Friday, September 30, 2011
The Battle Continues
There are a lot of people out there who shout against the Affordable Care Act passed by Congress last year. Those in opposition are fond of quoting a statistic that 83% of the people with insurance are satisfied with it. Many of them fear losing it but lose it they will, or at least a large number of them will.
A recent story in the Washington Post brought to light a survey done by the Kaiser Family Foundation
revealing that more people are losing their insurance and that employers are shifting more of the costs to the employee along with higher deductibles. A family plan for a year now costs more than $15,000.00. How many of you can afford that? I can't.
Memories are short and even at that there are a large number of us who can't remember when there was not employer furnished health insurance. As a matter of fact, we have come to take it for granted that a job always comes with health insurance. It was not always so.
Prior to WWII it was not a common thing. During the war wages were frozen so companies could not use the lure of higher wages to attract workers. To skirt this requirement companies began offering fringe benefits that had substantial value. During the great expansion during the post war years companies were flush with capital and kept up the tradition to attract the best employees.
Well, those American corporations are not American any more even if they still have a factory or two here. They are global corporations and answer only to the bottom line and their shareholders. Where once there may have been a loyalty to the worker now there is none. As a matter of fact, a recent report that you can find here, http://www.npr.org/2011/09/29/140344871/retirement-heist-how-firms-trimmed-pensions, tells the story of how firms used the assets in their pension funds to improve their bottom line. They would like you to believe that the high cost of labor, health care, labor unions and regulation are responsible for the pension funds going broke but the fact of the matter is that U.S. corporations are sitting on two trillion dollars in cash hoping that the next election improves their prospects.
Corporations are on the record as stating that the high cost of health insurance is responsible for their inability to provide insurance and still turn a profit. This gives the lie to that, however, they are still gung ho for dropping insurance packages for their employees. Now we see the American worker getting all irate over government retirement plans when, time was, theirs were as good as the government's. So, ask yourself what happened.
People in general are guilty of forming opinions and then tailoring facts to suit them. In a recent GOP debate the candidates we posed the question of whether or not we should deny care to a critically injured, uninsured person. The candidates were ambivalent but not the audience. People there hooted out “let them die.” To his credit Senator Paul did not say this but opined that this was where churches and charity organizations come in. Anyone with any sense knows that churches and charities are not able to add another 47 million people to their rolls. As an example of how that works consider this. A local minister proposed that all of the county churches chip in to pay the cost of Pulaski County's pursuing the futile case to post the Ten Commandments down at the courthouse. He added that each Pastor should chip in $100. I thought this was not only a good idea but a proper one. The county needed about $250,000. That plea brought in $1200. Roughly 5% of what was needed. If that is any indication of how churches and charities take care of matters then there will be about 45 million people left out in the cold.
The Affordable Care Act was proposed originally to include a government sponsored health care plan that would operate alongside the private plans. The idea was that the competition would force prices down. Well, you would have thought someone had suggested death panels or something people cried so loudly. So, it was passed with a mandate that everyone had to become insured or face a penalty. This was done as an inducement to coerce the insurance companies to issue coverage for all groups. Again all the shouting and now we are headed for the Supreme Court to see if the federal government can force someone to buy insurance. Keep in mind that the original plan was not to have this but to have a government sponsored plan.
Governor Romney, who instituted a plan in Massachusetts on which much of the Affordable Care Act was based, has said he will offer each state a waiver to not participate. It is sad but I watched John McCain change from a reasonable man who could work across party lines to an ideologue to keep the votes on the right. Now we have Romney, who in the past has been quite reasonable, doing the same thing. It is a shame and both parties will do that but, of late, it is the GOP.
Well, time will tell whether or not we join the civilized nations of the world and offer health care to all.
My take on an issue I wish was over.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Go Montana
Daily Kos: Single Payer planned for Montana
Whoa!!! This is epic! And is California going over the edge also?
Whoa!!! This is epic! And is California going over the edge also?
Ben Nelson: where did this come from?
Proposed cuts to Congress’s investigative arm spark protest - TheHill.com
with democrats like these who needs republicans?
with democrats like these who needs republicans?
deja vu
msnbc video Rewriting Occupy Wall Street protests Lawrence O'Donnell The Last Word - YouTube
his video should be watched in its entirety because this is what happens when one speaks truth to power. Though it goes on much more often than we realize we tend to sweep it under the rug because it does not concern us. It really does.
The part of the video where the policeman pepper sprays an innocent protester is just sadistic. Every citizen should be outraged whether or not you agree with what the protesters are saying. When I first saw it my memory went instantly to the photo of a young woman screaming at Kent State in 1971 while a young man lay dead at her feet.
