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The top story of the year is the continued slide towards to New Feudalism, with the middle and working classes becoming once again serfs to the top 1 to 2% of the wealth holders in the nation, and the final blow to democracy, the legitimization of Unbridled Corporate Sponsorship of all elected offices.
And of course their T-Bill Party, the ongoing process where the ultrarich buy government debt and hold the rest of us hostage for the interest.
Plus, of course, the halfwit Tea Party in all its variations, which serves as a cheering section for the whole suicidal process.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Skiing/Boarding Survival Safety on Snowy Days
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The following site contains two pictures of interest, and you are free to send this link, or download and send the pictures, for non-commercial use anywhere it will do some good:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/keachie/sets/72157625711571822/with/4399114524/
I’ve never had more views of photos than the two I posted, 78, and 71 views in the first day up. After thinking and mourning the unknown to me skier, but ask not for whom the bell tolls, I realized the following:
Your cell is worthless, backside of Squaw, Alpine:
Nine simple lightweight small, cheap safety devices, especially for Squaw and Alpine:
Compass (can even be a toy)
Two way walkie talkie, (can be smallest least powerful kind)
Whistle, should be loudest kind.
partial roll toilet paper
$14 Space Blanket, red and silver, possibly two of these
matches and candle
knife, to whittle wood shavings, to add to TP, to start fire.
flashlite, same sized batteries as radio, and possible just a tiny clip on the visor LED light.
50 feet 1/4 parachute cord, any color but white, for tent or stretching out Space Blanket for signal visible from air using poles and skis.
I am now convinced that Shawnte Marie Willis had a bad fall while traversing the ridge in high winds and possibly foggy white out conditions. She got up, and began riding down hill, unaware that she was going to the left, instead of to the right.
As Squaw and Alpine share the crest of the Sierra Nevada in the same way, i.e., it runs north south, and the ski area bowls are to the east of the crest, a compass can tell you, regardless of visibility, if you are in or out of bounds.
If upslope is in the direction that is east, you have gone out of bounds off the backside. Your cell is worthless on the backside, but the walkie talkie is good for at least a couple of hundred yards, enough for nearby rescuers to find you. The bigger the radio and more batteries you’re willing to carry, the better. The more clothing and food, especially peanuts and raisins and chocolate.
Read: Sierra Club's, "Manual of Ski Mountaineering"
You shouldn't have to carry all this stuff on every day, just on the snowy days.
BTW, the biggest and baddest radio I've found in a quick search, 35 mile optimal range, includes flashlight, for $89 a pair, is:
MR355R rechargeable Two-Way Radio
It also takes AA batteries, and lithium would be best for all radios and flashlights.
The following site contains two pictures of interest, and you are free to send this link, or download and send the pictures, for non-commercial use anywhere it will do some good:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/keachie/sets/72157625711571822/with/4399114524/
I’ve never had more views of photos than the two I posted, 78, and 71 views in the first day up. After thinking and mourning the unknown to me skier, but ask not for whom the bell tolls, I realized the following:
Your cell is worthless, backside of Squaw, Alpine:
Nine simple lightweight small, cheap safety devices, especially for Squaw and Alpine:
Compass (can even be a toy)
Two way walkie talkie, (can be smallest least powerful kind)
Whistle, should be loudest kind.
partial roll toilet paper
$14 Space Blanket, red and silver, possibly two of these
matches and candle
knife, to whittle wood shavings, to add to TP, to start fire.
flashlite, same sized batteries as radio, and possible just a tiny clip on the visor LED light.
50 feet 1/4 parachute cord, any color but white, for tent or stretching out Space Blanket for signal visible from air using poles and skis.
I am now convinced that Shawnte Marie Willis had a bad fall while traversing the ridge in high winds and possibly foggy white out conditions. She got up, and began riding down hill, unaware that she was going to the left, instead of to the right.
As Squaw and Alpine share the crest of the Sierra Nevada in the same way, i.e., it runs north south, and the ski area bowls are to the east of the crest, a compass can tell you, regardless of visibility, if you are in or out of bounds.
If upslope is in the direction that is east, you have gone out of bounds off the backside. Your cell is worthless on the backside, but the walkie talkie is good for at least a couple of hundred yards, enough for nearby rescuers to find you. The bigger the radio and more batteries you’re willing to carry, the better. The more clothing and food, especially peanuts and raisins and chocolate.
Read: Sierra Club's, "Manual of Ski Mountaineering"
You shouldn't have to carry all this stuff on every day, just on the snowy days.
