Showing posts with label immigration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label immigration. Show all posts
I am cross-posting this from the blog I write at my office, Consequence. It may be one of the best I've written.
Also, you should really follow me on Twitter, so you can get links like the one I just tweeted. Apparently, the Phoenix Suns will where uniforms in Game 2 of their playoff series (meaning on national television), that say "Los Suns." Yes, it is Spanglish. But it is also a direct protest of a state law by one of its biggest businesses. The Major League Baseball Players' Union has come out against the last as well, for obvious reasons.
Gulf Coast Catastrophe: We Already Have the Answers
Two weeks ago, while much of the Southeast settled into bed, the U.S. Coast Guard in the Gulf of Mexico was just beginning its night. As they responed to a fire on a Transocean oil rig 40 miles off the Louisiana coast, no one could have been prepared for what would happen next.
An explosion on the rig left the platform engulfed in flames. Dozens were rescued, but 11 were missing. None have been found.
Make a Mess or Make Progress
The Coast Guard spent the night trying to put out the fire, only to watch the Deepwater Horizon rig capsize and sink some 5,000 feet to the sea bed two days later. On that same day, Thursday, an oil slick was spot on the surface.
Initial estimates pegged the leak, originating at the head of the oil well, at 1,000 barrels a day (about 40,000 gallons). Several days later, that estimate was raised to 5,000 barrels a day and continued to grow. With 210,000 gallons of oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico every day, the situation quickly threatened to become catastrophic.
British Petroleum (BP), the company leasing the rig, along with President Barack Obama and members of his administration, promised every possible resource, while at the same time deflecting blame. The president postponed new drilling plans and BP continued to point the finger at Transocean, the rig’s operator.
In the days and weeks ahead, many will blame BP, Transocean, Haliburton, the administration and many others. Lost in the outrage though is what didn’t happen last Monday.
No comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation was introduced in the US Senate.
Almost a year ago, the House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which would impose a price on carbon emissions and invest heavily in clean energy. Mainly it would cut our dependence on dirty, 19th century energy solutions like oil and coal.
Since then, in April alone, 31 coal miners died in two separate incidents, both of which brought into question the safety records of one of the industry’s largest producers, Massey Energy. Three weeks later, a state-of-the-art oil rig, with a supposedly fail-safe system, failed, sinking into the Gulf. The immediate results were 11 lost lives. The long-term results may not be known for decades.
A hard hat covered in oil found off the coast of Louisiana.
And yet, the Senate sits idly by. So many members of Congress have been outspoken about drilling, both pro and con. Florida Senator Bill Nelson immediately called for reinstating a moratorium on offshore drilling. Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu, who once called drilling safe, said that while no one thinks drilling comes without risks, drilling must continue nevertheless.
What neither said was that we can cut our addiction to oil if they step up and pass clean energy legislation. BP may be a perpetrator, but the solution lies in Congress.
President Obama has so often said that, “we’ve been talking about our energy problems for decades.” If that is truly the case — and it is — that means we have now been having this conversation through two devastating oil spills. In both cases, the fishing industry will take mammoth hits. Fishing has been completely suspended off the Gulf Coast, meaning the livelihood of much of the region is at stake.
That is thousands of jobs hanging in the balance, while blame is spread from Big Oil, to the Obama administration. Congressional hearings are not the solution.
Congress needs to look in the mirror. This was one of thousands of oil rigs, and by itself, it has crippled the Gulf Coast region.
Comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation can replace many of those rigs with wind turbines. It can take advantage of the huge amounts of sunlight that heats the Southeast and many other regions in the US. It can cut dependence on oil, both foreign and domestic, helping our national security, safety in the workplace, and the environment many parts of our economy relies on.
President Obama said in eulogizing 29 coal miners that no worker in America should leave for work not knowing whether they will come home.
That happened two weeks ago. It happens everyday in this country when we take advantage of thousands of workers on oil rigs and in coal mines, so we can enjoy the comforts of heat and light. It happens despite the fact that we know we have a better, cleaner, safer way.
Fishing boats sit idle as all commercial fishing has been suspended.
More than 100,000 coal miners have died on the job alone in this nation’s history. That not include the many more who suffered, and died from, black lung disease.
Clean energy is not some far off technology reserved for future dreams and visionary people. It is reality. It is here. It is waiting for us to invest in it. It doesn’t take a visionary person to realize that we cannot keep sending American workers into these conditions, and continue to threaten so many sectors of our economy because, a decade into it, we refuse to step into the 21st century.
The solution rests in Congress. No longer is the Senate’s deliberate pace only creating higher prices at the pump or minor incidents here and there. It is costing lives. It is costing jobs in the thousands. It is threatening to devastate the Gulf Coast region, again.
Where are our leaders? When will they listen? If, as Texas Governor Rick Perry said yesterday, this truly is an “act of God,” how does everyone in the country see the message except for Congress? We know, however, that it was not an act of any God, but one of negligence.
A failure to use reasonable care that results in harm or injury to others. In one month, that failure has led to more than 40 deaths and untold billions in damages to the environment and the economy.
Solutions sit in Congress, awaiting action. For years they have waited. We can’t wait anymore. Congress can no longer be negligent.
[More]
Also, you should really follow me on Twitter, so you can get links like the one I just tweeted. Apparently, the Phoenix Suns will where uniforms in Game 2 of their playoff series (meaning on national television), that say "Los Suns." Yes, it is Spanglish. But it is also a direct protest of a state law by one of its biggest businesses. The Major League Baseball Players' Union has come out against the last as well, for obvious reasons.
Gulf Coast Catastrophe: We Already Have the Answers
Two weeks ago, while much of the Southeast settled into bed, the U.S. Coast Guard in the Gulf of Mexico was just beginning its night. As they responed to a fire on a Transocean oil rig 40 miles off the Louisiana coast, no one could have been prepared for what would happen next.
An explosion on the rig left the platform engulfed in flames. Dozens were rescued, but 11 were missing. None have been found.
