I received a tweet this morning from a person I'm following. It had a link to the NY Daily News. Was this a hoax? So I checked the NYTimes and sure enough they published the news also.
What will this change? A sitting president with the Nobel Peace Prize can only help the vision he has given.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Torture Without Accountability
Frank Rich in his April 26, 2009, " The Banality of Bush White House Evil ", NYTimes Op-Ed gives a rather detailed current history (last 8 years or so) of our government's involvement in torture as it relates to 9/11 .
For those who want to see Rich's references, the online version is the one of choice. These references are what gives Rich's critiques credibility. Reading his April 26 piece is certainly worthy a reader's time to be brought up to date if one has interest in this unsavory subject--torture.
The president has made it clear that going over this issue is "looking back" as I've heard him say. That's understandable given all of our nation's problems. What's also understandable is why Dick Cheney has reversed his position on making related documents declassified. For after all he might be one to be held accountable. Being a highly skilled politician, Cheney wants to get a head of the curve.
Americans, regardless of their political position, feel they are being held accountable for their actions and therefore, they want people in responsible positions whether inside or outside government to be held accountable too. That's a significant issue behind the bailout money in addition to higher taxes in the future. Most Americans are outraged over the lack of accountability by government officials and executives of business' taking bailout money.
What is most disturbing is America's long history regarding torture. During the Spanish American War we did the "Water Cure". In the 20th century alone, the CIA participated in torture during the Cold War as documented in "The Question of Torture" By Alfred W. Mc Coy.
To move our nation toward the moral high ground, government officials involved in torture need to be held accountable. I couldn't agree more with Frank Rich's conclusion:
" President Obama can talk all he wants about not looking back, but this grotesque past is bigger than even he is. It won’t vanish into a memory hole any more than Andersonville, World War II internment camps or My Lai. The White House, Congress and politicians of both parties should get out of the way. We don’t need another commission. We don’t need any Capitol Hill witch hunts. What we must have are fair trials that at long last uphold and reclaim our nation’s commitment to the rule of law.".
For those who want to see Rich's references, the online version is the one of choice. These references are what gives Rich's critiques credibility. Reading his April 26 piece is certainly worthy a reader's time to be brought up to date if one has interest in this unsavory subject--torture.
The president has made it clear that going over this issue is "looking back" as I've heard him say. That's understandable given all of our nation's problems. What's also understandable is why Dick Cheney has reversed his position on making related documents declassified. For after all he might be one to be held accountable. Being a highly skilled politician, Cheney wants to get a head of the curve.
Americans, regardless of their political position, feel they are being held accountable for their actions and therefore, they want people in responsible positions whether inside or outside government to be held accountable too. That's a significant issue behind the bailout money in addition to higher taxes in the future. Most Americans are outraged over the lack of accountability by government officials and executives of business' taking bailout money.
What is most disturbing is America's long history regarding torture. During the Spanish American War we did the "Water Cure". In the 20th century alone, the CIA participated in torture during the Cold War as documented in "The Question of Torture" By Alfred W. Mc Coy.
To move our nation toward the moral high ground, government officials involved in torture need to be held accountable. I couldn't agree more with Frank Rich's conclusion:
" President Obama can talk all he wants about not looking back, but this grotesque past is bigger than even he is. It won’t vanish into a memory hole any more than Andersonville, World War II internment camps or My Lai. The White House, Congress and politicians of both parties should get out of the way. We don’t need another commission. We don’t need any Capitol Hill witch hunts. What we must have are fair trials that at long last uphold and reclaim our nation’s commitment to the rule of law.".
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Aging
After celebrating my 74th birthday, I've been thinking about aging more often. The Mayo Clinic newsletter arrives in my inbox every Thursday. This week came with a link to a very informative article about Aging.
Knowing what to expect seems better than experiencing the changes and then wondering if they are 'normal' or not. The article also gives links to other articles that tell the reader how to improve their health. I always look forward to the Mayo Clinic newsletter.
Knowing what to expect seems better than experiencing the changes and then wondering if they are 'normal' or not. The article also gives links to other articles that tell the reader how to improve their health. I always look forward to the Mayo Clinic newsletter.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Financial Ups and Downs
Recently I was asked for my thoughts about a Warren Buffett article in the NYTimes. What follows is my reply to the email:
Buffett makes a sound historical argument. Being one who loves history and who continually works at understanding it, I then looked at my financial statements and they don't match Buffett's position. When I look at my stocks (nearly all mutual funds/bonds) performance since Jan. 1, 2008 I see a large loss. Now when I look at my CDs for the same time period, I see the principle intact with a small return perhaps just above inflation. But the key is I still have the principle! That's not so with the stocks/bonds investment at least for now.
To be sure I'm looking at the short term that Buffett is addressing. So what am I doing about this short term ups and downs that have made some people lose sleep and take Maalox? Hunker down and pray. Meaning keep paying my financial adviser to manage my stocks/bonds/mutual funds while reinvesting the CDs when they mature. In short it's called diversification.
With this strategy I'm hoping the American stocks will come back as Buffett thinks they will. But I'm also hoping the international stocks will come back too. Not just because I own some but world wide financial instability causes wide spread hardship and threatens world peace.
Perhaps buying stock in Maalox would be a good bet.
Buffett makes a sound historical argument. Being one who loves history and who continually works at understanding it, I then looked at my financial statements and they don't match Buffett's position. When I look at my stocks (nearly all mutual funds/bonds) performance since Jan. 1, 2008 I see a large loss. Now when I look at my CDs for the same time period, I see the principle intact with a small return perhaps just above inflation. But the key is I still have the principle! That's not so with the stocks/bonds investment at least for now.
