I keep seeing stories that actually do break my heart, but also kind of anger me.
The last one was about a '62 year old college grad' looking for help finding work.
Of course, people must do what they must, and I'm not mad about the fact that this lady wanted to find a job, but it did get me thinking about the notion of people working well into their 70's.
One thing that is true is that there are a limited number of jobs available. There is not a small number, but the number is limited. For every job someone has, there is someone else unable to work. I was talking with my sister about this concept relating to women entering the workforce en masse, but I don't think she caught where I was going with it. I was talking about the reasonably massive influx of workers when women began working more and how it affected the labor market. I was wondering if anyone was discussing the negative influence the increase in supply of labor was having on wages and benefits packages. Also, the fact that we have now an expectation based on living expenses of families with 2 incomes. The days of 1 income households seem to be over. Now I know it depends on the income, but look realistically at what mOST people make.
Anyway this ties in with the 62 year old anecdote above in that it seems that no one ever discusses the negative influence over supply of labor has on our economy. We hear about new job creation, but also that most people can't afford to live without 2 or sometimes 3 jobs, which is 'uniquely American'. I just personally wish that we as a people could stake less of our identities on our jobs/careers, so that workers won't lose themselves when they can actually afford to leave the workforce, thereby opening up opportunities for others, and bringing up the value of labor, by making it more scarce.
I don't know how much of this is making sense right now, and I know I'm not offering a solution. I don't think this has a solution. I just think that is a problem facing us, which will continue, and is worthy of discussion.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
All quiet on the western front
Lately I don't have too much to complain about, I see things as going reasonably well.
I have noticed that the Republicans have been trying to assert themselves, though they have no cohesion. They are a cornered dog and are lashing out at those who approach them.
The politics of winning are disabling them now.
The Republican party became an ideological base on social issues, but lost their core values, and are now reaping the benefits of being the party who tries to make us afraid, when we no longer fear.
I have noticed that the Republicans have been trying to assert themselves, though they have no cohesion. They are a cornered dog and are lashing out at those who approach them.
The politics of winning are disabling them now.
The Republican party became an ideological base on social issues, but lost their core values, and are now reaping the benefits of being the party who tries to make us afraid, when we no longer fear.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Vindication of Bush's Iraq War Policy
There has been some talk (specifically just on the Daily Show) referring to history's future vindication of President Bush's Iraq War Policy.
I just can't believe it.
Here's the facts that history will have to overcome in order to vindicate our soon to be ex-President.
1. President Bush and his Administration LIED to us regarding weapons of mass destruction, imminent threats, links to Al Qaeda, and that the war was not about oil.
2. Donald Rumsfelds failed policy of a fast and light, specialized military, quick in/quick out, and his superiors' inability to admit its failings for YEARS.
3. The Commander in Chief continuously failing to plan (to this day) an actual campaign. If he were a chess player, he would be aware of opening, middle, and end game, and how a commander uses strategy to achieve an end. Strategy is a MEANS to an end. The "surge" was a STRATEGY, not a policy. I think ALL of the success in Iraq belongs to the soldiers serving in uniform, be they Privates, or Generals. I think it is a SHAME that our President takes credit for being a success due to our military's unmatched competence, courage, and skill, while still neglecting HIS job, but he is leaving all that confusing stuff for the next guy.
4. Weapons of Mass Destruction?
5. Decision being made based on personal bias "he tried to kill my Dad..."
6. Decisions from the White House regarding the legality of torture (extreme interrogation) and orders to soldiers and other operatives, policies both implicit and explicit, only to leave the individual soldiers who did wrong, but under orders to do so, out in the cold.
7. FREE SPEECH ZONES
This is not a complete list.
For anyone that claims that the war is not about oil, you are being naive. It is only partially about oil, but it is most certainly NOT about the liberation of Iraqis, or the ousting of Saddam Hussein. It is about American Strategic interests in the region. Oil is a top strategic interest. Iran, and the power and sway they have with the entire Muslim world, is a major strategic interest. In the past eight years we have managed to invade the two countries on either side of Iran. Hmm.
