With the impending impeachment vote on the immediate horizon, it might be useful to keep in mind what Senator Sherrod Brown recently had to say: ‘To be an effective legislator, one might need to risk losing the next election.’
Now more than ever: Courage and Conscience Still Matter!
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Bernie Remains A Viable Force
It very well may be that Sanders' predicted demise (by the Democratic establishment and the MSM) is seriously premature and dismissive of the continued groundswell of support he has captured by a consistent, authentic, and compelling analysis of our society's deep seeded needs. His appeal to the previously disenfranchised and ignored members of an untapped electorate is particularly worthy of note. His candidacy remains as viable as ever and will be force to be reckoned with throughout the election cycle of 2020. In spite of the elites' preferences and traditional reluctance to embrace real systemic change, the people will likely/hopefully have the final say as to the future direction of our ship of state. Let their collective voice be heard...let the wild political rumpus begin!
Friday, November 22, 2019
Amy and Me
Given that the over-crowded Democratic 'debate' stage yields nothing more than a series of sound bites, it might be worth mentioning arguably the best line from this week's presentation. It came from none other than Amy Klobuchar...when recalling her first political campaign, she proudly declared that she was able 'to raise $17,000 in donations from my ex-boy friends'. Following her excellent example, I've been contacting my ex-girl friends and, to date, have managed to accumulate enough to buy a cup of tea and a day-old pastry!
Preserving Thoroughbred Horse Racing
Recently, it has been suggested that the banning of the blood thinning drug Lasix and the expansion of CT scanning at race tracks will aid in the effort to better protect the thoroughbred race horse as well as preserving the future viability of the sport of horse racing in California.
I agree that reasonable compromise is indicated if all interested parties act in good faith. Regular CT scanning is a good idea and further study on the efficacy of synthetic surfaces needs to be referenced. A likely outcome of a Lasix ban will be a substantial increase in horses pulling out of races due to excessive bleeding. This is bad for owners, trainers, and the racing public as well as for the broader perception of the population at large. Political opportunists like California Governor Newsom will seize upon this issue to advance their future political ambitions while California Senator Feinstein continues to posture without any real knowledge of the industry she is too quick to condemn.
Those wishing to save the sport are right to identify the urgency of this matter as it is currently ripe for a harvest of negative, misleading, and destructive measures that could very well result in the demise of the great (and flawed) institution of thoroughbred horse racing. My past experience as a journalist covering this sport suggests that the overwhelming majority of people connected to the thoroughbred horse racing world are conscientious individuals with a deep connection to the animals in their charge. Echoing an earlier recommendation, knowledgeable people from both sides of the looming argument need to confer to reach an agreement to preserve the integrity of the sport while maximizing the ongoing safety and care for the equine athletes upon whom an entire industry depends.
I agree that reasonable compromise is indicated if all interested parties act in good faith. Regular CT scanning is a good idea and further study on the efficacy of synthetic surfaces needs to be referenced. A likely outcome of a Lasix ban will be a substantial increase in horses pulling out of races due to excessive bleeding. This is bad for owners, trainers, and the racing public as well as for the broader perception of the population at large. Political opportunists like California Governor Newsom will seize upon this issue to advance their future political ambitions while California Senator Feinstein continues to posture without any real knowledge of the industry she is too quick to condemn.
Those wishing to save the sport are right to identify the urgency of this matter as it is currently ripe for a harvest of negative, misleading, and destructive measures that could very well result in the demise of the great (and flawed) institution of thoroughbred horse racing. My past experience as a journalist covering this sport suggests that the overwhelming majority of people connected to the thoroughbred horse racing world are conscientious individuals with a deep connection to the animals in their charge. Echoing an earlier recommendation, knowledgeable people from both sides of the looming argument need to confer to reach an agreement to preserve the integrity of the sport while maximizing the ongoing safety and care for the equine athletes upon whom an entire industry depends.
Friday, November 15, 2019
Fulfilling The Dream Of A Populist Democracy
Although our great nation was founded by elitist property owners the vast majority of whom were slave owners, the Constitution nevertheless suggested, in word, that a pluralistic society was a possible outcome arising from this democratic experiment.
As we continue to evolve through the early stages of the 21st century, changing demographics afford a possible fulfillment of the pluralistic dream once envisioned by the spirit of our Constitution and its accompanying government.
Sadly, the pervasive concurrent existence of political/cultural tribalism and polarization operates as an impediment to the realization of a society in which a vibrant democratic structure reflective of a variety of points of view voiced by a diverse electorate of active citizens can be the hallmark of a contested yet united body politic.
As our diverse population continues to assert needs and desires too long ignored by a power structure impervious to the realities of exclusion, discrimination, and disempowerment experienced by so many of our brothers and sisters, the opportunity to include their rich and important experience into the national discourse looms as an essential aspect of an emerging pluralism. We now have a chance to throw off the constraints endemic to association with just two political ideologies and power centers and give expression to the full array of thought, experience, and aspiration implicit in our collective voice across the spectrum of American life.
Consistent with this notion is an ongoing commitment to the principle of inclusion of all ideas, as part of a new American 'gestalt' where we coexist in an environment of respectful, contentious, inspired, forward thinking, compassionate, widely representative, and truly democratic interaction where the original vision a pluralistic democracy might actually become a thriving reality.
As we continue to evolve through the early stages of the 21st century, changing demographics afford a possible fulfillment of the pluralistic dream once envisioned by the spirit of our Constitution and its accompanying government.
Sadly, the pervasive concurrent existence of political/cultural tribalism and polarization operates as an impediment to the realization of a society in which a vibrant democratic structure reflective of a variety of points of view voiced by a diverse electorate of active citizens can be the hallmark of a contested yet united body politic.
