It was a busy day and night here. Let's keep it going.
It's not a game
Finally, the letter writer wants us to "follow the money" in order to know who benefits from the limits on government written into our Constitution. Those who pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to give us a free and prosperous society would resent the implication.
BOB WATSON
Advance
Original intent
I notice that Rep. Ron Paul has stated his philosophy of limited government and bases his approach on an understanding of the Founding Fathers' "original intent."
Am I to understand that George Washington opposed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? James Madison, the practice of guiding airplanes safely to their destinations? Alexander Hamilton the availability of GPS for general use? John Rutledge the concept of biological food inspections? James Wilson the use of a national weather service? John Jay the concept of protecting water and air from environmental damage? Benjamin Franklin the funding of national science programs?
When we discuss the role of government, let's not pretend we live in the 18th century. I, for one, have no desire to return to that time, no matter how much I might pine for the leadership of those great founders.
RICHARD ARTHUR
Clemmons
Old topic
Seeing the letter accorded the Sept. 11 "Correspondent of the week" award ("Outmoded thinking") and comparing it to other, more thoughtful letters on the page, it's hard to determine just what criteria you use to decide each week's recipient. This one seems to be answering a question that was first raised four or so years ago: Is criticism of the president motivated by racism? Though I would not argue the legitimacy of the criticism the letter writer offers, there was nothing fresh or insightful about his topic or his conclusion.
But at the risk of driving the topic further into the ground, please consider my reply to this noteworthy (according to you) letter:
Of course not all criticism of the president is motivated by racism. But when you consider that there are vocal and determined racists out there, many of whom have audiences, it's understandable that criticism of the president gives them cover to express the most outrageous and hateful vitriol. It would be naive to think that all criticism of our first black president is devoid of racism.
When one considers the facts, all of this "unconstitutional," "socialist," "friend of terrorists" nonsense is not and never was legitimate; racism is the most likely motivation, except perhaps for sheer ignorance, of which there is no shortage in America. Those ideas surely didn't originate from any sort of rational thought.
I think it's pretty easy for an honest person to figure out which is which.
LINDA PATRICK
Winston-Salem
According to a recent letter, ("Who would benefit?" Sept. 5), the ideal candidate for president would be someone who loves government the same as a baseball manager loves baseball.
Our Founders did not consider government to be a game to be promoted by politicians. If an ideal presidential candidate is one who loves to pull the strings of government — as suggested by the letter writer — then the ideal candidate for fire chief would be one who enjoys starting fires.
BOB WATSON
Advance
Original intent
I notice that Rep. Ron Paul has stated his philosophy of limited government and bases his approach on an understanding of the Founding Fathers' "original intent."
Am I to understand that George Washington opposed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? James Madison, the practice of guiding airplanes safely to their destinations? Alexander Hamilton the availability of GPS for general use? John Rutledge the concept of biological food inspections? James Wilson the use of a national weather service? John Jay the concept of protecting water and air from environmental damage? Benjamin Franklin the funding of national science programs?
When we discuss the role of government, let's not pretend we live in the 18th century. I, for one, have no desire to return to that time, no matter how much I might pine for the leadership of those great founders.
RICHARD ARTHUR
Clemmons
Old topic
Seeing the letter accorded the Sept. 11 "Correspondent of the week" award ("Outmoded thinking") and comparing it to other, more thoughtful letters on the page, it's hard to determine just what criteria you use to decide each week's recipient. This one seems to be answering a question that was first raised four or so years ago: Is criticism of the president motivated by racism? Though I would not argue the legitimacy of the criticism the letter writer offers, there was nothing fresh or insightful about his topic or his conclusion.
But at the risk of driving the topic further into the ground, please consider my reply to this noteworthy (according to you) letter:
Of course not all criticism of the president is motivated by racism. But when you consider that there are vocal and determined racists out there, many of whom have audiences, it's understandable that criticism of the president gives them cover to express the most outrageous and hateful vitriol. It would be naive to think that all criticism of our first black president is devoid of racism.
