Just the Facts, Please

Planning a trip to Mexico in the coming months and of course, I've been very interested in the swine flu outbreak.

 

In trying to find out the facts, I was curious to know where in Mexico some of those, like the NY Prep School children went when they were in Mexico.  Mexico is a big country, with many states and an equal number of climates.  On top of that Mexico City is one of the worst cities in the world for air pollution.  So.....it is interesting that I can not find out any reporting of fact on where the NY Prep students went while they were in Mexico.

 

I wish the media put as much effort into reporting the facts as they do in trying to win a Pulitzer for political gotcha stories.

Newsworthy?

I enjoy the Sunday morning interview programs.  It's a great warm up to the afternoon and the "other" sporting events played by professionals, i.e. football, baseball, basketball, hockey, etc.  Often, I yell louder at the TV in the morning than I do in the afternoon.  A blown play is blown play.

 

It is just down right lazy, to have as a guest, the current or a former Presidential press secretary.  Their job is to insulate and isolate the President from the Press.   Only a piss poor press secretary is going to make a mistake and make news on Sunday.  Talk to newsmakers, not news spinners.  Take this past week's Meet the Press - Gibbs and King Abdullah of Jordan.  It would have been better to have the full hour with King Abdullah.

Where's the Change?

A significant budget savings amount would be 5%.  The $100M requested by President Obama to be scrubbed from the various Departments today is a small down payment.  Only $179.9B with a "B" OR $179,900M OR $179,900,000,000 to go.  

 

$100M may be a lot of money to a community organizer, but its next to nothing when it comes to a federal budget. 

 

The American people do want Change, just not pocket change.

How Many Czars can fit in the WH?

czar
(zär, tsär) n.

1. Also tsar or tzar (zär, tsär) A male monarch or emperor, especially one of the emperors who ruled Russia until the revolution of 1917.
2. A person having great power; an autocrat: "the square-jawed, ruddy complacency of Jack Farrell, the czar of the Fifteenth Street police station" - Ernest Hemingway.
3. Informal An appointed official having special powers to regulate or supervise an activity: a racetrack czar; an energy czar.

Fairly certain, the Obama administration does not intend to appoint Czar's to operate under definition #1. Don't really know yet, whether all the Czars/Czarinas being appointed will be operating under definition #2 or #3. Maybe a combination of both. Regardless, it is disconcerting that there are going to be so many. Counselors, insulators, hired scapegoats, cover for the fact that most of the Secretaries are merely bureaucrats/politicos who know little about running business/projects/etc.?

Congress should call these Czars into their committee meetings, either right before or right after the Secretaries testify. The American people are entitled to know what the Czars and Czarinas think and do.

I Got Your Border Covered

I got this picture from Newsbusters.org, in their Weekend Caption contest. Check it out, some of the proposed captions are great.

My favorite: "Be vewy, vewy quiet. I'm hunting wight wing wadical extwemists".

Here's mine: Don't worry, I got your border covered.

President Obama is going to prevent "guns" from going to Mexico? If I carry one bullet into Mexico, I can be arrested and incarcerated. So, how are AK-47's getting in, even if they are procured in the US. This is more crisis creation to support a policy change. AND.....if the US government can't keep illegals out, how are they going to keep guns and ammo in?

Obama Speeches Always Leave One Wondering

Just listened the most recent speech by President Obama regarding the economy.  To summarize:

 

  - Tell people a lot of what they want to hear.  The rich get richer.

  - Tell people a few things that some might not want to hear, i.e. "it is not going to be easy" and "some may not like it".

  - Tell people a lot more of what they want to hear.  The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.  The poor should get jobs and education and healthcare.

  - Tell people how good they are and the US can be again. - - Yes, we can!

 

All told, it sounds pretty good.  However, I wonder.....does President Obama goes back to the WH, ignore all that "telling" and implement a pre-meditated social agenda under the cover of "crisis".  I wonder, as well, is that what they call Community Organizing?

Don't Stop at Pirates!

I think it's great that those pirates got taken out, when the threat and "opportunity" crossed to gain the freedom of Captain Phillips.  Two thumbs up for the Obama administration.

 

Now about some thumbs up for NK and Iran.  They are potentially a lot more dangerous than the Somali pirates.

 

I apologize......

.....for everything.  Once I have gained your trust by verbally prostrating myself before you.  I intend to raise your taxes to redistribute the world's wealth.

Darn Those Teleprompters!

At President Obama's next stop, Turkey, he tells the Turks that they should be made members of the European Union.  Problem is the US is not a member of the EU and Sarkozy (France) and Merkel (Germany) are not in favor of Turkey joining at this time.   Someone please tell our President to pack up his teleprompters and return home to the US to be the chief executive officer of this country.  Maybe stop by the UN unpack those teleprompters and give them his speech about punishment, responsibility and North Korea.

Behold........

Others have alluded to it, but it bears repeating. Those teleprompters that many speakers use today. Ever notice they look a bit like the stone tablets that Charleston Heston, (playing Moses in the movie, "The Ten Commandments") read to those wandering in the desert.

The teleprompter does not offer up the inspired word of a higher power, but rather just the words of fallible humans, maybe powerful words, but not necessarily so.

As powerful words can be. Action is required to create a reality and to complete the step forward toward progress.

North Korea Launches, Obama Admin "Takes a Time Out"

The Clinton Admin gave NK money and got nothing. The Bush Admin gave NK money, got little, but did get South Korea, China, Russia and Japan involved. It's time for the Obama Admin to layout their Action Plan (emphasis on action) for dealing with North Korea. This has been an issue since 1992, so I will not buy that the Obama Admin needs time "to study the issue". He should consult with his SOS. Sec. Clinton knows about the issue going back to 1992.

Here's what President Obama said today. "North Korea broke the rules.....it underscores the need for action, not just this afternoon at the UN Security Council.......rules must be binding, violations must be punished, words must mean something"

Especially like that last part that "words must mean something" that President Obama read today from his teleprompter in Prague.

NATO - Non, Nein, No

The Obama administration that the US needs an NATO exit strategy.  The US does not need to belong to NATO.  There might be a need for European countries to "band" together for military and mutual protection requirements.  NATO less US would be OK - call it ETO.  A treaty could be established between ETO and US to maintain coordination of effort. 

 

Europe is a stable region and a much different place than it was when NATO was created.  Trying to move forward with the US in NATO is hampering progress for everyone.  And a drag on resources that would be better utilized elsewhere.

 

US should focus on Africa, SE Asia and the Americas for developing military alliances.  Then once these alliances/areas are strong, US can back away from them.  Although there would be some benefit to maintain an alliance amongst those in Americas.

 

Follow the Crisis

Follow the Money....and now.....Follow the Crisis.  To understand the motivations behind the Obama administration's policy initiatives.  They are using the Emanuel Crisis Management (ECM) Plan - they are taking advantage of the crisis and little else.

 

For instance, the US is in a money crisis.  Dems have always wanted to increase gov't spending, and initially anyway taxes on the "wealthy".  If the US has a security crisis, look for the current leadership in Congress and WH to clamp down on the rights of people, e.g. gun control.

 

Townhall in France?