BTW, the biggest and baddest radio I've found in a quick search, 35 mile optimal range, includes flashlight, for $89 a pair, is:
MR355R rechargeable Two-Way Radio
It also takes AA batteries, and lithium would be best for all radios and flashlights.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Obama's FCC Just Sold Your Facebook Page into Slavery
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While it is confusing, Obama has become our first ATandT ATT President of the USA. The door is open to make sure that what happens on the commercial airways (20 minutes of commercials for every 40 minutes of programming) will now happen on the internet. To get current day access speeds for pages, hosting sites will have to pay extra for there stuff to go through. To do so, they will have to take up more screen real estate and wait time for content (preceded by advertising) than they do today. Little guy websites will be activating web browser time outs, and you will click multiple times to finally get through to your family's website, or just give up.
This is NOT what I elected Obama to do. He will lose in 2012, if he is even nominated. The tax giveaway was one thing, this is much, much bigger. Telecomms should be in the business of moving bytes down wires, at a flat rate, perhaps tiered by volume alone, not dictating content based on dollar$. Nationalize them now, and end this nonsense.
BTW, the main initial hit will affect your wireless devices only, but the camel's nose is into the tent.
Douglas Keachie, Christmas, 2010
CLICK on the title of the post to see a good article about this
***************************************************************
BTW, the timing of this, to coincide with the Gays, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," bill passing, was not a coincidence. Just look at what the press is covering. "look at my thumb" thwack! "you are so dumb!" From Animal House.
While it is confusing, Obama has become our first ATandT ATT President of the USA. The door is open to make sure that what happens on the commercial airways (20 minutes of commercials for every 40 minutes of programming) will now happen on the internet. To get current day access speeds for pages, hosting sites will have to pay extra for there stuff to go through. To do so, they will have to take up more screen real estate and wait time for content (preceded by advertising) than they do today. Little guy websites will be activating web browser time outs, and you will click multiple times to finally get through to your family's website, or just give up.
This is NOT what I elected Obama to do. He will lose in 2012, if he is even nominated. The tax giveaway was one thing, this is much, much bigger. Telecomms should be in the business of moving bytes down wires, at a flat rate, perhaps tiered by volume alone, not dictating content based on dollar$. Nationalize them now, and end this nonsense.
BTW, the main initial hit will affect your wireless devices only, but the camel's nose is into the tent.
Douglas Keachie, Christmas, 2010
CLICK on the title of the post to see a good article about this
***************************************************************
BTW, the timing of this, to coincide with the Gays, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," bill passing, was not a coincidence. Just look at what the press is covering. "look at my thumb" thwack! "you are so dumb!" From Animal House.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Why This Storm is Not the Noah's Ark Sequel
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It rained 40 days and 40 nights. It never even says at what rate per hour. To seriously do it in that time span, if we assume 30,000 feet for simplicity’s sake(amount it takes to drown Everest), that would be 30,000 x 12 or 360,000 inches in 40 24 hour days which equals 9000 inches per 24 hours. or 9000/24 which is roughly 400 inches per hour. You would of course be substantially affecting the mass of the earth and introducing changes in the orbit and rotation speed of the earth and possibly the nearby planets. At seven inches or so per minute, Noah’s Ark would have to be completely sealed or it would have sunk. How much air would have their been inside the ark for the animals and Noah to breath? They would have suffocated in no time at all.
And again, after God pulls the plug at the bottom of the ocean to bring things back to normal, he also hides all the evidence, orbital changes, incredible erosion, cosmic explosions at the sites of live volcanos, etc???
It rained 40 days and 40 nights. It never even says at what rate per hour. To seriously do it in that time span, if we assume 30,000 feet for simplicity’s sake(amount it takes to drown Everest), that would be 30,000 x 12 or 360,000 inches in 40 24 hour days which equals 9000 inches per 24 hours. or 9000/24 which is roughly 400 inches per hour. You would of course be substantially affecting the mass of the earth and introducing changes in the orbit and rotation speed of the earth and possibly the nearby planets. At seven inches or so per minute, Noah’s Ark would have to be completely sealed or it would have sunk. How much air would have their been inside the ark for the animals and Noah to breath? They would have suffocated in no time at all.
And again, after God pulls the plug at the bottom of the ocean to bring things back to normal, he also hides all the evidence, orbital changes, incredible erosion, cosmic explosions at the sites of live volcanos, etc???
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Will Obama Be re-Elected in 2012 ?
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Obama has two years in which to unmask the T-Bill Party.
When I speak of the T Bill Party I speak of the amazing propaganda machine that has caused tens of millions of Americans to vote entirely against their own best interests, and in favor of saddling themselves with even more debt.
With the inrush of fresh Republican millionaires to the Congress, it now appears that the top 2% of Americans will receive yet more money than is necessary to live a comfortable life.
What will they do with the money?
They sure as heck will not be creating jobs with it.
