Thursday, November 25, 2010
On the Supreme Court, October 22, 2010
One attractive path for making our feelings known on this issue in a way the Court will understand would be, as I also mentioned in the Justice Thomas thread, reintroducing the text of the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1937. If passed today, it would give the President about five appointments to the Supreme Court, along with adding needed flexibility for lower court dockets. The new appointments, exercisable immediately, together with a dash of filibuster reform to facilitate Senate approval of nominees, would certainly bring a gust of fresh energy and perspective to the Court.
On Statements by Stephen Broden Advocating Revolution, October 22, 2010
Action begets reaction, so I wonder how this would ultimately play out for those on the right. The last few times a major revolutionary force has been unleashed (France 1793, Russia 1918-1922, China 1951-52), it hasn't worked out so well for the plutocracy.
Given the number of jobless and the increasing income and wealth inequality we are seeing these days, and the successful efforts of moneyed interests to stop help flowing to those in need, it's interesting those on the right are putting this in play just now. Rather an unwise choice I'd say.
Given the number of jobless and the increasing income and wealth inequality we are seeing these days, and the successful efforts of moneyed interests to stop help flowing to those in need, it's interesting those on the right are putting this in play just now. Rather an unwise choice I'd say.
Rand Paul Statements on Gun Rights, October 11, 2010
The original point of gun rights, from a Constitutional perspective, was to ensure a viable militia defense in the absence of a standing army. I haven't heard Mr Paul come out against a standing army yet, but you never know I suppose.
In the meantime, it would certainly behoove him to live in New York City for a while, and/or spend some time in a large city trauma unit, to get a better sense of what it really means to have a densely populated urban area awash in guns. Not that the guy who couldn't connect the dots between private conduct and civil rights is likely to absorb reality, or figure out the difference between city and country, with any degree of alacrity, but it couldn't hurt.
As to religion, Mr Paul seems all in favor of practical curtailments when the religion isn't popular, as shown by his stance on the lower Manhattan rec center, so perhaps he needs to reflect on that a bit further.
Indeed, with any luck he will reflect for a long, long time, in obscurity and not in any elected office.
In the meantime, it would certainly behoove him to live in New York City for a while, and/or spend some time in a large city trauma unit, to get a better sense of what it really means to have a densely populated urban area awash in guns. Not that the guy who couldn't connect the dots between private conduct and civil rights is likely to absorb reality, or figure out the difference between city and country, with any degree of alacrity, but it couldn't hurt.
As to religion, Mr Paul seems all in favor of practical curtailments when the religion isn't popular, as shown by his stance on the lower Manhattan rec center, so perhaps he needs to reflect on that a bit further.
Indeed, with any luck he will reflect for a long, long time, in obscurity and not in any elected office.
More Commentary on Middle East Talks, October 10, 2010
A small vignette from Israel's white phosphorus attacks on civilian areas in Gaza:
"The stairs were very smoky. We went inside and it smelled very strange. We had never experienced that before. It was difficult to go forward. First I saw my mother with burns coming out of the house. We found her at the entrance. She told us to go in and get my injured brothers. But when we got inside we saw nothing because of the smoke and dust, and we couldn't breathe. We found my brother's wife, Ghada, she was burning in flames, and also her daughter Farah, also burning. There were also my brothers Yusif and Ali. All of them were burning badly; their clothes were melting. They were all burned but Abd al-Rahim and my father had their heads cut from their bodies too. We took the wounded in two tractors, with my mother in the first one. We tried to call an ambulance but they said they couldn't come."
http://www
In addition to the use of white phosphorus on densely populated civilian areas, it is worth bearing in mind that Israelis have killed more than six times the number of civilians that Palestinians have during the past 10 years of conflict (http://www
Israel has also engaged in questionable conduct with respect to US military technology (e.g. http://www
Excerpts of the recent UN report on the humanitarian aid flotilla, intercepted by Israeli forces, on which they killed one American citizen and injured another:
http://www
"The conduct of the Israeli military and other personnel towards the flotilla passengers was not only disproportionate to the occasion but demonstrated levels of totally unnecessary and incredible violence. It betrayed an unacceptable level of brutality. Such conduct cannot be justified or condoned on security or any other grounds. It constituted a grave violation of human rights law and international humanitarian law. The Mission considers that several violations and offences have been committed. It is not satisfied that, in the time available, it has been able to compile a comprehensive list of all offences. However, there is clear evidence to support prosecutions of the following crimes within the terms of article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention:
• Wilful killing;
• Torture or inhuman treatment;
• Wilfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health."