As our diverse population continues to assert needs and desires too long ignored by a power structure impervious to the realities of exclusion, discrimination, and disempowerment experienced by so many of our brothers and sisters, the opportunity to include their rich and important experience into the national discourse looms as an essential aspect of an emerging pluralism. We now have a chance to throw off the constraints endemic to association with just two political ideologies and power centers and give expression to the full array of thought, experience, and aspiration implicit in our collective voice across the spectrum of American life.
Consistent with this notion is an ongoing commitment to the principle of inclusion of all ideas, as part of a new American 'gestalt' where we coexist in an environment of respectful, contentious, inspired, forward thinking, compassionate, widely representative, and truly democratic interaction where the original vision a pluralistic democracy might actually become a thriving reality.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
A Bipartisan Principle
Can we all please unite against the MSM insistence on identifying the protection of whistleblower's anonymity as a 'Democratic issue'. Whistleblowers play a vital role in exposing governmental and individual wrongdoing as they provide journalists as well as federal agencies the means by which proper oversight and accountability can be achieved while combating abuse of power in all it's ugly forms. Their anonymity is essential to avoid retaliation by those implicated in the exposure of malfeasance, immorality, or outright unlawful behavior. If it were otherwise, this form of dissent and the preservation of the democratic practice of proper check and balance of the various elements of our government would be forever silenced as a result of fear of reprisal, retribution, and other forms of repression. This is one of the ways by which dictators ascend and maintain their hold on power at the expense of a once functioning democracy.
It is therefore not, as is currently being framed by large elements of the MSM, a partisan matter to advocate on behalf of whistleblowers and others who seek to lay bare instances of corruption and abuse of power but rather a concern for Americans of all political persuasions rightly seeking to preserve and protect the principle lawful governance.
It is therefore not, as is currently being framed by large elements of the MSM, a partisan matter to advocate on behalf of whistleblowers and others who seek to lay bare instances of corruption and abuse of power but rather a concern for Americans of all political persuasions rightly seeking to preserve and protect the principle lawful governance.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Loathsome Entitlement
In the midst of the celebration of Elijah Cummings's distinguished life, a white commentator took it upon himself to unleash a diatribe against the late congressman wherein the long-time public servant was labeled a 'race pimp'. He went on to similarly defame Rev. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson in this manner while unfavorably comparing these two leaders Andrew Young and Ralph Abernathy.
It is endlessly astonishing to observe the degree of entitlement on display when a white guy, who can never know the life experience a black man in this culture, has the gall to anticipate, presume, criticize, or otherwise pass judgment on the motives/intentions of leaders of the African American community. It's is especially troublesome/loathsome when the same guy resorts to using racist dog whistle language (e.g. 'race pimp') to support his critique of certain 'unacceptable' black personalities while conferring his blessing on those he deems worthy of praise.
A common defense for this presumption is often to claim one's inalienable right as a pale, God-fearing male to depart from the constraints of 'political correctness' and to confer upon any subject matter the honor of his most privileged, biased, and often hate-filled point of view. Let it hereafter be known that while it is your right to do so, it will not be done without consequence and/or recrimination.
It is endlessly astonishing to observe the degree of entitlement on display when a white guy, who can never know the life experience a black man in this culture, has the gall to anticipate, presume, criticize, or otherwise pass judgment on the motives/intentions of leaders of the African American community. It's is especially troublesome/loathsome when the same guy resorts to using racist dog whistle language (e.g. 'race pimp') to support his critique of certain 'unacceptable' black personalities while conferring his blessing on those he deems worthy of praise.
A common defense for this presumption is often to claim one's inalienable right as a pale, God-fearing male to depart from the constraints of 'political correctness' and to confer upon any subject matter the honor of his most privileged, biased, and often hate-filled point of view. Let it hereafter be known that while it is your right to do so, it will not be done without consequence and/or recrimination.
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
We're In This Together
Today I was given the opportunity to respond to a post that suggested the thing worse than being the victim of other people's bitterness, small mindedness, intolerance, hate, insecurities or anger is to be them.
While this thought resonates deeply it is also true that
in a very real sense, we ARE them: different expressions of a common humanity put on display at various points of personal/collective evolution. The arrogance/ignorance of Donald Trump, for example, can serve as a stark reminder of what we all are capable of in other circumstances.
Need a compassion check/challenge?: imagine embracing our president with the same love and understanding you might reserve for yourself, your like-minded friends, and those closest to your heart. Every family has a member who behaves badly. Today it's Cousin Donny; tomorrow or yesterday it could/was any one of us...and we all must be held accountable.
One fabric; many threads...many beads on a single string.
While this thought resonates deeply it is also true that
in a very real sense, we ARE them: different expressions of a common humanity put on display at various points of personal/collective evolution. The arrogance/ignorance of Donald Trump, for example, can serve as a stark reminder of what we all are capable of in other circumstances.
Need a compassion check/challenge?: imagine embracing our president with the same love and understanding you might reserve for yourself, your like-minded friends, and those closest to your heart. Every family has a member who behaves badly. Today it's Cousin Donny; tomorrow or yesterday it could/was any one of us...and we all must be held accountable.
One fabric; many threads...many beads on a single string.
Monday, October 7, 2019
Putting the Post-9/11 Era in Proper Perspective
A recent discussion regarding Condoleezza Rice's recent interview, which seemed designed to reframe her image in the present by conveniently ignoring past events requires a sober reflection on the realities on the ground.
Do we so easily forget that she, in league with other notable neocons, helped construct and orchestrate the false narrative regarding WMD's in Iraq, providing justification for the disastrous war the repercussions of which still reverberate throughout the Middle East.
Perhaps Gore Vidal said it best when he entitle his book: The United States of Amnesia.
Apparently it takes only a decade or so for war criminals such as Rice, Rumsfeld, Abrams, and Chaney to be elevated to the status of 'statesman' while acquiescent enablers like Powell and Bush are similarly regarded. Let's not also forget the continuation of the Bush/Chaney doctrine by the Obama/Biden regime in their escalation of the murderous drone warfare program, their support for elevated mass surveillance of American citizens, and their crackdown on whistle blowers and investigative journalists. Culpability in the post 9/11 era spreads wide across the entire political landscape.
