As do I.
Fox News interviewed Dick Cheney this weekend about the Obama administration's decision to investigate the CIA's interrogation methods.
Huge mistake, guys. I said before, even if you're going to turn to less controversial methods of interrogating prisoners, don't tell anyone. If you have the reputation of the Huns, you won't have to resort to using barbarous methods as often. Your detainees are going to be too scared to test you.
Issues of image aside, Cheney brings up a good point. President Obama made it clear on several occasions that he would not hold agents responsible for actions sanctioned by the previous administration. Now, Eric Holder is launching an investigation of those same people, and the president is holding up white-gloved hands saying "Hey, this isn't my thing."
That's terrible. The president is the Commander in Chief, it's within his power to call off the hounds in that particular case. Not doing so sets a very bad precedent. Sometimes, in extreme cases, terrible things must be done in the interest of the greater good. Shouldn't we have a monster in our corner that we're willing to unleash in such instances? Might not it take a beast to fight a beast?
If the people who are actually willing to do the dirty work have to be afraid that their government is going to hang them out to dry when it becomes politically advantageous to do so, no one is ever going to be willing to take that step.
Look at it this way. Soldiers do terrible things in war. They have to. It's their job. Would anyone become a soldier if they knew, once they got home after a tour, they'd be put in front of a tribunal for war crimes? We're not talking about the handful of men that lose it and fall to depravity, we're talking about the every day soldier, who shoots men on the front lines because his country told him to do so. Who would be willing to take that job if they knew they were coming home to face murder charges.
As always, you're welcome to chime in. I've proven to be little more than a cold-hearted whack-job in some of your eyes. If that's the case, let me know. I'm interested in seeing your side.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Harry Reid, Live
I am currently, as I type this, taking part in a tele-town hall meeting with Harry Reid. It's gross, and I feel dirty.
This is a mockery of government. Reid is screening the calls before he takes them, and twice now, has repeated previous statements verbatim, which leads me to believe he is reading from a script.
Needless to say, I'm angry and want to express my frustration about his tail-tucked strategy of sitting in a private room and not having to face his angry constituency. But, as usual, the guy shuts out what he doesn't want to hear.
Anyway, here's what we've learned today-
Well, that's all from your humble chronicler on that fiasco. Though I notified the moderator I had a question, I was never asked to partake in the discussion. I was, however, asked to leave a message at the end of the teleconference. I asked several questions. We'll see if the senator gets back to me.
This is a mockery of government. Reid is screening the calls before he takes them, and twice now, has repeated previous statements verbatim, which leads me to believe he is reading from a script.
Needless to say, I'm angry and want to express my frustration about his tail-tucked strategy of sitting in a private room and not having to face his angry constituency. But, as usual, the guy shuts out what he doesn't want to hear.
Anyway, here's what we've learned today-
- The American people don't have to worry about going into debt over this health care reform bill. According to the senator, it pays for itself, "That's the beauty of it," Says the senator.
- Reid wants to Bipartisan bill because he, will only be able to do about 3/4 of what would be possible without Republican support. However, if the GOP remains stubborn and hard nosed, the Senate will use their majority to pass what they can, thumbing their nose at the other side of the aisle, as well as more than half of the American populace.
- Senator Reid is in favor of end of life counseling. He straight up said so as he was explaining his "Myths about health care reform," which was nearly identical to Representative Dina Titus' Fact and Myth section on her web site. The senator says he is against euthanization of the infirm, however. Therefore, he will never be as effective as Joseph Stalin.
- Harry Reid does not know how many children he has fathered. At one point during the teleconference, a lady came on the line with questions about health insurance, stating she had four adult children, none of whom had health insurance. At which point the senator exclaimed, "I have five!" He then paused for thought and said, "I shouldn't have said that. I have four." The rest of the question was lost on me as I struggled to wrap my mind around the senator's bizarre monologue.
Well, that's all from your humble chronicler on that fiasco. Though I notified the moderator I had a question, I was never asked to partake in the discussion. I was, however, asked to leave a message at the end of the teleconference. I asked several questions. We'll see if the senator gets back to me.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
A new way of evaluating Clark County teachers
Senator Harry Reid stopped by Las Vegas to participate in yesterday's Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon.
I guess the guy thinks that he can make up for his terrible Tele-Town Hall meetings by appearing in public and taking indirect questions.
Chamber members had to submit questions prior to the event via e-mail, which Chamber Chairman Steve Hill then asked. The Review Journal reports that Chairman Hill had to ask some of his more important questions repeatedly, which makes me happy. If Senator Reid is too squirmy to return my calls or e-mails, I'm glad someone's making him sit still.
After the Chamber luncheon, Reid dropped in on Harmon Elementary to discuss the $25 million Clark County will receive as part of a federal grant program. There is much talk about how the money will be put to use, but what caught my eye was the article's mention of a "Race to the Top" program.
