The strong rumors that Arlen Specter Republican of PA will be joining the Democrats added to the apparent win in Minnesota of humorist Al Franken sets the stage for a fillibuster proof Senate.
More importantly, it adds both power and moderation to the Democrats and forges a left center coalition that has a shot at setting policy in the nation for the foreseeable future.
Specter who already has crossed the aisle to provide critical votes for the new administration will be welcome in most circles of the Democratic party and will help it initiate long past due reforms blocked by the government is the enemy party.
While the right will squirm and deplore the fillibuster proof command that this development provides Obama, it is clearly the result of their own incompetence and negligence that has rained ruin and near ruin on so many in this country and the world.
Their dark little part of the world has gotten smaller, their big tent now a pup tent, of tired old and failed policies. They will rise again, but not as long as they continue to smear, obstruct and vilify. Those policies are what got them in their current predicament.
They may get lucky and get an Obama misstep at some point, but my bet is that this cool and collected leader will sail through his first term with mostly welcome victories setting up a decisive second term. After all comparisons to the prior four or eight years are going to be pretty easy to surpass. But more importantly, it's now possible for solid progress on a centrist left set of policies that may not fully excite the entire left of the Democrats but stand to pass with flying colors.
The old Rippon society Republicans have been homeless for a generation, lets welcome them and make policies that will rebuild America again.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Swine Flu Fear Spreads
Fear of a possible Swine Flu pandemic is now spreading across the world. And while the deaths appear to be localized to the point of origin which appears to be in Mexico, cases have been reported in California which is near by, New York which isn't and Kansas also not and normally though of as fly over territory.
Penetration into diverse point within the US suggests that the disease is communicable and able to leap tall buildings so to speak. The good news is that the disease has apparently a short incubation period of three days according to a NYC health Department spokesperson in a presentation on Saturday regarding the school children there believed to be NYC's victims.
A short incubation period means people are less likely to expose as many others as they might with a longer period before symptoms appear. The other good news is that the cases in the US so far appear to be milder that those in Mexico. This could indicate a weakening of the strain over time.
All of this of course is preliminary, and the threat of this or a similar flu epidemic is a constant threat. Since the avian flu scare of several years ago, much work has been done by public health agencies across the nation to prepare for a possible pandemic, but those plans are nowhere near complete nor adequate.
Let's hope this outbreak fades away quickly. But if it does, lets hope it doesn't lead to complacency. The threat of pandemic is perpetually with us. And while 1918 may seem like a long time ago, it could easily revisit us. Note that in that epidemic the healthiest young adults were among the most vulnerable. Possibly because they had relatively fewer past flu antibodies and a strong immune system that warred with the invading virus so vigorously the host died.
Much of the 1918 epidemic was not made public as it occurred during WWI and was treated as secret by the warring states governments so as not to give hope to their enemies.
Penetration into diverse point within the US suggests that the disease is communicable and able to leap tall buildings so to speak. The good news is that the disease has apparently a short incubation period of three days according to a NYC health Department spokesperson in a presentation on Saturday regarding the school children there believed to be NYC's victims.
A short incubation period means people are less likely to expose as many others as they might with a longer period before symptoms appear. The other good news is that the cases in the US so far appear to be milder that those in Mexico. This could indicate a weakening of the strain over time.
All of this of course is preliminary, and the threat of this or a similar flu epidemic is a constant threat. Since the avian flu scare of several years ago, much work has been done by public health agencies across the nation to prepare for a possible pandemic, but those plans are nowhere near complete nor adequate.
Let's hope this outbreak fades away quickly. But if it does, lets hope it doesn't lead to complacency. The threat of pandemic is perpetually with us. And while 1918 may seem like a long time ago, it could easily revisit us. Note that in that epidemic the healthiest young adults were among the most vulnerable. Possibly because they had relatively fewer past flu antibodies and a strong immune system that warred with the invading virus so vigorously the host died.
Much of the 1918 epidemic was not made public as it occurred during WWI and was treated as secret by the warring states governments so as not to give hope to their enemies.
Friday, April 24, 2009
New Swine Flu Benefits us all
Reports are circulating about a new strain of Swine Flu in Mexico and the US Southwest. About 30 years ago the threat of swine flu created a near panic across the US and lead to a massive inoculation program. Millions of Americans received Swine Flu shots at that time, will we need to do it again?
