The Paris attacks have spotlighted again, unfortunately, the impact a relatively few number of terrorists can have on the free world's comfort level with personal and national safety. In an interview, the French minister of defense indicated that France is a "testing" ground for terrorist's goals of destruction and mayhem and that France is second only to the United States in who "they" hate most.
This act brings focus on the candidates for our presidency. Currently the Republicans are getting more media coverage and my comments are in regard to the comments those candidates have made, but the Democrats are not exempt. Dan Senior, a foreign policy advisor for Republican candidate Mitt Romney in 2012 was quoted "This is a real life crisis situation, and it reminds people of the importance of having a serious person as commander-in-chief." The current candidates have uttered answers that point out lack of knowledge of the difference between Hamas and Hezbollah, mistaken belief that China is involved in the Syrian conflict, or the difference between ISIS and al Qaeda to name a few.
A candidate that I haven't paid much attention to and thought I'd take more thorough look at was John Kasich. Kasich is the current governor of Ohio and previously had spent 9 terms in the House of Representatives. During that time he was also on the Armed Forces committee for almost all 18 years. Unfortunately, some of his other positions are suspect.
So I am still searching for a candidate that will not be in training mode on foreign affairs and has a comprehensive domestic policy.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Saturday, November 14, 2015
News Makers - Hope provided by the young
In this era of violence, greater division between the have and have-nots, seemingly disregard for the scientific concerns regarding global warming, I happened across an item that gives a ray of hope that the young will bring about more immediate change.
The item I will reference is regarding a Chinese development project on the island of Cancun.
For some background - from the website "Oceans Futures" written two years ago is the following:
"Situated in the state of Quintana Roo and 36 miles from Cancún, is the historical fishing village of Puerto Morelos. It is known not only for being bordered by fragile mangroves, jungle, and beautiful beaches, but also its close proximity to the world’s second largest barrier reef system: the Mesoamerican. A mere 500 meters from shore lies a reef that is home to such protected and endangered species as the loggerhead, green, and hawksbill sea turtles, as well as elkhorn and staghorn corals. A habitat for over 2,500 marine species, including about 500 species of multicolored tropical fish, it is no wonder that the people of Puerto Morelos have strived to protect their homeland through the establishment of Puerto Morelos National Marine Park...Thus, it has deeply saddened me to learn that this beautiful park is being threatened by a looming development adjacent to Puerto Morelos: the megaproject Chinese Dragon Mart Cancún."
The recent news I read stated that the development had been put on hold by the testimony of Environmental groups and one of the key people testifying before the federal authorities was a 6 year old girl discussing the destruction of the Mangrove trees. While I don't have a transcript of her testimony, these are some facts regarding mangrove trees. "Mangroves, admittedly, are not only important but crucial for the coastal areas. Since estuarine areas are highly populated areas, the slightest ecological imbalance will take a heavy toll. They play a vital role in stabilizing these areas. No engineering and technological solutions can be sought for stabilizing these areas. Even if we negate all benefits of mangroves as forests, their value as "protector of shore-line" is enough to convince us for conserving them." http://www.mangroves.godrej.com/Whyshouldweprotectmangroves.htm
The item I will reference is regarding a Chinese development project on the island of Cancun.
For some background - from the website "Oceans Futures" written two years ago is the following:
"Situated in the state of Quintana Roo and 36 miles from Cancún, is the historical fishing village of Puerto Morelos. It is known not only for being bordered by fragile mangroves, jungle, and beautiful beaches, but also its close proximity to the world’s second largest barrier reef system: the Mesoamerican. A mere 500 meters from shore lies a reef that is home to such protected and endangered species as the loggerhead, green, and hawksbill sea turtles, as well as elkhorn and staghorn corals. A habitat for over 2,500 marine species, including about 500 species of multicolored tropical fish, it is no wonder that the people of Puerto Morelos have strived to protect their homeland through the establishment of Puerto Morelos National Marine Park...Thus, it has deeply saddened me to learn that this beautiful park is being threatened by a looming development adjacent to Puerto Morelos: the megaproject Chinese Dragon Mart Cancún."
The recent news I read stated that the development had been put on hold by the testimony of Environmental groups and one of the key people testifying before the federal authorities was a 6 year old girl discussing the destruction of the Mangrove trees. While I don't have a transcript of her testimony, these are some facts regarding mangrove trees. "Mangroves, admittedly, are not only important but crucial for the coastal areas. Since estuarine areas are highly populated areas, the slightest ecological imbalance will take a heavy toll. They play a vital role in stabilizing these areas. No engineering and technological solutions can be sought for stabilizing these areas. Even if we negate all benefits of mangroves as forests, their value as "protector of shore-line" is enough to convince us for conserving them." http://www.mangroves.godrej.com/Whyshouldweprotectmangroves.htm
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Koch Bros. - Follow-up to last week
This topic is too important for only one post. Last week, I wrote that a former professor mentioned that the Koch brothers were involved in a little school board election in his town. Hardly made the news. Well, two days ago, national news spotlighted that they were at it again (of course they haven't stopped - just doesn't make the news). In Jefferson county, Colorado, three school board members backed by a Koch brothers PAC were removed in a recall vote.