Do we so easily forget that she, in league with other notable neocons, helped construct and orchestrate the false narrative regarding WMD's in Iraq, providing justification for the disastrous war the repercussions of which still reverberate throughout the Middle East.
Perhaps Gore Vidal said it best when he entitle his book: The United States of Amnesia.
Apparently it takes only a decade or so for war criminals such as Rice, Rumsfeld, Abrams, and Chaney to be elevated to the status of 'statesman' while acquiescent enablers like Powell and Bush are similarly regarded. Let's not also forget the continuation of the Bush/Chaney doctrine by the Obama/Biden regime in their escalation of the murderous drone warfare program, their support for elevated mass surveillance of American citizens, and their crackdown on whistle blowers and investigative journalists. Culpability in the post 9/11 era spreads wide across the entire political landscape.
The Rejection of Authoritarian Rule
Entering into an agreement with the authoritarian leader of Turkey involving the removal of troops from Syria without consultation with American military, congressional, or State Department leadership is the act of an out-of-control and clearly unbalanced individual who neither understands or is concerned about the dire consequences of this reckless act of incompetence. In so doing, he has condemned loyal Kurdish fighters to certain death and the advancement of Turkish regional objectives. It is not surprising that the president's impulsive and completely ill-consider action has met with condemnation from both sides of the aisle. Let's hope that Republican defection away from the long standing, lock-step support of Trump will now extend into the probe of his brazen attempt to solicit and coerce foreign assistance for the advancement of his political ends by either withholding military assistance (Ukraine) or turning a blind eye to the suppression of the freedom of expression (China).
The latest events have underscored the necessity for the assertion of Congress, through its Constitutional mandate and responsibility, to finally hold this president accountable for his flagrant disregard for the rule of law and his utter inability to separate his own interests from the interests of the nation he has sworn to protect and defend. The facts are not in dispute; the only question remaining is whether or not we as a people (through our elected representatives) will summoned the requisite courage to preserve the democracy against the blatant current attempts to replace it with authoritarian and dictatorial rule.
The latest events have underscored the necessity for the assertion of Congress, through its Constitutional mandate and responsibility, to finally hold this president accountable for his flagrant disregard for the rule of law and his utter inability to separate his own interests from the interests of the nation he has sworn to protect and defend. The facts are not in dispute; the only question remaining is whether or not we as a people (through our elected representatives) will summoned the requisite courage to preserve the democracy against the blatant current attempts to replace it with authoritarian and dictatorial rule.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Impeachment and the Way Forward
It is now abundantly clear that this incompetent, corrupt, amoral, and thoroughly unworthy individual will be rightfully impeached by the House of Representatives. Soon we will discover whether certain members of the Senate will demonstrate the requisite courage to opt for the rule of law and the proper exercise of their Constitutional duty by voting for conviction. In so doing, the stain of Donald Trump and the national embarrassment that he represents will begin to lessen and perhaps suggest a clearer path forward, away from the darkness of these recent years.
Friday, August 9, 2019
Beyond the United States of Fear
The fomented hate (emanating from the highest level of government) that was so viciously manifested in the recent acts of mass murder in El Paso, Texas; Dayton, Ohio; and Gilroy, California serve as a grim reminder and persistence of the element of fear that pervades the current psyche of America. Perhaps the underlying basis of this fear is to be found in the continual pandering to a loss of cultural and ethnic hegemony historically belonging to a white-dominated power structure. Of course, this appeal to the fear of losing a hold on power is based on the actual fact of the changing demographics in this country whereby, within a decade or so, the white population will no longer be in the majority in these tenuously United States. While many of us celebrate and welcome this change as the inevitable evolution of a society in search of its true identity and expression of its authentic self, so many other citizens are being terrorized by visions of invading hoards from without (i.e.immigrants) seeking to usurp the 'true' identity of the nation (i.e. white) and replace it with the 'horror' of a truly multi-cultural and ethnically diverse electorate. While many of us regard this turn of events as the long awaited fulfillment of the American dream of inclusive participatory democracy, so many others are frozen in the fearful grip of identity loss and cultural abandonment. These fears are fanned and enflamed by a political structure dedicated to serving a narrow segment of the society based on the fear of 'the other'. The 'leaders' of this movement are only too aware of the inevitability of the demographic change in the country, their dwindling popularity (e.g. only one Republican presidential candidate has won the popular vote since 1988), and, and, as a consequence, have worked worked tirelessly to gerrymander an electoral advantage and conduct outright voter suppression (i.e. Kansas, North Carolina, and Georgia) in a desperate attempt to hold onto political power from a distinctly minority position. Meanwhile, long dormant voices, previously muffled or made silent by neglect, continue to seek expression as the arc of history slowly proceeds toward justice. These same voices might also be heard to assure their pale brethren that there really is nothing to fear as we move ever closer to the fulfillment of America's promise to include all of its people in the functioning of its government. They may also whisper that those exiting power will still have a seat at the table albeit perhaps not at its head.