Instead, they will buy government paper, and guess who will be paying the interest on that paper? The poor folks that are the T Bill Party’s spawn, the members of the various Tea Parties around the country, including the fools locally in the Tea Party Patriots, except of course those members making over $250,000 a year. How many members of the local Tea Party have that sort of income? How many advertisers does CABPRO have? What percentage of the local Tea Party Party’s membership is that?
So there you go. If the lower echelons start asking about the promised jobs, the Republicans will tell them, “Obama’s still in control.”
So, if Obama can do as good a job at telling the truth, as the T Bill Party has done at lying through their teeth, Obama does stand a chance.
Obama has two years in which to unmask the T-Bill Party.
When I speak of the T Bill Party I speak of the amazing propaganda machine that has caused tens of millions of Americans to vote entirely against their own best interests, and in favor of saddling themselves with even more debt.
With the inrush of fresh Republican millionaires to the Congress, it now appears that the top 2% of Americans will receive yet more money than is necessary to live a comfortable life.
What will they do with the money?
They sure as heck will not be creating jobs with it.
Instead, they will buy government paper, and guess who will be paying the interest on that paper? The poor folks that are the T Bill Party’s spawn, the members of the various Tea Parties around the country, including the fools locally in the Tea Party Patriots, except of course those members making over $250,000 a year. How many members of the local Tea Party have that sort of income? How many advertisers does CABPRO have? What percentage of the local Tea Party Party’s membership is that?
So there you go. If the lower echelons start asking about the promised jobs, the Republicans will tell them, “Obama’s still in control.”
So, if Obama can do as good a job at telling the truth, as the T Bill Party has done at lying through their teeth, Obama does stand a chance.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Using Tasers to Secure Airplanes
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If every adult sober passenger is issued a specialized taser as they enter a plane, and has to return it at the end of the flight, it might discourage hijacking.
Only one in every six tasers would actually be capable of a full stun charge. Every taser would have a disable button, that the passenger could depress at any time. Thus if the passenger didn't want to be part of the defense team, they could hit the button. If a passenger felt that they were about to be overpowered, they could hit the button. There would be no indicator on the device to tell if the button had been pushed.
In addition, there would be an initializer sequence button, which would prevent the unit from being used for 20 seconds. This would be a double interlocked system requiring both hands to operate. Any taser in the process of setting up for use would immediately sound alarms throughout the plane, and would flash red lights in the general vicinity of the soon to be activated taser.
The end result of this would be that the element of surprise is taken away from the terrorists, should they try to use the tasers. Inadvertant activations are virtually eliminated, yet the power of several hundred suddenly armed passengers can be brought to bear on the terrorists. All in all, coupled in with the secure cockpits, it makes it very hard to use the plane as a guided missile, 9/11 style.
Other than booking half the flight, it would be very difficult for a terrorist to take control of a plane, regardless of any weapons they get past TSA. And, for good measure, keep those armed sky marshals flying.
If every adult sober passenger is issued a specialized taser as they enter a plane, and has to return it at the end of the flight, it might discourage hijacking.
Only one in every six tasers would actually be capable of a full stun charge. Every taser would have a disable button, that the passenger could depress at any time. Thus if the passenger didn't want to be part of the defense team, they could hit the button. If a passenger felt that they were about to be overpowered, they could hit the button. There would be no indicator on the device to tell if the button had been pushed.
In addition, there would be an initializer sequence button, which would prevent the unit from being used for 20 seconds. This would be a double interlocked system requiring both hands to operate. Any taser in the process of setting up for use would immediately sound alarms throughout the plane, and would flash red lights in the general vicinity of the soon to be activated taser.
The end result of this would be that the element of surprise is taken away from the terrorists, should they try to use the tasers. Inadvertant activations are virtually eliminated, yet the power of several hundred suddenly armed passengers can be brought to bear on the terrorists. All in all, coupled in with the secure cockpits, it makes it very hard to use the plane as a guided missile, 9/11 style.
Other than booking half the flight, it would be very difficult for a terrorist to take control of a plane, regardless of any weapons they get past TSA. And, for good measure, keep those armed sky marshals flying.
Why You Might Look Forward to a TSA Body Scan...
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As I said before, doctors should be consulted, to add a few tumor detecting features to the TSA scanners.
Then you have a master scan done at the hospital and transferred to a chip. The chip goes in the scanner at the airport’s computer, which then does a live, on the spot scan, with no humans observing. If there is a difference, then a human is called in. This way, every time you flew, you’d be getting a free scan, that might save your life by catching something way early. And your privacy would be saved, and the scanner lines would probably move a lot faster, as the machine would be doing the looking and comparing.