Make a Mess or Make Progress
The Coast Guard spent the night trying to put out the fire, only to watch the Deepwater Horizon rig capsize and sink some 5,000 feet to the sea bed two days later. On that same day, Thursday, an oil slick was spot on the surface.
Initial estimates pegged the leak, originating at the head of the oil well, at 1,000 barrels a day (about 40,000 gallons). Several days later, that estimate was raised to 5,000 barrels a day and continued to grow. With 210,000 gallons of oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico every day, the situation quickly threatened to become catastrophic.
British Petroleum (BP), the company leasing the rig, along with President Barack Obama and members of his administration, promised every possible resource, while at the same time deflecting blame. The president postponed new drilling plans and BP continued to point the finger at Transocean, the rig’s operator.
In the days and weeks ahead, many will blame BP, Transocean, Haliburton, the administration and many others. Lost in the outrage though is what didn’t happen last Monday.
No comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation was introduced in the US Senate.
Almost a year ago, the House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which would impose a price on carbon emissions and invest heavily in clean energy. Mainly it would cut our dependence on dirty, 19th century energy solutions like oil and coal.
Since then, in April alone, 31 coal miners died in two separate incidents, both of which brought into question the safety records of one of the industry’s largest producers, Massey Energy. Three weeks later, a state-of-the-art oil rig, with a supposedly fail-safe system, failed, sinking into the Gulf. The immediate results were 11 lost lives. The long-term results may not be known for decades.
A hard hat covered in oil found off the coast of Louisiana.
And yet, the Senate sits idly by. So many members of Congress have been outspoken about drilling, both pro and con. Florida Senator Bill Nelson immediately called for reinstating a moratorium on offshore drilling. Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu, who once called drilling safe, said that while no one thinks drilling comes without risks, drilling must continue nevertheless.
What neither said was that we can cut our addiction to oil if they step up and pass clean energy legislation. BP may be a perpetrator, but the solution lies in Congress.
President Obama has so often said that, “we’ve been talking about our energy problems for decades.” If that is truly the case — and it is — that means we have now been having this conversation through two devastating oil spills. In both cases, the fishing industry will take mammoth hits. Fishing has been completely suspended off the Gulf Coast, meaning the livelihood of much of the region is at stake.
That is thousands of jobs hanging in the balance, while blame is spread from Big Oil, to the Obama administration. Congressional hearings are not the solution.
Congress needs to look in the mirror. This was one of thousands of oil rigs, and by itself, it has crippled the Gulf Coast region.
Comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation can replace many of those rigs with wind turbines. It can take advantage of the huge amounts of sunlight that heats the Southeast and many other regions in the US. It can cut dependence on oil, both foreign and domestic, helping our national security, safety in the workplace, and the environment many parts of our economy relies on.
President Obama said in eulogizing 29 coal miners that no worker in America should leave for work not knowing whether they will come home.
That happened two weeks ago. It happens everyday in this country when we take advantage of thousands of workers on oil rigs and in coal mines, so we can enjoy the comforts of heat and light. It happens despite the fact that we know we have a better, cleaner, safer way.
Fishing boats sit idle as all commercial fishing has been suspended.
More than 100,000 coal miners have died on the job alone in this nation’s history. That not include the many more who suffered, and died from, black lung disease.
Clean energy is not some far off technology reserved for future dreams and visionary people. It is reality. It is here. It is waiting for us to invest in it. It doesn’t take a visionary person to realize that we cannot keep sending American workers into these conditions, and continue to threaten so many sectors of our economy because, a decade into it, we refuse to step into the 21st century.
The solution rests in Congress. No longer is the Senate’s deliberate pace only creating higher prices at the pump or minor incidents here and there. It is costing lives. It is costing jobs in the thousands. It is threatening to devastate the Gulf Coast region, again.
Where are our leaders? When will they listen? If, as Texas Governor Rick Perry said yesterday, this truly is an “act of God,” how does everyone in the country see the message except for Congress? We know, however, that it was not an act of any God, but one of negligence.
A failure to use reasonable care that results in harm or injury to others. In one month, that failure has led to more than 40 deaths and untold billions in damages to the environment and the economy.
Solutions sit in Congress, awaiting action. For years they have waited. We can’t wait anymore. Congress can no longer be negligent.
And maybe throwing all of Wall Street into it. Okay, so maybe that is an exaggeration, but two big stories today, one much bigger than the other (despite the fact that it ought to be the reverse), one involving fire, one involving being under fire.
Republicans caved yesterday, finally allowing a cloture vote on financial reform to pass. It actually was just a unanimous consent motion instead of a vote this time, with no objection. No one is really saying they got much, other than an open debate and the ability to offer amendments. Now, that could be quite a bit if the number of amendments allowed is unlimited, but it seems that even the GOP realizes it would look bad to be on the wrong side of financial reform.
As one observer said, it is hard to justify participating in a hearing lambasting Goldman Sachs executives actions on Wall Street, then going next door and voting against financial reform.
One thing we tend to forget, with all of this focus on the Senate, is that the House has already passed financial reform. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (a job title I held in my congressional simulation class) has said that a conference is expected once the Senate completes its work.
--
To the lead story, which has actually gotten worse in the moments I have been writing this. Over the weekend, experts found two different leaks on the sea floor, related to the sunken oil rig from last week. It was estimated at the time that about 42,000 gallons of oil were spilling into the Gulf of Mexico every day. The good news was, due to the bends in the pipe caused by the sinking (imagine bending a hose too far), the leak was not as flowing as it could've been. The bad new is that workers have been unable to shut of the valve, meaning they are working on other ways to stop the leak.
Excuse me while I seemingly vent for a moment. I have taken quite a bit of time in the last few days learning about this. We are talking about BP (British Petroleum), which fought tighter federal safety regulations tooth and nail in the last few years. The rig in question was fairly new, about the size of a football field and state of the art. It was one-of-a-kind, drilling deeper than we've ever drilled before. While the clear point of the first part of the paragraph was to understate how something like this should never happen, the last sentence should illustrate just how ill-prepared we are to deal with it.
