Saturday, June 7, 2008

Krauthammer is correct...

The Washington Post has an op-ed from everyone's favorite little old basket case on wheels (to quote Kurt Russell from Big Trouble in Little China).

Krauthammer talks about the supply and demand aspects of gas prices. He notes how rising prices cause car companies to do what they should have been doing all along: Making more fuel efficient cars.

He fails to mention that some of the largest new consumers of oil are subsidizing oil prices and that leads to increased consumption. This will nail China when the actual cost of fuel hits them.

I, for one, am looking for a more fuel efficient means of transportation.

Constitutional Amendment Time: Privacy Right must be codified

I'm all for proper security at airports, but this story from USA Today kind of pisses me off.

The Supreme Court has stated that we have a reasonable expectation of privacy. I personally don't like the thought of someone looking at my naked body with a scanner.

Likewise, I am willing to risk traveling with people who are unscanned. That's the price of living in a free society--risk.

I've argued for years that we need a Constitutional Amendment guaranteeing the right to privacy. It would be an easy sell.

Those of you unaware of this might find pause: We have no explicit right to privacy. Our right to privacy was derived from Court cases. So, when you complain about "activist" judges, remember: If it wasn't for "activist" judges, you would have no right to privacy.

If we have a Constitutional Amendment guaranteeing a right to privacy, then our rights cannot be eroded by a change on the Supreme Court.

Why do I find this important? The more conservative justices take the view that rights are something to be paid for, viz., the more money you have, the more rights you get. So, if you don't want to pay for a right of, say privacy, then you don't get it.

I disagree with that approach because the founders based our Constitution on the assumption of rights, whether those rights actually exist or not.


Friday, June 6, 2008

Andrew Sullivan comes over the the Dark Side

Andrew Sullivan, that pundit of contradictions, has come over to the dark side.

A friend is a big fan of Andrew Sullivan and sent me this clip.

Andrew is finally putting his political views in parallel with his life.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Welcome to what we've known all along. Senate says Bush lied.

Well the Senate has finally come to the same conclusion that the vast majority of Americans came to years ago, viz., Bushco lied to get us into the Iraq war.

See the Washington Post.

I've said it for years now that the Senate was falling down on the job by failing to impeach Bush and/or Cheney. The Senate has a Constitutional obligation to impeach for high crimes and misdemeanors. Failing to do so is breaking their oath of office.

For anyone who thinks that starting a war with a country (although a bad actor country) on false premises is not a high crime and misdemeanor, then answer this question:

Does lying to get us into a war where thousands of our military die or are disfigured warrant a free pass?

If you can answer that question in the affirmative, then you condone in the unnecessary deaths of thousands of fellow citizens.

Harsh, but a necessary conclusion. Real Americans own up to their stupidity in following and supporting these bozos.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Stoicism is actually healthier than excessive emoting

Live Science reports on a study that shows bottling up emotions may be better than the other extreme--emotional diarrhea.

The touchy-feely types may take issue with this study since it runs contrary to what they believe, but unfortunately for them, beliefs are not a good basis upon which to treat people for traumatic events.

Guess stoicism still has merit.

Mediterranean Diet reduces risk of diabetes

A Mediterranean Diet works wonders at preventing diabetes in high risk populations.

Sign me up!

Science Daily reports on a study conducted in Spain about the health benefits of eating a diet low in meat, dairy, and alcohol.

A Mediterranean Diet is high in fiber, olive oil, fruits and vegetables.

Cheney is double-dipped

Cheney alludes to being double-dipped and manages to insult West Virginians in the process.

Goes to show you that Republicans really aren't that different from the rest of the populace when it comes to making fun of hillbillies.

Washington Post calls it for Obama

It seems my forecast is coming to pass.

Obama will be the nominee.

Although I'm not too happy about the prospect, Obama will probably name Clinton as his running mate. Failing to do so would fracture the party and hand the election to John McCain in the fall.

I suppose this result is one Clinton hoped for--a kind of consolation prize.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Iran is a potential ally in the Middle East ignored by Bush

The WaPo has an opinion piece by an Iranian that asserts what I've said for years now: Iranians love America.

But, leave it to Bushco to potentially fuck it all up by threatening to invade and general saber rattling against them.

Obama has the ticket when it comes to dealing with Iran: Engage them.

We could potentially have a very strong ally right smack in the center of the Middle East.

The time for diplomacy is now because the dividends would be immense.


Economic Policy Institute offers up reasons why the economy is hurting

The Economic Policy Institute has a policy memo from 2006 that says a lot about why the economy isn't working for most of us.

Here's the gist: Productivity has gone up (read: people are working more and harder), but wages have remained steady or declined.

Company profits have risen, but wages have remained stagnant (read: Stockholders and corporate managers are making money, but workers are not)

Debt is at an all-time high. (read: People are financing their lives because they have no money to pay for food or bills)

Poverty is increasing (read: Greater divisions between rich and poor lead to economic dysfunctions, viz., economic slavery at the bottom)

Health care costs are rising while wages are falling. (read: life is cheap and getting cheaper, but your one-time doctor is doing well).

This sort of stuff tells me that anyone stupid enough to support a politician who advocates more of the same should be taken out back and horse whipped. (read: McCain)