Saturday, December 29, 2012
A Modest Proposal *
Another day, another Mass Shooting.
What is a Freedom Loving Country to do?
Many are calling for, ironically, More Guns…
If only, they wail, there had been Good Guys with Guns, to
counter the Lone Bad Guy, the atrocity could
have been, at the very least, Mitigated.
Arm the Teachers! Arm the Principal! Arm the Children!
Call out the National Guard, and Deploy them in Schools, Shopping Mall Food Courts, and wherever else Precious Children gather!(Boxer,of all people)
Call out the National Guard, and Deploy them in Schools, Shopping Mall Food Courts, and wherever else Precious Children gather!(Boxer,of all people)
Just Arm Everyone!
I submit that this will not be sufficient.
Drastic measures are called for…with which all Freedom
loving Americans would surely agree.
I propose that we wire every Public School, indeed, every Public Place….Wire
them all with Explosives.
Perhaps C-4…and wire these Patriotic Explosives with so called “Gun Shot Sensors”(mentioned on NCIS, Law and Order, et al)….so that, whenever a Gun is Fired in a Public Place by some deranged Lunatic, the whole frikkin place goes up!
Perhaps C-4…and wire these Patriotic Explosives with so called “Gun Shot Sensors”(mentioned on NCIS, Law and Order, et al)….so that, whenever a Gun is Fired in a Public Place by some deranged Lunatic, the whole frikkin place goes up!
Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D.) has a long and proud
History in the American Republic…it worked to keep us from being vaporized by
the Communist Threat…it will work, similarly, to protect our Precious Children,
as they…learn stuff…or hang out at the Mall.
Pass me the Rainwater and Grain Alcohol….
For a rational critique of the Insanity I sarcastically channel
here, see: http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/armed-guards-schools-nra-wants-police-state?paging=off
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
river
“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from
the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops.
Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.
I am haunted by waters.”
― Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It and Other Stories
We are fortunate to have a relatively unspoiled River, here in Mason...the Llano.
It was named after a mistranslation (likely due to bad penmanship) of the Chama Indians, who once lived along it's banks.
Although I am no longer Able to get to the River as much as I would like, it still holds a large swath of the real estate of my heart.
Under Texas Law, as a "Navigable River", the River Bed is Public Property...and We, the Owners, have guaranteed access...simply put, wherever a Road crosses the River.
With this Privilege comes Responsibility.
At every such Access Point I have been to, there is, as evidence of Human Visitation, a Debris Field.
This is most Unfortunate.
It is also the reason that I habitually carry Garbage Bags in my truck...it is my habit to come out of the River with More than I went in with.
I encourage the Folks of Mason to adopt such a habit.
Some lazy Sunday afternoon, load up the kids, grab a few trash bags, and teach the next generation a little about Stewardship.
This Commons need not be Tragic.
I am haunted by waters.”
― Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It and Other Stories
We are fortunate to have a relatively unspoiled River, here in Mason...the Llano.
It was named after a mistranslation (likely due to bad penmanship) of the Chama Indians, who once lived along it's banks.
Although I am no longer Able to get to the River as much as I would like, it still holds a large swath of the real estate of my heart.
Under Texas Law, as a "Navigable River", the River Bed is Public Property...and We, the Owners, have guaranteed access...simply put, wherever a Road crosses the River.
With this Privilege comes Responsibility.
At every such Access Point I have been to, there is, as evidence of Human Visitation, a Debris Field.
This is most Unfortunate.
It is also the reason that I habitually carry Garbage Bags in my truck...it is my habit to come out of the River with More than I went in with.
I encourage the Folks of Mason to adopt such a habit.
Some lazy Sunday afternoon, load up the kids, grab a few trash bags, and teach the next generation a little about Stewardship.
This Commons need not be Tragic.
us vs me, II
Endeavor to Persevere(*)
“God will not have his works made manifest by
cowards.”-Emerson.
Food for Thought:
The “Way We Do Things Now”, is counterproductive, mean,
nasty and stupid.
The beneficiaries are large Artificial Entities, whose sole Moral Imperative is, simply, “More Profit”.
The beneficiaries are large Artificial Entities, whose sole Moral Imperative is, simply, “More Profit”.
Parasites.
Under their System, jobs and production and Capital are sent
to the Third World, and the Profits realized are sequestered in Tax Havens,
where they can remain safe from paying their way, here…in the USA.
Freeloaders.
To get out from under this Cartel System, We will have to do
more, for ourselves….not in the fantastical way of Rugged Individualism,…but,
instead, by Community.
Protecting Cargill, ADM and Monsanto…let alone Exxon…is Not
“Conservatism”; it’s being Suckers.
“Conservatism” implies that we are Conserving something…like,
perhaps, a Local Economy.
The Giant Cartels,
and their System, are in the process of coming apart…this is due to their
Model’s over-reliance on “Growth”, on a Finite Planet.
It’s also Failing for Us…especially those of us who live in
former Farm Country….Small Town
America.
When I first moved to Mason County,
I drove around, a lot…to get a feel for the place, and because I have a thing
for dirt roads. What jumped out at me were the numerous former Towns…Fredonia,
Grit, and the like. These places used to Be Something…were once thriving
Communities. In a big way, the
Mechanisation of Agriculture was the knife at the throat of these places,
ensuring their inevitable Decline.
But Mechanisation was part of a larger story…that of Farm Policy.
But Mechanisation was part of a larger story…that of Farm Policy.
We behave as if “the Way We Do Things Now” is set in stone, handed down from God, or a Function of Nature. Economics is none of these things, rather, it is the Invention of Human Minds…and, as such, it can be changed.
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Remember Hurricane Rita?
That storm went into Houston,
in ’05…not long after Katrina. It’s immediate, and unexpected, effect on Mason
was a shortage of Everything. Gasoline tanks ran dry, cheapest to most
expensive; Store shelves emptied out, until there was little but canned oysters
and corn shucks.
Turns out that a whole lot of the things Mason takes for granted, from Fuel to Food, is sourced from the Port of Houston. That’s our Supply Line, and it’s frail and scary enough, just on it’s own…but used as Metaphor, it’s Terrifying.
It was the clearest evidence that I had ever witnessed that our Way of Doing Things was far from Robust…and that, indeed, that it was Foolish, and lacking in Foresight.
Everyone cries and shouts about “Welfare”…the perennial enemy is the “Lazy Poor”, the “Welfare Queen”, and the “Socialist Menace” who pays them to Lay About.
Turns out that a whole lot of the things Mason takes for granted, from Fuel to Food, is sourced from the Port of Houston. That’s our Supply Line, and it’s frail and scary enough, just on it’s own…but used as Metaphor, it’s Terrifying.
It was the clearest evidence that I had ever witnessed that our Way of Doing Things was far from Robust…and that, indeed, that it was Foolish, and lacking in Foresight.
Everyone cries and shouts about “Welfare”…the perennial enemy is the “Lazy Poor”, the “Welfare Queen”, and the “Socialist Menace” who pays them to Lay About.
Leave , for a moment, the evident Non-Existence of such
creatures(entirely Mythological)….and Think.
Why are so many folks Poor?
Why are so many folks Poor?
Could it be the growing Lack of Decent Jobs?
The Wage Stagnation of the last 35 years, relative to
Inflation?
High Costs of Necessaries, like Healthcare, Energy, Durable
Goods?
It’s, of course, all of these things.
But Fundamental to the breakdown is one thing, that no one
wants to talk about:
We don’t Make Anything, anymore.
We don’t Make Anything, anymore.
We do not Grow our own Food, Provide our own Energy, or even
make our own Toilet Paper.
To fix this requires a reordering of how we Think about Economy….and Informed Consumers.
It also requires a commitment, by those Consumers, to Vote with their Dollars.
What I am proposing is a garden of Self Reliance…Toilet Paper, as a Cottage Industry.
To fix this requires a reordering of how we Think about Economy….and Informed Consumers.
It also requires a commitment, by those Consumers, to Vote with their Dollars.
What I am proposing is a garden of Self Reliance…Toilet Paper, as a Cottage Industry.
Instead of going to HEB, and buying Lamb from Australia,
Beef from Argentina, Grapes from Chile, and Eggs from wherever Eggs come from…a
way must be found to do these things for ourselves.
Regulations, written largely by the Parasitical Giant Corps(e), hinder these efforts…especially with Meat, milk and Eggs…but these are easily overcome, if Local Government could be persuaded to do so.(see: http://vermontfoodsovereignty.net/2011/05/second-vermont-town-passes-food-sovereignty-measure/ )
Another Hindrance is the Purchasing Policy of our One Grocery Store.
Has anyone else noticed that the Produce Sucks?
That the Meat is often sub-par(to be charitable)?
Regulations, written largely by the Parasitical Giant Corps(e), hinder these efforts…especially with Meat, milk and Eggs…but these are easily overcome, if Local Government could be persuaded to do so.(see: http://vermontfoodsovereignty.net/2011/05/second-vermont-town-passes-food-sovereignty-measure/ )
Another Hindrance is the Purchasing Policy of our One Grocery Store.
Has anyone else noticed that the Produce Sucks?
That the Meat is often sub-par(to be charitable)?
I purchased a loaf of bread, there…just yesterday…and it was
dry and hard and well on it’s way to Stale.
But the Local Bakery, if they so desired, could not sell Bread at the one Supermarket.
Similarly, a local gardener…say some retiree who happens to have a surplus of tomatoes,…cannot sell more than a few.
But the Local Bakery, if they so desired, could not sell Bread at the one Supermarket.
Similarly, a local gardener…say some retiree who happens to have a surplus of tomatoes,…cannot sell more than a few.
Why?
Policy.
and Regulation by the State.
and Regulation by the State.
Instead of continuously, and tiresomely, Hating on “the
Least of these”…perhaps some thought needs to be given to the Reasons for their
plight.
Instead of “Take Back Mason(before it’s too late!)”… how
about, “Make Mason Work for Us”?!
* Chief Dan George in “Outlaw Josey Wales”
“Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.
Accept the place that divine providence has found for you, the society of your
contemporaries, the connection of events. Great men have always done so, and
confided themselves childlike to the genius of their age, betraying their
perception that the absolutely trustworthy was seated at their heart, working
through their hands, predominating in all their being. And we are now men, and
must accept in the highest mind the same transcendent destiny; and not minors
and invalids in a protected corner, not cowards fleeing before a revolution,
but guides , redeemers and benefactors, obeying the Almighty effort and
advancing on Chaos and the Dark.”
- R.W. Emerson, from, ”Self-Reliance”.
- R.W. Emerson, from, ”Self-Reliance”.
Me vs Us
I find it difficult to think small.
Context, broad and deep, is my habit of mind.
The woes of a Raw Milk Producer fits into a larger
Context…and makes more sense if thought of so comprehensively. We let our
Civilisation, currently, be run by the worst among us…in the service, almost
exclusively, of Greed.
The Randians, like Paul Ryan, would have us at each other’s
throats over relatively small , personal issues, while the Big Boys run away
with what’s left of Our Common Interests. Here is the Speech, by their Hero,
John Galt:
Given Ms. Rand’s well known wordiness, let me sum it up:”I
am an Island. I need no one. Fuck Everybody, I
got mine.”
Run such a sentiment out to it’s logical end, and you will
arrive in Somalia…the
“Producer’s Paradise”…the Heaven on Earth for
Self Made Men.
I routinely make that assertion, and just as routinely, get called
hyperbolic for it…but there is never any substantial refutation. Currently, in
our country, there is a lot of rhetoric about “Makers and Takers”…but I reckon
this is simplistic and silly, and distorts the Reality….who, exactly, are the
“Makers and Takers”?
