Hillary Clinton's 2008 Convention Speech

I have to say I was very impressed. I thought she did a fantastic job of speaking of her accomplishments, bashing and comparing McCain to Bush, and encouraging her supporters to vote for Obama.

The best part of the speech, which I hope every Hillary Clinton support who has not yet decided to vote for Obama in November reads, was:

"I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible?"

I hope her supporters get that message loud and clear. What is important is that you vote for the candidate who has the same goals as you and the person you supported. Barack Obama is that person for Hillary Clinton's supporters. It is not John McCain.

Clean Coal is Sponsoring the CNN Presentation of the Democratic National Convention.

Something is really wrong with that, especially considering donations by Turner Broadcasting (the owner of CNN) Employee donations are considerably lopsided towards the the left, including Ted Turner's $1000 contribution to Barack Obama's campaign.

I guess this is a good sign of media independence, and a sign of a really good marketing strategy on behalf of the Coal Industry. I just hope people who watch the clean coal commercials realize it is not a brain child of the left, but yet another spin by the right to get at the Environmental Vote.

The costs of clean coal are significant and the effects of coal mining still devastate coal country, polluting water supplies and destroying wilderness. The energy needed to clean the waste of carbon is great and there is no way to capture the radiation that is emitted from coal plants, radiation emissions that are actually greater than those emitted from nuclear power plants. Clean coal is not nearly as clean as the coal industry or the Bush Administration would lead you to believe.

FEMA: "Ooops I did it again."

As if FEMA does not have enough bad press, it was recently revealed that they gave away $85 million of household supplies intended for Katrina Victims becuase there was no need for them in New Orleans. This is despite the fact that they have regular meetings with a Non-profit, UNITY they refer people to for these supplies, a non-profit that tells FEMA all the time it needs. Apparently, when FEMA offered these supplies to the state, an new agency that UNITY had never heard of, said the state didn't need the supplies.

I am just flaberghasted at this. One of the commentators on this article were correct. If FEMA was a private company, heads would roll. I doubt there will even be an insvestigation of what went wrong. I don't think someone was purposely keeping these supplies from Katrina victims, but someone was grossly negligent. Heads should roll for this and some of the takers of the supplies should step up and offer them to UNITY and other non-profits working in New Orleans.

Thanks John

For the campaign map wiget.

Go visit John at A Lie A Day.

National Popular Vote Update

The National Popular Vote movement is a movement in state legislatures to drop out of the Electoral College. Since states determine how they distribute their Electors to the Electoral College, it is possible, as Maryland and New Jersey have done, to apportion all of their Electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. See my post about Maryland passing this measure last year. In both Maryland and New Jersey, this will not take effect until states representing at least 270 Electoral Votes pass similar measures. It has already been vetoed in Hawaii and California, but is pending in a number of states either in the legislature or on the Governor's desk. It will be interesting to see if this goes anywhere.

I am not a big fan of it, I prefer a proportional electoral college system where if you win 70 of the popular vote in a state, you get 70% (or a rounded percentage) of the Electoral votes in that state. If there are 10 Electors, you get 7 of them. Interestingly enough, Minnesota and Oklahoma have joined the proportional party with Maine and Nebraska. Too bad solid states like New York, California, Georgia and Texas will never pass a proportional rule for the Electors.

Carbon Belch Day

This made me puke a little bit in my mouth.

I "Carbon Belch Day" link is blocked through my job, so please tell me this is actually a really really really bad joke. Please, tell me.

Russian Censorship

This is just a bit scary to read...

The Kremlin is literally erasing opposition from TV. They aren't sending them off to Siberia like the old Communist regime used to do, but they actually took a guest on a talk show who was critical of Putin out of the show when it aired. They didn't cut his scenes, they digitally removed not only his comments but his image. The Kremlin is apparently also keeping basically all opposition off of the television. They even cancelled a rock concert because the band came out in opposition to Putin.

On top of this, Russia has some of the largest oil reserves in the world and are keeping almost as close an eye on it as (if not more than) the Saudi Royal family. Just relish the thought of a world dependent on oil and us muscling for influence with a very large censorship crazy country that controls the taps. Yet another reason why we need to be exporting green technology instead of democracy.

Ownership Society?

