An article making the rounds is "Fox News Viewers Know Less Than People Who Don't Watch Any News", Huffington Post, 2011-11-21.
However, be sure to follow the links to the Fairleigh Dickinson report. There is a surprise about who is best informed.
It also depends on when you ask what questions. PolitiFact gave Jon Stewart a mostly false reading on its Truth-O-Meter for his claim that Fox News viewers are the most misinformed.
My take is that even though Fox News is near the bottom with a few other sources, the most misinformed are those who don't use any of the standard sources of information. And there are far too many of those.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
When does "objectivity" become "subjectivity"?
One of the major problems with "the media", at least "the mainstream media" is that in the effort to be fair to "both sides", they don't call out distortions of truth. Thus, we get politicians, corporations, and even individuals making statements that are misleading or even patently false.
For a rather long analysis, see "Romney Ad Exposes Media's Chronic Inability To Use The Word 'Lie'", Jason Linkins, Huffington Post, 2011-11-22.
The Romney ad in question uses Barack Obama's quoting a statement by the McCain campaign as if Obama had said it.
There are at least two fact checking sites - FactCheck.org: A Project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center and PolitiFact.com of the St. Petersburg Times. The latter is known for its Truth-o-meter. It might be worth your while to add bookmarks for these sites and include them in your daily online news reading. You do read a lot, right?
For a rather long analysis, see "Romney Ad Exposes Media's Chronic Inability To Use The Word 'Lie'", Jason Linkins, Huffington Post, 2011-11-22.
The Romney ad in question uses Barack Obama's quoting a statement by the McCain campaign as if Obama had said it.
There are at least two fact checking sites - FactCheck.org: A Project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center and PolitiFact.com of the St. Petersburg Times. The latter is known for its Truth-o-meter. It might be worth your while to add bookmarks for these sites and include them in your daily online news reading. You do read a lot, right?
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Disconnect on "All things are connected"
Historical misconceptions seem to have immortality. One is what Chief Seattle said in 1854. Hint: it was not "All things are connected."
This evening we went to an Interfaith Thanksgiving service in which "from the writings of Chief Seattle, 1854" was used as a responsive reading. It contained "All things are connected" and "Our God is the same God."
Sorry, folks, but these words were written by Ted Perry in 1972 for a movie produced by the Southern Baptist Radio and Television Commission. See http://ecopsychology.org/gatherings2/scull.htm. Perry's words are about environmentalism; Seattle's words are about conciliation in the face of conquest. See "The Suquamish Tribe - Chief Seattle's Speech and Gravesite". Seattle uses "connected" once in "memories of stirring events connected with the lives of my people". He says, "Your God is not our God" because the white man's God is letting the red man be treated unjustly.
This evening we went to an Interfaith Thanksgiving service in which "from the writings of Chief Seattle, 1854" was used as a responsive reading. It contained "All things are connected" and "Our God is the same God."
Sorry, folks, but these words were written by Ted Perry in 1972 for a movie produced by the Southern Baptist Radio and Television Commission. See http://ecopsychology.org/gatherings2/scull.htm. Perry's words are about environmentalism; Seattle's words are about conciliation in the face of conquest. See "The Suquamish Tribe - Chief Seattle's Speech and Gravesite". Seattle uses "connected" once in "memories of stirring events connected with the lives of my people". He says, "Your God is not our God" because the white man's God is letting the red man be treated unjustly.
If no new taxes then no new wars?
A mantra of many Republicans, thanks to the persuasive power of Grover Norquist is "No New Taxes!" As a result, even the Super Committee has not come to any agreement on lowering the national debt.
What would these same Republicans, who think action should be take against Iran, think if somebody like Martin Luther King had gotten many Democrats to sign a pledge of "No New Wars!" And the Democrats were intransigent as a large Chinese fleet was approaching the West Coast?
Well a large Chinese interest payment is leaving our shores regularly because we won't raise enough taxes domestically to fund everything politicians and constituents want.
What would these same Republicans, who think action should be take against Iran, think if somebody like Martin Luther King had gotten many Democrats to sign a pledge of "No New Wars!" And the Democrats were intransigent as a large Chinese fleet was approaching the West Coast?