The US has problems, and granted the whole world has problems. However, President Obama is the President of the US. I'm sure that Obama is not endearing himself to world leaders by acting like the President of the World. The other World Leaders talk to their people and expect that Leader to speak on behalf of them to other World Leaders. President Obama is reinforcing the idea that he has some sort of worldwide messiah complex.

And another thing......what's up with Congress passing a budget that creates a HUGE increase in the deficit and the debt AND then going on a TWO week break.

Seems like the Obama administration nor Congress realizes that there are some problems here in the US that need to be attended to with leadership and sure-footed action.

Poll Watchers in the WH

There was the AIG bonus flare-up, now the backing down to Merkel on European stimulus.

 

Two examples to confirm that the Obama administration watches the populist polls to tailor the day's message.  Therefore, the populist has some power to exert here.  Lots of protest (non-violent, of course) will have an impact.  It will be necessary to overcome the media bias and swooning for the Obama administration.   Principled patience and persistence can triumph.

 

The only concern is that there seems to be no impact, yet, on Obama administration policy.  Only the msg.  Protest follow-through will be required to push the administration past their breaking point/commitment point.  If the protests let up, their msg will reverse and the current policy will go forward.

I'm Going to EuroDisney!

I'm punting on the Auto Bailout at this time, giving them more time to develop a "plan" to bailout the UAW.  As a consolation, I offer you the head of CEO Waggoner.

 

And now, I'm off to EuroDisneyland!!

Auto Bailout or Meddling?

One of the oft stated reasons for bailing out the big Three in Detroit is to maintain a viable US auto industry, intimating that it was a matter of "national security".  Then why is the government suggesting that Fiat, a foreign company, buy a large portion of Chrysler?

 

CEO Waggoner may have needed to go, but with all their political and communication savvy, why did Obama administration not make this happen quietly and without making it look like the administration is trying to run GM?

 

The government is looking to be more and more on the wrong side of the solution - Let any auto companies in trouble go into bankruptcy.  There is already a system/process to take care of situations like this.  The view that the governments involvement is exclusively trying to maintain the viability of the UAW is gaining momentum.

US Responsible for Mexico Drug Violence?

Sec. Clinton's admonishment that the US's drug habit/demand makes us somewhat responsible for the drug cartel violence in Mexico, has some validity.

 

After all, if had not been for Pres. Clinton staining that blue dress, it is very unlikely that Hillary would have become Senator or Secretary of State.  Therefore, Pres. Clinton like the US drug habit/demand, bears responsibility for a negative outcome.

Here Comes the Taxes

Seems like all the concern about the Obama admininistration raising taxes across the board have been nudged in that direction.  There administration is looking for more tax revenue sources and the Dems in Congress are denying the Obama administration the requested middle class tax cuts.  A consequence or a plan?

I'm Mad As Hell......

The clip from from the movie, "Network", where the newscaster says, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" is being used quite a bit to punctuate the anger the public feels over AIG, in particular, and the bank bailouts, in general. 

 

However, the movie was actually about how media is putting out blather, pabulum and making us mad as hell.  So....don't forget to apply some of your current anger to the media and the Congress.

 

Leadership = Vision + Management + Action

Obama administration gets:

   C-  for Vision 

   B-  for Mgmt

+ F  for Action

---------------------------

   D  for Leadership

 

Market Likes the US Treasure Plan?

The Dow Jones Industrial Index ("stock market") was up almost 500 points today.  Some are saying that is because the "market" likes the US Treasury plan to rid the financial system of toxic debt.

 

If that is true - what does the "market" like about it.  And if we are to believe President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, Rep Frank, et al - the "market" liking the plan is not a good thing.  The "market" is greedy and self-serving.  If the "market" likes the plan, then the "market" is probably seeing another opportunity to make money or avoid costs.  Money which, of course, would come from taxpayers - which according to PO, SO and RP are Americans who make above $250K per annum.  I guess that makes taxpayers a new minority, who are being exploited in America.

AIG and Campaign Finance Reform

The whole AIG fiasco had brought up once again the issue of campaign financing.  [Notice that everything that almost everything that goes wrong in Washington D.C. invariably has as a root cause or corollary - campaign financing, point out the need for reform.]

 

McCain-Feingold didn't do it.  Here's something that will:

• Only individual contributions
• No limits
• Transparency - 100 percent, real time
• Stiff penalties for fraud and collusion
• Make it apply to Candidates and all registered political organizations that collect campaign funds.

PACs and Unions will whine a lot, indicating that the rich will dominate the elections.  BS - Does the name George Soros ring a bell?   If everyone that donates has to indicate/report when, how much and to whom.  Two things are going to happen:

1. Campaign contributions will go down - cause the people who enabled to currently "hide" their contributions will no longer be able to do so.  If campaign contributions go down - this will more adversely effect the incumbents.   They'll have to work harder to get re-elected, having to be more honest with their constituents.
2. We'll know exactly who is contributing and how much.  Public outrage will "police" the candidates and the contributors.  Impeachments will probably increase initially as "crooked" candidates will try to "game" the new reform.  It will only last about one election cycle.

Another Puff Piece

If Steve Kroft of 60 Minutes on CBS had been interviewing the CEO of CitiBank or AIG, I'm sure that it would have been very different interview than the one this week with President Obama.

 

All softballs and not even pitched but rather teed up.  I fear that a continued lack of pressing President Obama by the media and the so called "loyal opposition" will not serve the Obama administration nor the American people.  President Obama is no doubt an intelligent person.  He's to quite capable intellectually of handling criticism and "hardballs".   His leadership skills needs to be exercised for the good of Mr. Obama and the good of America.

 

 

Congressional Bonuses

If the taxpayers provide a salary for Representatives and Senators to legislate on our behalf - any amount of compensation (other than government supplied and sanctioned expense reimbursements) should probably be considered bonuses.

 

I'd like to see some figures by member of Congress.  Let's start with the following basics:

1. Net Worth before first term
2. Total Congressional Compensation received during service in Congress
3. Current Net Worth

From these figures Bonus would equal Item 3 minus Item 1 minus Item 2.  Wouldn't want our government representatives to be getting rich on the backs of taxpayers.

 

Maybe Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid could post these figures on the Thomas.gov website.  After all, all of these Representatives and Senators paid by the taxpayers.  If its good enough for the AIG.......

Flip Flop?

The same Congressional Budget Office that was correct when it came up with different forecast numbers than the Bush Administration, NOW is wrong when it comes up with different forecasts than the Obama Administration.

Speaking from the Heart

Everyone knows and observes that President Obama uses a teleprompter very often - for even the most mundane venue.

Who writes all those speeches to put up on the teleprompter? If President Obama - that is an awful amount of time that could be spend leading the nation. If others, then they are by proxy leading the nation with their ideas.

I hope President Obama breaks his addiction with the teleprompter. We need desperately leadership that speaks from the heart. Not intellectually minded, polished, poll prompted, campaign styled speeches, but rather leadership that speaks from the heart.

Oppps.....The Spin Meisters will have to Work this Weekend

Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued a report that that the Obama Administration painted a rosy picture that CBO does not agree with.   The deficit in their humble opinion will be much larger.

A Book Deal Already?

Seems the President Obama has already signed a book deal for a children's book.