When one considers the facts, all of this "unconstitutional," "socialist," "friend of terrorists" nonsense is not and never was legitimate; racism is the most likely motivation, except perhaps for sheer ignorance, of which there is no shortage in America. Those ideas surely didn't originate from any sort of rational thought.
I think it's pretty easy for an honest person to figure out which is which.
LINDA PATRICK
Winston-Salem
LTE1: I don't recall the LTE to which the current writer refers. It appears that his own logic is about as equally flawed. The ideal candidate for fire chief, for example, would not be someone who enjoys starting fires, but someone who enjoys preventing and extinguishing fires.
ReplyDeleteAs for "follow the money," the Constitution is an economic in part, so I doubt the FF's would be much offended by that comment. "Follow the money" certain applies to much of today's politics.
LTE2: Looking to original intent indeed has its place, as in the intent of the right to keep and possess firearms, or whether committing endangerment by setting fire to an assembly of textiles in a public place constitutes "speech."
As for the modern conveniences mentioned, I'm all for 'em. As for Ron Paul, I'm not.
LTE3: Here we go with this straw man again: if one opposes President Obama's policies, one is a racist. Yes, there are racists who oppose him because he is of mixed race. However, I am aware of people who use the N-word who voted for him.
I oppose many of President Obama's policies, programs, orders, and appointment. The core of my opposition is my hardline opposition to the President's union gumbas. Of course, in liberal orthodoxy, opposition to unions, no matter how oppressive and corrupt they are, is tantamount racism, I understand that.
It appears to me that bigots are focusing on a target different from the President at the moment. They seek to confirm certain Americans' 2nd-class status via passage of a state constitutional amendment. Regrettably, bigotry does indeed still abide.
Good morning Staballoy, all,
ReplyDeleteFirst: Staballoy! Congratulations! I'm catching up on the past few days' posts, and one jumped out at me: your new gig! Fantastic! Congratulations! I hope it works out well, you deserve it. It's a lucky company.
LTE2: Well said, I believe.
LTE3: When I read the COTW article, I thought I missed something or was caught in a time warp. Great rebuttal.
I'm having a busy week, and regretting the fact that I'm missing the fun conversations.
Bien a tous...
Stab:
ReplyDeleteLove your new profile pic. Are you the one in the middle? You shoulda moved a little to the right for this pic.
Good AM, Sharon and LaSombra!
ReplyDeleteYes, I flew out of the center. As for which one am I, well, I'm of three minds about that. Actually, I couldn't really find a pic of King Gidrah that did him/them justice. I will eventually return to my standard planetary nebula pic.
I have always had a fondness for King Gidrah, poor misunderstood creature he (or they), along with the equally misunderstood Wicked Witch, my heroine.
I don't know. Stab's new profile pic traumatised me to the point where I have to keep a light on at night.
ReplyDeleteGOP Wins Race for Weiner's Seat
ReplyDeleteHang on folks! It looks like many of my predictions could come true. In a stunning defeat for liberal, radical Democrats, Anthony's Weiner goes to a Republican. I mean his congressional seat. Hee Hee...you gotta love it.
This does not bode well for the Obama Administration as it sends a 'clear' message that voters are sick of Democrats.
Like I've said before, this administration reminds me of of the Clinton years in some way, without all the economic gains. They say people are willing to put up with a lot so long as they are making money. Well, now they ain't making no money so they're obviously not happy.
It could get REAL ugly in 2012.
Good AM, Bucky.
ReplyDeleteThis is certainly not good news for the Obama Administration, but probably has more to do with that District's demographics. It is predominantly Orthodox Jewish, and many of those folks aren't happy with the Administration's prickly relationship with Israel. To be sure of the discontent is over the economy, but I doubt the concern over Israel resonates nationally.
A bit of good news accompanying these results is that either unions couldn't turn out their vote, or their members voted the "wrong" way in the privacy of their booths. That is an argument for stopping the Administration's pushing card check. It is far easier to vote as one wishes when one hasn't a union legbreak intently watching.
Ms. Patrick.... given the changing polls regarding the favorability ratings for the president, it's clear that you and all your liberal Democratic friends that write into the Journal monthly are, in fact, not representative of the general populace of Winston Salem. Although I admire your tenacity and devotion, sometimes when the facts don't support your position, you fall into a category that could best be described as idiotic when you continue on with your erroneous propaganda.