Just how ill-prepared are we? We (or BP - it's hard to tell really) can't even figure out how big the leak is yet. Late yesterday a third leak was discovered, with the Coast Guard estimating that five times the amount of oil is spilling into the ocean than previously thought. While yesterday it was an estimated 42,000 gallons each day, that number is now around 210,000 gallons. Put in simpler numbers, in just 52 days this would be larger than Exxon Valdez. Think that isn't possible? It is. With today's measures, 52 days would seem like forever, but workers have tried just about ever short term solution they can think of, which was one thing: shut off the valve. They've failed.
Initially yesterday, the plan was to burn off some of the oil, literally setting the surface on fire, but bad weather prevented that. They will try again today. It can't all be done this way, but from their experience, a significant amount can. However, one member of the Coast Guard had a telling statement: "this isn't something we do every day." No, it isn't. Stay tuned, as this will only get worse before it gets better.
--
And speaking of getting worse before getting better, how about Arizona. Oh, Arizona. Couple things. It appears that the DOJ - that's Department of Justice people - will be suing the state of Arizona, I suppose for privacy infringement. Not really sure. But still a positive development.
Last night I actually watched some evening news shows, which, if you can take even every breath with a grain of salt, can be entertaining to say the least. My favorite had to be Frank Luntz on Hannity. I learned about Luntz way back in high school. He is an expert Republican pollster and damn good at it. He creates messaging based on focus groups and polling, something everyone does now. But last night, to listen to him say, "most Americans are against financial reform," absolutely blew me away. Not only was he blatantly lying without even changing his expression, but he knew just how dishonest he was being probably more than anyone else. It was unreal. And of course it was on Fox (yes all of my conservative friends, I also watched Maddow and, ugh, parts of Olbermann last night. Fox is more entertaining though.)
Anyway, back to immigration. Hannity also had a debate on immigration. I have never seen Michelle Malkin so angry. Thought she might punch her opponent through the television screen. Here is something everyone needs to recognize about illegal immigration: it isn't illegal. The bill in Arizona made it illegal, in Arizona. Everywhere else in the country, illegal immigration is a civil offense. We don't throw you in jail, we send you home. That's it. Which is why I found it so interesting that Hannity and Malkin were screaming about following the letter of the law, since it is two-fold against them. One, it isn't illegal. Two, the biggest fears when profiling someone is that police ignore the law of needing another reason to stop someone (criminal activity) and just do it anyway. I don't want to get into the economic argument, even though there is one. I understand where Arizona is coming from. Watch as I represent both sides at the same time.
A few years ago I watched a movie called the Thin Blue Line. I remember it very well because we were watching in a class at UW during the same week that Virginia Tech happened. It was about a black man being profiled in Dallas for a murder he never admitted to committing. If I recall correctly, there was proof he didn't do it, but he was convicted anyway. People look at that as profiling. Sure, profiling was involved, but so was a racist jury. The problems go much deeper than saying, "he's black, let me pull him over."
Not too long after that I had a lengthy conversation with a black police officer in Seattle. His words to me: profiling helps me do my job. Surprisingly, I wasn't surprised. He's right. We make this big deal out of profiling, just like we do out of mandatory minimums, but ignore that in the majority of cases, the people actually committed crimes. This isn't the 1960's. If you have drugs in your car and you're mad that a cop made up a phony reason to pull you over, that doesn't change the fact that you have drugs in your car. You're worried about the wrong thing. I do believe that profiling probably does help police work. Does that make it right? No. But what neighborhood would you feel safer walking through, the poorer black neighborhood or the richer white one? Let's not act like police are the only profilers out there. Stereotypes exist for a reason.
Now, with that said, there is this thing about a right to privacy and profiling that is great about the Republican party. They are all for forfeiting some privacy in the name of security, unless it is there own. And they are all for profiling, which makes sense, because they are vastly white. No money trail is necessary. Just look at their faces.
It is unclear what is going to happen with this immigration law, except that it doesn't appear congress will take it up soon. The ball might be squarely in the DOJ's court right now and that is fine. Gives me more time to do more learning about immigration law. What I know right now is what I've previously mentioned, and that it is a lot like gun law: fairly strict, but grossly under-enforced. Also, as was pointed out last night, drug smugglers aren't walking across borders. As long as Americans have a drug problem, smugglers will find a way to get it to us. And that is where the crime comes from.
However, above all of this, if you really want to curb illegal immigration, I've got three words: punish the companies. But that will never happen, because that would be against free market policies, right Republicans? Make up your minds. Oh one more note: Malkin yesterday said that border security is no safer than it was on September 11, 2001 and that is the fault of Democrats. Ummm....
--
Notes:
- Two coal miners are missing after a wall collapsed in Kentucky. This is not a Massey mine and it is a developing story.
- I refuse to link it, but I should mention that Tiger Woods is playing again today. No word on whether anyone else is involved. Real question though: should there be a fantasy league, just like a sports one, that takes bets on who is "meeting" Tiger at each tournament? Too soon?
- The Washington Capitols pulled a major choke job in game seven of their first round series last night, losing to Montreal. As Bill Simmons said, it is quite possible that Washington has surpassed Seattle as the nation's most depressed sports town. Also as Simmons said, at least the Emerald City has Pete Carroll for comedic value.
- Finally, in a surprising development, a formula created to identify the most despised team in baseball came up, not with the New York Yankees, but the Cleveland Indians. As they said on SportsCenter, "wait, what?"
- A late addition: a New York subway train was stopped, and all passengers fine, after an operator died in the cab yesterday during rush hour. The "Dead Man Feature" (its real name) was employed, the first time anyone can recall it being used, to stop the train. It is a lever that motormen hold throughout the day, that when released will stop the train. It is designed to prevent runaway trains. Sadly, it was proven yesterday that it works.
[More]
Republicans caved yesterday, finally allowing a cloture vote on financial reform to pass. It actually was just a unanimous consent motion instead of a vote this time, with no objection. No one is really saying they got much, other than an open debate and the ability to offer amendments. Now, that could be quite a bit if the number of amendments allowed is unlimited, but it seems that even the GOP realizes it would look bad to be on the wrong side of financial reform.
