Loyalty in the Senate:
Senator Frist may have expected that he could rely on his friends in the Senate to stick by him in a showdown over the filibuster. But Harry Truman once said that, if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.
quote from Thomas Sowell.
Friday, May 27, 2005
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
The Death of Archimedes
I remembered seeing this picture many years ago in a book and was able to find it again with Google.
Archimedes was Known to the Romans
The Death of Archimedes:
The Roman general Marcellus invaded Sicily and the city of Syracuse in 212BC. Archimedes was one of the great scientists of the ancient world. Marcellus was aware of the talents of Archimedes and wanted him captured alive. The following is from the Roman records.
The city was turned over to the troops to pillage as they pleased, after guards had been set at the houses of the exiles who had been in the Roman lines. Many brutalities were committed in hot blood and the greed of gain, and it is on record that Archimedes, while intent upon figures which he had traced in the dust, and regardless of the hideous uproar of an army let loose to ravage and despoil a captured city, was killed by a soldier who did not know who he was. Marcellus was distressed by this; he had him properly buried and his relatives inquired for—to whom the name and memory of Archimedes were an honour.
The Roman general Marcellus invaded Sicily and the city of Syracuse in 212BC. Archimedes was one of the great scientists of the ancient world. Marcellus was aware of the talents of Archimedes and wanted him captured alive. The following is from the Roman records.
The city was turned over to the troops to pillage as they pleased, after guards had been set at the houses of the exiles who had been in the Roman lines. Many brutalities were committed in hot blood and the greed of gain, and it is on record that Archimedes, while intent upon figures which he had traced in the dust, and regardless of the hideous uproar of an army let loose to ravage and despoil a captured city, was killed by a soldier who did not know who he was. Marcellus was distressed by this; he had him properly buried and his relatives inquired for—to whom the name and memory of Archimedes were an honour.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
The filibuster debate:
The Senate filibuster is used when you want to prevent a vote. If your opponents will have 51 votes on an issue you can stop the vote by endlessly talking and not yielding the floor. To override a filibuster takes 60 votes.
Suppose that when you go to vote next November a group of protesters block the door at your precinct. The protesters say that polls show their candidate will lose if the election is allowed to proceed. You complain but are told officially that the protesters have a right to do it and it is called a filibuster. Is this democracy?
The Senate filibuster is used when you want to prevent a vote. If your opponents will have 51 votes on an issue you can stop the vote by endlessly talking and not yielding the floor. To override a filibuster takes 60 votes.
Suppose that when you go to vote next November a group of protesters block the door at your precinct. The protesters say that polls show their candidate will lose if the election is allowed to proceed. You complain but are told officially that the protesters have a right to do it and it is called a filibuster. Is this democracy?
Monday, May 16, 2005
Is the constant drumbeat of bad news in the media wearing us down? The national news is a litany of grim and disturbing crime stories, bad economic news, political criticism and disasters. I know it is the nature of the news to focus on the negative. The airplane that did not crash is not news nor is the CEO that does not steal, the company that is not downsizing, the postal employee who goes to work peacefully, or juveniles who are not involved in drugs or gangs. On the local level I think the H-T does a good job of putting out positive reports on community activities and development. However, I admit that I usually read the crime reports first each day.
In a nation of 300 million there is always something bad happening somewhere. If you look for it you will find it. Time for a reality check… most people want to do the right thing, crime statistics have actually improved, our government is not as bad as critics say and Americans have a good standard of living. Is there a country anywhere in the world without problems and citizens who complain? Try to remember these things. Lighten up!
Ltr to H-T op-ed
In a nation of 300 million there is always something bad happening somewhere. If you look for it you will find it. Time for a reality check… most people want to do the right thing, crime statistics have actually improved, our government is not as bad as critics say and Americans have a good standard of living. Is there a country anywhere in the world without problems and citizens who complain? Try to remember these things. Lighten up!
Ltr to H-T op-ed
Thursday, May 12, 2005
The late Johnny Carson
I laughed when Johnny would remark something like "It was hot today." Then Ed McMahan would ask Johnny "So, how hot was it?" An Johnny would make a joke.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
The Holocaust: 
I read a theory that if Jews and other civilian victims in Germany and Europe had guns and resisted the Nazis who rounded them up the cost to the Nazis would have been so high they would have had to halt the process. The lengthy and costly fight in the Warsaw ghetto is an example of where victims fought. The Nazis continued to locate and herd victims to the camps even as the Allies were closing in during the late stages of the war. It has been said that the manpower and rail assets used for this hurt the German war effort significantly but were continued nonetheless. It's estimated six million Jews and another six million non-Jews, including many Polish people, perished in these camps.