ReplyDeleteI suggest you take a deep breath and face reality. Obama is horrible president. Have a nice day!
"The general reason you place something on the November ballot is to get as broad a cross-section of the voters as possible," Dinan said.
ReplyDeleteDinan believes there's no doubt that voters will approve the amendment banning same-sex marriage. He cited the long list of states that have approved such amendments, especially in the South.
John Dinan is a professor of political science at Wake Forest University
_______________
You gotta be kidding me. I thought all these
radical, liberal Democrats that write into the Journal every month that support gay marriage were representative of the N.C. population?
Will wonders ever cease?
You just keep push'n that big ole gay rock, Sisyphus.
ReplyDeleteBob...., I didn't make this topic up. It is part of the daily news cycle because of what is going on around the country, and in N.C.
ReplyDeleteEventually, people will get around to discussing gay and lesbians using bathrooms that are designed and intended for people of a different sexual orientation also.
Did you sleep in today because of the vote?
associate professor, that's right between full professor and assistant professor. The majority of voters will determine the outcome which does not always reflect the majority opinion.
ReplyDeleteno, I've been awake since 5
ReplyDeleteBad night, huh?
ReplyDeleteno, I rise at 5 every morning
ReplyDeleteGood for you. People that get up early are generally more active and healthy. I hope you're pounding the pavement, the back roads, or trails.
ReplyDeleteHow's your ticker doing?
runs like a Bulova Precisionist, thanks for asking.
ReplyDeleteOld wives tale. Studies have consistently shown that what matters is getting the necessary hours of sleep, not when that sleep takes place.
ReplyDeleteMany highly productive people are night owls. Thomas Edison was one...he got his required sleep by taking a number of naps each day. Steve Jobs is another. I know quite a few locally.
Excuse me! Rush/Kitty Kat I was talking to Bob. What a nitwit.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we should get a room, bucky. Your name or mine this time?
ReplyDeleteOh Lord? Make it at least 3 counties away. Use fake names.
ReplyDeleteThere aren't enough counties in america or beer in Germany
ReplyDeleteBobby...you naughty boy! You know I don't go for that type of sex.
ReplyDeleteHey Bobby, did that proposed amendment upset any marriage plans you had?
ReplyDeleteI am relieved.
ReplyDeleteBucky, Al Gore is one the Colbert Report right now. I know you wouldn't want to miss it.
ReplyDeletePaul Krugman is on right now...thanks for the info.
ReplyDelete:), hehe, that was an added surprise
ReplyDeleteKrugman reminds me of Rush/Kitty Kat....a babbling idiot.
ReplyDeleteKrugman had beads of sweat on his forehead, he doesn't do well under pressure.
ReplyDeleteNotice how Colbert never mentions Obama. He doesn't want to get accused of being a racist, which would surely follow if he did.
ReplyDeleteOh dear....here he is...Mr. Hot Air himself.
ReplyDeleteHi Bob, WW, OT, Bucky!
ReplyDeleteBucky: there are no A-B conversations in a medium like this, so responses from other than your immediate conversational target are part of the reason for this forum.
Bob: your "Busted" reply to Anonymous' question re you and Bucky dating had me laughing for quite some time.
lol, and a very good afternoon to you, Stab
ReplyDeleteNote an interesting column by Thomas Friedmann, linked in today's Leopard's Limb.
ReplyDeleteFriedmann was on Mornin' Joe yesterday.
ReplyDeleteFriedmann is spot on. What fascinates me is that a person as ignorant of science as Ricky boy or Michelle B. can even be considered as a viable candidate for POTUS. National insanity anyone?
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon folks!
ReplyDeleteLTE 1: I believe Mr. Watson is missing the point of the LTE. Just the Dash players are truly playing for the love of the game as well as hoping to beat the odds of making to The Show, a politician should relish being a part of govt. For most politicians, the pay is most likely a pay cut, so they are there for the power. As for the "follow the money" bit, a person would have to very naive to think there isn't influence peddling going on. The ones who pay the campaign bills are the ones who write the proposed bills, and guess whom those bills favor?