The Federal Government is offering $5 billion in grants for schools with exemplary teachers, but the Clark County School District does not allow student achievement to be considered in teacher performance evaluation.
I'm not sure how I feel on that issue. Excellent teachers who genuinely encourage kids to learn should be rewarded, they should be granted seaside kingdoms. But there are students who genuinely refuse to learn. Should the saintly teachers who actually choose to teach at risk kids be punished because they have a higher percentage of bad apples in the class?
I know from experience that teaching at risk kids is more rewarding than teaching a class full of achievers. But the reason that's so is because the achievers are going to achieve on their own. They don't need a miracle-working teacher. In an at-risk classroom, the reward comes from reaching those one or two kids who, if not for you, would have dropped out or failed.
So, in your at-risk classroom, your average is pretty poor. In your Honors classes, your average is great. That being the case, is classroom achievement an accurate reflection of the caliber of a teacher? I'd love to hear some teachers weigh in on this, if there are any in the audience.
I guess the guy thinks that he can make up for his terrible Tele-Town Hall meetings by appearing in public and taking indirect questions.
Chamber members had to submit questions prior to the event via e-mail, which Chamber Chairman Steve Hill then asked. The Review Journal reports that Chairman Hill had to ask some of his more important questions repeatedly, which makes me happy. If Senator Reid is too squirmy to return my calls or e-mails, I'm glad someone's making him sit still.
After the Chamber luncheon, Reid dropped in on Harmon Elementary to discuss the $25 million Clark County will receive as part of a federal grant program. There is much talk about how the money will be put to use, but what caught my eye was the article's mention of a "Race to the Top" program.
The Federal Government is offering $5 billion in grants for schools with exemplary teachers, but the Clark County School District does not allow student achievement to be considered in teacher performance evaluation.
I'm not sure how I feel on that issue. Excellent teachers who genuinely encourage kids to learn should be rewarded, they should be granted seaside kingdoms. But there are students who genuinely refuse to learn. Should the saintly teachers who actually choose to teach at risk kids be punished because they have a higher percentage of bad apples in the class?
I know from experience that teaching at risk kids is more rewarding than teaching a class full of achievers. But the reason that's so is because the achievers are going to achieve on their own. They don't need a miracle-working teacher. In an at-risk classroom, the reward comes from reaching those one or two kids who, if not for you, would have dropped out or failed.
So, in your at-risk classroom, your average is pretty poor. In your Honors classes, your average is great. That being the case, is classroom achievement an accurate reflection of the caliber of a teacher? I'd love to hear some teachers weigh in on this, if there are any in the audience.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Health care and H1N1-
School is back in session, summer is coming to a close and flue season is attracting a little more attention than usual. H1N1, the Swine Flu virus is making an appearance in major news outlets today and yesterday.
Surprise surprise, Kathleen Sebelius' seems to be the virus' spokesman, saying closing schools is not an effective means of stopping the virus. On MSNBC, she said vaccination is the only way to go. If that name sounds familiar, it's because she's the Health and Human Services Spokesman, quoted as saying a public option was not essential to Obama's health care reform.
Does it put anyone else off that anyone trying to push for health care reform is now talking about a superflu? It rubs me the wrong way.
Fox news reported some numbers from the Obama administration this morning, saying up to 50% of the United States could be infected with Swine Flue this fall/winter, resulting in a heavy death toll for the young and the elderly.
Yesterday I talked about the effectiveness of scare tactics and subterfuge. Picture if you will a man in dark coat and glasses standing in front of a man strapped into a dentist's chair, holding a menacing looking drill labeled H1N1, saying, "Now, I believe we were talking about a Public Option".
I just came up with the political cartoon of the year right there.
So, what do you say? Am I just a paranoid weirdo to think the Obama Administration would publish somewhat alarmist information to get the public worried about health care?
Surprise surprise, Kathleen Sebelius' seems to be the virus' spokesman, saying closing schools is not an effective means of stopping the virus. On MSNBC, she said vaccination is the only way to go. If that name sounds familiar, it's because she's the Health and Human Services Spokesman, quoted as saying a public option was not essential to Obama's health care reform.
Does it put anyone else off that anyone trying to push for health care reform is now talking about a superflu? It rubs me the wrong way.
Fox news reported some numbers from the Obama administration this morning, saying up to 50% of the United States could be infected with Swine Flue this fall/winter, resulting in a heavy death toll for the young and the elderly.
Yesterday I talked about the effectiveness of scare tactics and subterfuge. Picture if you will a man in dark coat and glasses standing in front of a man strapped into a dentist's chair, holding a menacing looking drill labeled H1N1, saying, "Now, I believe we were talking about a Public Option".
I just came up with the political cartoon of the year right there.
So, what do you say? Am I just a paranoid weirdo to think the Obama Administration would publish somewhat alarmist information to get the public worried about health care?
