From now on any posts that I make to this blog will actually be composed on my facebook page and the title of future posts will be a direct link to the text of that post on my facebook page. I hope some of you continue to read this blog, but you will be able to access these posts and much more on facebook. Just search for Stuart Solomon in Springfield, MO and you should be able to find me. Please notify me if you have any trouble.
Stu
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Facebook | Stuart Solomon: City Government is Still Missing the Point!
Facebook Stuart Solomon: City Government is Still Missing the Point!: "City Government is Still Missing the Point"
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Attention Gamers!
Attention Gamers!
I know this blog is primarily reserved for political and community subjects, but I also know that many of you spend a large part of your day on your computers with an internet browser constantly running. I would like to introduce you to the world of Evony. Evony - Forever is a real-time strategy game that is a medieval mixture of city simulation building, diplomacy and warfare that can be as rewarding as you make it. It requires no monetary committment to play the game. It is free and is a wonderful way to meet new people and experience a world that you may have never even considered being part of.
Beginning players may accustom themselves with the world of Evony by either following detailed quests that are provided by the Game Masters or they may join an alliance and gain valuable experience and advice from advanced players who want nothing more than to see new players succeed.
Evony is not a game world where you are immediately thrown to the wolves and are devoured by the unscrupulous and dishonorable players that sometimes prey upon newcomers in other gaming situations. Instead, you are given a beginning protection period of a week, in which to prepare to meet the challenges awaiting all players in the world of Evony. New servers are being added regularly and there is ample opportunity to develop and expand an empire of your own.
Since it is a real-time strategy game, it is not a game that requires your constant attention. Build a new structure and go back to your web-surfing or project at work and check back on your progress later in the day. Evony has been a great addition to my gaming experience and I have met many new and interesting gamers. I have even risen to a high rank within my alliance.
In the world of Evony-Forever Iam known as Lord Tyresiusi and I play on server 48. If you would like more information on Evony, you can click on the title of this post and it will direct you to the home page of Evony - Forever, or you can contact me at stuartcsolomon@yahoo.com, and I'll be happy to answer your questions. You may also post a comment with any questions to this blog posting and I'll be happy to respond.
I hope some of you will explore this new world of Evony-Forever and enjoy it as much as I have over the last few weeks.
Stu
I know this blog is primarily reserved for political and community subjects, but I also know that many of you spend a large part of your day on your computers with an internet browser constantly running. I would like to introduce you to the world of Evony. Evony - Forever is a real-time strategy game that is a medieval mixture of city simulation building, diplomacy and warfare that can be as rewarding as you make it. It requires no monetary committment to play the game. It is free and is a wonderful way to meet new people and experience a world that you may have never even considered being part of.
Beginning players may accustom themselves with the world of Evony by either following detailed quests that are provided by the Game Masters or they may join an alliance and gain valuable experience and advice from advanced players who want nothing more than to see new players succeed.
Evony is not a game world where you are immediately thrown to the wolves and are devoured by the unscrupulous and dishonorable players that sometimes prey upon newcomers in other gaming situations. Instead, you are given a beginning protection period of a week, in which to prepare to meet the challenges awaiting all players in the world of Evony. New servers are being added regularly and there is ample opportunity to develop and expand an empire of your own.
Since it is a real-time strategy game, it is not a game that requires your constant attention. Build a new structure and go back to your web-surfing or project at work and check back on your progress later in the day. Evony has been a great addition to my gaming experience and I have met many new and interesting gamers. I have even risen to a high rank within my alliance.
In the world of Evony-Forever Iam known as Lord Tyresiusi and I play on server 48. If you would like more information on Evony, you can click on the title of this post and it will direct you to the home page of Evony - Forever, or you can contact me at stuartcsolomon@yahoo.com, and I'll be happy to answer your questions. You may also post a comment with any questions to this blog posting and I'll be happy to respond.
I hope some of you will explore this new world of Evony-Forever and enjoy it as much as I have over the last few weeks.
Stu
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Straight From the Horse's Mouth
I know health care reform is a hot topic. I don't think everyone fully understands what is being proposed. I'm not pretending to know everything about it. I do know there are a lot of different sides to this issue.
The key thing that I understand is that our current president is a moderate. He is not a radical seeking to overthrow the entire structure of "Corporate America." By extension, neither is he attempting to force government-controlled health care down the American public's throat.
President Obama has called for health care reform legislation that includes a public option that would give people who cannot currently afford to privately purchase health insurance the opportunity to enroll in a government-administered health insurance program.
I know that there are many people who believe that the fiscal bottom line is what should be used as a governing rule of any new government expenditure. I believe in fiscal responsibility as well. I am also a pragmatist and realize that the needs of the citizenry change and take precedence over what any party believes to be the appropriate fiscal/political agenda.
This country's citizenry is under-insured, but at the same time generates the largest per capita health care expenditures: the underlying reason for this is that health insurance providers' primary objective has shifted. Reasonable profits accrued from the provision of insurance to the most people possible is not the industry standard. Maximization of profit through selective recission of policies and denial of policies to those with "existing conditions" has permeated the industry.
There are many reasons for our country have the largest per capita health care expenditures. Two of them are: 1) Artificially inflated costs created by the necessity of using urgent care facilities for health maladies that could and should be handled in health clinics rather than hospital emergency rooms, and; 2) The unregulated Wall Street mentality that currently governs all health insurance providers to ensure that profit is maximized and expenses are minimalized.
I am not calling for universal coverage for all people under a government-administered health insurance program. I am joining the President in his call for responsible and meaningful health care reform that includes a public option for government-administered public insurance.
The title of this post is a link to Bill Moyers Journal where you can watch an interview with Wendell Potter, a former CEO and communications officer of CIGNA; a leader in the health insurance industry. Please click on the link and watch Mr. Potter's interview with Bill Moyer. The interview includes excerpts of Mr. Potter's congressional testimony.
The key thing that I understand is that our current president is a moderate. He is not a radical seeking to overthrow the entire structure of "Corporate America." By extension, neither is he attempting to force government-controlled health care down the American public's throat.
President Obama has called for health care reform legislation that includes a public option that would give people who cannot currently afford to privately purchase health insurance the opportunity to enroll in a government-administered health insurance program.
I know that there are many people who believe that the fiscal bottom line is what should be used as a governing rule of any new government expenditure. I believe in fiscal responsibility as well. I am also a pragmatist and realize that the needs of the citizenry change and take precedence over what any party believes to be the appropriate fiscal/political agenda.
This country's citizenry is under-insured, but at the same time generates the largest per capita health care expenditures: the underlying reason for this is that health insurance providers' primary objective has shifted. Reasonable profits accrued from the provision of insurance to the most people possible is not the industry standard. Maximization of profit through selective recission of policies and denial of policies to those with "existing conditions" has permeated the industry.
There are many reasons for our country have the largest per capita health care expenditures. Two of them are: 1) Artificially inflated costs created by the necessity of using urgent care facilities for health maladies that could and should be handled in health clinics rather than hospital emergency rooms, and; 2) The unregulated Wall Street mentality that currently governs all health insurance providers to ensure that profit is maximized and expenses are minimalized.
I am not calling for universal coverage for all people under a government-administered health insurance program. I am joining the President in his call for responsible and meaningful health care reform that includes a public option for government-administered public insurance.
The title of this post is a link to Bill Moyers Journal where you can watch an interview with Wendell Potter, a former CEO and communications officer of CIGNA; a leader in the health insurance industry. Please click on the link and watch Mr. Potter's interview with Bill Moyer. The interview includes excerpts of Mr. Potter's congressional testimony.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Councilmen Refuse To Admit Key Fact
Once again, certain members of Springfield's City Council just aren't seeing the forest for the trees. When I read Doug Burlison's letter to the editor in the June 3-16, 2009 issue of the Community Free Press, wherein he lectures the community on its political mandate cocerning tax increases, and the future of the police and firefighter pension fund, I had to laugh, and then I started screaming!
Being relatively new to the community and, admittedly, being to the far left of the political spectrum of Springfield, it is my impression that the voting public has been very supportive of educational levies and bonds. Furthermore, it has embraced certain sales-tax initiatives presented to it by the "governing council" as direct fund-raising vehicles for specific projects.
Bob Stevens is a newcomer to the council and he informs the community (in his Guest Column of the same issue of CFP) that there are "no easy decisions" for council members. With all due respect, Mr. Councilman, you knew that when you ran. This incarnation of the council has some of the most serious fiscal issues that the council has had to face in its history. This is not to render the issues of the past insignificant, in any way, but the here and now are what most people are directly concerned with; whether or not that perspective may be typically indicative of the voting public's lack of foresight.
Doug Burlison is well aware that I am no fan of his. He touts himself as THE citizen who "called for an audit of this city." Well, Mr. Burlison, my contention is, has been, and probably always will be, that the city council that you voluntarily became a part of has always made it a regular practice of granting tax easements to the big-wig developers as an incentive to "keep it local". Where else was JQH going to put his namesake ballpark, Mr. Burlison? Was BKD really going to take their headquarters elsewhere?
Let me spell it out for all of you who think that this tax easement argument is old or doesn't accomplish anything. A 30-year tax easement means that a company developing a commercial or industrial property in this city pays only 33% of the taxes that it would normally pay on such a property over a 30-year period. Nobody who is against tax easements is proposing new taxes. We are asking that the approved tax code for the various sectors of development are reasonably adhered to, rather than to be set aside by a conveniently declared "emergency bill" such as the one that permitted BKD to immediately commence construction of its new headquarters, and granted it a tax easement.
I want every public employee to have an adequate pension. Springfield is not to blame for the knee-jerk legislative reaction that the entire country had to 9/11. To be sure, pension funds of police and firefighters were insufficient, but a legislative mandate that placed an untenable burden on communities of all sizes was clearly not the answer. It should have been the response of every self-respecting city council member across the country to actively oppose such reactionary and emotionally manipulative legislation.