As one observer said, it is hard to justify participating in a hearing lambasting Goldman Sachs executives actions on Wall Street, then going next door and voting against financial reform.
One thing we tend to forget, with all of this focus on the Senate, is that the House has already passed financial reform. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (a job title I held in my congressional simulation class) has said that a conference is expected once the Senate completes its work.
--
To the lead story, which has actually gotten worse in the moments I have been writing this. Over the weekend, experts found two different leaks on the sea floor, related to the sunken oil rig from last week. It was estimated at the time that about 42,000 gallons of oil were spilling into the Gulf of Mexico every day. The good news was, due to the bends in the pipe caused by the sinking (imagine bending a hose too far), the leak was not as flowing as it could've been. The bad new is that workers have been unable to shut of the valve, meaning they are working on other ways to stop the leak.
Excuse me while I seemingly vent for a moment. I have taken quite a bit of time in the last few days learning about this. We are talking about BP (British Petroleum), which fought tighter federal safety regulations tooth and nail in the last few years. The rig in question was fairly new, about the size of a football field and state of the art. It was one-of-a-kind, drilling deeper than we've ever drilled before. While the clear point of the first part of the paragraph was to understate how something like this should never happen, the last sentence should illustrate just how ill-prepared we are to deal with it.
Just how ill-prepared are we? We (or BP - it's hard to tell really) can't even figure out how big the leak is yet. Late yesterday a third leak was discovered, with the Coast Guard estimating that five times the amount of oil is spilling into the ocean than previously thought. While yesterday it was an estimated 42,000 gallons each day, that number is now around 210,000 gallons. Put in simpler numbers, in just 52 days this would be larger than Exxon Valdez. Think that isn't possible? It is. With today's measures, 52 days would seem like forever, but workers have tried just about ever short term solution they can think of, which was one thing: shut off the valve. They've failed.
Initially yesterday, the plan was to burn off some of the oil, literally setting the surface on fire, but bad weather prevented that. They will try again today. It can't all be done this way, but from their experience, a significant amount can. However, one member of the Coast Guard had a telling statement: "this isn't something we do every day." No, it isn't. Stay tuned, as this will only get worse before it gets better.
--
And speaking of getting worse before getting better, how about Arizona. Oh, Arizona. Couple things. It appears that the DOJ - that's Department of Justice people - will be suing the state of Arizona, I suppose for privacy infringement. Not really sure. But still a positive development.
Last night I actually watched some evening news shows, which, if you can take even every breath with a grain of salt, can be entertaining to say the least. My favorite had to be Frank Luntz on Hannity. I learned about Luntz way back in high school. He is an expert Republican pollster and damn good at it. He creates messaging based on focus groups and polling, something everyone does now. But last night, to listen to him say, "most Americans are against financial reform," absolutely blew me away. Not only was he blatantly lying without even changing his expression, but he knew just how dishonest he was being probably more than anyone else. It was unreal. And of course it was on Fox (yes all of my conservative friends, I also watched Maddow and, ugh, parts of Olbermann last night. Fox is more entertaining though.)
Anyway, back to immigration. Hannity also had a debate on immigration. I have never seen Michelle Malkin so angry. Thought she might punch her opponent through the television screen. Here is something everyone needs to recognize about illegal immigration: it isn't illegal. The bill in Arizona made it illegal, in Arizona. Everywhere else in the country, illegal immigration is a civil offense. We don't throw you in jail, we send you home. That's it. Which is why I found it so interesting that Hannity and Malkin were screaming about following the letter of the law, since it is two-fold against them. One, it isn't illegal. Two, the biggest fears when profiling someone is that police ignore the law of needing another reason to stop someone (criminal activity) and just do it anyway. I don't want to get into the economic argument, even though there is one. I understand where Arizona is coming from. Watch as I represent both sides at the same time.
A few years ago I watched a movie called the Thin Blue Line. I remember it very well because we were watching in a class at UW during the same week that Virginia Tech happened. It was about a black man being profiled in Dallas for a murder he never admitted to committing. If I recall correctly, there was proof he didn't do it, but he was convicted anyway. People look at that as profiling. Sure, profiling was involved, but so was a racist jury. The problems go much deeper than saying, "he's black, let me pull him over."
Not too long after that I had a lengthy conversation with a black police officer in Seattle. His words to me: profiling helps me do my job. Surprisingly, I wasn't surprised. He's right. We make this big deal out of profiling, just like we do out of mandatory minimums, but ignore that in the majority of cases, the people actually committed crimes. This isn't the 1960's. If you have drugs in your car and you're mad that a cop made up a phony reason to pull you over, that doesn't change the fact that you have drugs in your car. You're worried about the wrong thing. I do believe that profiling probably does help police work. Does that make it right? No. But what neighborhood would you feel safer walking through, the poorer black neighborhood or the richer white one? Let's not act like police are the only profilers out there. Stereotypes exist for a reason.
Now, with that said, there is this thing about a right to privacy and profiling that is great about the Republican party. They are all for forfeiting some privacy in the name of security, unless it is there own. And they are all for profiling, which makes sense, because they are vastly white. No money trail is necessary. Just look at their faces.
It is unclear what is going to happen with this immigration law, except that it doesn't appear congress will take it up soon. The ball might be squarely in the DOJ's court right now and that is fine. Gives me more time to do more learning about immigration law. What I know right now is what I've previously mentioned, and that it is a lot like gun law: fairly strict, but grossly under-enforced. Also, as was pointed out last night, drug smugglers aren't walking across borders. As long as Americans have a drug problem, smugglers will find a way to get it to us. And that is where the crime comes from.
However, above all of this, if you really want to curb illegal immigration, I've got three words: punish the companies. But that will never happen, because that would be against free market policies, right Republicans? Make up your minds. Oh one more note: Malkin yesterday said that border security is no safer than it was on September 11, 2001 and that is the fault of Democrats. Ummm....