------------- --------------- --------------------------
| Iraq | | Iran | | Afghanistan |
------------- --------------- --------------------------
I can't believe that something as obvious as that goes over everyone's heads. We are at the very least using these wars as hard bargaining with the Iranians, threatening military force by our very presence.
In other words, the reasons can't be fit on a bumper sticker. Unless maybe its this one.
How many have to die
to advance our
Strategic Interests?
Also, I remember having a conversation with my brother, in Feb, possibly March of 2003, in which we were discussing the possibility of a war in Iraq, when I brought up the possibility of it being better to fight "them" over there instead of over here. Essentially, the thinking went as such.
Terrorist = Enemy
Terrorist Home = Nowhere
American Might = Military
Iraq = Terrorists New Home
Military = Kick rag tag Terrorists Asses in open combat
Strategic Interests= Advanced
But, then I considered that a terrorist does not engage in open combat. A terrorist uses the terror of the threat that he will blow up a building, or a bridge, or a plane, or a school.
These are those who took down our towers, not a standing army.
19 guys.
No warning.
Creating a battlefield to fight an enemy with no motivation for open combat = bad idea
About a year later I began to hear that argument being used to defend the Iraq war by pundits on TV. That was one of the first times that I really thought that our entire system is being run by morons.
I began to be truly terrified.
I was not shocked that morons were on TV, but I was shocked by how transparent the arguments on either side became. Facts were simply things to be manipulated in order to advance policy, specifically public support of policy.
The truth had become obsolete.
The facts would soon vindicate Bush's policy.
I just can't believe it.
Here's the facts that history will have to overcome in order to vindicate our soon to be ex-President.
1. President Bush and his Administration LIED to us regarding weapons of mass destruction, imminent threats, links to Al Qaeda, and that the war was not about oil.
2. Donald Rumsfelds failed policy of a fast and light, specialized military, quick in/quick out, and his superiors' inability to admit its failings for YEARS.
3. The Commander in Chief continuously failing to plan (to this day) an actual campaign. If he were a chess player, he would be aware of opening, middle, and end game, and how a commander uses strategy to achieve an end. Strategy is a MEANS to an end. The "surge" was a STRATEGY, not a policy. I think ALL of the success in Iraq belongs to the soldiers serving in uniform, be they Privates, or Generals. I think it is a SHAME that our President takes credit for being a success due to our military's unmatched competence, courage, and skill, while still neglecting HIS job, but he is leaving all that confusing stuff for the next guy.
4. Weapons of Mass Destruction?
5. Decision being made based on personal bias "he tried to kill my Dad..."
6. Decisions from the White House regarding the legality of torture (extreme interrogation) and orders to soldiers and other operatives, policies both implicit and explicit, only to leave the individual soldiers who did wrong, but under orders to do so, out in the cold.
7. FREE SPEECH ZONES
This is not a complete list.
For anyone that claims that the war is not about oil, you are being naive. It is only partially about oil, but it is most certainly NOT about the liberation of Iraqis, or the ousting of Saddam Hussein. It is about American Strategic interests in the region. Oil is a top strategic interest. Iran, and the power and sway they have with the entire Muslim world, is a major strategic interest. In the past eight years we have managed to invade the two countries on either side of Iran. Hmm.
------------- --------------- --------------------------
| Iraq | | Iran | | Afghanistan |
------------- --------------- --------------------------
I can't believe that something as obvious as that goes over everyone's heads. We are at the very least using these wars as hard bargaining with the Iranians, threatening military force by our very presence.
In other words, the reasons can't be fit on a bumper sticker. Unless maybe its this one.
How many have to die
to advance our
Strategic Interests?
Also, I remember having a conversation with my brother, in Feb, possibly March of 2003, in which we were discussing the possibility of a war in Iraq, when I brought up the possibility of it being better to fight "them" over there instead of over here. Essentially, the thinking went as such.
Terrorist = Enemy
Terrorist Home = Nowhere
American Might = Military
Iraq = Terrorists New Home
Military = Kick rag tag Terrorists Asses in open combat
Strategic Interests= Advanced
But, then I considered that a terrorist does not engage in open combat. A terrorist uses the terror of the threat that he will blow up a building, or a bridge, or a plane, or a school.