He's been in office less than 100 days. Has gone on Tonight Show. Has filled out his picks for the NCAA brackets. What is this guy all about? Does not appear that his number one priority is leading the nation.

Divulging Compensation of Government Employees

AG Cuomo is being slightly disingenuous when he indicates that if "the government owns" AIG, then the public entitled to know each employees pay like "the government" does.  No company does that except for the officers of a public company.  And the only compensation I've every seen for government employees is for those at the highest level.

 

As far as AG Cuomo's assertion......I searched and could not find a webpage for the State of New York that lists ALL state employees and their compensation.  Perhaps there is an address I can send a request for this information.

 

For heavens sake.....get back to work and quit playing partisan, populist politics!

They Stepped in It

I don't think that they'll be able to "take" the money from the people who received the retention bonuses under their employment contract.

If they tell AIG to take it out of their profit. Government owns 80% of the company and therefore will feel the impact of 80% of the loss in profit.

Congress and the Executive Branch stepped it it. Now they are trying to blame the dog.

Fire - Aim - Ready?

Congress and the Obama seemed to have missed some things in the Stimulus, the Bailouts and the Omnibus.  And they are the things that they are whining and complaining about most vociferously now.  This is both an admonishment and an indictment for actually reading these bills before they are signed and made law.

 

This is another example of bad, emotional lead politics.  Let's get back to principled, thoughtful politics.  Please!

A Red Herring, Populist BS

So, the President and Congress are all pissed off about the AIG bonuses.

First of all they signed off on them. Secondly, they represent only 0.1% ($165M/$170B) of the total of the bailout. On the other hand, earmarks in the Omnibus Bill amounted to 1.2% ($5B/$410B). We were told by Washington politicians that the earmarks were only 1.2% of the total, ergo a mere nit. So the nit of the nit is a bigger deal than the nit - Red Herring!! Populist BS!

Why aren't our politicians being honest and consistent?

Why isn't our media, the intrepid 4th Estate, doing this analysis and asking these questions?

Who's on the side of the American people?

Real Optimism or Responding to Polls

President Obama has changed his economic tone.  Either he has finally gotten himself out of campaign mode OR he's responding to the Poll's and criticism from the Business community.  Neither one is reassuring and unfortunately, any other explanation seems implausible.

A Second Stimulus?

Why?  Did the first Stimulus fail?  Per chance did the first Stimulus although it had a lot of spending in it, did not have enough simulative spending? 

 

Let's slow down.  The Obama administration seems to be taking its time to fill all the deputy spots at Treasury, let's take some time and analyze the stimulus already in the pipe line, then be open, honest and transparent.

I Don't Buy It!

The Obama administration is against increasing needlessly the deficit, however signs both Stimulus and Omnibus bills with plenty of "pork" in them both.  The increased deficit is promised to be cut in half, but this is only after it is doubled.  That leaves Americans right back where we started.  Progress?  Change?

 

And speaking of the Omnibus Bill. Lots of pork, just plain "pork".  But we're told that its ONLY 1% of the total and its bipartisan.  Regrettably, that one percent is approximately $8B, that's $8,000,000,000,000 OR $18,390,804,598 per US Representative OR $26,144 per American citizen.  And that's just the 1% pork.  1% sounds insignificant, but its not. 

 

Voters should start considering ONLY representatives who are not currently serving.  And by all means lets be bipartisan - replace incumbent from Party A with another person from Party A who represents the interests of Americans pocketbooks.  Our current representation seem to be ONLY interested in their re-election and the power to be garnered for their political party.  Don't fall for the BS that its "not me, its all the others" argument.  Just throw them all out.  Americans need to perform the responsibility that our Constitution lays out for us.  Vote on principle, not pedigree nor incumbency.

Transparency and Bipartisanship?

Apparently Secretary Geithner is meeting with House Democrats behind closed doors to brief them. What is the Secretary going to tell House Democrats that he can't say to the rest of us?

Granted

We are hearing much these days that the Obama administration is not responsible for the current economic situation the world finds itself in.  No argument there. 

The Obama administration does have responsibility for the impact of this situation to Americans and the duration of the negative impact. 

 

Time to step up.  Time to start living the rhetoric of the campaign with which the Obama team used to convince a majority of voters that they should lead the country. 

 

Don't get me wrong.......

.....I like Tiger Woods.  He has a perfect swing and makes gold interesting.

 

But......don't our Reps in Congress have better things to do?

 

Mar 2, 2009 - Bill Action  Introduced: H.R. 1244: To provide for the award of a gold medal on behalf of the Congress to Tiger Woods, in...
Rep. Joe Baca [CA] introduced H.R. 1244: To provide for the award of a gold medal on behalf of the Congress to Tiger Woods, in recognition of his service to the Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship, and in breaking barriers with grace and dignity by showing that golf is a sport for all people.

It's back to the Future

The Dow dropped below 7000.  It was last under 7K back in 1997.  That was before the Tech Bubble and during the Clinton administration.  What kind of change is that?  Are you better off then you were in 1997?  And the Obama administration indicates that it could very well get worse.  Are we talking 1930 worse?

Border Security is Now an Issue to the Media

With all the concern about the Mexican drug cartels, the increase in violence just south of the border and the fear that that violence will spread more visibly north of the border.  So much so, that the Obama administration (Sec. Napolitano) indicates that a military surge would be a last resort and is in contingency planning.

 

I guess those that have been concerned for many years about US border security did in fact have a point that secure borders were important.  Those that criticized them for being merely anti-Hispanic should feel ashamed, but right now they are just whining about the increased violence and the threat it presents to the US.

New World Order?

The banks cause major problems in the financial and credit sectors - they get a bailout, i.e. money from the government.

 

Gaza allows crude missles to be aimed and fired at Israel - they get a bailout, i.e. money from the government.

 

The squeaky, destructive wheel gets the grease - is this the new world order of things?

Lobbyist are not the problem....

....Representatives, Senators and Presidents who act and legislate on their behalf that ARE the problem.

 

Lobbyists and those they work for are engaging in lawful/constitutional activity.  Congress and the WH are at the very least are being unethical.  Surely they are not representing the people when they act on behalf of lobbyists to the exclusion of others.

What makes Earmarks Despicable

What makes earmarks so insidious is that they are placed into funding legislation nearly covertly and most of the time at the last minute.  Often there are quid pro quo deals between legislators - I'll sponsor yours if you sponsor mine.  Certainly some to the expenditures are worthwhile and beneficial.  So why so much secrecy and deceit?  This is not that hard.  These "items" are not last minute thoughts.  So......let's just make some rules

1. Specific funding items need to be posted publically for at least two week OR it does not get any consideration in the legislation.
2. Each specific funding item posting needs to address:
1. Description
2. Cost
3. Type of Funding: one time, ongoing, etc.
4. Benefit to Local Community
5. Benefit to USA
3. One week before the Funding vote, sponsors are called before Public Hearing of the Earmark Committee, to respond to one question, of their choosing, from each Committee member.
4. The Earmark Committee votes whether or not to include the item in the Legislation.

As I said, its not that hard.  Let's make federal funding more transparent.  Write your Representatives/Senators in Washington D.C. and tell them how YOU want your money to be spent.  Don't leave this exclusively to the President, Congress, lobbyists, Dems and GOP.

