Something to Know - 19 April

COURAGEOUS SENATORS STAND UP TO AMERICAN PEOPLE

POSTED BY ANDY BOROWITZ

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—In the halls of the United States Senate, dozens of Senators congratulated themselves today for having what one of them called "the courage and grit to stand up to the overwhelming wishes of the American people."

"We kept hearing, again and again, that ninety per cent of the American people wanted us to vote a certain way," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky). "Well, at the end of the day, we decided that we weren't going to cave in to that kind of special-interest group."

"It was a gut check, for sure, but we had to draw a line in the sand," agreed Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S. Carolina). "If we had voted the way the American people wanted us to, it would have sent the message that we're here in Washington to be nothing more than their elected representatives."

Calling yesterday's Senate action "a bipartisan effort," Senator Mark Pryor (D-Arkansas) said, "This proves that on a matter that affects the safety of every man, woman, and child in the nation, we can reach across the aisle to defy the interests of all of them."

Senator McConnell agreed that yesterday's vote "sent a powerful message," adding, "If the American people think that just because they voted us into office and pay our salaries, benefits, and pensions, we are somehow obliged to listen to them, they are sorely mistaken."

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Juan

"I have opinions of my own -- strong opinions -- but I don't always agree with them."
       -- George Bush

Something to Know - 18 April (Resend to correct incorrect link)

1.  A perpetual barrage of news events and stories greets me as I try to get back into the swing of writing this posting.   Tragedy on one hand, and defeat on the other.   So, let me try and pick from a fresh basket that draws up emotions and includes the basics of our system of government and the way we do business.   So many things are discouraging: the inequality of wealth, the rich and powerful buying and owning the levers of power, actions to subvert access to the ballot box, and a growing unease as the middle class is stressed and is weakening.   These are the conditions that bring about serious consideration of the failures of Capitalism, and provoke thoughts about other systems that offer attractive options.  This is a good read, and I offer it up as something to point to as we muddle through our current apathetic malaise of democracy in which we find ourselves, which has the look and smell of an oligarchy at times:

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/15680-the-question-of-socialism-and-beyond-is-about-to-open-up-in-these-united-states#.UWicLDqSI18.email

2.  Cowardice in the Senate; what else can you call it?   The names in the "Nay" column are engraved in the record, and appropriate actions can be take to see them voted out at the next opportunity.   I am just sorry that we do not have that same record for the House, but that is just a formality.   The American people demand it, and we will get it:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/18/opinion/the-senate-fails-americans-on-gun-bills.html?hp

3.  This is a better way to what I tried to articulate above:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/18/opinion/a-senate-in-the-gun-lobbys-grip.html?hp&pagewanted=print

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Juan

"I have opinions of my own -- strong opinions -- but I don't always agree with them."
       -- George Bush

Something to Know - 18 April

1.  A perpetual barrage of news events and stories greets me as I try to get back into the swing of writing this posting.   Tragedy on one hand, and defeat on the other.   So, let me try and pick from a fresh basket that draws up emotions and includes the basics of our system of government and the way we do business.   So many things are discouraging: the inequality of wealth, the rich and powerful buying and owning the levers of power, actions to subvert access to the ballot box, and a growing unease as the middle class is stressed and is weakening.   These are the conditions that bring about serious consideration of the failures of Capitalism, and provoke thoughts about other systems that offer attractive options.  This is a good read, and I offer it up as something to point to as we muddle through our current apathetic malaise of democracy in which we find ourselves, which has the look and smell of an oligarchy at times:

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/15680-the-question-of-socialism-and-beyond-is-about-to-open-up-in-these-united-states#.UW86HNyVwpF.mailto

2.  Cowardice in the Senate; what else can you call it?   The names in the "Nay" column are engraved in the record, and appropriate actions can be take to see them voted out at the next opportunity.   I am just sorry that we do not have that same record for the House, but that is just a formality.   The American people demand it, and we will get it:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/18/opinion/the-senate-fails-americans-on-gun-bills.html?hp

3.  This is a better way to what I tried to articulate above:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/18/opinion/a-senate-in-the-gun-lobbys-grip.html?hp&pagewanted=print

- Juan

"I have opinions of my own -- strong opinions -- but I don't always agree with them."
       -- George Bush

Something to Know - 11 April

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/11/opinion/blow-rand-paul-goes-to-howard.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130411&pagewanted=print

--

Juan

"The most dangerous strategy is to jump a chasm in two leaps."
       -- Benjamin Disraeli

Something to Know - 6 April (continued)

I was on my way in haste to the ship, and was reminded that I did not post my usual cartoon.   Well here is something that is poignant, a cartoon, but not really all that funny:

--

Juan

"The most dangerous strategy is to jump a chasm in two leaps."
       -- Benjamin Disraeli

Something to Know - 6 April

1.  President Obama is presenting a budge proposal that includes cuts in Social Security and Medicare.   At the same time, there are revenue increases, which target those who are at the top tier of the economic ladder in the form of higher taxes and the closing of several loopholes.  The liberal left is angry at what Obama is doing, and what his purpose is in doing so?   The full proposal is due next Wednesday:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/obama-budget-would-cut-entitlements-in-exchange-for-tax-increases/2013/04/05/2ee93f82-9dd6-11e2-9a79-eb5280c81c63_print.html

2.  You may recall the David Stockman piece that was linked here a couple of days ago.  Well, here is Paul Krugman to kind of clarify things and dispute the points presented by the former Reagan budget meister:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/opinion/Krugman-The-Urge-To-Purge.html?emc=eta1&_r=0&pagewanted=print

I know that I have been hit and miss in my postings the past few months, and kind of hard to figure if I have a schedule or not.  Well, I do, and its best described as "sometimes".  However, don't look for me for about a week or so, since I will be out of town, and only in possession of my iPad, which is really not helpful in group mailings.  

--

Juan

"The most dangerous strategy is to jump a chasm in two leaps."
       -- Benjamin Disraeli

Something to Know - 5 April

1.  Well, someone had to suggest it, and here it is.  It is an op-ed from the NY TImes that suggests that we should seek to RE-WRITE the 2nd Amendment.  Okay, gun nuts, don't go crazy now.   Just read the article, and see what the writer says.  Any re-write cannot be any better than what we have now, and perhaps it will clear up some things and make more people happy.  All I know is that what we have now is an abomination:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/opinion/rewrite-the-second-amendment.html?ref=opinion&_r=0&pagewanted=print

2.  Every time that the Republicans take one step forward in initiating words and phrases on how the need to and will change their style and appearance to appeal to the class of voters who they need to gain in order to win elections, the GOP takes 3 steps backward.  Case in point - their new darling Ben Carson, who no longer is their rising star:

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/print/48887/

3.  David Brooks enters into the continuing discussion on Online Education.   Unfortunately, too many people are of the thought that this is really the new age of education and that all our prayers for effective and cheap education are being answered.  Not so fast, mon frère.  For certain technical subjects, it does make itself available to anyone who wants to use a computer to go to school.  However, we must keep in mind, that as the subject matter approaches the arts, literature, and humanities, there is no substitute for lecture, questioning, and deep discussion, only available in a classroom format.  The limitations of online teaching/learning must be clearly understood before too much is expected of it:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/opinion/Brooks-The-Practical-University.html?ref=opinion&pagewanted=print 

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Juan

"If you disagree with something I write, tell me so, argue with me, correct me - but don't tell me to shut up. That's not the American way."

— Roger Ebert

Something More to Know - 4 April

There is something to learn from NASCAR

http://www.upworthy.com/i-cant-wait-to-see-the-obama-administrations-reply-to-this-amazing-and-totally-r-2?c=upw1

--

Juan

"May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house." 
       -- George Carlin

Something to Know - 4 April

April 3, 2013

N.R.A. DEFENDS PURCHASE OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN

Posted by Andy Borowitz

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—The National Rifle Association leader Wayne LaPierre today defended his decision to purchase the former congressman Asa Hutchinson, after an outspoken N.R.A. member complained that the organization should be using its funds to buy current congressmen only.

Shortly after Mr. Hutchinson appeared at a press conference in Washington to present the N.R.A.'s plan to arm teachers and other school personnel, N.R.A. dissident Tracy Klugian blasted the purchase of the former Arkansas representative.

"Members of the N.R.A. fork over millions of dollars to this organization," he said. "That money should be used to buy people who are actually in Congress now, not some has-been like Hutchinson who doesn't even have a vote anymore."

Mr. Klugian said that as he watched former Rep. Hutchinson at the podium, "It made my blood boil, especially when I thought about all of the current congressmen out there who are totally for sale."

Not long after Mr. Klugian made his comments, Mr. LaPierre pushed back: "The purchase of Asa Hutchinson did not and will not prevent the N.R.A. from buying a single additional congressman in the future. Period."

While refusing to divulge the purchase price for Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. LaPierre reassured the N.R.A. membership, "We got a very good deal on Asa. There wasn't exactly a bidding war."

In a separate statement, Mr. Hutchinson said, "A free and lively exchange of views is what makes the N.R.A. such a great organization—and is why I'm so proud to be owned by it."

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Juan

"A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but won't cross the street to vote in a national election."
       -- Bill Vaughan