INTERNET GLEANINGS
biorhythmist: Hey does anyone know how to order drive-in brontosaurus ribs so they don't tip the car over every single time? I'm asking for a Fred. - Twitter
UNDERNEWS
Undernews is the online report of the Progressive Review, edited by Sam Smith, who covered Washington during all or part of one quarter of America's presidencies and edited alternative journals since 1964. The Review, which has been on the web since 1995, is now published from Freeport, Maine. See main page for full contents
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- PASSINGS: JEANNE-CLAUDE
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- BALLYHOOED PUBLIC OPTION WOULD COVER LESS THAN 2 P...
- THANKS TO MEDICARE, POORER AMERICANS' HEALTH CARE ...
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- THERE, I FIXED IT
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Your editor has been a musician for many decades. He started the first band his Quaker school ever had and played drums with bands up until 1980 when he switched to stride piano. He had his own band until the mid-1990s and has played with the New Sunshine Jazz Band, Hill City Jazz Band, Not So Modern Jazz Band and the Phoenix Jazz Band.
Here are a few tracks:
SAM SMITH'S DECOLAND BAND
PHOENIX JAZZ BAND
APEX BLUES 
Sam
playing with the Phoenix Jazz Band at the Central Ohio Jazz festival
in 1990. Joining the band is George James on sax. James, then
84, had been a member of the Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller
orchestras and hadappeared on some 60 records. More
notes on James
WISER MAN Sam
piano & vocal
OH MAMA Sam piano & vocal
November 20, 2009
biorhythmist: Hey does anyone know how to order drive-in brontosaurus ribs so they don't tip the car over every single time? I'm asking for a Fred. - Twitter
PROBLEMS WE HADN'T STARTED WORRYING ABOUT YET
BBC - Four people have been arrested in Peru on suspicion of killing dozens of people in order to sell their fat and tissue for cosmetic uses in Europe.
The gang allegedly targeted people on remote roads, luring them with fake job offers before killing them and extracting their fat.
The liquidized product fetched $15,000 a liter and police suspect it was sold on to companies in Europe.
At least five other suspects, including two Italian nationals, remain at large.
Police said the gang could be behind the disappearances of up to 60 people in Peru's Huanuco and Pasco regions.
The gang allegedly targeted people on remote roads, luring them with fake job offers before killing them and extracting their fat.
The liquidized product fetched $15,000 a liter and police suspect it was sold on to companies in Europe.
At least five other suspects, including two Italian nationals, remain at large.
Police said the gang could be behind the disappearances of up to 60 people in Peru's Huanuco and Pasco regions.
PASSINGS: JEANNE-CLAUDE
NY Times - Jeanne-Claude, who collaborated with her husband, Christo, on dozens of environmental art projects, notably the wrapping of the Pont Neuf in Paris and the Reichstag in Berlin and the installation of 7,503 vinyl gates with saffron-colored nylon panels in Central Park, died Wednesday in Manhattan, where she lived. She was 74. . .
Jeanne-Claude met her husband, Christo Javacheff, in Paris in 1958. At the time, Christo, a Bulgarian refugee, was already making art of wrapped packages, furniture and oil drums. Three years later, they made their first work together, a temporary installation on the docks in Cologne, Germany, that consisted of oil drums and rolls of industrial paper wrapped in tarpaulin.
To avoid confusing dealers and the public, and to establish an artistic brand, they used only Christo's name. In 1994 they retroactively applied the joint name "Christo and Jeanne-Claude" to all outdoor works and large-scale temporary indoor installations. Other works were credited to Christo alone.
Their collaborative approach, as described on their Web site, remained constant throughout the years. After he and his wife conceived an idea for a project, Christo made drawings, scale models and other preparatory works that were sold to finance the final project. With the help of paid assistants, they then did the on-site work: wrapping buildings, trees, walls or bridges; erecting umbrellas . . .
MAINE KIDS ORGANIZE TO SAVE COOKIE MONSTER FROM VEGGIES
Portland Press Herald - It's one thing for a youngster to be told to eat his or her vegetables.
It's quite another, it seems, for a youngster to learn that Cookie Monster – that furry muncher of sweet treats with the manners and grammar of a caveman - is being forced to eat his vegetables.
"I've been watching 'Sesame Street' since I was little, and I like to see Cookie Monster eating cookies," said Abbie Murrell, 10, of Scarborough. "He shouldn't be changed to a veggie monster, he should eat cookies."
Abbie and two other fifth-graders, Lucca Sterrer and Zoie Campbell, are upset at what they perceive to be several major changes to their beloved "Sesame Street." The iconic children's TV show celebrated its 40th anniversary last week.
The girls, who attend Wentworth Intermediate School in Scarborough, have been persuading schoolmates, teachers and parents to sign petitions asking "Sesame Street" producers to reverse the changes. . .
Abbie, Lucca and Zoie say they dislike the fact that Cookie Monster now spends much of his time eating vegetables on the show, instead of cookies. They're also upset that the giant fuzzy brown character known as Snuffleupagus seems to have been dropped from show, and that the little Muppet Zoe is becoming scarce as well. To advance their cause, the girls have created an online component, with adults' help. . .
A few seasons ago, the show began referring to cookies as Cookie Monster's "sometimes food," while vegetables are some of his "anytime foods."
BALLYHOOED PUBLIC OPTION WOULD COVER LESS THAN 2 PERCENT OF AMERICANS
USA Today - A proposed government-run health insurance program, among the most divisive issues in the health care debate, would cover less than 1.5% of the population, new estimates show.
The latest version of the "public option," included in the 10-year, $848 billion health care bill headed toward an initial Senate vote Saturday, would cover up to 4 million people, according to the Congressional Budget Office report released late Wednesday night. . .
Paul Ginsburg, an economist with the Center for Studying Health System Change, questions the impact the public option proposals would have on families seeking health coverage.
"The type of public option we're talking about today … is all about ideology and symbolism," he said. "It's not going to have any impact on our health system.". . .
The public plan was conceived as a separate insurance policy that would operate like Medicare, the government-run health program for seniors. President Obama has said a public option would "keep pressure on private insurers to keep their policies affordable."
Under the House and Senate bills, the government option would be available only to people who shop for insurance on their own - meaning they don't get coverage through work - or who work for small companies. The plan would be offered alongside private policies in online "exchanges" that would let people compare coverage and prices.
The latest version of the "public option," included in the 10-year, $848 billion health care bill headed toward an initial Senate vote Saturday, would cover up to 4 million people, according to the Congressional Budget Office report released late Wednesday night. . .
Paul Ginsburg, an economist with the Center for Studying Health System Change, questions the impact the public option proposals would have on families seeking health coverage.
"The type of public option we're talking about today … is all about ideology and symbolism," he said. "It's not going to have any impact on our health system.". . .
The public plan was conceived as a separate insurance policy that would operate like Medicare, the government-run health program for seniors. President Obama has said a public option would "keep pressure on private insurers to keep their policies affordable."
Under the House and Senate bills, the government option would be available only to people who shop for insurance on their own - meaning they don't get coverage through work - or who work for small companies. The plan would be offered alongside private policies in online "exchanges" that would let people compare coverage and prices.
THANKS TO MEDICARE, POORER AMERICANS' HEALTH CARE IMPROVES WITH AGE
New America Media - Medicare for all -- not only for those 65 and over -- appears to be the answer to dramatically reducing the level of poorer health among African American, Latino and low-income Americans, say researchers at Harvard University . . .
The research team, led by J. Michael McWilliams, M.D., Ph.D., sifted through medical data for 6,000 people ages 40 to 85 with diabetes or cardiovascular disease. They tracked their conditions from 1999 to 2006.
The researchers found that despite overall improvements in controlling the diseases, black, Hispanic and poor patients under 65 -- those not yet old enough for Medicare -- fared no better, or got worse.
However, at age 65, when people become eligible for Medicare coverage, the differences in health by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status declined significantly.
McWilliams and his colleagues note American healthcare providers have engaged in widespread efforts in recent years to enhance medical quality. "However," they wrote, "quality of care may not necessarily lead to more equitable care, especially if improvements occur among providers who serve fewer disadvantaged patients . . .."
The researchers emphasize that their findings echo earlier studies, such as one published in 2008 that showed that eliminating racial differences in blood pressure might save the lives of 7,500 African American adults each year.
STUDY
The research team, led by J. Michael McWilliams, M.D., Ph.D., sifted through medical data for 6,000 people ages 40 to 85 with diabetes or cardiovascular disease. They tracked their conditions from 1999 to 2006.
The researchers found that despite overall improvements in controlling the diseases, black, Hispanic and poor patients under 65 -- those not yet old enough for Medicare -- fared no better, or got worse.
However, at age 65, when people become eligible for Medicare coverage, the differences in health by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status declined significantly.
McWilliams and his colleagues note American healthcare providers have engaged in widespread efforts in recent years to enhance medical quality. "However," they wrote, "quality of care may not necessarily lead to more equitable care, especially if improvements occur among providers who serve fewer disadvantaged patients . . .."
The researchers emphasize that their findings echo earlier studies, such as one published in 2008 that showed that eliminating racial differences in blood pressure might save the lives of 7,500 African American adults each year.
STUDY
November 19, 2009
WALTER REED OFFICIAL WARNED ABOUT HASAN IN 2007 MEMO
Daniel Zwerdling, NPR - In May of 2007 Dr. Scott Moran, the chief of psychiatric residents at Walter Reed, outlined his concerns about Hasan in a memo. . . Officials at Walter Reed sent that memo to Fort Hood this year when Hasan was transferred there.
Nevertheless, commanders still assigned Hasan - accused of killing 13 people in a mass shooting at Fort Hood on Nov. 5 - to work with some of the Army's most troubled and vulnerable soldiers.
More than a page long, the document warns that: "The Faculty has serious concerns about CPT Hasan's professionalism and work ethic. ... He demonstrates a pattern of poor judgment and a lack of professionalism." It is signed by the chief of psychiatric residents at Walter Reed, Maj. Scott Moran.
When shown the memo, two leading psychiatrists said it was so damning, it might have sunk Hasan's career if he had applied for a job outside the Army.
"Even if we were desperate for a psychiatrist, we would not even get him to the point where we would invite him for an interview," says Dr. Steven Sharfstein, who runs Sheppard Pratt's psychiatric medical center, based just outside Baltimore.
Nevertheless, commanders still assigned Hasan - accused of killing 13 people in a mass shooting at Fort Hood on Nov. 5 - to work with some of the Army's most troubled and vulnerable soldiers.
More than a page long, the document warns that: "The Faculty has serious concerns about CPT Hasan's professionalism and work ethic. ... He demonstrates a pattern of poor judgment and a lack of professionalism." It is signed by the chief of psychiatric residents at Walter Reed, Maj. Scott Moran.
When shown the memo, two leading psychiatrists said it was so damning, it might have sunk Hasan's career if he had applied for a job outside the Army.
"Even if we were desperate for a psychiatrist, we would not even get him to the point where we would invite him for an interview," says Dr. Steven Sharfstein, who runs Sheppard Pratt's psychiatric medical center, based just outside Baltimore.
RECOVERED HISTORY
Amazing letter from Private Kurt Vonnegut in 1944 on his brushes with death. Excerpt:
The supermen marched us, without food, water or sleep to Limberg, a distance of about sixty miles, I think, where we were loaded and locked up, sixty men to each small, unventilated, unheated box car. There were no sanitary accommodations -- the floors were covered with fresh cow dung. There wasn't room for all of us to lie down. Half slept while the other half stood. We spent several days, including Christmas, on that Limberg siding. On Christmas eve the Royal Air Force bombed and strafed our unmarked train. They killed about one-hundred-and-fifty of us. We got a little water Christmas Day and moved slowly across Germany to a large P.O.W. Camp in Muhlburg, South of Berlin. We were released from the box cars on New Year's Day. The Germans herded us through scalding delousing showers. Many men died from shock in the showers after ten days of starvation, thirst and exposure. But I didn't.
The supermen marched us, without food, water or sleep to Limberg, a distance of about sixty miles, I think, where we were loaded and locked up, sixty men to each small, unventilated, unheated box car. There were no sanitary accommodations -- the floors were covered with fresh cow dung. There wasn't room for all of us to lie down. Half slept while the other half stood. We spent several days, including Christmas, on that Limberg siding. On Christmas eve the Royal Air Force bombed and strafed our unmarked train. They killed about one-hundred-and-fifty of us. We got a little water Christmas Day and moved slowly across Germany to a large P.O.W. Camp in Muhlburg, South of Berlin. We were released from the box cars on New Year's Day. The Germans herded us through scalding delousing showers. Many men died from shock in the showers after ten days of starvation, thirst and exposure. But I didn't.
RECOVERED HISTORY
LINCOLN, RIGHT AFTER GIVING GETTYSBURG ADDRESS
ON THIS DAY IN 1863
LINCOLN IS HATLESS IN FRONT OF PLATFORM
PHOTO LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
ON THIS DAY IN 1863
LINCOLN IS HATLESS IN FRONT OF PLATFORM
PHOTO LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
ABC FINDS SECRET CIA TORTURE PRISON
ABC News - The CIA built one of its secret European prisons inside an exclusive riding academy outside Vilnius, Lithuania, a current Lithuanian government official and a former U.S. intelligence official told ABC News this week.
Where affluent Lithuanians once rode show horses and sipped coffee at a café, the CIA installed a concrete structure where it could use harsh tactics to interrogate up to eight suspected al-Qaeda terrorists at a time.
"The activities in that prison were illegal," said human rights researcher John Sifton. "They included various forms of torture, including sleep deprivation, forced standing, painful stress positions."
Where affluent Lithuanians once rode show horses and sipped coffee at a café, the CIA installed a concrete structure where it could use harsh tactics to interrogate up to eight suspected al-Qaeda terrorists at a time.
"The activities in that prison were illegal," said human rights researcher John Sifton. "They included various forms of torture, including sleep deprivation, forced standing, painful stress positions."
GOOD COMPARISON OF HEALTH BILLS
It has some flaws, but the NY Times comparison of the healthcare bills is the best we've seen of late and the sort of thing newspapers ought to be providing for all important legislation.
WORD
I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am president, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home. We will bring an end to this war - Barack Obama, October 27, 2007
'CADILLAC HEALTH CARE BENEFIT' CAN BE MISLEADING DESCRIPTION
"Cadillac health care benefits" are one of the targets of the pending health insurance bill, but the name does not do them justice.
Elise Gould, Economic Policy Institute, March 4, 2009 - There are legitimate questions about how to pay for the costs of reform. One idea, taxing so-called "Cadillac" health care coverage provided by employers, has been gaining some congressional support. . .
The research shows that the burden of the proposal to tax high-priced health coverage will fall heavily on two groups who are least able to bear it: workers in small firms and workers in employer pools with higher risks, such as those with a high percentage of older workers.
First, small businesses are paying high premiums for the insurance they provide to their employees-not because the plans are especially lavish, but because they include too few employees to constitute the broader risk pool that would qualify them for lower costs for the same coverage.
Second, employees whose characteristics cause them to be classified as higher risks make them more expensive to insure. Adding a tax on top of the cost of premiums they and their employers pay will likely drive more of them into the ranks of the uninsured.
Many call these high-priced insurance plans "Cadillac" coverage, but that is a misnomer. The high price may stem not from any bells and whistles in their coverage but from a fundamental inequity in the way that insurance for these groups is currently priced. This policy idea is a blunt instrument that may do harm to the very people we should be striving to help.
Elise Gould, Economic Policy Institute, March 4, 2009 - There are legitimate questions about how to pay for the costs of reform. One idea, taxing so-called "Cadillac" health care coverage provided by employers, has been gaining some congressional support. . .
The research shows that the burden of the proposal to tax high-priced health coverage will fall heavily on two groups who are least able to bear it: workers in small firms and workers in employer pools with higher risks, such as those with a high percentage of older workers.
First, small businesses are paying high premiums for the insurance they provide to their employees-not because the plans are especially lavish, but because they include too few employees to constitute the broader risk pool that would qualify them for lower costs for the same coverage.
Second, employees whose characteristics cause them to be classified as higher risks make them more expensive to insure. Adding a tax on top of the cost of premiums they and their employers pay will likely drive more of them into the ranks of the uninsured.
Many call these high-priced insurance plans "Cadillac" coverage, but that is a misnomer. The high price may stem not from any bells and whistles in their coverage but from a fundamental inequity in the way that insurance for these groups is currently priced. This policy idea is a blunt instrument that may do harm to the very people we should be striving to help.
NEWSPAPER SAYS CARTOONS AREN'T MEANT TO OFFEND
Progressive Review - Newsday, which has taken to hiding its online news copy behind a pay wall, isn't having as much luck with its cartoons. A Mallard Fillmore comic strip that referred lightly to hate crimes has come under fire by Latino groups and others, the critics citing a beating death last year of an immigrant.
Reporter Keith Herbert described the cartoon this way:
"The cartoon, penned by Bruce Tinsley, was titled 'Liberals: The Early Years.' It depicted a larger dinosaur chasing a small one. The bigger one says, 'I'm not chasing you because you're a pachycephalosaurus. . . . I'm chasing you because you're delicious.' The smaller dinosaur responds, 'Oh, thank goodness. I was worried that this might be a hate crime.'"
Not all that funny, but a pretty mild poke at liberals who have made such a big thing - without observable positive effect - of institutionalizing "hate crimes."
What was startling, however, was the reaction of the paper to the criticism, as expressed by Newsday spokeswoman Deidra Parrish Williams:
"We expect the cartoons we publish, many of which are nationally syndicated, to amuse, stir and entertain, but never to offend. Hate crime is a serious issue. This nationally syndicated cartoon should never have run and we have expressed our concern to the syndicator."
Political cartoons not meant to offend? What the hell are they there for? It's not that you need to agree with Bruce Tinsley, but if it is against journalistic ethics to make fun of the liberal obsession with hate crimes, what precisely is now permissible?
As we have noted before, hate is a crummy emotion and expression that is protected by the Constitution. Any offenses resulting from that emotion and expression are handled by traditional criminal law.
Hate crime bills are one more step in the restriction of free speech that would encourage still more, which is precisely what happened at Newsday. Tinsley's offense was not hate or a hate crime, but making light of legislation designed to control them. If that's an offense we're in deep trouble.
Further, there is no evidence that hate crime legislation is effective other than for the bragging rights of those who promote it. According to the FBI, between 1995 and 2007, hate crimes declined exactly 4%, some of that presumably due to cultural progress, social change, education and media and not just to the law. In fact, in 2005 - two years before the latest stats- hate crimes were 5% above where they were in 1995.
Further, such laws are inherently discriminatory because, regardless of what it may say in print, the enforcement will be based on a hierarchy of the hated. At present, for example, the homeless, the overweight, skinny little kids and Muslims shouldn't expect too much assistance from hate crime legislation.
In the end, hate crime legislation protects the conscience of its supporters far more than the lives of the victims it is meant to protect.
Wikipedia - The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously found that hate crime statutes which criminalize bias-motivated speech or symbolic speech conflict with free speech rights because they isolated certain words based on their content or viewpoint. Many critics further assert that it conflicts with an even more fundamental right: free thought. The claim is that hate-crime legislation effectively makes certain ideas or beliefs, including religious ones, illegal, in other words, thought crimes.
In their book Hate Crimes: Criminal Law and Identity Politics, James B. Jacobs and Kimberly Potter criticize hate crime legislation for exacerbating conflicts between groups. They assert that by defining crimes as being committed by one group against another, rather than as being committed by individuals against their society, the labeling of crimes as "hate crimes" causes groups to feel persecuted by one another, and that this impression of persecution can incite a backlash and thus lead to an actual increase in crime. Some have argued hate crime laws bring the law into disrepute and further divide society, as groups apply to have their critics silenced. Some have argued that if it is true that all violent crimes are the result of the perpetrator's contempt for the victim, then all crimes are hate crimes. Thus, if there is no alternate rationale for prosecuting some people more harshly for the same crime based on who the victim is, then different defendants are treated unequally under the law, which violates the United States Constitution.
Black and Pink - If a particular crime is deemed a hate crime by the state, the supposed perpetrator is automatically subject to a higher mandatory minimum sentence. For example, a crime that would carry a sentence of five years can be "enhanced" to eight years. . .
Trans people, people of color, and other marginalized groups are disproportionately incarcerated to an overwhelming degree. Trans and gender non-conforming people, particularly trans women of color, are regularly profiled and falsely arrested for doing nothing more than walking down the street. If we are incarcerating those who commit violence against marginalized individuals/communities we then place them behind walls where they can continue to target these same people. It is not in the best interest of marginalized communities to depend on a system that already commits such great violence to then protect them. . .
Hate crime laws are an easy way for the government to act like it is on our communities' side while continuing to discriminate against us. Liberal politicians and institutions can claim "anti-oppression" legitimacy and win points with communities affected by prejudice, while simultaneously using "sentencing enhancement" to justify building more prisons to lock us up in. Hate crimes legislation is a liberal way of being "tough on crime" while building the power of the police, prosecutors, and prison guards. Rather than address systems of violence like health care disparities, economic exploitation, housing crisis, or police brutality, these politicians use hate-crimes legislation as their stamp of approval on "social issues". . .
Hate crimes don't occur because there aren't enough laws against them, and hate crimes won't stop when those laws are in place. Hate crimes occur because, time and time again, our society demonstrates that certain people are worth less than others; that certain people are wrong, are perverse, are immoral in their very being. Creating more laws will not help our communities. Organizing for the passage of these kind of laws simply takes the time and energy out of communities that could instead spend the time creating alternative systems and building communities capable of starting transformative justice processes. Hate crimes bills are a distraction from the vital work necessary for community safety.
Reporter Keith Herbert described the cartoon this way:
"The cartoon, penned by Bruce Tinsley, was titled 'Liberals: The Early Years.' It depicted a larger dinosaur chasing a small one. The bigger one says, 'I'm not chasing you because you're a pachycephalosaurus. . . . I'm chasing you because you're delicious.' The smaller dinosaur responds, 'Oh, thank goodness. I was worried that this might be a hate crime.'"
Not all that funny, but a pretty mild poke at liberals who have made such a big thing - without observable positive effect - of institutionalizing "hate crimes."
What was startling, however, was the reaction of the paper to the criticism, as expressed by Newsday spokeswoman Deidra Parrish Williams:
"We expect the cartoons we publish, many of which are nationally syndicated, to amuse, stir and entertain, but never to offend. Hate crime is a serious issue. This nationally syndicated cartoon should never have run and we have expressed our concern to the syndicator."
Political cartoons not meant to offend? What the hell are they there for? It's not that you need to agree with Bruce Tinsley, but if it is against journalistic ethics to make fun of the liberal obsession with hate crimes, what precisely is now permissible?
As we have noted before, hate is a crummy emotion and expression that is protected by the Constitution. Any offenses resulting from that emotion and expression are handled by traditional criminal law.
Hate crime bills are one more step in the restriction of free speech that would encourage still more, which is precisely what happened at Newsday. Tinsley's offense was not hate or a hate crime, but making light of legislation designed to control them. If that's an offense we're in deep trouble.
Further, there is no evidence that hate crime legislation is effective other than for the bragging rights of those who promote it. According to the FBI, between 1995 and 2007, hate crimes declined exactly 4%, some of that presumably due to cultural progress, social change, education and media and not just to the law. In fact, in 2005 - two years before the latest stats- hate crimes were 5% above where they were in 1995.
Further, such laws are inherently discriminatory because, regardless of what it may say in print, the enforcement will be based on a hierarchy of the hated. At present, for example, the homeless, the overweight, skinny little kids and Muslims shouldn't expect too much assistance from hate crime legislation.
In the end, hate crime legislation protects the conscience of its supporters far more than the lives of the victims it is meant to protect.
Wikipedia - The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously found that hate crime statutes which criminalize bias-motivated speech or symbolic speech conflict with free speech rights because they isolated certain words based on their content or viewpoint. Many critics further assert that it conflicts with an even more fundamental right: free thought. The claim is that hate-crime legislation effectively makes certain ideas or beliefs, including religious ones, illegal, in other words, thought crimes.