Are the Makers the Ceo’s or the Shareholders and
Boardmembers…or, rather, the Workers…the ones who actually Make things, Perform
Services, and turn Capital into Surplus Capital?
I’ll warrant that the latter are the Makers…the former, while having a function in the process, are Takers; they Take the Surplus Value, created by the Workers, and run away with it….to the Caymans, or to Switzerland…anywhere they can find, where that Surplus can be hidden from the Tax Man…anywhere that they can avoid paying their Fair Share in the Maintenance of Our Common Civilisation. There’s a word for such people:” Freeloaders.”
This seems upside down, because for more than a hundred years We, as a Nation of Workers, have been trained to think the Opposite.
I’ll warrant that the latter are the Makers…the former, while having a function in the process, are Takers; they Take the Surplus Value, created by the Workers, and run away with it….to the Caymans, or to Switzerland…anywhere they can find, where that Surplus can be hidden from the Tax Man…anywhere that they can avoid paying their Fair Share in the Maintenance of Our Common Civilisation. There’s a word for such people:” Freeloaders.”
This seems upside down, because for more than a hundred years We, as a Nation of Workers, have been trained to think the Opposite.
It is the reason for Red Scares, and “Anticommunist
“Hysteria…the Real reason for the Cold War….not because the USSR was such a
shining example of “Socialism”, but precisely because it was such a Poor
Example. Under this assessment, Stalin could be held out as the Face of Marxism…no
matter that he was anything but.
It’s the Real Reason for the “War on Drugs”…all those
Hippies on the White House Lawn, refusing to play the Game….what to do?!
“Socialist Europe” is often trotted out as a bogey-man,
intended to scare us into handing over the rest of Our Power, as Citizens and
Workers…as if Europe’s status as Hell Hole was
self-evident…and irrefutable.
What a happy circumstance for the Takers, that so many American Workers have never been to Europe!
Over there, Social Democracy is the order of the day…and they manage to outperform Us in almost all measures of Civilisation, even the Economic ones. Folks are happier, healthier, and much less worried about having to eat cat food when they get old.
Terrible, right?
What a happy circumstance for the Takers, that so many American Workers have never been to Europe!
Over there, Social Democracy is the order of the day…and they manage to outperform Us in almost all measures of Civilisation, even the Economic ones. Folks are happier, healthier, and much less worried about having to eat cat food when they get old.
Terrible, right?
The recent Economic Woes in Europe
can be laid at the feet of those who have brought Our Brand of Neoliberalism
there…and injected the same Randian Avarice into the halls of Power. “Lower
Taxes”…”Austerity”…the Greedy Few are trying to make Europe into Texas…and the People are
having none of it. This illuminates another , fundamental difference between
the American People, and the European
People….when Government listens overmuch to the Avaricious CEO and “Investor”
Class, the People….the Workers…the Citizens!...go out, into the street, and Burn
Shit!
The Class Lines are bright and shiny , there…and Our
Plutocrats are well aware of this fact…
So We are trained, from birth, that America is “Classless”…that Working Folks agitating for a Fair Shake is, somehow, “Class Warfare”.
So We are trained, from birth, that America is “Classless”…that Working Folks agitating for a Fair Shake is, somehow, “Class Warfare”.
We are harried and harassed and kept so busy that We cannot
lift our heads from the Grindstone for long enough to Think about Our situation….nor
are We provided, in Our horrible excuse for “Public Education”, the Tools of
Mind, let alone the Factual Information, necessary to engage in such Thought.
At the same time, myriad, largely artificial Divisions are fomented among We, the People…in order to keep us fighting amongst Ourselves…Racial and Class Resentment (this, in a “Classless Society”,lol)…Mythological Political Divisions(Dems are “Big Gov Liberals”; Reps are all about “Freedom” and Small Government)
At the same time, myriad, largely artificial Divisions are fomented among We, the People…in order to keep us fighting amongst Ourselves…Racial and Class Resentment (this, in a “Classless Society”,lol)…Mythological Political Divisions(Dems are “Big Gov Liberals”; Reps are all about “Freedom” and Small Government)
Where I live, the
folks who holler the loudest about the “threat” of Socialism are elderly, and receiving
Social Security and Medicare…and, often, various and sundry Veteran’s Benefits.
We are so befuddled and miseducated, uneducated, that even
those at the very Bottom of Our Society are often to be found loudly supporting
the very same Parasitical Elites who keep them in Poverty.
Here’s Albert Einstein’s take on the matter:
The Focus of Our Collective Conversation has, for far too
long, been about Me, Me Me…which only benefits those who already Have.
It has become an anathema to think about We, about Us…about Our Collective Commonalities…
Anything that would help We…Us…the People, as a Whole…is routinely eviscerated(illogically) as “Socialism”!...
Totally disregarding Our History, Our Common Interests and the Economic Realities We find Ourselves in.
It has become an anathema to think about We, about Us…about Our Collective Commonalities…
Anything that would help We…Us…the People, as a Whole…is routinely eviscerated(illogically) as “Socialism”!...
Totally disregarding Our History, Our Common Interests and the Economic Realities We find Ourselves in.
I want to talk about Us.
If this makes me a Socialist, so be it…as FDR said, "I welcome their Hatred."
If this makes me a Socialist, so be it…as FDR said, "I welcome their Hatred."
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Think,Urban at Clermont/
Tidbits
http://www.alternet.org/food/dr-oz-flip-flops-supporting-organics-high-profile-attacks-intensify?paging=off
D'ya know that every living thing contains Dioxins?
http://www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2/execsumm.php
http://www.karavans.com/food.html
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2006/05/no-bar-code
Know yer Farmer
Deus vult
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Cold Shower
Sorry.
The Potential is there…
But it’ll take Work…even/especially in places like Rural Texas, where the Left-Leaning hide in the hills.
But it’ll take Work…even/especially in places like Rural Texas, where the Left-Leaning hide in the hills.
There are so many
threads, all tangled together, at this moment…
Confusion and Shock on the Right…the Echoes of Occupy…Demographic Changes…and, yes, the Inspirational Qualities of Mr Obama….
the Ongoing Economic Malaise adds fuel to the glowing coals…take care that the various and disparate Factions of the Wounded Right don’t use any of these Opportunities against Us…
Or, for that matter, the Corps(e) Worshipping Wing of the Democratic Party.
Confusion and Shock on the Right…the Echoes of Occupy…Demographic Changes…and, yes, the Inspirational Qualities of Mr Obama….
the Ongoing Economic Malaise adds fuel to the glowing coals…take care that the various and disparate Factions of the Wounded Right don’t use any of these Opportunities against Us…
Or, for that matter, the Corps(e) Worshipping Wing of the Democratic Party.
If Folks at the Grass Roots want to see the Dems eschew
Corporate Financing, with it’s attendant Strings, those Grass Roots are gonna
hafta get out of their Closets…come down from the Hills…and become Visable.
Unignorable.
Praxis, from Myriad Directions.
LOL.
Stuff like this lends credence to a Focus on the Local.
Is there anyone there?
Is there anyone there?
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Riff on Alternative Economics
Roaming, again, in (http://www.doaj.org/doaj?func=home&uiLanguage=en)...Grazing,
and moving on.
Found this, “Local Utopia as Unobtrusive Resistance: The Greek Village
Micro-Economy “ by, Marina Karides
Florida
Atlantic University
After the
Intro, and then the few paragraphs of rather dry econ-speak, we get to the
Meat…Alt Econ.
“Historically, individuals and communities in the global South
have developed through independent action solutions to the ecological
destruction, poverty, and unemployment wrought since colonialism.
These efforts have significantly increased, and were first
conceived as traditional or “backward” and anathema to development (Geertz
1963), and later as part of the informal sector (Portes 1983). Over the last
several decades of neoliberalism these same activities are considered emblems
of entrepreneurship. “ (1)
….as well they should be.
I’m thinking, while reading this, in the context of my Disappointment with the Capture of Libertarians, by the Corporate Model. (Corporation’s very existence is dependent entirely on Government, from courts to rules and regs, and enabling legislation). This is Germaine, because for all of the hollering we heard, starting in 1980, about Deregulate! Free the Market!!....the most important Market Entities of all, Families and Small Business(not Raytheon) have seen their Economic Activity increasingly Regulated…often out of existence. This is among the reasons I left the Libertarian Party.
I’m also thinking (becoming a trend) about Mason…what’s wrong with it, and whether or not it can be modified for the better.(2)
I’m thinking, while reading this, in the context of my Disappointment with the Capture of Libertarians, by the Corporate Model. (Corporation’s very existence is dependent entirely on Government, from courts to rules and regs, and enabling legislation). This is Germaine, because for all of the hollering we heard, starting in 1980, about Deregulate! Free the Market!!....the most important Market Entities of all, Families and Small Business(not Raytheon) have seen their Economic Activity increasingly Regulated…often out of existence. This is among the reasons I left the Libertarian Party.
I’m also thinking (becoming a trend) about Mason…what’s wrong with it, and whether or not it can be modified for the better.(2)
“The astounding growth of alternative economics in the last
decade is also distinctly informed by popular rejections of work and careers
that are regulated and organized for capitalist production, hierarchical, and
punitive. Formal jobs, often in urban environments, require such a commitment
of time, mind, and physical presence that many who enter into one aspect of
alternative economics or another are choosing to do so for the sake of having
some personal control in their everyday lives. Actors in both the global South
and North are acting, in Harvey’s (2000: 235) phrasing, as “insurgent
architects” who attempt “to shape their own beingness,” not condemning
themselves to work paths set out by pre-existing structures and values. “ (1)
The Current Paradigm
almost ensures that we will work ourselves to death, with little to show for
it.(we, here, meaning Po Folks). Even when one is able to get a small business
going, and get out of Wage-Slavery(3), often one finds that it’s not really
worth it.
This state of affairs seems to be regarded as perfectly
natural, for a place like Mason…way out here, in the Wilderness.
I don’t think that’s quite as certain a thing as is commonly thought.
Localism, again!
I envision Toilet Paper as a Cottage Industry!
(I’m only a little hyperbolic, here.)
I don’t think that’s quite as certain a thing as is commonly thought.
Localism, again!
I envision Toilet Paper as a Cottage Industry!
(I’m only a little hyperbolic, here.)
We Import far too much, from outside…and, in exchange, Export
our Wealth, what there is of it.
A lot of this is Habit…left over from the glory days (Clinton), when there were lots of Jobs and Opportunity, and more Relative Wealth. A lot of it is, also, due to the Walmartisation of the , formerly, Local Economy.(this is well documented)
A lot of this is Habit…left over from the glory days (Clinton), when there were lots of Jobs and Opportunity, and more Relative Wealth. A lot of it is, also, due to the Walmartisation of the , formerly, Local Economy.(this is well documented)
Still another factor is the Corporatisation, overall , of the
American Economy…Rules and Regs written Of By and For Giant Multinational
Fictional Persons.(see; Acres USA, and Ch. Walters, for application to Giant
Ag, vs the Extinction of “family farms”)
Why isn’t there Mason-Produced Beef, Chicken, Pork(feral hogs, anyone?), Goat, Lamb and Fruits and Veggies on the shelves at the One Store?
Why isn’t there Mason-Produced Beef, Chicken, Pork(feral hogs, anyone?), Goat, Lamb and Fruits and Veggies on the shelves at the One Store?