Details of the camp system and genocide were kept secret even from the German public. At the time of arrest, victims were led to believe they would survive the camp experience. Human nature worked in the Nazi's favor. Imagine a scene where some want to fight the heavily armed SS and Gestapo forces. Others would point out how dangerous this would be and how it would endanger the lives of women, children, elderly and so on. These cooler heads would prevail. After all, why risk death when you have a chance to survive by cooperating? Can we fault civilized people for this reasoning? The diabolical Nazi's held out (false) hope knowing this would occur. Another tactic was to have victims make detailed lists of their personal property, allegedly so they could recover it later. At the camp entrance a large sign stated "Arbieten Macht Frei" (Work will make you free). The Nazis were cruelly clever in these tricks that greatly reduced the victim's resistance.
Today we are accustomed to total news coverage of world events but imagine the plight of civilians and refugees in WWII Europe...No reliable information of what is happening, rumors spreading like wildfire, Official sources spreading lies and propaganda. Imagine yourself, perhaps with a family to care for, trying to find out what is really going on. Should you stay where you are, move, hide or follow others? Where will you find food and shelter? There are stories of small groups leaving their homes and possessions and making their way over arduous and risky territory and through knowledge or luck they found safety. With hindsight we also know many refugees would have been better off staying in their homes. But at the time, they had no way of knowing. When civilization collapses who do you turn to?
Another incident that is not as well known is the murder of 30,000 Polish army officers by the Soviets. WWII started when the Nazis invaded Poland. Prior to this they had made a secret deal with the Soviets so that Russia invaded eastern Poland at the same time. Later, of course Germany reneged and attacked Russia as well. But in the meantime solid evidence has come out that Russia took Polish officers (POWs) and murdered them. Their bodies have been discovered in a Polish forest. Did these victims know what the communists were planning? Were they perhaps led to believe they would be released? These officers, representing some of the best of Polish society, would be viewed by Marxists as bourgeois and a threat to socialism. Communists eliminate this class by eliminating the people in that class.
I read a theory that if Jews and other civilian victims in Germany and Europe had guns and resisted the Nazis who rounded them up the cost to the Nazis would have been so high they would have had to halt the process. The lengthy and costly fight in the Warsaw ghetto is an example of where victims fought. The Nazis continued to locate and herd victims to the camps even as the Allies were closing in during the late stages of the war. It has been said that the manpower and rail assets used for this hurt the German war effort significantly but were continued nonetheless. It's estimated six million Jews and another six million non-Jews, including many Polish people, perished in these camps.
Details of the camp system and genocide were kept secret even from the German public. At the time of arrest, victims were led to believe they would survive the camp experience. Human nature worked in the Nazi's favor. Imagine a scene where some want to fight the heavily armed SS and Gestapo forces. Others would point out how dangerous this would be and how it would endanger the lives of women, children, elderly and so on. These cooler heads would prevail. After all, why risk death when you have a chance to survive by cooperating? Can we fault civilized people for this reasoning? The diabolical Nazi's held out (false) hope knowing this would occur. Another tactic was to have victims make detailed lists of their personal property, allegedly so they could recover it later. At the camp entrance a large sign stated "Arbieten Macht Frei" (Work will make you free). The Nazis were cruelly clever in these tricks that greatly reduced the victim's resistance.
Today we are accustomed to total news coverage of world events but imagine the plight of civilians and refugees in WWII Europe...No reliable information of what is happening, rumors spreading like wildfire, Official sources spreading lies and propaganda. Imagine yourself, perhaps with a family to care for, trying to find out what is really going on. Should you stay where you are, move, hide or follow others? Where will you find food and shelter? There are stories of small groups leaving their homes and possessions and making their way over arduous and risky territory and through knowledge or luck they found safety. With hindsight we also know many refugees would have been better off staying in their homes. But at the time, they had no way of knowing. When civilization collapses who do you turn to?
Another incident that is not as well known is the murder of 30,000 Polish army officers by the Soviets. WWII started when the Nazis invaded Poland. Prior to this they had made a secret deal with the Soviets so that Russia invaded eastern Poland at the same time. Later, of course Germany reneged and attacked Russia as well. But in the meantime solid evidence has come out that Russia took Polish officers (POWs) and murdered them. Their bodies have been discovered in a Polish forest. Did these victims know what the communists were planning? Were they perhaps led to believe they would be released? These officers, representing some of the best of Polish society, would be viewed by Marxists as bourgeois and a threat to socialism. Communists eliminate this class by eliminating the people in that class.
First amendment Sleaze:
The founding fathers were very concerned that political discussion or criticism of the government not be restricted and our constitution reflects this. But every time the subject of censorship or decency on TV comes up it involves either violence or sex. I have never heard of a case where political speech was at issue.
So despite the high blown talk about first amendment rights and freedom of the press it really comes down to networks and stations wanting to make more money by adding violence and sex to TV programming. After all, the TV executive's salary and bonus depend on ratings and they are desparate to get those ratings. If you will think about it, sex, violence and cursing on TV have increased dramatically in the last few years.
