BE the Government in a "democracy", then who does Corporate America, by extension, own?
That's right, WE THE PEOPLE. They own US.
The ransom note is becoming increasingly easy to decipher. It's varying fonts and cut-out words and phrases are now seen for all:
Dear People:
SIT DOWN, & SHUT the F**K UP.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Behind the Mask...
Yes, I know, it's been a few months. I added the title "college student" to my collection of personal stick-ons, and as a result, have been taking courses that have my butt unable to be planted anywhere.
So I'm back. And I'm pissed.
A few posts back, I posted what Las Vegas and other communities are doing about their respective homeless issues - specifically, shipping them out of town by bus, and criminalizing helping those that remain in any way, shape, or form.
Now, check this out. Apparently, ahead of the approaching G8 Summit in Northern Ireland, the Fermanagh County forefathers found it appropriate to create the illusion of economic prosperity in the host townships by supplying large "stickers" of seemingly full store inventory to place in the shuttered storefronts and doors. Now, we would not want to give the dignitaries any possible thought that their Friedmanist bullshit doesn't work, do we?
But that's part-and-parcel of our society today. Truth means squat - literally. Perception, on the other hand, is everything.
So I'm back. And I'm pissed.
A few posts back, I posted what Las Vegas and other communities are doing about their respective homeless issues - specifically, shipping them out of town by bus, and criminalizing helping those that remain in any way, shape, or form.
Now, check this out. Apparently, ahead of the approaching G8 Summit in Northern Ireland, the Fermanagh County forefathers found it appropriate to create the illusion of economic prosperity in the host townships by supplying large "stickers" of seemingly full store inventory to place in the shuttered storefronts and doors. Now, we would not want to give the dignitaries any possible thought that their Friedmanist bullshit doesn't work, do we?
But that's part-and-parcel of our society today. Truth means squat - literally. Perception, on the other hand, is everything.
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