From the President's America's Ownership Society Initiative from the summer of 2004:

Expanding Homeownership. The President believes that homeownership is the cornerstone of America's vibrant communities and benefits individual families by building stability and long-term financial security. In June 2002, President Bush issued America's Homeownership Challenge to the real estate and mortgage finance industries to encourage them to join the effort to close the gap that exists between the homeownership rates of minorities and non-minorities. The President also announced the goal of increasing the number of minority homeowners by at least 5.5 million families before the end of the decade. Under his leadership, the overall U.S. homeownership rate in the second quarter of 2004 was at an all time high of 69.2 percent. Minority homeownership set a new record of 51 percent in the second quarter, up 0.2 percentage point from the first quarter and up 2.1 percentage points from a year ago. President Bush's initiative to dismantle the barriers to homeownership includes:

*American Dream Downpayment Initiative, which provides down payment
assistance to approximately 40,000 low-income families;

*Affordable Housing. The President has proposed the Single-Family Affordable Housing Tax Credit, which would increase the supply of affordable homes;

*Helping Families Help Themselves. The President has proposed increasing support for the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunities Program; and

*Simplifying Homebuying and Increasing Education. The President and HUD
want to empower homebuyers by simplifying the home buying process so consumers can better understand and benefit from cost savings. The President also wants to expand financial education efforts so that families can understand what they need to do to become homeowners.

Well, it seems the encouraging the real estate industry and mortgage industry to make homeownership easier has really worked out for us.

UPDATE: Foreclosures are up 65% over this time last year.

Increases in Mass Transit Ridership

And it seems like just yesterday that my Uncle was complaining that no one uses the Denver Light Rail.

One bright side of the ever increasing price of gasoline is the fact that more and more people are switching to mass transit (where available). There have been modest increases in usage on North Eastern cities such as NY, DC, and Boston where Mass Transit is well established, but some Midwest and western cities are seeing double digit percentage increases in ridership. The Denver Transit is actually reaching capacity during rush hour. (I've ridden the Denver light rail, its is great and every time I have ridden it, I found a seat. In fact I think I laid down.)

Now lets just wait and see how much ridership needs to increase before OPEC gets scared and lowers prices. That seems to be what happens everytime it looks like the West might break its dependence on them.

Al Gore for President?

August 26, 2008-Denver, CO

The Democratic Race for President has continued to keep the attention of America with a continued close and one might say, “bloody” race between Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton. John Edwards 38 Delegates have turned into the linchpin for the eventual candidate and after four unsuccessful ballots, there has been no winner due to John Edwards holding onto his Delegates. With no change of either candidate winning the nomination without Mr. Edwards’ Delegates the Candidates and party leaders were in closed session until 4 AM attempting to settle the matter once and for all. What came out of that meeting is a shock to the entire party and the nation, prompting an unofficial initial, “Crap” from Senator John McCain.

Facing a deadlock and two candidates who have done all but enter the Octagon and engage in combat, Senators Clinton and Obama, and former Senator Edwards have released their delegates. In addition to this, both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama have withdrawn their names from consideration. What would have caused the Senators not only to release their delegates but also withdraw from the race after months of one of the hardest fought Democratic Primary Seasons in history? The arrival of the Democratic Party’s knight in shinning (yet biodegradable) armor, former Vice President Al Gore.

Al Gore has put his name forward to the convention for consideration as the Democratic Candidate for President. He is now the only candidate up for consideration and will be the Democratic Candidate for President.

This is prompted speculation that this had been the Democratic Plan all along. Let two highly qualified candidates fight it out for months and bloody each other only to have an unscathed and certainly popular candidate come out of no where at the last moment. After McCain’s initial comment his campaign spokesman had this to say:

“This is just another blatant attempt by the so called, “Democratic” Party, to undermine the Democratic Process. First it was not seating delegates from two states and now nominating a candidate who has no delegates who the American people have never had an opportunity to vote for as the Democratic Candidate. They should be ashamed of themselves.”

Strong words from the McCain camp, but one could not help notice the trembling hands of the spokesman while making that statement. This is a completely new race for the Presidency. The next few weeks will tell whether this was one of the greatest political moves of all time, or one of the worst.