When one speaks truth to power there is a great effort to try to hush it up. Only by putting oneself in danger can the truth be heard. To date there are no Wall Street bankers in jail or charged with crimes for driving our country into the financial abyss. Tens of millions have been affected and lost their homes, health and, yes, their lives. Over 80 of these peaceful protesters have been arrested and, as you can see, have been the victims of brutality.
I saw this happen 30 years ago and hoped I would never see it again but the mood of the country, refusing to listen to those who warn us, is ugly once again.
Watch every second of this.
his video should be watched in its entirety because this is what happens when one speaks truth to power. Though it goes on much more often than we realize we tend to sweep it under the rug because it does not concern us. It really does.
The part of the video where the policeman pepper sprays an innocent protester is just sadistic. Every citizen should be outraged whether or not you agree with what the protesters are saying. When I first saw it my memory went instantly to the photo of a young woman screaming at Kent State in 1971 while a young man lay dead at her feet.
When one speaks truth to power there is a great effort to try to hush it up. Only by putting oneself in danger can the truth be heard. To date there are no Wall Street bankers in jail or charged with crimes for driving our country into the financial abyss. Tens of millions have been affected and lost their homes, health and, yes, their lives. Over 80 of these peaceful protesters have been arrested and, as you can see, have been the victims of brutality.
I saw this happen 30 years ago and hoped I would never see it again but the mood of the country, refusing to listen to those who warn us, is ugly once again.
Watch every second of this.
t
Suckers
Right now, as we speak, corporations are sitting on over two trillion dollars in cash. They believe that if they wait until after the next election they will get more favorable options. Here is one of the ways they got that money, by stripping pension funds and then blaming it on the high costs of labor.
People just seem to fall for this claptrap time after time. It is really disheartening that the voters only listen to the little 10 second sound bytes and Rush Limbaugh.
Gotta Love Her
This woman's character makes this show. She should win another Emmy for her portrayal of Hetty.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
More Foot in Mouth disease.
Rick Perry apologizes for ‘heartless’ comment on immigration question - The Hill's Video
Oh Man!! Did I really say that? I didn't mean it that way. I'm from Texas, we don't teach grammar in Texas. Look, I sound just like W.
Oh Man!! Did I really say that? I didn't mean it that way. I'm from Texas, we don't teach grammar in Texas. Look, I sound just like W.
Uh Oh!!
In what is surely a sign of the approaching apocalypse, I find myself in agreement with the Tea Party. Dollar bills are an anachronism and just form a wad of paper at the bottom of your pocket making you think you really have some money.
Foot in Mouth
Is She Serious? Perdue Suggests Suspending Congressional Elections | Election 2012
Wow! Maybe she should have phrased this differently. I am always surprised when seasoned politicians make gaffes like this.
Perhaps she wanted to expound on creating ways for politicians to not be always focused on the next election. In my opinion, removing the money from elections would do that. This one will haunt her.
An Early Death?
I suppose we all knew this was going to come down to an issue decided by the Court. After the decision in Gore v. Bush I am a little less certain of the impartiality of our highest court.
The decision striking down campaign finance laws, Citizens United v. FEC, drove another nail in the coffin of impartiality and now here we are with an issue that represents the most important legislation of my adult life, since the Civil Rights Act having occupied that position in my youth.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
In Your Dreams
do you still believe your employer furnished health care is secure? Dream on.
Elizabeth on the Trail
Elizabeth Warren on Debt Crisis, Fair Taxation - YouTube
I totally love this woman. I really hope the citizens of Massachusetts send her to the Senate to fill the seat once held by Teddy Kennedy.
I totally love this woman. I really hope the citizens of Massachusetts send her to the Senate to fill the seat once held by Teddy Kennedy.
In Your Eye
For Israel to take this action is a direct insult and challenge to the diplomatic efforts of the United States. The Israeli government is aware that no President seeking reelection can afford to take on the Jewish lobby. It is no wonder that the Palestinians do not believe Israel wants a two state solution.
Premiums Up
Employer Survey Shows Big Jump In Health Insurance Premiums : Shots - Health Blog : NPR
how's that free market thing working for ya'? Driving those prices down, you betcha".
how's that free market thing working for ya'? Driving those prices down, you betcha".
Alternative Fuels
If an institution as stodgy as the US Military can understand the need to switch to alternative fuels then why can't our leaders?
Monday, September 26, 2011
Wormy Business
Security Expert: U.S. 'Leading Force' Behind Stuxnet : NPR
do you suppose that there was anyone who didn't think that?
do you suppose that there was anyone who didn't think that?
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Does History Repeat?
The Latest Ugly Truth About Pakistan - NYTimes.com
does this sound strangely like Laos and Cambodia some time back?
does this sound strangely like Laos and Cambodia some time back?