So I’ve sped up screening, and saved millions in health care dollars, what more do you want from me this morning?
As I said before, doctors should be consulted, to add a few tumor detecting features to the TSA scanners.
Then you have a master scan done at the hospital and transferred to a chip. The chip goes in the scanner at the airport’s computer, which then does a live, on the spot scan, with no humans observing. If there is a difference, then a human is called in. This way, every time you flew, you’d be getting a free scan, that might save your life by catching something way early. And your privacy would be saved, and the scanner lines would probably move a lot faster, as the machine would be doing the looking and comparing.
So I’ve sped up screening, and saved millions in health care dollars, what more do you want from me this morning?
Monday, November 08, 2010
How to Redraw Legislative Districts Fairly
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A "commission" will evolve to just as bad as the legislature itself.
The only fair system I can conceive of is using the census data, and a group of students and faculty, from a different UC campus computer science department each election, to design a program that defines the lines of the districts, one year in advance of the election. The program is run 3 different ways, faculty final design, student final design, and compromise, including design elements of both. Faculty and students work together to get to a near final design.
The legislature then has 30 days to take one of the three, or it defaults to a coin toss.
A "commission" will evolve to just as bad as the legislature itself.
The only fair system I can conceive of is using the census data, and a group of students and faculty, from a different UC campus computer science department each election, to design a program that defines the lines of the districts, one year in advance of the election. The program is run 3 different ways, faculty final design, student final design, and compromise, including design elements of both. Faculty and students work together to get to a near final design.
The legislature then has 30 days to take one of the three, or it defaults to a coin toss.
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Political Ads Making Fun of the Handicapped
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Focusing on Bouncing Obama is a myoptic delusional approach to making the USA stronger, in an increasingly rougher global economy.
After two years of this kind of crap, it's time for the Tepid Party Lite, AKA, the Republican Party, to get out of diapers and stop with the temper tantrums.
And the first person of TPP persuasion that screams, "HONOR OUR MANDATE!" with be reminded by me, "Why should we, you never honored ours."
BTW, there's no mandate in the Senate, and there's no way in hell I'll ever vote for a Republican after watching the anti-Ami Bera ads where they deliberately used slo mo and repeated frames to make the distinguished MD and professor, look like a drool cup special ed adult. The most deliberately dishonest and make fun of the handicapped ad I've ever seen. Duck Lundgren!
Focusing on Bouncing Obama is a myoptic delusional approach to making the USA stronger, in an increasingly rougher global economy.
After two years of this kind of crap, it's time for the Tepid Party Lite, AKA, the Republican Party, to get out of diapers and stop with the temper tantrums.
And the first person of TPP persuasion that screams, "HONOR OUR MANDATE!" with be reminded by me, "Why should we, you never honored ours."
BTW, there's no mandate in the Senate, and there's no way in hell I'll ever vote for a Republican after watching the anti-Ami Bera ads where they deliberately used slo mo and repeated frames to make the distinguished MD and professor, look like a drool cup special ed adult. The most deliberately dishonest and make fun of the handicapped ad I've ever seen. Duck Lundgren!
Monday, October 18, 2010
The lighter side of PhD's
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PhD piled higher and dryer.
Can mean quite a few different things. Typically means means that you got into graduate school, did some research in the library, took a few courses, blended the two into an MA or MS.
Then you applied again to enter a PhD program. The professors looking at your app decided you were OK on two counts, and being way more of one than the other, might still have gotten you in over another applicant, who was evenly balanced.
The two counts:
Bright enough to understand and advance the work of one or more of the existing profs.
Subservient enough to do tons of grunt work to advance the work of one or more of the existing profs.
And in both cases, the applicant is obviously needy enough of the label to go through the process. Bill Gates was not so needy, neither was Ellison, neither Harlan Writer or Larry Oracle.
PhD is the Ponzi Pyramid scheme brought to academia, there are too few opening for full time professors at good salaries, except possibly in medicine.
PhD piled higher and dryer.
Can mean quite a few different things. Typically means means that you got into graduate school, did some research in the library, took a few courses, blended the two into an MA or MS.
Then you applied again to enter a PhD program. The professors looking at your app decided you were OK on two counts, and being way more of one than the other, might still have gotten you in over another applicant, who was evenly balanced.
The two counts:
Bright enough to understand and advance the work of one or more of the existing profs.
Subservient enough to do tons of grunt work to advance the work of one or more of the existing profs.
And in both cases, the applicant is obviously needy enough of the label to go through the process. Bill Gates was not so needy, neither was Ellison, neither Harlan Writer or Larry Oracle.
