Immigration reform is another of the complex, emotional issues we are currently dealing with in our national dialog. As in most cases, it is not the complexity of the issue that is particularly vexing. The biggest problem once again, is the emotion that prevents people from looking at the issue objectively. Objectivity is always necessary if we are to implement intelligent solutions. This is obvious from first glance.
The reason it still needs to be said is that hopefully, when you remind people of their own tendency to praise America’s immigrant past and to revere the Ellis Island legacy, it might—as unlikely as it may seem—remind people of the principles for which they stood when America was seen as a beacon of hope for all. Nowadays, when you remind people that our founding fathers also immigrated to the Americas from Europe, it seems to fall on deaf ears. It also seems to fall on deaf ears when you remind people that for generations, they and their ancestors proudly quoted Emma Lazarus who said, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” This provocative statement extols the virtues of faith, charity, and empathy (the latter of which, you will note is now a particularly filthy word according to Republicans). These virtues are diametrically opposed to the recently codified, racial profiling mandate signed into law by the Governor of Arizona.
Governor Jan Brewer signed Immigration Bill SB 1070 into law, although she acknowledged during the same press conference, that she has no idea how one can visually differentiate an illegal immigrant from a legal one or even from American Citizens. One would think that if the Governor, by her own admission, had no idea how such a law could be implemented without violating individual rights, that a veto of the bill would be a matter of common sense. Apparently, the people of Arizona are not all that fond of “huddled masses.” Who could blame them? Since it is likely the masses are only huddling to hide things that they have stolen, right Governor Brewer? read more…
Sometimes there are social issues that need to be brought into the realm of everyday conversation because social advancement is hindered by the reluctance people feel about discussing it, either because it is taboo or because it is controversial for some reason. Conversely, this does not assume that the absence of daily conversation over a particular topic about which many people have strong feelings, indicates a need to push it onto a common public agenda. There are topics that are extremely important but are not openly discussed because they are intensely personal. One such topic is a person’s sexual orientation.
Today’s “you’ve got to be kidding me” moment comes from Archie Comics. According to the Associated Press (sorry, link broken), Archie has announced it will debut its first openly gay character, Kevin Keller, in its September 1st issue. My only question is, why? Don’t tell me that the ubiquitous presence of gay men and women in daily life makes it only normal to have gay comic characters or that they don’t think there is anything unusual about it. If that were the case, would they feel a need to announce it 5 months in advance? Think about it. If they were introducing a character that happened to be a Domino’s Pizza delivery driver, would they give us 5 months warning about that? Would they announce it at all? I don’t think so. This is exploitation, plain and simple. Archie Comics wants to use the gay community to get headlines, probably to boost lagging sales.
Make no mistake. I grew up in Southern California and there were many gay and lesbian influences where I grew up. I also lived in the Bay area for 5 years and learned a great deal about the gay community there. While I think that the initial reaction for most members of the LGBT community might be something like, “It’s about time,” I think a closer look might be warranted. read more…
Sometimes you get morsels of wisdom that require few words added. If you have read this site for a while, you know my positions on the current anti-government movement. If you are unclear of my feelings about the Tea Party, this Rachel Maddow piece echos what I have said about irrational protests against the federal government by people who depend on it. So rather than give my take, which can be found all over the site, just watch this video. If you think I am missing something, I would relish a chance to consider how that might be. So educate me if you think I err.
President Obama disappointed a lot of people last week when he announced he would not be funding a return to the moon or an extension of the Shuttle program. I still remember the first shuttle launch 30 years ago. The feeling of national pride in the air was so palpable that you could cut it with a knife. The feeling was almost surreal not only because we were the only nation ever to launch and successfully land a reusable shuttle craft but also because I was in the Air Force stationed at Vandenberg AFB, CA. Vandenberg was the location of our new launch complex affectionately called, SLC-6 (pronounced slick six). SLC-6 was all the rage because this was going to become our first polar orbit launch facility. Rather than circling the Earth above and parallel to the equator, this facility would launch craft that would travel in a north to south direction so that spacecraft would circle the Earth top to bottom over the north and south poles. Man oh man was that ever cool! We had no idea why—we just knew that it was.