One would be remiss to suggest that the politics of fear are confined to the Republican Party. As the progressive movement of the Democratic Party seeks to give expression to an emerging majority of existing and previously excluded (or disenfranchised) members of its electorate, a fearful and entrenched establishment of leaders (e.g. Biden, Axelrod, McAuliffe, Perez, Pelosi, et al), steadfastly attempt to stem the progressive tide within the very same political organization that has loudly claimed its identity as the voice change for so long. Instead of embracing the clarion call of 'the squad' and other more senior representatives to reach out to a wellspring of potential activists ready to adopt the policies of real change, we see the erstwhile leaders of the Democratic Party assiduously endeavor to stifle, suppress, and resist the voices of change in their midst who might otherwise lead the way toward a more hopeful future where millions of willing citizens stand ready to be engaged in a truly democratic system of participation and inclusion. Lest one be mislead by thinking that this vision of the Democratic Party is somehow unrealistic or even illusory, please be reminded that the progressive policies so courageously championed by Bernie Sanders in 2016 and are now being refined by Elizabeth Warren, accepted by more moderate candidates, and are widely popular with a broad range of voters across a wide swath of geographic and demographic territory throughout the country. These include but are not limited to free public higher education, a call for the wealthiest Americans to assume more of the tax burden, universal health care as a right; not a privilege, guaranteed childcare for young families, elimination/reduction of student debt, a non-intervention policy in the affairs of sovereign nations, and the value of including all people in the fabric of a culturally and ethnically diverse society. Their appeal is to a broad range of citizens and carries with it the promise of growing a base of sustainable support by virtue of its responsiveness to real needs, aspirations, and ideas. This is approach stands in sharp contrast with the establishment's ongoing fear of being labeled too far to the left or, God help us, socialistic (in spite of the real popularity of such ideas). This entrenched group allows the opposition to dictate the terms of the debate and plans their political strategy based upon a fear of how any given statement will be interpreted by the other side instead of having the courage of their own convictions as they develop and implement their vision for the future of the country. As a consequence, they continue to pursue a narrow block of voters (i.e. the crossover vote from Obama in 2012 to Trump in 2016) instead of acknowledging and responding to the millions of emerging and willing Americans eager to join in a political process that for far too long had ignored, dismissed, or otherwise excluded them from meaningful participation.
Time is up for Democrats to step up, overcome the temptation to allow fear to determine their actions, and courageously assert their clear identity in the face of a sinister force that seeks silence the will of the people and bring to a halt the natural evolution of a society seeking to realize its better self and, in the process, give long awaited expression to its original promise.
One would be remiss to suggest that the politics of fear are confined to the Republican Party. As the progressive movement of the Democratic Party seeks to give expression to an emerging majority of existing and previously excluded (or disenfranchised) members of its electorate, a fearful and entrenched establishment of leaders (e.g. Biden, Axelrod, McAuliffe, Perez, Pelosi, et al), steadfastly attempt to stem the progressive tide within the very same political organization that has loudly claimed its identity as the voice change for so long. Instead of embracing the clarion call of 'the squad' and other more senior representatives to reach out to a wellspring of potential activists ready to adopt the policies of real change, we see the erstwhile leaders of the Democratic Party assiduously endeavor to stifle, suppress, and resist the voices of change in their midst who might otherwise lead the way toward a more hopeful future where millions of willing citizens stand ready to be engaged in a truly democratic system of participation and inclusion. Lest one be mislead by thinking that this vision of the Democratic Party is somehow unrealistic or even illusory, please be reminded that the progressive policies so courageously championed by Bernie Sanders in 2016 and are now being refined by Elizabeth Warren, accepted by more moderate candidates, and are widely popular with a broad range of voters across a wide swath of geographic and demographic territory throughout the country. These include but are not limited to free public higher education, a call for the wealthiest Americans to assume more of the tax burden, universal health care as a right; not a privilege, guaranteed childcare for young families, elimination/reduction of student debt, a non-intervention policy in the affairs of sovereign nations, and the value of including all people in the fabric of a culturally and ethnically diverse society. Their appeal is to a broad range of citizens and carries with it the promise of growing a base of sustainable support by virtue of its responsiveness to real needs, aspirations, and ideas. This is approach stands in sharp contrast with the establishment's ongoing fear of being labeled too far to the left or, God help us, socialistic (in spite of the real popularity of such ideas). This entrenched group allows the opposition to dictate the terms of the debate and plans their political strategy based upon a fear of how any given statement will be interpreted by the other side instead of having the courage of their own convictions as they develop and implement their vision for the future of the country. As a consequence, they continue to pursue a narrow block of voters (i.e. the crossover vote from Obama in 2012 to Trump in 2016) instead of acknowledging and responding to the millions of emerging and willing Americans eager to join in a political process that for far too long had ignored, dismissed, or otherwise excluded them from meaningful participation.
Time is up for Democrats to step up, overcome the temptation to allow fear to determine their actions, and courageously assert their clear identity in the face of a sinister force that seeks silence the will of the people and bring to a halt the natural evolution of a society seeking to realize its better self and, in the process, give long awaited expression to its original promise.
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
The Gift Of Perspective
For those of you who know me as, shall we say, a single minded runner (alright, obsessed) also know that its extremely unlikely that I would stop when in full flight. Well, today was the exception that proves the rule as I had the honor of once again crossing paths with my friend Albert while we both were out enjoying a sun drenched day on the promenade at Ocean Beach. We exchanged greetings and inquired about each other's health. With a beaming countenance, Albert told me that he was well in spite of experiencing another arduous round of chemotherapy. I then noticed that he had lost a considerable amount of weight since our last encounter suggesting a possible downturn in his physical circumstance. One would never otherwise know that Albert was experiencing difficulty as his smile was constant and his wish for my continued good health genuine and heartfelt. We sealed the encounter with a bow and a palm to palm exchange of positive energy again filling me with a broader perspective regarding life lived in the moment.
Sometimes a pause in one's routine is not only indicated but also necessary to expand one's point of view!
Sometimes a pause in one's routine is not only indicated but also necessary to expand one's point of view!
A Saint In Our Midst
In early June, we were blessed by the arrival of a statue of St Francis to our backyard. The birds, flowers, trees, grass, and crawling creatures all are welcoming his presence with open hearts. They all seem to resonate perfectly with Francis’ message of universal love and the unity of all living things. Apparently, it’s those pesky humans who might need to stop speaking, drop to their knees, sit at his feet, and listen deeply into silence of his song.