Well a large Chinese interest payment is leaving our shores regularly because we won't raise enough taxes domestically to fund everything politicians and constituents want.
Economics made too simple
As I scanned through Yahoo Finance's main page I came across an interesting title:
"4 Misconceptions About Free Markets", Andrew Beattie, Investopedia, 2011-11-18
Because I have been writing a lot about free markets, I thought I should read this.
His list of misconceptions is
Inflation is Inevitable
Governments Can Save Us
Free Market Means No Regulation
Taxes Don't Affect Output
He writes that inflation is a result of printing presses and is a tax on income. He writes that because inflation lessens the real value of debt, then only government benefits. Oh, others that borrow money don't benefit from inflation? And inflation is not caused by companies raising prices to increase profits? Or workers wanting higher wages? Or…
I won't go into his government section. Suffice it to say that he treats government as some foreign king that rules over us. He forgets that government is us, and we get only as good a government as we choose to elect. He does perpetuate the myth of "the expensive toilet seat". The toilet in question was a specialized toilet for a reconnaissance plane that would be aloft for 24 hours or more.
He thinks that customer feedback is sufficient regulation. Oh, and what customers were giving feedback to factories polluting air and water? And what customer regulation is going to prevent somebody putting a junkyard next to Beattie's house?
He looks as taxes as only something shifted from one group to another. Taxes are really a mixed bag. Without government investment in roads, schools, science, and many other things, much economic development would not have happened. Ironically, his article is available to the whole world at the click of a mouse because the military financed and promoted research into interconnected communications.
Finally, he writes, "The economics of Adam Smith, Fredrik Hayek and Milton Friedman are simple and straightforward…" Well, I haven't read much Hayek but I've read a couple of Friedman's books. These had much too praise, but also a lot of wishful thinking. If you've read any of my excerpts from the "Wealth of Nations" you know that Adam Smith is anything but simple and straightforward.
"4 Misconceptions About Free Markets", Andrew Beattie, Investopedia, 2011-11-18
Because I have been writing a lot about free markets, I thought I should read this.
His list of misconceptions is
Inflation is Inevitable
Governments Can Save Us
Free Market Means No Regulation
Taxes Don't Affect Output
He writes that inflation is a result of printing presses and is a tax on income. He writes that because inflation lessens the real value of debt, then only government benefits. Oh, others that borrow money don't benefit from inflation? And inflation is not caused by companies raising prices to increase profits? Or workers wanting higher wages? Or…
I won't go into his government section. Suffice it to say that he treats government as some foreign king that rules over us. He forgets that government is us, and we get only as good a government as we choose to elect. He does perpetuate the myth of "the expensive toilet seat". The toilet in question was a specialized toilet for a reconnaissance plane that would be aloft for 24 hours or more.
He thinks that customer feedback is sufficient regulation. Oh, and what customers were giving feedback to factories polluting air and water? And what customer regulation is going to prevent somebody putting a junkyard next to Beattie's house?
He looks as taxes as only something shifted from one group to another. Taxes are really a mixed bag. Without government investment in roads, schools, science, and many other things, much economic development would not have happened. Ironically, his article is available to the whole world at the click of a mouse because the military financed and promoted research into interconnected communications.
Finally, he writes, "The economics of Adam Smith, Fredrik Hayek and Milton Friedman are simple and straightforward…" Well, I haven't read much Hayek but I've read a couple of Friedman's books. These had much too praise, but also a lot of wishful thinking. If you've read any of my excerpts from the "Wealth of Nations" you know that Adam Smith is anything but simple and straightforward.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Politicians, reality, and expectations
New York Magazine, 2011-11-20, has two interesting articles on the current manifestations of the political parties: "When Did the GOP Lose Touch With Reality?" by David Frum and "When Did Liberals Become So Unreasonable?" by Jonathan Chait.
"Conservatives" who tout individual freedom don't want anyone to express an individual opinion contrary to "conservative" dogma. "Liberals" who think their politicians will bring change abandon the politicians when they only bring about some change.
"Conservatives" who tout individual freedom don't want anyone to express an individual opinion contrary to "conservative" dogma. "Liberals" who think their politicians will bring change abandon the politicians when they only bring about some change.
