Violence against women is wrong, regardless of who perpetrates the violence, and regardless of their religious convictions.
Focusing on the religion of the perpetrators is a distraction from the fundamental struggle against all violence.
A misunderstanding of the “cycle of violence” reveals a lack of insight into the current plight of women in the world.
What is most disturbing is a pile on with others in attacking a religious tradition, rather than recognizing the importance of divorcing religion from violence.
A universal doctrine of women’s rights does not require a blanket condemnation of religion.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Congress Doesn't use a Secret Ballot
It sounds to me like Specter needs a little tweak to the arbitration provisions to get on board EFCA. That may not be necessary for passage, but if it is, I would not be surprised to see such a compromise happen.
There are many ways to skin this cat.
There is much more to protecting workers than secret ballots in union drives. EFCA is designed to somewhat level a playing field that has been demonstrably tilted against labor. Bringing back card check is not the end of protection for workers - it is the beginning.
Of course, the whole idea behind all attacks on EFCA is to scare workers into submitting to management’s desires, while ignoring their own interests. Fear is the enemy of freedom.
There are many ways to skin this cat.
There is much more to protecting workers than secret ballots in union drives. EFCA is designed to somewhat level a playing field that has been demonstrably tilted against labor. Bringing back card check is not the end of protection for workers - it is the beginning.
Of course, the whole idea behind all attacks on EFCA is to scare workers into submitting to management’s desires, while ignoring their own interests. Fear is the enemy of freedom.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Pressing Obama
It’s true that Obama is facing more criticism now than during the campaign - that’s only natural, as now he is making real policy. However, the premise of this column is deeply flawed. The assumption that there was some special treatment afforded Obama by the media during the campaign is simply false.
The press has been independent the whole time - it’s sour grapes to claim otherwise.
Nobody expects a President to be perfect.
The press has been independent the whole time - it’s sour grapes to claim otherwise.
Nobody expects a President to be perfect.
The Devil and Private Health Insurers
The health insurance industry sold its soul to the devil a long time ago. Any industry that extracts outrageous profits from the suffering of others has clearly made a faustian bargain.
There really is nothing to fear from universal coverage. The most likely scenario is that all Americans will be guaranteed a basic level of health coverage, and will have the option to purchase any supplemental coverage on the free market.
Reducing the costs of health care while ensuring coverage for all is a very good idea for our economy and the health of our people. No other advanced economy allows so many to go without health care coverage, or wastes as much money as the US does on health care.
Even employers are beginning to see that the current system is broken, and calling for universal and portable coverage. Nobody benefits from our current system except for the insurance companies that inflate the cost of health care. The poor, the jobless, and the youth of our nation have been victimized for far too long.
There really is nothing to fear from universal coverage. The most likely scenario is that all Americans will be guaranteed a basic level of health coverage, and will have the option to purchase any supplemental coverage on the free market.
Reducing the costs of health care while ensuring coverage for all is a very good idea for our economy and the health of our people. No other advanced economy allows so many to go without health care coverage, or wastes as much money as the US does on health care.
Even employers are beginning to see that the current system is broken, and calling for universal and portable coverage. Nobody benefits from our current system except for the insurance companies that inflate the cost of health care. The poor, the jobless, and the youth of our nation have been victimized for far too long.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Sarcasm on Obama
Quite the entertaining piece. One of the better PJM blogs I have seen.
The dark ages of being ruled by a thuggish tyrant are now behind America.
So true!
To them, meeting Obama must be like encountering Jesus riding a dinosaur — both reassuring and intimidating at the same time.
That’s just a great image.
Of course the unrefined Bush would make a big deal of meeting foreign leaders; to that simpleton, it must have been like being visited by advanced aliens.
Sounds about right.
After eight years of the caveman Bush screaming gibberish at Iran and shaking a rock at them threateningly, it is natural that Iran is still quite easily startled.
Indeed. Glad to be done with that.
They need to know that if Obama’s actions seem stupid or insulting to them, it’s only because they are not yet able to understand his splendor.
You tell ‘em Frank. You might even get through to some folks on PJM if you keep it up…
After eight years of the GOP screwing up anything in sight, I think it’s fair to give Obama at least four to make a significant correction. He never claimed that we would leave Iraq immediately, or close Guantanamo overnight, or that the P Act would be repealed forthwith.
Yes, big business is getting some investment from the feds, but it’s likely that higher taxes will recoup the largesse in time.
As far as being racists, it is true that many American still are - but thankfully the racists are a dying breed. Youngsters are growing increasingly “color-blind” - as evidenced by Obama’s landslide among younger voters. Unfortunately institutionalized racism is something that takes generations to recover from, and our road to redemption as a nation will take the better part of this century at least.