Monday, July 15, 2019
Racism Laid Bare and Democratic Myopia
Just as the Republicans were beginning to celebrate the riff within the the Democratic Party as a result of the establishment's effort to identify and marginalize what is being labeled 'the squad' (AOC, Pressley, Omar, and Tlaib), Trump once again brazenly asserted himself into the mix with the overtly racist suggestion that these duly elected public servants 'go back to their country of origin.' In so doing, DJT upped the ante in terms of race baiting in an effort to solidify the extreme elements within the Republican Party while giving voice to what many only will espouse behind closed doors. Instead of wide spread condemnation for these remarks within the Republican 'leadership', Trump's declaration has been met with, at best, a tepid response or, as usual, complete radio silence.
It's a sad commentary on our dysfunctional state of national discourse that such virulently hateful pronunciations do not trigger a larger discussion regarding the still unaddressed spectra of racism as it is laid bare by this president and his most ardent followers. The real shame is that the millions of citizens who are in dire need to engage in a real catharsis regarding America's original sin are once again denied entry into a potentially healing process by which we might all confront the demons of the past with the goal of genuine reconciliation firmly in mind.
Meanwhile, a form of good old fashioned fear masquerading as leadership and 'pragmatism' are on full display within the Democratic Party. There has been an orchestrated effort taking place to marginalized the very same people (the aforementioned 'squad') who represent the potential future of an expanded and ever more inclusive electorate. Listen closely to Biden and other establishment figures repeatedly use the phrase 'circular firing squad' to describe what otherwise would be regarded as a healthy debate/discussion within a democratic process but, instead, is being characterized as a kind of fatal disunity destined to destroy any chance of beating Trump in 2020. The MSM has consistently echoed the phrase in what must be seen as a concerted and organized effort to silence progressive voices within the Democratic Party. This fear-based strategy threatens to alienate the same people so very much needed to enhance the chances of Democratic success next year...a stunning form of self-sabotage.
It's a sad commentary on our dysfunctional state of national discourse that such virulently hateful pronunciations do not trigger a larger discussion regarding the still unaddressed spectra of racism as it is laid bare by this president and his most ardent followers. The real shame is that the millions of citizens who are in dire need to engage in a real catharsis regarding America's original sin are once again denied entry into a potentially healing process by which we might all confront the demons of the past with the goal of genuine reconciliation firmly in mind.
Meanwhile, a form of good old fashioned fear masquerading as leadership and 'pragmatism' are on full display within the Democratic Party. There has been an orchestrated effort taking place to marginalized the very same people (the aforementioned 'squad') who represent the potential future of an expanded and ever more inclusive electorate. Listen closely to Biden and other establishment figures repeatedly use the phrase 'circular firing squad' to describe what otherwise would be regarded as a healthy debate/discussion within a democratic process but, instead, is being characterized as a kind of fatal disunity destined to destroy any chance of beating Trump in 2020. The MSM has consistently echoed the phrase in what must be seen as a concerted and organized effort to silence progressive voices within the Democratic Party. This fear-based strategy threatens to alienate the same people so very much needed to enhance the chances of Democratic success next year...a stunning form of self-sabotage.
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Mainstreaming Socialism
It is a testament to the effect progressive influence has had on the current Democratic Party to hear longtime establishment apologist and regular MSNBC commentator Lawerence O'Donnell sing the praises of the contribution American socialists have made to the quality of life in this country. In response to the latest vilification of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, O'Donnell reminded his viewers that the eight hour work day along with the 40 hour work week were products of the efforts of thousands of early American socialists (Eugene Debs being a notable 20th century example although not specifically mentioned by O'Donnell). He went on to make note of the formation and popularity of such socialist programs as Social Security and Medicare and the specific contribution of FDR's Secretary of Labor, Francis Perkins, in the enactment of the former while noting the historical roots of the latter.
O'Donnell's declarations represent an abrupt change of attitude from at least this sector of the Democratic mainstream. It was only a few short months ago that O'Donnell was attempting to minimalize AOC's historic defeat of 20 year incumbent and party kingpin, Joseph Crowley, and, in so doing, hope to marginalize her accomplishment. In the ensuing months, O'Donnell has apparently come to realize the very real depth of appeal that current socialist ideas and programs enjoy among an ever growing majority of Americans. As alluded to by O'Donnell, socialism, its ideas and benefits, have been an essential part of the American societal fabric throughout much of our history although not always identified by name. We might add to this list the very publicly financed and proudly American institutions of the National Park Service; the vast and largely well functioning system of highways, roads, and bridges; the much lauded and often revered US military; our police and fire service; a network of public libraries; a public educational system at once filled with promise and in need of even greater attention and the promise of the restoration of fully finance higher education to compete on the world stage with other industrialized nations of the world. In the light of these existing socialistic realities, the introduction of the Green New Deal as proposed by Bernie Sanders, Ms Ocasio-Cortez and scores of other members of Congress appear not as outlying concepts but rather ideas consistent with ongoing and successful programs with which we are all well accustomed and familiar. These ideas echo a rich and vibrant heritage forged throughout our history by the efforts, sacrifices, and vision of the likes of Mr. Debs, Samuel Gompers, social activist Dorothy Day, the great Paul Robson, our would-be Vice President Henry Wallace, and the legendary vision of Martin Luther King. They and thousands of other American socialist forefathers must look upon the current iteration of those who strive for the full and authentic expression of democracy with pride and hope for the fulfillment of a dream once conceived and still yet to be fully realized.