Another way to nominate a President
If you're unhappy with most of the "frontrunners", you can make your voice heard on Americans Elect.
Current front runners on Americans Elect include Buddy Roemer, Dennis Ross, Trey Gowdy, Allen West, Ron Paul, Steve Stivers, Garry Johnson, Mike Pompeo, and Ann Buerkle. All of these are tagged as Republicans. This might signify that many who consider themselves Republicans may be very dissatisfied with the current version of the Republican Party.
I didn't go past the first nine listed alphabetically (all starting with A), but there are probably a hundred or more people nominated so far. The top five tracked are Ron Paul, Barack Obama, Jon Huntsman, Buddy Roemer, and Gary Johnson.
Current front runners on Americans Elect include Buddy Roemer, Dennis Ross, Trey Gowdy, Allen West, Ron Paul, Steve Stivers, Garry Johnson, Mike Pompeo, and Ann Buerkle. All of these are tagged as Republicans. This might signify that many who consider themselves Republicans may be very dissatisfied with the current version of the Republican Party.
I didn't go past the first nine listed alphabetically (all starting with A), but there are probably a hundred or more people nominated so far. The top five tracked are Ron Paul, Barack Obama, Jon Huntsman, Buddy Roemer, and Gary Johnson.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Economy and wages are each cause and effect of the other
"The liberal reward of labour, therefore, as it is the necessary effect, so it is the natural symptom of increasing national wealth. The scanty maintenance of the labouring poor, on the other hand, is the natural symptom that things are at a stand, and their starving condition, that they are going fast backwards."
- Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations, Book I, Chapter VIII, Of the wages of labour
Let me decipher this a bit. If the national wealth is increasing, then labor will be paid well. If labor is paid well, then the national wealth is increasing. If labor is paid the same year after year or even less, then the national wealth is decreasing rapidly.
Consider that many have said that stagnant wages or massive layoffs make the economy worse, not better.
In other words, if the wealthy are hoarding the flour to bake cakes, the less wealthy won't have much bread. Or, in the case of the U.S. today, if the wealthy are hoarding their wealth to buy luxury goods, the less wealthy won't have much to buy groceries.
If you are a determined reader, or have a very inquiring mind, I highly recommend that you make the effort to read Adam Smith's "An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations". For any edition that you are considering, be sure to check what the printed pages look like. Some editions have two-columns with small print.
I downloaded my copy from Project Gutenberg and then put it into Word so that I could add comments and bookmarks. Even then, reading it on a laptop screen tempts me to get an iPad. In any case, I hope I can finish reading it by spring. I'm sure I'll be posting many more blog entries on it. I just wish those who assume that it is a paean to the free market would spend more time with it.
- Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations, Book I, Chapter VIII, Of the wages of labour
Let me decipher this a bit. If the national wealth is increasing, then labor will be paid well. If labor is paid well, then the national wealth is increasing. If labor is paid the same year after year or even less, then the national wealth is decreasing rapidly.
Consider that many have said that stagnant wages or massive layoffs make the economy worse, not better.
In other words, if the wealthy are hoarding the flour to bake cakes, the less wealthy won't have much bread. Or, in the case of the U.S. today, if the wealthy are hoarding their wealth to buy luxury goods, the less wealthy won't have much to buy groceries.
If you are a determined reader, or have a very inquiring mind, I highly recommend that you make the effort to read Adam Smith's "An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations". For any edition that you are considering, be sure to check what the printed pages look like. Some editions have two-columns with small print.
I downloaded my copy from Project Gutenberg and then put it into Word so that I could add comments and bookmarks. Even then, reading it on a laptop screen tempts me to get an iPad. In any case, I hope I can finish reading it by spring. I'm sure I'll be posting many more blog entries on it. I just wish those who assume that it is a paean to the free market would spend more time with it.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Adam Smith was pro-labor
The masters, being fewer in number, can combine much more easily: and the law, besides, authorises, or at least does not prohibit, their combinations, while it prohibits those of the workmen. We have no acts of parliament against combining to lower the price of work, but many against combining to raise it. In all such disputes, the masters can hold out much longer. A landlord, a farmer, a master manufacturer, or merchant, though they did not employ a single workman, could generally live a year or two upon the stocks, which they have already acquired. Many workmen could not subsist a week, few could subsist a month, and scarce any a year, without employment."
- Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations, Book I, Chapter VIII, Of the wages of labour
What he describes is not a free market.
- Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations, Book I, Chapter VIII, Of the wages of labour
What he describes is not a free market.
Friday, November 18, 2011
If you want to lead you need to read
"I'm a leader, not a reader.' - Herman Cain, Nashua NH, 2011-11-17, quoted in Union Leader. This is probably a swipe at Barack Obama who reads a lot. Cain went on to say that he would surround himself with "good people" who we can rely on for good advice. Excuse me, Mr. Cain, but how are you going to know they are giving good advice if you are not somewhat conversant with the subject matter?
Some of our best leaders have been voracious readers. Teddy Roosevelt, the second good Republican president, sometimes read several books a day. Thomas Jefferson had a very large library. Even leaders that are disparaged by some as anti-intellectual read lots of books - Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush. Richard Nixon said, "I am not educated, but I do read books." See "For Obama and past presidents, the book they read shape policies and perceptions", Tevi Troy, Washington Post, 2010-04-18.
Some of our best leaders have been voracious readers. Teddy Roosevelt, the second good Republican president, sometimes read several books a day. Thomas Jefferson had a very large library. Even leaders that are disparaged by some as anti-intellectual read lots of books - Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush. Richard Nixon said, "I am not educated, but I do read books." See "For Obama and past presidents, the book they read shape policies and perceptions", Tevi Troy, Washington Post, 2010-04-18.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Advice for bankers from the "guru" of free marketeers
"[Bankers] would be obliged, in consequence, to keep at all times in their coffers a greater quantity of cash than at present; and though this might, no doubt, be a considerable inconveniency to them, it would, at the same time, be a considerable security to their creditors."
- Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations, Book I, Chapter V, Of the real and nominal price of commodities, or their price in labour, and their price in money
At this particular point, Smith is discussing how the relative value of different coinage changes (copper, silver, gold) and that there can be runs on a bank as people try to take advantage of the difference. Or the banks can short change their depositors by giving them lower-valued coins.
Oh, yes, Smith also uses that dreaded word "regulation" favorably.
- Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations, Book I, Chapter V, Of the real and nominal price of commodities, or their price in labour, and their price in money
At this particular point, Smith is discussing how the relative value of different coinage changes (copper, silver, gold) and that there can be runs on a bank as people try to take advantage of the difference. Or the banks can short change their depositors by giving them lower-valued coins.
Oh, yes, Smith also uses that dreaded word "regulation" favorably.
Efficient corporations living within their means?
Every so often we receive mail for students who lived in our current house twelve or more years ago. Today we had an offer from AT&T for one of them. AT&T has it right that he is a physician, but I doubt that he was a physician when he lived here. I wonder how much money companies waste with outdated mailing lists.
Many are complaining about the Duluth School system wanting to raise taxes about $100 per year, and they often complain by sending letters to the Duluth News Tribune. I wonder if any stopped to think that the Duluth News Tribune has raised its newsstand price by over $100 per year or 33-1/3 percent (25 cents daily and 50 cents on Sunday).
Speaking of the Duluth News Tribune, if it has to cut costs, why is it inserting in the Sunday edition the same weekly newspaper that is delivered for free on Saturday. Every Saturday a carrier throws a copy of the Budgeteer on almost every doorstep in Duluth. Every Sunday I pick up the Duluth News Tribune at the corner and it includes a copy of the Budgeteer.
Many are complaining about the Duluth School system wanting to raise taxes about $100 per year, and they often complain by sending letters to the Duluth News Tribune. I wonder if any stopped to think that the Duluth News Tribune has raised its newsstand price by over $100 per year or 33-1/3 percent (25 cents daily and 50 cents on Sunday).
Speaking of the Duluth News Tribune, if it has to cut costs, why is it inserting in the Sunday edition the same weekly newspaper that is delivered for free on Saturday. Every Saturday a carrier throws a copy of the Budgeteer on almost every doorstep in Duluth. Every Sunday I pick up the Duluth News Tribune at the corner and it includes a copy of the Budgeteer.