Did anyone see the super bowl ABC ad with the blond dropping her towel for the football player?
The founding fathers were very concerned that political discussion or criticism of the government not be restricted and our constitution reflects this. But every time the subject of censorship or decency on TV comes up it involves either violence or sex. I have never heard of a case where political speech was at issue.
So despite the high blown talk about first amendment rights and freedom of the press it really comes down to networks and stations wanting to make more money by adding violence and sex to TV programming. After all, the TV executive's salary and bonus depend on ratings and they are desparate to get those ratings. If you will think about it, sex, violence and cursing on TV have increased dramatically in the last few years.
Did anyone see the super bowl ABC ad with the blond dropping her towel for the football player?
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Corporate Thievery:
The Godfather advised his son that “a lawyer could steal more money with a briefcase than could a hundred men with guns”. In 1995 Disney executive Michael Ovitz was fired after 7 months on the job and received a $140 million termination fee. Shareholders of Disney have filed a suit seeking to recover the fee plus $40 million in interest. Defendants are Ovitz, CEO Michael Eisner , and the Disney board of directors. Eisner and Ovitz were friends for 25 years before he was hired. Eisner then fired his pal after only seven months and handed him $140 million of Disney assets. This does not pass the smell test. Eisner himself has received well over $ 1 billion in compensation as CEO of Disney. I hope the shareholders win their case against these bandits and their co-conspirators on the board of directors. We need to restore confidence and a sense of justice in American corporations.
Published in H-T op-ed. PS: How much is $140M? 2300 people working one year making $60k+ per year. What burns me is that they will get away with it and then go on book tours bragging about their careers...like the GE ex-CEO Jack Welch is doing now.
The Godfather advised his son that “a lawyer could steal more money with a briefcase than could a hundred men with guns”. In 1995 Disney executive Michael Ovitz was fired after 7 months on the job and received a $140 million termination fee. Shareholders of Disney have filed a suit seeking to recover the fee plus $40 million in interest. Defendants are Ovitz, CEO Michael Eisner , and the Disney board of directors. Eisner and Ovitz were friends for 25 years before he was hired. Eisner then fired his pal after only seven months and handed him $140 million of Disney assets. This does not pass the smell test. Eisner himself has received well over $ 1 billion in compensation as CEO of Disney. I hope the shareholders win their case against these bandits and their co-conspirators on the board of directors. We need to restore confidence and a sense of justice in American corporations.
Published in H-T op-ed. PS: How much is $140M? 2300 people working one year making $60k+ per year. What burns me is that they will get away with it and then go on book tours bragging about their careers...like the GE ex-CEO Jack Welch is doing now.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Scifi movies are fun:
I have probably seen most of the good films in this genre and many of the bad as well. My favorites that come to mind are:
1. War of the Worlds (1953)
2. Alien
3. Aliens
4. The Thing (195-)
5. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (195-)
6. Jurassic Park
7. The Day the Earth Stood Still
8. The Terminator
9. Blade Runner
10. Independence Day
I have probably seen most of the good films in this genre and many of the bad as well. My favorites that come to mind are:
1. War of the Worlds (1953)
2. Alien
3. Aliens
4. The Thing (195-)
5. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (195-)
6. Jurassic Park
7. The Day the Earth Stood Still
8. The Terminator
9. Blade Runner
10. Independence Day
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Marx and Lenin would be horrified!:
Consider the quote and link below regarding the Communist government of Vietnam. Supposedly, Communism exists to stop exploitation. Nike has about 43,000 workers in Vietnam. International groups accuse Nike of unsafe working conditions there.
"Government advisers speak openly of their desire to attract foreign capitalists to exploit the local workforce, a process that could be speeded up this year, if Vietnam succeeds in its bid to join the World Trade Organisation. "WTO accession is an imperative," says Le Dang Doanh, an economist. "It's the only way to continue high growth. Foreign investors want to use Vietnam as an export base because of its cheap, skilled labour."
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Thirty years after the fall of Saigon, the celebrations can finally begin
Consider the quote and link below regarding the Communist government of Vietnam. Supposedly, Communism exists to stop exploitation. Nike has about 43,000 workers in Vietnam. International groups accuse Nike of unsafe working conditions there.
"Government advisers speak openly of their desire to attract foreign capitalists to exploit the local workforce, a process that could be speeded up this year, if Vietnam succeeds in its bid to join the World Trade Organisation. "WTO accession is an imperative," says Le Dang Doanh, an economist. "It's the only way to continue high growth. Foreign investors want to use Vietnam as an export base because of its cheap, skilled labour."
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Thirty years after the fall of Saigon, the celebrations can finally begin
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