In their book Hate Crimes: Criminal Law and Identity Politics, James B. Jacobs and Kimberly Potter criticize hate crime legislation for exacerbating conflicts between groups. They assert that by defining crimes as being committed by one group against another, rather than as being committed by individuals against their society, the labeling of crimes as "hate crimes" causes groups to feel persecuted by one another, and that this impression of persecution can incite a backlash and thus lead to an actual increase in crime. Some have argued hate crime laws bring the law into disrepute and further divide society, as groups apply to have their critics silenced. Some have argued that if it is true that all violent crimes are the result of the perpetrator's contempt for the victim, then all crimes are hate crimes. Thus, if there is no alternate rationale for prosecuting some people more harshly for the same crime based on who the victim is, then different defendants are treated unequally under the law, which violates the United States Constitution.
Black and Pink - If a particular crime is deemed a hate crime by the state, the supposed perpetrator is automatically subject to a higher mandatory minimum sentence. For example, a crime that would carry a sentence of five years can be "enhanced" to eight years. . .
Trans people, people of color, and other marginalized groups are disproportionately incarcerated to an overwhelming degree. Trans and gender non-conforming people, particularly trans women of color, are regularly profiled and falsely arrested for doing nothing more than walking down the street. If we are incarcerating those who commit violence against marginalized individuals/communities we then place them behind walls where they can continue to target these same people. It is not in the best interest of marginalized communities to depend on a system that already commits such great violence to then protect them. . .
Hate crime laws are an easy way for the government to act like it is on our communities' side while continuing to discriminate against us. Liberal politicians and institutions can claim "anti-oppression" legitimacy and win points with communities affected by prejudice, while simultaneously using "sentencing enhancement" to justify building more prisons to lock us up in. Hate crimes legislation is a liberal way of being "tough on crime" while building the power of the police, prosecutors, and prison guards. Rather than address systems of violence like health care disparities, economic exploitation, housing crisis, or police brutality, these politicians use hate-crimes legislation as their stamp of approval on "social issues". . .
Hate crimes don't occur because there aren't enough laws against them, and hate crimes won't stop when those laws are in place. Hate crimes occur because, time and time again, our society demonstrates that certain people are worth less than others; that certain people are wrong, are perverse, are immoral in their very being. Creating more laws will not help our communities. Organizing for the passage of these kind of laws simply takes the time and energy out of communities that could instead spend the time creating alternative systems and building communities capable of starting transformative justice processes. Hate crimes bills are a distraction from the vital work necessary for community safety.
MORNING LINE
Progressive Review - We've noted before the political dangers lurking for Democrats in the health care bill. It's not getting any better. In fact, we can't recall any legislation that was meant to be such a major political asset that turned into such a dud - unless it was the Clinton health care plan.
While much of the blame can be placed on right wing propaganda, it also true that the plan has been hurt by the needless complexity of the measure, its uncertainties, the enforced mandate and the sense that government control will be increased greatly. This latter fear is based not just on conservative manipulation but on a generalized - and largely unrecognized (by Democrats) sense - that the Obamites are too full of themselves. In this regard, Obama is almost the exact opposite of Harry Truman and helps to explain why so many are being sucked by Sarah Palin.
And what happens when the bill is passed and private insurance premiums continue to rise rapidly? Unfairly to be sure, Obama will now be blamed. And what about all the presently unnoticed bleeps in the bill that will become major issues in the 2010 election? The Democrats will have bought the rights to every health care headache in America.
To get some sense of the problem, consider the latest Zogby poll from Arkansas. Asked whom they would vote for, respondents went for the incumbent Blanche Lincoln over Republican Gilbert Baker by a mere 1 point.
But far worse is what happens when the question is changed from just one of a candidate choice to "knowing that Lincoln supports the healthcare bill" whom would you choose? Baker then wins by 12 points.
In other words, this purported flagship legislation could easily become a political nightmare for the Democrats.
Worse, for those who wanted a decent single payer plan, this disaster could ruin the prospects for such legislation for years to come. The Democrats will not have only blown their own supposedly moderate, pragmatic, bipartisan proposal, but killed chances for anything better.
While much of the blame can be placed on right wing propaganda, it also true that the plan has been hurt by the needless complexity of the measure, its uncertainties, the enforced mandate and the sense that government control will be increased greatly. This latter fear is based not just on conservative manipulation but on a generalized - and largely unrecognized (by Democrats) sense - that the Obamites are too full of themselves. In this regard, Obama is almost the exact opposite of Harry Truman and helps to explain why so many are being sucked by Sarah Palin.
And what happens when the bill is passed and private insurance premiums continue to rise rapidly? Unfairly to be sure, Obama will now be blamed. And what about all the presently unnoticed bleeps in the bill that will become major issues in the 2010 election? The Democrats will have bought the rights to every health care headache in America.
To get some sense of the problem, consider the latest Zogby poll from Arkansas. Asked whom they would vote for, respondents went for the incumbent Blanche Lincoln over Republican Gilbert Baker by a mere 1 point.
But far worse is what happens when the question is changed from just one of a candidate choice to "knowing that Lincoln supports the healthcare bill" whom would you choose? Baker then wins by 12 points.
In other words, this purported flagship legislation could easily become a political nightmare for the Democrats.
Worse, for those who wanted a decent single payer plan, this disaster could ruin the prospects for such legislation for years to come. The Democrats will not have only blown their own supposedly moderate, pragmatic, bipartisan proposal, but killed chances for anything better.
November 18, 2009
BREVITAS
Tree Hugger - There have been an increasing number of stories coming to light detailing how organized crime syndicates around the world have been getting their dirty little fingers into the green world. The latest: Italian police have arrested two businessmen on fraud charges, linking them with Mafia in wind farm permit fixing schemes; and the government of Madagascar (such as it is) appears to be tied in with what's being called a 'timber mafia', profiting from illegal wood sales largely sent to China.
Reuters -
Corporados
Cory Doctorow, Boing Boing - The Times Labs blog takes a hard look at the data on music sales and live performances and concludes that while the labels' profits might be falling, artists are taking in more money, thanks to the booming growth of live shows. The Times says that they'd like more granular data about who's making all the money from concerts -- is there a category of act that's a real winner here? -- but the trend seems clear. The 21st century music scene is the best world ever for some musicians and music-industry businesses, and the worst for others. Which raises the question: is it really copyright law's job to make sure that last years winners keep on winning? Or is it enough to ensure that there will always be winners? "Our data make two things clear: one, that the growth in live revenue shows no signs of slowing and two, that live is by far and away the most lucrative section of industry revenue for artists themselves, because they retain such a big percentage of the money from ticket sales."
Obama
Lloyd Grove, Daily Beast - As Jacob Weisberg wrote recently in Slate, "Obama has a healthy disdain for the overrated virtue of political loyalty… If you're useful, you can hang around with him. If you start to look like a liability, enjoy your time with the wolves. . . The president is catlike also in his lack of evident affection for the people who take care of him." . . The Daily Beast Body Count
War Department
BBC - The
More funny stuff in official Ft Hood story
Police state
Slashdot - Earlier this year, there was much ado about a Ron Paul staffer, Steve Bierfeldt, being detained by the TSA for carrying large sums of money. The ACLU sued on his behalf, and the TSA changed its rules, now stating that its officers can only screen for unsafe materials. With that, the ACLU dropped its suit. [Ben Wizner, a staff lawyer for the ACLU, said] "screeners get a narrow exception to the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches, strictly to keep weapons and explosives off planes, not to help police enforce other laws."
Money & work
NNPA - Almost one in five black men 20-years-old or older are without a job, according to figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics earlier this month. The seasonally-adjusted October unemployment rate for black males is above 17 percent whereas the jobless rate for white adult males and females is under double digits at 9.5 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively. At 12.4 percent, joblessness for black women also skews above the national rate, which is currently at 10.2 percent, approaching the
Wall Street Journal - In the past two years, the FDIC has taken over 150 failed banks. In the process, it has seized more than 5,000 houses, subdivisions, buildings, parcels and other foreclosed assets. The current backlog of property stuck on the agency's books, with an appraised value of $1.8 billion, ranges from an $18,700 clapboard home with stained carpets in
Freedom & Justice
ACLU - The Supreme Court heard arguments in Sullivan v.
Brian Doherty, Hit & Run - An undercover cop enters a bridal shop run by city councilwoman in
Palm Beach Post - An overgrown lawn could cost a homeowner $1,000 a day. A plan to quadruple the penalty from the current maximum of $250 per day for a first violation is scheduled for consideration at Tuesday night's town council meeting. A repeat violation by the same person would be boosted to $5,000 a day maximum from $500 per day. If the code enforcement board finds that the violation is irreversible - the unapproved removal of an historic tree, for example - the violator would face a maximum fine of $15,000. The current maximum penalty is $5,000.
Health
LA Times - Transcendental Meditation has been around for many years and is perhaps the most scientifically tested of all forms of meditation. Two studies presented this week add to the evidence that this form of stress reduction benefits people with heart disease and those at high risk for it. One study, presented on Monday at the American Heart Assn.'s annual meeting, found that heart disease patients who practice TM have almost 50% lower rates of heart attacks, stroke and deaths compared to similar patients who don't practice meditation. . . In the second study, published today in the American Journal of Hypertension, researchers found that TM was an effective tool to reduce blood pressure, anxiety, depression and anger among college students at risk for high blood pressure.
Wired - A study of DNA from ancient and modern Adelie penguins suggests that scientists may have miscalculated the rates at which genetic clocks tick off evolutionary time in other species as well. A team of researchers collected mitochondrial DNA from penguins currently living in rookeries in
The mix
DCist - The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics rejected an initiative petition on the issue of legalizing same-sex marriage in the
RECORDING CORPORADOS KILLING LIVE MUSIC
St Cloud Times - When health problems kept Mike Thole from going on the road, the Sunday night workshops at Bo Diddley's became his musical refuge. Thole, who recently turned 60, suffered several complications from a childhood bout with polio, including arthritis in his back and leg and pain from a recent hip replacement. By this summer, the pain was so bad he could no longer tour with his band, Ring of Kerry.
But the local guitar player still had "The Acoustic Project," the weekly get-together at Bo Diddley's that he'd started years earlier. It was something to look forward to; a place for him to teach some of St. Cloud's less-experienced musicians and help them forge their talents in the fires of live performance - even if the artists frequently outnumbered their listeners.
"We were doing something with a high degree of artistry," Thole said. "We weren't playing 'Free Bird' for some drunk in the back of a bar."
So it cut Thole deeply when "The Acoustic Project" was taken away from him this summer, too. This time it had nothing to do with his health. Thole was told that Bo Diddley's was indefinitely suspending its live music - a staple at the restaurant since 1982 - because a national music licensing company was demanding several years worth of licensing fees from the eatery's owners.
Thole was shocked. He realized he might have covered a licensed songwriter's work at some point during the weekly sessions, but it wasn't as though he were trying to get rich off someone else's work. Bo Diddley's never charged any entrance fees and he wasn't getting paid, aside from the occasional free sub sandwich.
"This one really sucked, because I couldn't even play for a fricking sandwich," Thole said. "I could have done the thing at Bo Diddley's. That was something that, physically, I could still do and loved doing."
Bo Diddley's is not the first local venue to cut live music under pressure from licensing companies.
"Fully 50 percent of the clubs that we were gigging at five years ago have shut down their live music," said Dan Preston of local band Preston and Paulzine.
Within the past three years, Bravo Burritos and Grizzly's Wood-Fired Grill (formerly Bear Creek) in Waite Park ended all live performances after receiving letters and phone calls from licensing companies that their ownership said became progressively more aggressive. Brian Lee, co-owner of The White Horse, said his bar is "seriously considering" doing the same.
"The licensing companies think they're God," Bravo Burritos owner Bill Ellenbecker said. "They call you up and threaten you with lawsuits and demands of money."
There are three major live music licensing companies in the U.S. - Broadcast Music Inc., the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and SESAC (formerly the Society of European Stage Actors and Composers). If a performer covers an ASCAP, BMI or SESAC song in a venue that has not purchased a license from that company, the venue owner could be subject to copyright infringement penalties. . .
Barbara Grahn, an attorney who specializes in copyright and trademark law for the Minneapolis firm Oppenheimer, Wolff and Donnelly, said venue owners don't have much legal recourse against the licensing companies. . .
Jerry Bailey, director of media relations at BMI, said his company didn't always pursue legal action against smaller venues. . . "We have a responsibility to the 400,000 songwriters and publishers affiliated with us to collect all the income they're entitled to under the law," Bailey said. "We take that very seriously."
But Preston said the licensing companies were benefiting only a small number of well-known artists. Because there's no practical way to track how many times an artist's songs are covered live, the live music royalties that ASCAP, SESAC and BMI dole out are based mostly on radio and TV play. "They're protecting Bruce Springsteen, who doesn't really need a whole lot more money," Preston said. . .
But the local guitar player still had "The Acoustic Project," the weekly get-together at Bo Diddley's that he'd started years earlier. It was something to look forward to; a place for him to teach some of St. Cloud's less-experienced musicians and help them forge their talents in the fires of live performance - even if the artists frequently outnumbered their listeners.
"We were doing something with a high degree of artistry," Thole said. "We weren't playing 'Free Bird' for some drunk in the back of a bar."
So it cut Thole deeply when "The Acoustic Project" was taken away from him this summer, too. This time it had nothing to do with his health. Thole was told that Bo Diddley's was indefinitely suspending its live music - a staple at the restaurant since 1982 - because a national music licensing company was demanding several years worth of licensing fees from the eatery's owners.
Thole was shocked. He realized he might have covered a licensed songwriter's work at some point during the weekly sessions, but it wasn't as though he were trying to get rich off someone else's work. Bo Diddley's never charged any entrance fees and he wasn't getting paid, aside from the occasional free sub sandwich.
"This one really sucked, because I couldn't even play for a fricking sandwich," Thole said. "I could have done the thing at Bo Diddley's. That was something that, physically, I could still do and loved doing."
Bo Diddley's is not the first local venue to cut live music under pressure from licensing companies.
"Fully 50 percent of the clubs that we were gigging at five years ago have shut down their live music," said Dan Preston of local band Preston and Paulzine.
Within the past three years, Bravo Burritos and Grizzly's Wood-Fired Grill (formerly Bear Creek) in Waite Park ended all live performances after receiving letters and phone calls from licensing companies that their ownership said became progressively more aggressive. Brian Lee, co-owner of The White Horse, said his bar is "seriously considering" doing the same.
"The licensing companies think they're God," Bravo Burritos owner Bill Ellenbecker said. "They call you up and threaten you with lawsuits and demands of money."
There are three major live music licensing companies in the U.S. - Broadcast Music Inc., the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and SESAC (formerly the Society of European Stage Actors and Composers). If a performer covers an ASCAP, BMI or SESAC song in a venue that has not purchased a license from that company, the venue owner could be subject to copyright infringement penalties. . .
Barbara Grahn, an attorney who specializes in copyright and trademark law for the Minneapolis firm Oppenheimer, Wolff and Donnelly, said venue owners don't have much legal recourse against the licensing companies. . .
Jerry Bailey, director of media relations at BMI, said his company didn't always pursue legal action against smaller venues. . . "We have a responsibility to the 400,000 songwriters and publishers affiliated with us to collect all the income they're entitled to under the law," Bailey said. "We take that very seriously."
But Preston said the licensing companies were benefiting only a small number of well-known artists. Because there's no practical way to track how many times an artist's songs are covered live, the live music royalties that ASCAP, SESAC and BMI dole out are based mostly on radio and TV play. "They're protecting Bruce Springsteen, who doesn't really need a whole lot more money," Preston said. . .
COMCAST MAY TAKE OVER NBC
Buzz Flash - Business sections across the country are all abuzz this week over the expected announcement that Comcast Corp. will acquire a controlling share of NBC Universal. . .
The process of the acquisition itself is somewhat complicated, and could take up to a year to complete. . .
This Reuters piece suggests that GE might try to sell its interest in NBC entirely over the next few years, precisely because media is something of an awkward addition to a company profile which includes defense contracting and nuclear power:
In the case of GE, many of its shareholders have urged the conglomerate to offload NBC Universal, whose broadcast and cable networks, movie studio and theme parks are considered misfits among GE's mostly industrial operations. . .
Comcast lists nine channels that it owns as well as one coalition of channels (Comcast Sports Group), bringing you everything from E! to PBS on demand. In addition to phone, Internet and cable, Comcast is diving into the multi-platform market. Possible programming changes at your favorite network aside; this is bad news for media consolidation.
Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, a nonprofit organization working for media reform, likens the problem to what occurred with excessive consolidation in the financial industry that led to the economic crisis:
"This train wreck of a deal will hurt all over. It will mean increased costs for cable television service; currently free online NBC content locked behind a pay wall; less opportunity for the distribution of independent media; even fewer choices and less programming diversity. On average, nearly one quarter of all channels offered to cable subscribers will be owned by the bloated Comcast.". . .
Comcast consistently rates lowest in terms of customer service, when compared to both national companies and cable companies alike. But what's most reprehensible is their distaste for media independence and competition. Comcast's opposition to the FCC's suggestion of pursuing stronger net neutrality regulations is a prime example of this attitude. . .
Unfortunately, there's every indication that Comcast might start doing exactly that. Perhaps their opposition comes from the fact that Comcast was the very first U.S. Internet provider to be found guilty of violating existing net neutrality laws. Comcast was blocking and/or slowing access to a peer-to-peer software sharing site call BitTorrent, which happened to compete with Comcast's own video service. . .
The process of the acquisition itself is somewhat complicated, and could take up to a year to complete. . .
This Reuters piece suggests that GE might try to sell its interest in NBC entirely over the next few years, precisely because media is something of an awkward addition to a company profile which includes defense contracting and nuclear power:
In the case of GE, many of its shareholders have urged the conglomerate to offload NBC Universal, whose broadcast and cable networks, movie studio and theme parks are considered misfits among GE's mostly industrial operations. . .
Comcast lists nine channels that it owns as well as one coalition of channels (Comcast Sports Group), bringing you everything from E! to PBS on demand. In addition to phone, Internet and cable, Comcast is diving into the multi-platform market. Possible programming changes at your favorite network aside; this is bad news for media consolidation.
Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, a nonprofit organization working for media reform, likens the problem to what occurred with excessive consolidation in the financial industry that led to the economic crisis:
"This train wreck of a deal will hurt all over. It will mean increased costs for cable television service; currently free online NBC content locked behind a pay wall; less opportunity for the distribution of independent media; even fewer choices and less programming diversity. On average, nearly one quarter of all channels offered to cable subscribers will be owned by the bloated Comcast.". . .
Comcast consistently rates lowest in terms of customer service, when compared to both national companies and cable companies alike. But what's most reprehensible is their distaste for media independence and competition. Comcast's opposition to the FCC's suggestion of pursuing stronger net neutrality regulations is a prime example of this attitude. . .
Unfortunately, there's every indication that Comcast might start doing exactly that. Perhaps their opposition comes from the fact that Comcast was the very first U.S. Internet provider to be found guilty of violating existing net neutrality laws. Comcast was blocking and/or slowing access to a peer-to-peer software sharing site call BitTorrent, which happened to compete with Comcast's own video service. . .
GLOBAL TEMPS SET TO RISE OVER TEN DEGREES BY 2100
Independent, UK - The world is now firmly on course for the worst-case scenario in terms of climate change, with average global temperatures rising by up to 6C (10.8F) by the end of the century, leading scientists said yesterday. Such a rise - which would be much higher nearer the poles - would have cataclysmic and irreversible consequences for the Earth, making large parts of the planet uninhabitable and threatening the basis of human civilization.
We are headed for it, the scientists said, because the carbon dioxide emissions from industry, transport and deforestation which are responsible for warming the atmosphere have increased dramatically since 2002, in a way which no one anticipated, and are now running at treble the annual rate of the 1990s.
Although the 6C rise and its potential disastrous effects have been speculated upon before, this is the first time that scientists have said that society is now on a path to meet it.
We are headed for it, the scientists said, because the carbon dioxide emissions from industry, transport and deforestation which are responsible for warming the atmosphere have increased dramatically since 2002, in a way which no one anticipated, and are now running at treble the annual rate of the 1990s.
Although the 6C rise and its potential disastrous effects have been speculated upon before, this is the first time that scientists have said that society is now on a path to meet it.
DOWN EAST NOTES: MAYOR-ELECT COMPLAINS ABOUT CITY COUNCIL APPAREL
Sun Journal, ME - A disagreement over [Auburn] City Council decorum and attire has two councilors angry at the incoming mayor. Mayor-elect Dick Gleason said he stands by statements he made last month calling for neater dress at City Council meetings.
"I'm not asking for a jacket and tie," Gleason said. "All I'm saying is that I've seen instances where councilors came to meetings in jeans and shorts. I think it's up to us as city leaders to set an example, especially for children who watch us."
Councilors on Monday later voted to downsize the Dec. 7 inauguration, a move one councilor said was being done to punish the mayor-elect.
Councilors Dan Herrick and Mike Farrell said they were offended by some pre-election comments Gleason made to the Danville Grange last month. . . . "I think there have been times when they've come directly from the barn to the City Council meeting, and I don't think that's how it should be," Gleason told Grange members. "I think they should take a shower and at least put on a shirt."
Herrick, a contractor by trade, took offense at that. "I have never come here without taking a shower," Herrick said Monday night."Believe it or not, I have hot water, too. I even have floors in my home."
Clothes don't make the man, Herrick said.
"I had a mind tonight to come here in bib overalls and straw hat, and just walk out of the barn without taking a shower," Herrick said. . . And if anybody out there feels they want me to wear a suit, coat and tie, in the next election in two more years, please come forward in a suit, coat and a tie and run against me."
"I'm not asking for a jacket and tie," Gleason said. "All I'm saying is that I've seen instances where councilors came to meetings in jeans and shorts. I think it's up to us as city leaders to set an example, especially for children who watch us."
Councilors on Monday later voted to downsize the Dec. 7 inauguration, a move one councilor said was being done to punish the mayor-elect.
Councilors Dan Herrick and Mike Farrell said they were offended by some pre-election comments Gleason made to the Danville Grange last month. . . . "I think there have been times when they've come directly from the barn to the City Council meeting, and I don't think that's how it should be," Gleason told Grange members. "I think they should take a shower and at least put on a shirt."
Herrick, a contractor by trade, took offense at that. "I have never come here without taking a shower," Herrick said Monday night."Believe it or not, I have hot water, too. I even have floors in my home."
Clothes don't make the man, Herrick said.
"I had a mind tonight to come here in bib overalls and straw hat, and just walk out of the barn without taking a shower," Herrick said. . . And if anybody out there feels they want me to wear a suit, coat and tie, in the next election in two more years, please come forward in a suit, coat and a tie and run against me."
AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER WILL CONSIDER INQUIRY INTO SCIENTOLOGISTS
Guardian UK - The Australian prime minister, Kevin Rudd, has said he would consider an inquiry into the Church of Scientology after a senator tabled allegations against the organization including forced abortions, assault, torture, imprisonment, covering up sexual abuse, embezzlement of church funds and blackmail.
Senator Nick Xenophon tabled letters from former officials and staff of the Church of Scientology alleging criminal activity, and demanded a review of the organization's tax exempt status.
"Scientology is not a religious organization, it is a criminal organization that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs," he told the senate.
Among the letters tabled was one written by Aaron Saxton, from Perth, who said he engaged in torture and blackmail while working for the church in Australia and at its American headquarters between 1989 and 1996. . .
The letter from Aaron Saxton claimed he had assisted in the forced confinement and torture of a female church member who was kept under house arrest, Xenophon told the Senate. Saxton also said he was involved in coercing female followers to have abortions to keep followers loyal to the organisation and to allow them to keep working for it. . .
The Church of Scientology issued a statement accusing Xenophon of abusing parliamentary privilege. "Senator Xenophon is obviously being pressured by disgruntled former members who use hate speech and distorted accounts," the statement said. "They are about as reliable as former spouses are when talking about their ex-partner."
Senator Nick Xenophon tabled letters from former officials and staff of the Church of Scientology alleging criminal activity, and demanded a review of the organization's tax exempt status.
"Scientology is not a religious organization, it is a criminal organization that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs," he told the senate.
Among the letters tabled was one written by Aaron Saxton, from Perth, who said he engaged in torture and blackmail while working for the church in Australia and at its American headquarters between 1989 and 1996. . .