The answer, of course, is the nexus between the Corp Ruled
Market Structures, and the Corp- Benefiting Regulatory and Tax Structures.
For the Meat, there’s nowhere to legally, economically, or efficiently slaughter and process. Too much BS for anyone to want to even try to do that.
For Fruits and Veggies, it’s all on the Corporation that operates the Store. When it was Super S, they told me I’d hafta take my Produce to the Warehouse in Houston (!!) if I hoped to have anything over a tiny amount in the store.
For the Meat, there’s nowhere to legally, economically, or efficiently slaughter and process. Too much BS for anyone to want to even try to do that.
For Fruits and Veggies, it’s all on the Corporation that operates the Store. When it was Super S, they told me I’d hafta take my Produce to the Warehouse in Houston (!!) if I hoped to have anything over a tiny amount in the store.
.” Yet by virtue of scale and intention, small and micro-
enterprises operate outside capitalist principles of mass production and
consumption and centralized bureaucratic control, offering environmental
viability, autonomy, and creative expression in one’s work.” (1)
Here, they’re talking about the Black and Gray Economies…in
Mason,from Dope, to Tamales, to Yard Work, and Handymen….and Garage Sales.
City/County could encourage Cottage Industry, including Ag.
First, by resolving to keep their fingers out of the pie…Tax the Imports.
Regulate the Imports(aside from necessary, but unobtrusive Health/Environmental
Concerns).
Second, by following the trail blazed by a couple of towns in Vermont(4)…essentially
going around the State and Federal Governmental Regs that are at least one of
the Roots of this problem.
More:” To locate small shops, farms, and artisanal enterprises in a framework of resistance to capitalism and social inequality, it is worth resuscitating Ivan Illich’s (1973) position for “tools that guarantee the right to work with independent efficiency” that is in advance of but consistent with the current growth of alternative economic studies. In Tools of Conviviality, Illich (1973) builds an argument against industrialization or large-scale production in which workers are no longer directly in control of their labor or “tools” such as technology, production facilities, or systems of decision-making. For conviviality to occur there must be “autonomous and creative intercourse among persons, and the intercourse among persons with their environment; and this in contrast with the conditioned responses of persons to the demands made upon them by others” “(1)
Remember, lest I be
labeled (again! Sigh) a Rabid Marxist, that when these folks say “Capitalism”,
they mean, for the most part, “Corporate/Monopoly Capitalism”…the Walmart
Model. Remember, too, that Adam Smith
advocated against such Behemoths, as detrimental to Liberty and widespread Economic Prosperity. His “Wealth…” and
“Theory of Moral Sentiments”, along with Marx’s “Das Capital”, were evangelism
for the widest possible Distribution of the Means of Production.
Diversity = Robust Stability = Multiple-Redundancies.
Economy as Ecosystem.
These same ideas may be familiar, to folks who remember the early 70’s…Back to the Land, etc.
These same ideas may be familiar, to folks who remember the early 70’s…Back to the Land, etc.
Those efforts, back then, were subverted politically, pooh-poohed
rhetorically, and undermined economically(by the above mentioned means).
Instead of pursuing such Egalitarian endeavors, we instead went whole hog in
the other direction…Reaganomics, Supply-Side, “Neoliberalism”.(5) All of these
are of a piece…they describe a System where Large is Beautiful, and the only
thing that matters is Profits.
Look where such Wild Eyed Utopian Experimentation has gotten
us!(6)
We must begin to Think about these things…instead of
continuing to merely beat up on the Victims of Neoliberalism.(all of Us, but
especially the Poor)
2 I’ve got around 20 Word Docs, in progress, on numerous
topics of what I consider to be of Local Concern…attempting to leave Campaign
Season(and rhetoric) behind.(snort)
Remember, my usage of Right/Left is of my own Taxonomy,….and
Not about Political Parties. Machine (Matrix, Leviathan, Corpo-Governmental
Nexus, whatever) …Leans Rightward…towards the Large, Wealthy and Powerful. Phaoronic Hydraulic Despotism, as business
model of Empire.
“
or get a job in town.
6 by just one metric, Real Wages have stayed the same or
Fallen, Relative to Inflation, in this same period…while Prices for Everything
have risen enormously.
Narrative Spaces, Political and Ethnic Implications of a Built Environment
A little light reading, this morning…lol.
I think about Mason, and the various Neighborhoods.
Old Barrio, New Barrio(I didn’t invent these terms, or their Connotations 1)…the “Historical District”(from the Square, to the Fort)…what I think of as the Rich Hill…and, way out East, where the Feedlot is, what I think of as a sort of Redneck Barrio,lol…(Confederate Flags).
Old Barrio, New Barrio(I didn’t invent these terms, or their Connotations 1)…the “Historical District”(from the Square, to the Fort)…what I think of as the Rich Hill…and, way out East, where the Feedlot is, what I think of as a sort of Redneck Barrio,lol…(Confederate Flags).
There’s no hard and fast exclusivity…it’s difficult to generalize…there’s
plenty of diversity in all these Neighborhoods…( except for the Rich Hill; I
can think of no Po Folks, up there)
Diversity based on Ethnicity/Race, as well as Wealth(or it’s Lack).
Diversity based on Ethnicity/Race, as well as Wealth(or it’s Lack).
This town is steeped in History…although, I glean that it’s
only thought about in a rather anodyne, superficial way; as in the general
habit of ignoring the Hoodoo War of the Civil War Era, that still festers,
under the surface.
Since I’ve been in the (“new”) Barrio….what Officialdom
refers to as “The North Side”…I’ve sort of been thinking about these things;
but never in a cogent way…until I read this paper, today.
We have 2 bridges over the creek, to get to Town…and an out of the way low water crossing…and an old, condemned bridge, that they have failed to replace, despite having the Funding all lined up, as of several years ago. If one wants to travel North...or get easily from the Barrio to the part of town along the Brady Highway, one must go to the Square. I don’t know if such Channeling is intentional(there’s little evidence of that level of Intelligence), but it does have an effect. Too, the lack of that bridge further isolates the Old Barrio, especially disconnecting it from the New Barrio…and making the Old Barrio, now, effectively, at a Dead End…that area is, for all intents and purposes, a Collonia 2. Shitty Sewer System, shitty Water Lines, shitty roads, shitty drainage….forgotten. It’s also where the poorest residents live…including the Immigrants, both legal, and illegal. 2 cops can cordon off that neighborhood.(it takes 4 to ineffectively block egress from the New Barrio….many more for the other, more white neighborhoods).
We have 2 bridges over the creek, to get to Town…and an out of the way low water crossing…and an old, condemned bridge, that they have failed to replace, despite having the Funding all lined up, as of several years ago. If one wants to travel North...or get easily from the Barrio to the part of town along the Brady Highway, one must go to the Square. I don’t know if such Channeling is intentional(there’s little evidence of that level of Intelligence), but it does have an effect. Too, the lack of that bridge further isolates the Old Barrio, especially disconnecting it from the New Barrio…and making the Old Barrio, now, effectively, at a Dead End…that area is, for all intents and purposes, a Collonia 2. Shitty Sewer System, shitty Water Lines, shitty roads, shitty drainage….forgotten. It’s also where the poorest residents live…including the Immigrants, both legal, and illegal. 2 cops can cordon off that neighborhood.(it takes 4 to ineffectively block egress from the New Barrio….many more for the other, more white neighborhoods).
Again, I don’t know if it’s intentional…but there it is.
Even unintentional
channeling and barricading(dare I call it “Ghetto-ization”,lol 3) has an
effect, even if it’s largely unconscious.
Now…how to fix this?
Build the Bridge…the “planned” new one, connecting the Pontotoc Street to that part of Spring Street
that goes from the Creek, to Dairy Queen…like the Minutes from the Council,
several years ago, indicated was in the works(including Grants, etc)…but, for
some unknown reason, was stopped.
//////////////
With the recent Economic Decline, I have noticed a lot more
folks walking…mostly to the one Grocery Store, away on the South end of Town. Aside
from the Square, there are no sidewalks to speak of….and only that green bus
thing for “public transportation”.
I have considered, for this reason, opening a “Bodega”, here in the “New Barrio”…but have not…due to my Disability, and lack of Funds… the State Regulatory Labyrinth…as well as the Byzantine and Unwelcoming City Government. (4)
The recent talk of sidewalks…building new, and rejuvenating/modernizing old…has been specifically focused on the Square…not on where they are needed by Po Folks.(the Poor don’t shop on the Square)(5)
I have considered, for this reason, opening a “Bodega”, here in the “New Barrio”…but have not…due to my Disability, and lack of Funds… the State Regulatory Labyrinth…as well as the Byzantine and Unwelcoming City Government. (4)
The recent talk of sidewalks…building new, and rejuvenating/modernizing old…has been specifically focused on the Square…not on where they are needed by Po Folks.(the Poor don’t shop on the Square)(5)
Similarly, I have considered a Taxi/Rickshaw/Mule-Cart
Service…specifically for Po Folks to get from their far-flung homes, to the
one, single store.
Fuel Cost negates the Taxi Idea…and I suspect that there’s
Imperial Entanglements to consider(Permits/Insurance/Licenses) ….perhaps if I
had a place for a Mule…
////////////////
These are things clattering around in my mind…I can’t help
but Observe…
http://pics2.city-data.com/hin2009/25080.png
http://pics2.city-data.com/hin2009/25080.png
“About 15.9% of families and 18.2% of the population were
below the poverty line, including 26.9% of those under age 18
and 19.7% of those age 65 or over.”(from Wiki)
Almost a Fifth of the Population are below the Federal Poverty Line….interestingly, my little family is not (!?), which should be a good indicator of the (dis-)Utility of FPL(Ha! 6)…
In other words, the Poor are much more numerous in Mason, than the Official Numbers indicate.
Almost a Fifth of the Population are below the Federal Poverty Line….interestingly, my little family is not (!?), which should be a good indicator of the (dis-)Utility of FPL(Ha! 6)…
In other words, the Poor are much more numerous in Mason, than the Official Numbers indicate.
1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrio
I use this word as I’ve heard it used…meaning
“Neighborhood”…stripped of any negative Connotations….where one can hear
Conjunto, and smell Barbacoa, on any given Sunday.
2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonia_%28border_settlement%29
I use this in it’s broadest sense…
4 the City, likely unconsciously, maintains an adversarial hostility to it’s poorer patrons…especially
regarding the myriad permits and zoning ordinances. The Zoning, specifically,
appears to have been lifted, entirely, from Austin, or somewhere…and has little
real applicability to Mason. This is a whole other subject, of course…but, one
example: Electrical Work. Folks I know(Po Folks) cannot afford an Electrician,
due, in part to City Requirements for contractors…and cannot afford the Code
Requirements…which, according to electrician friends, are overkill, and needlessly expensive. These
requirements are sold as necessary for Safety. However, the actual effect, is
that Po Folks learn to live with the ancient wiring and screw in fuses(1950’s), that are already extant…and utilize “power
strips” and extension cords for any needed modifications…the Inspectors are
seen as Intrusive, and Nit Picking, and Not On Our Side. This is hardly in the
service of “Safety”.
5 Admittedly, the sidewalks around the Square are piss-poor;
especially if you’re disabled/wheelchair-bound…but this is of concern to
tourism, tourist-related businesses. and to those residents who can afford to patronize
those businesses.