Monday, August 24, 2009
A kinder, gentler kind of torture,
Big news today is President Obama's seal of approval on a new High Value Detainee Interrogation Group. This new group, part of the Department of Homeland Security, becomes active today, the same day that the 2004 reports of the so-called unethical interrogation of al-Queda prisoners by the CIA will be released to the public.
Every major news source is mentioning the CIA's threatened use of a power drill to extract information from a known terrorist. Read that again, the threatened use of a power drill. Is there something wrong with me that I don't see anything at all wrong with that?
Look, I don't agree with torture, not for people or animals. But, fear of torture, that's something else all together. If someone thinks there's a possibility you may use a power tool on them, they're probably a lot more likely to tell you what you want to know; especially if they're looking at said power tool.
That being said, I don't think it's a bad idea to have a branch of law enforcement which specializes in prisoner interrogation. I do think it's a bad idea to tell the world that they're going to abide by the strictest humanitarian guidelines. Advertise that their hobbies include eating babies and passing kidney stones. The more barbarian High Value Detainees believe their methods to be, the more readily they'll share information without resorting to unethical practices.
CNN reports that the CIA would conduct mock executions to convince detainees to divulge important information. They reportedly fired a pistol in an adjoining room, telling a detained terrorist his accomplice had just been shot, and the same would happen to him if he didn't start talking. That's a stroke of genius right there. Why? Because you've efficiently scared your quarry enough without having to resort to actually killing anyone. Take away fear as a weapon, and you're left with ineffective pleas or real violence.
Subterfuge is a politicians bread and butter. How is it that they haven't seen its value here? It's the practical application of BS, and they're saying it's unethical. Bizarre.
What do you say, Reader? Am I a monster? Is making a man think he could have his eye socket drilled out cruel, even if you have no intention of actually doing it? Will Obama's new interrogation task force be effective, or just a Pythonesque mockery? Cardinal Fang, fetch the Fluffy Pillow *gasp*
Every major news source is mentioning the CIA's threatened use of a power drill to extract information from a known terrorist. Read that again, the threatened use of a power drill. Is there something wrong with me that I don't see anything at all wrong with that?
Look, I don't agree with torture, not for people or animals. But, fear of torture, that's something else all together. If someone thinks there's a possibility you may use a power tool on them, they're probably a lot more likely to tell you what you want to know; especially if they're looking at said power tool.
That being said, I don't think it's a bad idea to have a branch of law enforcement which specializes in prisoner interrogation. I do think it's a bad idea to tell the world that they're going to abide by the strictest humanitarian guidelines. Advertise that their hobbies include eating babies and passing kidney stones. The more barbarian High Value Detainees believe their methods to be, the more readily they'll share information without resorting to unethical practices.
CNN reports that the CIA would conduct mock executions to convince detainees to divulge important information. They reportedly fired a pistol in an adjoining room, telling a detained terrorist his accomplice had just been shot, and the same would happen to him if he didn't start talking. That's a stroke of genius right there. Why? Because you've efficiently scared your quarry enough without having to resort to actually killing anyone. Take away fear as a weapon, and you're left with ineffective pleas or real violence.
Subterfuge is a politicians bread and butter. How is it that they haven't seen its value here? It's the practical application of BS, and they're saying it's unethical. Bizarre.
What do you say, Reader? Am I a monster? Is making a man think he could have his eye socket drilled out cruel, even if you have no intention of actually doing it? Will Obama's new interrogation task force be effective, or just a Pythonesque mockery? Cardinal Fang, fetch the Fluffy Pillow *gasp*
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Health care reform transaltors-
In my effort to find out what's up with this whole health care deal, I came across a nifty page on CNN.com It's a glossary for the myriad of buzzwords that have cropped up in the past few weeks. Here's a link.
Now, when I say the Blue Dog coalition is fighting for co-ops, but the Republicans say the end-of-life counseling and the public options are a deal breaker, you'll know what I'm talking about.
One of FOX's top stories says the Democrats are flirting with trying to push their version of the reform through regardless of what Republicans think- a strategy doomed to failure if I've ever heard one.
What concerns me most is what I found on Nevada Representative Dina Titus' (D) home page. You might remember a while back I mentioned Rep. Titus sending Nancy Pelosi a letter opposing health care reform, saying I was skeptical that it was simply a publicity stunt.
She hasn't directly come out and said she is now in favor of anything, the Myths and Facts about Health Care Reform section of her website paints a fairly rosy picture of it.
Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of respect for Rep. Titus, and tend to agree with her more often than our other elected officials, and I really respect what she's trying to do with Home Foreclosures, but I have a feeling she's going to sidle up to the party line on this one.
What do my readers think about Health Care Reform? I've seen I can get a rise out of you when it comes to Harry Reid and Education, but I haven't heard much from you on this subject. Anybody anybody?
Now, when I say the Blue Dog coalition is fighting for co-ops, but the Republicans say the end-of-life counseling and the public options are a deal breaker, you'll know what I'm talking about.