Krugman Speaks
The Social Contract - NYTimes.com
This seems to be as simple to understand as anything can be. How people can take the same facts and interpret them any other way simply boggles the mind. As the adage goes, "you are entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts."
This seems to be as simple to understand as anything can be. How people can take the same facts and interpret them any other way simply boggles the mind. As the adage goes, "you are entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts."
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Justice?
80 'Occupy Wall Street' Protesters Arrested - WSJ.com
But not a single one of those who robbed America is behind bars.
But not a single one of those who robbed America is behind bars.
Mike speaks-people listen.
As many college seniors prepare to graduate in the spring and recent graduates try to find work, they might have an unlikely ally. During his weekly radio show on September 16, Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York City, stated, "You have a lot of kids graduating college, [who] can't find jobs...That's what happened in Cairo. That's what happened in Madrid. You don't want those kinds of riots here."
Riots have broken out this year in some of Europe's capital cities, including one in London that took place in August, and which spooked the entire country with its suprising violence. At least one person was killed in the London riot, leaving hundreds wounded and causing thousands of dollars in damages and looting. and The riot began when an unarmed father of four was shot by a police officer during an attempted arrest, with rioting continuing for days afterwards. The media reported that the riots may have been fueled by economic unrest along with the police shooting.
"The public knows there is something wrong in this country, and there is. The bottom line is that they're upset," Bloomberg added further.
Bloomberg, an Independent, has shown his disdain for the partisan gridlock that has gained Washington scathing remarks from critics in both the Democratic and Republican parties. Making a bad situation worse, no jobs were added to the economy in August, a first since 1945.
Bloomberg continued discussing current and future college grads, noting "The damage to a generation that can't find jobs will go on for many, many years." Despite Bloomberg's hard talk, the New York City mayor has not made any hints about a presidential run.
The Fix
Sounds like the fix is in. Russia has proven to be quite belligerent under Putin who is a holdover from the old Soviet KGB, the USSR's intelligence agency.
One has to wonder what could have been had the opportunity been seized after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Sour Grapes
Boehner cries about "campaign mode when the GOP has been in campaign mode since the President was elected. Whatever he proposes, they oppose. Even if it was their idea first.
The shoe is on the other foot.
When it is your back yard things change quite a bit. I guess Rep. Long has a reelection campaign to run.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Can it be true?
It remains to be seen if anyone will work across the aisle on difficult issues but, if true, it is a glimmer of hope. Here Sen. Alexander speaks of going along with revenues if the conversation includes entitlement reform.
U.S. Rebukes Pakistan For Ties To Afghan Extremists : NPR
As if everyone did not know this. But, as the adage goes, keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.
It is difficult to imagine a positive ending to this kind of war. One in which we dispatch ground troops in pitched battles. With the pattern of insurgency that we see now we will never win with this strategy, indeed, with any strategy.
Our options grow fewer. Withdraw or escalate across the border and engage the Pakistanis. Time to come home.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Employer-provided insurance continues to decline - USATODAY.com
Employer-provided insurance continues to decline - USATODAY.com
this is an article from 2007 concerning the decline of employer furnished health insurance. Note that the date is before Obama was elected.
this is an article from 2007 concerning the decline of employer furnished health insurance. Note that the date is before Obama was elected.
Sorry, But The Republican Arguments Against A 'Millionaire's Tax' Are Just Preposterous
Sorry, But The Republican Arguments Against A 'Millionaire's Tax' Are Just Preposterous
Now hear this. Everyone really needs to read this article.
Now hear this. Everyone really needs to read this article.
China paper warns U.S. of price for Taiwan arms sales | Reuters
China paper warns U.S. of price for Taiwan arms sales | Reuters
and here is where our attention should be focused instead of dirty little wars in the middle east.
and here is where our attention should be focused instead of dirty little wars in the middle east.
Perry To Israel: 'Help Is On The Way' : NPR
this from a man who called Ben Bernanke "treasonous". What can you call this man who attempts to undermine the President during negotiations. While hosting the world at the United Nations no less. Rick Perry is a gunslinger who makes George Bush look like a wizard.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
On the Matter of Israel
In the news of late is the prospect of the Palestinian people taking their cause for establishing a Palestinian state alongside that of Israel to the United Nations where they will apply for recognition as a sovereign state. In the eyes of the member nations the effect of this would be that it would designate the Israeli settlers and military who are occupying the land outside the 1948 boundaries as an occupying force. This would legitimize efforts to remove such occupying force.
Support for Israel is strong in the United States and it is generally accepted that Israel could not exist in the Middle East were it not for the protection of the United States regardless of their military prowess as shown in the several wars to drive them out. It is the military materiel and financing that makes the Israeli Defense Force a formidable enemy. There is a large Jewish population in the United States and over the past few decades there has been an increase of support from the American evangelical community. I mention these because of the effect they have of the political posture of the United States through lobbying efforts and conservative politics.