The letter from Aaron Saxton claimed he had assisted in the forced confinement and torture of a female church member who was kept under house arrest, Xenophon told the Senate. Saxton also said he was involved in coercing female followers to have abortions to keep followers loyal to the organisation and to allow them to keep working for it. . .
The Church of Scientology issued a statement accusing Xenophon of abusing parliamentary privilege. "Senator Xenophon is obviously being pressured by disgruntled former members who use hate speech and distorted accounts," the statement said. "They are about as reliable as former spouses are when talking about their ex-partner."
RECOVERY ACT INTERFERES WITH STATE BUDGETING
Bangor Daily News, ME - State lawmakers grappling with increasing budget shortfalls learned that federal law will greatly limit what cuts they can make to Maine's two largest agencies - Health and Human Services and Education. Combined, the two agencies make up about 80 percent of the state's general fund budget.
"There are clearly restrictions in different areas of federal laws, both normal federal law and the Recovery Act, that will prevent, or slow us down in making substantial reductions in some of those areas," Finance Commissioner Ryan Low said. "It is a challenge we are working through right now."
Under the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009, the state will lose federal stimulus money if it allows general purpose aid to education funding to fall below 2006 levels. Education Commissioner Susan Gendron said the state has already told local school districts to expect $74 million in cuts over the remainder of the two-year state budget based on a previously projected revenue shortfall of $200 million. The estimated shortfall has since grown to be as high as $400 million.
"We can cut about $15 million more [than the $74 million] and stay within the federal requirements," she said. "Any more than that and we will lose federal funds."
Gendron said the federal law does allow a state to apply for a waiver to allow for deeper cuts, but she is not sure how the request would be received by federal officials. Low said no decision has been made whether to apply for a waiver, but it is an option being discussed.
"There are other agencies that also have similar restrictions on Recovery Act funds," Low said. "We are looking at all of that as we work on the supplemental budget.". . .
Health and Human Services Commissioner Brenda Harvey told members of the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee that her agency is limited by long existing spending requirements to state programs receiving federal funds as well as by the Recovery Act.
"We have been going through all of the programs we provide," she said, "and we are greatly limited in what we can cut because of the federal requirements."
"There are clearly restrictions in different areas of federal laws, both normal federal law and the Recovery Act, that will prevent, or slow us down in making substantial reductions in some of those areas," Finance Commissioner Ryan Low said. "It is a challenge we are working through right now."
Under the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009, the state will lose federal stimulus money if it allows general purpose aid to education funding to fall below 2006 levels. Education Commissioner Susan Gendron said the state has already told local school districts to expect $74 million in cuts over the remainder of the two-year state budget based on a previously projected revenue shortfall of $200 million. The estimated shortfall has since grown to be as high as $400 million.
"We can cut about $15 million more [than the $74 million] and stay within the federal requirements," she said. "Any more than that and we will lose federal funds."
Gendron said the federal law does allow a state to apply for a waiver to allow for deeper cuts, but she is not sure how the request would be received by federal officials. Low said no decision has been made whether to apply for a waiver, but it is an option being discussed.
"There are other agencies that also have similar restrictions on Recovery Act funds," Low said. "We are looking at all of that as we work on the supplemental budget.". . .
Health and Human Services Commissioner Brenda Harvey told members of the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee that her agency is limited by long existing spending requirements to state programs receiving federal funds as well as by the Recovery Act.
"We have been going through all of the programs we provide," she said, "and we are greatly limited in what we can cut because of the federal requirements."
CATHOLIC BIGOTS PUSHING ANTI-GAY "TREATMENT"
Change - Psychologists around the globe have almost universally condemned ex-gay therapy programs -- rogue "treatment" sessions often sponsored by religious groups to try and change one's sexual orientation from LGBT to heterosexual. The American Psychological Association even adopted a resolution this past summer that said ex-gay therapy programs were inadequate and potentially dangerous, especially for the long-term mental health of those victimized by such programs.
It's just too bad that the Catholic Church isn't listening to the global health professional community. Case in point, take the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, which through its Office of Marriage and Family Life is supporting a type of ex-gay therapy program that asserts homosexuality is both treatable and preventable.
The program is called Courage, and it "ministers" to people who have same-sex attractions, as well as their loved ones. Part of that ministry includes drilling into peoples' brains that homosexuality is a mental disorder, that people in same-sex relationships will never find peace, and that people attracted to members of the same sex suffer from "sickness."
And the really scary part is that not only is this program alive and well in places like St. Paul and Minneapolis, but there are chapters in roughly 116 cities around the country, and even more worldwide. Sure, it's long been no secret that the Church harshes on same-sex marriage. But their active investment in conversion therapy programs signals a whole new level of homophobia, and a whole other level of ignorance when it comes to psychology and human sexuality.
The U.S. bishops . . . are now prepping a document to be released this month that says gay people threaten the inherent moral dignity of humanity. The Catholic Church has become one of the leading if not the most vocal proponents of ballot initiatives that take away civil rights for LGBT people. And the papacy has taken such a hard-line stance against LGBT people that they recently said they don't want gay folks even visiting the Vatican as tourists.
It's just too bad that the Catholic Church isn't listening to the global health professional community. Case in point, take the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, which through its Office of Marriage and Family Life is supporting a type of ex-gay therapy program that asserts homosexuality is both treatable and preventable.
The program is called Courage, and it "ministers" to people who have same-sex attractions, as well as their loved ones. Part of that ministry includes drilling into peoples' brains that homosexuality is a mental disorder, that people in same-sex relationships will never find peace, and that people attracted to members of the same sex suffer from "sickness."
And the really scary part is that not only is this program alive and well in places like St. Paul and Minneapolis, but there are chapters in roughly 116 cities around the country, and even more worldwide. Sure, it's long been no secret that the Church harshes on same-sex marriage. But their active investment in conversion therapy programs signals a whole new level of homophobia, and a whole other level of ignorance when it comes to psychology and human sexuality.
The U.S. bishops . . . are now prepping a document to be released this month that says gay people threaten the inherent moral dignity of humanity. The Catholic Church has become one of the leading if not the most vocal proponents of ballot initiatives that take away civil rights for LGBT people. And the papacy has taken such a hard-line stance against LGBT people that they recently said they don't want gay folks even visiting the Vatican as tourists.
THE KSM CASE: QUESTIONS THE MEDIA DOESN'T ASK
David Swanson, Brad Blog - We're hearing a very "balanced" debate over whether KSM should be tried in New York City, and whether the most insane objections to that proposal are really insane or not. But what are we not hearing?
We're not hearing that trying criminals for the crime of 9/11 ought to have been what we did years ago, rather than waging wars in response to a crime. We're not discussing the possibility that had alleged 9/11 criminals been tried years ago rather than being imprisoned and tortured together with hundreds of innocents depicted as subhuman monsters, the "war on terror" might have been replaced with simply the wars on Iraqis and Afghans and Pakistanis. What effect might that have had on Americans' willingness to surrender their Bill of Rights? We aren't hearing about that. . .
Outside of progressive blogs, we're not hearing that giving a somewhat fair, if less than speedy, trial to those most likely to plead guilty or be convicted, and a less fair military trial to others, and no trial at all to others still, reveals this show of justice to be a sham. If KSM were acquitted, President Obama would order him imprisoned outside the rule of law until he dies. If he is found guilty, as everyone universally expects, he may be officially murdered by the United States, motivating others to take up arms against a nation that wages and funds illegal wars, imprisons people without charge, tortures, kidnaps, renditions, and executes.
If the justice system is bent to ensure that KSM is convicted or permitted little opportunity to speak, will that bending have any permanent repercussions for our justice system? Or, to move in the other direction, having determined that "military justice" is not good enough for alleged mass murders, must we continue to pretend that it is good enough for members of the military? Can we not admit everyone into a single and improved justice system? We're not hearing that discussion.
An improved justice system would require the admission into court of videos of all confessions and interrogations. . . And in KSM's case it might include video of the "interrogation" of his children. Years ago, allegations were made that the United States had tortured his children, including in little-heard-of manners, such as locking a child in a box with a supposedly deadly insect. More recently, secret memos emerged showing the United States to have authorized just those techniques. . .
Other questions might be asked as well, such as why Dick Cheney and his supporters never talk about the two memos anymore. Remember the two memos that Cheney claimed would show that the torture of KSM and others revealed important information that saved lives? The memos are now public and show nothing of the sort. Nor was torture needed in order to prosecute KSM himself. In fact, as Marcy Wheeler has pointed out, the ability of the government to prosecute him without using evidence obtained through torture demonstrates that torture was not needed for that purpose. . .
We are hearing about the need to avoid evidence obtained through torture. But at the same time we are hearing absolutely nothing about the need to prosecute the torturers and the creators of the torture program, at least one of whom, John Yoo, is given a platform as one of the disinterested media commentators in the MSM. This failure is an ideal way to create more KSMs. Why don't we talk about it?
We're not hearing that trying criminals for the crime of 9/11 ought to have been what we did years ago, rather than waging wars in response to a crime. We're not discussing the possibility that had alleged 9/11 criminals been tried years ago rather than being imprisoned and tortured together with hundreds of innocents depicted as subhuman monsters, the "war on terror" might have been replaced with simply the wars on Iraqis and Afghans and Pakistanis. What effect might that have had on Americans' willingness to surrender their Bill of Rights? We aren't hearing about that. . .
Outside of progressive blogs, we're not hearing that giving a somewhat fair, if less than speedy, trial to those most likely to plead guilty or be convicted, and a less fair military trial to others, and no trial at all to others still, reveals this show of justice to be a sham. If KSM were acquitted, President Obama would order him imprisoned outside the rule of law until he dies. If he is found guilty, as everyone universally expects, he may be officially murdered by the United States, motivating others to take up arms against a nation that wages and funds illegal wars, imprisons people without charge, tortures, kidnaps, renditions, and executes.
If the justice system is bent to ensure that KSM is convicted or permitted little opportunity to speak, will that bending have any permanent repercussions for our justice system? Or, to move in the other direction, having determined that "military justice" is not good enough for alleged mass murders, must we continue to pretend that it is good enough for members of the military? Can we not admit everyone into a single and improved justice system? We're not hearing that discussion.
An improved justice system would require the admission into court of videos of all confessions and interrogations. . . And in KSM's case it might include video of the "interrogation" of his children. Years ago, allegations were made that the United States had tortured his children, including in little-heard-of manners, such as locking a child in a box with a supposedly deadly insect. More recently, secret memos emerged showing the United States to have authorized just those techniques. . .
Other questions might be asked as well, such as why Dick Cheney and his supporters never talk about the two memos anymore. Remember the two memos that Cheney claimed would show that the torture of KSM and others revealed important information that saved lives? The memos are now public and show nothing of the sort. Nor was torture needed in order to prosecute KSM himself. In fact, as Marcy Wheeler has pointed out, the ability of the government to prosecute him without using evidence obtained through torture demonstrates that torture was not needed for that purpose. . .
We are hearing about the need to avoid evidence obtained through torture. But at the same time we are hearing absolutely nothing about the need to prosecute the torturers and the creators of the torture program, at least one of whom, John Yoo, is given a platform as one of the disinterested media commentators in the MSM. This failure is an ideal way to create more KSMs. Why don't we talk about it?
EARLY VOTING OFTEN REDUCES OVERALL TURNOUT
University of Wisconsin - Although states are moving quickly to put in place election procedures that allow for early voting, allowing people to cast ballots ahead of Election Day often results in lower turnout, according to research from a team of University of Wisconsin-Madison political scientists.
However, in states such as Wisconsin, which also allow voters to register at the polls, the effect on turnout is more muted, the research showed.
Although about 30 percent of voters nationally cast ballots before election day in 2008, the buzz that builds around Election Day - the key to bringing less-dedicated voters to the polls - isn't as strong when voting activity is spread out over the last weeks of the campaign, the report from the UW-Madison shows.
"Early and absentee voting siphons activity away from Election Day itself that would have stimulated turnout," says the report .
However, in states such as Wisconsin, which also allow voters to register at the polls, the effect on turnout is more muted, the research showed.
Although about 30 percent of voters nationally cast ballots before election day in 2008, the buzz that builds around Election Day - the key to bringing less-dedicated voters to the polls - isn't as strong when voting activity is spread out over the last weeks of the campaign, the report from the UW-Madison shows.
"Early and absentee voting siphons activity away from Election Day itself that would have stimulated turnout," says the report .
POPULATION GROWTH FINALLY MAKES THE TABLE IN ECO DEBATE
AFP - Braking the rise in Earth's population would be a major help in the fight against global warming, according to an unprecedented UN report that draws a link between demographic pressure and climate change.
"Slower population growth. . . would help build social resilience to climate change's impacts and would contribute to a reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions in the future," the UN Population Fund says.
Its 104-page document emphasizes that population policies be driven by support for women, access to family planning, reproductive health and other voluntary measures.
"It really is the first time that a United Nations agency has looked hard at the connections between population and climate change," lead researcher Bob Engelman, vice president for programs at the green group Worldwatch Institute, told AFP.
"People are at the root of the problem and at the solution of it, and empowerment of women is the key."
The report, the 2009 State of World Population, paints a grim tableau of the peril of climate change and the likely impact on humans, in terms of floods, drought, storms and homelessness.
But it notably puts distance between a decades-long tradition in the UN arena whereby population growth and its part in environmental destruction were rarely -- if ever -- evoked.
"Fear of appearing supportive of population control has until recently held back any mention of 'population' in the climate debate," the document admits.
Things, though, are starting to change. More than three dozen developing countries have already included population issues in national plans on climate, it says. . .
Today, the world's population stands at around 6.8 billion. By mid-century, it will range between 7.959 billion to 10.461 billion, with a mid-estimate of 9.15 billion, according to UN calculations.
The difference between eight billion and nine billion is between one and two billion tons of carbon per year, according to research cited in the report.
That would be comparable to savings in emissions by 2050 if all new buildings were constructed to the highest energy-efficiency standards and if two million one-gigawatt wind turbines were built to replace today's coal-fired power plants. . .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC
"Slower population growth. . . would help build social resilience to climate change's impacts and would contribute to a reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions in the future," the UN Population Fund says.
Its 104-page document emphasizes that population policies be driven by support for women, access to family planning, reproductive health and other voluntary measures.
"It really is the first time that a United Nations agency has looked hard at the connections between population and climate change," lead researcher Bob Engelman, vice president for programs at the green group Worldwatch Institute, told AFP.
"People are at the root of the problem and at the solution of it, and empowerment of women is the key."
The report, the 2009 State of World Population, paints a grim tableau of the peril of climate change and the likely impact on humans, in terms of floods, drought, storms and homelessness.
But it notably puts distance between a decades-long tradition in the UN arena whereby population growth and its part in environmental destruction were rarely -- if ever -- evoked.
"Fear of appearing supportive of population control has until recently held back any mention of 'population' in the climate debate," the document admits.
Things, though, are starting to change. More than three dozen developing countries have already included population issues in national plans on climate, it says. . .
Today, the world's population stands at around 6.8 billion. By mid-century, it will range between 7.959 billion to 10.461 billion, with a mid-estimate of 9.15 billion, according to UN calculations.
The difference between eight billion and nine billion is between one and two billion tons of carbon per year, according to research cited in the report.
That would be comparable to savings in emissions by 2050 if all new buildings were constructed to the highest energy-efficiency standards and if two million one-gigawatt wind turbines were built to replace today's coal-fired power plants. . .
MORNING LINE
President
Obama is ahead of all three of his potential major challenger, but only with Palin is his lead consistently in the double digits. Recent polling gives Obama leads like this:
Against Romney: 8-10
Against Palin: 21-30
Against Huckabee: 7-10
Senate
The Senate line up is not good for the Democrats. They'll probably hold onto their majority but you can forget that "filibuster-proof" stuff. Two Democrats are in serious trouble - Dodd and Harry Reid - and five of the seven states that are unclear currently have Democratic senators.
Governors
The Democrats have already lost two governorships in this election cycle. At present, the GOP stands to gain one more with four unclear (two currently held by Democrats
Details
Obama is ahead of all three of his potential major challenger, but only with Palin is his lead consistently in the double digits. Recent polling gives Obama leads like this:
Against Romney: 8-10
Against Palin: 21-30
Against Huckabee: 7-10
Senate
The Senate line up is not good for the Democrats. They'll probably hold onto their majority but you can forget that "filibuster-proof" stuff. Two Democrats are in serious trouble - Dodd and Harry Reid - and five of the seven states that are unclear currently have Democratic senators.
Governors
The Democrats have already lost two governorships in this election cycle. At present, the GOP stands to gain one more with four unclear (two currently held by Democrats
Details
SHOP TALK
Sam Smith - I was a little disappointed that the Review's normally well informed readers could not come up with an explanation for why I was recently suddenly inspired to put butter and maple syrup on my crab cakes.
Jesse Walker, a man of Reason (magazine), writes that "maybe it was divine inspiration. Keep having those visions, ,and you could write the first combination holy book and cookbook.".
Tom Puckett sent the item to a co-worker who lives just over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Stevensville and "who regularly uses his crabbing license to get his daily bushel or whatever it is during the summer." He wrote back that he had never heard of such a thing, but that it "sounds kinda of gross." Puckett gently adds that "there may be a clue for you in the Walter Cunningham Jr. dinner scene in To Kill A Mockingbird." This is described thusly in one synopsis: "Jem invites him over to dinner and Walter thinks that the food is like at home where it tastes awful and tries to drown the flavor with syrup. Scout asks him what he's doing and he feel embarrassed."
In fact, one finds mention on the web of maple syrup as a glaze or cooking ingredient in a number of recipes for fish. My own suspicion is that it has southern roots (because it clearly comes from my childhood in then quite southern DC) or that it was related to the increased use of maple syrup during the World War II when regular sugar was rationed. In any case, it really is good and I plan to keep it on my menu
Jesse Walker, a man of Reason (magazine), writes that "maybe it was divine inspiration. Keep having those visions, ,and you could write the first combination holy book and cookbook.".
Tom Puckett sent the item to a co-worker who lives just over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Stevensville and "who regularly uses his crabbing license to get his daily bushel or whatever it is during the summer." He wrote back that he had never heard of such a thing, but that it "sounds kinda of gross." Puckett gently adds that "there may be a clue for you in the Walter Cunningham Jr. dinner scene in To Kill A Mockingbird." This is described thusly in one synopsis: "Jem invites him over to dinner and Walter thinks that the food is like at home where it tastes awful and tries to drown the flavor with syrup. Scout asks him what he's doing and he feel embarrassed."
In fact, one finds mention on the web of maple syrup as a glaze or cooking ingredient in a number of recipes for fish. My own suspicion is that it has southern roots (because it clearly comes from my childhood in then quite southern DC) or that it was related to the increased use of maple syrup during the World War II when regular sugar was rationed. In any case, it really is good and I plan to keep it on my menu
November 17, 2009
BIOTECH CROPS CAUSE BIG JUMP IN PESTICIDE USE
Reuters - The rapid adoption by U.S. farmers of genetically engineered corn, soybeans and cotton has promoted increased use of pesticides, an epidemic of herbicide-resistant weeds and more chemical residues in foods, according to a report issued by health and environmental protection groups.
The groups said research showed that herbicide use grew by 383 million pounds from 1996 to 2008, with 46 percent of the total increase occurring in 2007 and 2008.
The groups said that while herbicide use has climbed, insecticide use has dropped because of biotech crops. They said adoption of genetically engineered corn and cotton that carry traits resistant to insects has led to a reduction in insecticide use by 64 million pounds since 1996.
Still, that leaves a net overall increase on U.S. farm fields of 318 million pounds of pesticides, which includes insecticides and herbicides, over the first 13 years of commercial use.
The groups said research showed that herbicide use grew by 383 million pounds from 1996 to 2008, with 46 percent of the total increase occurring in 2007 and 2008.
The groups said that while herbicide use has climbed, insecticide use has dropped because of biotech crops. They said adoption of genetically engineered corn and cotton that carry traits resistant to insects has led to a reduction in insecticide use by 64 million pounds since 1996.
Still, that leaves a net overall increase on U.S. farm fields of 318 million pounds of pesticides, which includes insecticides and herbicides, over the first 13 years of commercial use.
GREAT THOUGHTS OF DAVID BRODER
David Broder, Washington Post - The more President Obama examines our options in Afghanistan, the less he likes the choices he sees. But, as the old saying goes, to govern is to choose -- and he has stretched the internal debate to the breaking point. It is evident from the length of this deliberative process and from the flood of leaks that have emerged from Kabul and Washington that the perfect course of action does not exist. Given that reality, the urgent necessity is to make a decision -- whether or not it is right.
ADMINISTRATION REPORTS STIMULUS BENEFITS IN NON-EXISTENT PLACES
ABC News - Here's a stimulus success story: In Arizona's 15th congressional district, 30 jobs have been saved or created with just $761,420 in federal stimulus spending. At least that's what the Web site set up by the Obama administration to track the $787 billion stimulus says.
There's one problem, though: There is no 15th congressional district in Arizona; the state has only eight districts.
And ABC News has found many more entries for projects like this in places that are incorrectly identified.
Late Monday, officials with the Recovery Board created to track the stimulus spending, said the mistakes in crediting nonexistent congressional districts were caused by human error.
"We report what the recipients submit to us," said Ed Pound, Communications Director for the Board.
Pound told ABC News the board receives declarations from the recipients - state governments, federal agencies and universities - of stimulus money about what program is being funded.
"Some recipients clearly don't know what congressional district they live in"
Rep. David Obey, D-Wisc, who chairs the powerful House appropriations Committee, issued a paper statement demanding that the recovery.gov Web site be updated.
"The inaccuracies on recovery.gov that have come to light are outrageous and the Administration owes itself, the Congress, and every American a commitment to work night and day to correct the ludicrous mistakes."
There's one problem, though: There is no 15th congressional district in Arizona; the state has only eight districts.
And ABC News has found many more entries for projects like this in places that are incorrectly identified.
Late Monday, officials with the Recovery Board created to track the stimulus spending, said the mistakes in crediting nonexistent congressional districts were caused by human error.
"We report what the recipients submit to us," said Ed Pound, Communications Director for the Board.
Pound told ABC News the board receives declarations from the recipients - state governments, federal agencies and universities - of stimulus money about what program is being funded.
"Some recipients clearly don't know what congressional district they live in"
Rep. David Obey, D-Wisc, who chairs the powerful House appropriations Committee, issued a paper statement demanding that the recovery.gov Web site be updated.
"The inaccuracies on recovery.gov that have come to light are outrageous and the Administration owes itself, the Congress, and every American a commitment to work night and day to correct the ludicrous mistakes."
THE SCIENCE OF COUNTING FLU DEATHS
Helen Branswell, Canadian Press - We're told seasonal flu kills between 4,000 to 8,000 Canadians and between 250,000 and 500,000 people worldwide each year. Yet as of late last week, seven months into this outbreak, H1N1 had killed 161 Canadians and an estimated 6,260 people around the globe.
Critics of Canada's pandemic response point to the discrepancy between those sets of numbers and question the full court press.
But the thing is, as tempting as it is to compare those two sets of figures and conclude that H1N1 is much ado about nada, you can't do it. Those two sets of numbers count different things, experts say.
"You might as well compare the number of flu deaths with the number of Subarus sold in Canada," says Jordan Ellenberg, an associate professor of mathematics at the University of Wisconsin who explained the problem in an article published online in Slate Magazine earlier this year.
"If you want to compare the number of confirmed deaths to seasonal flu to the number of confirmed deaths from H1N1, OK, you can do that," he says in an interview. "But what you can't do is compare the number of certified deaths on one side to the best estimate of the full number of deaths on the other side."
Confirmed H1N1 death tallies capture the blessedly few times someone who caught this bug died from it after testing positive for it. The seasonal flu numbers are estimates, mathematical calculations aimed at capturing all the deaths influenza had a hand in.
The frequent attempts to equate the two are driving Dr. Kumanan Wilson bonkers.
Wilson is an expert in public health policy as well as an internal medicine physician at the Ottawa Health Research Institute. He readily admits he never sees anyone die of seasonal flu - a common claim that drives infectious diseases experts crazy.
Wilson is, however, seeing the destructive power of this strain of influenza.