--
Notes:
- Two coal miners are missing after a wall collapsed in Kentucky. This is not a Massey mine and it is a developing story.
- I refuse to link it, but I should mention that Tiger Woods is playing again today. No word on whether anyone else is involved. Real question though: should there be a fantasy league, just like a sports one, that takes bets on who is "meeting" Tiger at each tournament? Too soon?
- The Washington Capitols pulled a major choke job in game seven of their first round series last night, losing to Montreal. As Bill Simmons said, it is quite possible that Washington has surpassed Seattle as the nation's most depressed sports town. Also as Simmons said, at least the Emerald City has Pete Carroll for comedic value.
- Finally, in a surprising development, a formula created to identify the most despised team in baseball came up, not with the New York Yankees, but the Cleveland Indians. As they said on SportsCenter, "wait, what?"
- A late addition: a New York subway train was stopped, and all passengers fine, after an operator died in the cab yesterday during rush hour. The "Dead Man Feature" (its real name) was employed, the first time anyone can recall it being used, to stop the train. It is a lever that motormen hold throughout the day, that when released will stop the train. It is designed to prevent runaway trains. Sadly, it was proven yesterday that it works.
Good Tuesday morning, where eggs and smoke bombs are sold separately, at the entrance to the Ukraine Parliament.
Not sure what is wilder, that news, or Hugh Hefner chipping in $900,000 to help buy the land the "Hollywood" sign is on, in order to prevent it from being taken down. Does he get the bunny logo in places of the "l"?
Many things happened yesterday, with many more to happen today, so what is the top headline in the New York Times? This really is awesome:
Yes, apparently PowerPoint, the wildly popular Microsoft presentation program, is the bane of the US military. Thy name is no longer "woman," but "PowerPoint." Seems a little ridiculous, right? According to the story, the military uses PowerPoint just about ever chance it gets. Said one general: "It's dangerous because it can create the illusion of understanding and the illusion of control. Some problems in the world are not bullet-izable."
The irony of that statement, in a war zone no less, is not lost on me.
This apparently goes back to a slide shown in a presentation in Kabul last summer, which was meant to portray the complexity of American military strategy. The article (which is headlined by the actual slide) says it, "looked more like a bowl of spaghetti." General Stanley A. McChrystal quipped, "when we understand that slide, we'll have won the war."
At which point Bill Gates will assume the throne.
--
- The daily well-known news update obviously comes from the financial reform bill, which hit the expected hurdle in the Senate yesterday. The body held a cloture vote yesterday, which is technically a vote to start debate, but amounts to voting to vote. Every present Republican voted against it, joined by Nebraska's own Ben Nelson.
In an interesting piece of procedural action, and something I understand from a class I took at UW, Majority Leader Harry Reid switched his vote at the last minute, to vote against the measure. Why? If you are on the winning side of a vote, whether it be yes or no, you can call for a repeat vote on the measure, something expected as soon as today. Had he voted yes, the issue would technically have been settled. I stress, technically. As one congressman said recently, "there ain't no rules around here. We just make 'em up as we go along."
- There is an interesting look at South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham in today's Times. Maybe the best quote came from Senator Joe Lieberman, in response to Graham being called a "Mini-John McCain." "He's a maxi-Lindsey. He's not a mini anybody."
The Senator is obviously working with Lieberman, or was, as well as John Kerry, on energy legislation. More on that later.
- Or right now. Graham met with his two counterparts last night, in an effort to continue pushing the stalled energy legislation forward. Kerry continues to be positive, in public at least, while Graham has made his stance pretty clear: scrap immigration or I'm outta here.
I explained yesterday just why immigration has even come up. It isn't going anywhere. But Graham, who made it clear this was about a promise made to him, not his ability to do more than one thing at a time, may have a point. Energy may be the toughest bill any congress passes. Tougher than health care, immigration, even Social Security. There are just too many competing interests. The fact that an oil rig can explode in the Gulf, spilling 42,000 gallons of oil a day into the ocean and killing 11 people (and the fact I said it in that order), just weeks after a coal mine exploded, killing 29 (yet an executive at Massey is quoted today as saying the air in the mine was normal just 10 minutes before the explosion) and not cause an immediate outcry for energy reform, should be enough to get this point across. If not, realize that only 6,000 people are employed by the coal industry, yet the number one issue with the legislation is the loss of coal jobs.
I came up with an idea yesterday: let's re-employ these people. I can't wait for my Republican friend's responses here, but hear me out. The fact is that these 6,000 jobs are going to go the way of the more than 25,000 that came before them. The coal industry employs 1/5th of the workforce it did 70 years ago, despite producing the exact same amount of coal. Mechanization, as I keep saying, has changed the industry, for the better, unless you're a worker.
So let's move them. It's only 6,000 people. We will take our investments in clean energy, train these workers to work at wind farms or manufacturers, and help them stay just as financially stable as they are right now, if not better. If they need to move to do it, fine, we'll move them. It's 6,000 people. We aren't talking about moving Boeing here. The US government once made a living displacing populations larger than that. This time we'll just pay for it. Think we won't get a return? Oh yes we will. We'll have qualified, trained workers, building wind turbines and installing a smart grid. They will be in cleaner, healthy conditions, meaning less liability for government health care programs and, unfortunately at this point, mine regulation. We will do it phases, sure. But it needs to be done. And it should start with Massey workers.
If you're actually interested in that, I'll flush it out more in another post. Let me know.
Anyway, check out the Graham piece. He's an interesting guy, but by far my favorite Republican in congress. Yes, more than nuclear-charged Lamar Alexander. Here's a quote from Graham: "I'm in the mid- to high 60s [polling], and my negatives are in the 20s," he said. "Now, what I've done is, I used to be in the 80s. But what's the use of being here if you can't move the ball forward."
Think that's rhetoric? He voted for Justice Sonia Sotomeyor, has been censured three times in his own state, has a legislator (I think) in his home state calling for him to "come out," and was once lumped in with President Obama in a treason charge by a constituent. But there he is, humming along with John Kerry, one of the most liberal members of congress, trying to "move the ball forward."
