Please join me at my new blog.
(Why give any more to Google - home of "Do(n't) be evil".)
Friday, December 31, 2021
Sunday, September 26, 2021
More transparent manipulative BS from "conservatives"
As usual, Evslin and others get it so wrong, that it's hard to believe it could "just" be a mistake - rather than a cynical attempt at manipulation. Which there's ample evidence of.
In a VTDigger "commentary", he trots out the same tired grade-school bully songbook of "I know you are, but what am I?" that we see most "conservatives" singing from lately; here's the playbook:
- Pick something that liberals say
- twist it into a falsehood; sometimes beyond recognition
- and abuse that to attack liberals.
Then:
- It gets uncritically picked up by other "conservatives"
- thoughtlessly amplified
- and _that_ is used as justification for more and more
At absolute best, it's BS. But we've moved well beyond that.
And it's increasing the discord and chaos which many of these "conservatives" then exploit - to grab more power / money.
BTW: Notice how _much_ of it there is lately? Yep; that's another tactic which "conservatives" have gleefully adopted from - wait for it - the likes of Putin ("Firehose of falsehood"). Or as Bannon said, "flood the zone with shit".
Saturday, August 28, 2021
Politics
Next time someone attempts to dismiss something as "just politics", reacquaint yourself what that word actually means:
"activities that are associated with making decisions in groups, or other forms of power relations between individuals, such as the distribution of resources..."
So it's human relations, when we come into contact with each other.
Now consider how likely it is, that this attempt to dismiss, is cynical - at best.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Terrorism; some food for thought
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Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Cassandra Gekas
Interesting article over at VTDigger:
Persuaded to run, then left out in the cold? Gekas takes it all in stride.
About the Democratic candidate for VT Lt. Governor.
She got 40% to the incumbent (Republican) Phill Scott's 57% (unofficial numbers) - which is pretty amazing, given that no one expected her to go anywhere, and she had very little support from her party, and certainly not from the Governor (Peter Shumlin, D).
I hope we'll be seeing more of her in the future.
Persuaded to run, then left out in the cold? Gekas takes it all in stride.
About the Democratic candidate for VT Lt. Governor.
She got 40% to the incumbent (Republican) Phill Scott's 57% (unofficial numbers) - which is pretty amazing, given that no one expected her to go anywhere, and she had very little support from her party, and certainly not from the Governor (Peter Shumlin, D).
I hope we'll be seeing more of her in the future.
We have work to do
OK; most elections called and the campaigns (mostly) over.
NOW: We - ALL OF US - have work to do.
Everyone who's bitter and mean-spirited: We'll be ignoring you; we don't have time for that nonsense - and we do NOT negotiate with terrorists.
Everyone who's willing to come together to discuss and come up with solutions to our many challenges - and I do mean EVERYONE - let's get to work!
NOW: We - ALL OF US - have work to do.
Everyone who's bitter and mean-spirited: We'll be ignoring you; we don't have time for that nonsense - and we do NOT negotiate with terrorists.
Everyone who's willing to come together to discuss and come up with solutions to our many challenges - and I do mean EVERYONE - let's get to work!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
SOPA/PIPA: Letter to Patrick Leahy, Senator, Vermont
As Franklin said: "Those who would give up Essential Liberty, to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
And to whom do SOPA/PIPA purport to extend Safety? Not producers/creators, but the big business dinosaurs who think there's money in it. These dinosaurs that realize, finally, that they're nearly extinct, and are desperately hoping to delay it.
Ask creators like "Weird Al" Yankovitch ("Don't Download this Song") and Louis CK (making millions from his latest direct offering) - they can make a great living, being paid by consumers of their works - without the dinosaurs and their frantic tantrums.
In this country, we have a great tradition of *not* throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
With SOPA/PIPA we have, on one side, rich dinosaurs whining about being richer; and on the other side, millions of voices that will be stifled if those dinosaurs use these overbroad provisions.
Yes; we *certainly* must have a discussion about issues like piracy (which is *not* free speech) - however the current SOPA/PIPA discussion is too poisoned to be productive.
The choice is clear - SOPA/PIPA are bad legislation and must be dropped, completely.
It is particularly troubling to me that you continue to support PIPA, even now.
Worst of all, using the sadly typical right-wing tactic of belittling those on the other side - such as your statements on VPR's "Vermont Edition" recently.
This is not the Pat Leahy that I've voted for. And this is not in the proud Vermont traditions that you've upheld - at least, in the past.
Pardon my directness - however, this is even more important than SOPA/PIPA.
Please have the courage to reflect on your many years of service to Vermont and the country - and see that this service leads you in a different direction.