What communities across America did, rather than mount rightful protest, was acquiesce to an unfair piece of legislation that demanded a disproportionate fraction of nearly all communities' operational budgets to be apportioned to the pension funds of police and fire fighters. The imminent failure of the public education system has been staring this country's communities, particularly smaller communities like Springfield, in the face for decades, but no similar legislative response has been forthcoming from national, state or local legislators.
Respectively, Mr. Burlison and Mr. Stevens, it does not suffice for you, our elected representatives to the Springfield City Council, to lecture us on how difficult these decisions are. The plain truth is that you, or people like you, had the opportunity to provide this community with millions of legitimate tax revenue dollars from commercial and industrial property development. Instead, city council played the patsy.
Neither Mr. Burlison or Mr. Stevens have made any substantial suggestions to remedy the fiscal problems facing the city. Mr. Burlison, at one time, proposed a fire sale of community infrastructure and equipment. What was it in your letter that you said about a "band-aid" being insufficient, Mr. Burlison? Your suggestion for a city parking garage sale would have even been akin to putting a swatch of toilet paper on a fatal slash to the jugular!
No friends, these council members are simply making excuses and seeking absolution in advance for having to make the unpopular decisions that have been placed upon them by their predecessors who chose to take road most taken in this country: the road to corporate greed and manipulation of legitimate taxation processes that are in place to provide the public sector with the appropriate revenue it needs to perform its function in a free society.
Hopefully, this will teach more Springfield voters to turn out for an April election. I personally believe that local elections should be held at the same time state and federal elections are held, in order to ensure a higher level of voter participation.
Being relatively new to the community and, admittedly, being to the far left of the political spectrum of Springfield, it is my impression that the voting public has been very supportive of educational levies and bonds. Furthermore, it has embraced certain sales-tax initiatives presented to it by the "governing council" as direct fund-raising vehicles for specific projects.
Bob Stevens is a newcomer to the council and he informs the community (in his Guest Column of the same issue of CFP) that there are "no easy decisions" for council members. With all due respect, Mr. Councilman, you knew that when you ran. This incarnation of the council has some of the most serious fiscal issues that the council has had to face in its history. This is not to render the issues of the past insignificant, in any way, but the here and now are what most people are directly concerned with; whether or not that perspective may be typically indicative of the voting public's lack of foresight.
Doug Burlison is well aware that I am no fan of his. He touts himself as THE citizen who "called for an audit of this city." Well, Mr. Burlison, my contention is, has been, and probably always will be, that the city council that you voluntarily became a part of has always made it a regular practice of granting tax easements to the big-wig developers as an incentive to "keep it local". Where else was JQH going to put his namesake ballpark, Mr. Burlison? Was BKD really going to take their headquarters elsewhere?
Let me spell it out for all of you who think that this tax easement argument is old or doesn't accomplish anything. A 30-year tax easement means that a company developing a commercial or industrial property in this city pays only 33% of the taxes that it would normally pay on such a property over a 30-year period. Nobody who is against tax easements is proposing new taxes. We are asking that the approved tax code for the various sectors of development are reasonably adhered to, rather than to be set aside by a conveniently declared "emergency bill" such as the one that permitted BKD to immediately commence construction of its new headquarters, and granted it a tax easement.
I want every public employee to have an adequate pension. Springfield is not to blame for the knee-jerk legislative reaction that the entire country had to 9/11. To be sure, pension funds of police and firefighters were insufficient, but a legislative mandate that placed an untenable burden on communities of all sizes was clearly not the answer. It should have been the response of every self-respecting city council member across the country to actively oppose such reactionary and emotionally manipulative legislation.
What communities across America did, rather than mount rightful protest, was acquiesce to an unfair piece of legislation that demanded a disproportionate fraction of nearly all communities' operational budgets to be apportioned to the pension funds of police and fire fighters. The imminent failure of the public education system has been staring this country's communities, particularly smaller communities like Springfield, in the face for decades, but no similar legislative response has been forthcoming from national, state or local legislators.
Respectively, Mr. Burlison and Mr. Stevens, it does not suffice for you, our elected representatives to the Springfield City Council, to lecture us on how difficult these decisions are. The plain truth is that you, or people like you, had the opportunity to provide this community with millions of legitimate tax revenue dollars from commercial and industrial property development. Instead, city council played the patsy.
Neither Mr. Burlison or Mr. Stevens have made any substantial suggestions to remedy the fiscal problems facing the city. Mr. Burlison, at one time, proposed a fire sale of community infrastructure and equipment. What was it in your letter that you said about a "band-aid" being insufficient, Mr. Burlison? Your suggestion for a city parking garage sale would have even been akin to putting a swatch of toilet paper on a fatal slash to the jugular!
No friends, these council members are simply making excuses and seeking absolution in advance for having to make the unpopular decisions that have been placed upon them by their predecessors who chose to take road most taken in this country: the road to corporate greed and manipulation of legitimate taxation processes that are in place to provide the public sector with the appropriate revenue it needs to perform its function in a free society.
Hopefully, this will teach more Springfield voters to turn out for an April election. I personally believe that local elections should be held at the same time state and federal elections are held, in order to ensure a higher level of voter participation.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Literacy Should Count!
Well, I haven't been posting much because I am very busy with my endeavor to attain certification as a paralegal in a 7 month time-frame. So no apologies for not posting, just an explanation. As I'm sure you all know, I'm not short on opinions, even though I may not have been sharing them.
I am not making any direct endorsement for any of the city council candidates. Personally, I believe that all the incumbents should be ousted and the city should hire a new attorney. Knowing this will not happen is a cup of bitter brew I must reluctantly drink from.
Ok. So we know that some incumbents will retain their elected seats. I would like to say, however, that elected officials do reflect their constituency. I urge all voters to carefully read what the candidates are trying to say and determine if they say it effectively and in a literate manner.
Literacy should count! In my mind and experience, a person who doesn't know the difference between "their" and "there" is likely to not recognize many of the subtleties in proposals made to a city council for consideration. So if such a person is elected to the city council, they are far more likely to be lead or mislead by the advice of the city attorney and city staff officials who are not elected, but certainly have an agenda of their own.
Candidates are free to run on whatever platform they wish. In my opinion, "Keep your hand out of my pocket!" is a perfectly valid sentiment for an aspiring city council candidate to advocate. I think this sentiment is adequately represented in the present makeup of the city council, however. I don't care if there is another "libertarian" or "fisal conservative" elected to city council. City council is never going to reflect my values and I will always oppose tax abatements for developers who are perfectly capable of paying real estate, commercial and industrial taxes that our city is in desperate need of.
I will also always object to the notion of people who don't know how to effectively elocute ideas and specific proposals for the people whom they supposedly represent. It is not enough for an elected representative to merely reflect the sentiments of their constituents; such a representative must possess critical thinking skills and have the ability to express the mindset of the people they represent proficiently.
With that in mind, I have serious misgivings about the candidacy of several aspiring city council members of both the incumbent and non-incumbent variety. I urge all voters to consider not only the ideas that candidates represent, but also their ability to express those ideas. Remember that debates and campaign speeches are rehearsed and prepared for and do not in any way reflect a candidate's ability to think critially in a public forum. Almost every individual is keenly aware of the "bottom line" and that family and government purse strings are being drawn closed.
We do not need representatives at any level of government who do not possess the communication skills that are so essential to the efficient performance of their duty as elected officials. Sharing a common belief is insufficient cause to elect someone incapable of the eloquent expression of those beliefs. Don't settle for Elmer Fudd or Miss Piggy as city council members. Sharing their hate of Bugs or their love for Kermie is simply not a good enough reason to vote for an under-qualified candidate.
I am not making any direct endorsement for any of the city council candidates. Personally, I believe that all the incumbents should be ousted and the city should hire a new attorney. Knowing this will not happen is a cup of bitter brew I must reluctantly drink from.
Ok. So we know that some incumbents will retain their elected seats. I would like to say, however, that elected officials do reflect their constituency. I urge all voters to carefully read what the candidates are trying to say and determine if they say it effectively and in a literate manner.
Literacy should count! In my mind and experience, a person who doesn't know the difference between "their" and "there" is likely to not recognize many of the subtleties in proposals made to a city council for consideration. So if such a person is elected to the city council, they are far more likely to be lead or mislead by the advice of the city attorney and city staff officials who are not elected, but certainly have an agenda of their own.
Candidates are free to run on whatever platform they wish. In my opinion, "Keep your hand out of my pocket!" is a perfectly valid sentiment for an aspiring city council candidate to advocate. I think this sentiment is adequately represented in the present makeup of the city council, however. I don't care if there is another "libertarian" or "fisal conservative" elected to city council. City council is never going to reflect my values and I will always oppose tax abatements for developers who are perfectly capable of paying real estate, commercial and industrial taxes that our city is in desperate need of.
I will also always object to the notion of people who don't know how to effectively elocute ideas and specific proposals for the people whom they supposedly represent. It is not enough for an elected representative to merely reflect the sentiments of their constituents; such a representative must possess critical thinking skills and have the ability to express the mindset of the people they represent proficiently.
With that in mind, I have serious misgivings about the candidacy of several aspiring city council members of both the incumbent and non-incumbent variety. I urge all voters to consider not only the ideas that candidates represent, but also their ability to express those ideas. Remember that debates and campaign speeches are rehearsed and prepared for and do not in any way reflect a candidate's ability to think critially in a public forum. Almost every individual is keenly aware of the "bottom line" and that family and government purse strings are being drawn closed.
We do not need representatives at any level of government who do not possess the communication skills that are so essential to the efficient performance of their duty as elected officials. Sharing a common belief is insufficient cause to elect someone incapable of the eloquent expression of those beliefs. Don't settle for Elmer Fudd or Miss Piggy as city council members. Sharing their hate of Bugs or their love for Kermie is simply not a good enough reason to vote for an under-qualified candidate.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Don't Get Lazy! Keep Pushing for What You Believe!