I don’t mind if you want to give Obama a hard time, but when you try to blame him for the GOP’s legacy of failure, your duplicity is obvious.
The dark ages of being ruled by a thuggish tyrant are now behind America.
So true!
To them, meeting Obama must be like encountering Jesus riding a dinosaur — both reassuring and intimidating at the same time.
That’s just a great image.
Of course the unrefined Bush would make a big deal of meeting foreign leaders; to that simpleton, it must have been like being visited by advanced aliens.
Sounds about right.
After eight years of the caveman Bush screaming gibberish at Iran and shaking a rock at them threateningly, it is natural that Iran is still quite easily startled.
Indeed. Glad to be done with that.
They need to know that if Obama’s actions seem stupid or insulting to them, it’s only because they are not yet able to understand his splendor.
You tell ‘em Frank. You might even get through to some folks on PJM if you keep it up…
After eight years of the GOP screwing up anything in sight, I think it’s fair to give Obama at least four to make a significant correction. He never claimed that we would leave Iraq immediately, or close Guantanamo overnight, or that the P Act would be repealed forthwith.
Yes, big business is getting some investment from the feds, but it’s likely that higher taxes will recoup the largesse in time.
As far as being racists, it is true that many American still are - but thankfully the racists are a dying breed. Youngsters are growing increasingly “color-blind” - as evidenced by Obama’s landslide among younger voters. Unfortunately institutionalized racism is something that takes generations to recover from, and our road to redemption as a nation will take the better part of this century at least.
I don’t mind if you want to give Obama a hard time, but when you try to blame him for the GOP’s legacy of failure, your duplicity is obvious.
Rush to Judgement
Obama has the opportunity to revive the economy and implement his agenda. He would be foolish not to - and fellow Democrats are fools if they stand in his way. The American public supports Obama’s agenda. There is plenty of good news for the average citizen in Obama’s proposals. Health care, cap and trade and tax reform are all likely to improve the economy in the long term, while action on banks, mortgages and energy will help get the economy moving again. Most Americans understand that Bush handed Obama the keys to a country with a damaged economy, and that sorting out the mess left by the GOP will take some time.
Undoubtedly Obama understands that there is a window of opportunity that must be taken advantage of before it closes, and is moving rapidly to achieve as much as possible while the political tide is high. Obama can afford to pay less attention to electoral politics because the Democrats have majorities in both houses that are a lot safer than any in recent memory.
If you really think the Democrats are going to line up to pillory Obama, you are living in your own fantasy. The GOP can’t hope to win unless it can offer a reasonable platform to the nation. Good luck with that.
You can expect health care reform to come to a vote this year. Tax reform will be ongoing, with broad relief now, and some focused increases on upper-quintile earners coming over the next four years. Cap and trade is likely to be put to a vote before 2010 as well.
So you can expect reduced health care costs, a more progressive tax code, and a more sustainable tax and energy policy to be in force before the end of Obama’s first term. The economy is likely to recover during this same time frame, and banking and mortgage reforms will stabilize the housing market once unemployment levels off.
A cleaner and greener planet for your kids is just a bonus.
“Cap and Trade” will transform the economy, as it is intended to.
What all the GOP pundits fail to realize is that carbon credits can be bought by environmentalists, too. Once all the credits have been purchased and put out of service, our economy will no longer rely on massive subsidy of polluting industries.
It’s time to change to sustainable living - hopefully we can.
Undoubtedly Obama understands that there is a window of opportunity that must be taken advantage of before it closes, and is moving rapidly to achieve as much as possible while the political tide is high. Obama can afford to pay less attention to electoral politics because the Democrats have majorities in both houses that are a lot safer than any in recent memory.
If you really think the Democrats are going to line up to pillory Obama, you are living in your own fantasy. The GOP can’t hope to win unless it can offer a reasonable platform to the nation. Good luck with that.
You can expect health care reform to come to a vote this year. Tax reform will be ongoing, with broad relief now, and some focused increases on upper-quintile earners coming over the next four years. Cap and trade is likely to be put to a vote before 2010 as well.
So you can expect reduced health care costs, a more progressive tax code, and a more sustainable tax and energy policy to be in force before the end of Obama’s first term. The economy is likely to recover during this same time frame, and banking and mortgage reforms will stabilize the housing market once unemployment levels off.
A cleaner and greener planet for your kids is just a bonus.
“Cap and Trade” will transform the economy, as it is intended to.