Compromise as a distraction from the truth
Again speaking of the Duluth News Tribune, I attended an editorial board meeting several weeks ago. The publisher repeated over and over again about "both sides" of issues and the need to come together.
Well, I have a compromise for him. He wants to charge $1.00 for the daily paper. I and many others want it for free. So, let's compromise and he'll charge and we'll pay 50 cents for the daily paper.
Well, I have a compromise for him. He wants to charge $1.00 for the daily paper. I and many others want it for free. So, let's compromise and he'll charge and we'll pay 50 cents for the daily paper.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Follow the money follow-up
Rather than just blather here about issues, I did act on campaign contributions. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is up for re-election next year, and so I sent following to her campaign.
"I am seriously considering not voting for any candidate who accepts money from organizations and people who accept campaign contributions from those who have no right to vote for that candidate. The situation for Cravaack is pretty bad, see Coffee Party's call-in "Who's your Daddy?" The FEC does not provide as much details for Senators, but I'm disappointed with both of our Senators from Minnesota. See Follow the money - Minnesota's Democratic U. S. Senators."
"I am seriously considering not voting for any candidate who accepts money from organizations and people who accept campaign contributions from those who have no right to vote for that candidate. The situation for Cravaack is pretty bad, see Coffee Party's call-in "Who's your Daddy?" The FEC does not provide as much details for Senators, but I'm disappointed with both of our Senators from Minnesota. See Follow the money - Minnesota's Democratic U. S. Senators."
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Occupy Wall St. and evictions
I posted the following on a Coffee Party Facebook item encouraging people to decry the eviction of OWS from encampments on public spaces.
Consider that OWS has behaved just like corporate America; they have taken over public space for their private interests. It doesn't matter if OWS thinks it represents the 99% or not; it is the few who are making it difficult for others to use public space.
A much better tactic would be to have demonstrations all over town at rush hour and at noon. When I stood with about 100 others at a busy corner in Duluth, we got lots of friendly honks.
Then the action (or inaction) moved to the Civic Center that does not see as much traffic and that busy corner only had one or two people.
A second thing to do is to encourage people to vote, either actively with registration or indirectly by reminding people again and again to vote. Let's stop government by 51% of the less than 60%.
Consider that OWS has behaved just like corporate America; they have taken over public space for their private interests. It doesn't matter if OWS thinks it represents the 99% or not; it is the few who are making it difficult for others to use public space.
A much better tactic would be to have demonstrations all over town at rush hour and at noon. When I stood with about 100 others at a busy corner in Duluth, we got lots of friendly honks.
Then the action (or inaction) moved to the Civic Center that does not see as much traffic and that busy corner only had one or two people.
A second thing to do is to encourage people to vote, either actively with registration or indirectly by reminding people again and again to vote. Let's stop government by 51% of the less than 60%.
Follow the money - Minnesota's Democratic U. S. Senators
On 9 November I wrote an analysis of Rep. Chip Cravaacks' contributions, "Coffee Party's call-in 'Who's your Daddy?'". I wrote that I didn't check on Minnesota's Democratic Senators, Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken. As I'm not too pleased with the contributions to any candidates, I finally found a round tuit to look at Klobuchar's and Franken's contributions.
It's not as easy as looking at Cravaack's. The Senate does not provide the nice summary that the House of Representatives does. Essentially, the only detail is in the scanned copies of the reports that the Senators have to provide. And Open Secrets http://www.opensecrets.org doesn't provide as much detail for the Senate as the FEC does for the House of Representatives. I limited my review to the top 20 contributions from industries.
For Klobuchar this is at http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=2012&cid=N00027500&type=I.
The top industry was lawyers and law firms. Both PACs and individuals gave $754,054 of her $4,056542 contributions from the top 20 industries, or 18.59%. Labor unions are broken down into five types; the total of all five types was $399,549 or 9.85%. Next was "retired" with only individual contributions of $317,000 or 7.82%. Lobbyists were fourth with $229,455 or 5.65%. The remaining groups were five percent or less. My thought is to let her have the votes of these contributors in 2012, if they can vote, and to carefully consider the alternatives to the major parties, including voting for Wright In.