 

P.S.  Most Americans think that the President's Budget is what determines what gets spent.  Actually the President's Budget is the administration's opinion on what money to appropriate OUR money.  The US Constitution states that the Congress is to appropriate funding, which the Executive Branch (the President) is to manage/expend those funds appropriated.

Not Leadership

I'm getting the impression that the Obama administration is not leading but managing by the polling and responding to uncomplimentary "editorial" comments.  

 

This would explain why Gibbs, the WH Press Secretary, attempted to rebuke CNBC Financial CBOE reporter for his "Tea Party in Chicago" rant.  It also explains the use of trial balloons and reactionary response that have become the norm.  They are either clueless or they have a big agenda.

Just imagine

If the government increases spending and raises taxes outside of stimulus legislation when the economy is way down, just think what they will do when things start to get better.

Don't mention it

Janet Napolitano while testifying in her first outing as Secretary to the Senate Homeland Security Committee she did not utter the words "terrorism" or "terrorist" in her opening statement.  This supports one of my concerns of an Obama administration - that they would be isolationist, in addition to protectionist. 

 

But perhaps this was a condition of Hillary Clinton taking the reins of the State Department - Everyone else stay within the borders, I demand total control on everything outside the borders.

 

This would constitue a fear more than fear itself.

No MORE Earmarks!!......

......except in the $787B Stimulus Bill and the $410B 2009 appropriations Bill.  This does not bode well for the first Budget (2010 appropriations) to be unvieled later this week by the Obama administration.

 

What hypocrisy from our President in his first 45 days, who for two years promised Change in Washington, D.C.  "Yes we can" seems to be sliding down the slippery slope towards "Yes we won".

Daily CIA Economic Intelligence Reports

Is that anything like Daily DOD Pharmaceutical Production Reports?  Maybe there was a mix up by the person running the teleprompter.  More than likely this just another case of miscommunication from a rookie administration.  Apparently the smoothest transition in history still wasn't enough.  President Obama needs to have breakout session with his Cabinet - "C'mon people, let's hear it....Yes, we can lead this country!"

 

And speaking of intelligence.  Will someone tatto the name of the WH Stimulus website on the palm of  VP Biden's hand.   Everyone fears him, but sometimes he forgets things, easy things, like Recovery.gov.

 

Is it Just me?

When President Obama indicated that he intends to reduce "the deficit left to him" to ~$500B by 2013 (one year after the next Presidential election).  Does he mean that: 1) the overall deficit will be ~$500B OR 2) the overall deficit will have been reduced by ~$500B.   

 

I'm in a quandary, because:

    Deficit left to the Obama administration =      $1.3T

    Obama Administration adds to the deficit = ~$1.7T

    Promised deficit reduction =                        ~0.5T

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Deficit in 2013 =                                         ~$2.5T

    ======================================

    Delta =                                                      ~$1.2T.  

 

AND if the overall deficit is truly going to reduced to ~0.5T then where does the ~2.5T of revenue (above and beyond the federal government "costs") come from?  President Obama indicated that they have already found ~$2-3T of cost savings.  That would be great - however sounds kind of inconceivable.

 

I learned the new math - but this seems to be a NEW, new math.

 

 

Busy, busy, busy

There is a huge economic AND financial crisis. Iran is reported by the UN to have enough material for one atomic weapon and is working to create more. Things in Afghanistan/Pakistan are worsening. Some of the legislative response:

Senator Diane Feinstein introduces this legislation: S.Con.Res. 7: A concurrent resolution honoring and remembering the life of Lawrence "Larry" King.

Rep. Lois Capps introduced this legislation H.Con.Res. 52: Honoring and remembering the life of Lawrence "Larry" King.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg introduced this legislation S.Res. 40: A resolution designating September 2009 as "Campus Fire Safety Month".

Rep. Rep. John Conyers introduces this legislation H.Con.Res. 50: Honoring and saluting Motown Records of Detroit, Michigan, on its 50th anniversary.

A Big Program with a lofty Goal

Candidate Obama talked incessantly about big programs that would lead the US to greater things.  Indicating the best example of this being President Kennedy's goal of putting a man on the moon.  Now, President Obama is suggesting that we build a high speed rail line from Disneyland to Las Vegas.  It will be interesting to see what scientific and engineering wonders are going to spin off of that effort and if indeed their will be any simulative effect to the nation.

The "Trust me, I'm not President Bush" Gambit

I'm willing to give President Obama a chance, but I shouldn't have to blindly trust him or any politician.  I find it strange that for 8 years Dems warned Americans about blindly following President Bush.  Now the Dems seem to be asking for everyone to line up behind President Obama as a patriotic duty.

 

To paraphrase a commercial by the actor, John Houseman: President Obama needs to earn the trust.  Let's hear some commitments, definitive/measureable forecasts and some performance.

SHUT UP!

For heavens sake, Senator Dodd, will you shut up!  And tell the rest of your fellow Senators from their respective "great states" to shut up!

 

You are not smart, therefore, quit trying to demonstrate that you might be.  You are powerful, however, because you are not smart, you are dangerous.  So....Shut up!

Cowards?

AG Eric Holder may have a point. If he meant that in general Americans are cowards for avoiding talk about race - he's wrong. If he meant that political correctness is/has stifled meaningful dialogue on race - he's correct. Political correctness is cowardly. Many keep their thoughts to themselves rather than make the effort to stay politically correct. Political correctness has erected walls between people who might otherwise engage in meaningful, helpful discussion on many topics. Pick one from the A-word to the Z-word.

Now Can We Talk Waste Cuts?

Now that a huge emergency spending economic stimulus has been signed by President Obama, can we next start looking at ways of saving wasteful expenditure of our tax dollars?

 

Let's skip the subpoenas for corporate executives, sports figures, and former administration officials where Representatives and Senators take shots at them, as if they are shooting fish in a barrel.  I understand the Populist thing.  But how about popular legislation and popular examination of government programs to uncover unpopular waste.  This would support popular and proper spending to stimulate the economy. 

 

Surely our legislators have time for more than "show" trials, press conferences and crisis.

Our Stimulus Dollars

Help those that were deceived.  Reward the prudent.  Punish the greedy and stupid.

 

Those who were prudent with their lending and savings should be not only be recognized.  They should be rewarded.  The prudent will use funds more effectively to stimulate the economy.

Stimulus Data?

Today, I did an Internet search for data on The Stimulus.  Not much in the way of definitive information.  One breakdown, found did not add up to $787B.  The CBO report is broken down into "legislative speak" categories.

 

Seems like funding legislation should be as simple as a spreadsheet - four columns - Description, Amount, WHY?, Performance Indicator.  Since its mostly lawyers in the legislature, I'm sure they'll want to add more columns.  But regular Americans only need the four pieces of information.

 

That would be change I can believe in.

Oh - I'm back

I've been away for a while.  I was "employed".  I wouldn't call it work, as I enjoyed it.  Well, most of it. 