I wondered - why are the Koch's involved with a school board or multiple school boards. Jefferson County where this event occurred has approximately 850,000 students whose education agenda is affected by just five individuals on the Board of Education. The conservative agenda can be parlayed across the country school system by school system.
From the Common Dreams website comes an excellent quote from one the newly elected members ""It appears to me public education in Jefferson County is not for sale," school board member-elect Ali Lasell told Chalkbeat Colorado on Tuesday night.
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/04/victory-public-ed-colorado-boots-koch-backed-school-board
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
The Koch Brothers - Bakers and more
The 2015 elections are a week away and in what will seem like no time at all the 2016, more comprehensive, elections will be here.
The biggest bakers of our politics are already in high gear. The brothers, Charles and David Koch, do their baking with money - LOTS of it. Their ability to pour massive funds into all levels of elections defies the imagination. One of my previous professors provided an example of them being involved in a little tiny school board election in his hometown. Of course, "their" refers to the PACS, SuperPACS, etc. that the Koch's money flows through.
There have been literally thousands of articles about the Koch's, but I would like to quote an article in the Rolling Stone entitled "Together, Charles and David Koch control one of the world's largest fortunes, which they are using to buy up our political system. But what they don't want you to know is how they made all that money"
Excerpts from the article (published just prior to the 2014 elections) "Their political network helped finance the Tea Party and powers today's GOP. Koch-affiliated organizations raised some $400 million during the 2012 election, and aim to spend another $290 million to elect Republicans in this year's midterms." One might wonder what is the reason for the second largest private firm (larger than most public firms, IBM, HP, or Honda) to spend so much on Republicans. I think much of the answer lies in what they produce or invest in to make all their money.
From the article:"The volume of Koch Industries' toxic output is staggering. According to the University of Massachusetts Amherst's Political Economy Research Institute, only three companies rank among the top 30 polluters of America's air, water and climate: ExxonMobil, American Electric Power and Koch Industries. Thanks in part to its 2005 purchase of paper-mill giant Georgia-Pacific, Koch Industries dumps more pollutants into the nation's waterways than General Electric and International Paper combined. The company ranks 13th in the nation for toxic air pollution. Koch's climate pollution, meanwhile, outpaces oil giants including Valero, Chevron and Shell. Across its businesses, Koch generates 24 million metric tons of greenhouse gases a year."
I think this is a great article for a reminder of how massive amounts of money are "baking" our politics and our democracy. It includes some enlightening info regarding the in-fighting within the company prior to David and Charles taking control and the current path of the conglomerate.
(http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/inside-the-koch-brothers-toxic-empire-20140924#ixzz3pmUnmJOC)
The biggest bakers of our politics are already in high gear. The brothers, Charles and David Koch, do their baking with money - LOTS of it. Their ability to pour massive funds into all levels of elections defies the imagination. One of my previous professors provided an example of them being involved in a little tiny school board election in his hometown. Of course, "their" refers to the PACS, SuperPACS, etc. that the Koch's money flows through.
There have been literally thousands of articles about the Koch's, but I would like to quote an article in the Rolling Stone entitled "Together, Charles and David Koch control one of the world's largest fortunes, which they are using to buy up our political system. But what they don't want you to know is how they made all that money"
Excerpts from the article (published just prior to the 2014 elections) "Their political network helped finance the Tea Party and powers today's GOP. Koch-affiliated organizations raised some $400 million during the 2012 election, and aim to spend another $290 million to elect Republicans in this year's midterms." One might wonder what is the reason for the second largest private firm (larger than most public firms, IBM, HP, or Honda) to spend so much on Republicans. I think much of the answer lies in what they produce or invest in to make all their money.
From the article:"The volume of Koch Industries' toxic output is staggering. According to the University of Massachusetts Amherst's Political Economy Research Institute, only three companies rank among the top 30 polluters of America's air, water and climate: ExxonMobil, American Electric Power and Koch Industries. Thanks in part to its 2005 purchase of paper-mill giant Georgia-Pacific, Koch Industries dumps more pollutants into the nation's waterways than General Electric and International Paper combined. The company ranks 13th in the nation for toxic air pollution. Koch's climate pollution, meanwhile, outpaces oil giants including Valero, Chevron and Shell. Across its businesses, Koch generates 24 million metric tons of greenhouse gases a year."
I think this is a great article for a reminder of how massive amounts of money are "baking" our politics and our democracy. It includes some enlightening info regarding the in-fighting within the company prior to David and Charles taking control and the current path of the conglomerate.