One of FOX's top stories says the Democrats are flirting with trying to push their version of the reform through regardless of what Republicans think- a strategy doomed to failure if I've ever heard one.
What concerns me most is what I found on Nevada Representative Dina Titus' (D) home page. You might remember a while back I mentioned Rep. Titus sending Nancy Pelosi a letter opposing health care reform, saying I was skeptical that it was simply a publicity stunt.
She hasn't directly come out and said she is now in favor of anything, the Myths and Facts about Health Care Reform section of her website paints a fairly rosy picture of it.
Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of respect for Rep. Titus, and tend to agree with her more often than our other elected officials, and I really respect what she's trying to do with Home Foreclosures, but I have a feeling she's going to sidle up to the party line on this one.
What do my readers think about Health Care Reform? I've seen I can get a rise out of you when it comes to Harry Reid and Education, but I haven't heard much from you on this subject. Anybody anybody?
Monday, August 17, 2009
Healthcare Reform Crumbling
Well, the genius of our founding fathers shows itself yet again.
According to news outlets of all kinds, Obama's Health Care Reform plan is breaking down. There's a lot of gibberish being spewed back and fourth about public options and co-ops, but essentially, we've all seen this before.
Remember Clinton's big health care reform plan? It ended up getting shot full of holes and turned into a big lump of compromise, weakening Clinton and pumping up the Republicans. Essentially, I see the same thing happening here. People were expecting immediate positive change when Obama took office.
As with Clinton, I think we'll see some changes to health care, but not the grand sweeps that lots of Obama supporters were envisioning. This, combined with the lingering state of the economy and high unemployment rate will probably garner the president some criticism.
This is the unavoidable fate of any politician who thinks they can push any big changes through our government with any sort of speed. Why? Two reasons.
1. Our Founding Fathers designed it that way. We've got three branches of government, made up of the slickest folks available, who all specialize in getting their way, employed by a multitude that can't make up its own mind. With so many forces pushing and pulling in all directions, our government moves at the speed of continental drift. The only time that changes is when Americans are truly all of one mind; a rare occurrence.
2. This reason goes hand-in-hand with the first. The American People are exceedingly hard to please. We come from a long line of mal-contents. Everyone, save the Native Americans, either came here because they didn't like what they were brought against their will, and weren't too keen the situation once they arrived (slavery). Either way, we've never been a people who could stomach being happy with authority. Obama can plan and execute a million small changes, he's still going to piss off 30% of the people.
Seriously, we're a tough crowd. Obama, or any president, could cure cancer. He'd still upset some fundamental right wing people because cancer is the will of God, as well as the hard core left, who would petition the ACLU to campaign for Cancer Rights. Throw in the pharmaceutical companies who would sue the government for eliminating X-amount of their base income and funeral homes with the same issue and you'll eventually end up with 30% of the people unhappy.
That's the plan, and I, for one, am grateful.
According to news outlets of all kinds, Obama's Health Care Reform plan is breaking down. There's a lot of gibberish being spewed back and fourth about public options and co-ops, but essentially, we've all seen this before.
Remember Clinton's big health care reform plan? It ended up getting shot full of holes and turned into a big lump of compromise, weakening Clinton and pumping up the Republicans. Essentially, I see the same thing happening here. People were expecting immediate positive change when Obama took office.
As with Clinton, I think we'll see some changes to health care, but not the grand sweeps that lots of Obama supporters were envisioning. This, combined with the lingering state of the economy and high unemployment rate will probably garner the president some criticism.
This is the unavoidable fate of any politician who thinks they can push any big changes through our government with any sort of speed. Why? Two reasons.
1. Our Founding Fathers designed it that way. We've got three branches of government, made up of the slickest folks available, who all specialize in getting their way, employed by a multitude that can't make up its own mind. With so many forces pushing and pulling in all directions, our government moves at the speed of continental drift. The only time that changes is when Americans are truly all of one mind; a rare occurrence.
2. This reason goes hand-in-hand with the first. The American People are exceedingly hard to please. We come from a long line of mal-contents. Everyone, save the Native Americans, either came here because they didn't like what they were brought against their will, and weren't too keen the situation once they arrived (slavery). Either way, we've never been a people who could stomach being happy with authority. Obama can plan and execute a million small changes, he's still going to piss off 30% of the people.
Seriously, we're a tough crowd. Obama, or any president, could cure cancer. He'd still upset some fundamental right wing people because cancer is the will of God, as well as the hard core left, who would petition the ACLU to campaign for Cancer Rights. Throw in the pharmaceutical companies who would sue the government for eliminating X-amount of their base income and funeral homes with the same issue and you'll eventually end up with 30% of the people unhappy.
That's the plan, and I, for one, am grateful.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tele-Town Halls and Health Care Reform
Town Hall meetings are your moment to shine. It's when you, as a voter, get to stand up and tell your representative what you think about his or her performance in office and share what you think about important issues.
Lately, they've also become a cross between a post-apocalyptic battle ground and scenes from a bad Frankenstein movie, complete with spray painted swastikas and frightened mobs. The monster? Health Care Reform.