Well, it's all coming down to it. In less than a week we will go to the polls and choose our various candidates for public office and vote on various propositions and judges.
Regardless of what you believe, don't get discouraged or complacent or overly-confident and start thinking "I'm so sick of this and just want it to be over!" and then find an excuse or justification to not go stand in line to vote.
Let's face it, this election is expected to be the largest voter turnout in U.S. history. The various systems across the country will be sorely taxed. People from all political and socio-economic perspectives are predicting controversy and confusion. Many are already believing the outcome of this election will once again be a matter taken to the federal court. Republicans are charging various groups with voter fraud and Democrats are charging other entities with obstructing the voting rights of particular demographic groups.
Another thing we have to face is this country's voting population's lack of "stick-to-it-ness". For as long as I've been voting, you could count on one thing: Republicans and old people vote, while Democrats, Independents and young people seem to find excuses for not showing up to the polls on election day.
I would really like to see everyone get out there and take a magazine, newspaper, their iPod, mp3 player and brave the long lines and any other coincidental unpleasantries and get out there and perform their civic duty by voting.
We are always going to have political contention in this country. Just because we think something is a foregone conclusion is no excuse to give up and not show up at the polls. This is not a message solely motivated by my desire to keep my fellow Dems insprired and committed to casting their vote. I emphatically believe in our system of government. I know it has its shortcomings and always will, but it's the best, all the same.
Vote November 4th because you cherish your freedom of choice!
Regardless of what you believe, don't get discouraged or complacent or overly-confident and start thinking "I'm so sick of this and just want it to be over!" and then find an excuse or justification to not go stand in line to vote.
Let's face it, this election is expected to be the largest voter turnout in U.S. history. The various systems across the country will be sorely taxed. People from all political and socio-economic perspectives are predicting controversy and confusion. Many are already believing the outcome of this election will once again be a matter taken to the federal court. Republicans are charging various groups with voter fraud and Democrats are charging other entities with obstructing the voting rights of particular demographic groups.
Another thing we have to face is this country's voting population's lack of "stick-to-it-ness". For as long as I've been voting, you could count on one thing: Republicans and old people vote, while Democrats, Independents and young people seem to find excuses for not showing up to the polls on election day.
I would really like to see everyone get out there and take a magazine, newspaper, their iPod, mp3 player and brave the long lines and any other coincidental unpleasantries and get out there and perform their civic duty by voting.
We are always going to have political contention in this country. Just because we think something is a foregone conclusion is no excuse to give up and not show up at the polls. This is not a message solely motivated by my desire to keep my fellow Dems insprired and committed to casting their vote. I emphatically believe in our system of government. I know it has its shortcomings and always will, but it's the best, all the same.
Vote November 4th because you cherish your freedom of choice!
Monday, October 20, 2008
"Diatribe"
Well, it's good to be back and writing again. Thought you all might enjoy a pleasant exchange I've been having with one of my biggest fans. I know everyone doesn't read the comments, and as my friend points out, I don't have a very large readership. So I provide you here with the "Full Monty" so to speak.
This comment is in response to my "Homeward Bound" post from last week:
tom said...
Most people pay good money to see a band play not to pontificate there political beliefs.
I remember attending a Jackson Browne concert and a quarter of the way through the set he decided to show this short film clip on the horrors of nuclear war and to elaborate on why democrats and socialism was a far better venue then self responsibility and working hard to achieve.
It was pretty great when many in the audience got up and said SHUT UP and SING repeatedly until he was drowned out and started to play again.
I would bet many in the audience decided at that point none of their hard earned money was going to be used to purchase anything again from Jackson Browne. I know I don't and will even turn the radio station if one comes on.
I've often wondered how people get the idea that Gore would have handled 9/11 any differently or is the concept that 9/11 wouldn't have occurred with a Gore in the White House.
I can picture it now, we send peace keepers over to Afghanistan to plant trees and shrubberies in the low level regions of the land and that makes us a shining beacon of light to the Middle Easterners.
Musicians should pontificate on there own time and give the paying audience what they wanted to see a concert pertaining to music.
October 20, 2008 1:01 PM
Stu Solomon said...
Well, Tom, to be brutally honest, I don't really care if people pontificate "there" political beliefs when the entire event was held specifically for the purpose of rallying support for the Obama-Biden ticket.
Somehow I knew you'd be the one who would be the first to respond to my post and it would be negative.
I'm glad you held back until my trip was over and now I can tell you what I really think.
I have been listening patiently to Republicans and Libertarians, alike, claiming the benefits of deregulation and "laissez-faire" economics for nearly three decades, now. I find it interesting how many "die-hard" (more like blow-hard) fans of Reaganomics refuse to admit what this idea of trickle-down economics has failed the American people and, in particular, American small business owners.
We all know the top 10% of earners in our country pay 90% of the taxes. These are not the people being negatively affected by our economy. Sure, their balance sheet goes down, but it always bounces back.
This economic "crisis" was coming for a long time and only an ignoramus would actually blame it on any one group. That's exactly what John McCain is doing, however.
He is running one of the most negative political ad campaigns in recent memory and there is no factual basis underlying his assertions.
The economy was in a tailspin at the end of Reagan's second term. It wasn't in much better shape at the end of GHW Bush's, either. It's in an absolute downward spiral here at the end of W's and I believe economic markets are the easist way to manipulate popular opinion in election years.
This "crisis" has not been manufactured as much as it has been timed. People who keep track of these things realized this turn of events was going to happen, and many of us believed it would come to a head right before the election.
It isn't working according to plan, however. These things rarely do. In addition to distracting popular focus from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (which was the GOPs wish upon a star) it has focused on the absence of moral fiber and complete disregard of fairplay common decency among the ultra-rich and privileged classes.
There is a backlash coming.
Democrats have been rudderless for nearly eight years. Now, by virtue of this gamble on the part of the ultra-conservative members of the ruling economic interests, popular sentiment is rearing its head and preparing to strike at the primary culprit.
I don't know about you all, but one of the first things I learned as a young adult (a lesson which came at a dear cost to myself) was the adage "don't mess with other people's money".
Before you get your back up and claim "that's what the bailout is!" I will already concede that point. However, the bailout is the natural reaction to the messy state of affairs on Wall Street and Washington. These are the real culprits guilty of forgetting the popular saying.
The bailout is bailing out the small investor and business owner who can't afford to make it without credit. If you want to see a global depression which the rest of the world would rightly blame on U.S. neglect and outright greed, then you may, ultimately, receive your wish.
The bailout is an effort on the part of our government to avert such a disastrous event. Free market capitalism is not a living breathing organism. It is a man-made tool of economics and is manipulated by those with the most money.
Period.
If government does not seek to regulate these institutions of capitalism for the common good, then we will lapse into a modern age of feudalism. Some sociologists and economists would argue we have already unknowingly entered such an era.
Oh, by the way, there are many of us who believe 9/11 wouldn't have happened at all if GHWB and GWB hadn't been elected. And since you've brought up the subject of wondering about things we can't change, but wish we could...
I wonder if Reagan would have been elected to another term if the public had known that his staff had back-room dealings with the Iran terrorists to delay the release of the American hostages until after his initial inauguration. Interesting how this fact and the Iran-Contra affair weren't revealed to the public in time for his re-election. Hmmmm.
PS Thanks for your kind wishes for me having a happy vacation. I hope you share your next outing with me, so I may extend you the same courtesy.
PPS By the way, the tickets to this event were $50 for the public and $30 for students, which is very reasonable in today's concert market. I know people who are paying much more to see the Eagles play a much shorter show.
October 20, 2008 1:58 PM
tom said...
I must have missed the point in the post where you or anyone said the event was a fundraiser for the Obama-Biden ticket. I could've sworn you were just going to a concert, my bad...
As for government and your diatribe on what government should and shouldn't do I'll point out the following quote in your own response
"I don't know about you all, but one of the first things I learned as a young adult (a lesson which came at a dear cost to myself) was the adage "don't mess with other people's money".
We are required by government to funnel up to 35% of our income into areas where the federal government has taken complete control and yes this includes the cost of health insurance and other cost not related. As a business owner I'm dictated by government to have a minimum of 27 mandated coverages (this is state government)which drive up the cost of my premiums. The fed regulates how the insurance companies maintain the business model from which they operate which adds undue cost to employers and employees alike.
If the federal government got back to Section VIII of the Constitution we wouldn't be in the mess that we have today.
I really enjoy how one defines my comments as negative since I was referring to a concert that I was at and it was not portrayed as a fund raiser or a supporter of any campaign and I didn't see where the one you were in attendance at was referred to in that manner either.
I'm not a fan of Reagan either but can you prove the statement that you have listed in your comments ??
"I wonder if Reagan would have been elected to another term if the public had known that his staff had back-room dealings with the Iran terrorists to delay the release of the American hostages until after his initial inauguration. Interesting how this fact and the Iran-Contra affair weren't revealed to the public in time for his re-election. Hmmmm.
Your political party has been in power for two years now so can you please list there accomplishments and how these accomplishments have benefited the American middle class
October 20, 2008 2:16 PM
tom said...
Besides since NO one has been responding to your blogs I thought you might enjoy the bantering back and forth of someone who is actually reading what you write.
October 20, 2008 2:18 PM
Stu Solomon said...
It's typical of you to "pick and choose" what you remember. I believe you can google or wikipedia search either of the two references I made to Reagan's administration. That's old hat and I don't have to provide a bibliography for these statements. They are opinions, but opinions based upon substantiated reports by newsgathering agencies like the Associated Press, CBS News and the like. Of course, now you'll probably be jumping on the wagon of labeling these organizations as the "mainstream liberal media" or some such crap as most of the people of your ilk are want to do.