For Franken this data is at http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=2012&cid=N00029016&type=I.
The top industry is again lawyers and law firms, and it is probably followed by unions and retired. I've been searching and writing on this long enough for today. I will jump back to Franken's top contributors. The top four are Time Warner, General Electric, University of Minnesota and Moveon.org. It is kind of hard to know what this means as these are mostly individual contributions; the contribution of a web designer at Time Warner would be considered in this total. Is that web designer in New York or Minneapolis. From the data available on OpenSecrets, I wouldn't know.
What I was looking for is how much Franken may be getting from the medical device industry, given that he has proposed legislation to speed up approval of devices. The first directly health-related company was United Health ranked 37 with $18,150 from individual contributors. However, my thought is the same as for Klobuchar, let him have the votes of these contributors in 2014, if they can vote.
It's not as easy as looking at Cravaack's. The Senate does not provide the nice summary that the House of Representatives does. Essentially, the only detail is in the scanned copies of the reports that the Senators have to provide. And Open Secrets http://www.opensecrets.org doesn't provide as much detail for the Senate as the FEC does for the House of Representatives. I limited my review to the top 20 contributions from industries.
For Klobuchar this is at http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=2012&cid=N00027500&type=I.
The top industry was lawyers and law firms. Both PACs and individuals gave $754,054 of her $4,056542 contributions from the top 20 industries, or 18.59%. Labor unions are broken down into five types; the total of all five types was $399,549 or 9.85%. Next was "retired" with only individual contributions of $317,000 or 7.82%. Lobbyists were fourth with $229,455 or 5.65%. The remaining groups were five percent or less. My thought is to let her have the votes of these contributors in 2012, if they can vote, and to carefully consider the alternatives to the major parties, including voting for Wright In.
For Franken this data is at http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=2012&cid=N00029016&type=I.
The top industry is again lawyers and law firms, and it is probably followed by unions and retired. I've been searching and writing on this long enough for today. I will jump back to Franken's top contributors. The top four are Time Warner, General Electric, University of Minnesota and Moveon.org. It is kind of hard to know what this means as these are mostly individual contributions; the contribution of a web designer at Time Warner would be considered in this total. Is that web designer in New York or Minneapolis. From the data available on OpenSecrets, I wouldn't know.
What I was looking for is how much Franken may be getting from the medical device industry, given that he has proposed legislation to speed up approval of devices. The first directly health-related company was United Health ranked 37 with $18,150 from individual contributors. However, my thought is the same as for Klobuchar, let him have the votes of these contributors in 2014, if they can vote.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Where's the praise for Obama on gas prices?
Here in Duluth, gas prices have been falling bit by bit from near four dollars last spring. Today I've seen $3.39/gallon. So, if President Obama was blamed by some for the high prices, where is the praise for the lower prices? See "Bachmann: I'll bring back $2 gas", Charles Riley, CNN Money, 2011-08-18
Actually, there are many factors outside the President's control for prices of anything. Would we want it otherwise? If the President could have such control over our economy, wouldn't we be getting into a dictatorship?
One of those factors is where fuel is sold, and I don't' mean within the U.S. According to today's Star Tribune, fuel prices might be lower if diesel oil and gasoline weren't exported to other countries.
"Fuel exports hit record, keeping gas prices high", Ronald D. White, Los Angeles Times, 2011-11-12. See either http://www.startribune.com/business/133720623.html or http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-fuel-exports-20111112,0,7229614.story
Where's Michele Bachmann now on these exports? My searches on her name, fuel exports, and November dates didn't find anything obviously her opinion on these exports. However, her web site seems to be only drill, drill without any considerations of the consequences and without any mention that some fuel is exported.
Actually, there are many factors outside the President's control for prices of anything. Would we want it otherwise? If the President could have such control over our economy, wouldn't we be getting into a dictatorship?
One of those factors is where fuel is sold, and I don't' mean within the U.S. According to today's Star Tribune, fuel prices might be lower if diesel oil and gasoline weren't exported to other countries.