6 This is why the various Agencies,(Foodstamps, Medicaid,
etc) now use things like “130% of FPL” as criteria for Eligibility…even the
Government realizes the disutility of those numbers.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Thank you, Mr Spielberg
“The whole
fabric of southern society must be changed, and never can it be done if this
opportunity is lost. Without this, this government can never be, as it never
has been, a true republic.” –September 6, 1865 (Thaddeus Stevens) 1
The new film, “Lincoln” (which I haven’t seen, it’ll come to
Mason, eventually), will have Us talking
about these things for the next year, at least.
How fortuitous, that such topics as Slavery, Lincoln, the all-but-forgotten Thaddeus Stevens 2, and the Unfinished Civil War, will be on the Collective Mind of America, in these first years of Mr Obama’s second term.
These things will, perhaps, draw out the NeoConfederate Sympathy, that lines the dark underbelly of the Right…the Racism, loudly denied, despite all of the Evidence; the whole mess of “the South will Rise, again”…entailing the Revenge Fantasies of the American Right; “Heritage, Not Hate”, and other similar nonsense; and the Politico-Historical Reality of the past near-fifty years, of an actual resurgent South, begun with Nixon’s “Southern Strategy”….which has had the effect, in the real World, of Dixifying the whole country.
How fortuitous, that such topics as Slavery, Lincoln, the all-but-forgotten Thaddeus Stevens 2, and the Unfinished Civil War, will be on the Collective Mind of America, in these first years of Mr Obama’s second term.
These things will, perhaps, draw out the NeoConfederate Sympathy, that lines the dark underbelly of the Right…the Racism, loudly denied, despite all of the Evidence; the whole mess of “the South will Rise, again”…entailing the Revenge Fantasies of the American Right; “Heritage, Not Hate”, and other similar nonsense; and the Politico-Historical Reality of the past near-fifty years, of an actual resurgent South, begun with Nixon’s “Southern Strategy”….which has had the effect, in the real World, of Dixifying the whole country.
That the Civil War is Unfinished may come
as a shock to many of my neighbors.
Consider that, if it had been finished, decisively, there would have been no Jim Crow, no Segregation, and no need for the Civil Rights Movement, a Century after Lee Surrendered.(the South Lost…try to remember that.)
Consider that, if it had been finished, decisively, there would have been no Jim Crow, no Segregation, and no need for the Civil Rights Movement, a Century after Lee Surrendered.(the South Lost…try to remember that.)
Even now, fifty years after that dark time
of fire hoses and dogs, set upon Black Americans…and a hundred and fifty years
after the “end” of the Civil War, there are Public Figures still calling for
repealing parts of the Civil Rights Act…of Undoing the Fourteenth Amendment….let
alone screaming about Secession whenever they don’t get what they want.
An uncomfortably large portion of Americans
speaks in Coded Language about Race, and we all know what they mean…but when
the rest of us call them forth about their
Not-So-Hidden Racism, it is they who accuse us of “Playing the Race Card”.
The Unfinished Business of the Civil War is
a large part of the Surreality we are surrounded by, in 21st century American
Politics.
I hope that this film is as good as the few clips I’ve seen would indicate…We need to have these discussions. The Racists must be confronted, and called out, at last…then, perhaps, We can move forward.
I hope that this film is as good as the few clips I’ve seen would indicate…We need to have these discussions. The Racists must be confronted, and called out, at last…then, perhaps, We can move forward.
2 Thaddeus
Stevens is one of my minor heroes…minor, not because of his stature, or
influence, but due to my arbitrary ranking system, and the relative dearth of
information, here, in Texas.I am very happy to see this man, finally, portrayed
in film as the Giant he was.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Constituencies, real and imagined
For the Tea Argument: http://www.constitution.org/fed/federa52.htm
Our Government no longer listens to Us.
This is a Bipartisan Statement…or should be.
It’s one place that everyone, from Tea to Commie, should be able to agree.
The other side to this is, of course, the Power and Influence, of Big Money… especially Corporations.
My Rep’s Aide says that “Corporations are just People”….implying assent to the idea that Money is Speech, and muddying the fact that, under current Law, Corps(e) are Persons, in their own right…..
It’s one place that everyone, from Tea to Commie, should be able to agree.
The other side to this is, of course, the Power and Influence, of Big Money… especially Corporations.
My Rep’s Aide says that “Corporations are just People”….implying assent to the idea that Money is Speech, and muddying the fact that, under current Law, Corps(e) are Persons, in their own right…..
( if this is the case, then why can’t I join and effective
Union(I’m in “right to work” Texas),
which should enjoy the same Rights? Unions in Texas are, under this argument, being Denied
their First Amendment Rights.lol)
The above Links are to Folks who are trying to do something
about all the corruption and shenanigans that go on so routinely in DC. I
support these efforts.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In addition to these Necessary Things, I have long been an
advocate for Smaller Polities…which means More Representatives. It’s silly to
expect One Representative to “Represent” hundreds of thousands of Constituents. Heaven forbid, that more of
those Constituents actually Get Involved!
Impossible.
I have had in my mind a sort of Political Experiment…where
one would spend a few years basically hollering…calling and writing letters to
their Rep….make note of the response, if any.(non rubber stamped responses, and
the like); then, for the second part of the Experiment, one would Donate a
large-ish sum to the Rep’s Campaign…and make note of the response, if any,
thereafter.
Compare.
Contrast.
My Hypothesis is that the second time period would garner a
far more tangible, as well as personal, response, than the former.
Some would say, I guess, that it’s a good thing that I
possess insufficient Funds for such an endeavor…
It’s interesting to compare the list of who gives money, and
the list of the Bills sponsored and
co-sponsored.
For “my” Rep: http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cycle=2010&type=C&cid=N00026041&newMem=N&recs=20
There’s a lot of meaningless hay thrown to Tea, of course…but
the substantive stuff seems to track rather nicely with the biggest
contributors.
I realize that I am somewhat prejudiced against Mr Conaway….due
to his long association with the Bush People….But I have tried to remain
open-minded, and give him the benefit of the doubt. To his credit, many of my missives
have been answered, in some form.
Still, the evidence, such as it is, indicates that those who
pay, enjoy the Congressman’s attention.
Imagine if Mr Mike didn’t have to pay so much for commercials(over Our Airwaves!)…that, alone, would free up a lot of his time…and at least do more than nibble at the need to raise so much money….thus mitigating the appearance of corruption. “Free” air time could be provided…simply mandate it, and require the various Stations who Use Our Air, to run an equal number of ads for each candidate. The Air Time belongs to Us, to We the People…this could be like a Tax on Media. Simple.
Imagine, as well, if his Constituency included only a Fourth,
or less, of the folks it includes, today…less money needed, and more access for
constituents. Mason’s Rep, closer than 250 miles away, in Midland.
I think of Star Wars, and the imagery of the Galactic Senate…with
today’s Tech, why is it so far-fetched to consider 2000 Representatives in the US
House?
Or more?
Our system only works for Us if We participate.
Most reason, Why participate?! They will never listen to Me.
Most reason, Why participate?! They will never listen to Me.
My Rep should be allowed to Listen to Me…currently, he is
Not…due to expediency, and the overwhelming ratio of him vs. 600,000 folks.
Article 1 of the Constitution says, “The Number of Representatives shall
not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least
one Representative...[5]”
(from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_congressional_apportionment
)
Plenty of room, there, for Improvement.FTA:” Then in 1929 Congress (Republican control of both houses of congress and the presidency) passed the Reapportionment Act of 1929 which capped the size of the House at 435 (the then current number), but allowed temporary increases upon the admission of new states which were to be reverted upon the implementation of the immediate subsequent census.
In truth, the rules prohibiting legislative entrenchment would allow any subsequent legislature (after 1929) to increase or decrease the membership of the House of Representatives if such legislature so desired.”
A Wiki Chart of Population and Representatives
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/US_population_per_representative.jpg
Congress could Change this.
They might , if We Demand it.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
powder dry
for the coming onslaught:http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/giant-lie-trotted-out-fiscal-conservatives-trying-shred-social-security?paging=off
They're coming for Our Social Security(among many, many other things).
Be Prepared.
They're coming for Our Social Security(among many, many other things).
Be Prepared.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Room Enough
(in response to this:http://www.masoncountynews.com/news/article/57116#disqus_thread)
What conservatives do not seem to understand, is that the USA does Not
belong, exclusively, to them.
It never has, and it never will.
Of course, that is not to say that it, instead, belongs to their Opponents…
America Belongs to All of Us.
It never has, and it never will.
Of course, that is not to say that it, instead, belongs to their Opponents…
America Belongs to All of Us.
Black Brown White Yellow Red Pink and Purple.
Liberal, Conservative, Moderate, A-Political.
Liberal, Conservative, Moderate, A-Political.
Gay, Straight, and all shades of Gray.
Racists and non-Racists.
Capitalists, of all stripes…and Communists, also of all stripes….or no stripes, at all.
Racists and non-Racists.
Capitalists, of all stripes…and Communists, also of all stripes….or no stripes, at all.
It belongs to the Young, the Old, and the Middle Aged.
Rich, Poor, and all in between.
Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu, and even Atheists!
Rich, Poor, and all in between.
Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu, and even Atheists!
The Intelligent, and the Stupid….and the merely Ignorant,
and Misinformed.
All of Us, Every One.
This is the Ideal that the Founders had in mind…not as an accomplished Fact, but as the Ideal that We should work towards.
Diversity, Complex Relationships, between Disparate sorts of Organisms, as all Ecologists know well, is Essential to Healthy Ecosystems.
The Uniform field of Cloned Wheat is always less Robust, than the Chaotic field of Diverse Weeds, hence the need for tons of chemicals, in order to thrive.
All of Us, Every One.
This is the Ideal that the Founders had in mind…not as an accomplished Fact, but as the Ideal that We should work towards.
Diversity, Complex Relationships, between Disparate sorts of Organisms, as all Ecologists know well, is Essential to Healthy Ecosystems.
The Uniform field of Cloned Wheat is always less Robust, than the Chaotic field of Diverse Weeds, hence the need for tons of chemicals, in order to thrive.
We, as a Country, are Not becoming Less American, but more
so.
Relax, It’s not the End of the World,
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Drain
I'm a little worn out...election,season's change(Pain),etc...and cannot keep a train of thought.
So I'm off reading,both real books, and online...
I'm deciding where my focus should be.
On the one hand, I've given in to temptation, and started lurking in Right Wing Land(Jane Goodall)...to try and determine which way that lot will go...in rhetoric, and philosophy, and possibly action. Very interesting things bubbling away in Crazyland.lol.
On the other hand, there's Doom.
Ha!
We Humans always....always...make the mistake of thinking that The Way We Do Things Now(tm) will continue on, indefinitely...that we are somehow exempt from History(or at it's Logical End).
This is a silly, and counterproductive, way of running a Civilisation, or it's various parts and pieces.
But we keep on doing it, anyway.
The first hand is given flesh by something the Odious Clown, Glenn Beck said, just after the election:beck, on the election
No need to lurk on Free Republic...unless, like me, you enjoy that sort of perverse Anthropological exercise.
The second hand....or at least the Thinking that goes with it...is summed up , comprehensively, by one John Michael Greer (http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.com/)
The upshot is that the two could be connected....the Gun Nuts and Apocalypse Seekers, Tea in all it's forms, are already re-entering the Survivalist Mode that we saw in the 90's. The problem is their Approach...and the Belief Systems (Foundational, Unexamined Assumptions), that they use to arrive at that Approach.
Gearing Up for the "inevitable" arrival of Federal Troops(or Chinese, or UN,lol) in Mason...or Hunkering Down, so's the Forces of the Antichrist won't notice you....leads to certain forms of Preparation. Most of these Forms will be inapplicable to Real World Conditions.