Of course, there exists now, as then, a formidable opposition to this movement...a very well organized and financed effort to maintain the status quo of wealth disparity and the preservation of a system that protects the 1% of elites...American oligarchs dedicated not to the common good but rather to the perpetuation and continuance of their narrow, myopic, and destructive vision based upon greed and self aggrandizement. They are currently represented by the familiar Koch Brothers, the Waltons, Robert Mercer, and Leo Leonard and the Federalist Society just to cite a few notable examples. They will do their best to demonize the harbingers of change in the upcoming election cycle now already upon us with vile insult, misinformation, and outright defamation in an attempt preserve a hold on an unjust system increasingly viewed with disfavor. When mainstream representatives like Lawrence O'Donnell begin to accept the need for real change and link this need with reference to the heritage of past struggle and the existence of ongoing successful programs that benefit the many, we may look forward to a future where a consensus will be achieved to turn the tide and enjoy a day when, in the words of Mr. Dylan, 'the sun will respect every face on the deck; the hour when the ship comes in!' The ship is indeed on the horizon.
O'Donnell's declarations represent an abrupt change of attitude from at least this sector of the Democratic mainstream. It was only a few short months ago that O'Donnell was attempting to minimalize AOC's historic defeat of 20 year incumbent and party kingpin, Joseph Crowley, and, in so doing, hope to marginalize her accomplishment. In the ensuing months, O'Donnell has apparently come to realize the very real depth of appeal that current socialist ideas and programs enjoy among an ever growing majority of Americans. As alluded to by O'Donnell, socialism, its ideas and benefits, have been an essential part of the American societal fabric throughout much of our history although not always identified by name. We might add to this list the very publicly financed and proudly American institutions of the National Park Service; the vast and largely well functioning system of highways, roads, and bridges; the much lauded and often revered US military; our police and fire service; a network of public libraries; a public educational system at once filled with promise and in need of even greater attention and the promise of the restoration of fully finance higher education to compete on the world stage with other industrialized nations of the world. In the light of these existing socialistic realities, the introduction of the Green New Deal as proposed by Bernie Sanders, Ms Ocasio-Cortez and scores of other members of Congress appear not as outlying concepts but rather ideas consistent with ongoing and successful programs with which we are all well accustomed and familiar. These ideas echo a rich and vibrant heritage forged throughout our history by the efforts, sacrifices, and vision of the likes of Mr. Debs, Samuel Gompers, social activist Dorothy Day, the great Paul Robson, our would-be Vice President Henry Wallace, and the legendary vision of Martin Luther King. They and thousands of other American socialist forefathers must look upon the current iteration of those who strive for the full and authentic expression of democracy with pride and hope for the fulfillment of a dream once conceived and still yet to be fully realized.
Of course, there exists now, as then, a formidable opposition to this movement...a very well organized and financed effort to maintain the status quo of wealth disparity and the preservation of a system that protects the 1% of elites...American oligarchs dedicated not to the common good but rather to the perpetuation and continuance of their narrow, myopic, and destructive vision based upon greed and self aggrandizement. They are currently represented by the familiar Koch Brothers, the Waltons, Robert Mercer, and Leo Leonard and the Federalist Society just to cite a few notable examples. They will do their best to demonize the harbingers of change in the upcoming election cycle now already upon us with vile insult, misinformation, and outright defamation in an attempt preserve a hold on an unjust system increasingly viewed with disfavor. When mainstream representatives like Lawrence O'Donnell begin to accept the need for real change and link this need with reference to the heritage of past struggle and the existence of ongoing successful programs that benefit the many, we may look forward to a future where a consensus will be achieved to turn the tide and enjoy a day when, in the words of Mr. Dylan, 'the sun will respect every face on the deck; the hour when the ship comes in!' The ship is indeed on the horizon.
A Matter Of Constitutional Duty
The Mueller report and today's statement indicate a clear referral to Congress to fulfill its constitutional duty in lieu of Mueller's inability (given DOJ's constraints) to prosecute a sitting president. As Elizabeth Warren has been advocating, it's time to act upon principle rather than political expediency and proceed according to the dictates of the law. That said, it will also be a powerfully useful thing to have Mueller give detailed public testimony to the relevant findings as they relate to Russia influence/interference in the election of '16 and the 10 instances of obstruction of justice by Trump as outlined in Part Two of his report.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Memorial Day
A solemn day of remembrance on behalf of all human beings, military and civilian alike, who have been victimized by the obscenity of war.
Friday, May 24, 2019
How Low Can You Go?
Publishing a doctored video which distorts Nancy Pelosi's halting speech pattern is akin to what a middle school bully might do to someone displaying a slightly different way of speaking in order to humiliate the recipient of the taunt. In so doing the bully invariably reveals himself to be the weak, insecure coward that his action underscores. This serves to affirm the fact that one doesn't hit rock bottom until they stop digging. Apparently, Trump and Giuliani have no intention of putting the shovels away any time soon.
Trump's Attemped Assault On The First Amendment
Trump's 'justice' department has handed down multiple counts of espionage against Wikileaks's publisher Julian Assange, the first time in American history that a disseminator of truthful information regarding military or governmental wrongdoing has been prosecuted for what has been common journalistic practice since the inception of our country.
This radically repressive step was presaged during the Bush/Chaney years with the prosecution and subsequent conviction of whistleblowers Thomas Drake and John Kiriakou (just to name two) who exposed respectively unwarranted surveillance of private citizens and CIA torture programs. Instead of reversing this trend, the Obama Administration greatly accelerated the practice of demonizing journalists and their sources by invoking the arcane 1917 Espionage Act more times than all prior administrations combined in an effort to suppress independent journalism by directly punishing sources of information thereby sending a chilling message to those attempting to inform the American people of the transgressions of their government.
With the indictment of Julian Assange, the Current Occupant has now expanded this practice of assaulting the first amendment by actually making it a crime for publishers to expose malfeasance, corruption, wrongdoing, and international criminality by issuing stories based upon leaked classified material. In so doing, the Trump Administration is attempting to silence serious journalism as we have know it throughout our history. Taken to its logical conclusion, under this practice, the only permissible leaks of classified information will be those emanating from the government itself. Government controlled information is a central element to totalitarian rule where a free press is seen as antithetical to the interests of the state. Today's announcement moves us one step closer to this dark vision of America. The Fourth Estate is essential to our survival as a free nation; the prosecution of news agencies must be opposed with all the energy we, as a free people, can summon.