These are those who took down our towers, not a standing army.
19 guys.
No warning.
Creating a battlefield to fight an enemy with no motivation for open combat = bad idea
About a year later I began to hear that argument being used to defend the Iraq war by pundits on TV. That was one of the first times that I really thought that our entire system is being run by morons.
I began to be truly terrified.
I was not shocked that morons were on TV, but I was shocked by how transparent the arguments on either side became. Facts were simply things to be manipulated in order to advance policy, specifically public support of policy.
The truth had become obsolete.
The facts would soon vindicate Bush's policy.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Crimes of the Bush Administration
With the Bush Administration on their way out, I thought there should be a (somewhat) comprehensive list of the possible crimes committed in the past 8 years.
1. Warrantless Wiretapping Program
2. Outing of CIA Agent Valerie Plame
3. War Crimes committed by direct order in Iraq (possibly also Afghanistan)
4. Destruction of CIA tapes of interrogations
5. Rendition program
6. US Attorney firings
Still working on above, but I'm limiting the list to actual crimes, not just crimes against conscience.
Here's a good list for those
1. Warrantless Wiretapping Program
2. Outing of CIA Agent Valerie Plame
3. War Crimes committed by direct order in Iraq (possibly also Afghanistan)
4. Destruction of CIA tapes of interrogations
5. Rendition program
6. US Attorney firings
Still working on above, but I'm limiting the list to actual crimes, not just crimes against conscience.
Here's a good list for those
Warrantless Wiretapping Updates
Back to work.
The Rachel Maddow show has aired an interview with NSA whistleblower Thomas M. Tamm, who blew the whistle on NSA's warrantless wiretapping program.
Here's the interview:
Here's a primer from the EFF on the FISA law which was considered too restrictive by Bush Administration officials.
FISA Primer
Here's the text of the Fourth Amendment.
Here's a link to the EFF's efforts regarding the NSA's WWProgram. The EFF are currently engaged in two lawsuits, one against the government specifically citing those responsible for the WWP, the other against AT&T. Support the EFF, they are doing great work.
Here's an old article from SFChronicle about the WWP being declared UnConstitutional.
The Rachel Maddow show has aired an interview with NSA whistleblower Thomas M. Tamm, who blew the whistle on NSA's warrantless wiretapping program.
Here's the interview:
Here's a primer from the EFF on the FISA law which was considered too restrictive by Bush Administration officials.
FISA Primer
Here's the text of the Fourth Amendment.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
The NSA was searching and seizing millions and hundreds of millions of personal calls and records of American citizens, under the code name "Stellar Wind". The FISA court allows retroactive warrants, allowing for the immediacy the Bush Administration was claiming it needed and which had caused them to bypass the laws of our nation. When reading the text above, I wonder if perhaps BAOfficials believe that because they did not get warrants, they did not need probable cause as described above. My God.
Here's a link to the EFF's efforts regarding the NSA's WWProgram. The EFF are currently engaged in two lawsuits, one against the government specifically citing those responsible for the WWP, the other against AT&T. Support the EFF, they are doing great work.
Here's an old article from SFChronicle about the WWP being declared UnConstitutional.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
President-Elect Obama!
Congratulations to President-Elect Obama and Vice President-Elect Biden and their families!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Gallup final estimate puts Obama at 55%, McCain 44%
Gallup Poll Daily tracking has Obama up by 11 for the final poll before tomorrows election. STORY
After all of this years votes have been cast, I just wanted to say how grateful I am to be able to see this contest. It has been an historic fight, from before the first primaries to today. It has been plain exciting to watch, and we have even gotten to see policy debate creep into the Presidential race. Yes, there was personal political usual-ness, but over all I would rate this election as the best I've ever seen. Of course the end result is what matters, and I am confident that my guy will win, but I don't want to put the cart before the horse, I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on how engaging this contest has been.
