BBC NEWS | Iran 'concealed nuclear facility'So what if Iran does have a hidden nuclear agenda? What if they are secretly amassing WMD's? That's the problem with crying wolf.
Iran concealed a partially-built second uranium enrichment plant in defiance of calls for transparency over its nuclear plans, US President Barack Obama says.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Hidden Nukes Again
Hey, it worked with Iraq. Let's get all alarmist over hidden nukes again!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Change! (for me)
I'm sick of the health care debate. We aren't going to get the health care reform that those who approve of it really want but we'll get just enough so that those who oppose it will consider us all a bunch of commies.
Let's go back to talking about Gay Marriage.
Let's go back to talking about Gay Marriage.
America is finally winning the War On (some) Drugs
While it is a far cry from a clear victory, America is finally winning the War On (some) Drugs.
As this trend continues we should see a steady decline in police harassment until marijuana reaches a de facto decriminalized status with a simultaneous sharp increase in the sale of bean bags and Funyuns.
Keep up the good fight, America!
Chronic City: Marijuana Arrests Drop For First Time Since 2002 - San Francisco NewsAmericans who have used marijuana (a theoretical majority) are fessing up to their past use. Police are backing off of the pot arrests saying, "Even most of us have smoked pot."
Marijuana arrests in the United States declined in 2008 -- the first such drop since 2002 -- according to figures released by the FBI today.The new report comes on the heels of the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, released Sept. 10, which showed increases in both the number and the percentage of Americans who admit having used marijuana.
As this trend continues we should see a steady decline in police harassment until marijuana reaches a de facto decriminalized status with a simultaneous sharp increase in the sale of bean bags and Funyuns.
Keep up the good fight, America!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
America: Love It or Leave It
In responses to a previous post I realized that I was getting a bit down on our Constitution and its framers without providing an explanation as to where I am coming from on these things.
First off, all apologies to the long dead and gone founding fathers/framers of the constitution. From a perspective that has seen two centuries of rapid progress it is all too easy to judge their antiquated ways. And I do judge them. I judge them because they don't seem to be all that different from their modern counterparts. That said...
The United States government is and always has been pro-business. While the fighting of the American Revolution was carried out primarily by the average citizenry, just like it is today, those folks were left out of the process setting up the government that replaced the old government. It was created by the business class to protect the business class. Initially this meant protecting them from the horrible monopoly business practices of the old world that held total power over global colonies through exclusive rights granted by kings and queens. Once freed from the old way of old money, they continued to develop policies that allowed them the freedom to grab up the resources of their new homeland. They looted and pillaged their way across the country. They would deliberately pick fights to justify military operations that would expand their holdings. I know such things are not taught in our schools as part of American history. A little independent research (because we are all about independence in America) will reveal just how ruthless this country was in the pursuit of resources and the inherent cronyism when distributing new holdings.
Luckily the system is flexible enough to allow 'the people', the vast majority, just enough say to get thrown a bone here and there. Again, the system is and always has been stacked in favor of business. One of the things business really likes is stability and predictability. If things get too turbulent, if the people are on the verge of taking to the streets, the system will see fit to give them just enough of what they want or need to keep the system stabilized. It may cut into the massive profits of the richest 10% who control nearly 3/4 of the wealth, but it beats the hell out of a revolution where their heads end up on pikes in front of their former mansions. When the people realized their own strength, formed unions, shut down factories, and could no longer even be stopped by the state militias (or sometimes even the US Army) who were sent in fully armed to break up the strikes, concessions were made. Unions were granted legitimacy as long as they promised not to have sit-in strikes (which ruined production by managers and scabs) and wouldn't call general strikes (which shut down entire cities). The nation outlawed slavery but didn't insist on equality for a century.
Back to the title of this post. I have often heard people say that if you don't like this country then get out. Sounds easy enough. But I don't have a problem with America. Do I love America? Let's see, there are many times when I find myself saying, "Damn I love Portland!" It is nearly always in response to the people around me and their actions. If you believe America is made up of the people that inhabit it, then I guess, over all, I love America. As crazy and fucked up dysfunctional as this place is, bless their hearts, I love America. It's hard to imagine any other place even half this insane and I love wild insanity. I love America.
My problem is with government. The very nature of governing, be it by elected officials or by divine right, leads to restriction. Restrictions can have positive effects. It's hard to argue against a law prohibiting people from driving in the left lane. Even without such a law a society would find itself voluntarily submitting to such a restriction in the interests of self preservation. Until the motor vehicle started to proliferate there was no need for such regulations. There are choices to be made along the way. Do you allow the states the freedom of choosing their own traffic laws or allow free movement from state to state by regulating traffic at a federal level?* To govern it in any way impedes on liberty.