The effect that the United States/Israeli relationship has had on international relations can't be overstated. Since the end of the Cold War it has been the most influential relationship that the United States has had. From the support of the Israelis in their conflicts with the native Palestinian peoples comes the source of all of the conflict with Islamic nations worldwide. If Israel and Palestine were to reach an agreement to settle borders today most of our problems world wide would vanish tomorrow. The exceptions would be Syria, Iran and Afghanistan where our past relationship with those countries has poisoned the well for international relations. Of course, any agreement between Israel and its neighbors will have to include a recognition of Israel's right to exist in its present location.
It bears mentioning that until the United Nations mandate of 1948 the nation of Israel did not exist in any form anywhere. In that year the UN set aside a portion of the nation of Palestine for the creation of a Jewish state. The reason for this was not so admirable. It was largely a reaction to the need for a location to move the European Jewish refugees to since no one else in the world wanted them including the United States. The boundaries set by the United Nations included far less territory than Israel now claims. The 1967 war allowed the Israelis to expand their boundaries under the guise of creating a more defensible line. Since that time the Israeli government has seized more territory and allowed the establishment of kibbutzim on land set aside for the Palestinians. In an effort to maintain secure positions the Israeli government has isolated the Palestinians who live in poverty and are unable to establish trade with any one not sanctioned by the Israeli government. This has angered Islamists world wide who see this as an attack on their religion. In retaliation they take their anger out on us in addition to the Israelis.
Our government has been trying to persuade Israel and the Palestinians to return to negotiation with the belief that negotiation is the only path to peace and a two state solution. The United States has made it clear that it will veto any attempt to grant statehood to the Palestinians and our commitment to Israel is firm. At the same time it has to be recognized that Israel has placed the United States in a position that creates enemies in the Middle East and elsewhere that could be made friends but for our commitment to the security of Israel. It is incumbent upon the Israelis to respond to our allegiance with understanding and allegiance to the United States. To that purpose the United States is right to expect Israel to go the extra mile to create a peaceful and just climate in their area of the world and should apply pressure to achieve that.
Into this fray jumps Governor Perry of Texas who arrives in New York just as the President is hosting the worlds leaders and holds public meetings to undermine that purpose. If this man can call Ben Bernanke treasonous for his administration at the Federal Reserve what can one be called who would undermine the government of the United States during a sensitive time in its diplomacy? What does this say to Islamic nations when our President is accused of not showing unflinching support for Israel. Unflinching support is what Israel has always gotten from the United States which is more than we have gotten from them.
This is an important instant in time for our country and the world. At stake is our ability to help achieve stability in the Middle East and our power to demonstrate that we can be friends with Islamic nations. Our government's position is the same as it has been for thirty years through both Republican and Democratic administrations.
My take is that Governor Perry should butt out and be called out.
Public Financing of Elections
cn|2 Pure Politics� - 'Crisis mode' negotiating underscores need for public campaign financing, Yarmuth says
The corrosive effect of money in our political process is impossible to overstate. Our country could achieve astronomical heights if only we could remove it.
The corrosive effect of money in our political process is impossible to overstate. Our country could achieve astronomical heights if only we could remove it.
Our Hidden Government Benefits - NYTimes.com
Our Hidden Government Benefits - NYTimes.com
Government programs are wildly successful. People just don't know it.
Government programs are wildly successful. People just don't know it.
One Word Turns the Tea Party Around � The Weekly Sift
One Word Turns the Tea Party Around � The Weekly Sift
very interesting when one considers this alternative.
very interesting when one considers this alternative.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
John Clay: Loss to Louisville a bad sign for Kentucky | University of Kentucky Sports News | Lexington Herald-Leader
Next week UK starts a run of 3 games against ranked teams. Not a pleasant prospect since the Cats have struggled against unranked teams. It is hard to see the season improving against SEC competition. This article says it all and Joker hears the sound of footsteps.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
"Let him die": A debate question exposes the incoherence—and cowardice—of the Republican candidates' opposition to Obamacare. - By Jacob Weisberg - Slate Magazine
"Let him die": A debate question exposes the incoherence—and cowardice—of the Republican candidates' opposition to Obamacare. - By Jacob Weisberg - Slate Magazine
This article simply illuminates the choices available for health care. All other explanations are simply obfuscation designed to hide the stark reality.