I said from the beginning I don't want to be petty and would strive to be civil, but the personal attack on the volume of readers of this blog kinda urges me to take the gloves off.
As far as "diatribe" goes...
I may be posting "diatribe" but at least it's literate diatribe and not based solely on my own personal experiences. Most of what I say is founded in substantial fact and not just theory.
I don't mind bantering back and forth, but I don't necessarily look forward to exchanging volleys with someone who simply espouses the inane "woe is me" whining of the small Midwestern businessman bitching about the state of affairs his portfolio is in or the "evil machinations" of the American government trying to drain the life's blood out of his business. If you're going to point fingers at anybody you should be pointing them at Republicans for NOT granting small businesses the same tax loopholes that the corporate giants have been casually strolling through all these decades. (Let's remember that Congress has been controlled by the GOP for considerably more years than the Dems. That's one reason they keep going all the way back to the '60s and '70s to find the "reasons" for our troubles today.)
Did you ever stop to think that if the corporate giants had to pay their fair share, maybe you small businessmen could catch a break? Probably not. For it is the goal of most (but certainly not all) small businessmen/women (sorry...not wanting to be labeled "sexist") to become big businessmen/women. Protest that statement all you want, but if you really expect me to believe you wouldn't be happy as a pig in slop to find your business booming this time next year, I say balderdash.
You can slam my low readership volume all you want, Tom. I never fully expected a big base of readers. I'm just glad I live in the state congressional district I do and can proudly be represented by someone who only modestly approaches my ideals of what government should be expected to do for the people.
In my mind, governments are judged by history for the way the least and "lowest" of their citizens are benefitted. (The golden age of the Roman Empire was a time of slave reform and innovations in infrastructure which benefitted the common people far more than the rich.) These days (election days) we all hear about the plight of the middle class, but all in all they still have it pretty good compared with most other countries. It is the working poor and unemployed who need the help and protection of government. NOT the rich. NOT big business. NOT small businessmen.
I truly hope we get to the position in this country where the corporate giants pay their fair share. I know they already pay more than everyone else, but that's because they MAKE more than everyone else. If there weren't so many damn loopholes for them to escape from paying what the system is designed for them to contribute, maybe small business owners like you could catch a break.
I reread my original post and have determined you are either fibbing about not realizing it was a political function, or just an inattentive reader. Either way your personal attack on my lack of readership was irrelevant and of little import.
Have a nice day and....
GO OBAMA!!!!!
Now if we could just get that weasel Roy Blunt out of office, I'd really be happy.
October 20, 2008 5:09 PM
This comment is in response to my "Homeward Bound" post from last week:
tom said...
Most people pay good money to see a band play not to pontificate there political beliefs.
I remember attending a Jackson Browne concert and a quarter of the way through the set he decided to show this short film clip on the horrors of nuclear war and to elaborate on why democrats and socialism was a far better venue then self responsibility and working hard to achieve.
It was pretty great when many in the audience got up and said SHUT UP and SING repeatedly until he was drowned out and started to play again.
I would bet many in the audience decided at that point none of their hard earned money was going to be used to purchase anything again from Jackson Browne. I know I don't and will even turn the radio station if one comes on.
I've often wondered how people get the idea that Gore would have handled 9/11 any differently or is the concept that 9/11 wouldn't have occurred with a Gore in the White House.
I can picture it now, we send peace keepers over to Afghanistan to plant trees and shrubberies in the low level regions of the land and that makes us a shining beacon of light to the Middle Easterners.
Musicians should pontificate on there own time and give the paying audience what they wanted to see a concert pertaining to music.
October 20, 2008 1:01 PM
Stu Solomon said...
Well, Tom, to be brutally honest, I don't really care if people pontificate "there" political beliefs when the entire event was held specifically for the purpose of rallying support for the Obama-Biden ticket.
Somehow I knew you'd be the one who would be the first to respond to my post and it would be negative.
I'm glad you held back until my trip was over and now I can tell you what I really think.
I have been listening patiently to Republicans and Libertarians, alike, claiming the benefits of deregulation and "laissez-faire" economics for nearly three decades, now. I find it interesting how many "die-hard" (more like blow-hard) fans of Reaganomics refuse to admit what this idea of trickle-down economics has failed the American people and, in particular, American small business owners.
We all know the top 10% of earners in our country pay 90% of the taxes. These are not the people being negatively affected by our economy. Sure, their balance sheet goes down, but it always bounces back.
This economic "crisis" was coming for a long time and only an ignoramus would actually blame it on any one group. That's exactly what John McCain is doing, however.
He is running one of the most negative political ad campaigns in recent memory and there is no factual basis underlying his assertions.
The economy was in a tailspin at the end of Reagan's second term. It wasn't in much better shape at the end of GHW Bush's, either. It's in an absolute downward spiral here at the end of W's and I believe economic markets are the easist way to manipulate popular opinion in election years.
This "crisis" has not been manufactured as much as it has been timed. People who keep track of these things realized this turn of events was going to happen, and many of us believed it would come to a head right before the election.
It isn't working according to plan, however. These things rarely do. In addition to distracting popular focus from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (which was the GOPs wish upon a star) it has focused on the absence of moral fiber and complete disregard of fairplay common decency among the ultra-rich and privileged classes.
There is a backlash coming.
Democrats have been rudderless for nearly eight years. Now, by virtue of this gamble on the part of the ultra-conservative members of the ruling economic interests, popular sentiment is rearing its head and preparing to strike at the primary culprit.
I don't know about you all, but one of the first things I learned as a young adult (a lesson which came at a dear cost to myself) was the adage "don't mess with other people's money".
Before you get your back up and claim "that's what the bailout is!" I will already concede that point. However, the bailout is the natural reaction to the messy state of affairs on Wall Street and Washington. These are the real culprits guilty of forgetting the popular saying.
The bailout is bailing out the small investor and business owner who can't afford to make it without credit. If you want to see a global depression which the rest of the world would rightly blame on U.S. neglect and outright greed, then you may, ultimately, receive your wish.
The bailout is an effort on the part of our government to avert such a disastrous event. Free market capitalism is not a living breathing organism. It is a man-made tool of economics and is manipulated by those with the most money.
Period.
If government does not seek to regulate these institutions of capitalism for the common good, then we will lapse into a modern age of feudalism. Some sociologists and economists would argue we have already unknowingly entered such an era.
Oh, by the way, there are many of us who believe 9/11 wouldn't have happened at all if GHWB and GWB hadn't been elected. And since you've brought up the subject of wondering about things we can't change, but wish we could...
I wonder if Reagan would have been elected to another term if the public had known that his staff had back-room dealings with the Iran terrorists to delay the release of the American hostages until after his initial inauguration. Interesting how this fact and the Iran-Contra affair weren't revealed to the public in time for his re-election. Hmmmm.
PS Thanks for your kind wishes for me having a happy vacation. I hope you share your next outing with me, so I may extend you the same courtesy.
PPS By the way, the tickets to this event were $50 for the public and $30 for students, which is very reasonable in today's concert market. I know people who are paying much more to see the Eagles play a much shorter show.
October 20, 2008 1:58 PM
tom said...
I must have missed the point in the post where you or anyone said the event was a fundraiser for the Obama-Biden ticket. I could've sworn you were just going to a concert, my bad...
As for government and your diatribe on what government should and shouldn't do I'll point out the following quote in your own response
"I don't know about you all, but one of the first things I learned as a young adult (a lesson which came at a dear cost to myself) was the adage "don't mess with other people's money".
We are required by government to funnel up to 35% of our income into areas where the federal government has taken complete control and yes this includes the cost of health insurance and other cost not related. As a business owner I'm dictated by government to have a minimum of 27 mandated coverages (this is state government)which drive up the cost of my premiums. The fed regulates how the insurance companies maintain the business model from which they operate which adds undue cost to employers and employees alike.
If the federal government got back to Section VIII of the Constitution we wouldn't be in the mess that we have today.
I really enjoy how one defines my comments as negative since I was referring to a concert that I was at and it was not portrayed as a fund raiser or a supporter of any campaign and I didn't see where the one you were in attendance at was referred to in that manner either.
I'm not a fan of Reagan either but can you prove the statement that you have listed in your comments ??
"I wonder if Reagan would have been elected to another term if the public had known that his staff had back-room dealings with the Iran terrorists to delay the release of the American hostages until after his initial inauguration. Interesting how this fact and the Iran-Contra affair weren't revealed to the public in time for his re-election. Hmmmm.
Your political party has been in power for two years now so can you please list there accomplishments and how these accomplishments have benefited the American middle class
October 20, 2008 2:16 PM
tom said...
Besides since NO one has been responding to your blogs I thought you might enjoy the bantering back and forth of someone who is actually reading what you write.
October 20, 2008 2:18 PM
Stu Solomon said...
It's typical of you to "pick and choose" what you remember. I believe you can google or wikipedia search either of the two references I made to Reagan's administration. That's old hat and I don't have to provide a bibliography for these statements. They are opinions, but opinions based upon substantiated reports by newsgathering agencies like the Associated Press, CBS News and the like. Of course, now you'll probably be jumping on the wagon of labeling these organizations as the "mainstream liberal media" or some such crap as most of the people of your ilk are want to do.
I said from the beginning I don't want to be petty and would strive to be civil, but the personal attack on the volume of readers of this blog kinda urges me to take the gloves off.
As far as "diatribe" goes...
I may be posting "diatribe" but at least it's literate diatribe and not based solely on my own personal experiences. Most of what I say is founded in substantial fact and not just theory.