SPACE LAUNCH COMPLEX SLC-6
I remember the first time we drove into SLC-6. I remember because it looked just like the pictures of Cape Canaveral. The launch complex was gigantic and it had a big American flag, perhaps 200 feet high painted on the side. The mere sight of it gave me a lump in my throat and made my heart beat fast. It was beautiful! And I was there in person, just barely out of high school. That was not the most memorable aspect of the visit however. One of the NCO’s in our group was using his restricted area pass for the first time. Unbeknown to us, his pass had an almost unnoticeable numerical defect in the serial number. ALMOST. Unfortunately for us, it did not go unnoticed by the guard checking our passes. The next thing we knew, we found ourselves face down on the pavement as heavily armed military cops started spilling out of nowhere, intent on somehow getting a turn for each of them to stick a knee or elbow into the fleshiest parts of our backs. It was fun, as you can imagine. The fun intensified as the NCO with the bad pass, Staff Sergeant Bruce Goldberg, chose that moment to see how many of them he could piss off by hurling every insult at them that he could think of. Trust me, he knew quite a few—but I digress. read more…
I don’t like going off on a rant but then, what is else is Mitch McConnell good for if not to inspire a good rant…
For all the right-wing radicals demanding their country back at Tea Party rallies and elsewhere—who we are now being told are the exception and not the rule among Tea Party supporters—Mitch McConnell is the face of what you are asking for. Could it be any more clear that he has sold out to big bank interests??? To explain why he went to Wall Street to ask big banks for money to fight finance reform, he did a tap dance on CNN that would have made Fred Astaire blush. Observe:
Now to be clear, I knew from the first moment that I saw McConnell’s response to the finance reform proposal that his stance was nonsensical. When the President says he will prevent a future bailout and McConnell says that the proposal will guarantee future bailouts, these two positions are diametrically opposed and are not compatible enough to exist within the same conversation. When this happens, it is obviously not a misunderstanding or a slight misinterpretation. One of the two individuals must be flat out lying.
If the Tea Party supporters mean what they say; if they are not racists but concerned patriots, then they will in fact be willing to sit down, take an objective look at the proposal, and decide who is lying based on what is actually in the bill rather than judging by how the bill is being characterized by either of its two principals. If I see some sign that Tea Party supporters are capable of fairness on any issue, then I may have to reevaluate my previous posts about their being filled with racist cretins and morons venting unfocused anger and frustration indiscriminately. Lately, I have seen several taking my advice about disassociating themselves from radicals—a very positive step.
In all cases, it is important to try to see all sides of an issue before acting hastily. If you contrast the stances of McConnell and Obama, and if you are objective, I think the truth is plain to see. If you know better, then educate me.
Fox News View Of Oprah Winfrey: All Powerful Emperor of media
Fox News has outdone itself this time. Coming off of their successful beheading of battered and bruised ACORN, Fox News is taking the next logical step in assaulting anyone whose support was essential to the success of Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. Now, they have set their sights on Oprah Winfrey. I don’t know anyone who was not touched by election night coverage where we got to see not only the victorious celebrations of the Obama and Biden families but also the highly emotional outpourings of Oprah Winfrey and Civil Rights activist Jesse Jackson, both of whom wept rivers of tears. No matter one’s political affiliation, every American could relate to the cathartic nature of this emotional release and how it fulfilled many life-long pursuits of making the American dream a reality for every U.S. citizen, regardless their race, creed, national origin, etcetera, etcetera.
Has it taken this long for the conservative think tank to devise a method of attack that they calculate will weaken Oprah little by little or have they only just now gotten around to her? It seems to me there is little doubt that certain thinkers on the Right have adopted a long-term strategy for tilting the American political landscape in their favor prior to upcoming elections. The first step was killing ACORN. The most disgusting thing about ACORN’s demise was finding out after the fact, that the “undercover video” that brought it down was a complete fraud (This links to a Rachel Maddow piece on Media Matters. Take note of her exit question.). You would think that a so called “news network” that executes such a partisan attack would fall under suspicion of its own viewers, especially when it is later revealed that the attack was based on lies. As I have said before however, you have to recalibrate your understanding of the opposition’s code of ethics when they believe that the inherent rightness of their cause shields them from any taint that unethical behavior would subject anyone else to. read more…
Dick Armey
Dick Armey, the Former House Majority Leader and Chairman of the pseudo-grassroots organization Freedomworks warned of “consequences” that will occur if Tea Party members attempt to elect their own candidates in the November mid-term elections. Obviously, Mr. Armey worries that Republican candidates will get massively Scozzafava-ed by Tea Party candidates who campaign as real Conservatives as alternatives to the traditional-to-moderate Republicans, as happened in the NY-23 race last November. In the NY-23 race, Dede Scozzafava lost a Congressional seat she was practically guaranteed to win, after such a challenge was brought against her when far-right hardliners claimed that she was a moderate and therefore, not conservative enough.
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Dede Scozzafava
It is typical that after attempting to use and manipulate Tea Party supporters since last summer to defeat health care reform, Armey and other Republicans believe they can just simply absorb them into the party as loyal members in order to redirect their focus as needed.
He had the audacity to warn of “third party politics” in this CNN article. A few months ago, he was willing to stoke their anger using any means necessary in order to further his agenda. Now however, he has clearly decided that the time for dissent is over. This exactly parallels Republican ideas about patriotism. While Republicans held the White House and the Congress, they claimed that it was the duty of any loyal patriot to support the government, especially while the country was at war. After they lost the Congress and the White House, they suddenly reversed themselves and now tell everyone that they cannot support the government because Democrats are Socialists and will therefore destroy the “fabric of America.” They completely contradict themselves when it is convenient and have calculated that Tea Party members are mindless sheep who will happily go where herded by GOP sheep dogs. Are they right? Or will Republicans get Scozzafava-ed?