--
- You have absolutely no reason to care about this whatsoever, but I do. As I was searching for the orgin of the quote the Times parodied in the headline above (it was Hamlet I think, but I first heard it spoken by Sam Seaborn in West Wing), I came across this 2001 profile of Aaron Sorkin, the creator of my favorite television show, written right after he rewrote season three to coincide with September 11.
- When it comes to business, gender aside, Maria Cantwell is not someone I would want as an enemy, period. When you can finance your own campaign against an entrenched Republican and unseat him, you've done some things right in your life financially. Just sayin'.
- In the Fix morning notes there is a look at a new poll on just how uninterested youth are in the upcoming election. In a shocking development, 18-29 year olds really don't care. Sarcasm aside, the Fix points out that the actual percentage of young voters hasn't actually changed much, only the party they voted for did. Obama won the 18-29 vote 2-1.
- Finally, this is the University of Oregon. Painful.
[More]
Not sure what is wilder, that news, or Hugh Hefner chipping in $900,000 to help buy the land the "Hollywood" sign is on, in order to prevent it from being taken down. Does he get the bunny logo in places of the "l"?
Many things happened yesterday, with many more to happen today, so what is the top headline in the New York Times? This really is awesome:
The irony of that statement, in a war zone no less, is not lost on me.
This apparently goes back to a slide shown in a presentation in Kabul last summer, which was meant to portray the complexity of American military strategy. The article (which is headlined by the actual slide) says it, "looked more like a bowl of spaghetti." General Stanley A. McChrystal quipped, "when we understand that slide, we'll have won the war."
At which point Bill Gates will assume the throne.
--
- The daily well-known news update obviously comes from the financial reform bill, which hit the expected hurdle in the Senate yesterday. The body held a cloture vote yesterday, which is technically a vote to start debate, but amounts to voting to vote. Every present Republican voted against it, joined by Nebraska's own Ben Nelson.
In an interesting piece of procedural action, and something I understand from a class I took at UW, Majority Leader Harry Reid switched his vote at the last minute, to vote against the measure. Why? If you are on the winning side of a vote, whether it be yes or no, you can call for a repeat vote on the measure, something expected as soon as today. Had he voted yes, the issue would technically have been settled. I stress, technically. As one congressman said recently, "there ain't no rules around here. We just make 'em up as we go along."
- There is an interesting look at South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham in today's Times. Maybe the best quote came from Senator Joe Lieberman, in response to Graham being called a "Mini-John McCain." "He's a maxi-Lindsey. He's not a mini anybody."
The Senator is obviously working with Lieberman, or was, as well as John Kerry, on energy legislation. More on that later.
- Or right now. Graham met with his two counterparts last night, in an effort to continue pushing the stalled energy legislation forward. Kerry continues to be positive, in public at least, while Graham has made his stance pretty clear: scrap immigration or I'm outta here.
I explained yesterday just why immigration has even come up. It isn't going anywhere. But Graham, who made it clear this was about a promise made to him, not his ability to do more than one thing at a time, may have a point. Energy may be the toughest bill any congress passes. Tougher than health care, immigration, even Social Security. There are just too many competing interests. The fact that an oil rig can explode in the Gulf, spilling 42,000 gallons of oil a day into the ocean and killing 11 people (and the fact I said it in that order), just weeks after a coal mine exploded, killing 29 (yet an executive at Massey is quoted today as saying the air in the mine was normal just 10 minutes before the explosion) and not cause an immediate outcry for energy reform, should be enough to get this point across. If not, realize that only 6,000 people are employed by the coal industry, yet the number one issue with the legislation is the loss of coal jobs.
I came up with an idea yesterday: let's re-employ these people. I can't wait for my Republican friend's responses here, but hear me out. The fact is that these 6,000 jobs are going to go the way of the more than 25,000 that came before them. The coal industry employs 1/5th of the workforce it did 70 years ago, despite producing the exact same amount of coal. Mechanization, as I keep saying, has changed the industry, for the better, unless you're a worker.
So let's move them. It's only 6,000 people. We will take our investments in clean energy, train these workers to work at wind farms or manufacturers, and help them stay just as financially stable as they are right now, if not better. If they need to move to do it, fine, we'll move them. It's 6,000 people. We aren't talking about moving Boeing here. The US government once made a living displacing populations larger than that. This time we'll just pay for it. Think we won't get a return? Oh yes we will. We'll have qualified, trained workers, building wind turbines and installing a smart grid. They will be in cleaner, healthy conditions, meaning less liability for government health care programs and, unfortunately at this point, mine regulation. We will do it phases, sure. But it needs to be done. And it should start with Massey workers.
If you're actually interested in that, I'll flush it out more in another post. Let me know.
Anyway, check out the Graham piece. He's an interesting guy, but by far my favorite Republican in congress. Yes, more than nuclear-charged Lamar Alexander. Here's a quote from Graham: "I'm in the mid- to high 60s [polling], and my negatives are in the 20s," he said. "Now, what I've done is, I used to be in the 80s. But what's the use of being here if you can't move the ball forward."
Think that's rhetoric? He voted for Justice Sonia Sotomeyor, has been censured three times in his own state, has a legislator (I think) in his home state calling for him to "come out," and was once lumped in with President Obama in a treason charge by a constituent. But there he is, humming along with John Kerry, one of the most liberal members of congress, trying to "move the ball forward."
--
- You have absolutely no reason to care about this whatsoever, but I do. As I was searching for the orgin of the quote the Times parodied in the headline above (it was Hamlet I think, but I first heard it spoken by Sam Seaborn in West Wing), I came across this 2001 profile of Aaron Sorkin, the creator of my favorite television show, written right after he rewrote season three to coincide with September 11.
- When it comes to business, gender aside, Maria Cantwell is not someone I would want as an enemy, period. When you can finance your own campaign against an entrenched Republican and unseat him, you've done some things right in your life financially. Just sayin'.