It's the hot-button issue right now, even the economy has taken a back seat to government weighing in on the future of American Health Insurance.
CNN talked today about the impact the Internet is having on the public's response. Specifically, they mention how easy it has become to rally support for Town Hall meetings.
What they don't talk about is how the presence of real live constituents has prompted many officials to hold their Town Halls over the phone, a practice usually reserved for times when said officials are required to stay in Washington. Many Senators however, Harry Reid included, have looked to this option to shield them from the heat during this session break.
Reid is planning a Tele-Town Hall in which Nevadans will be called and asked if they have a question for the senator. If they do, they'll be asked the nature of their question and what area.
Tele-Town Halls are a bit tidier than the regular version, in thatanyone can listen but a phone line must be "activated" from the other side before someone can speak, silencing anyone who hasn't been pre-screened.
Call me a skeptic, but I don't think all sides of the health care issue are going to be presented. I was going to advise all of you to e-mail the senator to tell him what you think about Health Care or the Tele-Town Hall, but e-mailing him doesn't seem to do much good.
So I figured, why wait for Harry to call me. I'll call him. Here are the senator's phone numbers:
Washington Office: 202-224-3542
Las Vegas Office: 702-388-5020
Remember, you're not going to get Harry Reid on the phone. You're going to get a staff member, probably an intern. Don't lose your cool. Your goal isn't to be the loudest voice, but part of the multitude. Pass this article, or at least the numbers along to someone you think will call and do the same.
It's probably too much to hope he'll change his mind and schedule a real Town Hall, but if enough people dial him up, he'll have to address the issue.
Updates as they occur.
Lately, they've also become a cross between a post-apocalyptic battle ground and scenes from a bad Frankenstein movie, complete with spray painted swastikas and frightened mobs. The monster? Health Care Reform.
It's the hot-button issue right now, even the economy has taken a back seat to government weighing in on the future of American Health Insurance.
CNN talked today about the impact the Internet is having on the public's response. Specifically, they mention how easy it has become to rally support for Town Hall meetings.
What they don't talk about is how the presence of real live constituents has prompted many officials to hold their Town Halls over the phone, a practice usually reserved for times when said officials are required to stay in Washington. Many Senators however, Harry Reid included, have looked to this option to shield them from the heat during this session break.
Reid is planning a Tele-Town Hall in which Nevadans will be called and asked if they have a question for the senator. If they do, they'll be asked the nature of their question and what area.
Tele-Town Halls are a bit tidier than the regular version, in thatanyone can listen but a phone line must be "activated" from the other side before someone can speak, silencing anyone who hasn't been pre-screened.
Call me a skeptic, but I don't think all sides of the health care issue are going to be presented. I was going to advise all of you to e-mail the senator to tell him what you think about Health Care or the Tele-Town Hall, but e-mailing him doesn't seem to do much good.
So I figured, why wait for Harry to call me. I'll call him. Here are the senator's phone numbers:
Washington Office: 202-224-3542
Las Vegas Office: 702-388-5020
Remember, you're not going to get Harry Reid on the phone. You're going to get a staff member, probably an intern. Don't lose your cool. Your goal isn't to be the loudest voice, but part of the multitude. Pass this article, or at least the numbers along to someone you think will call and do the same.
It's probably too much to hope he'll change his mind and schedule a real Town Hall, but if enough people dial him up, he'll have to address the issue.
Updates as they occur.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Dina Titus wants to hear from you-
If you're in the middle of a foreclosure, Dina Titus wants to hear from you.
I'm throwing this up here because, politics aside, the housing market is a serious issue in Southern Nevada and I think as many voices as possible should be heard on the issue. Whether you're in the middle of a horror story or you have something good to say, here's the website with the contact form: Click here.
Unlike some officials, somebody in Dina Titus' office will read and respond to your correspondence.
I'm throwing this up here because, politics aside, the housing market is a serious issue in Southern Nevada and I think as many voices as possible should be heard on the issue. Whether you're in the middle of a horror story or you have something good to say, here's the website with the contact form: Click here.
Unlike some officials, somebody in Dina Titus' office will read and respond to your correspondence.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Clean Energy Summit- rather dirty?
Clean Energy Summit soiled by President Clinton's prevalent use of "piddly", say attendees. The former president's exuberance was compelling, but it seems a recent pension for water sports may have subconsciously undermined his message.
Tanya Migroven, a student, responded to questions about President Clinton's performance, "Yeah, I mean, Green is good, right? I don't know. Excuse me, I have to go [take a shower]," ambling off with a dazed look and our microphone.
Bathroom references weren't the former president's only murky point when trying to get his point across. President Clinton referenced a sliding scale of energy type to jobs created per billion dollars invested, comparing $1 billion in a coal plant, which creates 800 jobs to $1 billion invested in wind energy creating better than 3,000 jobs.