As a cruel and obscene irony, the attempt to make illegal the free dissemination of information grotesquely coincides with confirmed reports of Trump's serious contemplation of issuing pardons to accused war criminals, Edward Gallagher and Matt Golsteyn (as well as a former Blackwater mercenary).
As Dylan observed some time ago: 'it's not dark yet, but it's getting there'!
This radically repressive step was presaged during the Bush/Chaney years with the prosecution and subsequent conviction of whistleblowers Thomas Drake and John Kiriakou (just to name two) who exposed respectively unwarranted surveillance of private citizens and CIA torture programs. Instead of reversing this trend, the Obama Administration greatly accelerated the practice of demonizing journalists and their sources by invoking the arcane 1917 Espionage Act more times than all prior administrations combined in an effort to suppress independent journalism by directly punishing sources of information thereby sending a chilling message to those attempting to inform the American people of the transgressions of their government.
With the indictment of Julian Assange, the Current Occupant has now expanded this practice of assaulting the first amendment by actually making it a crime for publishers to expose malfeasance, corruption, wrongdoing, and international criminality by issuing stories based upon leaked classified material. In so doing, the Trump Administration is attempting to silence serious journalism as we have know it throughout our history. Taken to its logical conclusion, under this practice, the only permissible leaks of classified information will be those emanating from the government itself. Government controlled information is a central element to totalitarian rule where a free press is seen as antithetical to the interests of the state. Today's announcement moves us one step closer to this dark vision of America. The Fourth Estate is essential to our survival as a free nation; the prosecution of news agencies must be opposed with all the energy we, as a free people, can summon.
As a cruel and obscene irony, the attempt to make illegal the free dissemination of information grotesquely coincides with confirmed reports of Trump's serious contemplation of issuing pardons to accused war criminals, Edward Gallagher and Matt Golsteyn (as well as a former Blackwater mercenary).
As Dylan observed some time ago: 'it's not dark yet, but it's getting there'!
Saturday, April 20, 2019
A Call For Courage In A Time Of Crisis
Although the legal bar for a criminal indictment of conspiracy could not be met by Robert Mueller's inquiry, the report is nevertheless littered with scores of examples of contacts with a foreign entity (Russia) intent on discrediting Trump's opponent in 2016 and in service to his eventual electoral victory. As for the the matter of obstruction...it's case was illustrated with 10 principal instances of obstruction in word and deed. Instead of clearing Trump of this charge, the report outlined evidence to be taken up by Congress and/or other investigative bodies (keep in mind the ongoing investigations in the Southern District of New York) to determine wrongdoing as well as outright criminality (legally within the purview of Congress). Please remember that DOJ (Mueller's boss) guidelines prohibited the indictment of a sitting president but, as the report clearly indicates, leaves open the questions of collusion and obstruction and recommends ultimate adjudication of these matters for others (read:Congress) to decide. AG William Barr's cursory summary does nothing the clarify or seriously answer questions regarding Trump's ultimate culpability while the full report provides a substantive framework for the House to continue the pursuit of justice in this matter. There remains so much more to come.
In the meantime, Senator Elizabeth Warren has declared her support for the initiation of impeachment proceedings in the House to exercise the legislative imperative of holding a sitting president accountable for malfeasance, wrongdoing, and other acts of criminal behavior clearly outlined in Mueller's report. Internal Democratic opposition to this call for action was best articulated in an interview with MSMBC's Joy Reid yesterday by New York Representative Sean Maloney who, although ostensibly agreeing that Trump's acts of obstruction were worthy of impeachment, proceeded to assert a painfully wrought argument that attempted to state that the best way to hold this president accountable was to defeat him at the ballot box in 2020. In so doing, Maloney was loyally adhering to the long standing Democratic practice of deferring responsibly for addressing previous wrongdoing/illegalities with an appeal to 'practicality' and 'a desire to look ahead rather than behind' while, in reality, was merely uttering the same fearful response to the moral challenge of standing up to those who presume to boldly violate domestic and/or international law and common norms of decent behavior in favor of the assertion of an authoritarian prerogative not otherwise consistent with democratic values. This avoidance of confrontation and trepidation in the face of possible negative reaction of the opposing political party has been in evidence in both large and small instances in recent decades. In the aftermath of the first presidential debate in 2004, then DNC chair Terry McAuliffe admonished John Kerry for 'acting like a know-it-all' in his decisive refutation of George W Bush. It was feared that the Republicans would somehow use Kerry's command of the facts (a similar charge was leveled at Al Gore four years earlier) and portray him as a condescending 'intellectual' intent on 'beating up' on the less cleverly agile Bush. This relative minor instance would be followed by other examples of the abdication of responsible reaction to wrongdoing in a more serious context. In the wake of the 2008 election, the Obama administration was perfectly poised to hold the egregious excesses of the Bush/Chaney regime to account and to specifically address the illegal invasion Iraq and the lies that were the underpinnings of this misadventure as well as the violations of the Geneva Conventions on gruesome display at Abu Ghraib Prison near Baghdad. Instead, Obama chose to 'look ahead' thereby giving tacit approval to the lawlessness of the previous regime and setting a precedent for future administrations to ignore past transgressions in deference to fear of political retaliation. The dangerous result of this course of action over time is to gradually normalize wrongdoing as a a matter of unspoken national policy.
The acceptance of unlawful, immoral, and otherwise unacceptable behavior (the list is voluminous) as an ongoing expression of who we are as a people threatens to seriously alter our internal sense of collective identity as well as to permanently damage our international standing. It can be argued that the transformation is already occurring in plain sight. Sean Maloney would have us believe that he is 'playing chess, not checkers' as he attempts to characterize his response to the call to hold the Current Occupant accountable, through the constitutionally sanctioned means of impeachment, as some form of higher political intelligence. In fact, Maloney, like his fearful predecessors, is merely restating a familiar and increasingly unappealing refrain of cowardice in the face of a national crisis. At this critical juncture in our history, Ms Warren and a growing number of citizens are courageously showing us the way forward and proclaiming 'if not now, when; if not us, who' will restore a sense of our essential character to ourselves and to a world in need of our long-awaited leadership. It's never 'impractical ' to do the right thing.