"Nobody has seen a flu season like this on the ground level," he says. "If you talk to any frontline worker, they've never seen anything like this. And we keep getting told this is nothing."
"Emergs (emergency departments) are filled. All the children's hospitals are filled. Family docs I talk to say 'Oh my God, I've never seen so many flu cases."'
Wilson says it is "disingenuous" to criticize the response to this pandemic by comparing the low death toll to the substantially higher estimates of seasonal flu deaths. "I feel it under plays the significance of this."
Critics of Canada's pandemic response point to the discrepancy between those sets of numbers and question the full court press.
But the thing is, as tempting as it is to compare those two sets of figures and conclude that H1N1 is much ado about nada, you can't do it. Those two sets of numbers count different things, experts say.
"You might as well compare the number of flu deaths with the number of Subarus sold in Canada," says Jordan Ellenberg, an associate professor of mathematics at the University of Wisconsin who explained the problem in an article published online in Slate Magazine earlier this year.
"If you want to compare the number of confirmed deaths to seasonal flu to the number of confirmed deaths from H1N1, OK, you can do that," he says in an interview. "But what you can't do is compare the number of certified deaths on one side to the best estimate of the full number of deaths on the other side."
Confirmed H1N1 death tallies capture the blessedly few times someone who caught this bug died from it after testing positive for it. The seasonal flu numbers are estimates, mathematical calculations aimed at capturing all the deaths influenza had a hand in.
The frequent attempts to equate the two are driving Dr. Kumanan Wilson bonkers.
Wilson is an expert in public health policy as well as an internal medicine physician at the Ottawa Health Research Institute. He readily admits he never sees anyone die of seasonal flu - a common claim that drives infectious diseases experts crazy.
Wilson is, however, seeing the destructive power of this strain of influenza.
"Nobody has seen a flu season like this on the ground level," he says. "If you talk to any frontline worker, they've never seen anything like this. And we keep getting told this is nothing."
"Emergs (emergency departments) are filled. All the children's hospitals are filled. Family docs I talk to say 'Oh my God, I've never seen so many flu cases."'
Wilson says it is "disingenuous" to criticize the response to this pandemic by comparing the low death toll to the substantially higher estimates of seasonal flu deaths. "I feel it under plays the significance of this."
WHISTLEBLOWER: OFFICIAL ESTIMATES OF OIL UPPED TO PLEASE AMERICANS
Guardian, UK - The world is much closer to running out of oil than official estimates admit, according to a whistleblower at the International Energy Agency who claims it has been deliberately underplaying a looming shortage for fear of triggering panic buying.
The senior official claims the US has played an influential role in encouraging the watchdog to underplay the rate of decline from existing oil fields while overplaying the chances of finding new reserves.
The allegations raise serious questions about the accuracy of the organization's latest World Energy Outlook on oil demand and supply to be published tomorrow . . .
In particular they question the prediction in the last World Economic Outlook, believed to be repeated again this year, that oil production can be raised from its current level of 83m barrels a day to 105m barrels. External critics have frequently argued that this cannot be substantiated by firm evidence and say the world has already passed its peak in oil production.
Now the "peak oil" theory is gaining support at the heart of the global energy establishment. "The IEA in 2005 was predicting oil supplies could rise as high as 120m barrels a day by 2030 although it was forced to reduce this gradually to 116m and then 105m last year," said the IEA source, who was unwilling to be identified for fear of reprisals inside the industry. "The 120m figure always was nonsense but even today's number is much higher than can be justified and the IEA knows this.
"Many inside the organization believe that maintaining oil supplies at even 90m to 95m barrels a day would be impossible but there are fears that panic could spread on the financial markets if the figures were brought down further. And the Americans fear the end of oil supremacy because it would threaten their power over access to oil resources," he added.
A second senior IEA source, who has now left but was also unwilling to give his name, said a key rule at the organization was that it was "imperative not to anger the Americans" but the fact was that there was not as much oil in the world as had been admitted. "We have [already] entered the 'peak oil' zone. I think that the situation is really bad," he added.
The senior official claims the US has played an influential role in encouraging the watchdog to underplay the rate of decline from existing oil fields while overplaying the chances of finding new reserves.
The allegations raise serious questions about the accuracy of the organization's latest World Energy Outlook on oil demand and supply to be published tomorrow . . .
In particular they question the prediction in the last World Economic Outlook, believed to be repeated again this year, that oil production can be raised from its current level of 83m barrels a day to 105m barrels. External critics have frequently argued that this cannot be substantiated by firm evidence and say the world has already passed its peak in oil production.
Now the "peak oil" theory is gaining support at the heart of the global energy establishment. "The IEA in 2005 was predicting oil supplies could rise as high as 120m barrels a day by 2030 although it was forced to reduce this gradually to 116m and then 105m last year," said the IEA source, who was unwilling to be identified for fear of reprisals inside the industry. "The 120m figure always was nonsense but even today's number is much higher than can be justified and the IEA knows this.
"Many inside the organization believe that maintaining oil supplies at even 90m to 95m barrels a day would be impossible but there are fears that panic could spread on the financial markets if the figures were brought down further. And the Americans fear the end of oil supremacy because it would threaten their power over access to oil resources," he added.
A second senior IEA source, who has now left but was also unwilling to give his name, said a key rule at the organization was that it was "imperative not to anger the Americans" but the fact was that there was not as much oil in the world as had been admitted. "We have [already] entered the 'peak oil' zone. I think that the situation is really bad," he added.
RESEARCH CHALLENGES ASSUMPTION THAT ALCOHOLICS ARE HELPLESS TO CONTROL USE
LA Times - Seventy years ago, Bill Wilson -- the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous -- declared his powerlessness over alcohol in a book by the same name. The failed businessman contended that, as an alcoholic, he had to "hit bottom" before changing his life and that sobriety could only be achieved through complete abstention.
For generations, Americans took these tenets to be true for everyone. Top addiction experts are no longer sure.
They now say that many drinkers can evaluate their habits and -- using new knowledge about genetic and behavioral risks of addiction -- change those habits if necessary. Even some people who have what are now termed alcohol-use disorders, they add, can cut back on consumption before it disrupts education, ruins careers and damages health.
In short, say some of the nation's leading scientists studying substance abuse, humans travel a long road before they become powerless over alcohol -- and most never reach that point.
"We're on the cusp of some major advances in how we conceptualize alcoholism," says Dr. Mark Willenbring, director of treatment and recovery research at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The institute is the nation's leading authority on alcoholism and the major provider of funds for alcohol research. "The focus now is on the large group of people who are not yet dependent. But they are at risk for developing dependence."
Many of these people need not give up alcohol altogether. The concept of so-called controlled drinking -- that people with alcohol-use disorders could simply curb, or control, their drinking -- has existed for many years. Evidence now exists that such an approach is possible for some people, although abstinence is still considered necessary for those with the most severe disease.
The overall reassessment has been fueled by the groundbreaking National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, the largest and most comprehensive look at alcohol use in America. The project surveyed 43,000 people 18 and older in 2001 and 2002, and again in 2004 and 2005, with the results released in increments beginning in 2006. . .
Perhaps the most remarkable finding of the epidemiologic study was how many Americans experienced an alcohol-use disorder (either abuse or the more severe dependence) at some point -- and how many recovered on their own. About 30% of Americans had experienced a disorder, the research showed, but about 70% of those quit drinking or cut back to safe consumption patterns without treatment after four years or less.
Only 1% of those surveyed fit the stereotypical image of someone with severe, recurring alcohol addiction who has hit the skids.
For generations, Americans took these tenets to be true for everyone. Top addiction experts are no longer sure.
They now say that many drinkers can evaluate their habits and -- using new knowledge about genetic and behavioral risks of addiction -- change those habits if necessary. Even some people who have what are now termed alcohol-use disorders, they add, can cut back on consumption before it disrupts education, ruins careers and damages health.
In short, say some of the nation's leading scientists studying substance abuse, humans travel a long road before they become powerless over alcohol -- and most never reach that point.
"We're on the cusp of some major advances in how we conceptualize alcoholism," says Dr. Mark Willenbring, director of treatment and recovery research at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The institute is the nation's leading authority on alcoholism and the major provider of funds for alcohol research. "The focus now is on the large group of people who are not yet dependent. But they are at risk for developing dependence."
Many of these people need not give up alcohol altogether. The concept of so-called controlled drinking -- that people with alcohol-use disorders could simply curb, or control, their drinking -- has existed for many years. Evidence now exists that such an approach is possible for some people, although abstinence is still considered necessary for those with the most severe disease.
The overall reassessment has been fueled by the groundbreaking National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, the largest and most comprehensive look at alcohol use in America. The project surveyed 43,000 people 18 and older in 2001 and 2002, and again in 2004 and 2005, with the results released in increments beginning in 2006. . .
Perhaps the most remarkable finding of the epidemiologic study was how many Americans experienced an alcohol-use disorder (either abuse or the more severe dependence) at some point -- and how many recovered on their own. About 30% of Americans had experienced a disorder, the research showed, but about 70% of those quit drinking or cut back to safe consumption patterns without treatment after four years or less.
Only 1% of those surveyed fit the stereotypical image of someone with severe, recurring alcohol addiction who has hit the skids.
HUNGER IN AMERICA HITS NEW LEVEL
Washington Post - The nation's economic crisis has catapulted the number of Americans who lack enough food to the highest level since the government has been keeping track, according to a new federal report, which shows that nearly 50 million people -- including almost one child in four -- struggled last year to get enough to eat. This Story
At a time when rising poverty, widespread unemployment and other effects of the recession have been well documented, the report released Monday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides the government's first detailed portrait of the toll that the faltering economy has taken on Americans' access to food.
The magnitude of the increase in food shortages -- and, in some cases, outright hunger -- identified in the report startled even the nation's leading anti-poverty advocates, who have grown accustomed to longer lines lately at food banks and soup kitchens. The findings also intensify pressure on the White House to fulfill a pledge to stamp out childhood hunger made by President Obama, who called the report "unsettling."
The data show that dependable access to adequate food has especially deteriorated among families with children. In 2008, nearly 17 million children, or 22.5 percent, lived in households in which food at times was scarce -- 4 million children more than the year before. And the number of youngsters who sometimes were outright hungry rose from nearly 700,000 to almost 1.1 million.
Among Americans of all ages, more than 16 percent -- or 49 million people -- sometimes ran short of nutritious food, compared with about 12 percent the year before. The deterioration in access to food during 2008 among both children and adults far eclipses that of any other single year in the report's history.
At a time when rising poverty, widespread unemployment and other effects of the recession have been well documented, the report released Monday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides the government's first detailed portrait of the toll that the faltering economy has taken on Americans' access to food.
The magnitude of the increase in food shortages -- and, in some cases, outright hunger -- identified in the report startled even the nation's leading anti-poverty advocates, who have grown accustomed to longer lines lately at food banks and soup kitchens. The findings also intensify pressure on the White House to fulfill a pledge to stamp out childhood hunger made by President Obama, who called the report "unsettling."
The data show that dependable access to adequate food has especially deteriorated among families with children. In 2008, nearly 17 million children, or 22.5 percent, lived in households in which food at times was scarce -- 4 million children more than the year before. And the number of youngsters who sometimes were outright hungry rose from nearly 700,000 to almost 1.1 million.
Among Americans of all ages, more than 16 percent -- or 49 million people -- sometimes ran short of nutritious food, compared with about 12 percent the year before. The deterioration in access to food during 2008 among both children and adults far eclipses that of any other single year in the report's history.
LEADING GAY NEWSPAPER FOLDS
Washington Post - The Washington Blade, the weekly newspaper that chronicled the coming-out of the capital's gay community, was born amid the idealism of 1960s street protests. Monday, the paper died, victim of the unforgiving realities of the nation's sagging newspaper industry. . . .
Last month, the Blade celebrated its 40th anniversary at a swanky downtown Washington party. The paper's nearly two-dozen employees arrived at their downtown offices Monday to start a new work week, only to be ordered to clear out their desks by mid-afternoon.
Steven Myers, co-president of the paper's owner, Atlanta-based Window Media, said the company also ceased operations at its other gay-oriented publications, which include the Southern Voice newspaper and David magazine in Atlanta, and the South Florida Blade and 411 magazine in Florida. . .
"It's a shock. I'm almost speechless, really," said Lou Chibbaro Jr., a Blade reporter who has written for the newspaper since 1976, covering the full arc of the country's gay-rights movement, from early marches through the rise of AIDS and on to the latest battles over legalizing same-sex marriage.
The Blade, born in an era when most gays lived in the closet, grew in size and stature as Washington's gay population blossomed and became more politically active and influential. Chibbaro, who wrote his first front-page story for the Blade under a pseudonym at a time when publicly stating one's sexual orientation could be dangerous, felt the change in dramatic fashion this year, when, while covering a presidential news conference on health-care policy, he was directed to a seat in the front row.
The Blade's closing comes at a moment of extraordinary optimism for many gays in Washington. The big story Chibbaro and the paper's other writers have been covering is the bill supported by nearly all of the D.C. Council's members that would legalize same-sex marriage in the city. . .
This week's edition of the free weekly, which had a circulation of 23,000, won't be published. The Blade's Web site, which reported about 250,000 visitors a month, went dark Monday morning.
Last month, the Blade celebrated its 40th anniversary at a swanky downtown Washington party. The paper's nearly two-dozen employees arrived at their downtown offices Monday to start a new work week, only to be ordered to clear out their desks by mid-afternoon.
Steven Myers, co-president of the paper's owner, Atlanta-based Window Media, said the company also ceased operations at its other gay-oriented publications, which include the Southern Voice newspaper and David magazine in Atlanta, and the South Florida Blade and 411 magazine in Florida. . .
"It's a shock. I'm almost speechless, really," said Lou Chibbaro Jr., a Blade reporter who has written for the newspaper since 1976, covering the full arc of the country's gay-rights movement, from early marches through the rise of AIDS and on to the latest battles over legalizing same-sex marriage.
The Blade, born in an era when most gays lived in the closet, grew in size and stature as Washington's gay population blossomed and became more politically active and influential. Chibbaro, who wrote his first front-page story for the Blade under a pseudonym at a time when publicly stating one's sexual orientation could be dangerous, felt the change in dramatic fashion this year, when, while covering a presidential news conference on health-care policy, he was directed to a seat in the front row.
The Blade's closing comes at a moment of extraordinary optimism for many gays in Washington. The big story Chibbaro and the paper's other writers have been covering is the bill supported by nearly all of the D.C. Council's members that would legalize same-sex marriage in the city. . .
This week's edition of the free weekly, which had a circulation of 23,000, won't be published. The Blade's Web site, which reported about 250,000 visitors a month, went dark Monday morning.
OBAMA NOMINATES U.S. ATTORNEY WHO LED SHOW TRIAL AGAINST IMMIGRANTS
NY Times - Eleventh-hour criticism is arising over President Obama's nomination for United States attorney in northern Iowa of a prosecutor who had a leading role in the criminal cases against hundreds of illegal immigrants arrested in a May 2008 raid at a meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa. . .
Those cases, the broadest use to date of tough criminal charges against immigrants caught working without authorization, were emblems of a crackdown on illegal immigration by the Bush administration.
Some defense and immigration lawyers have said that felony identity-theft charges against the immigrants were excessively harsh, that immigration lawyers were not given adequate access to their clients, and that improper contact took place between prosecutors and one judge. They contend that possible civil rights and ethical violations by prosecutors should have been investigated.
"Does she stand by those tactics?" asked David Leopold, the president-elect of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the national immigration bar. "Would she engage again in this type of prosecution of scores of undocumented workers guilty of nothing more than civil immigration violations?"
The immigration lawyers' association has not taken an official position on the nomination.
Those cases, the broadest use to date of tough criminal charges against immigrants caught working without authorization, were emblems of a crackdown on illegal immigration by the Bush administration.
Some defense and immigration lawyers have said that felony identity-theft charges against the immigrants were excessively harsh, that immigration lawyers were not given adequate access to their clients, and that improper contact took place between prosecutors and one judge. They contend that possible civil rights and ethical violations by prosecutors should have been investigated.
"Does she stand by those tactics?" asked David Leopold, the president-elect of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the national immigration bar. "Would she engage again in this type of prosecution of scores of undocumented workers guilty of nothing more than civil immigration violations?"
The immigration lawyers' association has not taken an official position on the nomination.
THINGS WE HADN'T STATED WORRYING ABOUT, YET
Follow Me Here - Today's All Things Considered had a story about the division of opinion over how to refer to the name of next year Which is it, "two thousand ten" or "twenty ten"? One commenter said that "two thousand ten" is proper and polite; I think he went so far as to call it the "adult" thing to say. This gets right to the core debate about whether proper usage is vernacular - as spoken - or normative.
But, more important, the story did not address more vexing questions. First, what nickname will we use for 2010. 2009 was "oh nine"; will we say "one oh" or "oh ten" for short? For example, if you trade in your "oh five honda" for a new car, is it an "oh ten prius" or what?. . .
But, more important, the story did not address more vexing questions. First, what nickname will we use for 2010. 2009 was "oh nine"; will we say "one oh" or "oh ten" for short? For example, if you trade in your "oh five honda" for a new car, is it an "oh ten prius" or what?. . .
CELEBRITY MEDIA BUBBLE JOINS THE RECESSION
Nicole LaPorte, Daily Beast - It's hard to believe that it was a little more than a year ago that People magazine made headlines by forking over $14 million-in partnership with the fabloid Hello!-for the first, exclusive photos of Brad Pitt and Angelina's newborn twins, Vivienne and Knox. The sale was more than three times what People paid for the couple's firstborn, Shiloh. . .
More recently, however, the celebrity media bubble has burst-destroyed by the recession, among other factors-leaving hordes of paparazzi, the agencies that employ them, and the magazines and Web sites that showcase their wares, facing a new, very bleak reality.
The Daily Beast recently quantified just how far the paparazzi market has fallen. Taking a basket of photos sold by the paparazzi agency x17 Inc. during the golden years, 2005 to 2007, we created an index that compared the prices those snapshots fetched then with estimates of what they would garner now. All told, a typical celebrity shot sells for 31 percent less than it did in 2007. The drop off has been more dramatic at the high end of the market. Six-figure photographs are down more than 50 percent.
More recently, however, the celebrity media bubble has burst-destroyed by the recession, among other factors-leaving hordes of paparazzi, the agencies that employ them, and the magazines and Web sites that showcase their wares, facing a new, very bleak reality.
The Daily Beast recently quantified just how far the paparazzi market has fallen. Taking a basket of photos sold by the paparazzi agency x17 Inc. during the golden years, 2005 to 2007, we created an index that compared the prices those snapshots fetched then with estimates of what they would garner now. All told, a typical celebrity shot sells for 31 percent less than it did in 2007. The drop off has been more dramatic at the high end of the market. Six-figure photographs are down more than 50 percent.
ALTERNATIVE AMERICA
Uranium in Iraq: the Poisonous Legacy of the Iraq Wars
Washtenaw Jail Diary: The Ann Arbor Chronicle is serializing a book by an ex-inmate about jail life and plans to publish it as a book. Looks like a best-seller.
The New Economics - A Bigger Picture' by David Boyle and Andrew Simms: "an excellent guide to concept of the new economics, introducing us to the idea that economics does not have to be stacked against social, environmental and individual well-being."
The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers"
November 16, 2009
HEALTH INSURERS SOAKING SMALL BUSINESS BEFORE HEALTH BILLS PASS
Boston Globe - Bob Carroll, owner of a Billerica distributor of paint spraying equipment, recently got some really bad news from Blue Cross-Blue Shield: His company's health insurance rates are going up 47 percent in January.
So did Dan Greenbaum, president of a research firm in Boston, who's been told to expect a 35 percent jump. And Sandy Bouchard, chief financial officer at Coady's Towing Service in Lawrence, is trying to fathom a 28 percent hike - an extra $58,000 - in 2010. . . ?''
At a time when both the state and the nation are struggling to rein in health care costs, many small businesses in Massachusetts say they're receiving the largest premium increases in years for their Jan. 1 renewals. Insurers in September said they expect to raise premiums an average of 10 percent next year, but some employers are facing increases that are double or triple that - or even higher.
While all of the state's health insurers have been jacking up rates for small businesses, which lack the negotiating might of larger enterprises with hundreds or thousands of employees, some of the steepest increases have been coming from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts. The Boston insurer, the state's largest, has in the recent past offered lower base rates than many of its rivals.
So did Dan Greenbaum, president of a research firm in Boston, who's been told to expect a 35 percent jump. And Sandy Bouchard, chief financial officer at Coady's Towing Service in Lawrence, is trying to fathom a 28 percent hike - an extra $58,000 - in 2010. . . ?''
At a time when both the state and the nation are struggling to rein in health care costs, many small businesses in Massachusetts say they're receiving the largest premium increases in years for their Jan. 1 renewals. Insurers in September said they expect to raise premiums an average of 10 percent next year, but some employers are facing increases that are double or triple that - or even higher.
While all of the state's health insurers have been jacking up rates for small businesses, which lack the negotiating might of larger enterprises with hundreds or thousands of employees, some of the steepest increases have been coming from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts. The Boston insurer, the state's largest, has in the recent past offered lower base rates than many of its rivals.
STUDY FINDS RED LIGHT CAMERAS CAUSE ACCIDENTS
CBS 2, LA Times - In Los Angeles the LAPD claims accidents are down after they installed cameras, but are they telling the whole truth or just trying to make money off motorists?
We crunched the numbers and the results may surprise you. . .
We wanted to know actual numbers of accidents at red light camera intersections to see if they really went down.
When we asked, the LAPD became very defensive. The sergeant in charge told me in an e-mail, "The city would hope that it is the goal of KCBS/KCAL to discuss the positive aspects of the photo red light program."
So we filed a public records request. The department charged us more than $500 for a computer run. When we got the numbers back, they told a different story.
We looked at every accident at every red light camera intersection for six months of data before the cameras were installed and six months after.
The final figures? Twenty of the 32 intersections show accidents up after the cameras were installed. Three remained the same and only nine intersections showed accidents decreasing. . .
The reason?
"People see the light flash and they slam on their brakes," [a traffice judge] said. "That's just human nature. As a result, more accidents, more rear end accidents.". . .
Los Angeles made over $4 million in 2008 on violators caught on red light cameras.
But the LAPD says it is safety, not money. They say accidents are down. They showed me statistics putting the drop at nearly 34 percent.
But they only count collisions caused by someone going through the red light, not by rear end accidents or any others at an intersection. . .
We crunched the numbers and the results may surprise you. . .
We wanted to know actual numbers of accidents at red light camera intersections to see if they really went down.
When we asked, the LAPD became very defensive. The sergeant in charge told me in an e-mail, "The city would hope that it is the goal of KCBS/KCAL to discuss the positive aspects of the photo red light program."
So we filed a public records request. The department charged us more than $500 for a computer run. When we got the numbers back, they told a different story.
We looked at every accident at every red light camera intersection for six months of data before the cameras were installed and six months after.
The final figures? Twenty of the 32 intersections show accidents up after the cameras were installed. Three remained the same and only nine intersections showed accidents decreasing. . .
The reason?
"People see the light flash and they slam on their brakes," [a traffice judge] said. "That's just human nature. As a result, more accidents, more rear end accidents.". . .
Los Angeles made over $4 million in 2008 on violators caught on red light cameras.
But the LAPD says it is safety, not money. They say accidents are down. They showed me statistics putting the drop at nearly 34 percent.
But they only count collisions caused by someone going through the red light, not by rear end accidents or any others at an intersection. . .
OBAMA SETS PERSONAL BEST FOR BREAKING PROMISE
"Delay is no longer an option. Denial is no longer an acceptable response." - Barack Obama telling a bipartisan group of governors that he has no intention of softening his goals for reducing emissions, even amidst the global economic downturn, November 19, 2008.
HEALTH CARE BILLS COULD DESTROY STATE PASSED PROTECTIONS
LA Times - Healthcare overhaul bills working their way through Congress could jeopardize laws in California and other states that require insurers to pay for treatments such as AIDS testing, second surgical opinions and reconstructive surgery for breast cancer patients.
What's more, the federal legislation could make it virtually impossible for states to enforce other consumer protection laws, such as the right to appeal if an insurer denies coverage for a particular treatment.