I don't mind bantering back and forth, but I don't necessarily look forward to exchanging volleys with someone who simply espouses the inane "woe is me" whining of the small Midwestern businessman bitching about the state of affairs his portfolio is in or the "evil machinations" of the American government trying to drain the life's blood out of his business. If you're going to point fingers at anybody you should be pointing them at Republicans for NOT granting small businesses the same tax loopholes that the corporate giants have been casually strolling through all these decades. (Let's remember that Congress has been controlled by the GOP for considerably more years than the Dems. That's one reason they keep going all the way back to the '60s and '70s to find the "reasons" for our troubles today.)
Did you ever stop to think that if the corporate giants had to pay their fair share, maybe you small businessmen could catch a break? Probably not. For it is the goal of most (but certainly not all) small businessmen/women (sorry...not wanting to be labeled "sexist") to become big businessmen/women. Protest that statement all you want, but if you really expect me to believe you wouldn't be happy as a pig in slop to find your business booming this time next year, I say balderdash.
You can slam my low readership volume all you want, Tom. I never fully expected a big base of readers. I'm just glad I live in the state congressional district I do and can proudly be represented by someone who only modestly approaches my ideals of what government should be expected to do for the people.
In my mind, governments are judged by history for the way the least and "lowest" of their citizens are benefitted. (The golden age of the Roman Empire was a time of slave reform and innovations in infrastructure which benefitted the common people far more than the rich.) These days (election days) we all hear about the plight of the middle class, but all in all they still have it pretty good compared with most other countries. It is the working poor and unemployed who need the help and protection of government. NOT the rich. NOT big business. NOT small businessmen.
I truly hope we get to the position in this country where the corporate giants pay their fair share. I know they already pay more than everyone else, but that's because they MAKE more than everyone else. If there weren't so many damn loopholes for them to escape from paying what the system is designed for them to contribute, maybe small business owners like you could catch a break.
I reread my original post and have determined you are either fibbing about not realizing it was a political function, or just an inattentive reader. Either way your personal attack on my lack of readership was irrelevant and of little import.
Have a nice day and....
GO OBAMA!!!!!
Now if we could just get that weasel Roy Blunt out of office, I'd really be happy.
October 20, 2008 5:09 PM
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Homeward Bound
I'm nearly half way home. Sitting in the lobby of the Comfort Inn of Plainfield, Indiana waiting for my travel partner to rise and shiine so we can get back on the road.
I didn't get to go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, afterall. My godson Jacob Dylan was born yesterday. Candy went into labor at 2:30 am CST so we headed straight for home. We'd already decided to skip Cleveland after a very long and fun day in College Station and a terrific night of music with the Allmans and the Dead. We would have only had a few hours to spend in the Hall of Fame and decided the extra miles and time on the road weren't worth it. We'll go another time when we can devote enough time to it.
The show was absolutely incredible. Aside from the venue pushing the stage forward to accommodate for an extremely over-sized stage (which rendered the seats I purchased a view from behind the stage, rather than directly off the front corner of it) we had a great time.
The Allman Brothers played One Way Out, Melissa, Whipping Post, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed and a couple of others. Their set lasted approximately 1 1/2 hours. The security appeared to be heavy before the show. Police were closing vendors down well before the show, but it turned out they did this to facilitate the exit of commuting students from the parking lot. After the show "Shakedown Street" was in full swing and lots of great wares were available for sale or barter.
The Dead played a set which lasted over two hours. They opened with Truckin' followed by U.S. Blues. I've seen a lot of Dead shows, but never seen an opening like that. The boys then played the full Help On the Way/Slipknot/Franklin's Tower suite. It was tremendous! Bobby sang Help on the Way and Phil sang Franklin's. They then moved into an inspired Playin' in the Band/Jam/Dark Star/Jam/St. Stephen. I don't know the last time they did that order. I haven't seen or heard every show they ever played. Let's just say they don't do this set of songs very often at all. After that Phil lead the band in a beautiful rendition of Unbroken Chain. (I'm doing this from memory aided by some video clips I took with my cell phone. I didn't take my camera in because we were told security was tight. Turns out I could have taken it in, but oh well. I'm there to listen to the show, not video tape it.) I know there was a jam after Unbroken Chain and to the best of my recollection Bobby then took the band into Cryptical Envelopment (often returned to as The Other One). Then came Throwin' Stones: an appropriate choice given the contentious atmosphere surrounding election season. (The song decries the mess the world is in and how mankind, basically, just keeps digging the hole deeper and wider and exacerbates an already intolerable situation. The key line of the chorus is "So the kids they dance and shake their bones/And the politicians are throwin' stones/Cause it's all to clear we're on our own/Singin' Ashes, ashes all fall down.") The band then flowed into a reprise of Playin' in the Band. The band rounded out the set with Touch of Grey. The encore was a rousing version of Not Fade Away. It was a truly memorable show and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. We danced and rested and danced some more.
There was only a brief period of political stumping (including members of the Penn State Varsity Football Team). Before the Dead played, a brief video appearance by Barack Obama aired. He was pleasant and appreciative of the Deadheads coming out for the event. It was short and sweet and he even made reference to his own "Touch of Grey".
Prior to playing the encore, Phil Lesh urged people to become organ donors and Bob Weir reminded people that if every Deadhead in the state of Florida had voted in
2000, we would all be living in a much different world. Who's to say, but it was an inventive way of urging people to register to vote and turn out on election day. After the show, Mickey Hart addressed the crowd and urged them to take the great feelings they had from the show and take those feelings out into the world and make something positive happen and to drive safely.
About State College. What a truly beautiful setting for a college campus. It deserves the moniker "Happy Valley". The Pennsylvania State University is immaculate and impressive. My travelling companion and I went to Ye Olde College Diner downtown and sat 20 feet away from Derek Trucks while having a meal before the show. It was pretty neat. He was very cordial on his way out of the diner and said hello to a few of us sitting at the counter.
The entire day and evening of events was a great experience and I have had a lot of these moments in my life and am humbly grateful for having been lucky enough to have had the opportunity to enjoy them.
That's all for now.
Happy Trails
I didn't get to go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, afterall. My godson Jacob Dylan was born yesterday. Candy went into labor at 2:30 am CST so we headed straight for home. We'd already decided to skip Cleveland after a very long and fun day in College Station and a terrific night of music with the Allmans and the Dead. We would have only had a few hours to spend in the Hall of Fame and decided the extra miles and time on the road weren't worth it. We'll go another time when we can devote enough time to it.
The show was absolutely incredible. Aside from the venue pushing the stage forward to accommodate for an extremely over-sized stage (which rendered the seats I purchased a view from behind the stage, rather than directly off the front corner of it) we had a great time.
The Allman Brothers played One Way Out, Melissa, Whipping Post, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed and a couple of others. Their set lasted approximately 1 1/2 hours. The security appeared to be heavy before the show. Police were closing vendors down well before the show, but it turned out they did this to facilitate the exit of commuting students from the parking lot. After the show "Shakedown Street" was in full swing and lots of great wares were available for sale or barter.
The Dead played a set which lasted over two hours. They opened with Truckin' followed by U.S. Blues. I've seen a lot of Dead shows, but never seen an opening like that. The boys then played the full Help On the Way/Slipknot/Franklin's Tower suite. It was tremendous! Bobby sang Help on the Way and Phil sang Franklin's. They then moved into an inspired Playin' in the Band/Jam/Dark Star/Jam/St. Stephen. I don't know the last time they did that order. I haven't seen or heard every show they ever played. Let's just say they don't do this set of songs very often at all. After that Phil lead the band in a beautiful rendition of Unbroken Chain. (I'm doing this from memory aided by some video clips I took with my cell phone. I didn't take my camera in because we were told security was tight. Turns out I could have taken it in, but oh well. I'm there to listen to the show, not video tape it.) I know there was a jam after Unbroken Chain and to the best of my recollection Bobby then took the band into Cryptical Envelopment (often returned to as The Other One). Then came Throwin' Stones: an appropriate choice given the contentious atmosphere surrounding election season. (The song decries the mess the world is in and how mankind, basically, just keeps digging the hole deeper and wider and exacerbates an already intolerable situation. The key line of the chorus is "So the kids they dance and shake their bones/And the politicians are throwin' stones/Cause it's all to clear we're on our own/Singin' Ashes, ashes all fall down.") The band then flowed into a reprise of Playin' in the Band. The band rounded out the set with Touch of Grey. The encore was a rousing version of Not Fade Away. It was a truly memorable show and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. We danced and rested and danced some more.
There was only a brief period of political stumping (including members of the Penn State Varsity Football Team). Before the Dead played, a brief video appearance by Barack Obama aired. He was pleasant and appreciative of the Deadheads coming out for the event. It was short and sweet and he even made reference to his own "Touch of Grey".
Prior to playing the encore, Phil Lesh urged people to become organ donors and Bob Weir reminded people that if every Deadhead in the state of Florida had voted in
2000, we would all be living in a much different world. Who's to say, but it was an inventive way of urging people to register to vote and turn out on election day. After the show, Mickey Hart addressed the crowd and urged them to take the great feelings they had from the show and take those feelings out into the world and make something positive happen and to drive safely.
About State College. What a truly beautiful setting for a college campus. It deserves the moniker "Happy Valley". The Pennsylvania State University is immaculate and impressive. My travelling companion and I went to Ye Olde College Diner downtown and sat 20 feet away from Derek Trucks while having a meal before the show. It was pretty neat. He was very cordial on his way out of the diner and said hello to a few of us sitting at the counter.
The entire day and evening of events was a great experience and I have had a lot of these moments in my life and am humbly grateful for having been lucky enough to have had the opportunity to enjoy them.
That's all for now.
Happy Trails
Monday, October 13, 2008
Rockin' For CHANGE at Penn State!
Here I sit in the Alleghany Mountains about 25 miles from my ultimate destination: Bryce Jordan Center on the Penn State University campus in State College, Pennsylvania.
Let's get this straight from the outset: I am a DEAD HEAD. Not a Grateful Dead Enthusiast or any crap of a different name. I have been listening to, following and trying to learn to the best of my ability the music of the Grateful Dead for nearly three decades, now.