This article simply illuminates the choices available for health care. All other explanations are simply obfuscation designed to hide the stark reality.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Legislating Against Stupidity
Crank
I notice that the Kentucky General Assembly is taking another run at making the purchase of pseudoephedrine, a common ingredient in over the counter cold medicines and methamphetamine, a drug that requires a prescription. It is possible that the drug could require a prescription but it has been sold over the counter for years and it is a recent phenomenon that it has been used for the manufacture of methamphetamine. The only purpose now for requiring a prescription is to make it more difficult for miscreants to purchase. The requirement would mean that a doctor would have to write a prescription for it and a pharmacist to fill it thereby making it possible to track by Kentucky's KASPAR drug tracking system. It would also create an undue burden on consumers by exponentially increasing the cost of obtaining a medication that evidently is safe to use as directed..
It is almost impossible to legislate against stupidity and people who manufacture or use methamphetamine qualify for that description. The manufacture of it is hazardous to ones health and can explode and either hurt or maim the cooks. The use of it is extremely addictive, causes the skin to break out in sores and one's teeth to fall out. These are all benefits in addition to its making one psychotic and unable to function in a useful capacity. The ingredients are so deadly that it defies imagination to understand why someone would put that stuff in their veins. But use it people do and it has reached crisis proportions in some parts of our state and is responsible for many of the drug induced fatalities in those areas.
We certainly have an interest in putting a stop to this addiction. Our jails and prisons are full of people who are users, manufacturers or those who commit crimes to fund their addiction. It is extremely expensive to house those prisoners and states and counties are looking for ways to cut those expenses. So we have to examine the ways that we may be able to cut those costs. Stopping the use of methamphetamine has to be the goal and making it difficult to produce is one of those methods. However, we are now seeing an increase in the amount of the drug that is coming across our borders from Mexico so it is unclear just how much making it more difficult to buy the ingredients would impact usage.
During this terrible economic catastrophe it just doesn't make sense to take a drug that is safe when used as directed and that costs only a few dollars and restrict it so that acquiring it would bear the cost of an doctor's visit and pharmacy charges. The fact of the matter is that it would drive up insurance costs, Medicare and Medicaid. It would deny those who do not have insurance the potential benefit of a cheap and effective medication.
Personally, I detest the stuff. I would rather have the symptoms than feel the way pseudoephedrine makes me feel but others find the stuff useful. As I said, it is difficult to legislate against stupidity and sometimes it is just not reasonable to try to do so. Having said that it seems that there should be some methods of tracking the ingredients by using something similar to KASPAR. Already drugs with pseudoephedrine are kept behind the counter requiring one to ask for it from the pharmacist. Some pharmacies are keeping a record of purchases and limiting the amounts that a person can buy. That is being avoided by the use of fake IDs and multiple purchasers. There are just some things that one can't prevent.
As an example, look at the epidemic in our state of the abuse of oxycodone. This stuff requires a prescription, is tracked and still gets into the hands of abusers. Why would we think that requiring a prescription for pseudoephedrine would be any different?
The fact of the matter is this. People are going to abuse drugs and the only thing that can stop it is providing an environment in which people do not turn to drugs for whatever reason. That approach requires a good family environment and economic opportunity, things that we are in short supply of. And even with those there will be those who take the plunge anyway. When that happens we must intervene with counseling, education and training and those things will not come cheaply. They are only cheap when compared with the long term cost of housing criminals or of bearing societies costs of dealing with addictions.
The political climate these days would just rather lock them up and forget about them. First, it costs a lot of money to lock someone up and, Secondly, we can't just forget about them. We must try to make them better.
Without exception, every person that I ask has a family member or knows someone who has fallen victim to drug addiction. Grandparents are rearing their grandchildren if the kids are fortunate. Kids are born with addictions and developmental disabilities and society is cheated out of the potential benefits of useful citizens. People can yell about cutting the costs of governments but ask a family member who has a loved one in the depths of addiction and see what they say. It looks a whole lot different from that perspective.
David Axelrod To Democrats: Chill Out | Election 2012
So, do we listen to Axelrod or Carville? Well, I hope Axelrod is right but I feel like Carville.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Anti-Israel Rally in Jordan Also Exposes Arab Rifts - NYTimes.com
Another of Israel's peace partners shows some signs of strain. The pressure is on the United States and Israel to reach an agreement with Palestinians that will create a Palestinian state and provide for the continued existence of Israel.
Boehner Lobs Supply Side Shell In Fiscal Trench War With Obama : It's All Politics : NPR
George H.W. Bush while running for the Presidential nomination called this "voodoo economics" but as a successful candidate retreated. Ronald Reagan trumpeted it as did George W. Bush. What has happened is that Republican administrations have run enormous deficits and added 10 trillion dollars to the national debt. Supply Side will definitely create economic activity, it will just not create enough activity to offset the costs to the nation resulting in a net deficit.
Can't we just get past this?
Who Will Pay To Fix That Bridge In Ohio? : NPR
It is the act of "not doing" that will bear the greatest cost in terms of lost economic opportunity. It is not just Kentucky and Ohio who are interested parties. It is the Eastern United States. Does government have a role here? Is it important enough to create financing for? Can we save money by putting the job off?