PhD is the Ponzi Pyramid scheme brought to academia, there are too few opening for full time professors at good salaries, except possibly in medicine.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
William Larson's Most Excellent Letter
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Dear neighbors and fellow citizens,
I write you as an independent-minded Democrat sickened by the corporate bailouts, yet extremely concerned by inconsistencies and dangers I see in your “populist” movement. My hope is that you will genuinely consider the following points, offered in respect.
Of first concern is the theoretical basis so often quoted by your members – i.e., returning to the original intent of the Founding Fathers and a strict interpretation of the constitution (as written in the 18th century). In fact, it is a misguided premise that there was any consensus among the original framers.
History clearly shows that the Fathers were sharply divided. Federalists, such as Hamilton and Adams, favored a strong central government; Republicans, such as Jefferson, Madison and Monroe, favored states' rights. Interestingly enough, the same conflict separating us now separated them.
There was one great difference between then and now, however. The unshakable faith of our ancestors in the need for ongoing negotiation! And their guts in staying at the bargaining table, sacrificing rigid positions for the national good. This was our founders original intent.
Secondly, there's no evidence suggesting our ancestors believed they had finalized a governing document meant never to be changed. In 1791, four years after our Constitution was ratified, the first U.S. Congress added the first 10 amendments – the Bill of Rights. Further amendments were added in 1795 and 1804.
Finally, in 1865, 1868 and 1869, the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments abolished slavery and guaranteed full citizenship rights to racial minorities. These amendments were fully in line with the attitudes of the Northern Founders, and later, in 1920, the 19th Amendment was added, guaranteeing women the right to vote.
Constitutional history therefore points to one inescapable conclusion. It is impossible to be a true Constitutional originalist while, simultaneously, celebrating our country's ban on slavery and the granting of full citizenship to racial minorities and women.
One can't have it both ways. You either accept the injustices preserved under the original Constitution, or you believe in the amendment process that views the Constitution as a “living document” meant to evolve with the unfolding of our nation. Anything else is a deceit.
A far more crucial concern relates to the notion that the Tea Party is simply a populist grass roots movement. Accumulating evidence strongly suggests that several large corporations are co-opting your “insurrection” on behalf of their long-time agenda to basically eliminate governmental regulation of industry (particularly environmental protections). Please read Jane Mayer's article in the current New Yorker Magazine to see how corporate giants like Koch Industries are using the Tea Party to maximize profits by fighting governmental oversight of any sort (remember the Gulf oil spill?).
If you think this is mere liberal rhetoric, consider the words of Bruce Bartlett, as quoted in the Christian Science Monitor.
A conservative economist who worked for one of the Koch think tanks, Bartlett links Koch Industries to the Tea Party: “By giving money to educate, fund and organize the Tea Party protestors,” he states, “they have helped to turn their private agenda into a mass movement . . . trying to shape and control and channel the populist uprising into their own policies.” (September 19, 2010: “Who's Picking Up the Tab for the Tea Party?”)
Believe it, Koch Industries, et al have a huge vested interest in sabotaging constructive political discourse at all levels. This danger far outshines that of higher taxes or “creeping socialism.”
Abraham Lincoln saw it back in 1865 when he lamented, “Corporations have been enthroned, and corruption in high places will follow.” What's happening here is the old divide-and-conquer ploy used by invaders throughout history. By driving us apart, the corporate global cartel is co-opting you into a profit-driven crusade that will land us in a one-world government faster than the United Nations ever could. And friends, you are falling for it hook, line and sinker.
Please understand! I'm not saying your anti-tax crusade lacks merit. However, like moderate Christians and Muslims, I believe that core spiritual values have a role in formulating public policy.
Both religions teach compassion and care for the poor, along with fairness in our business and civic dealings. Corporate bailouts and giveaway tax breaks for the wealthy simply don't meet these criteria. What does meet this standard is negotiated agreements that includes the very best of what all sides have to offer. As tough as it may be to stomach, we need each other.
So here's a new “call to arms”: The only chance we have of sorting out our vast confusion of values, needs and politics is to stay at the negotiating table and work out meaningful compromise. That was true in the 18th century, and it's true now.
If we fail, we very likely do not deserve the rich living tradition bequeathed us by our divergently minded — but uniformly committed — forefathers.
William Larsen lives in Nevada City.
Dear neighbors and fellow citizens,
I write you as an independent-minded Democrat sickened by the corporate bailouts, yet extremely concerned by inconsistencies and dangers I see in your “populist” movement. My hope is that you will genuinely consider the following points, offered in respect.
Of first concern is the theoretical basis so often quoted by your members – i.e., returning to the original intent of the Founding Fathers and a strict interpretation of the constitution (as written in the 18th century). In fact, it is a misguided premise that there was any consensus among the original framers.