The surviving members of the Dead are hooking up tonite, along with the members of the Allman Brothers Band to do a little stumping and fund raising for the Obama and Biden campaign. I'm a Yellow Dog Democrat and I'm willing to listen to almost any genre of music and genuinely enjoy it. I also listen to a lot of other political opinions and don't label people or think less of them for having opinions differing from my own. This is a great experience for me. I'm going to hear some great music, listen to some inspiring political stumping, eat ice cream at the oldest institution of ice cream manufacture and hopefully get to eat at "The Diner" while visiting.
The fall color is starting to peak here and if you think we have beautiful maples in Missouri, all I can say is, you have to see this to appreciate the difference.
I know most of you who read this do not hold with my socio-economic, political or cultural views. I CERTAINLY know nearly all of you don't like the music I do, but be the kind people I know you to be and allow for our differences and just wish me a "happy trip" and all will be well in my world.
I'll keep you all posted if anything earth-shattering happens while I'm here.
Oh yeah, I'm going to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on the return trip. Hopefully, I'll be able to post some photos on the blog for you to enjoy.
Let's get this straight from the outset: I am a DEAD HEAD. Not a Grateful Dead Enthusiast or any crap of a different name. I have been listening to, following and trying to learn to the best of my ability the music of the Grateful Dead for nearly three decades, now.
The surviving members of the Dead are hooking up tonite, along with the members of the Allman Brothers Band to do a little stumping and fund raising for the Obama and Biden campaign. I'm a Yellow Dog Democrat and I'm willing to listen to almost any genre of music and genuinely enjoy it. I also listen to a lot of other political opinions and don't label people or think less of them for having opinions differing from my own. This is a great experience for me. I'm going to hear some great music, listen to some inspiring political stumping, eat ice cream at the oldest institution of ice cream manufacture and hopefully get to eat at "The Diner" while visiting.
The fall color is starting to peak here and if you think we have beautiful maples in Missouri, all I can say is, you have to see this to appreciate the difference.
I know most of you who read this do not hold with my socio-economic, political or cultural views. I CERTAINLY know nearly all of you don't like the music I do, but be the kind people I know you to be and allow for our differences and just wish me a "happy trip" and all will be well in my world.
I'll keep you all posted if anything earth-shattering happens while I'm here.
Oh yeah, I'm going to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on the return trip. Hopefully, I'll be able to post some photos on the blog for you to enjoy.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Jenny Vinyard On KSMU at Noon Today
Jenny Vinyard will be playing live on KSMU 91.3 FM at noon today. Jenny will be supported by Dave Painter on lead guitar, Mark Pearl on percussion and Stu Solomon on keys. There will be an hour of live music and interviews from noon until 1 pm. Hope you all have a chance to listen. You will have to check with the radio station for any scheduled rebroadcast information.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Partisan Politics Kills Initial Bailout
Nearly everyone agrees the federal government should do something about the banking crisis. The economy is struggling, but not failing. Banks have overextended themselves on mortgages and credit. The fourth largest bank in the country is about to go under. The House of Representatives did not pass HR 3997 and immediately started pointing fingers at each other.
I don't necessarily support this specific bailout proposal, but I do believe Congress must pass some form of assistance in order to get the flow of credit moving once again. We are now in an environment where nobody is extending loans to anyone. This means large corporations, as well as potential home buyers.
Federal government's role in business should be proactive: NOT preemptive. Regulation of trading practices and credit limitations is not meddlesome government sticking its nose where it doesn't belong. Obviously, the policy of laissez faire free markets with little or no new regulation in response to arising conditions has FAILED.
I find it entirely ironic to witness the Democratic Party leadership rallying to the flag of a bailout program proposed by the Bush administration. Many of Bush's policies over the last 8 years have predicated these economic and political situations. The current situation is not the result of politics, however. It is the result of unsound extension of credit to borrowers, both corporate and individual, who were unsound risks for the amount of money they were borrowing.
The sound practice is to cut our losses. Some bailout is necessary, but only in order to effect the stimulation of the economy in the other direction. We don't want our federal government to own these private businesses. We want the federal government to protect the individual small to moderate investors whose entire life savings and retirement funds are dependent upon the modest investments they hold in the stock market in the form of mutual funds.
The House has failed in this initial attempt, but I don't believe this specific bill was the best they could come up with. Democrats failed to produce 2/3 of its members to vote for the bill, while Republicans failed to produce even 1/3 of its members to support it.
The notion of Republicans not voting for the bill due to the "partisan tone" of Speaker Pelosi's speech is ludicrous. What is even more outrageous, however, is the Democratic representatives not voting unanimously for this bill. This vote is completely indicative of the lack of direction from which the Democratic Party has suffered for the last 8 years.
It is as if the ship of the party has no direction since the Bill Clinton rudder was put into retirement. Say what you want, and we all know the president is not responsible for the state of the economy, but the economy was much better off when the end of the Clinton presidency was coming to a close.
I'm a Yellow Dog and I admit it. It doesn't mean I'm narrow-minded. It means I have chosen my ground to stand on and I am content to do so. I haven't claimed it outright in this blog before, though. The reason for this is because I don't like labels. When it comes down to it, though, I'm hangin' on the porch.
Largest single-day point drop in U.S. stock market history folks. It'll probably get worse before it gets betters. You can take that to the bank....
Just don't run to get there.
I don't necessarily support this specific bailout proposal, but I do believe Congress must pass some form of assistance in order to get the flow of credit moving once again. We are now in an environment where nobody is extending loans to anyone. This means large corporations, as well as potential home buyers.
Federal government's role in business should be proactive: NOT preemptive. Regulation of trading practices and credit limitations is not meddlesome government sticking its nose where it doesn't belong. Obviously, the policy of laissez faire free markets with little or no new regulation in response to arising conditions has FAILED.
I find it entirely ironic to witness the Democratic Party leadership rallying to the flag of a bailout program proposed by the Bush administration. Many of Bush's policies over the last 8 years have predicated these economic and political situations. The current situation is not the result of politics, however. It is the result of unsound extension of credit to borrowers, both corporate and individual, who were unsound risks for the amount of money they were borrowing.
The sound practice is to cut our losses. Some bailout is necessary, but only in order to effect the stimulation of the economy in the other direction. We don't want our federal government to own these private businesses. We want the federal government to protect the individual small to moderate investors whose entire life savings and retirement funds are dependent upon the modest investments they hold in the stock market in the form of mutual funds.
The House has failed in this initial attempt, but I don't believe this specific bill was the best they could come up with. Democrats failed to produce 2/3 of its members to vote for the bill, while Republicans failed to produce even 1/3 of its members to support it.
The notion of Republicans not voting for the bill due to the "partisan tone" of Speaker Pelosi's speech is ludicrous. What is even more outrageous, however, is the Democratic representatives not voting unanimously for this bill. This vote is completely indicative of the lack of direction from which the Democratic Party has suffered for the last 8 years.
It is as if the ship of the party has no direction since the Bill Clinton rudder was put into retirement. Say what you want, and we all know the president is not responsible for the state of the economy, but the economy was much better off when the end of the Clinton presidency was coming to a close.
I'm a Yellow Dog and I admit it. It doesn't mean I'm narrow-minded. It means I have chosen my ground to stand on and I am content to do so. I haven't claimed it outright in this blog before, though. The reason for this is because I don't like labels. When it comes down to it, though, I'm hangin' on the porch.
Largest single-day point drop in U.S. stock market history folks. It'll probably get worse before it gets betters. You can take that to the bank....
Just don't run to get there.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Apologies
Well, friends, I have not posted in some while now. I became deeply disillusioned with the editorial process at the paper. After making several attempts to discuss the situation with the publisher and being ignored, I tendered my resignation. There is a healthy measure of cynicism and resentment on my part, but it is not due to the editorial decisions at the paper. No, the resentment is the result of the complete lack of respect I was shown. So, before anyone says it's just "sour grapes," I admit it freely. I feel justified in my decision to resign. I gave my superiors plenty of opportunity to simply talk to me and explain their decision to cut me out of the editorial loop. We live in the age of the cell phone and e-mail, but my calls and e-mails were met with united silence.
There can be no question I was not really a "fit" with the overall tenor of the publication, but when I began to work there, it was the very fact which appealed to my publisher and friend. Things change. I have no problem with it. After all, what self-respecting publisher wants a free-thinking and independent-minded free radical like myself writing a column committed to pointing out the discrepancies of local government?
To be fair to myself, I can honestly say copy editing and proof reading the paper was actually my favorite part of the job. Story idea meetings and consultations on administrative matters were opportunities to cut up and let off some steam. Writing the column was usually my last priority. I had quite a bit on my plate. I wasn't at the paper to write the column. My employment at the paper was never dependent on the publication of any of my columns. Just so we can get that straight. I know there are other people out there who want to reduce my resignation to that, but it isn't true. I resigned because my superiors at the paper ceased to communicate with me.
Filling in for the managing editor on one issue while his lovely wife gave birth to their newest bundle of joy was enough of an eye opening experience for me to know I really liked my role at the paper and respected Mert for fulfilling his so well. In short, I'm really not very happy at all to not be there, but there were other considerations for the publisher to weigh or not weigh or simply ignore. I'll never know exactly what they were, because he refuses to interact with me. He's so busy and all, he can't allow himself to be distracted by the likes of me.
Anyway, I've become somewhat disillusioned with the whole "concerned citizen/journalist" thing. I'm sure I'll catch the bug again soon, though. We have a brand spanking new city manager who does not believe complete transparency is necessary for efficient municipal government and administration. He and Ms. Adams will get along very well.