- In the Fix morning notes there is a look at a new poll on just how uninterested youth are in the upcoming election. In a shocking development, 18-29 year olds really don't care. Sarcasm aside, the Fix points out that the actual percentage of young voters hasn't actually changed much, only the party they voted for did. Obama won the 18-29 vote 2-1.
- Finally, this is the University of Oregon. Painful.
Happy National Pretzel Day, from the department of useless knowledge. One pretzel company is handing out their product free outside the Fox News headquarters in New York City this morning.
It is hard to explain exactly what is about to happen this week. From a big picture standpoint, some things will certainly become clear today, such as just how close Democrats are to passing financial reform. Despite all the signs pointing the opposite direction, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has held firm on his decision to begin voting on the measure today. First will come the vote as to whether the debate can even be held, one in which the threshold is 60 votes. If that passes, the bill will pass shortly after.
If not, well, who knows. But, as Senator Chris Dodd put it yesterday, it's been about 17 months since this people basically, "broke into our house and robbed us. And 17 months later, we haven't even changed the locks yet." We'll see if the locksmith comes today, as there were reports overnight that a deal had been reached. This is one of those issues that just about everyone agrees has to be done and few even disagree on how to do it. The problem is weeding out those who oppose it just because that's what they do (Mitch McConnell).
So, what's next?
Well, that is where the debate starts. Today was supposed to be the unveiling of a new, tri-partisan comprehensive clean energy and climate bill. I stress supposed to be. Senators John Kerry, Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham were set to hold a press conference revealing the fruits of months of work that would for sure be hated by industry and environmentalists alike, but would at least get the ball rolling toward new energy policy.
Then Arizona happened.
Last Friday, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law a bill that, among other things, allows (in fact requires) local police officers to request proof of legal residence from anyone who they have reason to believe is an illegal immigrant.
Obviously, there seem to be some serious issues there. And obviously, that immediately caught the attention of the federal government. So, during the last week there has been a change in tide that would push immigration ahead of energy and climate. Only problem: Graham. The South Carolina Senator said he would pull his support from climate if the Senate takes up immigration first. Climate, in addition, is way ahead of immigration, with steps that can't really be skipped still to come, such as committee work. Reid hinted at such in a statement on Saturday.
In that same story, Kerry reiterated that we may be looking at the, "last, best shot," at energy legislation. And, like I said all throughout the health care debate, this is far more difficult than that was and far more divisive. Speaking of health care, recall that Graham was also pessimistic about continuing with climate after that vote. Yet, here we are.
Anyway, back to the immigration law. I wrote about this before, but there are a couple of rather conservative points I want to make about this bill. But before that, know that I recognize just how awful of a bill it is and shows just how far we've come from being the haven for immigrants across the world.
On Saturday Night Live this weekend, Seth Meyers tackled the issue, saying:
As for the law itself, here are the two points:
- If Latinos voted, this would never have happened. Of the 131 million voters in the 2008 election, barely over 7 percent of them were Latino. Between 2004 and 2008, the number of eligible Latino voters increased more than 20 percent, while the actual voting number increased just more than 2 percent. Latinos are the largest and fastest growing minority group in the country. But, and yes I understand there was a special circumstance, almost twice as many blacks voted in the 2008 elections than Latinos.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2008, Latinos represented 30 percent of Arizona's population. Want to know how many members of that state's delegation have Latino names? One. And he doesn't represent Phoenix. The problem with this isn't just bad representation for a community. There is also no big push to court the Latino vote because chances are they just aren't going to vote. One congressman threatened to tell Latinos to stay home in November if the federal government doesn't take up immigration reform. That isn't necessary.
No, I am not blaming Latinos for the stupidity of their elected officials. But, every time I see a sign at these Tea Party rallies that says, "we need term limits," the same thing comes to mind: we have term limits. They're called elections. Show up and vote.
(Side note, the Tea Party organizers could really take a page out of the Earth Day Network's book. The Climate Rally yesterday had tens of thousands of people, meaning they didn't have to lie about the total number. That compared to the Tea Party rally, which had about 5,000, maybe.
- This was a smart move by Arizona. Pick your jaw up off the ground. The fact is this: illegal immigration is a major problem in the state, especially in the southern part and especially given the economic climate. The job of fixing it lies with the federal government. But it isn't happening. A good immigration law would have gotten little attention. This is a national story instantly. Clearly, Congress is paying attention. On that front, it worked. Not sure the Arizona legislature deserves that much credit, but the result works for them.
So, like I said, should be an interesting week.
Notes:
- Got a email this morning saying that it could take months to stop the leaking well in the Gulf of Mexico. It is spilling about 42,000 gallons of oil into the gulf everyday.
- Get your tans now, as the new "Tan Tax" will kick in July 1.
- Interesting note, with no link: we have been giving Congress a lot of crap about the partisan bickering and inability to get anything done, both of which seem factual. But I had a conversation on Saturday in which a point was made that should be recognized. During probably the most partisan era we have ever had, we are also seeing debate and work on some of the biggest issues we have ever faced. Yes, it's taken billions, even trillions of dollars in commitments (much of which is offset in many ways), but we are addressing a myriad of major issues right now and making significant progress. From the stimulus, to equal pay laws, to health care, to financial reform that looks increasingly more likely everyday, this Congress, in about 15 months, has achieved huge returns. And, if even one more bill passes, whether it is energy or immigration, it would be hard to find a Congress in a very long time with this much success. We have to remember to give credit where credit is due.
- WARNING: Watch this video at your own risk. Yesterday, former Mariner Chris Jakubauskas was on the receiving end of the scariest play in sports (in my opinion), when he was drilled squarely in the face by a line drive off the bat of the Astros Lance Berkman. Jakubauskas has a concussion and was placed on the DL. No word yet on whether he was able to fly home with the team.
- Finally, this is one of those things that maybe wasn't amazing writing, but so well delivered by the president. The eulogy of 29 miners in West Virginia:
[More]
It is hard to explain exactly what is about to happen this week. From a big picture standpoint, some things will certainly become clear today, such as just how close Democrats are to passing financial reform. Despite all the signs pointing the opposite direction, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has held firm on his decision to begin voting on the measure today. First will come the vote as to whether the debate can even be held, one in which the threshold is 60 votes. If that passes, the bill will pass shortly after.