America’s Poorest States - 24/7 Wall St.
These are dismal statistics. It is more dismal to note that all but one of these states is in the South which dependably votes Republican. How people can be induced to vote against their own self interest is the major triumph of the GOP over the past 30 years. It is accomplished with the use of wedge issues that paint the divide in moral and cultural terms.
In my home state of Kentucky the median income is $42,000 which I find odd because I know lots of people who make less. Kentucky has the 6th highest rate of poverty and 15.5% of the people lack health insurance. This belies the fact that roughly 1/2 of the population receives Medicare or Medicaid.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Warren: "Washington is rigged" - David Catanese - POLITICO.com
Warren: "Washington is rigged" - David Catanese - POLITICO.com
Yes, we know it Elizabeth. Now, go fix it.
Yes, we know it Elizabeth. Now, go fix it.
Opinion: Now America must turn the page - Joe Scarborough - POLITICO.com
It goes to show that sometimes even foes can agree. I agree with this host of Morning Joe.
History May Point Toward More Conservative G.O.P. Nominee - NYTimes.com
a very interesting evaluation of electoral trends.
Some Democrats Are Balking at Obama’s Jobs Bill - NYTimes.com
Some Democrats Are Balking at Obama’s Jobs Bill - NYTimes.com
If the President can't unite his party in an effort to mark the differences between his party and the opposition this could spell trouble.
If the President can't unite his party in an effort to mark the differences between his party and the opposition this could spell trouble.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Gardening Goodness
This year my Sister-in-law furnished me with some bean seed that she had saved. It was for a “greasy bean” I am using quotation marks because there seems to be some disagreement as to what exactly a greasy bean is. However, I have to say that I am delighted with the bean. I believe the seed was over a year old and I achieved about a 50% germination rate for the beans that have grown well on 6' poles. For some years Juanita and I have relied on the old standby white half-runners for our main crop. I really like the Romano pole beans but they do not do well when the weather turns hot and dry. I really think someone should come up with a new name for the half-runner. There is nothing at all about the runner than is half. They could easily vine 6' or more. I usually grow them on netting about 4' tall but this year that was insufficient. It made for a mess. I was sure that I had recalled the white half-runner being grown without sticking at all when I was a kid. Admittedly that was a while ago but I got some confirmation from a lady about my own age who I believe was a better source of information that I am.
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| (not my garden) |
I have often written of my love for my garden and the truth is that I not only enjoy the therapy of gardening but I really like to eat the stuff. Juanita says that I am a grazer and that is true. I will go to the garden and just pull and pick stuff to graze on. Raw works for me on a lot of stuff. I am not a picky gardener and my gardens won't appear on the cover of Organic Gardening because I have only a passing acquaintance with my hoe. When my day job gets busy the garden goes begging.
I would really like to see a Farmer's Market that was open more and that was contributed to by more people. The produce that is grown locally is far superior to any that can be bought in a supermarket and the price one pays for the food stays in the local economy. Perhaps if more people would consider selling their produce we could begin to win the crops back from the Cargills and Monsantos who now threaten to corner the market with genetically engineered crops.
These corporations not only produce and patent those crops but also the chemicals that can be used to take advantage of the modified characteristics. Monsanto's corn is modified to express the bt gene that defends against caterpillars. The problem is that now a bt resistant corn borer is showing up and we will need a stronger deterrent. These modified seeds are so popular that they are eliminating the diversity inherent in our produce. While yields are increased so is the danger of a disease attacking the crop that lacks the protection of its natural biodiversity. Now, we find that the modified bt gene is showing up in our bodies which proves that the genetic mutation crosses into the human body. It may do no harm to us but then, at some point, some genetic mutation may. My white half-runners have been modified to increase yield but the bean is not as tasty as it once was. By contrast, my Brandywine tomato is an heirloom variety that may be susceptible to some diseases but the flavor beats the genetically engineered ones to death.
Genetic modification is not a new thing. Farmers have been doing it naturally for centuries by choosing seeds that express certain characteristics. The difference now is that the Monsantos and Cargills can do the modification in their labs and splice genetic characteristics from other species in to achieve a desired effect. Like corn that is resistant to the borer or corn that is resistant to Monsanto's megabuck herbicide, Roundup. Yep, you can spray the corn with Roundup and the corn will survive but nothing else will. Selling today on your grocery shelf and that just makes me uneasy. Also, since the modified seed is patented one can only buy it from, you got it, Monsanto. Here is my question. Do you really want your access to food controlled by some giant corporation? Not me.