That's where Common Ground can be found, I reckon.
They're right, about the fact that nothing lasts forever, change is inevitable, and we should expect large change in the near future...
They just have the Causes wrong.
Ergo, they're spending more resources on Bullets, than on Beans and Bandaids.
I think it would be in our interest to mitigate that trend...
Sustainability, for one, should be a focus of every little town and neighborhood...Got Garden?!
Got Seed Saving?
The Trucks won't always run, I'm afraid(Hurricane Rita)...the Grid won't always work(it's in a horrible state of disrepair)...and no one wants to Think about stuff like Triple Redundancy for Food, Water and Heat.
Doing nothing, despite the Logic of the Situation, will ensure Hell World....starvation, Warlordism, and all of that fun stuff.
I reckon it would also be a good idea to make some informal alliances with the 4 towns within 40 miles...in the event of a Catastrophe, a Collapse, a Sudden Systems Failure, it won't be the damned UN, let alone the Fedgov, coming to get us,lol...no matter the Fantasies of the Right....it'll be hungry folks from Menard.
Such tentative alliances must likely be Informal.....the current systems of governance Assume a continuation of what has gone before.
The City, or the County, will never even contemplate such things, until it's too late.
In a Perfect World, Decentralisation...Democratisation of Everything....should be a Liberal Thing...
With the Gun Nuts, et alia, relegated to the necessary tasks of Defense, and well under the control of non-Gun Nuts, et alia.
This is impossible with our current penchant, as Dems...Liberals...whatever...to leave such thoughts to the Right.
The phrase "Conspiracy Theory" should be stricken from the Lexicon...and a sober look should be taken at Possibilities....at What Ifs...
Doomers call our current Paradigm, "Cornucopian".
Those don't really exist, I'm sorry to report...and Civilisations who, for a time, pretend to such nonsense, are doomed to Failure.
So I'm off reading,both real books, and online...
I'm deciding where my focus should be.
On the one hand, I've given in to temptation, and started lurking in Right Wing Land(Jane Goodall)...to try and determine which way that lot will go...in rhetoric, and philosophy, and possibly action. Very interesting things bubbling away in Crazyland.lol.
On the other hand, there's Doom.
Ha!
We Humans always....always...make the mistake of thinking that The Way We Do Things Now(tm) will continue on, indefinitely...that we are somehow exempt from History(or at it's Logical End).
This is a silly, and counterproductive, way of running a Civilisation, or it's various parts and pieces.
But we keep on doing it, anyway.
The first hand is given flesh by something the Odious Clown, Glenn Beck said, just after the election:beck, on the election
No need to lurk on Free Republic...unless, like me, you enjoy that sort of perverse Anthropological exercise.
The second hand....or at least the Thinking that goes with it...is summed up , comprehensively, by one John Michael Greer (http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.com/)
The upshot is that the two could be connected....the Gun Nuts and Apocalypse Seekers, Tea in all it's forms, are already re-entering the Survivalist Mode that we saw in the 90's. The problem is their Approach...and the Belief Systems (Foundational, Unexamined Assumptions), that they use to arrive at that Approach.
Gearing Up for the "inevitable" arrival of Federal Troops(or Chinese, or UN,lol) in Mason...or Hunkering Down, so's the Forces of the Antichrist won't notice you....leads to certain forms of Preparation. Most of these Forms will be inapplicable to Real World Conditions.
That's where Common Ground can be found, I reckon.
They're right, about the fact that nothing lasts forever, change is inevitable, and we should expect large change in the near future...
They just have the Causes wrong.
Ergo, they're spending more resources on Bullets, than on Beans and Bandaids.
I think it would be in our interest to mitigate that trend...
Sustainability, for one, should be a focus of every little town and neighborhood...Got Garden?!
Got Seed Saving?
The Trucks won't always run, I'm afraid(Hurricane Rita)...the Grid won't always work(it's in a horrible state of disrepair)...and no one wants to Think about stuff like Triple Redundancy for Food, Water and Heat.
Doing nothing, despite the Logic of the Situation, will ensure Hell World....starvation, Warlordism, and all of that fun stuff.
I reckon it would also be a good idea to make some informal alliances with the 4 towns within 40 miles...in the event of a Catastrophe, a Collapse, a Sudden Systems Failure, it won't be the damned UN, let alone the Fedgov, coming to get us,lol...no matter the Fantasies of the Right....it'll be hungry folks from Menard.
Such tentative alliances must likely be Informal.....the current systems of governance Assume a continuation of what has gone before.
The City, or the County, will never even contemplate such things, until it's too late.
In a Perfect World, Decentralisation...Democratisation of Everything....should be a Liberal Thing...
With the Gun Nuts, et alia, relegated to the necessary tasks of Defense, and well under the control of non-Gun Nuts, et alia.
This is impossible with our current penchant, as Dems...Liberals...whatever...to leave such thoughts to the Right.
The phrase "Conspiracy Theory" should be stricken from the Lexicon...and a sober look should be taken at Possibilities....at What Ifs...
Doomers call our current Paradigm, "Cornucopian".
Those don't really exist, I'm sorry to report...and Civilisations who, for a time, pretend to such nonsense, are doomed to Failure.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
whew
Well…
Sure is quiet in Mason,
Texas, this chilly AM.
Folks at the convenience store quietly huddled….
whispered, yet still feverish.
whispered, yet still feverish.
Almost No cars on the road.
Looks more like a Sunday, during the xmas break, than a
Wednesday, in the first week of Hunting Season.
We stayed out at Mom’s(Mom-Sitting), and I honked the horn
on the truck, around 11;30…
A momentary triumphalism, ere digging into the numbers.
A momentary triumphalism, ere digging into the numbers.
Good day, all around, for us.
Found out the Lunatic Neighbor who’s been Prowling around Mom’s since at least 04, is being shuffled off to a home for Alzheimer’s Patients.
And, while it’s early days, yet…Dems may have their Reagan.
Found out the Lunatic Neighbor who’s been Prowling around Mom’s since at least 04, is being shuffled off to a home for Alzheimer’s Patients.
And, while it’s early days, yet…Dems may have their Reagan.
Tea will Dry Up.
Obama’s Policies are vindicated.
And Marijuana, Gay Marriage, and Healthcare for All are well on their way to mainstream success.
And Marijuana, Gay Marriage, and Healthcare for All are well on their way to mainstream success.
I’ll lay around, today.
Perhaps stay sober for more than 2 1/5 months.
The Global Problems(Peak Resources,Climate Change,Peak Economics), are still there….
But there is, at least, a little bit of Hope to put under our hats.
Perhaps stay sober for more than 2 1/5 months.
The Global Problems(Peak Resources,Climate Change,Peak Economics), are still there….
But there is, at least, a little bit of Hope to put under our hats.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Basta!
It’s so boring!
http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/candacechellew-hodge/6554/hurricane_sandy_spawns_right-wing_theodicy/
http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/candacechellew-hodge/6554/hurricane_sandy_spawns_right-wing_theodicy/
So Predictable.
Couldn’t be due to the Subtropics shifting Northward….due, inexorably, to Human’s penchant for injecting several million years worth of Prehistoric Carbon into the Atmosphere, in a century and a half…
Nah.
That’s just Crazy!
Couldn’t be due to the Subtropics shifting Northward….due, inexorably, to Human’s penchant for injecting several million years worth of Prehistoric Carbon into the Atmosphere, in a century and a half…
Nah.
That’s just Crazy!
Nah. It’s God…pissed off about Gays.
or about Liberals…
or Women working, voting, and having some say in what happens with their bodies…
Soon, if it hasn’t already occurred, Pat Robertson will come on TV, and say that he has spoken with God…
or about Liberals…
or Women working, voting, and having some say in what happens with their bodies…
Soon, if it hasn’t already occurred, Pat Robertson will come on TV, and say that he has spoken with God…
and that God said it’s not the Liberal Fascist Queer Herring
of Global Warming…it’s God’s Righteous Punishment for Real Americans allowing
Liberals and Queers(and, on and on…) to exist.
And No One will be able to say anything about it, for Fear
of Upsetting “Christians”.
Well, dear friends…pull in yer Toes.
Here’s a rundown of the folks that are in charge of Science Policy in the US House: http://www.southernstudies.org/2012/10/the-anti-scientists-on-the-house-science-committee.html
Here’s a rundown of the folks that are in charge of Science Policy in the US House: http://www.southernstudies.org/2012/10/the-anti-scientists-on-the-house-science-committee.html
It’s not just Science…it’s History.
The most recent version of the texGOP’s Platform, an overview: http://leiterreports.typepad.com/blog/2012/06/texas-taliban-platform-for-2012.html
But if we, in the Reality Based Community say anything to
question….let alone Oppose…these nutjobs, and their Agenda…well, that means we
Hate Christians, and have the Lions all lined up!
I’ve had enough.
We all hafta tip-toe on Eggshells so we don’t hurt the feelings of Bronze Age Zealots…they might be offended, if we counter their Crazy with Science, and Actual, Verifiable History.
I’ve had enough.
We all hafta tip-toe on Eggshells so we don’t hurt the feelings of Bronze Age Zealots…they might be offended, if we counter their Crazy with Science, and Actual, Verifiable History.
Enough!
I have been continually Offended for as long as I can remember.
I am offended every time a Pat Robertson, or a Bryan Fischer, opens their mouth, and lets fly the Hate and Fear.
I’m offended when various and sundry Nutjobs, from Congress, on down, imply, and insist, that Rape can’t get a woman Pregnant.
I’m offended when the Rights of Gays, Women, and so many others are Neglected and Abrogated, in order to please the most Hateful among us.
I am offended that My First Amendment Rights, as well as My Right to Live in a country whose Governance is based, at least in part, on Reason, and Objective Fact, has been routinely Harmed by an intense and singular focus on the Rights of Zealots.
I have been continually Offended for as long as I can remember.
I am offended every time a Pat Robertson, or a Bryan Fischer, opens their mouth, and lets fly the Hate and Fear.
I’m offended when various and sundry Nutjobs, from Congress, on down, imply, and insist, that Rape can’t get a woman Pregnant.
I’m offended when the Rights of Gays, Women, and so many others are Neglected and Abrogated, in order to please the most Hateful among us.
I am offended that My First Amendment Rights, as well as My Right to Live in a country whose Governance is based, at least in part, on Reason, and Objective Fact, has been routinely Harmed by an intense and singular focus on the Rights of Zealots.
The necessary caveat, as usual, is that all of these folks
have a Right to believe whatever they choose. But I have that Right, as well.
The Country, or the World, does NOT Belong exclusively to them! Their Rights do
NOT extend to Imposing their Beliefs on all of us.
(To be consistent… let’s put these folks in charge,
exclusively, and without oversight or the right to appeal…put these folks in
charge of Geography: http://theflatearthsociety.org/cms/
*)
These folks, the antiscience, anti history,”Christian Nation”, “when the last tree falls, Jesus will come”-folks…have had the country by the throat for far too long.
Enough.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
*(“Q: "If you go directly south won't you eventually fall off the edge of the Earth?"
A: Yes, you will. In order to use this fact as proof you need to record a video of someone flying directly south around the world without falling off the edge. Furthermore you need to prove that your navigational equipment allows you to travel directly south without deviating. “
From their Faq.)