"Fuel exports hit record, keeping gas prices high", Ronald D. White, Los Angeles Times, 2011-11-12. See either http://www.startribune.com/business/133720623.html or http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-fuel-exports-20111112,0,7229614.story
Where's Michele Bachmann now on these exports? My searches on her name, fuel exports, and November dates didn't find anything obviously her opinion on these exports. However, her web site seems to be only drill, drill without any considerations of the consequences and without any mention that some fuel is exported.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
The Iranian Revolution Lives!!
AlJazeera has posted a 47-minute video of the ongoing struggle in Iran, "Letters from Iran".
It is not a pretty story given the brutality of the current regime, but there are cracks. A few in the regime are not happy with what is going on.
Given that hawks in the U.S. are once again raising an alarm about a nuclear-armed "enemy"., I've been mulling over who created the current regime in the first place. Well, not directly, but the CIA and others who wanted a compliant Iranian government overthrew the elected Mohammed Mossadegh to protect "our oil". The CIA was active in putting Shah Reza Pahlevi on the throne. The CIA also helped him by creating SAVAK, a hated secret police. When Khomenei took power, what happened to SAVAK?
While watching "Letters from Iran", I wondered if the Basiji would meet the same fate as those in SAVAK. Guess what, Khomeini converted them into SAVAMA, his own secret police. See "Why did Khomeini absorb the CIA's SAVAK?"
This leads me back to the topic I had been mulling over: You reap what you sow! The U.S. government decides that America's "interests" (not necessarily the long-term interests of the American people, but the short-term interests of certain corporations) must be protected. But the people in the target country don't necessarily agree with the intervention to "protect" those "interests". Eventually they rise up and overthrow the installed government. The result may be better, the result may be worse. In this case, for many Iranians, it was worse.
So, what happens if Israel or the U.S. attacks Iran? Who dies and why? Will only people who support the current regime die? Or will more innocent people die than have been killed by the "Islamic" "Republic"?
Oh, oh! Such attacks could have already started. I was going to end this entry with a reference to Tehran Bureau, a U.S.-based website now hosted by PBS. Its staff does its best to publish as much Iranian news as possible. One of the stories was "At Least 17 Dead After IRGC (Republican Guard) Blast". Iranian authorities claimed the arms depot blast was an accident and that an investigation is underway. But at least one commenter thought that it may have been a U.S. or Israeli air strike.
It could be, the blast story has a link to "Israeli Source Claims Depot Blast Mossad/MKO Operation".
It will probably take weeks or months to sort out what really happened. Even then, who and what shall we really believe? Almost all involved have their own agenda and the truth is not part of those agendas.
It is not a pretty story given the brutality of the current regime, but there are cracks. A few in the regime are not happy with what is going on.
Given that hawks in the U.S. are once again raising an alarm about a nuclear-armed "enemy"., I've been mulling over who created the current regime in the first place. Well, not directly, but the CIA and others who wanted a compliant Iranian government overthrew the elected Mohammed Mossadegh to protect "our oil". The CIA was active in putting Shah Reza Pahlevi on the throne. The CIA also helped him by creating SAVAK, a hated secret police. When Khomenei took power, what happened to SAVAK?
While watching "Letters from Iran", I wondered if the Basiji would meet the same fate as those in SAVAK. Guess what, Khomeini converted them into SAVAMA, his own secret police. See "Why did Khomeini absorb the CIA's SAVAK?"
This leads me back to the topic I had been mulling over: You reap what you sow! The U.S. government decides that America's "interests" (not necessarily the long-term interests of the American people, but the short-term interests of certain corporations) must be protected. But the people in the target country don't necessarily agree with the intervention to "protect" those "interests". Eventually they rise up and overthrow the installed government. The result may be better, the result may be worse. In this case, for many Iranians, it was worse.
So, what happens if Israel or the U.S. attacks Iran? Who dies and why? Will only people who support the current regime die? Or will more innocent people die than have been killed by the "Islamic" "Republic"?
Oh, oh! Such attacks could have already started. I was going to end this entry with a reference to Tehran Bureau, a U.S.-based website now hosted by PBS. Its staff does its best to publish as much Iranian news as possible. One of the stories was "At Least 17 Dead After IRGC (Republican Guard) Blast". Iranian authorities claimed the arms depot blast was an accident and that an investigation is underway. But at least one commenter thought that it may have been a U.S. or Israeli air strike.