History clearly shows that the Fathers were sharply divided. Federalists, such as Hamilton and Adams, favored a strong central government; Republicans, such as Jefferson, Madison and Monroe, favored states' rights. Interestingly enough, the same conflict separating us now separated them.
There was one great difference between then and now, however. The unshakable faith of our ancestors in the need for ongoing negotiation! And their guts in staying at the bargaining table, sacrificing rigid positions for the national good. This was our founders original intent.
Secondly, there's no evidence suggesting our ancestors believed they had finalized a governing document meant never to be changed. In 1791, four years after our Constitution was ratified, the first U.S. Congress added the first 10 amendments – the Bill of Rights. Further amendments were added in 1795 and 1804.
Finally, in 1865, 1868 and 1869, the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments abolished slavery and guaranteed full citizenship rights to racial minorities. These amendments were fully in line with the attitudes of the Northern Founders, and later, in 1920, the 19th Amendment was added, guaranteeing women the right to vote.
Constitutional history therefore points to one inescapable conclusion. It is impossible to be a true Constitutional originalist while, simultaneously, celebrating our country's ban on slavery and the granting of full citizenship to racial minorities and women.
One can't have it both ways. You either accept the injustices preserved under the original Constitution, or you believe in the amendment process that views the Constitution as a “living document” meant to evolve with the unfolding of our nation. Anything else is a deceit.
A far more crucial concern relates to the notion that the Tea Party is simply a populist grass roots movement. Accumulating evidence strongly suggests that several large corporations are co-opting your “insurrection” on behalf of their long-time agenda to basically eliminate governmental regulation of industry (particularly environmental protections). Please read Jane Mayer's article in the current New Yorker Magazine to see how corporate giants like Koch Industries are using the Tea Party to maximize profits by fighting governmental oversight of any sort (remember the Gulf oil spill?).
If you think this is mere liberal rhetoric, consider the words of Bruce Bartlett, as quoted in the Christian Science Monitor.
A conservative economist who worked for one of the Koch think tanks, Bartlett links Koch Industries to the Tea Party: “By giving money to educate, fund and organize the Tea Party protestors,” he states, “they have helped to turn their private agenda into a mass movement . . . trying to shape and control and channel the populist uprising into their own policies.” (September 19, 2010: “Who's Picking Up the Tab for the Tea Party?”)
Believe it, Koch Industries, et al have a huge vested interest in sabotaging constructive political discourse at all levels. This danger far outshines that of higher taxes or “creeping socialism.”
Abraham Lincoln saw it back in 1865 when he lamented, “Corporations have been enthroned, and corruption in high places will follow.” What's happening here is the old divide-and-conquer ploy used by invaders throughout history. By driving us apart, the corporate global cartel is co-opting you into a profit-driven crusade that will land us in a one-world government faster than the United Nations ever could. And friends, you are falling for it hook, line and sinker.
Please understand! I'm not saying your anti-tax crusade lacks merit. However, like moderate Christians and Muslims, I believe that core spiritual values have a role in formulating public policy.
Both religions teach compassion and care for the poor, along with fairness in our business and civic dealings. Corporate bailouts and giveaway tax breaks for the wealthy simply don't meet these criteria. What does meet this standard is negotiated agreements that includes the very best of what all sides have to offer. As tough as it may be to stomach, we need each other.
So here's a new “call to arms”: The only chance we have of sorting out our vast confusion of values, needs and politics is to stay at the negotiating table and work out meaningful compromise. That was true in the 18th century, and it's true now.
If we fail, we very likely do not deserve the rich living tradition bequeathed us by our divergently minded — but uniformly committed — forefathers.
William Larsen lives in Nevada City.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
American NAZI Crossroads Propaganda
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If you believe Ami Bera is some unknown, uneducated, out to make some bucks in politics, bad person to vote for, you are probably being influenced by groups like American Crossroads which is currently attempting to smear Dr. Ami Bera of UC Davis who is running for the 5th Congressional District. Their ad is classic propaganda, same brief mention over and over attempting to tie him to a semi angry scowl picture of Obama and Obamacare, with nary a mention of the fact that Ami Bera is a practising MD and professor at UC Davis.
Shame on the folks too unaware that will fall for this NAZI style propagnada, It's straight out of 1984.
BTW, American Crossroads does not identify its funders or principals on its website.
If you believe Ami Bera is some unknown, uneducated, out to make some bucks in politics, bad person to vote for, you are probably being influenced by groups like American Crossroads which is currently attempting to smear Dr. Ami Bera of UC Davis who is running for the 5th Congressional District. Their ad is classic propaganda, same brief mention over and over attempting to tie him to a semi angry scowl picture of Obama and Obamacare, with nary a mention of the fact that Ami Bera is a practising MD and professor at UC Davis.