Thursday, October 25, 2012
an ad to counter the BS
To: Mason
County Democrats, and
other, assorted Non-Right Wing Crazy-People…
One more edition of the Mason County News, ere the
Election(I think. I’m a little timeless…)
To counter all of the Bullshit in the paper of late, I think
we need to run an ad of our own. or two.
I’ve received Permission for these, except for Maddow(2nd, below), to reprint.
The list of 200+ things Obama has done would prolly take a full page.
The other two…the graphs…could fit anywhere, but would be more visable as a full or half page.
My only problem is severe Lack of Funds.
I’ve received Permission for these, except for Maddow(2nd, below), to reprint.
The list of 200+ things Obama has done would prolly take a full page.
The other two…the graphs…could fit anywhere, but would be more visable as a full or half page.
My only problem is severe Lack of Funds.
So, here is my appeal….
I’ll do the work(already done most of it), and I’ll even take the Blame(crosses burning in my yard, or whatever(eye-roll))…just need the money.
Can we take up a collection?
I’ll put the proceeds of a sale of 3 geese towards this(I expect that tomorrow,fwiw).
I’ll do the work(already done most of it), and I’ll even take the Blame(crosses burning in my yard, or whatever(eye-roll))…just need the money.
Can we take up a collection?
I’ll put the proceeds of a sale of 3 geese towards this(I expect that tomorrow,fwiw).
Thanks,
Au Deamus,
Josef
http://www.cbpp.org/research/index.cfm?fa=topic&id=121
The President's Done a Lot! Here Are More Than 200 Obama First Term Accomplishments, With Citations!
If
you're one of those who thinks President Obama is a "disappointment,"
my condolences that you didn't get your unicorn. But it's time to grow up
and get over it. You can either work for Obama and every other Democrat (yes,
including Blue Dogs), or you can sit back and watch Willard Romney complete the
job of taking apart the social fabric of the country that was first undertaken
by Ronald Reagan 32 years ago. That is your choice.
What makes the
"disappointment" argument so irritating is that it's simply not true.
He's done nearly everything we elect a president to do, and he did it all with
little support from the left, and massive obstruction from the right.
Is
he perfect? No, he's human. Does he deserve some criticism? Of course, but at
this point, it really doesn't matter.
What
does matter is that this president has compiled a STELLAR record given the
circumstances under which he took office. If you can look at this list of the
president's accomplishments and not be excited, you have a serious problem with
perspective.
Pass
this list around to everyone you know. And don't be afraid; unlike many such
lists, every item includes a link to a citation supporting it.
He Returned The Executive Branch To Fiscal Responsibility After the Bush
Debacle
1.
Within his first week, he signed an Executive Order ordering an audit of
government contracts, and combating waste and abuse. http://1.usa.gov/dUvbu5
2.
Created the post of Chief Performance Officer, whose job it is to make
operations more efficient to save the federal government money. http://n.pr/hcgBn1
3.
On his first full day, he froze White House salaries. http://on.msnbc.com/ewJUIx
4.
He appointed the first Federal Chief Information Officer to oversee
federal IT spending. http://www.cio.gov
5.
He committed to phasing out unnecessary and outdated weapons systems. To that
end, he also signed the Democratic-sponsored Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform
Act, which attempted to
put a stop to waste, fraud and abuse in the defense procurement and contracting
system. http://bit.ly/hOw1t1
http://bit.ly/fz8GAd
6.
Through an executive order, he created the National Commission on Fiscal
Responsibility and Reform. http://bit.ly/hwKhKa
He Improved the Economy, Preventing a Bush Depression
7.
Pushed through and signed the Democratic-sponsored American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as “the stimulus package.” The bill passed,
even though only three Republicans voted for it. In a major departure from the
previous administration, he launched recovery.gov, a website that allows
taxpayers to track spending from the Act. http://1.usa.gov/ibiFSs http://1.usa.gov/e3BJMk
8.
The Bush-led Great Recession was costing the economy nearly 800,000 jobs per
month by the time President Obama took office. But by the end of his first
year, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act created and sustained 2.1
million jobs and stimulated the economyby 3.5%. http://reut.rs/i46CEE
9.
Not only did he completed the massive TARP financial and banking rescue plan,
he also leaned on the banks and others, and recovered virtually all of the
bail-out money. http://1.usa.gov/eA5jVS
http://bit.ly/eCNrD6
10.
He created the Making Home Affordable home refinancing plan. http://1.usa.gov/goy6zl
11.
Oversaw the creation of more jobs in 2010 alone than Bush did in eight
years. http://bit.ly/hrrnjY
12.
Along with Democrats, and almost no Republicans, implemented an auto industry
rescue plan, and saved as many as 1 million jobs. http://bit.ly/ibhpxr Many are of
the opinion that he saved the entire auto industry, and even the economy of the
entire Midwest. http://bit.ly/gj7mt5 This resulted in GM
returning to its place as the top car company in the world. http://lat.ms/zIJuQx Willard
Romney, on the other hand, advocated for the entire industry to go
belly-up. http://nyti.ms/k0zp
13.
Doubled funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which is designed
to improve manufacturing efficiency. http://bit.ly/eYD4nf
14.
Signed the Democratic-sponsored Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act giving
the federal government more tools to investigate and prosecute fraud in every
corner of the financial system, and create a bipartisan Financial Crisis
Inquiry Commission to investigate the financial fraud that led to the economic
meltdown. http://abcn.ws/g18Fe7
15. Signed the Democratic-sponsored Credit
Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act, which was
designed to to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive credit card
practices. http://1.usa.gov/gIaNcS
16.
Increased infrastructure spending after years of neglect. http://bit.ly/f77aOw
17.
Signed the Democratic-sponsored and passed Helping Families Save Their Homes
Act, expanding on the Making Home Affordable Program to help millions of
Americans avoid preventable foreclosures. The bill also provided $2.2 billion
to help combat homelessness, and to stabilize the housing market. http://bit.ly/eEpLFn
18.
Through the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, he and
Congressional Democrats provided tax credits to first-time home buyers, which
helped the U.S.
housing market recovery. http://bit.ly/dZgXXw
http://bit.ly/gORYfL
19.
Initiated a $15 billion plan designed to encourage increased lending to small
businesses.
http://1.usa.gov/eu0u0b
http://1.usa.gov/eu0u0b
20.
Created business.gov, which allows for online collaboration between small
businesses and experts re managing a business. (The program has since merged
with SBA.gov.) http://www.business.gov
21.
Played a lead role in getting the G-20 Summit to commit to a $1.1 trillion deal
to combat the global financial crisis. http://nyti.ms/gHlgp5
22.
Took steps to improve minority access to capital. http://bit.ly/f9xVE7
23.
Signed an Executive Order instructing federal agencies to review all federal
regulations and remove any unnecessary and/or burdensome regulations from the
books. http://1.usa.gov/Lpo5bd
24. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,
saved at least 300,000 education jobs, such as teachers, principals,
librarians, and counselors that would have otherwise been lost. http://1.usa.gov/ez30Dc
25.
Dismantled the Minerals Management Service, thereby cutting ties between energy
companies and the government. http://nyti.ms/bw1MLu
26.
Along with Congressional Democrats, provided funding to states and the
Department of Homeland Security to save thousands of police and firefighter
jobs from being cut during the recession. http://bit.ly/g0IKWR
27.
Used recovered TARP money to fund programs at local housing finance agencies in
California, Florida,
Nevada, Arizona
and Michigan.
http://on.msnbc.com/i1i8eV
28.
Crafted an Executive order establishing the President’s Advisory Council on
Financial Capability to assist in financial education for all Americans. http://bit.ly/eyqsNE
He Fostered Greater Transparency and Better Government, After the
Excesses of the Bush Years
29.
Signed an order banning gifts from lobbyists to anyone in the Executive Branch.
http://bit.ly/fsBACN
30.
Signed an order banning anyone from working in an agency they had lobbied in
previous years, and put strict limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House.
http://nyti.ms/gOrznV
31.
Held the first-ever first online town hall from the White House, and took
questions from the public. http://bit.ly/gVNSgX
32.
Became the first to stream every White House event, live. http://1.usa.gov/kAgOP5
33.
Established a central portal for Americans to find service opportunities.
http://www.serve.gov
34.
Provided the first voluntary disclosure of the White House Visitors Log in
history. http://1.usa.gov/hQ7ttV
35.
Issued an Executive Order on Presidential Records, which restored the 30-day
time frame for former presidents to review records, and eliminated the right
for the vice president or family members of former presidents to do the
reviews. Provides the public with greater access to historic White House
documents, and severely curtails the ability to use executive privilege to
shield them. http://1.usa.gov/gUetLb
36.
Improved aspects of the Freedom of Information Act, and issued new guidelines
to make FOIA more open and transparent when processing FOIA requests. http://1.usa.gov/gjrnp2
Wall Street Reforms and Consumer Protection
37.
Ordered 65 executives who took bailout money to cut their own pay until they
paid back all bailout money. http://huff.to/eAi9Qq
38.
Along with Congressional Democrats, pushed through and got passed Dodd-Frank,
one of the largest and most comprehensive Wall Street reforms since the Great
Depression. http://bit.ly/hWCPg0
http://bit.ly/geHpcD
39.
Through Dodd-Frank legislation, created the Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau http://1.usa.gov/j5onG
40.
Through Dodd-Frank, the Executive Branch fashioned rules that reduce the
influence of speculators in the oil market. http://bit.ly/MDnA1t
41.
Fashioned rules so that banks can no longer use YOUR money to invest in
high-risk financial instruments that work against their own customers'
interests. http://bit.ly/fnTayj
42.
Supported the concept of allowing stockholders to vote on executive
compensation. http://bit.ly/fnTayj
43.
Endorsed and supported the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2009 that
would close offshore tax avoidance loopholes. http://bit.ly/esOdfB http://bit.ly/eG4DPM
44.
Negotiated a deal with Swiss banks that now permits the US government
to gain access to the records of criminals and tax evaders. http://bit.ly/htfDgw
45.
Signed the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, which closed many of
the loopholes that allowed companies to send jobs overseas, and avoid paying US
taxes by moving money offshore. http://1.usa.gov/bd1RTq
46.
Established a Consumer Protection Financial Bureau designed to protect
consumers from financial sector excesses. http://bit.ly/fnTayj
47.
Oversaw and then signed a Democratic bill constituting the most sweeping food
safety legislation since the Great Depression. http://thedc.com/gxkCtP
48.
Through the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act, extended the False Claims Act
to combat fraud by companies and individuals usingmoney from the TARP and
Stimulus programs. http://bit.ly/SLTcSa
He Ushered Through Many Changes That Enhanced Civil Rights and
Anti-Discrimination
49.
Along with Congressional Democrats, advocated for and signed the Matthew Shepard and
James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which made it a federal crime to
assault anyone based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.
http://bit.ly/gsMSJ7
50.
Pushed through, signed and demanded the Pentagon enact a repeal of the
discriminatory “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy that forced soldiers to lie in
order to be eligible to fight for their country, and put our troops at risk by
disqualifying many qualified soldiers from helping. http://bit.ly/fdahuH http://bit.ly/mZV4Pz
51.
Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. http://1.usa.gov/g2RLCj
52.
Appointed more openly gay officials than anyone in history. http://bit.ly/g1lA7D
53.
Appointed first openly transgender Cabinet Official in History. http://bit.ly/58zUp7
54.
Changed HUD rules to prohibit gender and sexual orientation-based
discrimination in housing bit.ly/9RxEnP
55.
Changed his mind and publicly expressed support for the right to enter into a
same-sex marriage. http://bit.ly/JsiFKp
56.