Healthcare overhaul bills in both the Senate and the House would open the door to insurers selling policies across state lines -- which some lawmakers fear could allow health plans to take advantage of the lenient rules in some jurisdictions while avoiding tougher enforcement regimes in places like California.
"It would be a huge problem for California consumers," said Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough), who helped craft insurance laws when she served in the state Senate. "California is leading the way in terms of consumer protection, and I don't want to see that lost."
What's more, the federal legislation could make it virtually impossible for states to enforce other consumer protection laws, such as the right to appeal if an insurer denies coverage for a particular treatment.
Healthcare overhaul bills in both the Senate and the House would open the door to insurers selling policies across state lines -- which some lawmakers fear could allow health plans to take advantage of the lenient rules in some jurisdictions while avoiding tougher enforcement regimes in places like California.
"It would be a huge problem for California consumers," said Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough), who helped craft insurance laws when she served in the state Senate. "California is leading the way in terms of consumer protection, and I don't want to see that lost."
TORN TARP: TAXPAYERS ABOUT TO LOSE $2.3 BILLION FROM FAILED BAILOUT
Washington Post - A year ago, the financial system was tottering and government officials arranged a $2.3 billion emergency cash infusion into CIT Group, a troubled lender to small businesses.
Today, CIT is in bankruptcy court, and the taxpayers' investment is on the brink of being wiped out. It would be the largest loss so far from the government's massive rescue of the financial system, but it isn't likely to be the last.
Officials poured about $700 billion into investments in scores of companies, from giants such as the automaker General Motors and the insurer American International Group to smaller regional banks. Of them, 46 had missed required dividend payments to the government as of the end of September, according to the inspector general overseeing the program. . .
Analysts expect more bailed-out firms to fail in the months ahead. Others may survive but will struggle to repay the government. Steven Rattner, the former head of the government's efforts to bail out the auto industry, said recently that the full public investment in GM is unlikely to be repaid. Meanwhile, AIG is dismantling itself, selling healthy subsidiaries at what critics say are bargain prices in an all-out effort to get cash to repay the government.
Today, CIT is in bankruptcy court, and the taxpayers' investment is on the brink of being wiped out. It would be the largest loss so far from the government's massive rescue of the financial system, but it isn't likely to be the last.
Officials poured about $700 billion into investments in scores of companies, from giants such as the automaker General Motors and the insurer American International Group to smaller regional banks. Of them, 46 had missed required dividend payments to the government as of the end of September, according to the inspector general overseeing the program. . .
Analysts expect more bailed-out firms to fail in the months ahead. Others may survive but will struggle to repay the government. Steven Rattner, the former head of the government's efforts to bail out the auto industry, said recently that the full public investment in GM is unlikely to be repaid. Meanwhile, AIG is dismantling itself, selling healthy subsidiaries at what critics say are bargain prices in an all-out effort to get cash to repay the government.
PHARMA PHRAUD: DRUG PRICES RISING DESPITE PROMISES
NY Times - Even as drug makers promise to support Washington's health care overhaul by shaving $8 billion a year off the nation's drug costs after the legislation takes effect, the industry has been raising its prices at the fastest rate in years.
Stephen W. Schondelmeyer, a pharmaceutical economics professor at the University of Minnesota, said, "When we have major legislation anticipated, we see a run-up in price increases."
In the last year, the industry has raised the wholesale prices of brand-name prescription drugs by about 9 percent, according to industry analysts. That will add more than $10 billion to the nation's drug bill, which is on track to exceed $300 billion this year. By at least one analysis, it is the highest annual rate of inflation for drug prices since 1992.
The drug trend is distinctly at odds with the direction of the Consumer Price Index, which has fallen by 1.3 percent in the last year.
Drug makers say they have valid business reasons for the price increases. Critics say the industry is trying to establish a higher price base before Congress passes legislation that tries to curb drug spending in coming years.
Stephen W. Schondelmeyer, a pharmaceutical economics professor at the University of Minnesota, said, "When we have major legislation anticipated, we see a run-up in price increases."
In the last year, the industry has raised the wholesale prices of brand-name prescription drugs by about 9 percent, according to industry analysts. That will add more than $10 billion to the nation's drug bill, which is on track to exceed $300 billion this year. By at least one analysis, it is the highest annual rate of inflation for drug prices since 1992.
The drug trend is distinctly at odds with the direction of the Consumer Price Index, which has fallen by 1.3 percent in the last year.
Drug makers say they have valid business reasons for the price increases. Critics say the industry is trying to establish a higher price base before Congress passes legislation that tries to curb drug spending in coming years.
HOW RELIGIOUS EXTREMISTS AFFECT PUBLIC LAWS CONT'D
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER PICTUREIn 1976, Congress passed the Hyde Amendment, which forbids federal funding for abortion. The only exceptions are in cases of rape, incest, and danger to the life of the woman. Most states have also banned state Medicaid funding for abortion.
Before the Hyde Amendment, women could access abortion services regardless of their income, because Medicaid covered abortion care like it did every other medical service. However, since 1976, low-income women's ability to exercise their rights has been severely restricted.
Congress also denies abortion coverage to military personnel and their families, women receiving care from Indian Health Services, and people on disability insurance.
DAILY RECORD HIGH TEMPS BEAT RECORD LOW TEMPS BY 2 TO 1 OVER PAST DECADE
Life Science - Daily record high temperatures occurred twice as often as record lows over the last decade across the continental United States, new research shows. . . If temperatures were not warming, the number of record daily highs and lows being set each year would be approximately even, the researchers explained in a statement.
Instead, for the period from Jan. 1, 2000, to Sept. 30, 2009, the continental United States set 291,237 record highs and 142,420 record lows, as the country experienced unusually mild winter weather and intense summer heat waves.
Instead, for the period from Jan. 1, 2000, to Sept. 30, 2009, the continental United States set 291,237 record highs and 142,420 record lows, as the country experienced unusually mild winter weather and intense summer heat waves.
November 15, 2009
FLOTSAM & JETSAM: A BRIEF GUIDE TO AVOIDING SOCIALISM
Sam Smith
Last May, the Republican National Committee condemned Obama and the Democratic Congress for leading America towards socialism. Since then the line has been picked up by numerous others on the right including the tea baggers, a group that believes it is standing for true American rights by invoking memories of a fight that was actually about merely getting Americans some representation in the British Parliament and not about full independence.
That's not the only mistake made by those complaining about the threat of socialism. If Obama is leading America anywhere, it is - like his immediate predecessors - towards fascism. Socialism is about the state running things on behalf of the public; fascism is about the state running things on behalf of corporations. Adrian Lyttelton in his book on Mussolini wrote that "fascism can be viewed as a product of the transition from the market capitalism of the independent producer to the organized capitalism of the oligopoly." It was a point that Orwell noted when he described fascism as being but an extension of capitalism. Lyttelton quoted Italian Nationalist theorist Affredo Rocco: "The Fascist economy is. . . an organized economy. It is organized by the producers themselves, under the supreme direction and control of the State."
This is the way we have been heading for some time and Obama has merely joined the club.
Still, all the talk got me thinking about what avoiding socialism in America would truly be about. What if we set out to rid ourselves of all intrusions of this purported political curse? Here are a few things we might do:
- Return to the old system of fire fighting in which blazes were handled by private fire brigades hired by private insurance companies. Brooke Harrington described the practice in Economic Sociology: "If you wanted a fire brigade to come to your aid in . . . emergencies, you had to join a kind of club with private membership fees. It worked like this: you ponied up the fees, the club gave you a plaque to put over your front door, and then if fire swept through the neighborhood, the club dispatched help, but they only assisted paying members. So if you didn't have that plaque over your door, the fire rescue teams would pass you right on by. It would not be uncommon to find that your house burned down while the one next door would be saved." Sounds a little like our health insurance system.
- End public education. Public schools - which strongly aided the growth of America - are about as socialistic as you can get. Obama, it should be noted, is trying to help reduce this deleterious influence by converting public schools into profit-making charter operations.
- Close down all federal highways or sell them off to the highest bidder so they can turn them into profit-making roads using tolls.
- Abolish Social Security, Medicare, food stamps and all other such welfare programs.
- End all government interference with the banking and financial industries. This would have recently saved us hundred of billions in bailout funds.
- End all veterans programs including closing veterans' hospitals.
- Sell off all public transportation to unregulated private interests.
- Close all public hospitals, end public subsidies to other hospitals and privatize all ambulance service.
- End all government regulation of food or health products.
- End the practice of government plowing streets after a snow storm. As Boston mayor James Curly put it, "The Lord brought it; let the Lord take it away."
There.
Feeling better yet?
Bet you never realized what a bunch of closet socialists we are.
We got there, though, because - instead of hurling theories and cliches at each other - we decided on a case by case basis who could do a particular job best. And the funny thing is, it's worked pretty well.
People who complain about the threat of socialism remind me of the man from Virginia who went to college on the GI Bill and bought his first house with a VA loan. When a hurricane struck he got federal disaster aid. When he got sick he was treated at a veteran's hospital. When he was laid off he received unemployment insurance and then got a SBA loan to start his own business. His bank funds were protected under federal deposit insurance laws. When he retired he went on Social Security and Medicare. The other day he got into his car, drove the federal interstate to the railroad station, parked in the public lot, took Amtrak to Washington and went to Capitol Hill to ask his congressman to get the government off his back.
Last May, the Republican National Committee condemned Obama and the Democratic Congress for leading America towards socialism. Since then the line has been picked up by numerous others on the right including the tea baggers, a group that believes it is standing for true American rights by invoking memories of a fight that was actually about merely getting Americans some representation in the British Parliament and not about full independence.
That's not the only mistake made by those complaining about the threat of socialism. If Obama is leading America anywhere, it is - like his immediate predecessors - towards fascism. Socialism is about the state running things on behalf of the public; fascism is about the state running things on behalf of corporations. Adrian Lyttelton in his book on Mussolini wrote that "fascism can be viewed as a product of the transition from the market capitalism of the independent producer to the organized capitalism of the oligopoly." It was a point that Orwell noted when he described fascism as being but an extension of capitalism. Lyttelton quoted Italian Nationalist theorist Affredo Rocco: "The Fascist economy is. . . an organized economy. It is organized by the producers themselves, under the supreme direction and control of the State."
This is the way we have been heading for some time and Obama has merely joined the club.
Still, all the talk got me thinking about what avoiding socialism in America would truly be about. What if we set out to rid ourselves of all intrusions of this purported political curse? Here are a few things we might do:
- Return to the old system of fire fighting in which blazes were handled by private fire brigades hired by private insurance companies. Brooke Harrington described the practice in Economic Sociology: "If you wanted a fire brigade to come to your aid in . . . emergencies, you had to join a kind of club with private membership fees. It worked like this: you ponied up the fees, the club gave you a plaque to put over your front door, and then if fire swept through the neighborhood, the club dispatched help, but they only assisted paying members. So if you didn't have that plaque over your door, the fire rescue teams would pass you right on by. It would not be uncommon to find that your house burned down while the one next door would be saved." Sounds a little like our health insurance system.
- End public education. Public schools - which strongly aided the growth of America - are about as socialistic as you can get. Obama, it should be noted, is trying to help reduce this deleterious influence by converting public schools into profit-making charter operations.
- Close down all federal highways or sell them off to the highest bidder so they can turn them into profit-making roads using tolls.
- Abolish Social Security, Medicare, food stamps and all other such welfare programs.
- End all government interference with the banking and financial industries. This would have recently saved us hundred of billions in bailout funds.
- End all veterans programs including closing veterans' hospitals.
- Sell off all public transportation to unregulated private interests.
- Close all public hospitals, end public subsidies to other hospitals and privatize all ambulance service.
- End all government regulation of food or health products.
- End the practice of government plowing streets after a snow storm. As Boston mayor James Curly put it, "The Lord brought it; let the Lord take it away."
There.
Feeling better yet?
Bet you never realized what a bunch of closet socialists we are.
We got there, though, because - instead of hurling theories and cliches at each other - we decided on a case by case basis who could do a particular job best. And the funny thing is, it's worked pretty well.
People who complain about the threat of socialism remind me of the man from Virginia who went to college on the GI Bill and bought his first house with a VA loan. When a hurricane struck he got federal disaster aid. When he got sick he was treated at a veteran's hospital. When he was laid off he received unemployment insurance and then got a SBA loan to start his own business. His bank funds were protected under federal deposit insurance laws. When he retired he went on Social Security and Medicare. The other day he got into his car, drove the federal interstate to the railroad station, parked in the public lot, took Amtrak to Washington and went to Capitol Hill to ask his congressman to get the government off his back.
HELP THE EDITOR
The other evening, facing a plate of Maine crab cakes I suddenly got the urge to douse them with butter and maple syrup. This was not something I had dreamed up; it came from some deep corner of memory. And, boy, was I glad. It was delicious.
But when I mentioned this to others, seeking the origin of this inclination, I found no one who thought I was anything but a bit nutty. The web wasn't much help although I did find a Maryland Eastern Shore "classic recipe for crab cakes as they are traditionally prepared" that included a tablespoon of pure maple syrup included in the basic formulation.
I suspect it's a southern thing, perhaps from my DC childhood, but if anyone can give any context it will be appreciated. With or without cultural context, however, I plan to continue to pour maple syrup on my crab cakes.- Sam
But when I mentioned this to others, seeking the origin of this inclination, I found no one who thought I was anything but a bit nutty. The web wasn't much help although I did find a Maryland Eastern Shore "classic recipe for crab cakes as they are traditionally prepared" that included a tablespoon of pure maple syrup included in the basic formulation.
I suspect it's a southern thing, perhaps from my DC childhood, but if anyone can give any context it will be appreciated. With or without cultural context, however, I plan to continue to pour maple syrup on my crab cakes.- Sam
FUN RECYCLING FACTS
From Burlington Free Press
- Since the modern process for producing aluminum was developed by Alcoa founder Charles Martin Hall in 1886, more than 70 percent of all the virgin aluminum ever made remains in use.
- Currently, some 50 percent of the aluminum beverage cans consumed in this country are being recycled. This is well below world standards: - Brazil: 94.4 percent - Japan: 90.9 percent - Germany: 89 percent - Global Average: 63 percent - Western Europe: 57.7 percent
- The newspaper you put in your blue bin today could be recycled and have some portion of it land back on your doorstep as a new Free Press within two to three weeks.
- Here's the breakdown of a household's trash and recyclables: - 9 percent non blue-bin recyclables (e.g. fabrics, scrap metal). - 19 percent blue-bin recyclables. - 33 percent compostables. - 39 percent landfill material.
- Americans throw out 694 plastic bottles every second, according to National Geographic.
- Regarding recycled toilet paper, the United States could save 470,000 trees, 1.2 million cubic feet of landfill space and 169 million gallons of water if everyone in the US traded one roll of regular toilet paper for a recycled roll, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Since the modern process for producing aluminum was developed by Alcoa founder Charles Martin Hall in 1886, more than 70 percent of all the virgin aluminum ever made remains in use.
- Currently, some 50 percent of the aluminum beverage cans consumed in this country are being recycled. This is well below world standards: - Brazil: 94.4 percent - Japan: 90.9 percent - Germany: 89 percent - Global Average: 63 percent - Western Europe: 57.7 percent
- The newspaper you put in your blue bin today could be recycled and have some portion of it land back on your doorstep as a new Free Press within two to three weeks.
- Here's the breakdown of a household's trash and recyclables: - 9 percent non blue-bin recyclables (e.g. fabrics, scrap metal). - 19 percent blue-bin recyclables. - 33 percent compostables. - 39 percent landfill material.
- Americans throw out 694 plastic bottles every second, according to National Geographic.
- Regarding recycled toilet paper, the United States could save 470,000 trees, 1.2 million cubic feet of landfill space and 169 million gallons of water if everyone in the US traded one roll of regular toilet paper for a recycled roll, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
ARNE DUNCAN'S BRIBE TO THE FLOP
Schools Matter - Since last fall, Bush and Obama have handed over 3 trillion dollars (give or take a few hundred billion) in taxpayer money to save American business from the ruin that corporate greed and profligate behavior would have otherwise guaranteed the entire country, except for those with foreign bank accounts, of course.
In comparison, 2.5 percent of that $3 trillion, or $100 billion, went to the education bailout, and a sliver of that $100 billion (4.3% of it) has been given to the Secretary of Education to "incent" states to change their laws so that they will be in line with the Broad/Gates corporate education reform based on paying teachers for test scores, creating mammoth data surveillance systems, opening up the floodgates to "alternative" teacher preparation programs and expanding corporate charter chain gang schools to become the dominant model for schooling in urban America. . .
Most believe that none of 4.3 percent of the 2.5% of the corporate bailout will improve education or close the achievement gap or accomplish any of the blah-blah about competitive global economies. What it will likely do is continue shrinking school curriculums into the box built by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, weaken the teaching profession and teacher unions, make test scores even more high stakes and certainly more high profit, and solidify the education industry as the dominant voice for urban school matters in America. . .
And all of it is going full steam ahead despite what the preponderance of evidence tells us about these proposals.
For instance, [in] the only peer-reviewed large-scale study of charter schools, a 14 state study out of a Stanford research center reported that 17% of charters did better than public schools, while 37% did worse. The reason that charters do no better, and frequently do worse, than public schools is that they do not provide the promised innovations, have higher turnover and less qualified staff. Also clearly emerging from the findings is that charter schools segregate by wealth and race. . .
A study of performance pay in Texas reported yesterday in the Dallas Morning News found this:
"For the $300 million spent on merit pay for teachers over the last three years, Texas was hoping for a big boost in student achievement. But it didn't happen with the now-defunct program, according to experts hired by the state.. . . 'There is no systematic evidence that TEEG had an impact on student achievement gains,' said researchers for Texas A&M University, Vanderbilt University and the University of Missouri."
In comparison, 2.5 percent of that $3 trillion, or $100 billion, went to the education bailout, and a sliver of that $100 billion (4.3% of it) has been given to the Secretary of Education to "incent" states to change their laws so that they will be in line with the Broad/Gates corporate education reform based on paying teachers for test scores, creating mammoth data surveillance systems, opening up the floodgates to "alternative" teacher preparation programs and expanding corporate charter chain gang schools to become the dominant model for schooling in urban America. . .
Most believe that none of 4.3 percent of the 2.5% of the corporate bailout will improve education or close the achievement gap or accomplish any of the blah-blah about competitive global economies. What it will likely do is continue shrinking school curriculums into the box built by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, weaken the teaching profession and teacher unions, make test scores even more high stakes and certainly more high profit, and solidify the education industry as the dominant voice for urban school matters in America. . .
And all of it is going full steam ahead despite what the preponderance of evidence tells us about these proposals.
For instance, [in] the only peer-reviewed large-scale study of charter schools, a 14 state study out of a Stanford research center reported that 17% of charters did better than public schools, while 37% did worse. The reason that charters do no better, and frequently do worse, than public schools is that they do not provide the promised innovations, have higher turnover and less qualified staff. Also clearly emerging from the findings is that charter schools segregate by wealth and race. . .
A study of performance pay in Texas reported yesterday in the Dallas Morning News found this:
"For the $300 million spent on merit pay for teachers over the last three years, Texas was hoping for a big boost in student achievement. But it didn't happen with the now-defunct program, according to experts hired by the state.. . . 'There is no systematic evidence that TEEG had an impact on student achievement gains,' said researchers for Texas A&M University, Vanderbilt University and the University of Missouri."
PLASTIC BECOMES A FARM PROBLEM
Maine Public Broadcasting - Amy Quinton from New Hampshire Public Radio reports farms and nurseries are using so much plastic -- thousands of pounds a year --that they're having a tough time getting rid of it. . .
Farmers used to store hay in silos or barns. Now it's encased in plastics to protect it from moist weather in the northeast. The ag bags are about eight feet in diameter and 200-feet long. . .
Because some of that plastic can be dirty or torn, it's hard to reuse it, or to find a recycler who will take dirty plastic. . .
Farmers all over the region are facing the same problem. So are nurseries and garden centers, which are saddled with plastic greenhouse covers, trays and pots. . .
He estimates his company goes through about a half million plastic flower pots a year. made from polypropylene, one of the less common plastics. "It's tough to get someone to want to use it and recycle it," he says. "As far as I know all the people that are interested in recycling it are in the midwest."
Cole says he's found just one company out of Michigan that's willing to pick up and recycle his flower pots -- but only when he has a full truckload. Cole says most garden centers, even the large ones, end up taking their pots to landfills.
Farmers used to store hay in silos or barns. Now it's encased in plastics to protect it from moist weather in the northeast. The ag bags are about eight feet in diameter and 200-feet long. . .
Because some of that plastic can be dirty or torn, it's hard to reuse it, or to find a recycler who will take dirty plastic. . .
Farmers all over the region are facing the same problem. So are nurseries and garden centers, which are saddled with plastic greenhouse covers, trays and pots. . .
He estimates his company goes through about a half million plastic flower pots a year. made from polypropylene, one of the less common plastics. "It's tough to get someone to want to use it and recycle it," he says. "As far as I know all the people that are interested in recycling it are in the midwest."
Cole says he's found just one company out of Michigan that's willing to pick up and recycle his flower pots -- but only when he has a full truckload. Cole says most garden centers, even the large ones, end up taking their pots to landfills.
ROLL OUT YOUR VEGGIE GARDEN
Tree Hugger - Chris Chapman is an early twenties British designer, who balked at the idea of studying design to make "pretty things for wealthy, privileged consumers." So he changed tack and learnt design-for-sustainability instead. He now has a quiver of cool green projects ready to fling at prospective clients or employers.
The one that most captured our attention was his Roll-Out Veg Mat. Each season, householders buy a new roll of corrugated cardboard impregnated with vegetable seeds. Simply roll out the cardboard and cover with soil. Presto! Near instant veggie garden. It's simplicity could even push the No-Dig Garden for uncomplicated elegance.
As to how effective it would be in the real world remains to be seen. But Chris' idea shows that he understands that some of the hurdles to going green have nothing to politics. Oftentimes they come down to simply not having the available hours in the day to make good things happen.
FIFTEEN PERCENT OF EUROPE'S ELECTRICITY COULD COME FROM THE SAHARA DESERT
ENN - A $400 billon plan to provide Europe with solar power from the Sahara desert moved a step closer to reality with the formation of a consortium of 12 companies to carry out the work. Known as the Desertec Industrial Initiative), the German-led consortium consists of some of country's biggest engineering and power companies, along with Munich Re, the largest reinsurer in the world.
Since the project was first announced in July, the DII has gained support from a wide variety of political and governmental institutions in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe.
The DDI believes it can deliver solar power to Europe as early as 2015. It aims to provide 15% of Europe's electricity by 2050 or earlier via power lines stretching across the desert and Mediterranean Sea.
GROWTH OF LATINO ELECTORATE
Open Left - When Reagan was first elected, only one percent of voters (and six percent of the population) were Hispanic. . . In 2008, after a rapid increase in participation, the Latino proportion of the electorate had increased almost tenfold (in part because of immigration) to 9% (compared to 15% of the population).
The most striking feature . . . is the increase in the Latino electorate in the South and other areas outside the Southwest. . .
In 2008, seven states had more than 10% of the exit poll respondents describe themselves as Latino. Among them, there was essentially no change between 2004 and 2008 in Texas and Florida, and a slight decrease in California. The rest of the Southwest showed dramatic increases: from 8% of the electorate in 2003 to 13% of the electorate in 2008 (+63%) in Colorado, 10% to 15% in Nevada (+50%), 32% to 41% in New Mexico (+28%), and 12% to 16% in Arizona (+33%). The states without much change had the same status in 2004 and 2008 - uncompetitive for TX and CA, battleground for FL.
The most striking feature . . . is the increase in the Latino electorate in the South and other areas outside the Southwest. . .
In 2008, seven states had more than 10% of the exit poll respondents describe themselves as Latino. Among them, there was essentially no change between 2004 and 2008 in Texas and Florida, and a slight decrease in California. The rest of the Southwest showed dramatic increases: from 8% of the electorate in 2003 to 13% of the electorate in 2008 (+63%) in Colorado, 10% to 15% in Nevada (+50%), 32% to 41% in New Mexico (+28%), and 12% to 16% in Arizona (+33%). The states without much change had the same status in 2004 and 2008 - uncompetitive for TX and CA, battleground for FL.