To be sure I'm looking at the short term that Buffett is addressing. So what am I doing about this short term ups and downs that have made some people lose sleep and take Maalox? Hunker down and pray. Meaning keep paying my financial adviser to manage my stocks/bonds/mutual funds while reinvesting the CDs when they mature. In short it's called diversification.
With this strategy I'm hoping the American stocks will come back as Buffett thinks they will. But I'm also hoping the international stocks will come back too. Not just because I own some but world wide financial instability causes wide spread hardship and threatens world peace.
Perhaps buying stock in Maalox would be a good bet.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Open Letter to Barack Obama
"Change We Can Believe In" is the title of an open letter to Barack Obama by The Nation Magazine. Please click here to read this letter and if you agree with it then join me and sign it. The Nation Magazine will deliver it to the Obama campaign before the Democratic National Convention.
My concern is that he will weaken the movement that has made him the presumptive Democratic nominee as he continues to make changes on key positions.
Compromise is a mark of a skillful politician. But not compromising on core values or on issues that appear to be core values. It appears that presidential candidates want to move their positions to an ideological "center". George Lakoff, professor of linguistics, in his book "Thinking Points" argues that this "center" is a myth. He claims that progressive candidates weaken themselves by moving to the "Mythical Center" because people vote, "...on the basis of values, connection, authenticity, trust, and identity with issues used symbolically to reflect values." Click hereto read Lakoff's discussion on biconceptualism and the "Mythical Center".
Feel free to forward this post to our fellow Obama supporters or to those who are open to voting for Obama.
My concern is that he will weaken the movement that has made him the presumptive Democratic nominee as he continues to make changes on key positions.
Compromise is a mark of a skillful politician. But not compromising on core values or on issues that appear to be core values. It appears that presidential candidates want to move their positions to an ideological "center". George Lakoff, professor of linguistics, in his book "Thinking Points" argues that this "center" is a myth. He claims that progressive candidates weaken themselves by moving to the "Mythical Center" because people vote, "...on the basis of values, connection, authenticity, trust, and identity with issues used symbolically to reflect values." Click hereto read Lakoff's discussion on biconceptualism and the "Mythical Center".
Feel free to forward this post to our fellow Obama supporters or to those who are open to voting for Obama.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Our Evolving English Language
I unabashedly love our English language. Tutoring ESL (English as a Second Language) adults from many lands challenges me to learn grammar, idioms, slang, profanity and most of all our American culture.
While growing up in the West side of Detroit during WWII the radio was my media. The Lone Ranger, The Shadow, Captain Marvel were among my favorite radio programs. The radio announcers helped shape my English speaking skills that I learned from my native born parents. To be sure I have a mid west accent. Some how I never knew I had that accent until a retired Alberta Canada wheat farmer said "You sound 'nasalish' " when I was on an Elderhostel trip in Newfoundland, Canada in 1995.
In September the year before, I started my new 'career' -- tutoring adult ESL students. These adults are from Asia, South America, Mexico, and Europe. It is not only fun but a joy as well.
These students have made me aware of our American English and just how much it has changed since the days when I could ' see' and hear "Hi-Yo Silver" as The Lone Ranger rode off into the sun set as I sat in front of the little radio on the table.
The English language is changing so rapidly one can hardly keep up with the changes. A handy tool for checking the definition and the history of words is Answers.com. I use their little program that allows you to place the cursor on a word then press and hold the Alt key and then click. A small window opens with the definition along with other goodies.
What is in store for our fascinating English language? That's the topic of Michael Erard's essay "How English Is Evolving Into a Language We May Not Even Understand" in Wired Magazine. The related photo by Mauricio Alejo captures the theme of the article.
While growing up in the West side of Detroit during WWII the radio was my media. The Lone Ranger, The Shadow, Captain Marvel were among my favorite radio programs. The radio announcers helped shape my English speaking skills that I learned from my native born parents. To be sure I have a mid west accent. Some how I never knew I had that accent until a retired Alberta Canada wheat farmer said "You sound 'nasalish' " when I was on an Elderhostel trip in Newfoundland, Canada in 1995.
In September the year before, I started my new 'career' -- tutoring adult ESL students. These adults are from Asia, South America, Mexico, and Europe. It is not only fun but a joy as well.
These students have made me aware of our American English and just how much it has changed since the days when I could ' see' and hear "Hi-Yo Silver" as The Lone Ranger rode off into the sun set as I sat in front of the little radio on the table.
The English language is changing so rapidly one can hardly keep up with the changes. A handy tool for checking the definition and the history of words is Answers.com. I use their little program that allows you to place the cursor on a word then press and hold the Alt key and then click. A small window opens with the definition along with other goodies.
What is in store for our fascinating English language? That's the topic of Michael Erard's essay "How English Is Evolving Into a Language We May Not Even Understand" in Wired Magazine. The related photo by Mauricio Alejo captures the theme of the article.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Beards and Moustaches
Several years ago I use to wax the hair above my upper lip. My sideburns were long and shaped like pork chops. At the time, Moustaches were the 'in' thing to have at least for men any way. My 'stach started to turn the color of the hair above my forehead. That is gray. Was I getting that old? I use to think as I shaved the hair on the rest of my face. (Who says men are not vain?)
I just found this web site that makes me long for my moustache. These guys are truly proud of there facial hair. I stand in awe. If you want to see some neat beards, check these out. Take a closer look at the German in the white and black stripped jacked. (Click on the photo)
I just found this web site that makes me long for my moustache. These guys are truly proud of there facial hair. I stand in awe. If you want to see some neat beards, check these out. Take a closer look at the German in the white and black stripped jacked. (Click on the photo)
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