LTE 2: Our resident historians, OT and Bob, would know better, but I recall the FF's being aware that culture mores and of course technology will change over decades and centuries and so kept the Constitution open ended to let the courts of each generation to decide the meaning of the Constitution. FoS extended to the spoken and written word in the 18th century, while today encompasses not only a plethora of communication devices, but also includes money and is extended to state documents as well. Each time the SC sets or overturns a precedent, the meaning of the Constitution changes, so I have a really difficult time with the "original intent" concept. This is the 21st century, not the 18th.
LTE 3: JD's inclusion of that line was unfortunate because his criticism has been policy rather than racially based, but any form of a "I'm not a racist" line will be seen as proof of the proclaimer's racism by anyone who doesn't know the person.
Good PM, dotnet!
ReplyDeleteSome of my best friends are liberals :)
OT, not all these pols are scientifically ignorant, though I agree with your assessment of Perry and Bachmann. Some, sad to say, take their positions out of cynical triangulation, IMO.
OT, did you notice the ad on that site for a Chevrolet/Cadillac dealership named Bud Weiser Motors?
ReplyDelete"Bring a designated driver and we'll sell you a case and a car!"
"Some, sad to say, take their positions out of cynical triangulation, IMO. "
ReplyDeleteIf it is really cynical posturing, then that doesn't say too much about the Republican base.
Hi Arthur!
ReplyDeleteThe American public is all too eager to hear what it wants to hear. And a part of that base has been hearing about AGW from that font of scientific wisdom, Rush Limbaugh, for a quarter century. Some of the Dem base is equally receptive to messages to suit their leanings, reinforced less bombastically (usually) by the unbiased media.
Unfortunately, no one is selling what I want:
ReplyDelete1. Troops home from Iraq & Afghanistan NOW and will not return, no matter what happens.
2. Serious bi-partisan attempt to get the economy back on track...no ideological crap and no speech making allowed.
3. Repeal of the Patriot Act & closing of Guantanamo...all incarcerated persons either tried or released...if tried, given fair trials in US courts. Stop gov spying on US citizens.
4. Complete tax reform. Whatever new system adopted must be progressive and exclude ALL loopholes. Reduce corporate tax to 20%, but make certain that oil companies pay their fair share. Raise capital gains back to 25%. Increase federal and state gas taxes to cover cost of building and maintaining roads.
5. Get serious about immigration. This will require some of our best minds, because it is an incredibly complicated problem. No zealots, bigots, racists, haters or fools need apply.
6. Same with public education.
7. Vigorously enforce the 14th Amendment.
While it is true that NY district 9 is heavily Jewish it is also heavily dem and union, and the dem still lost. This was a vote against Obama, or at least thats what the voters said during exit polls. NY state is heavily Jewish as is Florida and California and many other states. Obama has lost the Jewish vote and it appears the union memebers are not following their leaders demands. The actions of union members lately have hurt their cause. While the union leaders back Obama the rank and file memebers are showing they are not of the same mind. Oil companies pay their fair share? they pay 10's of billions in federal taxes per year now, GE paid zero. "No zealots, bigots, racists, haters or fools need apply" well that pretty much leaves all of Washington out! Get the feds out of roads and put it back into the states hands. Why should the feds be a middle man to take their cut and divy out the money as they see fit, let each state handle the roads in their state as they see fit. Same with public education.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous...some good observations in your post. In addition to the points re NY9, for a change, a NY Republican did not do the meally mouth routine of "I just want to go to DC and work with the President blah blah blah.. He said right off he intended to stop this president anyway he could. He didn't mince words that Barack Obama is the problem, and his party in Congress was as guilty as Obama. He said he intended to cut spending and stop more "stimulus fraud". He also said the way Israel was being treated by this president was a travesty and he also opposed same sex marriage. No weasel words so typical of northeastern Republicans. Message sent. Democrats across the country got it.
ReplyDeleteOnce upon a time each county was responsible for all the roads in that county. Many county roads ended at the county border because there was no road to connect to in the next county. That and the fact that construction and maintenance standards varied wildly, forced the state to step in.