Many were concerned why the president would want to complicate the system. Howard Rogess, a dairy farmer from New England expressed confusion, "Why would I want 3,000 people if 800 could do the job just fine? I'd have to pay all them extra folks for nothing."
The former president's plan calls for closing smaller power plants that run on coal, which will devastate the local economies of some small backwater towns, but will probable not effect the lives of real people, and it's well worth the risk. According to President Clinton's prediction going green will, "save 3.2 trillion dollars and create 3 quadrillion jobs," says Fenton Crackshell, our resident savant. With numbers like these, can any of us really afford not to listen to the former president.
Put on your 100% recyclable hat and goggles, America. Fly off to that untold land of Green Milk and Honey. Becoming a soldier for the environment not only makes you feel like you're doing the right thing, it makes good economic sense.
Tanya Migroven, a student, responded to questions about President Clinton's performance, "Yeah, I mean, Green is good, right? I don't know. Excuse me, I have to go [take a shower]," ambling off with a dazed look and our microphone.
Bathroom references weren't the former president's only murky point when trying to get his point across. President Clinton referenced a sliding scale of energy type to jobs created per billion dollars invested, comparing $1 billion in a coal plant, which creates 800 jobs to $1 billion invested in wind energy creating better than 3,000 jobs.
Many were concerned why the president would want to complicate the system. Howard Rogess, a dairy farmer from New England expressed confusion, "Why would I want 3,000 people if 800 could do the job just fine? I'd have to pay all them extra folks for nothing."
The former president's plan calls for closing smaller power plants that run on coal, which will devastate the local economies of some small backwater towns, but will probable not effect the lives of real people, and it's well worth the risk. According to President Clinton's prediction going green will, "save 3.2 trillion dollars and create 3 quadrillion jobs," says Fenton Crackshell, our resident savant. With numbers like these, can any of us really afford not to listen to the former president.
Put on your 100% recyclable hat and goggles, America. Fly off to that untold land of Green Milk and Honey. Becoming a soldier for the environment not only makes you feel like you're doing the right thing, it makes good economic sense.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Dump Reid Political Action Committee-
I've never been so excited for a state election. I've mention Harry Reid's reported war chest of $25 million he plans on using to get reelected. Now, the RJ reports a PAC has formed whose soul purpose is to raise enough money to get Senator Reid out of office.
The RJ cites Nevada Activist Chuck Muth, co-founder of the Dump Reid PAC, as saying he's comfortable Reid's opposition will only need to raise about $5 million to come out on top.
$5 mil. is certainly a lot of money, but certainly doable, as there are a myriad of outside sources eager to see Harry Reid gone from the position of Senate Majority Leader.
That being said, the reason I'm so excited to see the outcome of Nevada's next senatorial election has little to do with wanting Reid out of office and everything to do with seeing which is more powerful. Ried's astronomic wallet or the true opinion of Nevada voters.
If one is to believe reports, Reid supporters are in the minority- something previous posts on this blog have corobborated. It seems the only way Reid could pull out a win is to really step up his campaigning telling Nevadans his accomplishments while in office (crickets chirping) or to utterly shred his competition's integrity. Both of which can be done easily with healthy financial backing.
So, today's question: Do you think vocal conservatives can defeat the quiet, yet rich, liberals? We've all seen that money can be the deciding factor in an election. Is having $20 million more than the other guy enough to completly railroad the competition?
The RJ cites Nevada Activist Chuck Muth, co-founder of the Dump Reid PAC, as saying he's comfortable Reid's opposition will only need to raise about $5 million to come out on top.
$5 mil. is certainly a lot of money, but certainly doable, as there are a myriad of outside sources eager to see Harry Reid gone from the position of Senate Majority Leader.
That being said, the reason I'm so excited to see the outcome of Nevada's next senatorial election has little to do with wanting Reid out of office and everything to do with seeing which is more powerful. Ried's astronomic wallet or the true opinion of Nevada voters.
If one is to believe reports, Reid supporters are in the minority- something previous posts on this blog have corobborated. It seems the only way Reid could pull out a win is to really step up his campaigning telling Nevadans his accomplishments while in office (crickets chirping) or to utterly shred his competition's integrity. Both of which can be done easily with healthy financial backing.
So, today's question: Do you think vocal conservatives can defeat the quiet, yet rich, liberals? We've all seen that money can be the deciding factor in an election. Is having $20 million more than the other guy enough to completly railroad the competition?
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Harry Reid may be a robot
As promised, here's Harry Reid's response to my e-mail:
What? I didn't express any concerns. As I said in my 7/30 post, all I did was copy the text of the blog entry and with a link to the website. Instead of a genuine comment, I got a response sounding as those it came from some sort of automaton.
If anything, I expressed concerns about Reid's sincerity in the above mentioned issue. It seems awfully convenient that he becomes a press superhero right before he comes home to face his constituents.