I grow a fairly large garden and next year I'm thinking about increasing the size. However, a garden doesn't have to be big to be effective, nutritious, tasty and fun. I still have some beans, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and summer squash growing. A couple of weeks ago I started the fall planting with cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, turnips, mustard greens and some kale. I am hoping to bring in some late lettuce and radishes. If you haven't been growing a garden take some time this winter to plan on a couple of raised beds or even a larger garden. My guess is you will love it.
My take on gardening. Gotta love it.
Census: 2010 Saw Poverty Rate Increase, Income Drop : NPR
Now, look at this graph. When does household income begin to drop?
GOP on Obama jobs plan: No tax hikes - Sep. 13, 2011
Everything sounds good except paying for it. Haven't we seen this before? Isn't this what put us where we are?
Monday, September 12, 2011
Social Security Tops Republican Florida Debate : NPR
Sounds like a healthy debate, if you can call backtracking healthy. That ponzi scheme idea didn't play too well in the sunshine state.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Bahrain needs U.S. attention now - The Washington Post
Bahrain needs U.S. attention now - The Washington Post
Another trip wire waiting for us to stumble across it.
Another trip wire waiting for us to stumble across it.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
The Reckoning: America and the World a Decade After 9/11 - Interactive Feature - NYTimes.com
This, along with the original piece I wrote for the C-J, will be my homage to the memory of 9/11. While it is useful to remember the lessons of the past it is obligatory to learn from them and strive to do better. To make a better life. I hope this is a time we can evaluate the decade that followed and resolve to learn from it. We must always look forward.
Corporate Taxes: How Low Can You Go? : NPR
This is one that really bugs me. Not only that these corporations can avoid paying taxes the way everyone else does but that under U.S. law they are given the same rights as American citizens. Can you really believe they are putting the welfare of the country above profits? Of course, Romney is adamant that these are people.
Beyond Cairo Embassy Attack, Israel Senses Wider Siege - NYTimes.com
There is coming a new reality in the Middle East which the United States will not be able to singlehandedly control. There should be a push by the Israeli government to establish boundaries and relations with the Palestinian government in order to establish a buffer zone between them and other countries. Just the picture of Egyptians attacking the Israeli embassy in Cairo is reminiscent of the bad old days.
While it is in everyone's long term interests for democracy to take root in the Middle East there could exist some short term problems caused by the better organized extremist groups.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Joe Paterno Must Retire as Penn State’s Football Coach - The Daily Beast
Joe Paterno Must Retire as Penn State’s Football Coach - The Daily Beast
We saw this when it came time, according to university policy, for Adolph Rupp to retire as head coach of the University of Kentucky basketball team. He didn't want to go but the job had been promised to Joe B. Hall who had been the head assistant coach for quite a while. If Rupp had been allowed to stay then Hall would have left UK for greener pastures, a trade many were willing to make. But The Baron was past his prime and out of touch with the new players. It was time to go. It seems that Joe Paterno has reached that point in his life. It would be good if he could go gracefully.
Al Gore on Rick Perry: 'I was happy to have his support' - Alex Guillen - POLITICO.com
How does this extreme a shift occur unless it is with the political winds?
Opinion: Why does safer mean less free? - Jeffrey Rosen - POLITICO.com
Contrary to the belief of some it is not necessary to give up our basic civil liberties to provide for a reasonable amount of safety. The fact is that we are never safe from all harm and one can't pass enough laws to make us safe.
On This Anniversary, What Does It Mean?
What Does It Mean?
9/11. An instantly recognizable reference. One of those references to an event that all United States citizens of a certain age will always recognize. We will always ask, “what were you doing when you heard” and the question will be answered without a second's delay. It was an event that seared itself into our national psyche along with other societal tremors. 9/11 ushered in a new age for the United States and the decade since has brought systemic changes to our society, some for the better, some for the worse. 9/11 revealed in us a willingness to help others at great risk to our own lives and uncovered a fear that we may not be as safe as we thought we were. 9/11 has been used as both reason and excuse for a lot of things, many not very reasonable.
I recall that day clearly but I won't go into detail about my experience. Suffice it to say that the horror of watching men and women leaping and falling to their deaths to escape the inferno or just the certainty of a horrible death still brings chills to my body and tears to my eyes. I suspect there are many of us that do the same thing. The incredulous awareness at some point that those towers might just fall and then watching them do so. The days that followed confounded us as we searched for some reason why innocents had to die that way. Most of us were unaware of the reasons for the assault on our country, fellow citizens and symbols of our economic might. Many of us still are.
We watched for days as the rubble was searched for survivors and then the anger came. Who is responsible, who would do such a dastardly thing, we must strike back and show them we are not a nation that will take this lying down. We must exact a terrible vengeance and we have. But the price has not been paid only by those who would attack us by also by those who took the fight to the attackers. It has been paid through the fear of our people and by the trillions of dollars we have poured into a vain attempt to insure that it will never happen again. Yes, we have hunted down and destroyed many of the members of the organization that harmed us but we also inflicted many wounds on ourselves.