November 14, 2009
BOOKSHELF
THE ART OF CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT
The folks at the Project on Government Oversight knew something was wrong when they would ge questions like the one from a congressional staffer wanting to know how to file a freedom of information request with the executive branch. You are Congress, POGO explained, an equal branch of government. You don't need to file a request.
Part of the problem was congressional turnover; when the majority changes party a lot of senior staffers now in the minority bail out, taking with them much experience. It was such gaps that Pogo decided to fill.
WFED - For the past three years, the Project on Government Oversight has been holding monthly training sessions entitled "The Congressional Oversight Training Series", a free lunchtime skill-building seminar designed to educate Hill staffers about their rights, responsibilities and powers working in the realm of Congressional oversight.
Ingrid Drake is an investigator at POGO, and Director of COTS:
"What we're trying to do is expose them to some of the very seasoned oversight staffers on the Hill, or who may have recently left the Hill, as well as to journalists, as to how to make oversight investigations really hard-hitting, and really meaningful, and help resolve the problems that they've identified. The seminars are strictly non-partisan. We always talk about how important it is to reach across the aisle as part of a successful investigation. We talk about how important it is to involve the media in various stages of the investigation, and not just at the end.". . .
Recently POGO has published "The Art of Congressional Oversight: A Users Guide to Doing it Right". The 83-page, spiral bound volume contains insights into how to be a successful congressional committee investigator.
In one case, an attorney for a company under investigation tried to intimidate a then-young investigator, Franklin Sibley, formerly a Democratic House and Senate oversight Staff Director, saying "I find you very laughable". Sibley shot back, "three months from now, I want to see how funny you think I am." He went on to say, "three months later, he wasn't that amused".
POGO is sending a copy to every congressman and senator on Capitol Hill, and is also providing copies to Hill staffers who attend the seminars, or who write in requesting a copy.
POGO is also making "The Art of Congressional Oversight" available for purchase by interested members of the public from its website.
The folks at the Project on Government Oversight knew something was wrong when they would ge questions like the one from a congressional staffer wanting to know how to file a freedom of information request with the executive branch. You are Congress, POGO explained, an equal branch of government. You don't need to file a request.
Part of the problem was congressional turnover; when the majority changes party a lot of senior staffers now in the minority bail out, taking with them much experience. It was such gaps that Pogo decided to fill.
WFED - For the past three years, the Project on Government Oversight has been holding monthly training sessions entitled "The Congressional Oversight Training Series", a free lunchtime skill-building seminar designed to educate Hill staffers about their rights, responsibilities and powers working in the realm of Congressional oversight.
Ingrid Drake is an investigator at POGO, and Director of COTS:
"What we're trying to do is expose them to some of the very seasoned oversight staffers on the Hill, or who may have recently left the Hill, as well as to journalists, as to how to make oversight investigations really hard-hitting, and really meaningful, and help resolve the problems that they've identified. The seminars are strictly non-partisan. We always talk about how important it is to reach across the aisle as part of a successful investigation. We talk about how important it is to involve the media in various stages of the investigation, and not just at the end.". . .
Recently POGO has published "The Art of Congressional Oversight: A Users Guide to Doing it Right". The 83-page, spiral bound volume contains insights into how to be a successful congressional committee investigator.
In one case, an attorney for a company under investigation tried to intimidate a then-young investigator, Franklin Sibley, formerly a Democratic House and Senate oversight Staff Director, saying "I find you very laughable". Sibley shot back, "three months from now, I want to see how funny you think I am." He went on to say, "three months later, he wasn't that amused".
POGO is sending a copy to every congressman and senator on Capitol Hill, and is also providing copies to Hill staffers who attend the seminars, or who write in requesting a copy.
POGO is also making "The Art of Congressional Oversight" available for purchase by interested members of the public from its website.
A LAWYER WRITES 'MEEP' TO THAT SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Theodora Michaels, attorney - Perhaps by now you've read some of the articles . . . about how Principal Murray has tried to ban his students from saying meep.
It's been a long time since I was in high school, but I still remember what it was like to be young, and chafing under what seemed like arbitrary and capricious rules set down by school authorities.
So in solidarity with the students of Danvers High, and on my own initiative, I took about five seconds and sent an email to Principal Thomas Murray ( murray@danvers.org ), Assistant Principal Mark Strout ( strout@danvers.org ), Assistant Principal Cornelia Varoudakis ( cvaroudakis@danvers.org ), and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lisa Dana ( dana@danvers.org ). All of these addresses are publicly available on the Danvers High School website.
My subject line said (in full), "meep." The body said (in full), "Meep."
Yesterday I received a reply email from Assistant Principal Mark Strout, which said (in full) "Your E-mail has been forwarded to the Danvers Police Department.". . .
That simultaneously annoyed and amused me enough to write this article. (Plus, my train was late.)
First, apparently this school doesn't know how email works. If they don't like getting emails that say "meep" -- and I'm assuming they got others before they got mine -- it should be a simple matter for the school's IT person to set their email program to filter all external emails that say meep and send them straight into the trash. Then there'd be no need to even look at them, let alone reply to or forward them.
Second, apparently they don't know how the law works. I haven't researched Massachusetts law, but I'm assuming there's no law that would prevent me from sending a single, non-commercial email, containing a single nonsense "word" (but impliedly relating to their work as school officials) to adults at their publicly-posted work emails. And if there were such a law, it would not survive a constitutional challenge. So I don't understand the point of Mr. Strout's email, unless he's hoping to scare me into -- what, not emailing "meep" ever again? Or more generally not criticizing his performance as a school official?
Gee, I'm scared -- maybe the Danvers police will come to NYC to arrest me! I guess they'll also try to extradite people who (I'm guessing) sent emails from other countries. We can be charged with . . . what, first degree meeping? . . .
Third, and most important, Messrs. Murray and Strout don't understand human nature. People -- especially teenagers -- don't like following pointless rules. To the point where they'll go out of their way to rebel against them (and I took five seconds out of my busy day), even if said rebellion itself is rather pointless. I get nothing out of saying meep. But I will vigorously defend my -- and others' -- right to say it. . .
Only a complete idiot would try to make and enforce (to teenagers, yet!) a rule that says "You're not allowed to say meep." And email a stranger in another state (an attorney, yet!) that there's (impliedly) something illegal about sending an email that says "meep."
And finally, Messrs. Murray and Strout don't understand how the internet works. Attempts to silence information -- or even nonsense -- are consistently met with a proliferation of that very information (or nonsense) beyond anyone's wildest dreams. Anyone who tries to stop people's honest criticism of their conduct -- especially if they show that they're highly sensitive to criticism (Going to the police? Seriously?) -- is likely to be the target of further criticism. . .
In conclusion, meep.
It's been a long time since I was in high school, but I still remember what it was like to be young, and chafing under what seemed like arbitrary and capricious rules set down by school authorities.
So in solidarity with the students of Danvers High, and on my own initiative, I took about five seconds and sent an email to Principal Thomas Murray ( murray@danvers.org ), Assistant Principal Mark Strout ( strout@danvers.org ), Assistant Principal Cornelia Varoudakis ( cvaroudakis@danvers.org ), and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lisa Dana ( dana@danvers.org ). All of these addresses are publicly available on the Danvers High School website.
My subject line said (in full), "meep." The body said (in full), "Meep."
Yesterday I received a reply email from Assistant Principal Mark Strout, which said (in full) "Your E-mail has been forwarded to the Danvers Police Department.". . .
That simultaneously annoyed and amused me enough to write this article. (Plus, my train was late.)
First, apparently this school doesn't know how email works. If they don't like getting emails that say "meep" -- and I'm assuming they got others before they got mine -- it should be a simple matter for the school's IT person to set their email program to filter all external emails that say meep and send them straight into the trash. Then there'd be no need to even look at them, let alone reply to or forward them.
Second, apparently they don't know how the law works. I haven't researched Massachusetts law, but I'm assuming there's no law that would prevent me from sending a single, non-commercial email, containing a single nonsense "word" (but impliedly relating to their work as school officials) to adults at their publicly-posted work emails. And if there were such a law, it would not survive a constitutional challenge. So I don't understand the point of Mr. Strout's email, unless he's hoping to scare me into -- what, not emailing "meep" ever again? Or more generally not criticizing his performance as a school official?
Gee, I'm scared -- maybe the Danvers police will come to NYC to arrest me! I guess they'll also try to extradite people who (I'm guessing) sent emails from other countries. We can be charged with . . . what, first degree meeping? . . .
Third, and most important, Messrs. Murray and Strout don't understand human nature. People -- especially teenagers -- don't like following pointless rules. To the point where they'll go out of their way to rebel against them (and I took five seconds out of my busy day), even if said rebellion itself is rather pointless. I get nothing out of saying meep. But I will vigorously defend my -- and others' -- right to say it. . .
Only a complete idiot would try to make and enforce (to teenagers, yet!) a rule that says "You're not allowed to say meep." And email a stranger in another state (an attorney, yet!) that there's (impliedly) something illegal about sending an email that says "meep."
And finally, Messrs. Murray and Strout don't understand how the internet works. Attempts to silence information -- or even nonsense -- are consistently met with a proliferation of that very information (or nonsense) beyond anyone's wildest dreams. Anyone who tries to stop people's honest criticism of their conduct -- especially if they show that they're highly sensitive to criticism (Going to the police? Seriously?) -- is likely to be the target of further criticism. . .
In conclusion, meep.
INFANT MORTALY SOARING IN IRAQ
Guardian, UK - Doctors in Iraq's war-ravaged enclave of Falluja are dealing with up to 15 times as many chronic deformities in infants and a spike in early life cancers that may be linked to toxic materials left over from the fighting. . . Neurologists and obstetricians in the city interviewed by the Guardian say the rise in birth defects - which include a baby born with two heads, babies with multiple tumors, and others with nervous system problems - are unprecedented and at present unexplainable.
A group of Iraqi and British officials, including the former Iraqi minister for women's affairs, Dr Nawal Majeed a-Sammarai, and the British doctors David Halpin and Chris Burns-Cox, have petitioned the UN general assembly to ask that an independent committee fully investigate the defects and help clean up toxic materials left over decades of war - including the six years since Saddam Hussein was ousted. . .
A group of Iraqi and British officials, including the former Iraqi minister for women's affairs, Dr Nawal Majeed a-Sammarai, and the British doctors David Halpin and Chris Burns-Cox, have petitioned the UN general assembly to ask that an independent committee fully investigate the defects and help clean up toxic materials left over decades of war - including the six years since Saddam Hussein was ousted. . .
ARMY ARRESTS GI MOTHER ASSIGNED TO AFGHANISTAN WHO CAN'T FIND CARE FOR HER 11-MONTH OLD SON
CHILD PLACED IN FOSTER CARE
IPS - U.S. Army Specialist Alexis Hutchinson, a single mother, is being threatened with a military court-martial if she does not agree to deploy to Afghanistan, despite having been told she would be granted extra time to find someone to care for her 11-month-old son while she is overseas.
Hutchinson, of Oakland, California, is currently being confined at Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah, Georgia, after being arrested. Her son was placed into a county foster care system.
Hutchinson has been threatened with a court martial if she does not agree to deploy to Afghanistan on Sunday, Nov. 15. She has been attempting to find someone to take care of her child, Kamani, while she is deployed overseas, but to no avail.
According to the family care plan of the U.S. Army, Hutchinson was allowed to fly to California and leave her son with her mother, Angelique Hughes of Oakland.
However, after a week of caring for the child, Hughes realized she was unable to care for Kamani along with her other duties of caring for a daughter with special needs, her ailing mother, and an ailing sister.
In late October, Angelique Hughes told Hutchinson and her commander that she would be unable to care for Kamani after all. The Army then gave Hutchinson an extension of time to allow her to find someone else to care for Kamani. Meanwhile, Hughes brought Kamani back to Georgia to be with his mother.
However, only a few days before Hutchinson's original deployment date, she was told by the Army she would not get the time extension after all, and would have to deploy, despite not having found anyone to care for her child.
Faced with this choice, Hutchinson chose not to show up for her plane to Afghanistan. The military arrested her and placed her child in the county foster care system.
Currently, Hutchinson is scheduled to fly to Afghanistan on Sunday for a special court martial, where she then faces up to one year in jail.
IPS - U.S. Army Specialist Alexis Hutchinson, a single mother, is being threatened with a military court-martial if she does not agree to deploy to Afghanistan, despite having been told she would be granted extra time to find someone to care for her 11-month-old son while she is overseas.
Hutchinson, of Oakland, California, is currently being confined at Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah, Georgia, after being arrested. Her son was placed into a county foster care system.
Hutchinson has been threatened with a court martial if she does not agree to deploy to Afghanistan on Sunday, Nov. 15. She has been attempting to find someone to take care of her child, Kamani, while she is deployed overseas, but to no avail.
According to the family care plan of the U.S. Army, Hutchinson was allowed to fly to California and leave her son with her mother, Angelique Hughes of Oakland.
However, after a week of caring for the child, Hughes realized she was unable to care for Kamani along with her other duties of caring for a daughter with special needs, her ailing mother, and an ailing sister.
In late October, Angelique Hughes told Hutchinson and her commander that she would be unable to care for Kamani after all. The Army then gave Hutchinson an extension of time to allow her to find someone else to care for Kamani. Meanwhile, Hughes brought Kamani back to Georgia to be with his mother.
However, only a few days before Hutchinson's original deployment date, she was told by the Army she would not get the time extension after all, and would have to deploy, despite not having found anyone to care for her child.
Faced with this choice, Hutchinson chose not to show up for her plane to Afghanistan. The military arrested her and placed her child in the county foster care system.
Currently, Hutchinson is scheduled to fly to Afghanistan on Sunday for a special court martial, where she then faces up to one year in jail.
LEFT, RIGHT AND THE SECOND MAINE MILITIA
Christopher Ketcham, Time - In early October, the Second Maine Militia opened its meeting with the traditional shooting of the televisions. The 50 or so "members" (there are no rolls and no one pays dues) chatted quietly as the blasts rang out. A small cannon was fired into the woods, parting the trees and shaking the windows of the house nearby. But no real televisions were harmed. The sets were just cardboard boxes painted with inane smiley faces and decorated with slogans like "Feel good!" "Proud to be USA!" "Safe in the homeland!" The aluminum-foil antennas, however, did collapse miserably from the real gunfire.
The purpose of the annual meeting, the same as it has been since the militia started in 1995, was to bring together the politics of left and right over speeches, food, live music, and, of course, live ammo. The attendees were a wildly diverse group: young activists and anarchists in black, old beat-up Maine woodsmen with beards to their bellies, retired white-haired college professors, Second Amendment zealots, conservatives, libertarians, Marxists. But they all shared the belief that the U.S. government has lost its moral authority, that both political parties had "degenerated," as one attendee put it, "into whores for wealth and arbiters of empire."
"From the beginning, we were the No-Wing Militia," said Michael Chute, 54, who served as range officer for the slaughter of the televisions. "We ain't right wing, we ain't left wing. We're trying to get the folks to see the problem ain't left versus right, it's up versus down." He uses a tool analogy. "A Republican is a standard screw," said Chute. "A Democrat is a Philips screws. So whichever way you vote you get the screw." . . .
Earlier in the festivities, a few people had made speeches. One of the presenters, a retired professor of economics from Duke University named Thomas Naylor, 73, who heads up a secessionist movement in Vermont, suggested that Maine secede from the union. I asked Naylor, who doesn't own or particularly like guns, what he thought of the Second Maine Militia. "It's a variation on the Swiss shooting club, with social and political overlays," he explained. "It's a fairly benign way of confronting one's powerlessness.". . .
Michael Chute kindled a fire as night fell and the party was ending, and I sat down with his wife, who wore big boots and a blue bandanna that tied back long kinky hair. "We should secede," she said, almost to herself. Over her jungle-camo jacket she strung a bandolier that held what looked like the 7.62 mm rounds for her AK-47, the rifle she calls "my baby" because "it kicks just a little bit and has a deep sound." But there was nothing deadly about her ammo: the shell casings were affixed with pencil points. "The point being," the novelist explained, "that we should make our pencils our bullets."
The purpose of the annual meeting, the same as it has been since the militia started in 1995, was to bring together the politics of left and right over speeches, food, live music, and, of course, live ammo. The attendees were a wildly diverse group: young activists and anarchists in black, old beat-up Maine woodsmen with beards to their bellies, retired white-haired college professors, Second Amendment zealots, conservatives, libertarians, Marxists. But they all shared the belief that the U.S. government has lost its moral authority, that both political parties had "degenerated," as one attendee put it, "into whores for wealth and arbiters of empire."
"From the beginning, we were the No-Wing Militia," said Michael Chute, 54, who served as range officer for the slaughter of the televisions. "We ain't right wing, we ain't left wing. We're trying to get the folks to see the problem ain't left versus right, it's up versus down." He uses a tool analogy. "A Republican is a standard screw," said Chute. "A Democrat is a Philips screws. So whichever way you vote you get the screw." . . .
Earlier in the festivities, a few people had made speeches. One of the presenters, a retired professor of economics from Duke University named Thomas Naylor, 73, who heads up a secessionist movement in Vermont, suggested that Maine secede from the union. I asked Naylor, who doesn't own or particularly like guns, what he thought of the Second Maine Militia. "It's a variation on the Swiss shooting club, with social and political overlays," he explained. "It's a fairly benign way of confronting one's powerlessness.". . .
Michael Chute kindled a fire as night fell and the party was ending, and I sat down with his wife, who wore big boots and a blue bandanna that tied back long kinky hair. "We should secede," she said, almost to herself. Over her jungle-camo jacket she strung a bandolier that held what looked like the 7.62 mm rounds for her AK-47, the rifle she calls "my baby" because "it kicks just a little bit and has a deep sound." But there was nothing deadly about her ammo: the shell casings were affixed with pencil points. "The point being," the novelist explained, "that we should make our pencils our bullets."
WHITE SHARKS ARE WITH US, BUT STAYING OUT OF THE WAY
Washington Post - Pacific white sharks spend months near the northern and central California coast between August and February foraging among elephant seals, sea lions and other prey, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society. The team of 10 California-based researchers determined that these sharks probably pass close to populated beaches and have been spotted as far inland as the mouth of the San Francisco Bay, east of the Golden Gate Bridge.
"It shows you how wild it is off our west coast of North America. This is Yellowstone," said Stanford University marine sciences professor Barbara A. Block, who co-wrote the paper.
By tracking their movements, scientists determined that the fearsome predators make such precise, regular migrations each year between the California coast and the Hawaiian islands that they have become genetically distinct from their counterparts on the other side of the Pacific.
The fact that "a major concentration" of great whites can ignore the humans who might have crossed their path there "shows us the sharks are really minding their own business. The number of interactions with people is very small, considering," said Stanford University post-doctoral scholar Salvador J. Jorgensen, the paper's lead writer.
"It shows you how wild it is off our west coast of North America. This is Yellowstone," said Stanford University marine sciences professor Barbara A. Block, who co-wrote the paper.
By tracking their movements, scientists determined that the fearsome predators make such precise, regular migrations each year between the California coast and the Hawaiian islands that they have become genetically distinct from their counterparts on the other side of the Pacific.
The fact that "a major concentration" of great whites can ignore the humans who might have crossed their path there "shows us the sharks are really minding their own business. The number of interactions with people is very small, considering," said Stanford University post-doctoral scholar Salvador J. Jorgensen, the paper's lead writer.
FBI COMES UP WITH BIGGEST CONSPIRACY YET: 400,000 MEMBERS
Washington Post - Newly released FBI data offer evidence of the broad scope and complexity of the nation's terrorist watch list, documenting a daily flood of names nominated for inclusion to the controversial list.
During a 12-month period ended in March this year, for example, the U.S. intelligence community suggested on a daily basis that 1,600 people qualified for the list because they presented a "reasonable suspicion," according to data provided to the Senate Judiciary Committee by the FBI in September and made public last week.
FBI officials cautioned that each nomination "does not necessarily represent a new individual, but may instead involve an alias or name variant for a previously watchlisted person."
The ever-churning list is said to contain more than 400,000 unique names and over 1 million entries. The committee was told that over that same period, officials asked each day that 600 names be removed and 4,800 records be modified. Fewer than 5 percent of the people on the list are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Nine percent of those on the terrorism list, the FBI said, are also on the government's "no fly" list.
During a 12-month period ended in March this year, for example, the U.S. intelligence community suggested on a daily basis that 1,600 people qualified for the list because they presented a "reasonable suspicion," according to data provided to the Senate Judiciary Committee by the FBI in September and made public last week.
FBI officials cautioned that each nomination "does not necessarily represent a new individual, but may instead involve an alias or name variant for a previously watchlisted person."
The ever-churning list is said to contain more than 400,000 unique names and over 1 million entries. The committee was told that over that same period, officials asked each day that 600 names be removed and 4,800 records be modified. Fewer than 5 percent of the people on the list are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Nine percent of those on the terrorism list, the FBI said, are also on the government's "no fly" list.
A WORLD DISSATISFIED WITH CAPITALISM
World Public Opinion - Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, a new BBC World Service global poll finds that dissatisfaction with free market capitalism is widespread, with an average of only 11% across 27 countries saying that it works well and that greater regulation is not a good idea.
In only two countries do more than one in five feel that capitalism works well as it stands--the US (25%) and Pakistan (21%).
The most common view is that free market capitalism has problems that can be addressed through regulation and reform--a view held by an average of 51% of more than 29,000 people polled by GlobeScan - PIPA.
An average of 23% feel that capitalism is fatally flawed, and a new economic system is needed--including 43% in France, 38% in Mexico, 35% in Brazil and 31% in Ukraine.
Furthermore, majorities would like their government to be more active in owning or directly controlling their country's major industries in 15 of the 27 countries. This view is particularly widely held in countries of the former Soviet states of Russia (77%), and Ukraine (75%), but also Brazil (64%), Indonesia (65%), and France (57%).
Majorities support governments distributing wealth more evenly in 22 of the 27 countries --on average two out of three (67%) across all countries. In 17 of the 27 countries most want to see government doing more to regulate business--on average 56%.
In only two countries do more than one in five feel that capitalism works well as it stands--the US (25%) and Pakistan (21%).
The most common view is that free market capitalism has problems that can be addressed through regulation and reform--a view held by an average of 51% of more than 29,000 people polled by GlobeScan - PIPA.
An average of 23% feel that capitalism is fatally flawed, and a new economic system is needed--including 43% in France, 38% in Mexico, 35% in Brazil and 31% in Ukraine.
Furthermore, majorities would like their government to be more active in owning or directly controlling their country's major industries in 15 of the 27 countries. This view is particularly widely held in countries of the former Soviet states of Russia (77%), and Ukraine (75%), but also Brazil (64%), Indonesia (65%), and France (57%).
Majorities support governments distributing wealth more evenly in 22 of the 27 countries --on average two out of three (67%) across all countries. In 17 of the 27 countries most want to see government doing more to regulate business--on average 56%.
November 13, 2009
GREENLAND ICE MELTING FASTER
Scientific Blogging - Satellite observations and a state-of-the art regional atmospheric model have independently confirmed that the Greenland ice sheet is loosing mass at an accelerating rate, according to a new study published in Science.
The mass loss is equally distributed between increased iceberg production, driven by acceleration of Greenland's fast-flowing outlet glaciers, and increased melt water production at the ice sheet surface. . .
The Greenland ice sheet contains enough water to cause a global sea level rise of seven meters. . .
At the same time that surface melting started to increase around 1996, snowfall on the ice sheet also increased at approximately the same rate, masking surface mass losses for nearly a decade. Moreover, a significant part of the additional melt water refroze in the cold snow pack that covers the ice sheet. Without these moderating effects, post-1996 Greenland mass loss would have been double the amount of mass loss observed now.
The mass loss is equally distributed between increased iceberg production, driven by acceleration of Greenland's fast-flowing outlet glaciers, and increased melt water production at the ice sheet surface. . .
The Greenland ice sheet contains enough water to cause a global sea level rise of seven meters. . .
