The Worst thing To Do Is Nothing (Politico)
Justice Anthony Kennedy Plays Hardball with School Paper (Gothamist)
Veterans' Day: Obama is Consoler-in-Chief (NY Daily News)
10-Year-Old Won't Pledge Allegiance To A Country That Discriminates Against Gays (HuffPo)
British Soldier Builds Living Monument to Troops in Afghanistan (Daily Mail)
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
It's Not Just A Whitney Houston Song
When I was growing up, a boy who lived in my working class suburban neighborhood aspired to be "either a cop, or a junkie." He made this declaration on a crisp fall day when we were waiting for the school bus, and I remember wondering if he even knew what a junkie was, because so far as I knew, it was the exact opposite of a cop. In theory anyway. And also, not exactly a job.
On Monday, the United States Supreme Court heard the arguments on whether it is a violation of the Eighth Amendment (cruel & unusual punishment) to sentence non-homicide juvenile offenders to life in prison without parole.
This is one of those things that is uniquely American... in a bad way. When did we decide it was okay to lock kids up and throw away the key? We can focus on the vulgar criminality - a thirteen year old boy, for example, who raped a seventy-two year old woman - or we can stop and wonder how that child became a monster. He didn't get there by himself. What punishment would suit his parents? Teachers? Social workers? Clergy?
A long time ago, Hillary reminded us that it takes a village to raise a child, and when that child fails, it is a reflection of our deficiency.
On Monday, the United States Supreme Court heard the arguments on whether it is a violation of the Eighth Amendment (cruel & unusual punishment) to sentence non-homicide juvenile offenders to life in prison without parole.
This is one of those things that is uniquely American... in a bad way. When did we decide it was okay to lock kids up and throw away the key? We can focus on the vulgar criminality - a thirteen year old boy, for example, who raped a seventy-two year old woman - or we can stop and wonder how that child became a monster. He didn't get there by himself. What punishment would suit his parents? Teachers? Social workers? Clergy?
A long time ago, Hillary reminded us that it takes a village to raise a child, and when that child fails, it is a reflection of our deficiency.
Monday, November 9, 2009
All American's 5 Pledges
Glenn Beck and I have a lot in common. We were both raised Catholic, we were both born in February, neither of us has an appendix anymore. That said, there are some serious divergences. I recently read Beck's latest missive to Congress - a list purporting to set forth five "pledges" that, should our elected officials choose not avow, they'd be in breach of their duty to support, protect and defend the Constitution.
Like most Beckian diatribes, The 5 Pledges conflates more than a few unrelated issues, and sneaks in several political booby traps. Let's have a look.
To Congress, The 5 Pledges (Glenn Beck)
1. I believe in a balanced budget and therefore will vote for a freeze in government spending until that goal is realized.
All spending? So, no pens for the Defense Department? No toilet paper at the USDA offices? Or just no new items added to the budget? What if there's say, a hurricane, and FEMA needs some extra dough for sand bags? No? Okay, then.
2. I believe government should not increase the financial burden on its citizenry during a difficult economic times, therefore I will oppose all tax increases until our economy has rebounded.
What if those taxes are used to provide services which would reduce the overall burden on the citizenry of America? How about taxes on corporations whose annual operating budgets are $10 million or more?
3. I believe more than four decades of US dependence on foreign oil is a travesty, therefore I will support an energy plan that calls for immediately increasing usage of all domestic resources including nuclear energy, natural gas and coal as necessary.
According to the DOE, less than half of the oil consumed by the US comes from the Persian Gulf (16%) or Africa (21%). That doesn't quite sound dire enough to start increasing coal consumption. Sure, we've all got Black Lung, but hey, at least we're no longer consuming that wretched imported oil.
But seriously, Beck? What would it take for solar and wind power to make your list? How much cash would those burgeoning industries have to throw your way?
4. I believe in the sovereignty and security of our country and therefore will support measures to close our borders except for designated immigration points so we will know who is entering and why. I will vehemently oppose any measure giving another country, the United Nations, or any other entity power over US citizens.
On the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall, this point is especially ironic. That second part, though, is classic Beck. Never mind that the vast majority of Americans have rich immigrant histories, let's fuel the irrational fear that immigrants are out to get us by suggesting that the UN is trying to subjugate US citizens. Not quite sure where to even begin with that.
5. I believe the United States of America is the greatest country on earth and therefore will not apologize for policies or actions which have served to free more and feed more people around the world than any other nation on the planet.
Hey Beck, it's not all We Are The World out there, okay? If all we were out there doing was feeding and freeing people, I don't think anyone would be looking for an apology. But I hear you, we should be proud - we live in a great place where when most of disagree with the policies and actions of an elected leader, we get to just vote a new guy into office.Sure, it's easy to mock someone else's list - let him do all the work, and then I can just tear it down. Fair enough. If I had to come up with five things I'd want to see from our legislative body in 2010, it would be this:
1. I believe in a balanced budget. For every dollar that goes toward bailing out big business, a dollar should go toward services that help individual citizens.
2. I believe a government should recognize the source of financial burdens and work to propose industry-appropriate regulations that would protect consumers.
3. I believe the United States should return to its position as a world leader in industry and technology. I recognize that fossil fuels and other unsustainable energy sources belong in our past, and will support initiatives to develop clean and green energy.
4. I advocate for the United States to become a world leader in human rights. To that end, our immigration laws require a ground-up overhaul that respects families and working people; promotes industry and investment; and engages reciprocity on a global scale.
5. I believe the United States of America is the greatest country on earth, and will not waste time giving lip service as an apologist. Through my actions as an elected official, I will work tirelessly to ensure that our great nation is admired around the world, and that we set the bar for forward-looking initiatives in energy, health care, human rights, jobs and education.
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