Thank you.
And to whom do SOPA/PIPA purport to extend Safety? Not producers/creators, but the big business dinosaurs who think there's money in it. These dinosaurs that realize, finally, that they're nearly extinct, and are desperately hoping to delay it.
Ask creators like "Weird Al" Yankovitch ("Don't Download this Song") and Louis CK (making millions from his latest direct offering) - they can make a great living, being paid by consumers of their works - without the dinosaurs and their frantic tantrums.
In this country, we have a great tradition of *not* throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
With SOPA/PIPA we have, on one side, rich dinosaurs whining about being richer; and on the other side, millions of voices that will be stifled if those dinosaurs use these overbroad provisions.
Yes; we *certainly* must have a discussion about issues like piracy (which is *not* free speech) - however the current SOPA/PIPA discussion is too poisoned to be productive.
The choice is clear - SOPA/PIPA are bad legislation and must be dropped, completely.
It is particularly troubling to me that you continue to support PIPA, even now.
Worst of all, using the sadly typical right-wing tactic of belittling those on the other side - such as your statements on VPR's "Vermont Edition" recently.
This is not the Pat Leahy that I've voted for. And this is not in the proud Vermont traditions that you've upheld - at least, in the past.
Pardon my directness - however, this is even more important than SOPA/PIPA.
Please have the courage to reflect on your many years of service to Vermont and the country - and see that this service leads you in a different direction.
Thank you.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Wrong path - a letter to Speaker Boehner
Speaker Boehner -
I appreciate that you opened last night by saying you represent the entire House; all parties.
However that was the last reasonable thing you said; the rest was bashing and ill serves both you and the American people.
You allow yourself to be held hostage by the most radical members of your party - and by so doing, abdicate your responsibilities and endanger the country.
It's *long* past time to reach some compromise and move *on* - to all the other crises facing this country.
Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way!
- Marc
I appreciate that you opened last night by saying you represent the entire House; all parties.
However that was the last reasonable thing you said; the rest was bashing and ill serves both you and the American people.
You allow yourself to be held hostage by the most radical members of your party - and by so doing, abdicate your responsibilities and endanger the country.
It's *long* past time to reach some compromise and move *on* - to all the other crises facing this country.
Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way!
- Marc
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Republican double standards
Yet another, in a long list, of Republican double standards:
Republicans say "No extension of unemployment benefits unless you can show how you're going to pay for it."
But in the same breath "We must not allow the Bush tax cuts to expire." - with absolutely nothing said about how to pay it.
So, when Republicans say "We can't possibly afford X.", remember the trillions and trillions of dollars they've spent on things they never once stopped to think how to pay for, because "it's important".
So, let's discuss just what's important *and* how to pay for it.
Some things are indeed critical enough to borrow for - and especially then, we must discuss how we'll eventually pay for them.
Republicans say "No extension of unemployment benefits unless you can show how you're going to pay for it."
But in the same breath "We must not allow the Bush tax cuts to expire." - with absolutely nothing said about how to pay it.
So, when Republicans say "We can't possibly afford X.", remember the trillions and trillions of dollars they've spent on things they never once stopped to think how to pay for, because "it's important".
So, let's discuss just what's important *and* how to pay for it.
Some things are indeed critical enough to borrow for - and especially then, we must discuss how we'll eventually pay for them.
Redistribution of Wealth
Below is what I have just written to my Representative, Senators and President:
Please stand firm and do *not* trade the extension of unemployment benefits (absolutely essential) for the extension of the Bush redistribution of wealth to the wealthy (absolutely unconscionable)!
The Republican party has demonstrated that it is without honor and that it will act *only* in its own best interests - and the interests of the insatiably wealthy, who rely on its actions (and inactions).
That they have convinced so many voters to act against their own best interests is, literally, a deplorable shame.
The recent words and actions of the Republican party, indicate not a force of power, but what occurs when a formerly powerful entity realizes that it is dying - and responds by railing and flailing.
The Republicans do *not* have a mandate and it is *not* necessary to make deals - especially those that trade yet another large chunk of the future for a temporary pittance.
Further, it's painfully and demonstrably clear that "trickle down" is a cruel hoax and has a *negative* effect on the economy, while extending unemployment benefits is not only a crucial *responsibility*, it has a *positive* effect on the economy.
It's time for Democrats and Independents to stand up for what we believe, and to act accordingly - not use that as the *starting* point in negotiations with Republicans, constantly moving their starting point further and further right.
Yes, by all means, begin a dialog - and then have the courage to politely *end* the dialog when it's clear that the other side is not interested in a dialog!