 

The declining economy put an end to my employment, however, I was sort of looking forward to retiring again.  So, for the meantime, I'm happy to be unemployed.  Hopefully, the economy will pickup in time for me to find something to do to alleviate the boredom that will surely return.  I enjoy being part of team that is intent on accomplishing something.  At this point of my career, the monetary compensation is gravy.  Work is finally "fun".  And past savings, planning and being in the right place at the right time (luck) have made it possible for me to concentrate on enjoying work, rather than chasing after a certain sized, regular paycheck.  I'm blessed.

What Americans Want from Our Leaders.....

....Leadership and Action.  Political parties have a tendency to think that Americans want them to be "in charge".  Both parties look for confirmation, spin current events, handout taxpayer bonuses (earmarks) and make promises for the next term to convince the Americans and reassure themselves that they are in charge and/or are relevant.  These political parties spend much time and money trying to convince Americans that change Americans should make is in the number of Democrats or Republicans that are in the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary branches.

 

However, Americans, don't want either political party "in charge".   Americans want leadership and pragmatic action to solve problems and provide for the common defense.  Americans will and should judge our leadership and their actions by watching for and evaluating results.  Americans must be careful not to confuse rhetoric with action, nor hopeful promises with action.  Americans want leaders who take stands and action.  The mistakes of leaders will be taken as honest efforts (action) towards stated goals.  Political dithering and finger pointing over mistakes will not be tolerated for long periods of time.

 

The American government has by design and law: three branches.  Often the "press" is mentioned as a fourth, unofficial branch.  From the Judiciary, Executive and Legislatives branches Americans should look for and demand - leadership and action.  From our media - all the facts and unbiased analysis of the other three branches.  These are the areas of which Americans are looking for and hoping for change. 

 

Two years for Representatives, four years for Presidents and six years for Senators is more than enough time to judge leadership and "action" performance.  If performance is not there - its time for another change of leadership, which leads to real or different action.

Kudos to the 110th

Smart move in the right direction regarding denying pension benefits to those Senators who commit crimes connected to their service as Senators. Hopefully those in the House will adopt similar rules. Be sure to make both sets of rules "bullet proof". Remember that most of those who represent us are lawyers.

This is a good start item - I'd also like to see substantial rules changes on earmarks. I'm not against earmarks, just against the secrecy of the current process. Place all future earmarks into the light of day. Make sure that earmark sponsorship is made totally transparent. Then be sure to watch for backroom deals - "I'll sponsor your earmarks, if you sponsor mine".

Pizza Patron Pesos

The banks (competition) might have an issue, but everyone else should not. Pizza Patron could actually make/lose money on the exchange rate. It a business decision, this is not anti-American. This is not illegal. This has nothing to do with the illegal alien debate. FYI, some people trade currencies like stocks and bonds - and they make money doing so

I have got pesos from my most recent trip to Mexico (legal, of course) Usually I just keep any remaining pesos until my next trip. However, I might be tempted to use them, if more businesses accepted pesos.

Any international airport has a money exhange booth. With the Internet and access to exhange rates, the risk of "exchanging" currencies is made less risky to the acceptors. Risk still remains to those offering pesos in payment of pizzas - caveat emptor!

Nationalism and bigotry are not helpful in the discussion regarding illegal immigration.

Minimum Wage - Meaningful, Purposeful Policy OR Just Plain Politics?

Can't help but think that the reason why current minimum wage legislation has little opposition is that it will have very little impact, except as a source of talking points. "I'm for the poor people". "We're doing it for the children!"

I'm hoping that those who are putting this legislation forward will be indicating how the citizens can measure the performance of the minimum wage legislation. Something like: Reducing the number of people living below the poverty level by x%. If all this legislation does is make people feel better, without improving the economy and the stauts of citizens...why are we going to do it?

If it's just feel good legislation, at least be honest about it. It helps a very few people, mostly high school kids, but it makes some legislators feel good.

Iraq's New Direction

The President outlined the actions he intends to take in Iraq and the reasons for it. Based upon Senator Durbin's response it appears that the Congressional leadership intends to have Congress talk about the President's intentions and then pontificate about it.

If Senator Durbin and the Congressional leadership feel that it is not in the best interest of the Country, I urge them to take some action. Senator Kennedy suggested cutting off funding for the additional troops. Seems a reasonable approach if one feels strongly that the President's intentions as outlined Wednesday night are wrong.

The voters elected those in Congress to represent them. If Congress think that the voters are against the President's plan and intention, Congress should take the action necessary to stop the President from carrying out his plan.

Hopefully Congress won't just pass a resolution that says that they don't approve of the President's intention for Iraq. It would be as meaningless as passing a resolution: Proclaiming February - National Cheese Month.

Congress by all means deliberate, debate and talk, but follow it up with some intestinal fortitude inspired action.

Am I a Geek?

The gadget fests taking place in Las Vegas (Consumer Electronic Show) and San Francisco (MacWorld) have me mesmerized.

If I were rich enough I'd get one in each of in each of the major categories. Since I'm not rich, I think I'm going to look for a high end MP3 player with WiFi. Not the Zune (not enough WiFi capability). Not the iPhone (I've got a phone and not interested in that much Internet connectivity). But definitely, I should have that MP3 player in the next few weeks.

Ok....I think I'm also going to look into "Living Room" server. It has to have WiFi capability and it has to be able to do wireless HD video. Based upon what I've seen so far at CES and MacW, I should have some time to save up for this server.

Debate on Iraq

This is the way the Federal government with its check and balances is suppose to function.

The President is elected to lead...establishes direction and action

The Congress should then debate the direction and action and take legislative action. If a majority agrees with the President - they should move on to the next item on the Legislative agenda. If a majority strongly disagrees with the President Congress should cut off funding.

If all the Congress wants to do is debate and disagree.....they are not participating in the government but rather just taking up our time and our space in the Capitol. They should be accused and suspected of playing politics.

I'm looking forward to the President's speech on Wednesday evening. As well as, the debate in Congress that should begin on Thursday morning and conclude by Saturday evening with agreement/disagreement and decisive action.

Checks and Balances NOT Whine and Posture.

Religion

Faith is a personal relationship with a supernatural entitiy or entities. Its natural to want to share a satisfying relationship with others.

When two or more people gather together to celebrate their individual relationship with the supernatural they cross into the realm of religion. As the group gets larger, humanity (less than supernatural) takes over and the group becomes an "organized" religion.

Problems begin when groups of people who believe that they have exactly the same personal relationship find out that they don't and splits and schisms begin.

The situation gets even worse when some religions think their relationship and/or organization is "better" than the expressed relationship and/or organization of others.

With years of separation and contempt the differences can and often devolve into prejudice, hate and violence.

There is a way back - focus on your personal relationship and allow others to have their own personal relationship. This would apply equally to those who may be within your religion or individual organization and those who are in other religions or church. But also to those who choose not to have a relationship with a supernatural entity or those who don't believe that a supernatural entity exists.

Which First 100 Hours?

Speaker Pelosi....point of order. I'm trying to keep an accurate score on the US legislative branch. Want to measure legislative performance based upon the goals of the Dems, GOP and also upon the benefits that passed and signed legislation extends to the US public.

Wondering how much time has lapsed on the Legislative clock began ticking at 12pm EST, Thursday, January 4, 2007? Has it been 24 hours or something less? If less, how many hours in the legislative day and week?