If not, well, who knows. But, as Senator Chris Dodd put it yesterday, it's been about 17 months since this people basically, "broke into our house and robbed us. And 17 months later, we haven't even changed the locks yet." We'll see if the locksmith comes today, as there were reports overnight that a deal had been reached. This is one of those issues that just about everyone agrees has to be done and few even disagree on how to do it. The problem is weeding out those who oppose it just because that's what they do (Mitch McConnell).
So, what's next?
Well, that is where the debate starts. Today was supposed to be the unveiling of a new, tri-partisan comprehensive clean energy and climate bill. I stress supposed to be. Senators John Kerry, Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham were set to hold a press conference revealing the fruits of months of work that would for sure be hated by industry and environmentalists alike, but would at least get the ball rolling toward new energy policy.
Then Arizona happened.
Last Friday, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law a bill that, among other things, allows (in fact requires) local police officers to request proof of legal residence from anyone who they have reason to believe is an illegal immigrant.
Obviously, there seem to be some serious issues there. And obviously, that immediately caught the attention of the federal government. So, during the last week there has been a change in tide that would push immigration ahead of energy and climate. Only problem: Graham. The South Carolina Senator said he would pull his support from climate if the Senate takes up immigration first. Climate, in addition, is way ahead of immigration, with steps that can't really be skipped still to come, such as committee work. Reid hinted at such in a statement on Saturday.
In that same story, Kerry reiterated that we may be looking at the, "last, best shot," at energy legislation. And, like I said all throughout the health care debate, this is far more difficult than that was and far more divisive. Speaking of health care, recall that Graham was also pessimistic about continuing with climate after that vote. Yet, here we are.
Anyway, back to the immigration law. I wrote about this before, but there are a couple of rather conservative points I want to make about this bill. But before that, know that I recognize just how awful of a bill it is and shows just how far we've come from being the haven for immigrants across the world.
On Saturday Night Live this weekend, Seth Meyers tackled the issue, saying:
This week, Arizona signed the toughest illegal immigration law in the country which will allow police to demand identification papers from anyone they suspect is in the country illegally.Whether you think that is funny or not, it's true.
I know there’s some people in Arizona worried that Obama is acting like Hitler, but could we all agree that there’s nothing more Nazi than saying “Show me your papers”? There’s never been a World War II movie that didn’t include the line “show me your papers”. It’s their catchphrase. Every time someone says “show me your papers”, Hitler’s family gets a residual check.
So heads up, Arizona; that’s fascism. I know, I know, it’s a dry fascism, but it’s still fascism.
As for the law itself, here are the two points:
- If Latinos voted, this would never have happened. Of the 131 million voters in the 2008 election, barely over 7 percent of them were Latino. Between 2004 and 2008, the number of eligible Latino voters increased more than 20 percent, while the actual voting number increased just more than 2 percent. Latinos are the largest and fastest growing minority group in the country. But, and yes I understand there was a special circumstance, almost twice as many blacks voted in the 2008 elections than Latinos.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2008, Latinos represented 30 percent of Arizona's population. Want to know how many members of that state's delegation have Latino names? One. And he doesn't represent Phoenix. The problem with this isn't just bad representation for a community. There is also no big push to court the Latino vote because chances are they just aren't going to vote. One congressman threatened to tell Latinos to stay home in November if the federal government doesn't take up immigration reform. That isn't necessary.
No, I am not blaming Latinos for the stupidity of their elected officials. But, every time I see a sign at these Tea Party rallies that says, "we need term limits," the same thing comes to mind: we have term limits. They're called elections. Show up and vote.
(Side note, the Tea Party organizers could really take a page out of the Earth Day Network's book. The Climate Rally yesterday had tens of thousands of people, meaning they didn't have to lie about the total number. That compared to the Tea Party rally, which had about 5,000, maybe.
- This was a smart move by Arizona. Pick your jaw up off the ground. The fact is this: illegal immigration is a major problem in the state, especially in the southern part and especially given the economic climate. The job of fixing it lies with the federal government. But it isn't happening. A good immigration law would have gotten little attention. This is a national story instantly. Clearly, Congress is paying attention. On that front, it worked. Not sure the Arizona legislature deserves that much credit, but the result works for them.
So, like I said, should be an interesting week.
Notes:
- Got a email this morning saying that it could take months to stop the leaking well in the Gulf of Mexico. It is spilling about 42,000 gallons of oil into the gulf everyday.
- Get your tans now, as the new "Tan Tax" will kick in July 1.
- Interesting note, with no link: we have been giving Congress a lot of crap about the partisan bickering and inability to get anything done, both of which seem factual. But I had a conversation on Saturday in which a point was made that should be recognized. During probably the most partisan era we have ever had, we are also seeing debate and work on some of the biggest issues we have ever faced. Yes, it's taken billions, even trillions of dollars in commitments (much of which is offset in many ways), but we are addressing a myriad of major issues right now and making significant progress. From the stimulus, to equal pay laws, to health care, to financial reform that looks increasingly more likely everyday, this Congress, in about 15 months, has achieved huge returns. And, if even one more bill passes, whether it is energy or immigration, it would be hard to find a Congress in a very long time with this much success. We have to remember to give credit where credit is due.
- WARNING: Watch this video at your own risk. Yesterday, former Mariner Chris Jakubauskas was on the receiving end of the scariest play in sports (in my opinion), when he was drilled squarely in the face by a line drive off the bat of the Astros Lance Berkman. Jakubauskas has a concussion and was placed on the DL. No word yet on whether he was able to fly home with the team.
- Finally, this is one of those things that maybe wasn't amazing writing, but so well delivered by the president. The eulogy of 29 miners in West Virginia:
"How can we fail them? How can a nation that relies on its miners not do everything in its power to protect them? How can we let anyone in this country put their lives at risk by simply showing up to work; by simply pursuing the American dream?"