What all the GOP pundits fail to realize is that carbon credits can be bought by environmentalists, too. Once all the credits have been purchased and put out of service, our economy will no longer rely on massive subsidy of polluting industries.
It’s time to change to sustainable living - hopefully we can.
GOP confusion
Steele is right on abortion, and he was right about Rush. For crying out loud, he’s only been in office 6 weeks, and is doing his best to get the GOP back on track, but if the party is so backwards that it denies reality, I suppose his days are numbered.
Abortion is a choice - that’s the law. Rush’s show is ugly - that’s the reality.
Still, it sure is fun to watch the sparks fly…
Abortion is a choice - that’s the law. Rush’s show is ugly - that’s the reality.
Still, it sure is fun to watch the sparks fly…
'Believe in God or Die'???
The latest American Religious Identification Survey shows that the number of those who believe in no religion at all has almost doubled in the last 18 years, rising from 8 percent to 15 percent since 1990.
Great news for Bill Maher. For the rest of us: worrying evidence of the slow decline of the best and freest culture the earth has ever known.
I think you overestimate the importance of religion to the best and freest culture the earth has ever known. Freedom is exactly what is on the rise here.
This idea—the idea of religion as a human evil—strikes me as very strange given the, you know, facts.
Really? So the fact that religious belief has repeatedly led to wars and intense human suffering doesn’t strike you as even a little evil?
None of this is proof of the existence of God, of course, but it is fairly substantial evidence that we need faith in order to thrive, that without it we sink into either murderous violence or suicidal ennui.
Faith may be important, but faith in God is foolishness. Faith in ourselves is what we need to thrive - not faith in some imaginary robed superbeing.
As for all the other, more peaceful faiths that uplift and sustain so many, they may sometimes promulgate ignorance and superstition in trying to speak of what can only in the end be experienced, but just as often, and sometimes simultaneously, they are the source and center-point of the best in our communities and in our hearts. Without them, we won’t be here for long.
I heartily disagree. We would all be better off without faiths that promulgate ignorance and superstition. God is dead - and we’re all better off without.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
More Lies about Unions
There is no reason to believe that unemployment would rise significantly under card check. Despite the statistics in this study, the benefits of unionized labor for the economy are clear. The projected impact on unemployment is unlikely. If it were accurate, one could make the argument that the inverse should hold as well (that lowered union membership would reduce unemployment). Obviously this is not the case. Moreover, increased union membership has not historically been associated with such increases in unemployment. The true causation is the reverse of the conclusion you arrive at. High unemployment drives union membership, as workers seek to protect themselves from becoming unemployed.
The benefits of unionization for workers far outweigh the potential harm. Increased wages, job security, health benefits and improved working conditions are all tangible benefits secured by unionization. All the EFCA does is prevent management from interfering with the organizers of a union. It’s about leveling a playing field that has been tilted against labor for decades. Trying to scare folks away from supporting unions by claiming that unions drive up unemployment is dishonest, and also irresponsible.
The benefits of unionization for workers far outweigh the potential harm. Increased wages, job security, health benefits and improved working conditions are all tangible benefits secured by unionization. All the EFCA does is prevent management from interfering with the organizers of a union. It’s about leveling a playing field that has been tilted against labor for decades. Trying to scare folks away from supporting unions by claiming that unions drive up unemployment is dishonest, and also irresponsible.
I agree with Clarence Thomas?!
I am usually the first to cast scorn on Thomas’ opinions, but in this case, I am glad to see that he defends the right of the people to protect their interests at the state level without interference from the feds. If only this opinion extended to a few other areas where the feds have over-reached…
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Abstaining from 'Abstinence Only'
Of course abstinence education is unrealistic. So are many other government policies.
The bottom line on sex education is that kids need to know the mechanics, and how to use protection. Condoms save lives.
The bottom line on sex education is that kids need to know the mechanics, and how to use protection. Condoms save lives.
Rewriting Racism
Pretending that racism is extinct is not a responsible way to deal with the real and present discrimination happening throughout our nation. It is more of the cowardice that Holder is railing against.
White guilt is a misnomer - whites don't feel guilty, because most have not done anything wrong. It is simply more racism, disguised as a "victim" mentality. More cowardice.
Solving the race problems of America will take time and dialogue - pretending that the problems have all been solved is not an answer.
White guilt is a misnomer - whites don't feel guilty, because most have not done anything wrong. It is simply more racism, disguised as a "victim" mentality. More cowardice.
Solving the race problems of America will take time and dialogue - pretending that the problems have all been solved is not an answer.
What rights?
I’m all for the proper approach to government assistance - and given what we have seen so far from Obama, he appears to share this belief.