(http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/inside-the-koch-brothers-toxic-empire-20140924#ixzz3pmUnmJOC)
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Social Media - News Shaker MH17
I am a "late comer" to social media- this blog is barely two months old. I have always been of the opinion that social media could never replace investigative journalism of the Edward R. Murrow's. I was shaken positively with this week's events regarding the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17.
British blogger, Eliot Higgins, and his collaborators were able to track the movements of a Buk missile launcher through rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine on the day the plane was shot down.
(http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/731964/social-media-sleuths-cracked-mh17-missile-case.)
. "As part of our new report examining the open source evidence of the downing of Flight MH17 we tracked the movement of the Russian military convoy that transported the Buk missile launcher to the border with Ukraine. Using StoryMap we’ve put together this interactive map of the route the 53rd Brigade."
https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-europe/2015/10/08/exploring-russias-53rd-brigades-mh17-convoy-with-storymap/
I found Higgins website quite interesting, it is definitely worth a look. The latest for the blogger(s) is the Russian activity in Syria
British blogger, Eliot Higgins, and his collaborators were able to track the movements of a Buk missile launcher through rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine on the day the plane was shot down.
(http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/731964/social-media-sleuths-cracked-mh17-missile-case.)
. "As part of our new report examining the open source evidence of the downing of Flight MH17 we tracked the movement of the Russian military convoy that transported the Buk missile launcher to the border with Ukraine. Using StoryMap we’ve put together this interactive map of the route the 53rd Brigade."
https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-europe/2015/10/08/exploring-russias-53rd-brigades-mh17-convoy-with-storymap/
I found Higgins website quite interesting, it is definitely worth a look. The latest for the blogger(s) is the Russian activity in Syria
Monday, October 12, 2015
John Boehner- Shaker in the news
Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner, made an announcement that shook not only members of his party, but the Democrats as well. He announced his resignation as Speaker. It has been reported that after the announcement, he sang a few bars of "zip-a-dee-doo-dah."
This announcement is significant for a number of reasons - Boehner is the most powerful Republican in America. He is only the fifth speaker to resign and the first to not be either moving to another government position or under investigation. The speaker is also the next person after the Vice President in the line of succession to the presidency.
It has been reported that he had "had enough" of the ideological combat in the Republican Party. What is almost as surprising was - the "odds-on" favorite to succeed him, Kevin McCarthy, subsequently announced he would not seek the Speaker position.
For me, this speaks volumes about America at this moment. Working "across the aisle" occurs no more in Congress. In fact, it looks they can't work across the invisible aisle within their own party. We have hard line members of Congress willing to shut down the government, as occurred in 2013, again this year and the year is not over and could still happen.
This announcement is significant for a number of reasons - Boehner is the most powerful Republican in America. He is only the fifth speaker to resign and the first to not be either moving to another government position or under investigation. The speaker is also the next person after the Vice President in the line of succession to the presidency.
It has been reported that he had "had enough" of the ideological combat in the Republican Party. What is almost as surprising was - the "odds-on" favorite to succeed him, Kevin McCarthy, subsequently announced he would not seek the Speaker position.
For me, this speaks volumes about America at this moment. Working "across the aisle" occurs no more in Congress. In fact, it looks they can't work across the invisible aisle within their own party. We have hard line members of Congress willing to shut down the government, as occurred in 2013, again this year and the year is not over and could still happen.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
News Maker - Prison debate team
A very interesting incident occurred in the penal system of New York State - "Harvard debate team loses to prison debate team." (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/10/02/1427151/-Harvard-debate-team-loses-to-prison-debate-team)
A debate team formed in a prison facility in New York State defeated the debate team from Harvard University. The prisoners were prepared in a program created by Bard College and they accomplished this feat without access to the internet. (http://bpi.bard.edu/ )
Last year, New York's governor, Andrew Cuomo, announced plans to increase funding for prisoners to earn college degrees during their incarceration.
Georgia has one of the highest recidivism rates in the country and in our state, 1 in 13 residents is either incarcerated, on probation, or on parole. However, educational opportunities are not offered and the cycle continues to repeat itself. L.C."Buster" Evans, assistant commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections, said: "It has been many years, if ever, since an inmate has completed his or her high school diploma while incarcerated in a state correctional facility for adults."
I say our state can and should do much, much more.
A debate team formed in a prison facility in New York State defeated the debate team from Harvard University. The prisoners were prepared in a program created by Bard College and they accomplished this feat without access to the internet. (http://bpi.bard.edu/ )
Last year, New York's governor, Andrew Cuomo, announced plans to increase funding for prisoners to earn college degrees during their incarceration.
Georgia has one of the highest recidivism rates in the country and in our state, 1 in 13 residents is either incarcerated, on probation, or on parole. However, educational opportunities are not offered and the cycle continues to repeat itself. L.C."Buster" Evans, assistant commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections, said: "It has been many years, if ever, since an inmate has completed his or her high school diploma while incarcerated in a state correctional facility for adults."
I say our state can and should do much, much more.
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