In his defense, if he took the time to personally respond to every blog questioning his abilities as a senator, he'd never leave his computer. However, it would be nice to feel like someone, even an intern, actually read my e-mail and took the time to respond. As it is, I feel like it was scanned for key-words and a pregenerated response was selected to placate me.
This makes me question how we're supposed to share our concerns with the senator. I don't know Harry Reid. I can't call him up on his cell and say, "Hey, what's the deal, Bro?" So, I'm left with checking out his website, which directs me to a standard form, which yields, in my opinion, a garbage response. What good is having the Senate Majority Leader as a senator if he doesn't listen to what we want?
But, it's my job to be the gadfly. What do you think? Are you satisfied with the level of interaction we have with out officials in Washington? Do you feel like your voice is being heard?
Dear Mr. Robertson:
Thank you for contacting me to express your views. I appreciate hearing from you.
I share your frustration over recent reports that federal agencies are discriminating against certain cities, including Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada, by prohibiting meetings and official agency travel to resorts and vacation destinations. Nevada's economy has already suffered enough, from high foreclosure rates and an unemployment rate above the national average, to lagging tourism revenues and the largest budget shortfall in our state's history. While these policies were adopted under the previous administration, I support the Obama Administration's effort to curb unnecessary government travel and believe that such decisions should be based on a cost-benefit analysis of the location.
The fact remains that, despite the attraction to Reno and Las Vegas by vacationers, Nevada is and will remain among the best choices for organizations to gather their employees because of the value and convenience that our state has to offer. You may be interested to know that I have contacted the Obama Administration, as well as numerous independent federal agencies, to remind officials that Nevada is a world-class destination for business conventions with bountiful space, expedient travel, and unrivaled facilities.
I also recently introduced the Protecting Resort Cities from Discrimination Act (S.1530), which would prohibit agencies and departments of the United States from implementing internal policies that discourage or prohibit travel to certain cities because they are perceived as a resort or vacation destination. S.1530 has been referred to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee where it awaits further consideration. I will continue to monitor this situation closely.
Nevada's working families deserve the implementation of policies that reward their hard work and provide opportunities for a more secure future. I remain committed to using my Senate leadership position to achieve these aims. Again thank you for taking the time to write me. As I continue my work on behalf of the people of Nevada, I look forward to hearing from you in the future.
My best wishes to you.
Sincerely,
HARRY REID
United States Senator
Nevada
------What? I didn't express any concerns. As I said in my 7/30 post, all I did was copy the text of the blog entry and with a link to the website. Instead of a genuine comment, I got a response sounding as those it came from some sort of automaton.
If anything, I expressed concerns about Reid's sincerity in the above mentioned issue. It seems awfully convenient that he becomes a press superhero right before he comes home to face his constituents.
In his defense, if he took the time to personally respond to every blog questioning his abilities as a senator, he'd never leave his computer. However, it would be nice to feel like someone, even an intern, actually read my e-mail and took the time to respond. As it is, I feel like it was scanned for key-words and a pregenerated response was selected to placate me.
This makes me question how we're supposed to share our concerns with the senator. I don't know Harry Reid. I can't call him up on his cell and say, "Hey, what's the deal, Bro?" So, I'm left with checking out his website, which directs me to a standard form, which yields, in my opinion, a garbage response. What good is having the Senate Majority Leader as a senator if he doesn't listen to what we want?
But, it's my job to be the gadfly. What do you think? Are you satisfied with the level of interaction we have with out officials in Washington? Do you feel like your voice is being heard?
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Stressed out? Here's a house.
According to a story in the Las Vegas Sun, the County, North Las Vegas, Las Vegas and Henderson have all gotten together to request $370 million in federal funds, for the purpose of populating abandoned and foreclosed houses in Las Vegas.
That's an astronomical sum, which I doubt we'll see in full. If the program takes off, the end sum will be significantly less than requested. Even so, some HUD money will probably be sent our way, and I'm wondering what this Frankenstein's Monster of local government is going to do with it.
President of the Nonprofit Organization, Nevada HAND, Mike Mullin is quoted as saying the challenge is, “how to get the money out on the street without doing something dumb or ineffective.” You read my mind, Mike. When I see an amalgam of government agencies with a large some of money, it makes me think of a very specific metaphor. Has a baby ever tried to feed you a cookie? Imagine a chubby, unwieldy hand inexpertly stabbing you in the face with a wet fiber knife. It may be operating on altruism, but it has no idea what its doing. And the bigger sum of money, the bigger the baby, and soggier the cookie.
I'm already getting a sense of this as the article finishes up, telling me that this will benefit more than just the housing market, as families in unstable living situations need more help with things like joblessness and stress, and getting these people situated in homes will drive down the need for other types of family services.
What?
The expert quoted for that little nugget of brilliance is the president of Nevada United Way. It makes me question whether or not he's ever owned anything ever. Owning and maintaining a house is a highly stressful venture, especially for a family who was in a "precarious housing situation" previously. Living in a house does not miraculously grant one a job, or any kind of steady income.