Issued a Presidential Memorandum reaffirming the rights of gay couples to make
medical decisions for each other. http://1.usa.gov/aUueGT
57.
Wrote and signed an Executive Order establishing a White House Council on Women
and Girls to ensure that all Cabinet and Cabinet-level agencies evaluate the
effect of their policies and programs on women and families.
http://bit.ly/e1puTk
http://1.usa.gov/rFfqMM
58.
Signed the Democratic-sponsored Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which restored
basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers. This
was after the GOP blocked the bill in 2007. Only 5 Republican Senators voted
for the bill. http://bit.ly/fT3Cxg
59.
Expanded funding for the Violence Against Women Act. http://1.usa.gov/dSbI0x
60.
Under his guidance, National Labor Relations Board issued final rules that require
all employers to prominently post employees' rights where all employees or
prospective employees can see it, including websites and intranets, beginning
November 2011. http://1.usa.gov/qu2EhQ
61.
Advocated that United Nations adopt a policy supporting gay rights worldwide.
http://lat.ms/pQe1RS
62. Issued an order requiring
hospitals to allow visitation by same-sex couples.
reut.rs/llNJek
63. Appointed
Kareem Dale as the first ever Special Assistant to the President for
Disability Policy. http://1.usa.gov/fi5IY064. Helped Democrats in Congress pass and signed the Civil Rights History Act. http://bit.ly/th0JC8
He Made Major Improvements in Foreign Relations and American Status Around
the World
65.
Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any previous
president during his first six months in office. http://bit.ly/hZycda
66.
As he promised, he gave a speech at a major Islamic forum in Cairo early in his
administration. http://nyti.ms/dKvY4g
67.
Helped to restore America's
reputation around the world as a global leader that does the "right
thing" in world affairs, at least according to the rest of the world.
http://bit.ly/h743y7 http://bit.ly/ho4TCr
68. Re-established and reinforced our
partnership with NATO and other allies on strategic international issues.
http://1.usa.gov/e7QuDj
69.
Closed a number of secret detention facilities. http://nyti.ms/rpUc9l
70.
Improved relations with Middle East countries
by appointing special envoys. http://1.usa.gov/tiGAGe
71.
Pushed for military to emphasize devlopment of foreign language skills. http://bit.ly/AxUCLV
72.
Offered $400 million to the people living in Gaza,
called on both Israel
and the Palestinians to stop inciting violence. http://bit.ly/9axfWh
73.
Refused to give Israel the
green light to attack Iran
over their possible nuclear program, and thus avoid another war that
Republicans wanted. http://bit.ly/xVmSZK
74.
Worked with Democratic Congress to make donations to Haiti tax deductible in 2009.
http://huff.to/6YkAVY
75.
Established a new U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. http://1.usa.gov/eX28DP
76.
Issued Executive Order blocking interference and helping to stabilize Somalia. http://1.usa.gov/hxdf8U
77.
Established new, more reasonable policies in our relations with Cuba, such as
allowing Cuban-Americans to visit their families and send money to support
them. http://n.pr/hY3Kwa http://nyti.ms/emQBde
78.
Ordered the closure of the prison at Guantanamo
Bay. It was Republicans
(and, unfortunately, progressive Democrats) who prevented follow through.
http://bit.ly/eW6CVF
79.
Ordered a review of our detention and interrogation policy, and prohibited the
use of torture, or what Bush called "enhanced interrogation." He
ordered interrogators to limit their actions to the Army Field manual. http://bit.ly/g6MTuC
80.
Ordered all secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe
and elsewhere to be closed. http://bbc.in/h6N9ax
81.
Released the Bush torture memos. http://bit.ly/hWJ5z0
82.
On his second day in office, he signed a detailed Executive Order that banned
torture, reversed all Bush torture policies, and put the United States
in compliance with the Geneva Convention. http://1.usa.gov/dL6Zve http://nyti.ms/hzWWys
83.
In response to the emerging "Arab Spring," he created a Rapid
Response fund, to assist emerging democracies with foreign aid, debt
relief, technical assistance and investment packages in order to show that the United States
stands with them. http://bit.ly/zfmGv9
84. Ended
the F-22 program, saving $4 billion. Though the single-seat, twin-engine,
fighter aircraft cost $358 million each, and the military had 187 built, the
F-22 never flew a combat mission. http://slate.me/PYzmzT (The "fiscally
conservative GOP fought to keep it.)
85.
Passed the Iran Sanctions Act, to prevent war, and to encourage Iran to give up
their nuclear program. http://1.usa.gov/wLtNjb
86.
Ended the Iraq
War. http://tgr.ph/ru0tyS
87.
Authorized and oversaw a secret mission by SEAL Team Six to rescue two hostages
held by Somali pirates. http://bit.ly/y8c9Fz
88. Through
United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice, helped negotiate a peaceful split of Sudan into two countries, this allowing for the
creation of an independent South Sudan.
http://reut.rs/qzE0Tj
He Took a More Realistic Approach to “Defense”
89.
Created a comprehensive new strategy for dealing with the international nuclear
threat. http://1.usa.gov/gDX1nE
90.
Authorized a $1.4 billion reduction in Star Wars program in 2010. http://1.usa.gov/gLFZl2
91.
Restarted nuclear nonproliferation talks and built up the nuclear inspection
infrastructure/protocols to where they had been before Bush. http://lat.ms/gkcl3i
92.
Signed and pushed through ratification a new SALT Treaty. http://bit.ly/f3JVtw
93.
Negotiated and signed a new START Treaty that will lst until at least 2021.
http://1.usa.gov/cI1bC4
94.
Through the Defense Authorization Act, reversed the Bush Administration and
committed to no permanent military bases in Iraq. http://bit.ly/hk73OJ
95.
Developed first comprehensive strategy with regard to Afghanistan and Pakistan
designed to facilitate the defeat of al Qaeda and the withdrawal of most
troops, as well as the rebuilding of Afghanistan. http://wapo.st/ee4Xcs
96.
Returned our focus to Afghanistan,
stabilized the country, and began the process of withdrawing our troops from
the country. http://bit.ly/lNXUna
97.
Negotiated a deal with Afghan govenment, to withdraw troops and military
support, while assisting in rebuilding and modernizing of the country. http://bit.ly/K362an
98.
Took steps to severely weaken al Qaeda and limited their ability to terrorize
the world. http://yhoo.it/n5lXs6
99.
Negotiated and signed a nuclear nonproliferation treaty with India. http://1.usa.gov/aHp0Cn
100.
Took decisive action to use NATO to limit the slaughter of innocents in Libya, so that
the Libyan people could topple the despotic Khadaffy government and determine
their own fate. http://aje.me/qAh4Sj
101.
Got Egyptian President/dictator Mubarak to leave the Egyptian government to the
people, to determine their own fate. http://f24.my/efvgNZ
102.
In 2011, reoriented American focus from the Middle East to the
Asian-Pacific region by simultaneouly engaging China and crafting new alliances
with Asian countries uncomfortable with Chinese behavior. http://bit.ly/RGlMDi
His Administration Treated Soldiers and Veterans with Respect That Was
Missing Previously
103.
Along with Congressional Democrats, not only reauthorized families of fallen
soldiers to be able to visit when the body arrives at Dover AFB, but also
provided funding for it. Ended the media blackout on coverage of the
return of fallen soldiers. http://nyti.ms/glqN66
http://bbc.in/gWSSkA
104.
Funded Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with an extra $1.4 billion to
improve veterans’ services. http://1.usa.gov/huhqfo
105.
Provided active combat troops with better body armor. http://bit.ly/hzSv2h
106.
Created Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record program for military
personnel, in order to improve the quality of their medical care. http://1.usa.gov/f4yaxW
107.
Put an end to the Bush-era stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in
Iraq/Afghanistan beyond their enlistment date. (personal note: my son will be
in harm’s way for six fewer months with Obama as president, so you know I love
this one.) http://nyti.ms/e2YQ7Q
108.
Along with Congressional Democrats, supported and signed Veterans Health Care
Budget Reform and Transparency Act, which made more money available to
enable better medical care for veterans. http://1.usa.gov/fN4ur1
109.
Along with Congressional Democrats, ushered through largest spending increase
in 30 years for Department of Veterans Affairs, with money to go to improved
medical facilities, and to assist states in acquiring or constructing state
nursing homes and extended care facilities. http://1.usa.gov/gY8O3x
110.
Created the Green Vet Initiative, which provided special funding to the Labor
Department to provide veterans with training in green jobs. http://bit.ly/epwUQY
111.
Initiated and signed a recruitment and employment plan to get more
veterans into government jobs. http://bit.ly/b48coi
112.
Oversaw a $4.6 billion expansion of the Veterans Administration budget to pay
for more mental health professionals. http://bit.ly/gjzTxX
113.
Signed the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, which ensures that
spouses of military personnel who are forced to move because their spouse is
posted for military duty will be able to avoid state taxes in their temporary
residence. http://bit.ly/1Gh0NX
He Refocused the Federal Government on Education
114.
Repeatedly increased funding for student financial aid, and at the same time
cut the banks completely out of the process. http://bit.ly/gYWd30 http://bit.ly/e9c7Dr http://bit.ly/eEzTNq
115.
Reformed student loan program, to make it possible for students to refinance at
a lower rate. http://nyti.ms/dMvHOt
116.
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act , invested heavily in
elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. http://1.usa.gov/gGRIAr
117.
Created the Race to the Top program, which encouraged states to come up
with effective school reforms and rewards the best of them. http://bit.ly/NHtZ7L
118.
Oversaw major expansion of broadband availability in K-12 schools
nationwide http://bit.ly/fNDcj3
,
119.
Oversaw major expansion in school construction. http://bit.ly/fYwNrV
120.
Also through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, he put $5 billion
into early education, including Head Start. http://1.usa.gov/tzT2Rr
121.
Signed the Democratic-sponsored Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as GI Bill 2.0
http://bit.ly/hPhG7J
122.
Oversaw expansion of the Pell Grants program, to expand opportunity for low
income students to go to college. http://bit.ly/hI6tXz
123.
Along with Democratic Congress, passed and signed Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act, which provided an extra $12.2 billion in funds. http://1.usa.gov/dQvtUe
124.
Took major new steps to protec students from ineffective for-profit colleges
through "gainful employment" measures, whereby schools have to
demonstrate that its students actually find work to get federal aid. http://1.usa.gov/jkzQe2
125.
With First Lady Michelle Obama, passed the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, which
will improve nutrition in schools and make children healthier. http://1.usa.gov/GAXkSk
He Pushed Through Improvements in National Safety and Security
126.
Restored federal agencies such as FEMA to the point that they have been able to
manage a huge number of natural disasters successfully. http://bit.ly/h8Xj7z
127.
Authorized Navy SEALS to successfully secure the release of a US captain held
by Somali pirates and increased patrols off the Somali coast. http://nyti.ms/efBO7B
128.
Has repeatedly beefed up border security http://bit.ly/mMYB4i
129.
Ordered and oversaw the Navy SEALS operation that killed Osama bin Laden.
http://bit.ly/jChpgw
Reoriented Government to an Adult View on Science, Technology and Health
Care
130.
Created a Presidential Memorandum to restore scientific integrity in government
decision-making. http://1.usa.gov/g2SDuw
131.
Opened up process for fast-tracking patent approval for green energy projects.
http://bit.ly/j0KV2U
132.
Eliminated Bush-era restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, and provided
increased federal support for biomedical and stem cell research. http://bit.ly/h36SSO http://ti.me/edezge
133.