Hey, it could happen…

New GI Bill

It is nice to know that some of our leaders are looking out for our veterans and our economic future.

A new GI Bill has been proposed in Congress that would cover education costs equivalent of state schools in the state that the veteran is living in. As mentioned in Bob Herbert's opinion, this is a fantastic idea. Not only would it give out veterans something to come back to besides families that desparately miss them but it would promote economic growth by putting highly motivated, well educated adults into the work force and would probably be a boost recruitment. College is way too expensive these days and people can use all the help they can get to pay for it.

While proponents say that this would not decrease reenlistment, I have to agree with the opponents that it would. Why stay in the military when you can get out, get and education, and get a good job close to your family? However, as this benefit would likely be a boon for recruitment so that those who do not re-enlist would be more easily replaced.

It still ceases to amaze me that some of our leaders talk about how we need to strengthen America but they do everything they can to hurt the educational opportunities available. Without properly educating our youth we will lose the only comparable advantage we have over much of the world, our innovation, research, and development.

Gas Tax

Suspension of the Gas tax for the summer do little to help people at the pump. The Congressional budge office predicts that it would save maybe $30 per family over the summer. It would have a minimal if any effect on the price of goods (prices have been increasing because of transportation costs) because it is a short term tax break and would be so minimal for truckers. Yes, Obama was (possibly) incorrect that Hillary's plan to suspend the tax for the summer would increase Oil Company profits. However, that still does not mean it will decrease the costs of anything. Sure we won't be paying the gas tax, but oil companies, knowing a tax hit is coming to them would be sure to keep pre-tax prices high in order to retain their profits for their shareholders. Overall, such a short term fix woudl have little or no effect.

I propose a slightly different method. Suspend the diesel tax for a period of at least a year (with a rider that says it will be reinstated if the price drops below a certain set amount). This would have a significant effect on the costs of good becuase it would lower transportation costs and be in effect for long enough to actually affect prices. You could do the same for air plane fuel. The price of truck and airplane transportation has a much greater potential to cause serious harm to our economy than gasoline prices. The high gasoline prices are already causing people to buy new more fuel efficient cars replacing some of the higher fuel cost vehicles. However, if consumer prices continue to rise due to the diesel and airplane fuel costs than people will not even be able to afford more fuel efficient cars.

Something needs to be done, but a short term suspension of the gas tax is not the answer.

North American Leaders Summit

Today starts the North American Leader's Summit with the Prime Minister of Canada and the President of Mexico.

I know today is the Pennsylvania Democractic Primary and the first NFL Draft pick has been announced, but seriously, can someone remember to cover this summit? This is a summit to discuss among other things: Passport Cards for traveling across both borders, making it easier to cross borders, making it easier to trade across borders, and possibly discussions of a North American Security Zone and who knows what else because I checked CNN, the NYTimes, the Washington Post, World Net Daily, and The Huffington Post, and no one had anything on it. I had to go to the White House Website to even know it was going on. (In CNN's defense, they did mention it was live on CNN right then, but I can't listen to or view anything from work.)

Yes, there is more to life than the Democratic Primary. If you believe the people over at World Net Daily, the president is trying to form a North American Union and effectively override our Constitution.

Curse-o-meter

I'm from the North East; we don't cuss, we curse.


Created by OnePlusYou

The State of the Union

Ok, so I will admit, I did not watch the State of the Union last night. I stopped watching it about 3 years ago because I just could not handle it. I did however start browsing the transcript this morning. The usual, "Really?" response to a bunch of it, but then I came across this:

"America is leading the fight against global hunger. Today, more than half the world's food aid comes from the United States."

I immediately got in an uproar because the fact that so much food aid comes from the US is one of the problems in the developing world. US Food Aid is required by statute to be bought from US producers. This helps our agriculture but undercuts the agriculture in the developing world as well as increases costs of transportation; not to mention the burning of fossil fuels.

So I should read further because after the (APPLAUSE) text break on Washingtonpost.com I read:

"And tonight, I ask Congress to support an innovative proposal to provide food assistance by purchasing crops directly from farmers in the developing world, so we can build up local agriculture and help break the cycle of famine."

