The Gulf oil leak has been with us for some five weeks. I have refrained from commenting about it because the implications are so profound. I wanted to get my mind around the facts and scope before entering the arena.
The disaster is so immense, with enormous effects on the planet and all life forms, it is time for the American people to grow up and face the consequences of their addiction to cheap, carbon based energy.
Because the leak is at such sea depth, much of the oil may not surface and affect
shore lines, beaches and estuaries, where it would be easy, and expensive, to clean
up. Huge quantities will remain in deep water plumes, travelling long distances before settling on reefs, spawning grounds and protected nesting sites. This will alter the food chain upon which so much life on the planet depends. Plankton, Krill,
tiny herrings, reef eggs will become scarce or disappear. This will impact
further up the chain and is vital to our survival. Our health will be affected, as will what we eat , how much we pay for it. Our access to cheap energy will be limited
because deep sea drilling will face severe restrictions.
If ever there was a time to mobilize America for an all-out effort to convert to
renewable, clean energy, whatever the cost, this is the moment. In WWII we assembled
scientists and industrialists in the Manhattan Project, which produced the atom
bomb and gave us victory. The stakes in the oil leak crisis are even higher. The future of mankind could depend on our success.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Throw the bums out!
The anti-incumbent tide is approaching full flow, and rightly so. Since the Obama
election congress has calcified into gridlock, and the nation's business has
been neglected, replaced by petty partisan vendettas. As a result crises which
could be ameliorated by concerted action by both parties in both houses, have continued to fester and become worse, weakening the nation at home and abroad.
The general public, suffering the damaging effects of losses---jobs, savings, homes, retirement income, health insurance, security, and pride, have turned angry, and ugly. Many have turned against the one entity, government, that can offer any chance of changing things. There is a longing to return to the "good old days" of
rugged individualism--every man able to take care of himself and his family. But that
world disappeared with the telegraph and sailing ships.
If changing the guard in Congress would lead to meaningful, cooperative action
among members, the tide would be positive. It appears however that the replacement
senators and representatives are primarily rabble rousing, narrow minded,
who sought election by stirring people to be "against" things, not for things
that would bring us together. Discord is mounted on a run-away horse and will hold sway for some time. Does that hold out the prospect of making things better for America?
election congress has calcified into gridlock, and the nation's business has
been neglected, replaced by petty partisan vendettas. As a result crises which
could be ameliorated by concerted action by both parties in both houses, have continued to fester and become worse, weakening the nation at home and abroad.
The general public, suffering the damaging effects of losses---jobs, savings, homes, retirement income, health insurance, security, and pride, have turned angry, and ugly. Many have turned against the one entity, government, that can offer any chance of changing things. There is a longing to return to the "good old days" of
rugged individualism--every man able to take care of himself and his family. But that
world disappeared with the telegraph and sailing ships.
If changing the guard in Congress would lead to meaningful, cooperative action
among members, the tide would be positive. It appears however that the replacement
senators and representatives are primarily rabble rousing, narrow minded,
who sought election by stirring people to be "against" things, not for things
that would bring us together. Discord is mounted on a run-away horse and will hold sway for some time. Does that hold out the prospect of making things better for America?
Monday, May 10, 2010
Beware of Greeks Bearing Debts!
The European Union has finally suffered severe indigestion because of the welfare state diet on which it has been living. The old fashioned virtues of diligent work
for reasonable pay, and benefits commensurate with an individual's contribution
to the social well being were abolished during the recovery years following WWII--
a recovery greatly assisted by our generosity under the Marshall Plan.
Social subsidies such as a 35 hour work week, monetary benefits and lengthy paid
leaves for childbirth, six weeks paid yearly vacations, numerous paid holidays,
retirement with generous pensions at relatively early ages, government provided
health care, free college tuition, all cost mucho dinero, requiring high personal
taxes. Workplace productivity due to short work weeks, leaves, holidays and vacations is low, increasing prices and reducing exports. So some of the smaller
nations are building debt. Servicing debt, as we in the U.S. know, drains resources which could go into development and infrastructure.
The E.U. has just bitten the bullet and established a massive trillion Euro
stabilization (bail out) fund. The first beneficiary is Greece. The severe austerity
program which Greece must implement to stabilize its economy and repay the loans
has aroused fury among the working class which must bear the impact. The survival of
Greece as a democracy is under serious threat.
There is a lesson in this situation for the U. S. and Great Britain. We cannot continue to wage two wars, and to maintain troops and bases all over the world, and a bloated military establishment to support them, unless we are willing to pay for them, NOW, by means of Taxes and austerity. If we continue our profligate ways, living on borrowings and spending multi billions for imported oil the dollar will
collapse and the nation's power with it.
for reasonable pay, and benefits commensurate with an individual's contribution
to the social well being were abolished during the recovery years following WWII--
a recovery greatly assisted by our generosity under the Marshall Plan.