Rendezvous with Reality
I think a "Rendezvous with Responsibility" is more like it.
After the complete disregard shown for Americans and the world by the GOP, it should be no surprise that Democrats are trying to move toward a sustainable future.
We could have moved into the 21st century with a much healthier economy, but thanks to massive deficit spending and a refusal to advance energy alternatives, the GOP has left us with a lot more work to do just to make ends meet.
After the complete disregard shown for Americans and the world by the GOP, it should be no surprise that Democrats are trying to move toward a sustainable future.
We could have moved into the 21st century with a much healthier economy, but thanks to massive deficit spending and a refusal to advance energy alternatives, the GOP has left us with a lot more work to do just to make ends meet.
Trashing Science
Global warming denial and misinterpreted statistics seem to go hand in hand. Not only do we have a denial here of the unprecedented spike in global temperatures, we also have a foolish claim that increased deaths from cancer prove that medical efforts have failed.
In reality, the global temperature figures from satellite data indicate a massive run-up in global temperatures is accelerating, and the cause of increased cancer mortality is increased life expectancy because of a reduction in other causes of death such as heart disease, stroke, and accidents.
Counterfactualism appears to be the modus operandi of the right these days.
In reality, the global temperature figures from satellite data indicate a massive run-up in global temperatures is accelerating, and the cause of increased cancer mortality is increased life expectancy because of a reduction in other causes of death such as heart disease, stroke, and accidents.
Counterfactualism appears to be the modus operandi of the right these days.
Casting Racial Aspersions: GOP on race
It is funny to see a simultaneous complaint against Blacks for being Democrats, and a refusal to allow them into the GOP.
There is a good reason that Blacks don't flock to the GOP, and it isn't the fault of the Democrats.
Blacks are the ones to make concessions. They must abandon their liberalism before the party of conservatism can consider their membership. A simple matter of principle.
There is a good reason that Blacks don't flock to the GOP, and it isn't the fault of the Democrats.
America is not Europe
America is hardly transforming itself into Europe. Some modest reform of tax codes, energy policy and health care is not going to kill the economic engine of the USA. America will remain a superpower, but will need to acknowledge that there is more to that status than military might - we need to lead by example on many fronts to retain/regain the trust of Europe and the world.
Much damage has been done to America over the past few decades, but as noted above, it can be undone.
Much damage has been done to America over the past few decades, but as noted above, it can be undone.
What do kids want? Not the GOP...
I don’t think you grasp the reality of what people voted for.
the policies which the Democrats are pursuing, including nationalized health care and abolition of secret ballots in union elections, aren’t very youth-oriented and potentially could turn off younger voters.
Both of these are policies that the youth of America support. Nationalized health care will solve one big headache that young workers have to face, and card check will help them secure their future. These issues are very much youth oriented, and Obama is headed exactly where youth want him to go.
The issue of tax deductions for charitable contributions is a red herring when it comes to the youth vote, as most youth don’t have incomes that would allow for such deductions. Furthermore, the ultimate impact on charitable contributions is not likely to be large.
I don’t think you’ve found any real leverage here - but keep searching for that opening…
the policies which the Democrats are pursuing, including nationalized health care and abolition of secret ballots in union elections, aren’t very youth-oriented and potentially could turn off younger voters.
Both of these are policies that the youth of America support. Nationalized health care will solve one big headache that young workers have to face, and card check will help them secure their future. These issues are very much youth oriented, and Obama is headed exactly where youth want him to go.
The issue of tax deductions for charitable contributions is a red herring when it comes to the youth vote, as most youth don’t have incomes that would allow for such deductions. Furthermore, the ultimate impact on charitable contributions is not likely to be large.
I don’t think you’ve found any real leverage here - but keep searching for that opening…
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Whining Right
Roger L. Simon was on Air America, and complains about his appearance...
Fear was the sales pitch for invading Iraq. Even if you personally had some other reason to support the push to war, the driving force for the invasion was fear - there was no other reason to occupy Iraq.
Being furious and ready to fight is fine, but directing that anger and desire for action into a war on Iraqi soil was a huge mistake. It would be better to channel such feelings to productive ends in the future.
Fear was the sales pitch for invading Iraq. Even if you personally had some other reason to support the push to war, the driving force for the invasion was fear - there was no other reason to occupy Iraq.
Being furious and ready to fight is fine, but directing that anger and desire for action into a war on Iraqi soil was a huge mistake. It would be better to channel such feelings to productive ends in the future.
Talking about race...
Jennifer Rubin takes on Eric Holder on race, proving his point that a conversation is long overdue...
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