That is what government does. It can not grant or guarantee liberty, only restrict things. We are born with all the liberty we can take. As a newborn that is practically none and must depend on those around us. If you are born into wealth you will enjoy freedoms unknown to those whose lineage is less glamorous. Americans can buy a hell of a lot of liberty. Lack of money does not preclude others from pursuing and even obtaining liberties. Not by the grace of the Constitution or its framers, but by tooth and nail, blood and sweat, in spite of every obstacle thrown up in front of them.
The American Revolution did not set us free any more than the founding fathers did. As long as there is one among us who is held down and told, 'NO!' there is not one of us who is free. This all started here because of the health care debate America is currently having. Nobody chooses to get sick**. Nobody chooses to be born. These things just happen. There are those who truly believe in "We the people..." and believe in government of, by, and for the people. For those people, which is more important; taking a step towards improving the life and liberty of 90% of the American people or securing the profits of 10%?***
I have no real answer here. Forcing people to pay for insurance, face fines for non-compliance, or be taxed for a universal health plan sounds like theft. Denying the sick medical treatment sounds like murder****. Americans can either be victims of one crime or accomplices in the other.
* Uniform traffic laws became a priority in the 1920's. Eventually there was a set of federal regulations decided upon and states could expand upon those as they saw fit.
** Some people engage in risky behavior like drinking, smoking, and unprotected sex. They are making choices that put their health at risk. Such activities can lead to disease, cancer, and babies. Personally I've done all three simultaneously and safely. Again, nobody chooses to get sick.
*** For all the rhetoric of the framers of the Constitution, historical evidence suggests the majority of them would have chosen the latter, just as our modern politicians seem to do.
**** If there really are death panels it will be those who deny health care to their fellow citizens based on prejudices towards people's monetary status.
Sorry for the rambling post. I'm still fisting the American Dream.
First off, all apologies to the long dead and gone founding fathers/framers of the constitution. From a perspective that has seen two centuries of rapid progress it is all too easy to judge their antiquated ways. And I do judge them. I judge them because they don't seem to be all that different from their modern counterparts. That said...
The United States government is and always has been pro-business. While the fighting of the American Revolution was carried out primarily by the average citizenry, just like it is today, those folks were left out of the process setting up the government that replaced the old government. It was created by the business class to protect the business class. Initially this meant protecting them from the horrible monopoly business practices of the old world that held total power over global colonies through exclusive rights granted by kings and queens. Once freed from the old way of old money, they continued to develop policies that allowed them the freedom to grab up the resources of their new homeland. They looted and pillaged their way across the country. They would deliberately pick fights to justify military operations that would expand their holdings. I know such things are not taught in our schools as part of American history. A little independent research (because we are all about independence in America) will reveal just how ruthless this country was in the pursuit of resources and the inherent cronyism when distributing new holdings.
Luckily the system is flexible enough to allow 'the people', the vast majority, just enough say to get thrown a bone here and there. Again, the system is and always has been stacked in favor of business. One of the things business really likes is stability and predictability. If things get too turbulent, if the people are on the verge of taking to the streets, the system will see fit to give them just enough of what they want or need to keep the system stabilized. It may cut into the massive profits of the richest 10% who control nearly 3/4 of the wealth, but it beats the hell out of a revolution where their heads end up on pikes in front of their former mansions. When the people realized their own strength, formed unions, shut down factories, and could no longer even be stopped by the state militias (or sometimes even the US Army) who were sent in fully armed to break up the strikes, concessions were made. Unions were granted legitimacy as long as they promised not to have sit-in strikes (which ruined production by managers and scabs) and wouldn't call general strikes (which shut down entire cities). The nation outlawed slavery but didn't insist on equality for a century.
Back to the title of this post. I have often heard people say that if you don't like this country then get out. Sounds easy enough. But I don't have a problem with America. Do I love America? Let's see, there are many times when I find myself saying, "Damn I love Portland!" It is nearly always in response to the people around me and their actions. If you believe America is made up of the people that inhabit it, then I guess, over all, I love America. As crazy and fucked up dysfunctional as this place is, bless their hearts, I love America. It's hard to imagine any other place even half this insane and I love wild insanity. I love America.
My problem is with government. The very nature of governing, be it by elected officials or by divine right, leads to restriction. Restrictions can have positive effects. It's hard to argue against a law prohibiting people from driving in the left lane. Even without such a law a society would find itself voluntarily submitting to such a restriction in the interests of self preservation. Until the motor vehicle started to proliferate there was no need for such regulations. There are choices to be made along the way. Do you allow the states the freedom of choosing their own traffic laws or allow free movement from state to state by regulating traffic at a federal level?* To govern it in any way impedes on liberty.