Our fear and yearning for security led us to demand and accept draconian measures that only a few months before would have been unthinkable but now are commonplace. Our government, in our name, established and huge new bureaucracy charged with keeping the homeland secure but that nobody had a clue how to run. It was revealed that the murderers had lived in our midst and trained on our own soil for their deadly task. Why didn't we know, how could this happen? Heads must roll!
The announcement that we were taking the attack to Afghanistan met with universal approval and hurrahs. We thought that this would surely be a short engagement and that our military might would quickly disabuse anyone else of any ideas of similar actions. Then the excitement that we had trapped the leaders of Al Qaeda in a cave and their capture or demise was imminent gripped the country only to fail when we failed to finish the task at Tora Bora, a place we had never heard of and hoped to never hear of again. But hear of it we did along with other names we couldn't pronounce as we slipped into another senseless war because of our fear.
The decade since 9/11 has not been kind to the United States of America. To many it seems that we have lost our mojo, that we lost the ability to cope with whatever was thrown at us. While jobs fled overseas we continued to focus our might on images that would just slip into the desert sand or the unending mountains. At the end of the decade that we will remember Sunday we may have come to a point where we are willing to lay down the sword to rebuild our home and our national will. I sure hope so. We have exacted a terrible price in many places including our home.
On Sunday preachers will ascend to the pulpit to preach about God and Country, about fidelity and the promise of a better life. Politicians everywhere will attempt to burnish their image with accounts of heroism but what they won't do is ask the American people to sacrifice. We will still be able to go to lunch after church and heap glowing praise on those who suffer that we might not have to. Make no mistake, they deserve our praise and our thanks and much more. We will call them heroes but don't think that only military people and firefighters and policemen are heroes. Ordinary citizens can be heroes, too if some would only step up to make the sacrifices necessary to overcome the love and concern for self and work for the betterment of all.
The lesson of 9/11 should be this. That no matter how we are attacked, we will not give up the essence of what our country is. That no matter how great the fear we will not be intimidated by threats to us and our fellows. That no matter the hardship we will endure it to share in the sacrifice for our country and for those ideals for which it stands. That no matter the selfishness of some we will share our well being with our brothers and sisters.
If we can do that then 9/11 may have not been in vain.
My take on remembering. May it not forever haunt us.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Buddy Holly At 75: A Tribute To An Unlikely Star : NPR
I recall when the plane carrying Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens crashed killing them all. Rock and Roll was set back 10 years and wandered into a pop wasteland before reemerging. Buddy Holly's songs have been covered by a multitude of people but my favorite could be the cover of "Not Fade Away" by the Rolling Stones. He is still one of my all time favorites and I break out my Greatest Hits from time to time and get that old rockabilly thing going. His backup band was the Crickets which famously included Waylon Jennings who went on to fame with them as backup. Another one of those Texas Troubadours.
Here, a you tube video of the Stones, complete with Brian Jones and Bill Wyman.
Five Ways The Postal Service Could Reinvent Itself : NPR
The USPS does not use tax dollars to do its job, it exists on revenues it generates and it's fees are set by Congress. Personally, I think they do a heck of a job and should be allowed to take measures to provide for not only the present but for the future. All of the hullaballoo about privatization would just leave us longing for the good old days.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Consumer Bureau nominee caught in broader political fight - The Hill's On The Money
Consumer Bureau nominee caught in broader political fight - The Hill's On The Money
The GOP refused to accept Elizabeth Warren as director of this agency and now they are finally revealed as being against any type of regulation that would protect consumers from dishonest tactics by banks and credit card companies.
The GOP refused to accept Elizabeth Warren as director of this agency and now they are finally revealed as being against any type of regulation that would protect consumers from dishonest tactics by banks and credit card companies.
Poll: Scott Brown Ahead But Under 50 Percent Against Elizabeth Warren | TPMDC
Only my favorite woman in DC. Run, Elizabeth, Run.
Romney Jobs Plan: Cut Taxes, Slap China, Drill Oil | LEX18.com | Lexington, Kentucky
This just in!!! A new proposal by Mitt Romney to solve the ills of our country. Wait, just a minute. Isn't this the same one that RR and W used? Well, that really worked out well, didn't it?
Saturday, September 3, 2011
No Joy in Augusta
Boise State came into Atlanta and took UGA for a ride. All night the Boise defense had better pass coverage than did Georgia and managed to run the ball in the holes. Georgia was hampered by mistakes and went down 35-21 in the season opener. Looks like Boise State is ready for the big leagues and enters the season with a #5 ranking and it could be witih a bullet.
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