OMG! Something I agree with Bush on! Now if it does happen, lets just hope they don't screw it up by adding on requirements like; 1. Buying Ford Tractors 2. Buying American Chemical Fertilizers 3. Growing crops that aren't really meant for your climate. Lets makes sure we really help the developing world develop a sustainable agriculture. Let them grow indiginous foods. Teach them about crop rotation (which they probably forgot about because we made them buy our fertilizers). Sustainable agriculture is the basis for any meaningful economic development to occur.

There are times to protest...

And there are times not to.

A funeral for a dead soldier is not the time to protest with signs that say, "Thank God for IEDs." That is just wrong.

I want people to be able to protest the war, but have some respect for the dead. If you want to blame the war on homosexuals, protesting a military funeral is really not hitting your target audience thanks to don't ask don't tell.

2008 Presidential Election

Roland Martin has got it right.

People need to pay attention to politics, especially the 2008 Presidential Election next year. We get too distracted with our IPODs, XBox 360s, Fantasy Football Teams, and the latest Paris Hilton exploits; things that in the long term really won't matter.

What really has always struck home with me about how important this next election is, is the fact that the next President could appoint as many as Three Supreme Court Justices. This could radically change the makeup of the Court for the next 30 years or so. Think about the issues that are important to you, and what kind of Court you would like to see making the decisions. Then think about which Candidates will nominate those types of Justices.

Why we have National Parks

People sometimes ask why we spend so much money on preserving our National Park Lands. Aside from the fact that they help create oxygen for us to breath and collect water for us to drink, here are two reasons:



Also, were it not for our funding to National Parks, this Helicopter would not have been able to fly into the middle of a Canyon in Kings Canyon National Park and evacuate a Boy Scout Master who had broken his ankle:



I will also give a nob to the Boy Scouts. While I do not agree with all of their views, they did a great job with this group who was able to carry their 200 lb Scout Master down a mile of granite off trail to where the helicopter could pick him up. Unfortunately for them, they still had a two day hike back to civilization while their leader was likely in operating room withing 4 hours.

So next time you are concerned about spending on National Parks, look at these pictures and think about that man who was saved because of our National Park system's search and rescue program.

My Personality is Rare

Your Personality is Very Rare (INTP)

Your personality type is goofy, imaginative, relaxed, and brilliant. Only about 4% of all people have your personality, including 2% of all women and 6% of all men You are Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Perceiving.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

The Bar

No, not the type that you hang out with your friends at, the type that comes in exam form. As I am getting ready to take the exam in just over a week, I thought I would reflect on some of my observations about law school and the legal profession.

1. The bar exam you will ever have to take where a 60% is good enough. So really that is saying, "Well really you just need to know enough to get yourself into trouble so one of the older, wiser attorneys can save your behind and call it mentoring."
2. Your score on the legal ethics exam is relative to the other people taking the exam. You do not have to be really ethical than an attorney, just more ethical than the other guy.
3. Law school makes people more conservative. For me that was ok, I was probably too fiscally liberal. Now I agree with conservatives that we need to cut spending, I just want to cut spending in different places, like oil subsidies and requiring that US AID food be bought from American farmers (which by the way is more expensive, costs more to transport to countries receiving food aid, and drives down the price that farmers in those countries receive for their produce), and you know, get out of Iraq.
4. Law School crushes a person's idealism. 3 of the 4 people who were officers of the Association for Public Interest Law (APIL) my first year of law school now work for big city firms. Personally, I was very active in environmental and electoral programs my first year and lets just say not so active in either by my third year. I was informed by an associate of mine who was a public interest attorney that most of his "liberal" friend in law school thought, "I will go work for a firm, pay off my loans, and then go non-profit." 10 years after he had graduate, all of those people were still with firms. They get used to the life style and cannot let it go.
5. 90% of people who go to law school leave law school really only concerned about making money, not about making a difference. For that reason, if you want to make a difference, get a public policy, environmental science, international relations, of education degree. People who go to law school are not the same people when they get out.

There is so much to fix in this world and this country. Our best and our brightest are being taught to value personal wealth and not to worry about others or to do what is right. This is one of the many reasons why our society is slowly regressing back to aristocracy and classes. No affective system change can be made because those who have the training to change it peacefully have too much of an interest in the status quo and any of those who reject the status quo are kept on the outside looking in.