That is what government does. It can not grant or guarantee liberty, only restrict things. We are born with all the liberty we can take. As a newborn that is practically none and must depend on those around us. If you are born into wealth you will enjoy freedoms unknown to those whose lineage is less glamorous. Americans can buy a hell of a lot of liberty. Lack of money does not preclude others from pursuing and even obtaining liberties. Not by the grace of the Constitution or its framers, but by tooth and nail, blood and sweat, in spite of every obstacle thrown up in front of them.
The American Revolution did not set us free any more than the founding fathers did. As long as there is one among us who is held down and told, 'NO!' there is not one of us who is free. This all started here because of the health care debate America is currently having. Nobody chooses to get sick**. Nobody chooses to be born. These things just happen. There are those who truly believe in "We the people..." and believe in government of, by, and for the people. For those people, which is more important; taking a step towards improving the life and liberty of 90% of the American people or securing the profits of 10%?***
I have no real answer here. Forcing people to pay for insurance, face fines for non-compliance, or be taxed for a universal health plan sounds like theft. Denying the sick medical treatment sounds like murder****. Americans can either be victims of one crime or accomplices in the other.
* Uniform traffic laws became a priority in the 1920's. Eventually there was a set of federal regulations decided upon and states could expand upon those as they saw fit.
** Some people engage in risky behavior like drinking, smoking, and unprotected sex. They are making choices that put their health at risk. Such activities can lead to disease, cancer, and babies. Personally I've done all three simultaneously and safely. Again, nobody chooses to get sick.
*** For all the rhetoric of the framers of the Constitution, historical evidence suggests the majority of them would have chosen the latter, just as our modern politicians seem to do.
**** If there really are death panels it will be those who deny health care to their fellow citizens based on prejudices towards people's monetary status.
Sorry for the rambling post. I'm still fisting the American Dream.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
To My Liberal Friends
This is for all of my so-called liberal friends who tried desperately to get me to vote for Obama.
Anyone who signs a bill with a public option 'trigger' included is duping you.
Even scum bag Republican Tim Pawlenty knows that triggers are bogus.*
* "So rather than murder the drug legislation outright, congressional leaders joined the Clinton and Bush administrations in backing a "compromise": Importation bills were passed, but only those that gave the secretary of Health and Human Services the power to trigger -- or not trigger -- final implementation. Specifically, the secretary would have to first certify that imported medicines were "safe." (Drug companies promote the lie that Canadian medicine is mortally dangerous -- prompting Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, an importation proponent, to ask, "Where are the dead Canadians?")"
We've seen this healthcare trigger beforeIt is time for you to stop licking his asshole and telling me it tastes like honey. Ultra-liberal news media outlet Salon.com was critical all through the Bush years. I was surprised as they continued to be critical of Obama. Now, my liberal friends, it is your turn.
'The past is never dead,' wrote William Faulkner. 'It's not even past.' As today's trigger proposal shows, that's particularly true when a 'change' election preserves the same corrupt forces, cynical tactics and bedeviled details.
Anyone who signs a bill with a public option 'trigger' included is duping you.
On importation, triggers gave corporatist politicians a way to seem like they were remaining true to their pro-consumer platitudes and "free trade" dogma at the same time they were strengthening an extreme form of anti-consumer protectionism for pharmaceutical companies. On health reform, a trigger will let those same legislators look as if they support a public option that increases insurance competition, reduces costs and therefore delivers on promises to decrease the deficit. But if/when the bill's final language is inevitably designed to make pulling any trigger impossible, it will preclude a public option from ever existing.Or if you prefer to live with the delusion that Obama is still the savior of America, then you better get yourself politically active and make certain that your representatives don't try to pass off a bill with some bogus trigger in it.
Even scum bag Republican Tim Pawlenty knows that triggers are bogus.*
* "So rather than murder the drug legislation outright, congressional leaders joined the Clinton and Bush administrations in backing a "compromise": Importation bills were passed, but only those that gave the secretary of Health and Human Services the power to trigger -- or not trigger -- final implementation. Specifically, the secretary would have to first certify that imported medicines were "safe." (Drug companies promote the lie that Canadian medicine is mortally dangerous -- prompting Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, an importation proponent, to ask, "Where are the dead Canadians?")"
Friday, September 11, 2009
Benefits Business
I gave my blow-by-blow of the speech, but let's focus on the real sign that this President, like every single President before him, knows where the power lies.