On another note: my blog has fallen victim to a "stalker" of sorts. An anonymous commenter who has a particular axe to grind has chosen to vent his peculiar frustration in my direction. While I know I'm not the person he's really trying to get to, I have decided to reject his comments and will no longer be accepting anonymous comments on the blog. From now on only registered users will be allowed to post comments.
Sorry 'bout that in advance to any of you aspiring anonymous commenters, but he broke the "civil" clause in my invitation to comments. I generally frown on anonymity. I'm not trying to offend anyone, but, after all, if you don't have the balls to sign your name to something, by definition it is not credible.
There can be no question I was not really a "fit" with the overall tenor of the publication, but when I began to work there, it was the very fact which appealed to my publisher and friend. Things change. I have no problem with it. After all, what self-respecting publisher wants a free-thinking and independent-minded free radical like myself writing a column committed to pointing out the discrepancies of local government?
To be fair to myself, I can honestly say copy editing and proof reading the paper was actually my favorite part of the job. Story idea meetings and consultations on administrative matters were opportunities to cut up and let off some steam. Writing the column was usually my last priority. I had quite a bit on my plate. I wasn't at the paper to write the column. My employment at the paper was never dependent on the publication of any of my columns. Just so we can get that straight. I know there are other people out there who want to reduce my resignation to that, but it isn't true. I resigned because my superiors at the paper ceased to communicate with me.
Filling in for the managing editor on one issue while his lovely wife gave birth to their newest bundle of joy was enough of an eye opening experience for me to know I really liked my role at the paper and respected Mert for fulfilling his so well. In short, I'm really not very happy at all to not be there, but there were other considerations for the publisher to weigh or not weigh or simply ignore. I'll never know exactly what they were, because he refuses to interact with me. He's so busy and all, he can't allow himself to be distracted by the likes of me.
Anyway, I've become somewhat disillusioned with the whole "concerned citizen/journalist" thing. I'm sure I'll catch the bug again soon, though. We have a brand spanking new city manager who does not believe complete transparency is necessary for efficient municipal government and administration. He and Ms. Adams will get along very well.
On another note: my blog has fallen victim to a "stalker" of sorts. An anonymous commenter who has a particular axe to grind has chosen to vent his peculiar frustration in my direction. While I know I'm not the person he's really trying to get to, I have decided to reject his comments and will no longer be accepting anonymous comments on the blog. From now on only registered users will be allowed to post comments.
Sorry 'bout that in advance to any of you aspiring anonymous commenters, but he broke the "civil" clause in my invitation to comments. I generally frown on anonymity. I'm not trying to offend anyone, but, after all, if you don't have the balls to sign your name to something, by definition it is not credible.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Jenny Vinyard Update
Jenny Vinyard will be featured for an hour-long performance/interview on KSMU 91.1 FM at 12 noon on October 10, 2008. The program will be taped and aired on this date, barring any unforeseen reasons for pre-empting the broadcast.
Jenny will also be performing at Harlow's on October 24 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Jenny's band and repertoire are expanding, so be sure to make plans to listen to the radio broadcast and attend her next live performance at Harlow's.
Jenny will also be performing at Harlow's on October 24 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Jenny's band and repertoire are expanding, so be sure to make plans to listen to the radio broadcast and attend her next live performance at Harlow's.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Olympic Fever
I know there are all kinds of objections and demonstrators and protest movements surrounding the XXIX Olympiad, but you know what?
I don't care!
I love the Olympic games. I love the spectacle of the opening ceremony. I love the swimming, rowing, volleyball, table tennis, gymnastics and basketball.
I'm not just a homer, either. There are lots of great human interest stories.
And this quadrennial's games are being held in the Middle Kingdom!
China! I love their history and culture and philosophy.
I know there are human rights problems. I know the government is brutal at times and unforgiving of seemingly insignificant transgressions, but they sure did pull out the stops to show the world they are more than the world's most populated country.
Anyway, I don't want to get into all the political and economic crap. There's plenty of time to debate all that stuff. These games are about human achievement in athletics and I am grateful we live in an age where we can witness the spectacle and drama of the efforts of these athletes.
I hope you all decide to watch your favorite events and enjoy the coverage with family and friends.
I don't care!
I love the Olympic games. I love the spectacle of the opening ceremony. I love the swimming, rowing, volleyball, table tennis, gymnastics and basketball.
I'm not just a homer, either. There are lots of great human interest stories.
And this quadrennial's games are being held in the Middle Kingdom!
China! I love their history and culture and philosophy.
I know there are human rights problems. I know the government is brutal at times and unforgiving of seemingly insignificant transgressions, but they sure did pull out the stops to show the world they are more than the world's most populated country.
Anyway, I don't want to get into all the political and economic crap. There's plenty of time to debate all that stuff. These games are about human achievement in athletics and I am grateful we live in an age where we can witness the spectacle and drama of the efforts of these athletes.
I hope you all decide to watch your favorite events and enjoy the coverage with family and friends.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
U.S. Fatalities in Iraq Demand More Than "Pipe Dream Alliance"
More than 4000 U.S. service men and women have died in the Iraq War. 33,000 casualties and 29,000 wounded in the same time frame.
Now the Iraq government finds itself with a surplus of $80 billion after the surge in oil profits last quarter. What should be done with this windfall?
To be sure, the Iraqi people have suffered greatly, as has their country's infrastructure, with the inevitabilities of war. Five long years of war have ravaged the people and the systems to meet their physical needs.
So far, $169 billion has been spent to rebuild Iraq, while the conflict drags on. The military "surge" may have worked, but the flow of money needed to rebuild the country is just beginning.
Of the $169 billion spent to this point, U.S. taxpayers have donated $50 billion. I guess that's fair. We caused most of the damage to infrastructure, anyway, right?
I don't have any family or friends, that I am aware of, serving in the conflict. I am happy for that fact. I can't really imagine the stress and worry of dealing with that type of reality every day.
I don't think it's right for $10 billion of Iraqi money (in U.S. banks alone) to be collecting $435 million in interest while U.S. tax dollars are flowing to mend the damage done by the war. I'm sure Iraq will eventually devote a good amount of this windfall from oil profits to rebuilding itself.
I don't understand the Bush administration's perceived payoff for the $50 billion spent on reconstructing Iraq's infrastructure, however. Yesterday, White House Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto stated Iraq becoming a long-term ally of the U.S. is the reward for all the money spent to rebuild.
Sorry, I don't think that's something the Bush administration can assure us of. The U.S. could restore Iraq to all its former glory of antiquity and make the country the envy of Southwest Asia and the Middle East. Even if that unlikelihood did come to pass, however, the probability of Iraq remaining steadfastly allied with the U.S. for the distant future is a pipe dream.
I'm sorry, but even if you take the weapons of mass destruction off the board, the Iraqi people and their government are still going to have to pay the piper. War reparations should be made.
What we, as a country, have accomplished with this war is the suppression of a civil war that will probably never be fully quelled. The alternative, however, would have been far more distressing to the region and the rest of the world. I never advocated war with Iraq, but once we were there, we were obligated to recognize the importance of stability in the region and our responsibility to see such stability maintained through our military presence and diplomatic efforts to achieve parity among the three cultural/political groups involved in the power struggle for Iraq.
I believe that fair and non-punitive war reparations for the Iraqi government would be for them to initially forward any interest on accounts currently held in the U.S. to the U.S. government. Afterward, the Iraqi government would be required to forward 1 percent of all net profits from the proceeds of its oil exports.
It is horrible and lamentable for the hundreds of thousands of individuals who have been directly impacted by this war through the loss of a loved one and/or the wounded service men and women who have already returned and will be returning from this war. Life for these people will never be the same. Our country owes all of these people the assurance their sacrifice was not in vain and did not accomplish any real or lasting objective.
Iraq may not always be our ally in this region. I don't really see the Iraqi people rushing to lay down their lives for U.S. interests in the region. No president can foresee, let alone guarantee the future. What our government can do, however, is make sure the Iraqi government and people demonstrate their thanks in the form of repaying the monetary donation the U.S. has made to secure the reconstruction of Iraq.
Now the Iraq government finds itself with a surplus of $80 billion after the surge in oil profits last quarter. What should be done with this windfall?
To be sure, the Iraqi people have suffered greatly, as has their country's infrastructure, with the inevitabilities of war. Five long years of war have ravaged the people and the systems to meet their physical needs.
So far, $169 billion has been spent to rebuild Iraq, while the conflict drags on. The military "surge" may have worked, but the flow of money needed to rebuild the country is just beginning.
Of the $169 billion spent to this point, U.S. taxpayers have donated $50 billion. I guess that's fair. We caused most of the damage to infrastructure, anyway, right?
I don't have any family or friends, that I am aware of, serving in the conflict. I am happy for that fact. I can't really imagine the stress and worry of dealing with that type of reality every day.
I don't think it's right for $10 billion of Iraqi money (in U.S. banks alone) to be collecting $435 million in interest while U.S. tax dollars are flowing to mend the damage done by the war. I'm sure Iraq will eventually devote a good amount of this windfall from oil profits to rebuilding itself.
I don't understand the Bush administration's perceived payoff for the $50 billion spent on reconstructing Iraq's infrastructure, however. Yesterday, White House Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto stated Iraq becoming a long-term ally of the U.S. is the reward for all the money spent to rebuild.
Sorry, I don't think that's something the Bush administration can assure us of. The U.S. could restore Iraq to all its former glory of antiquity and make the country the envy of Southwest Asia and the Middle East. Even if that unlikelihood did come to pass, however, the probability of Iraq remaining steadfastly allied with the U.S. for the distant future is a pipe dream.
I'm sorry, but even if you take the weapons of mass destruction off the board, the Iraqi people and their government are still going to have to pay the piper. War reparations should be made.
What we, as a country, have accomplished with this war is the suppression of a civil war that will probably never be fully quelled. The alternative, however, would have been far more distressing to the region and the rest of the world. I never advocated war with Iraq, but once we were there, we were obligated to recognize the importance of stability in the region and our responsibility to see such stability maintained through our military presence and diplomatic efforts to achieve parity among the three cultural/political groups involved in the power struggle for Iraq.