Social subsidies such as a 35 hour work week, monetary benefits and lengthy paid
leaves for childbirth, six weeks paid yearly vacations, numerous paid holidays,
retirement with generous pensions at relatively early ages, government provided
health care, free college tuition, all cost mucho dinero, requiring high personal
taxes. Workplace productivity due to short work weeks, leaves, holidays and vacations is low, increasing prices and reducing exports. So some of the smaller
nations are building debt. Servicing debt, as we in the U.S. know, drains resources which could go into development and infrastructure.
The E.U. has just bitten the bullet and established a massive trillion Euro
stabilization (bail out) fund. The first beneficiary is Greece. The severe austerity
program which Greece must implement to stabilize its economy and repay the loans
has aroused fury among the working class which must bear the impact. The survival of
Greece as a democracy is under serious threat.
There is a lesson in this situation for the U. S. and Great Britain. We cannot continue to wage two wars, and to maintain troops and bases all over the world, and a bloated military establishment to support them, unless we are willing to pay for them, NOW, by means of Taxes and austerity. If we continue our profligate ways, living on borrowings and spending multi billions for imported oil the dollar will
collapse and the nation's power with it.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Poisoning our own well
Since Obama's election a cottage industry of "Hate Obama" Email screeds has sprung up
in the nation. It parallels and goes hand in hand with the Tea Party movement in
that both have an unreasoned anger against "the government", "them" (who took OUR government away from us), a black Muslim President who is single-handed turning our country !!Socialist!!, who had the gall to want to give medical care to millions of TRUE Americans who didn't have it, and many more equally absurd gripes.
Under all there hides a venomous racist resentment and a refusal to accept that this nation is a democracy, which means we accept the decision of the electorate and wait until the next election to change it if we lose. We don't promote a revolution to undo it.
By trying to undermine and nullify a president we POISON the social contract which sustains our democracy, to the detriment of all. We have only one president, and he is subject to the restraints of the legislative and judiciary branches. No President can turn our nation Socialist, or any other ...IST by himself. And no President can govern responsibly if he bends to the passions of each and every protest group. That way lies chaos, because never in our history has the populace been unanimous about any policy! Informed and vigorous dissent is the lifeblood of our democracy. Don't
spill that blood recklessly!
in the nation. It parallels and goes hand in hand with the Tea Party movement in
that both have an unreasoned anger against "the government", "them" (who took OUR government away from us), a black Muslim President who is single-handed turning our country !!Socialist!!, who had the gall to want to give medical care to millions of TRUE Americans who didn't have it, and many more equally absurd gripes.
Under all there hides a venomous racist resentment and a refusal to accept that this nation is a democracy, which means we accept the decision of the electorate and wait until the next election to change it if we lose. We don't promote a revolution to undo it.
By trying to undermine and nullify a president we POISON the social contract which sustains our democracy, to the detriment of all. We have only one president, and he is subject to the restraints of the legislative and judiciary branches. No President can turn our nation Socialist, or any other ...IST by himself. And no President can govern responsibly if he bends to the passions of each and every protest group. That way lies chaos, because never in our history has the populace been unanimous about any policy! Informed and vigorous dissent is the lifeblood of our democracy. Don't
spill that blood recklessly!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Rotten Eggs do not a Good Omelette Make
The congressional hearings investigating the role of Goldman Sachs in the financial
meltdown beginning in 2007 has exposed a sewer inhabited by some of the most
sophisticated, ruthless thieves to inhabit any profession. The star performer in the firm was an egomaniac Fabrice Toure who designated himself "Fabulous Fab". His forte, of which he boasted openly and in written communications, was designing useless, worthless financial products which, in his own words, he sold to widows and orphans, pension fund managers, and the like. The products were designed to fail and he profited therefrom by selling them short at the same time he was selling them long to clients. While pillaging the "ordinary" people he made a huge amount of profit for the firm and fattened his obscene bonuses. It tells the entire sordid truth about the sleazy, thieving ways of Wall Street and the large banks that Fabulous Fab was idolized, held up as a model for other snake oil sales people who aided and abetted, such as the rating services, and professional hedge fund managers.
Congress, urged on by Obama, is considering legislation to reign in the most egregious risky and dishonest practices in the securities industry, including
provisions to protect consumers. That the Republican senators are in opposition is a violation of their oath of office and of their obligation to protect the public who elected them. If there are features in the proposed legislation which they honestly believed could be improved, let them propose, not simply oppose! The goal should be that never again should greed, arrogance, and deception be the modus operandi of our financial industry.
meltdown beginning in 2007 has exposed a sewer inhabited by some of the most
sophisticated, ruthless thieves to inhabit any profession. The star performer in the firm was an egomaniac Fabrice Toure who designated himself "Fabulous Fab". His forte, of which he boasted openly and in written communications, was designing useless, worthless financial products which, in his own words, he sold to widows and orphans, pension fund managers, and the like. The products were designed to fail and he profited therefrom by selling them short at the same time he was selling them long to clients. While pillaging the "ordinary" people he made a huge amount of profit for the firm and fattened his obscene bonuses. It tells the entire sordid truth about the sleazy, thieving ways of Wall Street and the large banks that Fabulous Fab was idolized, held up as a model for other snake oil sales people who aided and abetted, such as the rating services, and professional hedge fund managers.