True, that means he must try to give the people enough of what they want to keep them happy. Sorry, not happy, but placated.
If it is required of every individual to have health insurance then the ONLY sensible way to do this is to either socialize health care or go to a single-payer system that is paid for with taxes. To require people to factor in one more financial obligation just because you won't own up and call it a tax is ridiculous.
And to tell people they MUST have insurance (but the government may help you pay for it) with the primary insurers still being private companies is yet another government handout to the wealthy.
The proposed bill is bullshit! Total unadulterated bullshit. They call it health care reform when it is just a reshuffle and they are stacking the deck.
I admit that I might be wrong. An alternative scenario would be that the public option they speak of, once up and running, will be so fantastic that more and more companies drop their employee coverage, add their previous costs of insurance to the payroll, and let individuals go on the public plan until it gets so huge and so popular that we end up with what is essentially a single payer system. It might happen. I'll be so bold as to say this will happen well before monkeys fly out of my butt.
Obama’s Speech Eases Concerns in Health Insurance Industry - NYTimes.comThe President is not the commander in chief, he is merely the top public relations face for corporate America. He is the one charged with keeping the people from revolting against the wealthy.
The reality may also be much more favorable to insurers, industry analysts said. Mr. Obama has already agreed to grant one of the industry’s dearest wishes: a requirement that everyone have coverage, which is reflected in the proposals in Congress.
“Under my plan,” said Mr. Obama in a departure from his position during the campaign, “individuals will be required to carry basic health insurance — just as most states require you to carry auto insurance.”
True, that means he must try to give the people enough of what they want to keep them happy. Sorry, not happy, but placated.
If it is required of every individual to have health insurance then the ONLY sensible way to do this is to either socialize health care or go to a single-payer system that is paid for with taxes. To require people to factor in one more financial obligation just because you won't own up and call it a tax is ridiculous.
And to tell people they MUST have insurance (but the government may help you pay for it) with the primary insurers still being private companies is yet another government handout to the wealthy.
The proposed bill is bullshit! Total unadulterated bullshit. They call it health care reform when it is just a reshuffle and they are stacking the deck.
I admit that I might be wrong. An alternative scenario would be that the public option they speak of, once up and running, will be so fantastic that more and more companies drop their employee coverage, add their previous costs of insurance to the payroll, and let individuals go on the public plan until it gets so huge and so popular that we end up with what is essentially a single payer system. It might happen. I'll be so bold as to say this will happen well before monkeys fly out of my butt.
Obama's Health Care Speech Blow-by-Blow
And boy did much of it blow. Still, I had to rubber neck through the whole ordeal, unable to turn away from the great capitalist sell-out that offers a health care plan such as only a messed up American corporate run democracy could offer. I've seen fewer concessions at a state fair.
You can watch, or just take my word for it.
Times are approximate.
5:30 Applause comes to an end. Five and a half freakin' minutes.
18:00 Finally gets around to actually discussing health care reform.
23:00 Agrees with John McCain who proceeds to give the universal sign of what politicians keep in their backsides.
24:00 Announces that people will be required to have insurance if they can afford it likening it to everyone being required to have auto insurance if they drive. So just like if you don't want to pay for auto insurance you can stop driving, you will now have the option to stop breathing if you don't want health insurance.
30:00 Public option will only be available to people who don't have insurance, so like millions of others I'm still stuck with my crappy ass Kaiser plan.
34:00 Pelosi is winding down her standing ovation, is about to sit, then straightens back up to clap some more. For her age she is still an enthusiastic cheerleader, showing up Biden's lack of 'spirit'.
35:30 Kindly kicks the Bush administration in the nuts for spending too much money. Just nice and gentle like.
36:30 "Sacred Trust". Because both of those words are completely unambiguous especially when paired.
40:30 Republicans spontaneously ejaculate when he mentions tort reform.
43:00 "Common Ground". I mean, he had to say it at some point.
43:20 Says he will listen to anyone's ideas unless he thinks you are a big meanie.
44:40 Plays on politicians sense of self importance, "Too many Americans are counting on us."
45:00 Plays the Teddy Kennedy card to try and pick up a few tricks.
52:10 Reminds atheists and many people of different religions this land is not their land. While this is primarily a corpratocracy masquerading as a democracy, it is also a thinly veiled theocracy. "God bless the United States of America."
And somewhere in there he pisses me off by stating that no public money will go for abortions.
You can watch, or just take my word for it.
Times are approximate.
5:30 Applause comes to an end. Five and a half freakin' minutes.