It could be, the blast story has a link to "Israeli Source Claims Depot Blast Mossad/MKO Operation".
It will probably take weeks or months to sort out what really happened. Even then, who and what shall we really believe? Almost all involved have their own agenda and the truth is not part of those agendas.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Is it time for a Constitutional Convention - in Europe?
In 1787, many politicians agreed that the Articles of Confederation of the former British colonies weren't working. In 2011 many politicians agree that the Euro area of the European Union is not working.
In 1787, many American politicians organized a convention to draft a constitution "form a more perfect union". In 2011 should European politicians organize a convention to draft a constitution to form a more perfect union?
Farfetched? True, the various European countries have varied histories and varied languages. On the other hand, who thought in the early 1950s that former enemies would meet to start the European Economic Community, aka Common Market. And how many thought in the 1960s that the European Economic Community would morph into the European Union, encompassing even more former enemies and even more widely varied histories and varied languages?
Are there any James Madisons or Alexander Hamiltons today? Are there any Jean Monnets, Konrad Adenaurers, or Robert Schumans today? That is, are there any visionaries today who can see beyond the machinations and maneuverings of today and can lead to the United States or Europe to better governance?
In 1787, many American politicians organized a convention to draft a constitution "form a more perfect union". In 2011 should European politicians organize a convention to draft a constitution to form a more perfect union?
Farfetched? True, the various European countries have varied histories and varied languages. On the other hand, who thought in the early 1950s that former enemies would meet to start the European Economic Community, aka Common Market. And how many thought in the 1960s that the European Economic Community would morph into the European Union, encompassing even more former enemies and even more widely varied histories and varied languages?
Are there any James Madisons or Alexander Hamiltons today? Are there any Jean Monnets, Konrad Adenaurers, or Robert Schumans today? That is, are there any visionaries today who can see beyond the machinations and maneuverings of today and can lead to the United States or Europe to better governance?
Friday, November 11, 2011
What happened to "The Buck Stops Here"?
Karen Kraushaar is one of the women who has publicly accused Herman Cain of sexual impropriety.
Josh Kraushaar worked for Politico. Therefore, according to Mark Block, Cain's chief of staff, Karen Kraushaar's son works for Politico. See "The era of not my responsibility", Dana Milbank, Washington Post, 2011-11-11.
The problem is that Josh Kraushaar is not related to Karen Kraushaar and he hasn't worked for Politico for 17 months.
It seems to me that modern-day Republicans are quick to blame "left-leaning" media for the problems Republicans created for themselves, a sort of "shoot the messenger" mentality. Interestingly, President George W. Bush gave Politico an endorsement and the liberal group Media Matters for America accused Politico of having a "Republican Tilt". I think "left-leaning" has come to mean any media that does not report news according to the Republican party line.
Milbank goes on to catalog other incidents of Republicans blaming others for their shortcomings.
Harry Truman was a Democrat. Since today's Republicans almost never do anything any Democrat would do (or some of yesteryear's Republicans), the signs on their desks read "Pass the buck!"
Josh Kraushaar worked for Politico. Therefore, according to Mark Block, Cain's chief of staff, Karen Kraushaar's son works for Politico. See "The era of not my responsibility", Dana Milbank, Washington Post, 2011-11-11.
The problem is that Josh Kraushaar is not related to Karen Kraushaar and he hasn't worked for Politico for 17 months.
It seems to me that modern-day Republicans are quick to blame "left-leaning" media for the problems Republicans created for themselves, a sort of "shoot the messenger" mentality. Interestingly, President George W. Bush gave Politico an endorsement and the liberal group Media Matters for America accused Politico of having a "Republican Tilt". I think "left-leaning" has come to mean any media that does not report news according to the Republican party line.
Milbank goes on to catalog other incidents of Republicans blaming others for their shortcomings.
Harry Truman was a Democrat. Since today's Republicans almost never do anything any Democrat would do (or some of yesteryear's Republicans), the signs on their desks read "Pass the buck!"
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