At the same time that surface melting started to increase around 1996, snowfall on the ice sheet also increased at approximately the same rate, masking surface mass losses for nearly a decade. Moreover, a significant part of the additional melt water refroze in the cold snow pack that covers the ice sheet. Without these moderating effects, post-1996 Greenland mass loss would have been double the amount of mass loss observed now.
COPS STEALING FROM THE INNOCENT
Detroit News - Local law enforcement agencies are raising millions of dollars by seizing private property suspected in crimes, but often without charges being filed -- and sometimes even when authorities admit no offense was committed.
The money raised by confiscating goods in Metro Detroit soared more than 50 percent to at least $20.62 million from 2003 to 2007, according to a Detroit News analysis of records from 58 law enforcement agencies. In some communities, amounts raised went from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands -- and, in one case, into the millions.
While courts have maintained the government's right to take property involved in crimes, police seizures -- also known as forfeitures -- are a growing source of friction in Michigan, especially as law enforcement agencies struggle to balance budgets.
"Police departments right now are looking for ways to generate revenue, and forfeiture is a way to offset the costs of doing business," said Sgt. Dave Schreiner, who runs Canton Township's forfeiture unit, which raised $343,699 in 2008. "You'll find that departments are doing more forfeitures than they used to because they've got to -- they're running out of money and they've got to find it somewhere."
The money raised by confiscating goods in Metro Detroit soared more than 50 percent to at least $20.62 million from 2003 to 2007, according to a Detroit News analysis of records from 58 law enforcement agencies. In some communities, amounts raised went from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands -- and, in one case, into the millions.
While courts have maintained the government's right to take property involved in crimes, police seizures -- also known as forfeitures -- are a growing source of friction in Michigan, especially as law enforcement agencies struggle to balance budgets.
"Police departments right now are looking for ways to generate revenue, and forfeiture is a way to offset the costs of doing business," said Sgt. Dave Schreiner, who runs Canton Township's forfeiture unit, which raised $343,699 in 2008. "You'll find that departments are doing more forfeitures than they used to because they've got to -- they're running out of money and they've got to find it somewhere."
ABORTION INCLUDED IN REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE HEALTH PLAN
Politico - The Republican National Committee told its members that it is reviewing its health insurance policy -- a move announced after Politico reported that RNC employees have abortion coverage through their current plan. . .
The Republican Party's official position calls for a constitutional ban on abortion, and many of its members are heavily engaged in a fight to ban individuals who get federal subsidies for insurance from using that money to buy policies that cover abortion through the health insurance exchanges proposed in a health care measure moving through Congress.
The Republican Party's official position calls for a constitutional ban on abortion, and many of its members are heavily engaged in a fight to ban individuals who get federal subsidies for insurance from using that money to buy policies that cover abortion through the health insurance exchanges proposed in a health care measure moving through Congress.
COULD HASAN HAVE DONE IT BY HIMSELF?
Gregory Patin, Madison Independent Examiner - After the horrible massacre at Ft. Hood, I spoke with a few people who served in the military. A retired army Capt. who served 7 years in the 173rd Airborne including time as a S-3 in a RSTA squadron said this: "There is no way a psychiatrist - basically an intellectual desk jockey - shot off hundreds of rounds with two pistols and hit about 40 people without being subdued by someone. Come on! He wasn't a trained assassin or a special ops commando shooting up a mall. He would have had to reload and that means putting one of the pistols down and reloading the other with seasoned combat vets in that deployment center. It only takes seconds to reload, but it only takes a second to subdue him."
A retired MP, Michael Martinez also said: "No way! That would be impossible. Even if he had two semi-auto pistols [according to early reports he used a 9mm and a .357 revolver to gun down over 40 people] he would still have had to stop to reload and someone would have jumped his ass. Most people on base aren't carrying [weapons], but MPs are and they would have been there in a heartbeat."
SFC Donald Buswell said, "I spent 10 years at Ft Hood. There is no way this 'official' story is legitimate. No way would a room full of combat vets allow this one shooter to get off over 100 rounds. And, it is not normal for the outside security guards to be there. They are at the MP station, and at the main gates. This means the room full of soldiers processing must have been pinned down; multiple shooters is the only plausible scenario. This sounds like Maj. Hasan has been used, and perhaps is a patsy."
Michael Gaddy, an army veteran of Vietnam, Beirut and Grenada writes: "The facts as presented by the Army and the media [about] the shooting at Fort Hood just don't compute. People on the ground have told me cell phone towers were jammed to prevent unauthorized dissemination of information after the shooting."
A retired MP, Michael Martinez also said: "No way! That would be impossible. Even if he had two semi-auto pistols [according to early reports he used a 9mm and a .357 revolver to gun down over 40 people] he would still have had to stop to reload and someone would have jumped his ass. Most people on base aren't carrying [weapons], but MPs are and they would have been there in a heartbeat."
SFC Donald Buswell said, "I spent 10 years at Ft Hood. There is no way this 'official' story is legitimate. No way would a room full of combat vets allow this one shooter to get off over 100 rounds. And, it is not normal for the outside security guards to be there. They are at the MP station, and at the main gates. This means the room full of soldiers processing must have been pinned down; multiple shooters is the only plausible scenario. This sounds like Maj. Hasan has been used, and perhaps is a patsy."
Michael Gaddy, an army veteran of Vietnam, Beirut and Grenada writes: "The facts as presented by the Army and the media [about] the shooting at Fort Hood just don't compute. People on the ground have told me cell phone towers were jammed to prevent unauthorized dissemination of information after the shooting."
FACING OUR HIDDEN WELFAR ISSUE
Peter Edelman, Dissent - Next year, welfare as we now know it is slated to come before Congress for reauthorization. By "welfare" I mean federally financed cash assistance to low-income mothers (and occasionally fathers) with children. Welfare as we used to know it was the program called Aid to Families with Dependent Children, in effect from 1935 to 1996. It was hardly generous (as well as being otherwise flawed), but it nonetheless succumbed in 1996 to three decades of conservative attack. The allegation was that it had created undue numbers of long-term recipients; it had fostered welfare dependency. The program was replaced by Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, which made it much harder to obtain assistance and imposed stringent time limits.
All this [stage] began with Governor Bill Clinton running for president on a platform of ending "welfare as we know it." Whatever his intention, the phrase opened the door to a radically conservative approach from the newly muscular and emboldened Republican-controlled Congress. Running for re-election in 1996, but also believing in the merits of TANF, Clinton signed the welfare reform bill into law.
The meta-message of the TANF legislation was that states had to pare their welfare rolls. The primary tool given them was the repeal of the legal entitlement to benefits and the transformation of the legal framework into a block grant. A block grant is flexible and can be used for good or ill. . .
Nonetheless, the main message was to downsize the rolls, and downsize they did. The palpable result thirteen years later is the virtual disappearance in many states of cash assistance for low-income mothers with children, with caseloads going down by well over 90 percent. Overall, the rolls shrank from 14.3 million mothers (and a few fathers) and children in 1994 to under four million in 2007. In 1995, nine million of the 14.5 million children then poor were in families that received welfare. By 2006, only four million of the 12.8 million poor children were in families getting TANF. That the gap bespeaks a failure to respond to legitimate need seems obvious.
These are the techniques of radical reduction: shut the front door almost completely; staff the back door with the equivalent of a tough nightclub bouncer; and, in between, hassle applicants to the point where they just give up and go away. . .
We cannot look at welfare in isolation. We need to ask why there is such a huge gap between top and bottom in this wealthy country and why there are so many people at the bottom. We need to ask why so many people with steady work don't make enough money to pay for basic living costs-which are in fact much higher than the unrealistic measure we call the poverty line.
But we especially need to look at people at the very bottom and to understand that a disproportionate number of these are children who, whatever the sins or failings of their parents, deserve a decent chance to succeed. And even more fundamentally, we need to ask why there is so much hostility toward a group of people who, if we provided a modicum of assistance, at a cost that is not astronomical, could at least avoid the very worst of conditions. . .
Ninety million is the number of people-30 percent of the population-who have incomes below twice the poverty line, or below about $35,000 for a family of three. These people are not "poor," but much research shows that this is the minimum income they need to pay their bills and go to a doctor if they have to without worrying about what other necessities they will have to forgo. (And this is true even if they have insurance, what with deductibles and coinsurance.) These ninety million present critically important policy issues that are not being addressed fully. . .
No one should suppose that the advent of President Barack Obama and large (but hardly overwhelming) Democratic majorities in Congress will result in completely revamping the block grant TANF framework. Welfare has never been popular. TANF took the public's hostility toward welfare off the front burner (at a considerable cost), but it is only dormant. Even in today's changed political world, bold ideas for cash assistance to the lowest income people in our nation would be met with ideological resistance. . .
What we should have and what we can reasonably hope to get in the world of welfare are two different things. My ideal framework would feature a minimum benefit (which could vary regionally based on the cost of living) and a clear connection between income support and work (based mainly on incentives rather than penalties). It should also be possible for a relatively small number of people, who are not legally disabled but have good reasons not to be in the job market, to receive cash assistance without an expectation that they will work outside the home. My framework would include good child care, continuing health coverage, relevant education and training, and strong support services to help new workers succeed in the workplace.
All this [stage] began with Governor Bill Clinton running for president on a platform of ending "welfare as we know it." Whatever his intention, the phrase opened the door to a radically conservative approach from the newly muscular and emboldened Republican-controlled Congress. Running for re-election in 1996, but also believing in the merits of TANF, Clinton signed the welfare reform bill into law.
The meta-message of the TANF legislation was that states had to pare their welfare rolls. The primary tool given them was the repeal of the legal entitlement to benefits and the transformation of the legal framework into a block grant. A block grant is flexible and can be used for good or ill. . .
Nonetheless, the main message was to downsize the rolls, and downsize they did. The palpable result thirteen years later is the virtual disappearance in many states of cash assistance for low-income mothers with children, with caseloads going down by well over 90 percent. Overall, the rolls shrank from 14.3 million mothers (and a few fathers) and children in 1994 to under four million in 2007. In 1995, nine million of the 14.5 million children then poor were in families that received welfare. By 2006, only four million of the 12.8 million poor children were in families getting TANF. That the gap bespeaks a failure to respond to legitimate need seems obvious.
These are the techniques of radical reduction: shut the front door almost completely; staff the back door with the equivalent of a tough nightclub bouncer; and, in between, hassle applicants to the point where they just give up and go away. . .
We cannot look at welfare in isolation. We need to ask why there is such a huge gap between top and bottom in this wealthy country and why there are so many people at the bottom. We need to ask why so many people with steady work don't make enough money to pay for basic living costs-which are in fact much higher than the unrealistic measure we call the poverty line.
But we especially need to look at people at the very bottom and to understand that a disproportionate number of these are children who, whatever the sins or failings of their parents, deserve a decent chance to succeed. And even more fundamentally, we need to ask why there is so much hostility toward a group of people who, if we provided a modicum of assistance, at a cost that is not astronomical, could at least avoid the very worst of conditions. . .
Ninety million is the number of people-30 percent of the population-who have incomes below twice the poverty line, or below about $35,000 for a family of three. These people are not "poor," but much research shows that this is the minimum income they need to pay their bills and go to a doctor if they have to without worrying about what other necessities they will have to forgo. (And this is true even if they have insurance, what with deductibles and coinsurance.) These ninety million present critically important policy issues that are not being addressed fully. . .
No one should suppose that the advent of President Barack Obama and large (but hardly overwhelming) Democratic majorities in Congress will result in completely revamping the block grant TANF framework. Welfare has never been popular. TANF took the public's hostility toward welfare off the front burner (at a considerable cost), but it is only dormant. Even in today's changed political world, bold ideas for cash assistance to the lowest income people in our nation would be met with ideological resistance. . .
What we should have and what we can reasonably hope to get in the world of welfare are two different things. My ideal framework would feature a minimum benefit (which could vary regionally based on the cost of living) and a clear connection between income support and work (based mainly on incentives rather than penalties). It should also be possible for a relatively small number of people, who are not legally disabled but have good reasons not to be in the job market, to receive cash assistance without an expectation that they will work outside the home. My framework would include good child care, continuing health coverage, relevant education and training, and strong support services to help new workers succeed in the workplace.
HEALTH PLAN WILL BE HUGE GIFT TO PHARMAS
Sam Stein, Huffington Post - The deal struck between the pharmaceutical lobby, the White House and Senate Democrats has drastically improved Big Pharma's expected profits, a private industry report finds.
IMS Health, a company that supplies the pharmaceutical companies with sales data, predicts that new health reform legislation -- combined with a projected upswing in the economy -- will result in a net gain of more than $137 billion in total market sales over the next four years. . .
PHRMA, the lobby entity for the industry's heavy hitters, reached a secret deal with the White House and the Senate Finance Committee in June. As detailed in a memo first published by The Huffington Post, the Obama administration agreed to oppose congressional efforts to use government leverage to bargain for lower drug prices. The White House also agreed not to shift some drugs from Medicare Part B to Medicare Part D, which would have cost the industry billions in reduced reimbursements. All this in exchange for $80 billion over ten years to help push for reform.
The Senate version of the healthcare bill still conforms to the deal (that the White House has still never officially confirmed). The House bill is in the same ballpark, although it would cost Big Pharma an extra $14 billion.
IMS Health, a company that supplies the pharmaceutical companies with sales data, predicts that new health reform legislation -- combined with a projected upswing in the economy -- will result in a net gain of more than $137 billion in total market sales over the next four years. . .
PHRMA, the lobby entity for the industry's heavy hitters, reached a secret deal with the White House and the Senate Finance Committee in June. As detailed in a memo first published by The Huffington Post, the Obama administration agreed to oppose congressional efforts to use government leverage to bargain for lower drug prices. The White House also agreed not to shift some drugs from Medicare Part B to Medicare Part D, which would have cost the industry billions in reduced reimbursements. All this in exchange for $80 billion over ten years to help push for reform.
The Senate version of the healthcare bill still conforms to the deal (that the White House has still never officially confirmed). The House bill is in the same ballpark, although it would cost Big Pharma an extra $14 billion.
BRAZIL CUTS DEFORESTATION ALMOST 50%
Photo Alberto Cesar, GreenpeaceChange - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced that the rate of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon plummeted 46 percent between August 2008 to July 2009, according to a government press release. That is the lowest rate in 20 years, since the government started collecting data 1988. . . Brazil's Ministry of Environment claims that deforestation has slowed so rapidly due to the Action Plan for Deforestation Control and Prevention in the Amazon launched in 2004, which strengthened anti-deforestation monitoring and enforcement, demarcated conservation areas and encouraged sustainable livelihood options in the Amazon.
DEALING REALISTICALLY WITH UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS
Michael Wildes, Latinalista - There is an estimated 20 million undocumented aliens currently living in the United States, but we don't know who they are and we don't know where they came from.
The enormity of the problem has caused paralysis and political impotence for years, but the tragic events of September 11, 2001 were the catalyst for a grassroots effort to force Congress to confront the immigration issue comprehensively and publicly. . .
This discussion must take place within the parameters of certain realities.
First, America will never support the destruction of the nuclear family. The separation of child from parent or husband from wife is antithetical to the very core of our national identity, and therefore any suggestion of removal en masse of these millions of illegal immigrants is simply untenable.
Second, it is unrealistic to believe that our government has the resources to find, detain, grant due process, and remove 20 million aliens from inside our borders. As such, the argument favoring mass deportation is unsustainable even as applied to those without immediate family ties to American citizens.
Third, disregarding the biased statistics advanced by those on both sides of the issue, simple math tells us that these individuals provide approximately 4 - 5% of our national labor force and should, therefore, be paying their share in taxes.
The economic reality is that legalizing the presence of undocumented aliens provides a sorely needed resource to our shrinking Social Security fund, and removes the financial burden currently placed upon the taxpayer to provide medical and educational services to illegal aliens and their children.
We must accept the only rational course and admit that our past border policies have failed. . . With millions of illegal aliens living clandestine lives in our nation, any effort to document them is doomed to failure if it doesn't contain a reasonable opportunity for them to achieve citizenship at some point. Drawing the many, hard-working worthy out of the darkness is the only way to shine a light on the unwanted, dangerous few. . .
We are a nation of immigrants. More than any nation in modern history we have embraced diversity and been strengthened by the contributions of the foreign-born members of our society. Every American reading this is blessed to be so called because of the opportunity of entry given to a member of their family.
To deny this opportunity to others because of fear, economics, or bigotry is to deny our capacity to resolve this issue with the compassion and innovation that is worthy of our great nation.
Michael Wildes serves as mayor of Englewood, New Jersey. In addition, he is an immigration lawyer and a former federal prosecutor.
The enormity of the problem has caused paralysis and political impotence for years, but the tragic events of September 11, 2001 were the catalyst for a grassroots effort to force Congress to confront the immigration issue comprehensively and publicly. . .
This discussion must take place within the parameters of certain realities.
First, America will never support the destruction of the nuclear family. The separation of child from parent or husband from wife is antithetical to the very core of our national identity, and therefore any suggestion of removal en masse of these millions of illegal immigrants is simply untenable.
Second, it is unrealistic to believe that our government has the resources to find, detain, grant due process, and remove 20 million aliens from inside our borders. As such, the argument favoring mass deportation is unsustainable even as applied to those without immediate family ties to American citizens.
Third, disregarding the biased statistics advanced by those on both sides of the issue, simple math tells us that these individuals provide approximately 4 - 5% of our national labor force and should, therefore, be paying their share in taxes.
The economic reality is that legalizing the presence of undocumented aliens provides a sorely needed resource to our shrinking Social Security fund, and removes the financial burden currently placed upon the taxpayer to provide medical and educational services to illegal aliens and their children.
We must accept the only rational course and admit that our past border policies have failed. . . With millions of illegal aliens living clandestine lives in our nation, any effort to document them is doomed to failure if it doesn't contain a reasonable opportunity for them to achieve citizenship at some point. Drawing the many, hard-working worthy out of the darkness is the only way to shine a light on the unwanted, dangerous few. . .
We are a nation of immigrants. More than any nation in modern history we have embraced diversity and been strengthened by the contributions of the foreign-born members of our society. Every American reading this is blessed to be so called because of the opportunity of entry given to a member of their family.
To deny this opportunity to others because of fear, economics, or bigotry is to deny our capacity to resolve this issue with the compassion and innovation that is worthy of our great nation.
Michael Wildes serves as mayor of Englewood, New Jersey. In addition, he is an immigration lawyer and a former federal prosecutor.
ARNE DUNCAN WOULD FLUNK WINSTON CHURCHILL
Harriet Alexander, Telegraph, UK - Churchill's speeches, Hemingway's style and Golding's prose would not have been appreciated by a new computerized marking system used to assess A level English.
The system, which is a proposed way of marking exam papers online, found that Churchill's rousing call to "fight them on the beaches" was too repetitive, with the text using the word "upon" and "our" too frequently.
His reference to the "might of the German army" lost him marks because the computer assumed that Churchill had intended to say "might have", instead of using "might" as a noun.
Graham Herbert, deputy head of the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors, said: "The computer was limited in its scope. It couldn't cope with metaphor and didn't understand the purpose of the speech.
"We also tried a passage from Hemingway. It couldn’t understand the fact that he had a very Spartan style and [it] said he should write with more care and detail. He was also rated less than average."
Passages from Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange were deemed incomprehensible by the computer.
Online marking of papers is being tested by exam boards and could be introduced within the next few years. It is already in use in America, where some children have learnt to write in a style which the computer appreciates, known as "schmoozing the computer".
The system, which is a proposed way of marking exam papers online, found that Churchill's rousing call to "fight them on the beaches" was too repetitive, with the text using the word "upon" and "our" too frequently.
His reference to the "might of the German army" lost him marks because the computer assumed that Churchill had intended to say "might have", instead of using "might" as a noun.
Graham Herbert, deputy head of the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors, said: "The computer was limited in its scope. It couldn't cope with metaphor and didn't understand the purpose of the speech.
"We also tried a passage from Hemingway. It couldn’t understand the fact that he had a very Spartan style and [it] said he should write with more care and detail. He was also rated less than average."
Passages from Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange were deemed incomprehensible by the computer.
Online marking of papers is being tested by exam boards and could be introduced within the next few years. It is already in use in America, where some children have learnt to write in a style which the computer appreciates, known as "schmoozing the computer".
OBAMA AFRAID TO PROVIDE JOBS
Alec MacGillis, Washington Post - To hear President Obama tell it, he's been busy creating jobs since taking office. The $787 billion stimulus package, he said last winter, would "save or create 3.5 million jobs." The White House is touting reports from recipients of stimulus funds asserting that they have created or saved 640,000 jobs so far.
Yet the national unemployment rate has now hit 10.2 percent, helping explain why Republicans won the governors' races in Virginia and New Jersey last week, just a year after the party's 2008 drubbing. . .
Since taking office, the Obama administration has studiously avoided paying people to go to work, which could be accomplished by subsidizing workers' private-sector employment or by creating new government-paid jobs. There are programs in a handful of states that financially compensate employees who cut their hours to prevent broader layoffs at their companies -- an approach that costs relatively little, since it results in lower payouts of unemployment benefits, and that has helped Germany keep unemployment under 8 percent despite the deep slowdown there. But the Obama administration has so far opted not to expand this initiative. And aside from a small summer employment program for young people, it has not sought to create jobs on the public payroll, something the country did in the 1930s and 1970s.
Instead Obama's team has taken a more indirect approach, a prudence that critics on the left say is misplaced. If you're spending hundreds of billions of dollars on stimulus, why not do it with conviction? Engaging in more forthright job creation could invite some political pitfalls (such as those constant accusations of socialism), but is double-digit unemployment any less a political risk?. . .
The administration is "scared of [any plans] seeming like old-fashioned make-work, but that's what it is: You're giving [people] jobs because they have nothing left to do," said Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, a left-leaning think thank. "Giving people a shot at a job has to be worth a little bad publicity . . . but as in a lot of areas, they proved more cautious."
Yet the national unemployment rate has now hit 10.2 percent, helping explain why Republicans won the governors' races in Virginia and New Jersey last week, just a year after the party's 2008 drubbing. . .
Since taking office, the Obama administration has studiously avoided paying people to go to work, which could be accomplished by subsidizing workers' private-sector employment or by creating new government-paid jobs. There are programs in a handful of states that financially compensate employees who cut their hours to prevent broader layoffs at their companies -- an approach that costs relatively little, since it results in lower payouts of unemployment benefits, and that has helped Germany keep unemployment under 8 percent despite the deep slowdown there. But the Obama administration has so far opted not to expand this initiative. And aside from a small summer employment program for young people, it has not sought to create jobs on the public payroll, something the country did in the 1930s and 1970s.
Instead Obama's team has taken a more indirect approach, a prudence that critics on the left say is misplaced. If you're spending hundreds of billions of dollars on stimulus, why not do it with conviction? Engaging in more forthright job creation could invite some political pitfalls (such as those constant accusations of socialism), but is double-digit unemployment any less a political risk?. . .
The administration is "scared of [any plans] seeming like old-fashioned make-work, but that's what it is: You're giving [people] jobs because they have nothing left to do," said Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, a left-leaning think thank. "Giving people a shot at a job has to be worth a little bad publicity . . . but as in a lot of areas, they proved more cautious."
ENVIRONMENTALISM'S SUCCESSES
ISteve Blog - Actually, there are a lot of examples of environmental policies working. You don't hear much about them, though. For whatever reason, nobody ever promotes environmentalism by referring to past successes.
Ozone layer -- Saved by getting rid of certain chemicals, although their replacements might be causing global warming.
Acid rain -- Better scrubbers on smokestacks have largely fixed this problem. It turned out that the technology wasn't as costly as it seemed.
Smog in LA -- About an order of magnitude better than when I was a kid, although the cost in poorer miles per gallon must be huge. . .
Lead -- Here's where one environmental improvement caused another improvement. The catalytic converter (invented by GM and given free to other car companies) would be ruined by leaded gasoline, so unleaded gas was introduced.
Redwoods -- Saved by the Save the Redwoods League, co-founded by Madison Grant.
Pelicans -- Very rare at the beach when I was a kid, now plentiful due to ban on DDT, which makes eggshells brittle
Bald Eagles -- Not plentiful, but they're back. . .