By most standards, Ann Coulter is an attractive woman. Maybe it’s just me—but I sometimes have difficulty processing truly dark emotions, hostile actions, and well—evil—when it is being perpetrated by someone attractive. If you think that’s a bad start, not to worry—I can be far more superficial than that. With all the depictions of beauty in various media over the last 50 years or so, where the Hollywood beauty who is being rescued by some well-bicepped, hunky hero just happens to be a petite, soft-spoken blond woman whose only goal in life is to…well…improve the lives of orphans and dolphins or something like that, you have to excuse me for forgetting that despite their looks, they are just as capable of being scum-nuggets as anyone else. Case in point:
CNN and Ann Coulter provided us with this little gem to help us illustrate this point.
The Pope has finally signaled that the Church will no longer assume that church officials are above the laws of the lands in which it operates. Critics have long insisted that the Church is condoning child molestation by shielding priests who have engaged in that activity, from the law. An increasing number of instances where the Church forgave guilty priests and then transferred them to other parishes, have come to light. In many cases, those priests have gone on to molest other children in their new parishes. This AP story says that Vatican officials are trying “to stem the damage from weeks of revelations about priests who raped and molested children.” However even a cursory glance of the subject reveals that clusters of molestation accusations have been coming for decades, not weeks. There are accusations, followed by varying periods of quiet, followed by still more accusations. Meanwhile, children continue to be put at risk.
Many claim that the Church’s celibacy rules are to blame. The latest round of controversy has brought new calls to end this policy. Of course any psychologist will attest that child molestation is derived from a sickness that cannot be cured by marriage. Either way, whatever the origin of this depraved behavior, the law sets forth concrete methods for dealing with its perpetrators. Pope Benedict XVI has announced a new policy whereby future perpetrators of such crimes will be handed over to local authorities for prosecution.
This announcement is especially welcome since many people had believed the Church to be oblivious to the worldwide criticism it has faced and dismissive of the ill-will that this perception has generated. In the last couple of weeks, it began to appear that the Vatican would “circle its wagons” and just ride out the criticism like they had previously done. In some cases it appeared that they were poised to fight back, particularly when father Raniero Cantalamessa likened the recent wave of criticism of the Church to anti-Semitism. Claiming that he was quoting a Jewish friend he said, “The use of stereotypes, the shifting of personal responsibility and guilt to a collective guilt remind me of the most shameful aspects of anti-Semitism.”
Nothing in the AP story is surprising. The Church has hopped from left to right and back again as Vatican officials try to strategize on ways to minimize the damage caused by these incidents. What is obvious is that the one thing the Vatican has never even considered, is simply coming clean. Where is the humility that typifies Christ-like behavior? Since the Catholic Church has been divorced of any semblance of humility for the last 1600 years, here are a few suggestions that might help:
- Forget the spin and simply say what happened and admit what you did wrong.
- Where mistakes were made, own up to them and apologize. Then say how you will prevent such things from occurring in the future.
- Abandon the secrecy and operate in the open.
- Admit that priests are human and let them BE human. Dropping the pretense of personal divinity will make admitting your mistakes less painful in the future.
These steps are not magic but simple, common sense principles that work for people in all walks of life. They will even work for the Pope. Then, more ordinary people would likely identify with him and the Catholic Church might stop hemorrhaging its members.
Afghan Suicide Blast Kills 5 Troops
The war in Afghanistan claimed new victims today in an especially grievous attack in Kabul. Having traveled this very road many times myself, I can attest to the exceptional cruelty of such callous attacks in high traffic areas of Kabul. The road where this attack took place is normally full of taxis, buses, pickup trucks, and scores of pedestrians.
The goal of terrorism is to provoke shock and fear in order to coerce a capitulation from your enemy. Fighting a war and committing acts of terrorism are two entirely different things. A desire to attack soft targets in order to minimize the number of a group’s own lives that must be traded for an enemy’s can be understood from a tactical point of view but the indiscriminate killing of innocents can never be justified, let alone the killing of one’s own people.
I tweeted from the outskirts of Kabul last year that I heard groups of children laughing and playing a short distance from where I was standing. It was refreshing and felt like progress since it was the first time I had heard this sound in the seven years since I first went there. Not even 1 year later, those children are no doubt crying today as the location of this suicide attack was less than a half kilometer from where they played together mere months ago.
For me, this is not just a story on the news. My condolences go out to all of the victims—both Afghan and coalition—which hopefully do not include any of the friends I have on the ground there right now.
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