And what is the current status of the Avian "bird" flu. Haven't heard much about this threat lately, but I assume it remains ever likely to evolve and and wipe up a chunk of our population. Can we assume that the powers that be are continuing to develop strategies to set up vaccine resources?
Or has the lull of the past several years in public attention to the issue allowed funding and attention to slip. Perhaps the new swine flu will serve to redirect attention to the long term threat of pandemic disease yet again. If so, occasional outbreak of animal transmitted disease will bring us a benefit if only in terms of renewing vigilance.
And what is the current status of the Avian "bird" flu. Haven't heard much about this threat lately, but I assume it remains ever likely to evolve and and wipe up a chunk of our population. Can we assume that the powers that be are continuing to develop strategies to set up vaccine resources?
Or has the lull of the past several years in public attention to the issue allowed funding and attention to slip. Perhaps the new swine flu will serve to redirect attention to the long term threat of pandemic disease yet again. If so, occasional outbreak of animal transmitted disease will bring us a benefit if only in terms of renewing vigilance.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Susan Boyle
The Susan Boyle Bubble continues to excite the world, spreading from the UK to the States and beyond. How could such a wonderful voice be kept out of the limelight for so long? Because she was homely?
The opportunity for a fresh look at our obsession with outward appearances and missing the inner beauty abound, and are certainly part and parcel of the recent phenomenon. But does that mean we shouldn't pay attention to outward appearances? Only at your own risk.
It may be a chicken and egg situation. But it is clear that people judge on appearances and they judge quickly. And while on reflection this may seem unfair, and may hide the clear voices of the Susan Boyles in the world, there is a reason for the rush to judgment.
That reason simply is that there are so many judgments to be made. We as humans are constantly barraged with situations and circumstances from moment to moment. And while we may on occasion sit back and consider an issue, most of the time we are just too buys getting on to do so.
And so as a defense mechanism we develop shortcuts, and these judgments are just one aspect thereof. We tend to stick to our judgments, and that is another issue worthy of discussion. But the impetus to continuity is well documented.
The problem isn't that we make these judgments, and tend to stick with them, its that they are so infrequently exposed to cause us to pause and wonder. And Thank you Susan Boyle, you have made that easier for many more people to do. Now we also need to understand that these opinions of outward appearance influence all aspects of religion, economics, politics, music and what have you.
We need perhaps some sort of systematic initial judgment review. But what would that look like.
I will ponder further, as my initial judgment is that no one would be interested.
The opportunity for a fresh look at our obsession with outward appearances and missing the inner beauty abound, and are certainly part and parcel of the recent phenomenon. But does that mean we shouldn't pay attention to outward appearances? Only at your own risk.
It may be a chicken and egg situation. But it is clear that people judge on appearances and they judge quickly. And while on reflection this may seem unfair, and may hide the clear voices of the Susan Boyles in the world, there is a reason for the rush to judgment.
That reason simply is that there are so many judgments to be made. We as humans are constantly barraged with situations and circumstances from moment to moment. And while we may on occasion sit back and consider an issue, most of the time we are just too buys getting on to do so.
And so as a defense mechanism we develop shortcuts, and these judgments are just one aspect thereof. We tend to stick to our judgments, and that is another issue worthy of discussion. But the impetus to continuity is well documented.
The problem isn't that we make these judgments, and tend to stick with them, its that they are so infrequently exposed to cause us to pause and wonder. And Thank you Susan Boyle, you have made that easier for many more people to do. Now we also need to understand that these opinions of outward appearance influence all aspects of religion, economics, politics, music and what have you.
We need perhaps some sort of systematic initial judgment review. But what would that look like.
I will ponder further, as my initial judgment is that no one would be interested.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tea Parties Steep in their own bitter juices
Across the US, in every city and hamlet, if your were to believe the hype, Americans are gathering today to protest taxes and taxation. The truth to be told, the event is a fizzle rather than a tempest. And for good reason. The tea kettle it turns out is calling the kettle black. But the cause of astronomical spending increases the nation has been forced to endure has been to pay for the malfeasance of the past administrations and and their lemming like adherence to a lo tax no tax policy that failed to pay the nations debts. Failed not only to pay them, but to count them, shoved billions of obligations off the books and pretending they didn't matter.