There's a fitting saying that describes this situation: "We do not negotiate with terrorists."
Please stand firm and do *not* trade the extension of unemployment benefits (absolutely essential) for the extension of the Bush redistribution of wealth to the wealthy (absolutely unconscionable)!
The Republican party has demonstrated that it is without honor and that it will act *only* in its own best interests - and the interests of the insatiably wealthy, who rely on its actions (and inactions).
That they have convinced so many voters to act against their own best interests is, literally, a deplorable shame.
The recent words and actions of the Republican party, indicate not a force of power, but what occurs when a formerly powerful entity realizes that it is dying - and responds by railing and flailing.
The Republicans do *not* have a mandate and it is *not* necessary to make deals - especially those that trade yet another large chunk of the future for a temporary pittance.
Further, it's painfully and demonstrably clear that "trickle down" is a cruel hoax and has a *negative* effect on the economy, while extending unemployment benefits is not only a crucial *responsibility*, it has a *positive* effect on the economy.
It's time for Democrats and Independents to stand up for what we believe, and to act accordingly - not use that as the *starting* point in negotiations with Republicans, constantly moving their starting point further and further right.
Yes, by all means, begin a dialog - and then have the courage to politely *end* the dialog when it's clear that the other side is not interested in a dialog!
There's a fitting saying that describes this situation: "We do not negotiate with terrorists."
Friday, November 12, 2010
Deficit Commission
So, the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform has released (November 10, 2010) a Draft Proposal.
And many of us have reacted predictably: But you can't cut <insert my favorite here>!
I say: Bless the Commission! It's about time someone had some guts, before we go off the rails completely.
Of course none of us agrees with everything in the Draft, however absolutely everything should be subject to scrutiny and discussion. Absolutely everything, including and especially anyone's "absolute necessity".
Only then can we actually get down to the difficult - and essential - business of figuring out what, as a country and as a society, our priorities are.
For too long, we have lumped too many things into the category of "It goes without saying. We can't worry about how to pay for it; we simply must do it now!" Whether it's about <social program> or a war; insert your "absolute necessity" here.
The only thing that goes without saying (or should!) is that we do not have an infinite amount of money, time, energy, people or any other resource; we must choose carefully where to place any of them.
Let me pick one sacred cow: Social Security.
Personally, I believe it's critical. I believe we've made important promises (to ourselves!) and we must keep them.
This does not mean that it can't be a subject of discussion; it must be. This large a part of our budget - and our society - absolutely must be discussed, extremely seriously.
And let's be clear-eyed about it. For instance, it's unconscionable to move the goalposts; to change the retirement age for those of us who've already made plans based on the current ages.
However, it is equally unconscionable to make the retirement ages "carved in stone" for all time - the landscape is changing beneath us and we ignore it at our peril. As, for example, our life expectancy changes, we must adapt - perhaps periodically adjust the retirement ages, COLA-like, for each new generation, so they know what rules are, from the start.
And that's just one issue. We have a lot to do; let's - in good faith - get to work.
And many of us have reacted predictably: But you can't cut <insert my favorite here>!
I say: Bless the Commission! It's about time someone had some guts, before we go off the rails completely.
Of course none of us agrees with everything in the Draft, however absolutely everything should be subject to scrutiny and discussion. Absolutely everything, including and especially anyone's "absolute necessity".
Only then can we actually get down to the difficult - and essential - business of figuring out what, as a country and as a society, our priorities are.
For too long, we have lumped too many things into the category of "It goes without saying. We can't worry about how to pay for it; we simply must do it now!" Whether it's about <social program> or a war; insert your "absolute necessity" here.
The only thing that goes without saying (or should!) is that we do not have an infinite amount of money, time, energy, people or any other resource; we must choose carefully where to place any of them.
Let me pick one sacred cow: Social Security.
Personally, I believe it's critical. I believe we've made important promises (to ourselves!) and we must keep them.
This does not mean that it can't be a subject of discussion; it must be. This large a part of our budget - and our society - absolutely must be discussed, extremely seriously.
And let's be clear-eyed about it. For instance, it's unconscionable to move the goalposts; to change the retirement age for those of us who've already made plans based on the current ages.
However, it is equally unconscionable to make the retirement ages "carved in stone" for all time - the landscape is changing beneath us and we ignore it at our peril. As, for example, our life expectancy changes, we must adapt - perhaps periodically adjust the retirement ages, COLA-like, for each new generation, so they know what rules are, from the start.
And that's just one issue. We have a lot to do; let's - in good faith - get to work.
Monday, November 8, 2010
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