You might think that environmentalists would promote an image for themselves that says, "Trust us. We fixed problems in the past and we know how to fix them now," but, instead, apocalypse and misanthropy seems to sell a lot better.
Ozone layer -- Saved by getting rid of certain chemicals, although their replacements might be causing global warming.
Acid rain -- Better scrubbers on smokestacks have largely fixed this problem. It turned out that the technology wasn't as costly as it seemed.
Smog in LA -- About an order of magnitude better than when I was a kid, although the cost in poorer miles per gallon must be huge. . .
Lead -- Here's where one environmental improvement caused another improvement. The catalytic converter (invented by GM and given free to other car companies) would be ruined by leaded gasoline, so unleaded gas was introduced.
Redwoods -- Saved by the Save the Redwoods League, co-founded by Madison Grant.
Pelicans -- Very rare at the beach when I was a kid, now plentiful due to ban on DDT, which makes eggshells brittle
Bald Eagles -- Not plentiful, but they're back. . .
You might think that environmentalists would promote an image for themselves that says, "Trust us. We fixed problems in the past and we know how to fix them now," but, instead, apocalypse and misanthropy seems to sell a lot better.
WHY IQ TESTS DON'T REVEAL WHO'S SMART
Michael Bond, New Scientist - Is George W. Bush stupid? It's a question that occupied a good many minds of all political persuasions during his turbulent eight-year presidency. The strict answer is no. Bush's IQ score is estimated to be above 120, which suggests an intelligence in the top 10 per cent of the population. But this, surely, does not tell the whole story. . . . Even his loyal speechwriter David Frum called him glib, incurious and "as a result ill-informed". The political pundit and former Republican congressman Joe Scarborough accused him of lacking intellectual depth, claiming that compared with other US presidents whose intellect had been questioned, Bush junior was "in a league by himself". Bush himself has described his thinking style as "not very analytical".
How can someone with a high IQ have these kinds of intellectual deficiencies? Put another way, how can a "smart" person act foolishly? Keith Stanovich, professor of human development and applied psychology at the University of Toronto, Canada, has grappled with this apparent incongruity for 15 years. He says it applies to more people than you might think. To Stanovich, however, there is nothing incongruous about it. IQ tests are very good at measuring certain mental faculties, he says, including logic, abstract reasoning, learning ability and working-memory capacity - how much information you can hold in mind.
But the tests fall down when it comes to measuring those abilities crucial to making good judgments in real-life situations. That's because they are unable to assess things such as a person's ability to critically weigh up information, or whether an individual can override the intuitive cognitive biases that can lead us astray.
This is the kind of rational thinking we are compelled to do every day, whether deciding which foods to eat, where to invest money, or how to deal with a difficult client at work. We need to be good at rational thinking to navigate our way around an increasingly complex world. And yet, says Stanovich, IQ tests - still the predominant measure of people's cognitive abilities - do not effectively tap into it. . .
"A high IQ is like height in a basketball player," says David Perkins, who studies thinking and reasoning skills at Harvard Graduate School of Education in Cambridge, Massachusetts. "It is very important, all other things being equal. But all other things aren't equal. There's a lot more to being a good basketball player than being tall, and there's a lot more to being a good thinker than having a high IQ.". . .
Indeed, IQ scores have long been criticised as poor indicators of an individual's all-round intelligence, as well as for their inability to predict how good a person will be in a particular profession. The paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould claimed in The Mismeasure of Man in 1981 that general intelligence was simply a mathematical artifact and that its use was unscientific and culturally and socially discriminatory. Howard Gardner at the Harvard Graduate School of Education has been arguing - controversially - for more than 25 years that cognitive capacity is best understood in terms of multiple intelligences, covering mathematical, verbal, visual-spatial, physiological, naturalistic, self-reflective, social and musical aptitudes. . .
As an illustration of how rational-thinking ability differs from intelligence, consider this puzzle: if it takes five machines 5 minutes to make five widgets, how long would it take 100 machines to make 100 widgets? Most people instinctively jump to the wrong answer that "feels" right - 100 - even if they later amend it. When Shane Frederick at the Yale School of Management in New Haven, Connecticut, put this and two similarly counter-intuitive questions to about 3400 students at various colleges and universities in the US - Harvard and Princeton among them - only 17 per cent got all three right. . .
How can someone with a high IQ have these kinds of intellectual deficiencies? Put another way, how can a "smart" person act foolishly? Keith Stanovich, professor of human development and applied psychology at the University of Toronto, Canada, has grappled with this apparent incongruity for 15 years. He says it applies to more people than you might think. To Stanovich, however, there is nothing incongruous about it. IQ tests are very good at measuring certain mental faculties, he says, including logic, abstract reasoning, learning ability and working-memory capacity - how much information you can hold in mind.
But the tests fall down when it comes to measuring those abilities crucial to making good judgments in real-life situations. That's because they are unable to assess things such as a person's ability to critically weigh up information, or whether an individual can override the intuitive cognitive biases that can lead us astray.
This is the kind of rational thinking we are compelled to do every day, whether deciding which foods to eat, where to invest money, or how to deal with a difficult client at work. We need to be good at rational thinking to navigate our way around an increasingly complex world. And yet, says Stanovich, IQ tests - still the predominant measure of people's cognitive abilities - do not effectively tap into it. . .
"A high IQ is like height in a basketball player," says David Perkins, who studies thinking and reasoning skills at Harvard Graduate School of Education in Cambridge, Massachusetts. "It is very important, all other things being equal. But all other things aren't equal. There's a lot more to being a good basketball player than being tall, and there's a lot more to being a good thinker than having a high IQ.". . .
Indeed, IQ scores have long been criticised as poor indicators of an individual's all-round intelligence, as well as for their inability to predict how good a person will be in a particular profession. The paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould claimed in The Mismeasure of Man in 1981 that general intelligence was simply a mathematical artifact and that its use was unscientific and culturally and socially discriminatory. Howard Gardner at the Harvard Graduate School of Education has been arguing - controversially - for more than 25 years that cognitive capacity is best understood in terms of multiple intelligences, covering mathematical, verbal, visual-spatial, physiological, naturalistic, self-reflective, social and musical aptitudes. . .
As an illustration of how rational-thinking ability differs from intelligence, consider this puzzle: if it takes five machines 5 minutes to make five widgets, how long would it take 100 machines to make 100 widgets? Most people instinctively jump to the wrong answer that "feels" right - 100 - even if they later amend it. When Shane Frederick at the Yale School of Management in New Haven, Connecticut, put this and two similarly counter-intuitive questions to about 3400 students at various colleges and universities in the US - Harvard and Princeton among them - only 17 per cent got all three right. . .
AMERICA NEEDS TO STOP SUCKING UP TO ISRAEL
Gideon Levy, Haaretz, Israel - Barack Obama has been busy - offering the Jewish People blessings for Rosh Hashanah, and recording a flattering video for the President's Conference in Jerusalem and another for Yitzhak Rabin's memorial rally. . .
In all the videos, Obama heaps sticky-sweet praise on Israel, even though he has spent nearly a year fruitlessly lobbying for Israel to be so kind as to do something, anything - even just a temporary freeze on settlement building - to advance the peace process.
The president's Mideast envoy, George Mitchell, has also been busy, shuttling between a funeral . . . and a memorial . . . in order to find favor with Israelis. Polls have shown that Obama is increasingly unpopular here, with an approval rating of only 6 to 10 percent. Advertisement
He decided to address Israelis by video, but a persuasive speech won't persuade anyone to end the occupation. He simply should have told the Israeli people the truth. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who arrived here last night, will certainly express similar sentiments: "commitment to Israel's security," "strategic alliance," "the need for peace," and so on .
Before no other country on the planet does the United States kneel and plead like this. In other trouble spots, America takes a different tone. It bombs in Afghanistan, invades Iraq and threatens sanctions against Iran and North Korea. Did anyone in Washington consider begging Saddam Hussein to withdraw from occupied territory in Kuwait?
But Israel the occupier, the stubborn contrarian that continues to mock America and the world by building settlements and abusing the Palestinians, receives different treatment. Another massage to the national ego in one video, more embarrassing praise in another.
Now is the time to say to the United States: Enough flattery. If you don't change the tone, nothing will change. As long as Israel feels the United States is in its pocket, and that America's automatic veto will save it from condemnations and sanctions, that it will receive massive aid unconditionally, and that it can continue waging punitive, lethal campaigns without a word from Washington, killing, destroying and imprisoning without the world's policeman making a sound, it will continue in its ways. . .
It is true that unlike all the world's other troublemakers, Israel is viewed as a Western democracy, but Israel of 2009 is a country whose language is force. Anwar Sadat may have been the last leader to win our hearts with optimistic, hope-igniting speeches. If he were to visit Israel today, he would be jeered off the stage. The Syrian president pleads for peace and Israel callously dismisses him, the United States begs for a settlement freeze and Israel turns up its nose. This is what happens when there are no consequences for Israel's inaction. . .
Israel of 2009 is a spoiled country, arrogant and condescending, convinced that it deserves everything and that it has the power to make a fool of America and the world. The United States has engendered this situation, which endangers the entire Mideast and Israel itself. That is why there needs to be a turning point in the coming year - Washington needs to finally say no to Israel and the occupation. An unambiguous, presidential no.
In all the videos, Obama heaps sticky-sweet praise on Israel, even though he has spent nearly a year fruitlessly lobbying for Israel to be so kind as to do something, anything - even just a temporary freeze on settlement building - to advance the peace process.
The president's Mideast envoy, George Mitchell, has also been busy, shuttling between a funeral . . . and a memorial . . . in order to find favor with Israelis. Polls have shown that Obama is increasingly unpopular here, with an approval rating of only 6 to 10 percent. Advertisement
He decided to address Israelis by video, but a persuasive speech won't persuade anyone to end the occupation. He simply should have told the Israeli people the truth. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who arrived here last night, will certainly express similar sentiments: "commitment to Israel's security," "strategic alliance," "the need for peace," and so on .
Before no other country on the planet does the United States kneel and plead like this. In other trouble spots, America takes a different tone. It bombs in Afghanistan, invades Iraq and threatens sanctions against Iran and North Korea. Did anyone in Washington consider begging Saddam Hussein to withdraw from occupied territory in Kuwait?
But Israel the occupier, the stubborn contrarian that continues to mock America and the world by building settlements and abusing the Palestinians, receives different treatment. Another massage to the national ego in one video, more embarrassing praise in another.
Now is the time to say to the United States: Enough flattery. If you don't change the tone, nothing will change. As long as Israel feels the United States is in its pocket, and that America's automatic veto will save it from condemnations and sanctions, that it will receive massive aid unconditionally, and that it can continue waging punitive, lethal campaigns without a word from Washington, killing, destroying and imprisoning without the world's policeman making a sound, it will continue in its ways. . .
It is true that unlike all the world's other troublemakers, Israel is viewed as a Western democracy, but Israel of 2009 is a country whose language is force. Anwar Sadat may have been the last leader to win our hearts with optimistic, hope-igniting speeches. If he were to visit Israel today, he would be jeered off the stage. The Syrian president pleads for peace and Israel callously dismisses him, the United States begs for a settlement freeze and Israel turns up its nose. This is what happens when there are no consequences for Israel's inaction. . .
Israel of 2009 is a spoiled country, arrogant and condescending, convinced that it deserves everything and that it has the power to make a fool of America and the world. The United States has engendered this situation, which endangers the entire Mideast and Israel itself. That is why there needs to be a turning point in the coming year - Washington needs to finally say no to Israel and the occupation. An unambiguous, presidential no.
PARIS PUBLIC RENTAL BIKES STOLEN AND VANDALIZED
NY Times - Renters of Vélib' [rental] bicycles in Paris say it can be a challenge to find functioning ones among those that have been vandalized. Enlarge In Paris 80 percent of Vélib' bicycles are stolen or damaged. Readers'
Residents here can rent a sturdy bicycle from hundreds of public stations and pedal to their destinations, an inexpensive, healthy and low-carbon alternative to hopping in a car or bus.
But this latest French utopia has met a prosaic reality: Many of the specially designed bikes, which cost $3,500 each, are showing up on black markets in Eastern Europe and northern Africa. Many others are being spirited away for urban joy rides, then ditched by roadsides, their wheels bent and tires stripped.
With 80 percent of the initial 20,600 bicycles stolen or damaged, the program's organizers have had to hire several hundred people just to fix them. And along with the dent in the city-subsidized budget has been a blow to the Parisian psyche.. . .
Bruno Marzloff, a sociologist who specializes in transportation, said, "One must relate this to other incivilities, and especially the burning of cars," referring to gangs of immigrant youths burning cars during riots in the suburbs in 2005.
He said he believed there was social revolt behind Velib' vandalism, especially for suburban residents, many of them poor immigrants who feel excluded from the glamorous side of Paris.
"It is an outcry, a form of rebellion; this violence is not gratuitous," Mr. Marzloff said. "There is an element of negligence that means, 'We don't have the right to mobility like other people, to get to Paris it's a huge pain, we don't have cars, and when we do, it's too expensive and too far.' ". . .
Daily use averages 50,000 to 150,000 trips, depending on the season, and the bicycles have proved to be a hit with tourists, who help power the economy.
But the extra-solid construction and electronic docks mean the bikes, made in Hungary, are expensive, and not everyone shares the spirit of joint public property promoted by Paris's Socialist mayor, Bertrand Delanoë.
At least 8,000 bikes have been stolen and 8,000 damaged so badly that they had to be replaced - nearly 80 percent of the initial stock, Mr. Asséraf said.
Residents here can rent a sturdy bicycle from hundreds of public stations and pedal to their destinations, an inexpensive, healthy and low-carbon alternative to hopping in a car or bus.
But this latest French utopia has met a prosaic reality: Many of the specially designed bikes, which cost $3,500 each, are showing up on black markets in Eastern Europe and northern Africa. Many others are being spirited away for urban joy rides, then ditched by roadsides, their wheels bent and tires stripped.
With 80 percent of the initial 20,600 bicycles stolen or damaged, the program's organizers have had to hire several hundred people just to fix them. And along with the dent in the city-subsidized budget has been a blow to the Parisian psyche.. . .
Bruno Marzloff, a sociologist who specializes in transportation, said, "One must relate this to other incivilities, and especially the burning of cars," referring to gangs of immigrant youths burning cars during riots in the suburbs in 2005.
He said he believed there was social revolt behind Velib' vandalism, especially for suburban residents, many of them poor immigrants who feel excluded from the glamorous side of Paris.
"It is an outcry, a form of rebellion; this violence is not gratuitous," Mr. Marzloff said. "There is an element of negligence that means, 'We don't have the right to mobility like other people, to get to Paris it's a huge pain, we don't have cars, and when we do, it's too expensive and too far.' ". . .
Daily use averages 50,000 to 150,000 trips, depending on the season, and the bicycles have proved to be a hit with tourists, who help power the economy.
But the extra-solid construction and electronic docks mean the bikes, made in Hungary, are expensive, and not everyone shares the spirit of joint public property promoted by Paris's Socialist mayor, Bertrand Delanoë.
At least 8,000 bikes have been stolen and 8,000 damaged so badly that they had to be replaced - nearly 80 percent of the initial stock, Mr. Asséraf said.
GREAT MOMENTS IN REGULATION
Bangor Daily News, Maine - State lawmakers are hoping to fix a 2-month-old law that was supposed to help Maine's boutique beer and liquor stores but which instead has left some shops complaining of a regulatory hangover. . . A last-minute amendment that aimed to prevent children from having to watch adults sipping beer or bourbon in the middle of the supermarket - or in the aisle of some other large retailer - has inadvertently caused problems for the smaller specialty shops.
The amendment stated that all taste testings "must be conducted in a manner that precludes the possibility of observation by children." The new law, which took effect Sept. 12, presents a challenge to shops with windows that could allow children to catch a glimpse of the activities inside.
Leslie Thistle of Bangor Wine and Cheese Co. said she has to cover her front and back door windows with black and drape a sheet across the large storefront windows, giving her shop the feel of a "speak-easy" during her monthly tastings.
The law also means that she could be found in violation if a parent with children in tow comes into her shop to purchase a bottle of wine during a tasting event. She also pointed out that there are no laws shielding children from the sight of people drinking alcohol while seated on a restaurant's outdoor patio. . .
Other wine and beer shops have taken similar steps to cover their windows or discourage minors from seeing inside during an event. The law's unintended consequences have drawn national attention from Web sites and blogs catering to wine lovers.
The amendment stated that all taste testings "must be conducted in a manner that precludes the possibility of observation by children." The new law, which took effect Sept. 12, presents a challenge to shops with windows that could allow children to catch a glimpse of the activities inside.
Leslie Thistle of Bangor Wine and Cheese Co. said she has to cover her front and back door windows with black and drape a sheet across the large storefront windows, giving her shop the feel of a "speak-easy" during her monthly tastings.
The law also means that she could be found in violation if a parent with children in tow comes into her shop to purchase a bottle of wine during a tasting event. She also pointed out that there are no laws shielding children from the sight of people drinking alcohol while seated on a restaurant's outdoor patio. . .
Other wine and beer shops have taken similar steps to cover their windows or discourage minors from seeing inside during an event. The law's unintended consequences have drawn national attention from Web sites and blogs catering to wine lovers.
November 12, 2009
BREVITAS
NPR - The number of homeowners on the brink of losing their homes dipped in October, the third straight monthly decline, as foreclosure prevention programs helped more borrowers. . . Despite
Reuters -
MOVIE INDUSTRY EXTREMISTS SHUT DOWN COMMUNITY'S WIRELESS BECAUSE OF ONE DOWNLOAD
Coshocton Tribune - A free service enjoyed by hundreds has been shut down due to illegal activity conducted by one individual. "It's unfortunate that one person ruins it for those who use the service legitimately," said Commissioner Gary Fisher.
About five years ago, the county made a free wireless Internet connection available in the block surrounding the Coshocton County Courthouse at 318 Main St.
It was disabled last week after someone used the wireless local area network address to illegally download a movie.
The county's Internet Service Provider - One Community - was notified by Sony Pictures Entertainment about the breach, and the county's Information Technology Department was in turn notified by One Community.
Progressive Review: Sony Films you may want to avoid because of the above:
* Angels & Demons * The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day * Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs * District 9 * Julie & Julia * Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT * The Stepfather * Zombieland * 2012 * Armored * Dear John * Did You Hear About the Morgans? * The Green Hornet * The Karate Kid * Legion * Planet 51 * Priest * Salt * Takers
About five years ago, the county made a free wireless Internet connection available in the block surrounding the Coshocton County Courthouse at 318 Main St.
It was disabled last week after someone used the wireless local area network address to illegally download a movie.
The county's Internet Service Provider - One Community - was notified by Sony Pictures Entertainment about the breach, and the county's Information Technology Department was in turn notified by One Community.
Progressive Review: Sony Films you may want to avoid because of the above:
* Angels & Demons * The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day * Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs * District 9 * Julie & Julia * Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT * The Stepfather * Zombieland * 2012 * Armored * Dear John * Did You Hear About the Morgans? * The Green Hornet * The Karate Kid * Legion * Planet 51 * Priest * Salt * Takers
ACORN SUES OVER FUNDING VOTE
NY Times - Saying a resolution by the House of Representatives that barred Acorn from receiving federal aid violated the Constitution by singling the antipoverty group out for punishment, lawyers for Acorn filed a lawsuit on Thursday that seeks to restore the financing.
The lawsuit, filed in United States District Court in Brooklyn, says that the Congressional resolution constitutes a "bill of attainder," or a legislative determination of guilt without a trial. In the suit, Acorn, which came under fire especially from conservative critics after a series of embarrassing scandals, said it was penalized by Congress "without an investigation" and has been forced to cut programs that counsel struggling homeowners, and to lay off workers.
For example, it said, because of budget cutbacks, a first time homebuyer class in New York that enrolled 100 people in September enrolled only seven people in October, after the Congressional action.
"It's a classic trial by the Legislature," said Jules Lobel, a lawyer with the Center for Constitutional Rights, which brought the suit. "They have essentially determined the guilt of the organization and any organization affiliated or allied with it."
The lawsuit, filed in United States District Court in Brooklyn, says that the Congressional resolution constitutes a "bill of attainder," or a legislative determination of guilt without a trial. In the suit, Acorn, which came under fire especially from conservative critics after a series of embarrassing scandals, said it was penalized by Congress "without an investigation" and has been forced to cut programs that counsel struggling homeowners, and to lay off workers.
For example, it said, because of budget cutbacks, a first time homebuyer class in New York that enrolled 100 people in September enrolled only seven people in October, after the Congressional action.
"It's a classic trial by the Legislature," said Jules Lobel, a lawyer with the Center for Constitutional Rights, which brought the suit. "They have essentially determined the guilt of the organization and any organization affiliated or allied with it."
UN INVESTIGATOR HITS U.S. FOR HANDLING OF HOMELESS
Guardian, UK - A United Nations special investigator who was blocked from visiting the US by the Bush administration has accused the American government of pouring billions of dollars into rescuing banks and big business while treating as "invisible" a deepening homeless crisis.
Raquel Rolnik, the UN special rapporteur for the right to adequate housing, who has just completed a seven-city tour of America, said it was shameful that a country as wealthy as the US was not spending more money on lifting its citizens out of homelessness and substandard, overcrowded housing.
"The housing crisis is invisible for many in the US," she said. "I learned through this visit that real affordable housing and poverty is something that hasn't been dealt with as an issue. Even if we talk about the financial crisis and government stepping in in order to promote economic recovery, there is no such help for the homeless."
She added: "I think those who are suffering the most in this whole situation are the very poor, the low-income population. The burden is disproportionately on them and it's of course disproportionately on African-Americans, on Latinos and immigrant communities, and on Native Americans.". . .
The US government does not tally the numbers but interested organizations say that more than 3 million people were homeless at some point over the past year. The fastest growing segment of the homeless population is families with children, often single parents. On any given night in Los Angeles, about 17,000 parents and children are homeless. Most will be found a place in a shelter but many single men and women are forced to sleep on the streets.
Raquel Rolnik, the UN special rapporteur for the right to adequate housing, who has just completed a seven-city tour of America, said it was shameful that a country as wealthy as the US was not spending more money on lifting its citizens out of homelessness and substandard, overcrowded housing.
"The housing crisis is invisible for many in the US," she said. "I learned through this visit that real affordable housing and poverty is something that hasn't been dealt with as an issue. Even if we talk about the financial crisis and government stepping in in order to promote economic recovery, there is no such help for the homeless."
She added: "I think those who are suffering the most in this whole situation are the very poor, the low-income population. The burden is disproportionately on them and it's of course disproportionately on African-Americans, on Latinos and immigrant communities, and on Native Americans.". . .
The US government does not tally the numbers but interested organizations say that more than 3 million people were homeless at some point over the past year. The fastest growing segment of the homeless population is families with children, often single parents. On any given night in Los Angeles, about 17,000 parents and children are homeless. Most will be found a place in a shelter but many single men and women are forced to sleep on the streets.
CATHOLIC GENDER SEGREGATIONISTS STRIKE AGAIN
Loose Lips, Washington City Paper - The Archdiocese of Washington plays hardball on gay marriage, telling District legislators that the gay marriage bill as currently written could mean the end of Catholic Charities in D.C.-'a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care,' Tim Craig and Michelle Boorstein report in WaPo. 'Fearful that they could be forced, among other things, to extend employee benefits to same-sex married couples, church officials said they would have no choice but to abandon their contracts with the city. "If the city requires this, we can't do it," Susan Gibbs, spokeswoman for the archdiocese, said Wednesday. "The city is saying in order to provide social services, you need to be secular. For us, that's really a problem."' But some lawmakers appear ready to call what they consider a bluff: 'Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3) referred to the church as "somewhat childish." Another council member, David A. Catania (I-At Large), said he would rather end the city's relationship with the church than give in to its demands. "They don't represent, in my mind, an indispensable component of our social services infrastructure," said Catania. . . Council member Phil Mendelson (D-At Large), chairman of the judiciary committee, said the council "will not legislate based on threats."' . . Catholic Charities 'serves 68,000 people in the city, including the one-third of Washington's homeless people who go to city-owned shelters managed by the church. City leaders said the church is not the dominant provider of any particular social service, but the church pointed out that it supplements funding for city programs with $10 million from its own coffers.'