Brief additional background:
http://www
"The stairs were very smoky. We went inside and it smelled very strange. We had never experienced that before. It was difficult to go forward. First I saw my mother with burns coming out of the house. We found her at the entrance. She told us to go in and get my injured brothers. But when we got inside we saw nothing because of the smoke and dust, and we couldn't breathe. We found my brother's wife, Ghada, she was burning in flames, and also her daughter Farah, also burning. There were also my brothers Yusif and Ali. All of them were burning badly; their clothes were melting. They were all burned but Abd al-Rahim and my father had their heads cut from their bodies too. We took the wounded in two tractors, with my mother in the first one. We tried to call an ambulance but they said they couldn't come."
http://www
In addition to the use of white phosphorus on densely populated civilian areas, it is worth bearing in mind that Israelis have killed more than six times the number of civilians that Palestinians have during the past 10 years of conflict (http://www
Israel has also engaged in questionable conduct with respect to US military technology (e.g. http://www
Excerpts of the recent UN report on the humanitarian aid flotilla, intercepted by Israeli forces, on which they killed one American citizen and injured another:
http://www
"The conduct of the Israeli military and other personnel towards the flotilla passengers was not only disproportionate to the occasion but demonstrated levels of totally unnecessary and incredible violence. It betrayed an unacceptable level of brutality. Such conduct cannot be justified or condoned on security or any other grounds. It constituted a grave violation of human rights law and international humanitarian law. The Mission considers that several violations and offences have been committed. It is not satisfied that, in the time available, it has been able to compile a comprehensive list of all offences. However, there is clear evidence to support prosecutions of the following crimes within the terms of article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention:
• Wilful killing;
• Torture or inhuman treatment;
• Wilfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health."
Brief additional background:
http://www
On Middle East Matters, October 9, 2010
Our taxpayers are supporting this sort of thing at present,
http://art
Not to mention this sort of atrocity:
http://www
I think we'll support programs here thank you very much.
http://art
Not to mention this sort of atrocity:
http://www
I think we'll support programs here thank you very much.
On Biden and Clinton Trading Jobs, October 6, 2010
Back in 2008, James Carville made some comments about Ms Clinton's fortitude, relative to then-candidate Obama's, that I found fairly repugnant (I won't repeat them, but they were posted on Huffpo in May of 08 if you want to look for them). And in fact I still feel that way.
Yet time has proven that there is a measure of truth in in Mr Carville's words. And for that reason, as far fetched as I think the possibility is that Ms Clinton would be put on the ticket with President Obama, I have to say I find it appealing, and I think, oddly enough, that they would make a great team in those roles.
Yet time has proven that there is a measure of truth in in Mr Carville's words. And for that reason, as far fetched as I think the possibility is that Ms Clinton would be put on the ticket with President Obama, I have to say I find it appealing, and I think, oddly enough, that they would make a great team in those roles.
More on Income Inequality, September 27, 2010
Let's start with how the federal government works. Essentially, through a complex process, there's a decision about how much we want to spend on various items. The largest of these, apart from health care for the elderly and social security (an insurance program), is military, but it would include things like highways, for example.
With that amount in mind, the question arises how it will be paid for. For most of the 20th Century, the tax burden has been graduated, with those making more money paying a greater percentage of income. That's because as you make less money, the same percentage of your remaining income, after bills, is harder to afford. During and following WWII, up to about the mid 70s, there was a consensus around this structure. Thereafter, accelerating dramatically in 1980 and beyond, this changed as taxes were diminished for the most affluent Americans. At the time, it was argued that this would lead to increased government revenue to make up the shortfall; this proved incorrect. In fact, it led to massive deficits and greater private wealth at the top. At the same time, income from stock ownership has been favored, further diminishing taxes and increasing wealth at the top.
Adding to this, deregulation in certain sectors, largely unrestricted open trade and ever more expensive education (among other factors) have shifted income and wealth upward and diminished social mobility in the US. These are conscious policy choices that affect you and will affect your children and grandchildren. Enjoy.
With that amount in mind, the question arises how it will be paid for. For most of the 20th Century, the tax burden has been graduated, with those making more money paying a greater percentage of income. That's because as you make less money, the same percentage of your remaining income, after bills, is harder to afford. During and following WWII, up to about the mid 70s, there was a consensus around this structure. Thereafter, accelerating dramatically in 1980 and beyond, this changed as taxes were diminished for the most affluent Americans. At the time, it was argued that this would lead to increased government revenue to make up the shortfall; this proved incorrect. In fact, it led to massive deficits and greater private wealth at the top. At the same time, income from stock ownership has been favored, further diminishing taxes and increasing wealth at the top.
Adding to this, deregulation in certain sectors, largely unrestricted open trade and ever more expensive education (among other factors) have shifted income and wealth upward and diminished social mobility in the US. These are conscious policy choices that affect you and will affect your children and grandchildren. Enjoy.
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