July 09, 2005
Forward – Backward - Looking
So, in looking to tighten it’s fiscal belt, congress was poised to slash moneys intended for rail security. Now, in light of the London Bombing, and due to Congress’ inability to not be able to act without knee jerking, the money will be restored and probably increased.
This is not a complaint, per se, that the money is not a good use of tax dollars. Rather it’s a complaint that Congress seems to be swaying in the winds and reacting to situations, rather than to make good policy decisions.
As has been pointed out by others, the London bombing, while tragic, doesn’t shouldn’t change anything in regards to how we are responding to security needs in the US.
It’s not like nobody in Congress predicted that our rail systems could be a target. After 9-11, I remember all sorts of discussions about train security (as well as busses, nuclear power plants, and the food supply). The focus on trains re-appeared again after Madrid. Why, then, pre-London was train security not a large enough concern that the money wasn’t kept in the budget, but needs to be restored post London?
Well, the fact is, Congress passes money not because it’s making us safer – but because they think we’re watching. Then, when they think we’ve forgotten about it, they stop worrying about it. Now, due to the London bombing, Congress feels like they’ve had their hands caught in the cookie jar again. We’re paying attention to our rail systems – wondering if it could happen here (Answer: yes), and nobody wants to be the person in congress who votes against rail security – even if they already voted against it.
None of this is really intended to keep us safe. Rather, it’s intended to keep the members of Congress safe – in their jobs.
July 08, 2005
Conservative Reminder
No tragedy is so big, that it can not be used to further your own agenda.
Corporate Reminder
No tragedy is so big, that profit can not be made from it.
Of course, the UK is not the only place this occurs.
July 07, 2005
The Sound of Silence
The London bombing has left me without much to say. On one hand, it’s not unexpected. We live in a word where violence is, unfortunately, the norm. On the other hand, it’s hard not to have it put a perspective on the political sniping that blogging essential is. (Admittedly, some people make it relatively smart sniping – though I don’t count myself amoung them).
And I lack the will to blog about the bombing – as it won’t really accomplish anything ro add anything to the discussion. You can get updated in a million places, and any attempt by me to comment on it would be poor commentary indeed.
So, I won’t blog about the bombing, and I don’t really have the heart (today) to blog about other things.
Hence the quiet.
Madness
CNN is reporting at least 40 people killed in the London Bombings.
July 06, 2005
How Proud we are
As I spent my 4th at the beach, I did not witness any of the parades in CA. I did, however, get a report from my (Republican) mom and sister about the parade in Norwood MA.
My mom complained that there were so many military displays, her arms were exhausted from waving. Included among the men in uniforms, were ‘homages’ to different wars. There were guys who led German POWs at gunpoint, and others who crawled on the ground, then pretended to shoot people. Even the famous John deer tractors, had the names (faces?) of people who had died painted on the sides of them.
As my republican mom pointed out : “I’m all for supporting the troops, but even I thought this was a little much.”
Race cause hate, burgers cause fries
a million dead Iraqis causes national pride
bureaucrats cause poverty and clams causes pearls
and humans cause extinction in the animal world
Stuart Davis
What is it about...
...religious conservatives who can so gleely toss out some of god’s laws, in order to enforce (arguably) lesser ones?
Just a reminder – Sodomy is not on the big 10. Murder is. Lying is. Adultery is.
Spot the problem: Supreme Edition
Read this MSNBC / Wash Postarticle and see if you can spot the problem with it. I’ll give you a hint.
When you read further along, you find out that ‘Key’ means ‘Republican’. Well, OF COURSE they think the Dems should not be able to filibuster. Which brings me back to what I said when the deal was done:
So, what has happened, essentially, is that the Dems have swapped looking bipartisan for a free pass on some ugly nominees, and the hope that they’ll look better when they filibuster the Supreme Court nominees everyone knows is coming.
The GOP has, essentially, lost nothing as they will renege as soon as the first filibuster is attempted
Which, of course, is what is going to happen. Ask yourself this – if an extreme right Supreme Court nominee is not ‘extraordinary’ enough to warrant a filibuster – what is? The GOP’s view of the deal is that they got to get rid of the filibuster, without actually having to get rid of it. And, when the filibuster comes (as it most surely will, if the nominee is what we fear), the GOP will complain the Dems reneged.
So, what did the deal get us? Pryor, and a little time.
Post Script: My prediction is that, if Bush does put for an extreme ideologue, the Dems will filibuster, the GOP will go nuclear, and the Dems will force a shut down. Of course, I’m an optimist, so it probably will be worse than that.
Republican for a (partial) Day
I’m back.
I spent the weekend in Simi Valley, CA with my partner, his family, and some friends. So, of course, we went to the Reagan Library, which also is in Simi Valley.
We went on the 4th, so crowded was probably an understatement.
As a ‘bleeding heart’ liberal, I felt I was going into the heart of darkness. This feeling was strengthened when we arrived, because as we climbed the hill in search of parking, we were inundated by cars which all seemed to be competing to see who could fit more flags on the back.
So, I was a little bit weary as my group (6 gay men, 1 woman, and my partner’s parent’s) made their way into the compound. However, the republican masses soon won me over. It was staffed by volunteers who had given up their day to make the 4th special. A man dressed as Lincoln met us* –and other past presidents wandered the yard. Two men with American flag hats chatted with people as they cut free watermelon. Kids played games which were led by other volunteers. And there, watching over all of it, was a bronze bust of Reagan smiling down on everyone.
I must admit, the attitude was infectious. I found myself going out of my way to be polite – lots of pleases and thank yous. I felt a swell of patriotism, as retired men with navy hats handed out free popcorn and cotton candy. Families stood, respectfully, at Mr. Reagan’s grave.
It was hard to associate these people with ‘Today’s GOP’ message of hate and division. I started to reflect on Reagan’s presidency. Sure, he was THE GOP president – and there was a lot I disagreed with. He was not, however, in the pocket of the wacko right, the way the current president seems to be. I found myself longing for the old GOP. Maybe it wasn’t as bad as I seemed to recall, or maybe things have gotten so bad that the past just looks better in comparison. I was feeling a sense of loss for Reagan – intensified with my respect of what Nancy must has endured those last years. I was feeling – well, conservative.
Then, one of my friends showed my a doll of Reagan which he had posed as given the Nazi salute**, as it recited one of Regan’s speech, and the spell was broken. We headed back to the car (a few boxes of Jelly Beans to accompany us), and headed for the beach.
** For the record, I don’t think Reagan was a Nazi, nor do I think Bush or any of the GOP are Nazis. It was just a little bit of inappropriate humor.
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