ReplyDeleteIn the same way, the Feds were forced into the road business because individual states were building roads within their borders that did not connect to any other road and the variations in standards were even wider.
It is true that the oil companies have paid billions in taxes, mostly to other nations, and nowhere near the billions that they should be paying in the US. In 2009, Exxon/Mobil, then the most valuable corporation in the US, not only paid zero to the IRS but got a $3 billion tax credit. Last year big oil paid about 17% in the US, less than the rate that middle class individual taxpayers paid.
It would be nice if people would confine themselves to commenting on things that they actually know something about.
Anonymous, Jr.
Kevin Drum on the PA Republican effort to gerrymander the electoral college. He also sums up the general GOP strategy to:
ReplyDelete"subvert the infrastructure and funding that allow the opposing party to exist at all."
http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/09/new-adventures-electoral-cynicism
Yep...that one has the smell of the fat little rat Carl Rove all over it.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, Jr.
Re oil companies paying 17% in taxes: guess whence the dough to pay that 17% came from. It came right out of that debit card you put in the fuel dispenser at Costco, or wherever. Or it came from the money you spent for groceries, which were delivered via a diesel-burning truck. Or it came from the cost of the computer you bought, whose plastic case is made from petrochemicals.
ReplyDeleteCorporations do not pay taxes. They collect taxes. From consumers. Demanding that corporations pay more in taxes is simply demanding that we pay more for their products and services. If that is the way you want to be taxed, fine. What you're demanding is a regressive tax. Oh, the "progressives" will get the wealthy, to be sure, but they get the rest of us, and we feel it more, but they know that. They keep hoping that most people won't catch on.
OT, on your 7 points:
ReplyDelete1. OK, out we go.
2. I'm with you here, but check card check at the door, please.
3. The scum in Guantanamo have done 10 years' time. Cut 'em loose rather than set up terrorist targets at trial venues. On the Patriot Act: how does it intrude on my life? This is a curiosity question, not a challenge.
4. How progressive a tax structure, and can we phase out the mortgage deduction over time? Dropping it willynilly is really going to be disruptive. Why raise the capital gains rate? And what's magic about 20% for corporate taxes? See my comments elsewhere re corporate taxes.
5. Suits me.
6. Suits me.
7. How is the 14th not being observed?
4.
Fine, try 'em or cut 'em loose, but why try 'em in Guantanamo, instead of setting up terror targets in the US? Or, they've been in for going on 10 years; just cut all the sorry sacks loose.
2.
Sorry for the edit error above.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, Sr: Your 8:08 post appears to have exceeded the character limit, didn't post, did appear in my email notification.
ReplyDeleteWell aware of all that. I said that I wanted corporate taxes lowered, not raised. But the oil companies don't pay their fair share...they collect from the consumer, then using a ridiculously complicated cheat sheet, don't pay up.
ReplyDeleteHaven't been to a Costco, Wal*Mart or any other national chain in over 15 years. Don't drive either. I lent my car to my son three years ago and he shows no sign of returning it anytime soon. He does let me drive it now and then on the road course up at VIR.
I buy most of my groceries at the downtown farmers market...yes, still hauled by petroleum burning engines, but short hauls and at least the gas is bought in the area and the profits from the food go to local and area farmers and bakers.
And all three of my computers, have aluminum bodies...still requires energy for extraction and smelting but not necessarily petroleum energy. And 100% recycleable.
My car also has a cast aluminum engine block, two examples of which are owned by the Museum of Modern Art as examples of industrial art...gives a hellacious exhaust note as well.
Anonymouses seem to be popping up like Czarses.
ReplyDeleteHi OT. Actually, you are responding to comments I had directed to one of the Anonymouses, except re the actual corporate tax rate. I was unaware re oil companies knocking down on taxes collected from consumers, but not surprised.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure those computers don't have steel cases? Aluminum dents pretty easily. Aluminum would have been smelted using electricity, yes, but their transport would have been petroleum based.
Is that aluminum block an L88?
Hi WW! Glad to have the Anonymouses, Jr., Sr., III, or whatever.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree. One can use the imagination to guess who the anonymous are..is...am?