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, committed more federal
funding, about $18 billion, to support non-defense science and research
labs. http://nyti.ms/fTs9t7
134.
Signed Democratic-sponsored Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first
comprehensive attempt to improve the lives of Americans living with
paralysis. http://bit.ly/fOi2rb
135.
Expanded the Nurse-Family Partnership program, which provides home visits
by trained registered nurses to low-income expectant mothers and their
families, to cover more first-time mothers. http://bit.ly/jRRRJc
136.
Obama EPA reveresed research ethics standards which allowed humands to be used
as "guinea pigs" in tests of the effects of chemicals, to comply with
numerous codes of medical ethics. http://bit.ly/bKgqdS
137.
Conducted a cyberspace policy review. http://1.usa.gov/gmbdvC
138.
Provided financial support for private sector space programs. http://bit.ly/fn8ucr
139.
Oversaw enhanced earth mapping, to provide valuable data for agricultural,
educational, scientific, and government use. http://bit.ly/dNTRyP
140.
Along with Democrats in Congress, ushered through and signed a bill authorizing
FDA to regulate tobacco. http://on.msnbc.com/fiKViB
As a result, the FDA has Ordered Tobacco Companies to Disclose Cigarette
Ingredients and banned sale of cigarettes falsely labeled as “light.”
141.
Through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provided $500 million for
Health Professions Training Programs. http://bit.ly/ecQSgA
142.
Increased funding for community-based prevention programs. http://bit.ly/frMPG3
143.
Oversaw a 50% decrease in cost of prescription drugs for seniors. http://bit.ly/e5b1iq
http://1.usa.gov/fVNkt9
144.
Eliminated the Bush-era practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with
drug companies on price. http://bit.ly/fOkG5b
145.
Two weeks after taking office, signed Democratic-sponsored Children’s
Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which increased the number of children
covered by health insurance by 4 million. http://bit.ly/fDEzGv
146.
Urged Congress to investigate Anthem Blue Cross for raising premiums 39%
without explanation. Democratic Rep. Waxman responded by launching a probe, and
Anthem Blue Cross put increase on hold for two months. http://yhoo.it/e8Tj9C
147.
Ushered through and signed Affordable Care Act, which expanded health insurance
coverage to at least 30 million more people, ended many common insurance
company practices that are often detrimental to those with coverage.
He also established healthcare.gov, so that taxpayers could keep up with
developments. http://www.healthcare.gov/
148.
Through ACA, allowed children to be covered under their parents’ policy until
they turned 26. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
149.
Through the ACA, provided tax breaks to allow 3.5 million small business to
provide health insurance to their employees, and 29 million people will
receive tax breaks to help them afford health insurance. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
150.
Through the ACA, expanded Medicaid to those making up to 133% of the federal
poverty level. http://nyti.ms/ekMWpo
151.
Through the ACA, health insurance companies now have to disclose how much of
your premium actually goes to pay for patient care. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V
152.
Provisions in theACA have already resulted in Medicare costs actually declining
slightly this fiscal year, for the first time in many years, according to the
Congressional Budget Office. The increase in 2011 was 4%, which is very low
compared to the average 12% annual inflation rate during previous 40
years. http://1.usa.gov/oMxpTh
153.
Through the ACA, expanded space exploration and discovery options to more
players http://bit.ly/PNTS7e
154.
Through the Connect America Fund, pushed through and received FCC
approval for a move of $8 billion in subsidies away from telephone landlines to
assist lower-income rural families in accessing broadband. http://lat.ms/vhRUEs
He Took Steps to Strengthen the Middle Class and Families, and to Fight
Poverty
155.
Worked to provide affordable, high-quality child care to working families.
http://bit.ly/fNfidS
156.
Cracked down on companies that were previously denying sick pay, vacation and
health insurance, and Social Security and Medicare tax payments through abuse
of the employee classification of independent contractor. http://nyti.ms/fOGLcj
157.
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act , cut taxes for 95% of America's
working families. http://bit.ly/eSEI4F
158.
Tax rates for average working families are the lowest since 1950. http://bit.ly/f74pD8
159.
Extended and fully funded the patch for the Alternative Minimum Tax for 10
years. http://bit.ly/eFeSdP
160.
Extended discounted COBRA health coverage for the unemployed from 9 months to
15 months, and he’s extended unemployment benefits several times. http://aol.it/evtVxD http://nyti.ms/emrqKJ http://bit.ly/hOtIpg http://bit.ly/fTT7kz
161.
Provided a $20 billion increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (Food Stamps). http://nyti.ms/gfLqyM
162.
Signed an Executive Order that established the White House Office of Urban
Affairs. http://wapo.st/eWECA8
He Took Concrete Steps to Improve Our Environment and Address Our Energy
Needs
163.
Fast-tracked regulations to allow states to enact fuel efficiency standards
that exceeded federal standards. http://nyti.ms/e8e94x
164.
Fast-tracked increased fuel economy standards for vehicles beginning with the
2011 model year. It was the first time such standards had been increased in a
decade. http://politi.co/hiaPKM
165.
Oversaw establishment of an Energy Partnership for the Americas, to
create more markets for American-made biofuels and green energy
technologies. http://bit.ly/lZp73y
166.
Obama EPA reversed a Bush-era decision to allow the largest mountaintop removal
project in US
history. http://bit.ly/lP3yEL
167.
Ordered the Department of Energy to implement more aggressive efficiency
standards for common household appliances. http://1.usa.gov/g3MTbu
168.
Ordered energy plants to prepare to produce at least 15% of all energy through
renewable resources like wind and solar, by 2021. http://reut.rs/fV155p (As you can see,
Republicans are trying hard to kill it.)
169.
Oversaw the creation of an initiative that converts old factories and
manufacturing centers into new clean technology centers. http://bit.ly/mjnq2R
170.
Bypassed Republican opposition in Congress and ordered EPA to begin regulating
and measuring carbon emissions. http://bit.ly/froaP5
171.
Obama EPA ruled that CO2 is a pollutant. http://bit.ly/iQTSNN
172.
Oversaw doubling federal spending on clean energy research. http://bit.ly/iN0sCE
173.
Pushed through a tax credit to help people buy plug-in hybrid cars.
http://bit.ly/j8UP5Y
174.
Created a program to develop renewable energy projects on the waters of our
Outer Continental Shelf that will produce electricity from wind, wave, and
ocean currents. http://1.usa.gov/fgfRWq
175.
Reengaged in the climate change and greenhouse gas emissions agreements talks,
and proposed one himself. He also addressed the U.N. Climate Change Conference,
officially reversing the Bush era stance that climate change was a
“hoax.” http://bit.ly/dX6Vj3 http://bit.ly/fE2PxK http://nyti.ms/hfeqvv
176.
Fully supported the initial phase of the creation of a legally-binding treaty
to reduce mercury emissions worldwide. http://bit.ly/eJ6QOO
177.
Required states to provide incentives to utilities to reduce their energy
consumption. http://bit.ly/lBhk7P
178.
Following the neglect of Bush’s eight year reign, he reengaged in a number of
treaties and agreements designed to protect the Antarctic. http://bit.ly/fzQUFO
179.
Created tax write-offs for purchases of hybrid automobiles, and later he and
Democrats morphed that program into one that includes electric cars.
http://bit.ly/glCukV
180.
Mandated that federal government fleet purchases be for fuel-efficient American
vehicles, and encouraged that federal agencies support experimental,
fuel-efficient vehicles. http://bit.ly/h5KZqy
http://1.usa.gov/fLWq5c
http://1.usa.gov/hmUSbk
181.
Got BP to cough up $20 billion to establish Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, to
reduce the need for taxpayer funds to be used for compensation and clean up.
http://wapo.st/ds2BxT
(Note: it took 20 years to get $1.3 billion for the Exxon Valdez spill. )
182.
Oversaw and pushed through amendment to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990
authorizing advances from Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for the Deepwater
Horizon oil spill. http://1.usa.gov/yTRYVo
183.
Actively tried to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to eliminate the
liability limits for those companies responsible for large oil spills. http://nyti.ms/bxjDi3
184.
Initiated Criminal and Civil inquiries into the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
http://nyti.ms/bVuB7a
185.
Through his EPA, he asserted federal legal supremacy, and barred Texas from authorizing
new refinery permits on its own. http://bit.ly/ww8eMd
186.
Strengthened the Endangered Species Act. http://bit.ly/hscjsH
187.
Obama EPA improved boiler safety standards to improve air quality, and save
6500 lives per year. http://bit.ly/jYH7nt
188.
Through the EPA, attemped to take steps to severely limit the use of
antibiotics in livestock feed, to increase their efficacy in humans. http://bit.ly/fBuWd2
189.
Through new EPA regulations, he created a pretext for closing the dirtiest
power plants in the country, by limiting emissions of mercury and other toxic
gasses. http://bit.ly/rQCIgA
190.
Increased funding for National Parks and Forests by 10% http://bit.ly/fbJPjY
191.
Announced greatly improved commercial fuel efficiency standards. http://1.usa.gov/oQiC1K
192.
Announced a huge increase in average fuel economy standards from 27.5mpg in
2010 to 35.5mpg starting in 2016 and 54.5 starting in 2025 http://1.usa.gov/qtghsW
But That's Not All...
193.
Expanded trade agreements to include stricter labor and environmental
agreements such as NAFTA. http://bit.ly/etznpY
194.
Oversaw funding of the design of a new Smithsonian National Museum
of African American History, which is scheduled to open on the National
Mall in 2015. He protected the funding during the recent budget
negotiations. http://on.fb.me/fD0EVO
http://bit.ly/ff5Luv
195.
Oversaw and passed increased funding for the National Endowment for the
Arts. http://bit.ly/dFb8qF
196.
Nominated Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. Sotomayor is
the first Hispanic Justice in the court’s history, and the women represent only
the third and fourth women to serve on the court, out of a total of 112
justices. http://huff.to/eOChg6
http://bit.ly/i02wgP
197.
Appointed the most diverse Cabinet in history, including more women than any
other incoming president. http://bit.ly/dX6vNB
198.
Eliminated federal funding for abstinence-only education, and rescinded the
global gag rule. http://bit.ly/eCFAI1
http://bit.ly/f92drF
199.
Loosened the rules and allowed the 14 states that legalized medical marijuana
to regulate themselves without federal interference. http://huff.to/eQfa7j
200.
Signed national service legislation, increasing funding for national service
groups, including triple the size of the Americorps program. http://bit.ly/idgQH5
201.
Signed an Executive Order that will speed up deployment of a more comprehensive
broadband infrastructure. http://1.usa.gov/M7rVpe
202.
Signed an Executive Order creating jobs immediately by instructing them to
reduce the time needed for review and permitting of infrastructure projects. http://1.usa.gov/GHxaYt
203.
Signed a bill that provided $4.3 billion in additional assistance to 9/11 first
reponders. http://bit.ly/o7cWYS
204.
Signed an Executive Order pledging support for efforts to end the global
problem of violence against women and girls. http://1.usa.gov/MHTRVU
205.
Signed the Claims Resolution Act, which provided $4.6 billion in funding for a
legal settlement with black and Native American farmers who had been cheated
out of government loans and natural resource royalties in the past. http://1.usa.gov/dGppUa
And Did You Know?
206.
Despite the characterizations of some, Obama’s success rate in winning
congressional votes on issues was an unprecedented 96.7% for his first year in
office. Though he is often cited as superior to Obama, President Lyndon
Johnson’s success rate in 1965 was only 93%. http://n.pr/i3d7cY
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