Concerned because 24 hours, represents 24%, of the 100 hour target, yet no legislation has been passed. It seems that the 110th Congress is not performing well against your goals.

Also would like to recommend a scoring system for the 110th Congress. It would be nice to see the updated running score published each and every day on the home page at http://thomas.loc.gov/

• No points (sorry) for resolutions nor legislation referred to committee.
• No points for House rules changes. {Kudos will be given for rules followed]
• 1 point for legislation passed in House
• 1 point for legislation passed in Senate
• 4 points for legislation sent to Executive Branch for signature
• 10 points for legislation signed by President
• Total points will be divided by total number of "laws" signed by the President. This will act somewhat like an index.

Good luck!

iCommunications

The impact of the PCs and the Internet on communications has been great.

The Apple PC entered the market in 1976, the IBM PC in 1981. However, these are other notables before them. Personal computer junkies will also recall fondly the Altair 8800, RadioShack and Commodore PCs which were the ones used and built upon by Gates and Wozniak.

The Internet became available to the public (first in the US) about 1994. But, it grew from a network of computers operated in support of the US Department of Defense, Energy, State, etc.

The citizens of the world like the increased communications ability and information availability made possible by the PC and Internet. Governments and the mainstream media who had a near monopoly on information are adjusting reluctantly to regular citizens possessing greater access and near instantaneous communications.

Tick-tock-tick-tock

Today begins the first 100 hours and the first 100 days of the 110th Congress.

Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid are responsible for leading the 110th Congress to provide legislation for the American people and oversight of the Executive, Judicial and Legislative (themselves) branches.

The American Public should not be rate Congressional performance against what the Dems
or GOP say should be accomplished. Rather we should judge the performance of the 110th based upon what they accomplish on behalf of the American people.

I wish them well and God's speed.

Debate Idea for Political Discourse

Here's my idea for creating a dialogue regarding issues of importance to the 2008 Presidential election. It involves discussing ideas and not candidates. Some potential candidates may decide to participate. Those who are campaigning rather than debate will stand out like sore thumbs.
First step will be to make a list of debate propositions, i.e. Resolved: A Single Payer Program should be established for the US to solve the Healthcare issues.

A Board (no current or former politician, please) would be created to evaluate topics and decide participants for each of the "debates". These can be individual or team debates.
Publish a listing (on a website) of the "debates" and solicit persons and brief resumes of those who wish to be considered for participation. Collect a list of people who want to debate topics.

The board would also establish all the ground rules, time, etc. for the "debates". Instead of having these debates on broadcast or cable TV have them on line in real time. They could also be recorded for airing a later dates. Broadcast or cable TV could if they wish air these debates with commercials.

Online forums would be a natural after each debate for further discussion.

Donations could be solicited online to pay for production and broadcast costs. Ask Gates/Buffett and Soros if they'd like to donate some money to the project. And offer advertising to potential sponsors.

This has got to be better than letting the political parties and 527's decide the discourse for the 2008 elections. Try and keep Congress out of the debates, because they have enough on their plate to pass necessary legislation.

Globalization Reactions

China and India decided to participate in the world economy for a share of the world markets. But many years prior to "turning on" their economies; these two countries were educating their then future and now current generations. [They have been excelling at education performance for years.]

Now they are exploiting the greatest resource that any nation, state, city, corporation, or small business has - the dedication, inspiration and perspiration of their people. They will not fade soon, but the stories and tremendous growths will slow to more normal levels.

Other countries in the years to come will also choose to participate. The emerging Eastern European countries will likely be the big story of 2007. Individually they will not match the revenues and trades figures of China nor India did in 2005-2006, but collectively they might. Beyond 2007, look to Central and South America.

Nationalism and protectionism are natural reactions to this economic competition, however these temptations should be avoided. Those who believed that America was going to be world's economic engine for ever and ever, forgot what it takes to make any economy excel.

America became an economic power in the same manner that China and India are doing it currently. It is also the way in which America can compete again with others in the world economy - through Dedication, Inspiration and Perspiration.

President Gerald Ford

Thanks for your many different services to our country. Rest in peace.

Happy New Year!

Hanged in the Balance

Saddam Hussein's execution is noteworthy for Iraqis, however anticlimactic for Americans. No doubt those Iraqis who suffered under the Hussein regime will experience: revenge, comfort, and finality.

Those in Iraq who are looking for a reason to be violent will be violent. Those in the world who always blame the US will blame the US.

This is a milestone for the Iraqi people and the Iraqi government and offers little for the US or the ROW (Rest of the World).

Watch the Iraqi government. This is an inflection point which can be leveraged by them to assert their sovereignty effectively. In the next few weeks, they'll make clear by their actions and/or inactions what they intend to do from this point forward. Their next steps will have great significance for the Middle East, the ROW and the US.

What would really be nice is some Tax Reform

Before raising or lowering anyone's income taxes, Congress should reform IRS code and the corresponding bureaucracy.

Don't even bother to look at the IRS code. The whole system is beyond beneficial revision. Start with the amount of revenue needed (not desired) then formulate a simple tax system to generate that revenue, less earmarks.

With regard to earmarks, they should be funded by a new tax on members of Congress.

Balance of Power?

Often we hear, especially from the partisans out of power about the imbalance of power. However, the Constitution defines the balance of power quite clearly. The office of the Presidency is most often accused of exceeding its authority. The Courts are accused of legislating from the bench.

Congressional lack of action, makes it appear that the Executive and Judicial branches are exceeding their authority and/or legislating. When in actuality the inaction of the Legislative branch just makes the Executive and Judicial branches appear to be over reaching.

Write your Congressperson and tell them its time for the 110th to pull their share of the governance load.

P.S. This will entail more than just oversight.

Party Alternatives

No, not Holiday Party alternatives.

Senator Lieberman was forced out of his party's nomination for the Senate seat in CT by single issue and extreme members of that party. Others who have a greater interest in their country should likewise consider that the parties are not serving the majority of the voters but have been hijacked and are being held hostage by single issue contributors and extremists.

An unaffiliated or "independent" Pres./VP slate just might be quite successful in the 2008 federal election. If a party name is required, I suggest: "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore" Party.

Fix the AMT

The Alternative Minimum Tax was a good idea, brought to legislation, probably 10 years too late. The AMT is overdue for significant revision by about 10 years.

Rep. Rangel if you are not going tackle a complete revision of the IRS tax code to make it more simple, then please at the very least fix and not just patch the AMT.

Stabilizing Iraq

If a stable Iraq is so important to Syria and Iran, why have they attempted nothing to stabilize Iraq. For that matter, why haven't Saudi Arabia and Jordan and Egypt and Turkey and Kuwait been more demonstrably involved in the stabilization of Iraq?

♫ Doo...doo doo doo, doo doo doo, du, di, do, do..do...do ♫.

Times up....and the answer is: They all prefer that the US fight the insurgents and terrorists and sectarians and fundamentalists in Iraq rather than have to fight them in their own countries. Do they want help or for the US to do their dirty work? If the later, quit whining and appeasing the troublemakers in your own countries.

Ah, the Internet

Information and alternative analysis is more readily available and accessible at nearly any of your local library. The Internet and all of its instruments: websites, blogs, social networks, etc. almost makes the need for political parties and traditional (print and broadcast) media as sources of info and news nearly redundant.