ReplyDeleteI'm not too imaginative, glad to have 'em. Haven't seen the first gripe from them about amendments or aberrations.
ReplyDeleteAll MacBook cases are carved from a single block of aluminum, at once the sturdiest and most beautiful I have ever seen. A friend dropped one of mine on my hardwood floor recently and could not look...covered her eyes... but no dents and no problems. She just asked me yesterday if it was still working all right. Yep.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago, Apple tried Titanium cases for MacBooks...not such a great idea...they didn't have enough rigidity, which caused particular problems with the display and keyboard.
The engine? A 1,290 cc straight-4 dohc developing 90 bhp installed in a 1,896 pound Pininfarina body which altogether is known as the Alpha Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce (1959 model). A glorious little street racer which my son now drives to school and work. I do not expect it to ever return fully to my control. And since only 2,796 of them were built, I doubt if I will ever find another one.
I erred in thinking the cases would be as thin as steel cases. The Al cases will be thicker, thus dent resistant.
ReplyDeleteTitanium works well in other consumer applications, some as trivial as watch cases. My watches show very little wear and tear. Titanium also is a component of our M1-series tanks' composite armor.
How do you and your son find parts for the Alpha?
I'm not a fan of aluminum blocks and heads, as they are too quickly damaged by engine overheating. Cast iron is more tolerant. Unfortunately, both I and cast iron are dinosaurs, automotively speaking.
Nighty night, all.
As to the Patriot Act:
ReplyDeleteFourth Amendment to the US Constitution:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
The Patriot Act has pretty much scrapped this crucial amendment, by removing the probable cause aspect. All the gov has to do is say that revealing probable cause info would affect national security and they can do any kind of search and seizure that they so desire.
This particularly affects what used to be called "phone taps", which required a probable cause warrant…nowadays an FBI agent or even a local cop can tap your landline or cell phone from anywhere in the country just by going through your carrier…e-mail is also monitored without probable cause. I might add that they have had this capability and used it widely since the 1990s, long before the Patriot Act.
The problem is more in the potential than in the here and now, but many Americans have already felt the sting of overzealous policemen poking their noses into areas where they have no business being. And all you have to do is listen to some of the right wing loonies already in or running for office to see what the potential is. Hitler would have loved the Patriot Act along with all the new high tech spying apparatus.
14th Amendment
The 14th guarantees all Americans equal rights. All you have to do is look at the "marriage" amendment that is now on the ballot for next May. Since marriage brings with it many rights and financial advantages now denied to unmarried couples, no couple should be denied the right to marry.
There is also a very strong element in the voter ID movement, which has nothing to do with voter fraud, but is a direct attempt to remove poor people…read black Democratic voters…from the voter rolls.
I have no problem per se with requiring ID from voters, but it cannot be used to deny a certain class from voting. We have gotten along quite well for over 200 years without it.
Aha, parts for the Alpha. This is one of the reasons that I allow my son's "loan" period to run so long with no demand for return. As long as he is in possession, HE is responsible for finding and attaching parts.
ReplyDeleteI've had this car for over 25 years and in the early days parts were a nightmare. Then I found a couple of local geniuses who collected vintage airplanes and sports cars and who had a pretty sophisticated machine shop. I could take them an old part and they would figure out how to make me a new one, but better.
So the overheating problem is solved, because they made the water pump, and a spare if that ever wears out. Just have to remember to change the belts and hoses fairly often...but then everyone should do that. Cheap insurance.
Later I was walking through the North Beach area of San Francisco when I heard the tell-tale exhaust note of an aluminum Alpha coming from a garage. The little wizened owner and I quickly became good friends because when my local friends were unable to manufacture a part, he could find it. It might take a while and cost an arm and a leg, but it would be the right part and in tip top condition.
Today, thanks the the massive upward redistribution of wealth, many rich folks have become collectors of vintage sports cars. Unlike we of humbler means, they are not willing to spend much time finding parts, so the parts market has become much better, and via the web, easier to navigate.
The biggest problem that my son has had was with a balky door latch. Somebody on a web forum told him how to fix it himself, so vive la web.