An administration that was so enamored with the hands off - the best government is no government philosophy that it failed to regulate our financial institutions, and permitted naked greed to be the informal "law of the land." And one that failed to tackle the great issues before the American people such as our indefensible health care non system.
Now there can be no doubt that the huge deficits being incurred today are not troublesome. But give credit to Obama and his people for actually counting it, and not shoving it under the rug.
And while health care reform will require additional debt and risk to our system, it at least results in significant savings in the long run to people and businesses and stands a chance of creating a new medical economy based on a sounder financial and ethical footing.
This new debate is yet to develop, but the tea parties of today are but the beginning of a concerted effort to undermine progress forward in that regard. And while those partaking in their tea today, will claim a historical Bostonian link, remember that the tea spilt in Boston harbor was a protest against taxation. It was a protest against taxation without representation. While today's tea drinkers won't admit it, Obama was elected to clean up the mess they created and to set the nation on a new course.
And when I brew myself a cup of Earl Gray this afternoon, I will toast not to todays tea parties but to a brighter American future. Because as great as the deficit is, we can rebuild this nation and forge a more prosperous future for us all if we are willing to look forward, and avoid the idocies of the immediate past.
An administration that was so enamored with the hands off - the best government is no government philosophy that it failed to regulate our financial institutions, and permitted naked greed to be the informal "law of the land." And one that failed to tackle the great issues before the American people such as our indefensible health care non system.
Now there can be no doubt that the huge deficits being incurred today are not troublesome. But give credit to Obama and his people for actually counting it, and not shoving it under the rug.
And while health care reform will require additional debt and risk to our system, it at least results in significant savings in the long run to people and businesses and stands a chance of creating a new medical economy based on a sounder financial and ethical footing.
This new debate is yet to develop, but the tea parties of today are but the beginning of a concerted effort to undermine progress forward in that regard. And while those partaking in their tea today, will claim a historical Bostonian link, remember that the tea spilt in Boston harbor was a protest against taxation. It was a protest against taxation without representation. While today's tea drinkers won't admit it, Obama was elected to clean up the mess they created and to set the nation on a new course.
And when I brew myself a cup of Earl Gray this afternoon, I will toast not to todays tea parties but to a brighter American future. Because as great as the deficit is, we can rebuild this nation and forge a more prosperous future for us all if we are willing to look forward, and avoid the idocies of the immediate past.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Franken Wins, Coleman Refuses to Concede
Franken Wins Court Case but will Norm give up? After an exhaustive recount and then court challenge, it appears that Al Franken has all but won the Minnesota Senate Seat. But not so fast, Norm Coleman appears headed to the Minnesota Supreme court and then to the US Supreme court. And while these maneuvers may not win him back his senate seat, they may serve to deprive Minnesotans of full representation in the Senate.
Minnesota Democrats are calling for action, and its likely that that call will get louder as they gather this weekend for the annual Humphrey Day dinner. While we have great representation from our able Senator Amy Klobochur, she can't do it all, one face book comment states.
The obstructionist approach taken by Coleman is seen as part and parcel of the national Republican party's approach to its minority status in Washington. Will this be the label Republicans want to carry?
The irony is that Coleman called on Franken to concede based on incomplete returns when he thought he had the upper hand. This ability to do a complete about face is one of Norm Colemans
least endearing characteristics that tends to drive his Democratic opponents up the wall.
The one time Democratic Mayor of St. Paul is seen as a turncoat by many in Minnesota.
Minnesota Democrats are calling for action, and its likely that that call will get louder as they gather this weekend for the annual Humphrey Day dinner. While we have great representation from our able Senator Amy Klobochur, she can't do it all, one face book comment states.
The obstructionist approach taken by Coleman is seen as part and parcel of the national Republican party's approach to its minority status in Washington. Will this be the label Republicans want to carry?
The irony is that Coleman called on Franken to concede based on incomplete returns when he thought he had the upper hand. This ability to do a complete about face is one of Norm Colemans
least endearing characteristics that tends to drive his Democratic opponents up the wall.
The one time Democratic Mayor of St. Paul is seen as a turncoat by many in Minnesota.
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