I believe that fair and non-punitive war reparations for the Iraqi government would be for them to initially forward any interest on accounts currently held in the U.S. to the U.S. government. Afterward, the Iraqi government would be required to forward 1 percent of all net profits from the proceeds of its oil exports.
It is horrible and lamentable for the hundreds of thousands of individuals who have been directly impacted by this war through the loss of a loved one and/or the wounded service men and women who have already returned and will be returning from this war. Life for these people will never be the same. Our country owes all of these people the assurance their sacrifice was not in vain and did not accomplish any real or lasting objective.
Iraq may not always be our ally in this region. I don't really see the Iraqi people rushing to lay down their lives for U.S. interests in the region. No president can foresee, let alone guarantee the future. What our government can do, however, is make sure the Iraqi government and people demonstrate their thanks in the form of repaying the monetary donation the U.S. has made to secure the reconstruction of Iraq.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Paris is Right!
Hotelier heiress Paris Hilton has it right.
Instead of an "either/or" choice between the energy policy proposals of Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama. A hybridization of both plans (with a healthy portion of the Pickens Plan on the side) is the solution to our country's reliance on foreign oil.
We need: limited off-shore drilling with environmentally protective oversight; we also need a windfall tax for oil companies and earmark the revenue from this tax to alternative energy development (wind, solar AND nuclear); we need to commence the building of wind and solar energy farms in the plains and southwest; we need to mandate a two-way power grid allowing individual homes and businesses to implement wind and solar technologies to produce their own energy and potentially sell excess energy back to the grid.
The energy crisis this country has finally decided to acknowledge is far too important to allow the stagnant two-party political process to play with. This issue demands and deserves the active participation of all people. The time has come for the people to speak. Let your representatives know your mind on this issue.
Instead of an "either/or" choice between the energy policy proposals of Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama. A hybridization of both plans (with a healthy portion of the Pickens Plan on the side) is the solution to our country's reliance on foreign oil.
We need: limited off-shore drilling with environmentally protective oversight; we also need a windfall tax for oil companies and earmark the revenue from this tax to alternative energy development (wind, solar AND nuclear); we need to commence the building of wind and solar energy farms in the plains and southwest; we need to mandate a two-way power grid allowing individual homes and businesses to implement wind and solar technologies to produce their own energy and potentially sell excess energy back to the grid.
The energy crisis this country has finally decided to acknowledge is far too important to allow the stagnant two-party political process to play with. This issue demands and deserves the active participation of all people. The time has come for the people to speak. Let your representatives know your mind on this issue.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Two-Way Energy Grid is Part of Solution
Ronald Reagan effectively delayed solar and wind energy development by decades with his energy policies. Democrats, the scare in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine combined to kill nuclear development over the last 40 years. Nearly everybody has taken a "wrong stance" on the energy issue at one time or another.
The major factor killing wind and solar currently, however, is the lack of a two-way energy grid, whereby individual homes and businesses could implement these technologies to provide their own energy needs and sell the excess to the public and/or private utility companies. Some states allow for it, but Missouri does not.
I'm not saying these technological implementations by consumers should be subsidized by various levels of government, but, if you consider all the federal money handed out to utility companies over the last half-century, maybe such subsidization would be commendable. It would be easy to verify if recipients had utilized the money for the technology and could potentially save millions of dollars of energy expense for the utility companies themeselves: thereby increasing their net profits.
With some of the increased profits, the utility companies could expand development of large-scale wind and solar energy production and (hopefully) bring more nuclear power facilities onto the national power grid, as well.
Solar, wind and nuclear energy production being increased would allow for natural gas (something we have plenty of in the U.S.) to be developed into more efficient and cleaner fuel for automobiles and other forms of transport. This plan would grant us nearly two decades of reduced reliance on foreign oil, while providing us with the time to develop a more eco-friendly source of fuel for transportation.
The major factor killing wind and solar currently, however, is the lack of a two-way energy grid, whereby individual homes and businesses could implement these technologies to provide their own energy needs and sell the excess to the public and/or private utility companies. Some states allow for it, but Missouri does not.
I'm not saying these technological implementations by consumers should be subsidized by various levels of government, but, if you consider all the federal money handed out to utility companies over the last half-century, maybe such subsidization would be commendable. It would be easy to verify if recipients had utilized the money for the technology and could potentially save millions of dollars of energy expense for the utility companies themeselves: thereby increasing their net profits.
With some of the increased profits, the utility companies could expand development of large-scale wind and solar energy production and (hopefully) bring more nuclear power facilities onto the national power grid, as well.
Solar, wind and nuclear energy production being increased would allow for natural gas (something we have plenty of in the U.S.) to be developed into more efficient and cleaner fuel for automobiles and other forms of transport. This plan would grant us nearly two decades of reduced reliance on foreign oil, while providing us with the time to develop a more eco-friendly source of fuel for transportation.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Big Oil Wins; U.S. Auto Maker Loses
Exxon reported second quarter profits of $11.5 billion, while General Motor Corportation reported a $15 billion loss during the same period. It's an all-time hight profit for a single quarter. GM's loss is its third largest for a single quarter and includes $3 billion in employee contract buyouts.
Initial analysis of what the big oil companies do when they record such high profits (Shell Oil reported over $11 billion in profit, as well) is to reinvest in their company. They just buy their own stock and watch it go up. Meanwhile, we hear from the big oil PR people about how invested the companies are in research for alternative fuels and leaving less of a carbon footprint. I'm not buying it. Whatever they're investing in such research is, quite literally, a drop out of every barrell.
Anybody who knows anything about the subject can tell you the U.S. has had a deflated price on gasoline for years. It was bound to catch up to the world market price, but most people didn't expect it to happen so fast. It's still not as expensive as it is in Europe.
So, with full knowledge of this, the U.S. auto makers went on a collision course of economic destiny by pursuing the marketing and sale of big trucks and sport utility vehicles.
There is no conspiracy, but the big oil companies didn't do the auto makers who pursued this philosophy any favors, either. The big loser is the consumer, of course. Americans are suckers for a big, comfortable, safe and reliable vehicle.
The price of gasoline is tapering a little bit, but it's not going to fall as rapidly as it rose and it won't decrease by the same degree, either.
If you think about it, there was no other way for this to play out. Just when consumers were beginning to realize the impracticality of the big vehicles, the price of light sweet crude became the speculative game of the week for Wall Street and everyone driving those big large vehicles was saddled with the exhorbitant cost of gasoline.
The situation was predicted by many of us back when the trend to larger and less fuel-efficient vehicles became popular. It wasn't a difficult assumption to make.
The realization of it has come hard to some people, however. Now we've got people calling for more oil wells in this country and the Arctic. The Russians are making a military presence felt in the region to establish territorial rights to the largest untapped oil fields left on the planet.
Many people may not realize this scenario has been written about by several authors who foresaw the struggle to control oil production as the root system for the next global military confrontation: WW III. Doesn't sound too far-fetched with the Russian navy establishing a military presence in the Arctic Circle. Not to my mind, anyway.
It may be a long way off. It may happen next week. It may never happen, but it's certainly a plausible course of events. If you don't believe me, research it on your own.
The best thing for everyone in this country to do right now, is to work on conserving. If we work at it, we'll save some money for ourselves. The Wall Street fat cats aren't going to donate any of their profits for subsidization of our fuel bills.
Try to car pool. Try to combine trips out in the car. Walk. Use public transportation.
Initial analysis of what the big oil companies do when they record such high profits (Shell Oil reported over $11 billion in profit, as well) is to reinvest in their company. They just buy their own stock and watch it go up. Meanwhile, we hear from the big oil PR people about how invested the companies are in research for alternative fuels and leaving less of a carbon footprint. I'm not buying it. Whatever they're investing in such research is, quite literally, a drop out of every barrell.
Anybody who knows anything about the subject can tell you the U.S. has had a deflated price on gasoline for years. It was bound to catch up to the world market price, but most people didn't expect it to happen so fast. It's still not as expensive as it is in Europe.
So, with full knowledge of this, the U.S. auto makers went on a collision course of economic destiny by pursuing the marketing and sale of big trucks and sport utility vehicles.
There is no conspiracy, but the big oil companies didn't do the auto makers who pursued this philosophy any favors, either. The big loser is the consumer, of course. Americans are suckers for a big, comfortable, safe and reliable vehicle.
The price of gasoline is tapering a little bit, but it's not going to fall as rapidly as it rose and it won't decrease by the same degree, either.
If you think about it, there was no other way for this to play out. Just when consumers were beginning to realize the impracticality of the big vehicles, the price of light sweet crude became the speculative game of the week for Wall Street and everyone driving those big large vehicles was saddled with the exhorbitant cost of gasoline.
The situation was predicted by many of us back when the trend to larger and less fuel-efficient vehicles became popular. It wasn't a difficult assumption to make.
The realization of it has come hard to some people, however. Now we've got people calling for more oil wells in this country and the Arctic. The Russians are making a military presence felt in the region to establish territorial rights to the largest untapped oil fields left on the planet.
Many people may not realize this scenario has been written about by several authors who foresaw the struggle to control oil production as the root system for the next global military confrontation: WW III. Doesn't sound too far-fetched with the Russian navy establishing a military presence in the Arctic Circle. Not to my mind, anyway.
It may be a long way off. It may happen next week. It may never happen, but it's certainly a plausible course of events. If you don't believe me, research it on your own.
The best thing for everyone in this country to do right now, is to work on conserving. If we work at it, we'll save some money for ourselves. The Wall Street fat cats aren't going to donate any of their profits for subsidization of our fuel bills.
Try to car pool. Try to combine trips out in the car. Walk. Use public transportation.
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