On the political scene, Sarah Palin posted on Facebook:
If [President Obama] doesn’t have a ‘big stick’ to carry, maybe it’s time for him to grow one.
She does know he’s a black man doesn’t she?
Category: Politics
Political commentary and awareness
Depressing radio
Heard something thoroughly depressing this morning. A group that has accurately predicted the past 8 presidential elections has Romney winning the electoral vote. Frankly, I cannot imagine a worse outcome for the United States.
Don’t ruin it for everybody
Dear parents, rather than trying to force your ideals upon my children, please allow them to read the assigned reading and be challenged by the concepts and the language within the writing. These books, Feed
See more at Hardin Valley STEM reading assignment stirs up controversy.
Clinton’s Internet Bubble Caused the Recession
When did the cause of the recession switch from the housing bubble to the Internet bubble?
Out of Balance
Out of Balance
A Harvard business prof and a behavioral economist recently asked more than 5,000 Americans how they thought wealth is distributed in the United States. Most thought that it’s more balanced than it actually is. Asked to choose their ideal distribution of wealth, 92% picked one that was even more equitable.
ACTUAL DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH
WHAT AMERICANS THINK IT IS
WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE IT TO BE
0
20
40
60
80
100
Source: Michael L. Norton, Harvard Business School; Dan Ariely, Duke University
And for the REAL image, look on page 11 of Michael I. Norton and Dan Ariely’s report http://www.people.hbs.edu/mnorton/norton%20ariely%20in%20press.pdf (the online version is here: http://pps.sagepub.com/content/6/1/9)
What is this?
Today, a manipulated image of this data is spreading like wildfire through the Internetz particularly over Facebook. The source of the image can be found at MotherJones.com but has been altered to show a baby peeing on a man and a a kitten commenting that "tickle down" doesn’t work. The original image is within a PDF and JPG so I’ve decided to put it here in plain text. Rather than looking at Norton and Ariely’s findings (online version), I guessed at the numbers but they look pretty close to the actual image. It makes the point.
If you are going to share this image today, please share from the PDF from MotherJones or the JPG from MotherJones instead of passing around the one with the cat.
Happy Independence Day!
Today is July 4th. In the United States, this day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence which declared America’s independence from Great Britain. Today is supposed to be a patriotic holiday celebrating our country. People will celebrate by taking to the lakes for boating and swimming, and having cookouts and family gatherings.
As I ponder the meaning of this day, my thoughts drift to SOPA, ACTA, and CISPA, to AT&T and Comcast, to our youth who seem to be the most fearful generation, to our politicians who seem to have forgotten their role is to represent the people, and to the corporations who have usurped power from the people. Each of these threaten our liberties as we know them. September 11, 2001 terrorists attacked this country. Terrorism is a violent means to bring about change. We said we would not allow the terrorist to change us but they won. I have not known independence like I grew up with since September 11, 2001. Now, instead of being confident in our individual independence and freedoms allotted to the people, I feel we struggle each day to maintain those certain unalienable Rights referenced in the Declaration of Independence. And although I am at political odds with the Tea Party and the GOP, as I re-read the Declaration of Independence, I wonder if our government has not lost its way.
when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism
[Source, Archives.gov, The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription]
This brings to mind the Bush tax cuts, the corporate hold on Congress, and the one percenters. As the middle class is beat down, more power falls into few hands and we move more toward a Despotic nation. I feel my voice falls on deaf ears when I communicate with my elected officials. Wwhen your voice is not heard, and votes in legislation fall contrary to what the resounding public appear to favor, how can one feel the words of the Declaration of Independence reflect today’s society?
Today is a patriotic day. It is a day to be celebrated. It should also be a day of reflection. Re-read (or read for the first time), the Declaration of Independence. It won’t take long to read. Read it and reflect upon your life and your government. (And if you don’t want to do that, here are some pictures of women in American flag swimsuits.)
200+ page bill, 15 minutes to review, finally a politician speaks for his people
This is what happens when you give someone a 200+ page legal document and 15 minutes to make a yes or no decision on that document. More of our representatives need to stand up like this. It would have been nice if the vacuous husks around him, aside for the one lady, had shown any sign that his message was being heard.
1984 – Like!
David Lovell’s Plan to Overthrown Tennessee
Dick Cheney Gets Heart Transplant
Surprisingly, a black heart was on the donor’s list.
Don’t ever be afraid to address your city council
Have you ever stood before your city council? Have you ever expressed your ire with a law? Voiced your discontent with a resolution?
This is your First Amendment right demonstrated. Watch. Cringe. And follow James Inman‘s example.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
And so it ends
Today is Bill of Rights Day
Today is Bill of Rights Day
Today is Bill of Rights Day. To Americans, the Bill of Rights are key amendments to the U.S. Constitution, that protect our individual rights.
I find it without irony that the US Senate has passed a bill allowing the indefinite detention of US citizens and that the House of Representatives appears ready to pass the bill, and on this very day the House Judiciary Committee is ready to make a vote on SOPA which will dramatically alter the Internet and people’s rights on the Internet.
I like this quote:
It is a curious way to celebrate the 220th anniversary of the Bill of Rights.
See also:
Arizona/Mexico Border Wars – 1979
"If you win, you can cross over; if we win, you throw pot over the fence."
Lawrence O’donnel on MSNBC on NYPD Police Brutality during Occupy Wall
Wow! Main stream media stood up! This is an excellent piece of journalism. Well worth the nine minutes.