So, this sounds like a bad idea to me, what do you think? Am I too heartless to see the potential good that can come out of this project? Leave some comments and I'll respond tomorrow.
That's an astronomical sum, which I doubt we'll see in full. If the program takes off, the end sum will be significantly less than requested. Even so, some HUD money will probably be sent our way, and I'm wondering what this Frankenstein's Monster of local government is going to do with it.
President of the Nonprofit Organization, Nevada HAND, Mike Mullin is quoted as saying the challenge is, “how to get the money out on the street without doing something dumb or ineffective.” You read my mind, Mike. When I see an amalgam of government agencies with a large some of money, it makes me think of a very specific metaphor. Has a baby ever tried to feed you a cookie? Imagine a chubby, unwieldy hand inexpertly stabbing you in the face with a wet fiber knife. It may be operating on altruism, but it has no idea what its doing. And the bigger sum of money, the bigger the baby, and soggier the cookie.
I'm already getting a sense of this as the article finishes up, telling me that this will benefit more than just the housing market, as families in unstable living situations need more help with things like joblessness and stress, and getting these people situated in homes will drive down the need for other types of family services.
What?
The expert quoted for that little nugget of brilliance is the president of Nevada United Way. It makes me question whether or not he's ever owned anything ever. Owning and maintaining a house is a highly stressful venture, especially for a family who was in a "precarious housing situation" previously. Living in a house does not miraculously grant one a job, or any kind of steady income.
So, this sounds like a bad idea to me, what do you think? Am I too heartless to see the potential good that can come out of this project? Leave some comments and I'll respond tomorrow.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Clark County School District's menu is newsworthy
An 1,100-word article in today's Review Journal tells us school lunches are becoming, hipper, smarter, sexier.
Many parents are worried that the recent poor test scores reported by the school district have a direct correlation to the blandness of the food served in CCSD cafeterias. Never fear, the school district is making en effort to step up its culinary game in the coming school year.
"Well, I hate my job, and lunch is the highlight my my day. If I know my lunch is going to suck, like if my wife packs me a bologna sandwich, I can't get any work done. It's probably the same for my kids." Says William Dodongo, in response to the article.
The hard hitting expose cites experts like Dustin Lewandowski, chef and the grandson of a retired high school lunch lady, and Chynna Rodriguez, a child prodigy in the food critic industry. Rodriguez is only 17, but has a sensitive palate and a discriminating eye. She's rather harsh on the School District's current selections, claiming their food, "looks like somebody dug it out of the garbage."
But not everybody is happy with the change. Some more traditional parents say that bad cafeteria food is a staple of the American Education system. Detractors reminisce of classic musical pieces, like Lunch Lady Land, by Adam Sandler and Pizza Day, by LDS Punk sensations, the Aquabats.
"[expletive deleted] it, if stale chicken nuggets and taco boats were good enough for me, then they're good enough for my kids. You think I want those little [expletive deleted] coming home asking why we aren't having t-bones for dinner every night?" Says Dr. Albert Gannon
No matter which side of the argument you're on, the article should be praised for its enlightening nature. After all, if answers the age old question, "What exactly is a bagel dog?" Fans have been clamouring for the answer since the invention of the delectable lunch-time treat, and the RJ finally delivers, telling us they are, "hot dogs baked in bagel dough".
Amazing.
Many parents are worried that the recent poor test scores reported by the school district have a direct correlation to the blandness of the food served in CCSD cafeterias. Never fear, the school district is making en effort to step up its culinary game in the coming school year.
"Well, I hate my job, and lunch is the highlight my my day. If I know my lunch is going to suck, like if my wife packs me a bologna sandwich, I can't get any work done. It's probably the same for my kids." Says William Dodongo, in response to the article.
The hard hitting expose cites experts like Dustin Lewandowski, chef and the grandson of a retired high school lunch lady, and Chynna Rodriguez, a child prodigy in the food critic industry. Rodriguez is only 17, but has a sensitive palate and a discriminating eye. She's rather harsh on the School District's current selections, claiming their food, "looks like somebody dug it out of the garbage."
But not everybody is happy with the change. Some more traditional parents say that bad cafeteria food is a staple of the American Education system. Detractors reminisce of classic musical pieces, like Lunch Lady Land, by Adam Sandler and Pizza Day, by LDS Punk sensations, the Aquabats.
"[expletive deleted] it, if stale chicken nuggets and taco boats were good enough for me, then they're good enough for my kids. You think I want those little [expletive deleted] coming home asking why we aren't having t-bones for dinner every night?" Says Dr. Albert Gannon
No matter which side of the argument you're on, the article should be praised for its enlightening nature. After all, if answers the age old question, "What exactly is a bagel dog?" Fans have been clamouring for the answer since the invention of the delectable lunch-time treat, and the RJ finally delivers, telling us they are, "hot dogs baked in bagel dough".
Amazing.
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