Congress, urged on by Obama, is considering legislation to reign in the most egregious risky and dishonest practices in the securities industry, including
provisions to protect consumers. That the Republican senators are in opposition is a violation of their oath of office and of their obligation to protect the public who elected them. If there are features in the proposed legislation which they honestly believed could be improved, let them propose, not simply oppose! The goal should be that never again should greed, arrogance, and deception be the modus operandi of our financial industry.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Birthday wishes
Observing the occasion of my 91st, as I blew out the candles on the cake my fellow
revelers told me to make a wish. It is customary to wish for things that involve
one's self and friends. But in the ambiance in which the nation is currently functioning, a wish of broader scope seemed appropriate. So adding a serious note,
I asked my friends to talk about what in our state of affairs concerned them, that
my wish could improve. My cocky nature doesn't allow me to consider that my wish
would be of no consequence.
After great argument about it and about, the consensus
was that governments at all levels had become non-functional in matters of
general public welfare, and that this was because political positions had morphed
into careers under our two party, bi-Cameral system. As with any career, increasing
one's material wealth and power is paramount. Catering to the wealthy and powerful,
especially those who control the media, is the recipe for political career advancement.
So my wish, agreed upon by all present, was that there would be a rebirth of Wisdom,
Honesty and Altruism among those who guide the fate of the nation. That would be
a birthday gift for all, and all time.
revelers told me to make a wish. It is customary to wish for things that involve
one's self and friends. But in the ambiance in which the nation is currently functioning, a wish of broader scope seemed appropriate. So adding a serious note,
I asked my friends to talk about what in our state of affairs concerned them, that
my wish could improve. My cocky nature doesn't allow me to consider that my wish
would be of no consequence.
After great argument about it and about, the consensus
was that governments at all levels had become non-functional in matters of
general public welfare, and that this was because political positions had morphed
into careers under our two party, bi-Cameral system. As with any career, increasing
one's material wealth and power is paramount. Catering to the wealthy and powerful,
especially those who control the media, is the recipe for political career advancement.
So my wish, agreed upon by all present, was that there would be a rebirth of Wisdom,
Honesty and Altruism among those who guide the fate of the nation. That would be
a birthday gift for all, and all time.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Make War, not Love
Of all the absurdities mankind is capable, War is the ultimate. It destroys and maims
lives, youth, hopes, families, homes, even civilizations. That wars are fought in furtherance of religious myths is the supreme obscenity. War solves nothing, and sets the stage for the next installment in destructive conflict.
War fought over territory defies the reasoning ability that supposedly distinguishes man from the beasts of the forest. No one is the owner of the land.
In the scale of eternity the land belongs to the cosmos. At best we can control
its use and disposition for but a moment. To destroy a generation of youth for such
a temporary advantage is idiocy.
The present political environment in our nation begins to resemble a rising tide toward warfare, between factions, not nations.
It has the potential to reach a shooting stage if demagogues continue to stoke the fire. With or without bullets, the damage
to our domestic tranquility could set this nation back for generations. When masses
cry out to "take this nation back", from whom are they repossessing it?
Rationality is color sensitive--when the economic ledger is red, it runs for the hills. People's minds close when under financial duress. It requires our politicians
to become statesmen and channel fear into more responsible channels. We are in real trouble when our politicos sell out to special interests, ignoring their responsibility for the needs of the public at large. We are at that point in our
national life. Our nation's health is precarious!
We need a Reform Bill for politics!
lives, youth, hopes, families, homes, even civilizations. That wars are fought in furtherance of religious myths is the supreme obscenity. War solves nothing, and sets the stage for the next installment in destructive conflict.
War fought over territory defies the reasoning ability that supposedly distinguishes man from the beasts of the forest. No one is the owner of the land.
In the scale of eternity the land belongs to the cosmos. At best we can control
its use and disposition for but a moment. To destroy a generation of youth for such
a temporary advantage is idiocy.
The present political environment in our nation begins to resemble a rising tide toward warfare, between factions, not nations.
It has the potential to reach a shooting stage if demagogues continue to stoke the fire. With or without bullets, the damage
to our domestic tranquility could set this nation back for generations. When masses
cry out to "take this nation back", from whom are they repossessing it?
Rationality is color sensitive--when the economic ledger is red, it runs for the hills. People's minds close when under financial duress. It requires our politicians
to become statesmen and channel fear into more responsible channels. We are in real trouble when our politicos sell out to special interests, ignoring their responsibility for the needs of the public at large. We are at that point in our
national life. Our nation's health is precarious!
We need a Reform Bill for politics!
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