Of course not everyone agrees with me. Fred Barnes of the Weekly Standard writes a story that to me sounds like a downcast kid kicking a rock in the road. Maybe that's what it's like to lose an election, but I don't really remember being that involved in an election with a clear victory. The 2000 election was my first real entry into involvement in politics. When that election didn't end, there wasn't a way to feel one way or the other, besides cheated. The thing that I look forward to this year most of all is a landslide, an uncontestable outcome, a clear answer. In this post-modern world that seems to be the hardest thing to find.
One thing in particular that I am especially enjoying are the people that I talk to who normally have no interest in politics who are engaged and excited, some of whom had never voted before and are looking forward to casting their ballots on Tuesday. I think of my friend who could have voted in the last 2 elections, but didn't, who this week sent her son to school in an Obama t-shirt. This will be her first voting experience. I'm proud of her.
Now as far as voting goes. Don't wear t-shirts or buttons from any campaign, bring your wallet (depending on where you're voting you may need id), and read the instructions carefully before casting your ballot. If you make a mistake, tell the poll worker, as usually they will allow you to fix the mistake in some way. Good luck!
On election night there are some key things to consider. The first polls close at 6 p.m. EST in Indiana, and though I predict Indy to go for McCain, it is tight enough that Obama could squeak out a victory. McCain is only up by a point in polling, so anything could happen. If Obama wins Indiana, you don't even need to watch the rest.
The real anchor of this election will be Virginia. I have been saying this for weeks, but watch Virginia. The beautiful thing being that polls close in Virginia at 7 p.m. EST. If Obama takes Virginia, McCain MUST win PA, OH, IN, WV, MO, NC, and FL, to take 268 electoral votes, which still is not enough for a win. The good thing (or bad thing by pov) is of course that in many of those states Obama leads by a wide margin.
So go, vote early, vote often, and be proud of yourselves. You've all done very well.
After all of this years votes have been cast, I just wanted to say how grateful I am to be able to see this contest. It has been an historic fight, from before the first primaries to today. It has been plain exciting to watch, and we have even gotten to see policy debate creep into the Presidential race. Yes, there was personal political usual-ness, but over all I would rate this election as the best I've ever seen. Of course the end result is what matters, and I am confident that my guy will win, but I don't want to put the cart before the horse, I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on how engaging this contest has been.
Of course not everyone agrees with me. Fred Barnes of the Weekly Standard writes a story that to me sounds like a downcast kid kicking a rock in the road. Maybe that's what it's like to lose an election, but I don't really remember being that involved in an election with a clear victory. The 2000 election was my first real entry into involvement in politics. When that election didn't end, there wasn't a way to feel one way or the other, besides cheated. The thing that I look forward to this year most of all is a landslide, an uncontestable outcome, a clear answer. In this post-modern world that seems to be the hardest thing to find.
One thing in particular that I am especially enjoying are the people that I talk to who normally have no interest in politics who are engaged and excited, some of whom had never voted before and are looking forward to casting their ballots on Tuesday. I think of my friend who could have voted in the last 2 elections, but didn't, who this week sent her son to school in an Obama t-shirt. This will be her first voting experience. I'm proud of her.
Now as far as voting goes. Don't wear t-shirts or buttons from any campaign, bring your wallet (depending on where you're voting you may need id), and read the instructions carefully before casting your ballot. If you make a mistake, tell the poll worker, as usually they will allow you to fix the mistake in some way. Good luck!
On election night there are some key things to consider. The first polls close at 6 p.m. EST in Indiana, and though I predict Indy to go for McCain, it is tight enough that Obama could squeak out a victory. McCain is only up by a point in polling, so anything could happen. If Obama wins Indiana, you don't even need to watch the rest.
The real anchor of this election will be Virginia. I have been saying this for weeks, but watch Virginia. The beautiful thing being that polls close in Virginia at 7 p.m. EST. If Obama takes Virginia, McCain MUST win PA, OH, IN, WV, MO, NC, and FL, to take 268 electoral votes, which still is not enough for a win. The good thing (or bad thing by pov) is of course that in many of those states Obama leads by a wide margin.
So go, vote early, vote often, and be proud of yourselves. You've all done very well.
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