Shame on the folks too unaware that will fall for this NAZI style propagnada, It's straight out of 1984.
BTW, American Crossroads does not identify its funders or principals on its website.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Getting Everyone to Read, Do Math
This is an updated version of something I've been pushing since the 1980's.
My simple simple system for getting kids to read is as follows:
1 free large flatscreen tv to each at risk kid household.
Free subscription at top level to Sat TV provider.
For each 1/2 hour of viewing, kid must input the answer to 20 math facts problems, e.g., 8 x9 =?
No sound, just subtitles.
1/4 of shows viewed must come from educational channels, National Geographics, NASA, PBS, History, Biography, etc.
Get two 1/2 hour math problem sets in a row correct on first try, earn 1 hour of audio viewing, but subtitles still visible.
These can be varied, but you get the basic idea.
Yes, they can use a calculator, but given the amount of viewing, over time, the whole household will learn those facts.
Main code to make the set operational for three days at a time is sent to, the kid’s principal.
Set will not accept external inputs, other than mated Sat dish receiver.
My simple simple system for getting kids to read is as follows:
1 free large flatscreen tv to each at risk kid household.
Free subscription at top level to Sat TV provider.
For each 1/2 hour of viewing, kid must input the answer to 20 math facts problems, e.g., 8 x9 =?
No sound, just subtitles.
1/4 of shows viewed must come from educational channels, National Geographics, NASA, PBS, History, Biography, etc.
Get two 1/2 hour math problem sets in a row correct on first try, earn 1 hour of audio viewing, but subtitles still visible.
These can be varied, but you get the basic idea.
Yes, they can use a calculator, but given the amount of viewing, over time, the whole household will learn those facts.
Main code to make the set operational for three days at a time is sent to, the kid’s principal.
Set will not accept external inputs, other than mated Sat dish receiver.
Saturday, October 09, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Tax Stock Trades, A Reference List
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I will make a list here of sites that discuss the topic:
http://blogmaverick.com/2008/09/30/how-to-tax-wall-street-give-it-to-main-street/#comments
I will make a list here of sites that discuss the topic:
http://blogmaverick.com/2008/09/30/how-to-tax-wall-street-give-it-to-main-street/#comments
Friday, September 10, 2010
Pay Off the Nat'l Debt by TAXING STOCK TRADES!
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I'm not the first to figure this out, but it is so obvious. .025% of each trade, paid by the buyer, goes to the USA Treasury.
So here are some numbers to play with:
"About 2,000 million exchanges are made every day on the New York Stock Exchange. In March 2010, the average daily volume was 2,128,546,521 shares traded daily. The number of shares traded changes every day and is generally between 1.5 billion and 2.3 billion."
If each share is worth on average $20, and we take 2 billion shares per day on average, that would be 40 billion dollars per day. $40,000,000,000, at 25 cents per $100 would be: $100,000,000 /day into the US Treasury. That might help a bit. And that's just the NYSE.
I'm not the first to figure this out, but it is so obvious. .025% of each trade, paid by the buyer, goes to the USA Treasury.
So here are some numbers to play with:
"About 2,000 million exchanges are made every day on the New York Stock Exchange. In March 2010, the average daily volume was 2,128,546,521 shares traded daily. The number of shares traded changes every day and is generally between 1.5 billion and 2.3 billion."
If each share is worth on average $20, and we take 2 billion shares per day on average, that would be 40 billion dollars per day. $40,000,000,000, at 25 cents per $100 would be: $100,000,000 /day into the US Treasury. That might help a bit. And that's just the NYSE.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Are You Rich, or UltraRich, or Poor TPP?
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The Tea Party's core people are all richie wannabees, and so they want the government welfare for corporations to remain in place. It gives them a feeling of belonging to the wealthy and ultra wealthy, even as it drains their pocket books and wrecks the country.
Who are the wealthy and the ultra wealthy?
Thanks to Merrill Lynch we know. As following their habits is important to Merrill, they did a background report. Rich includes individuals with $1,000,000 or more in liquid invest-able cash, beyond all the stiff they own like houses, horses, yachts, etc. The ultra rich are those who have $30,000,000 in invest-able cash, as per above.
Collectively they own $37,000,000,000,000 or 37 trillion, which is 20% of this country, up from 8% in 1980.
They invest their tax breaks by loaning money to the US Government, and fleecing the tax payers in endless cycles of interest.
Everyone else is "little people." They snigger at us, and pay Rush to Goebbelize TPP members.
The Tea Party's core people are all richie wannabees, and so they want the government welfare for corporations to remain in place. It gives them a feeling of belonging to the wealthy and ultra wealthy, even as it drains their pocket books and wrecks the country.