18:00 Finally gets around to actually discussing health care reform.
23:00 Agrees with John McCain who proceeds to give the universal sign of what politicians keep in their backsides.
24:00 Announces that people will be required to have insurance if they can afford it likening it to everyone being required to have auto insurance if they drive. So just like if you don't want to pay for auto insurance you can stop driving, you will now have the option to stop breathing if you don't want health insurance.
30:00 Public option will only be available to people who don't have insurance, so like millions of others I'm still stuck with my crappy ass Kaiser plan.
34:00 Pelosi is winding down her standing ovation, is about to sit, then straightens back up to clap some more. For her age she is still an enthusiastic cheerleader, showing up Biden's lack of 'spirit'.
35:30 Kindly kicks the Bush administration in the nuts for spending too much money. Just nice and gentle like.
36:30 "Sacred Trust". Because both of those words are completely unambiguous especially when paired.
40:30 Republicans spontaneously ejaculate when he mentions tort reform.
43:00 "Common Ground". I mean, he had to say it at some point.
43:20 Says he will listen to anyone's ideas unless he thinks you are a big meanie.
44:40 Plays on politicians sense of self importance, "Too many Americans are counting on us."
45:00 Plays the Teddy Kennedy card to try and pick up a few tricks.
52:10 Reminds atheists and many people of different religions this land is not their land. While this is primarily a corpratocracy masquerading as a democracy, it is also a thinly veiled theocracy. "God bless the United States of America."
And somewhere in there he pisses me off by stating that no public money will go for abortions.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Abortion and Universal Health Care
To get evangelical conservative Christians supporting universal health care explain that if we get universal, single-payer health care now they can then argue that the government (who would then be the sole health care provider for the majority of Americans) can not use tax payer money for abortions because it would be a violation of their first amendment separation of church and state rights.Which is total bullshit, but then again, so are they.
New shirt to celebrate my evil plan.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Tele-ocracy
Do you ever feel lost when people start talking about television? I know I do.People watch a lot of television and use it as a way to relate to other people.
Unplug The Signal: We are Living in an Artificially Induced State of ConsciousnessI thought internet video was going to change the way we watch television. Netflix lets me watch movies on demand. Hulu let's me watch television shows on my schedule with fewer commercials. Thanks to YouTube and similar sites, there is a glut of new content, most of it crap, but nearly all of it produced outside of the major broadcasting systems.
Heavy television watching is culturally accepted and expected in our society. In fact, the act of not watching TV can actually offend some people.
I was wrong to think that choice could supplant scheduled programing. People watch it and then can talk about it the next day. That's the point. The false connection with others.
Television is creating a culture of occupied minds- an apathetic and passive population only interested in being entertained by mindless trivia with no interest in analyzing information and instead relying on the TV for all answers.Worse: relying on TV to create a social network. Those who do not participate in the ritual have no way to communicate with those who do. I have no idea what happened on (insert show name) last night and I don't care. I used to have a few shows on my list that allowed me limited social interaction. Not anymore.
Sorry. This post doesn't give you much to talk about while you stand around the coffee machine in the break room trying to stay awake because you stayed up too late to watch (insert show name) last night.
Friday, September 04, 2009
Don't Buy Craftsmen Tools
At least not right now.
In the midst of contract negotiations the CEO of SK Hand Tools, makers of Craftsmen Tools, decided to cut off health insurance benefits. Which kind of sucks for those who need it. To make matters worse, he didn't bother telling his employees until after he had done so.
Pay for insulin or die? Pay for insulin or die? Health care choices in the great American health care system where private insurance can really let you down. Especially when your boss unexpectedly cancels your insurance.
In the midst of contract negotiations the CEO of SK Hand Tools, makers of Craftsmen Tools, decided to cut off health insurance benefits. Which kind of sucks for those who need it. To make matters worse, he didn't bother telling his employees until after he had done so.
Support builds for SK strikersCan you imagine going in to get your much needed insulin and instead of the $40 copay you all of a sudden have to fork out a few grand?
Local 743 declared an unfair labor practices strike August 25 when SK Hand Tools CEO Claude Fuger refused to restore health care benefits that were unilaterally cut off last May amid ongoing contract negotiations. The local is seeking redress before the National Labor Relations Board, but called the strike to force Fuger to move faster.
The situation is urgent. Many of the workers at SK Hand Tools--which makes the popular Craftsman brand for Sears--have serious health issues that have put them tens of thousands of dollars in debt.
Pay for insulin or die? Pay for insulin or die? Health care choices in the great American health care system where private insurance can really let you down. Especially when your boss unexpectedly cancels your insurance.
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