The parties and media keep thinking they can put the genie back in the bottle and have us all, only get our info from their websites, blogs, etc.

Pity. They should have been more responsible with their information dissemination pre-Internet.

Though, the parties and traditional media have been good for something recently. they have been very entertaining. Their disappearing and recanting sources. The illusory photographs. It is magical.

Voting and Democracy

"It's not the voting that's democracy, it's the counting". Tom Stoppard [British dramatist & screenwriter (1937 - )], from his play "Jumpers" (1972) Act 1.

How true! In some countries, the voting takes places with a single candidate or single party on the ballots and the counting takes places in great secrecy.

In the US voting takes places in firehouses, churches and schools. The ballots are filled with many candidates, representing Dems, GOPs, Greens, Independents, Libertarians, etc. Counting takes place openly, sometimes chad by hanging chad, with reporters watching intently. Between elections, voters of all sorts argue the merits of different ways of voting - paper ballots, punch cards, e- voting, e-voting w/paper backup.

Now that real democracy.

Congress - Neither Conservative nor Liberal

Our Congress is Preservative!

For the most part our Representatives seem more interested in preserving their political power base, their incumbency, their seniority, etc.

Wouldn't it be great if Congress were Deliberative and/or Legislative?

The Ups and Downs of Globalization

Now here's and interesting article by Stephen S. Roach at Morgan Stanley regarding the brief history, status and prognosis of globalization - "From Globalization to Localization".

Let's hope that Congress reads and heeds his analysis. It will make for a nasty recession if Congress over reacts and causes the pendulum to swing wildly to an extreme.

If you knew then....what you know now...?

That was the media question most over used in 2006.

If voters knew then that the Carter Administration would allow inflation to run rampant, energy supplies to become so vulnerable and fail miserably in trying to settle the Iranian hostage situation would the voters have elected Jimmy Carter President?

If voters knew then that Richard Nixon was an insecure individual prone to enable so much illegal activity in his name would the voters have re-elected him President?
If Deep Throat knew before the election then what he conveyed to W&B after the election.....?

If....if.....if. Reality happened.....Voters didn't and voters did. Deep Throat didn't and W&B did eventually. Move on to the solution space for today's issues and problems.

Our Representatives, Presidents, and Supreme Court Justices are not chosen to second guess each other. They are chosen to make considered decisions with the information they possess at the time to defend and protect the Constitution and Americans.
We can argue about whether chosen individuals do a good job or not in making those decisions. However, let's leave the analysis of history to historians.

By all means read history. By all means learn the lessons of history. But don't be held captive in the present from future action by a consideration of your place in history or your desire for the recognition of your peers with a Pulitzer.

What's next - the LSG, PASG and SSG?

If the US decides to withdraw from Iraq prior to stabilizing the Government in Iraq, Congress had better commission the Study Groups for Lebanon, the PA and Somalia.

And have the Pentagon, develop plans further for dealing with a nuclear armed Iran. Then increase CIA funding to monitor the movement of nuclear materials out of the Middle East. Oh and since the "front" will be moving closer towards the US, Homeland Security should probably start developing plans to create a nuclear material shield around the US.

Withdrawing from Iraq without stabilizing the Iraqi government does not end the US problems, it only pushes out even bigger, future US problems.

Too Much Focus on Iraq?

No, but if we only focus on Iraq, we'll be making a mistake.

There is no denying that there are problems in Iraq. There is also no denying that resolving Iraq is an important issue. But it is not the only issue of importance to American citizens. Some say that the voters asked for change in Congressional leadership, because they wanted a change in Iraq. This is only partially correct.

The American voters want substantive changes in government. The change desired goes beyond a change in leadership. There are problems in the Middle East other than Iraq. The continent of Africa has all the potential to become the next Middle East, for much different reasons and it will have nothing to do with Israel. And domestically, there are huge problems with: Social Security, Medicare, Immigration and taxes, to name a few.

Will the politico-media's focus on Iraq blind the Nation to all the other problems? Hopefully the new Congressional leadership will focus on all the issues and on providing solutions to as many issues as possible. I fear that both sides of the aisle are going to concentrate on the 2008 elections to the exclusion of substantive action of any kind. Speaker Elect Pelosi, please lead a Congress that can walk and chew gum at the same time.

P.S. The purpose of Congress is legislative AND oversight. Don't forget those legislative responsibilities. Our laws are behind the curve in many areas.

Sympathies to Sen. Johnson and his Family

The Senator and his family are having to deal with this sudden serious health problem, which is bad enough without the full, "inside the beltway", media circus hovering as if covering a car chase in CA.

If that weren't bad enough, that same media is making it appear that Sen Johnson's only friends are Senator Reid and Senator Daschle.

God's speed, Sen. Johnson. Hope and pray for your swift recovery and return to the Senate floor.

How did politics get such a negative connotation?

Politicians! Politicians have given politics a bad name.

What we need in politics is:

• statesmanship
• leadership
• passion
• compassion
• strength
• conviction
• principle
• candor
  

What we don't need is:

• Republicans
• Democrats

Who should be our next President?

Not Sen. Obama....but someone with the compassion and demeanor of Sen. Obama.

Not Sen. McCain....but someone with the loyality and sense of duty to country like that of Sen. McCain.

Not Sen. Clinton....but someone who understands the middle is where the voters are like Sen. Clinton.

Not Mayor Guiliani....but someone who has some proven executive experience like Mayor Guiliani

Not Gen. Clark....but someone who has leadership skills like Gen. Clark

Not Speaker Gingrich....but someone who understand how the Congress does and doesn't work like Speaker Gingrich does.

Not Sen. Bayh....but someone who understands the importance of candor and bipartisanship like Sen. Bayh

Not VP Gore or Sen. Allen....well....let's just leave it at not VP Gore or Sen. Allen

So far, there are a lot of people that the media are touting as running for the 2008 presidential election that are not just right, although they all have some good qualities. Hopefully, the voters won't have to settle for someone that is not quite what we're looking for. Or voting the lesser of two evils.

The media should stop surmising and the voters should just keep looking.

Trees and Menorahs in Seattle

Happy to see that Christmas trees have been returned to the SeaTac Airport after having been removed out of PC fear of a Menorah. NOW...allow Seattle's Jewish community to place a Menorah at the airport and celebrate the diversity of this "holiday" season.

If the Airport Authority wants to do something - write some sensible rules regarding the placing of things to celebrate the various secular and non-secular holiday celebrations throughout the year.

• Indicate items that the Authority will place each year.
• Develop a process to consider other items to be placed: 1) not at the cost of the Authority; 2) with limitations of quantity and location; 3) and limit participation to groups that can demonstrate a reasonable representation of membership within the communities serving the Authority.

Rather than denying them, let's reasonalbly celebrate the US's diversity of cultural and religious celebrations throughout the year.

The ISG makes rounds of the SNP

The big story on the Sunday News Programs, MTP, FNW, and LE was the Iraqi Study Group.

Everyone wants things to be better and over in Iraq.  The ISG has presented an analysis of the existing situation and made recommendations.  They claim and the media has confirmed that their offering is a bipartisan report.  The ISG should be commended for their work and participation.