Who are the wealthy and the ultra wealthy?
Thanks to Merrill Lynch we know. As following their habits is important to Merrill, they did a background report. Rich includes individuals with $1,000,000 or more in liquid invest-able cash, beyond all the stiff they own like houses, horses, yachts, etc. The ultra rich are those who have $30,000,000 in invest-able cash, as per above.
Collectively they own $37,000,000,000,000 or 37 trillion, which is 20% of this country, up from 8% in 1980.
They invest their tax breaks by loaning money to the US Government, and fleecing the tax payers in endless cycles of interest.
Everyone else is "little people." They snigger at us, and pay Rush to Goebbelize TPP members.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Helping the Poor
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Helping the poor.
I would set up the best set of public restrooms and showers/washing machine areas in the world.
I would then set up micro atm accounts, for those homeless willing to be identified, so that they have a place for stashing and getting cash.
The third leg is a phone/message system, set up with the ATM, where homeless can check for messages for odd jobs, etc. A website for potential employers to set who is available, (work history, skills) would be nice. To join this system, part of that ID check would be verification of American citizenship. I would have no intention of setting up anything that would encourage yet more illegal immigration. In fact, this might have the opposite effect.
One location for both, preferably next to the police station or CHP, or other very public protected place. Someone who has become homeless who is not breaking the laws, other than not having a domicile, will find these features very useful in getting re-established.
The phone/message system could be upscaled for the successful homeless to a limited cell phone.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Prop 16, Smart Meters, HA!
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Driving rates upwards, forces more solar investment by home owners, while PG and E waits for a major cost breakthrough in the technology, at which point they will charge ratepayers for PG and E to adopt the new technology. Remember PG and E could care less about anything other than profit for the parent PG and E company. They don't want local govs to be able to buy their own newer and cheaper, solar installations, and Prop 16 is a very major pre-emptive strike to insure this goal. Vote no on 16. If you vote yes, you will help preserve Old California Money, based in Atherton and Hillsborough. Can't use ampersands in Google blog.
Driving rates upwards, forces more solar investment by home owners, while PG and E waits for a major cost breakthrough in the technology, at which point they will charge ratepayers for PG and E to adopt the new technology. Remember PG and E could care less about anything other than profit for the parent PG and E company. They don't want local govs to be able to buy their own newer and cheaper, solar installations, and Prop 16 is a very major pre-emptive strike to insure this goal. Vote no on 16. If you vote yes, you will help preserve Old California Money, based in Atherton and Hillsborough. Can't use ampersands in Google blog.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Let Freedom and Capitalism Ring!
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Sell off Yosemite and Yellowstone Parks to private enterprise. Kick the government out of the entertainment and physical fitness industries. No socialism nowhere. Are the German's still renting out their army's like they did to the Brits? Cool! Sign them up for a 20 year lease, no socialist military. So what if they lost to George Washington! Let Fed Ex and UPS bid for the post office, and make every road a toll road, owned by the adjoining parcel owners in proportion to appraised value and acreage.
Let capitalism and freedom ring!
Sell off Yosemite and Yellowstone Parks to private enterprise. Kick the government out of the entertainment and physical fitness industries. No socialism nowhere. Are the German's still renting out their army's like they did to the Brits? Cool! Sign them up for a 20 year lease, no socialist military. So what if they lost to George Washington! Let Fed Ex and UPS bid for the post office, and make every road a toll road, owned by the adjoining parcel owners in proportion to appraised value and acreage.
Let capitalism and freedom ring!
Sunday, May 02, 2010
"Cleanup, Baby, Cleanup!"
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How soon before the Nevada County Tea Party Patriots sends a group of volunteers to the Gulf to:
"Cleanup, Baby, Cleanup!" ????
How soon before the Nevada County Tea Party Patriots sends a group of volunteers to the Gulf to:
"Cleanup, Baby, Cleanup!" ????
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Future Transit Structure, Avoiding Ozone
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High quality, efficient, mass or, staged and grouped transit, is the answer. Linking via cell phones for local jitney pickup, coupled with larger vehicles for longer distances. The key to local delivery of goods is secure and cooled 4x4x4 cubes at each house. The buyer is a pedestrian, comes home to roll interior cart to house entrance. Have another bunny with a pancake, your grandchildren will understand this perfectly, as adults in 2040.
High quality, efficient, mass or, staged and grouped transit, is the answer. Linking via cell phones for local jitney pickup, coupled with larger vehicles for longer distances. The key to local delivery of goods is secure and cooled 4x4x4 cubes at each house. The buyer is a pedestrian, comes home to roll interior cart to house entrance. Have another bunny with a pancake, your grandchildren will understand this perfectly, as adults in 2040.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
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