On Meet the Press, Fox News Sunday and Late Edition the Congress did not make a good showing.  It is most regrettable that the partisans in Congress could not come up with their own analysis and recommendations in a bipartisan way. 
If all the Congressional person-trips to Iraq were added up....they would have dwarfed the number of person-trips made to Iraq by the ISG.  While the ISG spent nine months to prepare their report. Congress spent more than nine months running for their political place in the House and Senate.

If things do not go well in Iraq, Congress will say: it was the ISG, it was the President, it was the ISG and the President, it was bad implementation, it was this, it was that, BUT it is not our fault.

If things do go well or OK: they'll trip over themselves trying to take credit for first recognizing the wisdom of whatever strategy did have success.  First they'll claim wisdom for themselves.  Then of their party.  They have given little indication that they wish to be part of the solution, only that they can hold someone else responsible for things that don't go right.

An Activist Media

Here's an excerpt an, 18Nov2006 issue of the Economist review of the book, Khrushchev's Cold War: The Inside Story of an American Adversary - Aleksandr Fursenko and Timothy Naftali.

"Western journalists also served as unlikely accomplices in fomenting cold war terror.  In one of the book's more startling sections, the author's detail how American columnists repeated and exaggerated false claims about the extent of Khrushchev's arsenal.  President Dwight Eisenhower knew that the so-called "missile gap" tilted in America's favour.  Nevertheless journalism created a public clamour for more missiles and was used by defence industry executives to press for purchases."

Jounalists should stick to reporting.  Their activism rarely seems to work to the benefit of the US public.

Only English should be Mandatory

For the purpose of conducting business between the US government and its citizens, all the other languages should be optional.

Its a nice gesture to have street signs, menus, advertising, etc. in multiple languages to assist our guests and visitors.  And Hotel's are very wise to have concierges that speak several languages, especially in NY and DC.

And our hospitals, police departments and courts should have a means to provide translator services for those guests and visitors that require legal or medical assistance during their visit to the US.

But, there is no compelling reason to "require" providing voting ballots and other US government to US citizen communications in languages other than English when the requirements for naturalized US citizenship is a demonstration of competency to read, write and speak English.

Yes, Let's Talk!

The Iraqi government should talk to their neighbors, Iran and Syria about helping to stabilize the Iraqi government.  The US should not be talking to Iran and Syria about Iraq's stability.  If Iraq wants the US to attend their meetings with Iran and/or Syria, I'm sure that Iraq would invite the US to attend.

The US should continue to engage the World and Iran in discussions regarding Iran's nuclear programs which does have implications to the security of the US, the EU and many others. At present the EU is taking the lead to discuss Iran's nuclear programs and they are being stonewalled and threatened.

The US should continue to engage the World and Syria in discussions to keep Syria out of the government and affairs of Lebanon.

The US should continue to talk to Iraq and Afghanistan to coordinate the stabilization of those two young governments.

The UN should promote the discussion of world wide issues amongst the whole of the UN membership, including Iran, Syria and the Middle East.  And to discuss Global Terrorism that effects nearly everyone except those who support Global Terrorism.

As a UN member, the US should engage in any and all UN discussion. Now all that has to be done is get the UN to engage in promoting discussion. Seems like the UN has become like the US Congress: lots of finger pointing, lots of talking, very little discussing, and absolutely no consensus building or substantive action.

Iraq Study Group and Gates Nomination

After nine months of study the Iraq Study Group (ISG) sez....the mission is correct. Consider some of "our" ideas, but come up with your own and get together and decide a course of action for the American and Iraqi People. The mission can have success.

After one day of hearings: Senate Committee sez....Gates is OK with all (bipartisan) of us on the Committee. A little something for everyone.

Dr. Gates satisfied Senators McCain and Levin. ISG satisfied Senators Levin and McCain.

Senator McCain - the mission is correct; increase troop levels in response to increased violence against US armed forces. Senator Levin - the mission is flawed; redeploy US forces out of Iraq within six months.

Mistakes have been made. Continue on the mission. Correct tactics as required. Round and round we go.

Seems they should Actually be Congressional Hearings

Wondering if Congressional Hearings would be enhanced by not allowing members nor those giving testimony to read prepared speeches.

Would like to see Congress consider two additional rules:
1) Keep separate time on members and those giving testimony. Promoting concise query rather than members using speeches on behalf of their own ego, party or agenda. No long winded narrative non-questions.
2) Allot twice as much time to those giving testimony than to the members of the Committee, thereby keeping with the basic definition of hearing, which means to listen. Listening to those to whom their is question, not to those whose purpose is to question.

These simple rules changes might not improve the quality of our representation, but it would certainly increase the efficiency of hearings. Who knows, this could be one small step toward increasing citizen interest and participation in government.

New Media versus Old Media

The speed of communications have been accelerating in my lifetime. Look at the progression to the Internet: Pony Express (OK, before my time) - telegraph - phone - fax. Look at the progression to 24/7 news channels: letters - periodicals - dailys - radio - TV - cable.

More and more information, provided faster and faster means that the truth and the lies have less places to hide.

Media will not just avail itself of the speed, but also utilize and adapt to it. The Old Media will long for yesterday and either figure out how to join the New Media OR mistakenly hope that the old ways will still be valid even in the near future. The New Media will be composed of leaders and survivors of the adaptation to the increased information, speed and the new communications methodologies.

Presidential Campaigning

We Americans, at the urging of the media, spend too much time debating who would make the best President from those who declare they want to be President.

We, the voters, should spend more time, up front, discussing what kind of qualities are required for the next President.  We could discuss the job description.  List the qualities desired and required. THEN, let prospective candidates interview for the job based upon:

• ability of the candidate to perform the duties of the job
• suitability of the candidate's qualities versus those desired

The media could be quite helpful by reporting the discussion on the job description and the qualities listings.  It would be so much more beneficial to the voters if the media would report on the process rather than try to engage in the process.

Go spend some time at the local coffee shop and talk about the kind of leaders we should have.  Engage your favorite online political blog on the topic of Presidential qualities.  Try to avoid for the moment discussing who is the least objectionable amongst the Presidential wannabes.

That Is What Religious Freedom Is

I have no objection to Representative elect Keith Ellison placing his hand on the Koran while swearing allegiance to the US and to upholding its Constitution.
I have no objection to any book that someone might use for their swearing in ceremony, as long as the book used is made part of the public record.  As our representatives, the voters have right to know.

I have no objection to having an Imam occasionally provide the Congressional opening and closing prayers as long as it is done in English.
 
I have no objection to having a "thought of the day" presented by someone with an exclusively secular point of view.  All reflection is good.  Some may disagree with certain thoughts and prayers and even the persons offering them.  But they are all good for consideration or to respectively listen too.  None of the thoughts or the prayers should be feared or debased.

The founders and framers of the US government had primarily a Judeo-Christian viewpoint, however, they didn't intend to exclude any religion from the freedom of religions that was to be a major tenet of the US Constitution.  They certainly didn't intend to exclude any expression of thought.

By the way, I would have an objection to anyone who takes the oath and does not give allegiance to the US and/or uphold its Constitution.  This is how our elected and sworn representatives should be judged not by the book upon which they decide to use in the "swearing in" ceremony.