In the meantime, Senator Elizabeth Warren has declared her support for the initiation of impeachment proceedings in the House to exercise the legislative imperative of holding a sitting president accountable for malfeasance, wrongdoing, and other acts of criminal behavior clearly outlined in Mueller's report. Internal Democratic opposition to this call for action was best articulated in an interview with MSMBC's Joy Reid yesterday by New York Representative Sean Maloney who, although ostensibly agreeing that Trump's acts of obstruction were worthy of impeachment, proceeded to assert a painfully wrought argument that attempted to state that the best way to hold this president accountable was to defeat him at the ballot box in 2020. In so doing, Maloney was loyally adhering to the long standing Democratic practice of deferring responsibly for addressing previous wrongdoing/illegalities with an appeal to 'practicality' and 'a desire to look ahead rather than behind' while, in reality, was merely uttering the same fearful response to the moral challenge of standing up to those who presume to boldly violate domestic and/or international law and common norms of decent behavior in favor of the assertion of an authoritarian prerogative not otherwise consistent with democratic values. This avoidance of confrontation and trepidation in the face of possible negative reaction of the opposing political party has been in evidence in both large and small instances in recent decades. In the aftermath of the first presidential debate in 2004, then DNC chair Terry McAuliffe admonished John Kerry for 'acting like a know-it-all' in his decisive refutation of George W Bush. It was feared that the Republicans would somehow use Kerry's command of the facts (a similar charge was leveled at Al Gore four years earlier) and portray him as a condescending 'intellectual' intent on 'beating up' on the less cleverly agile Bush. This relative minor instance would be followed by other examples of the abdication of responsible reaction to wrongdoing in a more serious context. In the wake of the 2008 election, the Obama administration was perfectly poised to hold the egregious excesses of the Bush/Chaney regime to account and to specifically address the illegal invasion Iraq and the lies that were the underpinnings of this misadventure as well as the violations of the Geneva Conventions on gruesome display at Abu Ghraib Prison near Baghdad. Instead, Obama chose to 'look ahead' thereby giving tacit approval to the lawlessness of the previous regime and setting a precedent for future administrations to ignore past transgressions in deference to fear of political retaliation. The dangerous result of this course of action over time is to gradually normalize wrongdoing as a a matter of unspoken national policy.
The acceptance of unlawful, immoral, and otherwise unacceptable behavior (the list is voluminous) as an ongoing expression of who we are as a people threatens to seriously alter our internal sense of collective identity as well as to permanently damage our international standing. It can be argued that the transformation is already occurring in plain sight. Sean Maloney would have us believe that he is 'playing chess, not checkers' as he attempts to characterize his response to the call to hold the Current Occupant accountable, through the constitutionally sanctioned means of impeachment, as some form of higher political intelligence. In fact, Maloney, like his fearful predecessors, is merely restating a familiar and increasingly unappealing refrain of cowardice in the face of a national crisis. At this critical juncture in our history, Ms Warren and a growing number of citizens are courageously showing us the way forward and proclaiming 'if not now, when; if not us, who' will restore a sense of our essential character to ourselves and to a world in need of our long-awaited leadership. It's never 'impractical ' to do the right thing.
Saturday, March 30, 2019
In Support of Small 'd' Values
The Intercept's Ryan Grim has revealed that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee under the direction of Cheri Bustos has created a blacklist of political consulting firms that had worked in support of candidates that would have temerity to challenge Democratic incumbents in primary races. Sadly, this illustrates just how entrenched the Democratic establishment is and how committed they are to preserving a status quo that increasingly fails to reflect the ideology or aspirations of an emerging majority of constituents. Instead of having the courage to welcome new and wildly popular ideas from forward thinking candidates, the DCCC has chosen to operate on the principle of fear while resisting real institutional change. This cowardly myopic approach is exactly what doomed their fortunes in 2016 and threatens to repeat itself in 2020. It's long past time to assert democratic values within the Democratic Party!
Friday, March 15, 2019
Beto Who?
My initial impression of candidate O'Rourke...
A good looking, charismatic, and youthfully enthusiastic guy...I will consider supporting him when and only when he stops speaking in wide ranging albeit hopeful generalities and begins to actually articulate specific policy measures that will address the critical issues of the day.
A good looking, charismatic, and youthfully enthusiastic guy...I will consider supporting him when and only when he stops speaking in wide ranging albeit hopeful generalities and begins to actually articulate specific policy measures that will address the critical issues of the day.
Friday, March 8, 2019
The Disgrace of Judge T.S. Ellis
Our friend Bob Dylan might have presaged the events in Judge Ellis' D.C. courtroom yesterday in the powerful, The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll wherein the poet recounted in song the injustice of the Maryland court that sentenced plantation owner William Zanzinger to six months in prison for the willful and savage murder of his kitchen maid in a fit of anger while wielding 'a cane that he twirled around his diamond ring finger' as it 'flew through the air, doomed and determined to destroy all the gentle...'
Likewise yesterday, a man's place of privilege was honored by a judge who 'spoke through his cloak, deep and distinguished, and handed down strongly for penalty and repentance': Paul Manafort with a 47 month sentence, drastically reduced from the prescribed sentencing guideline of 15-25 years. Like the Maryland court of old, Judge Ellis 'pounded his gavel in the courtroom of honor, to show that all's equal and that the courts are on the level and that the ladder of law has no top and no bottom; and that even the nobles get properly handled once the cops have chased after and caught 'em'...stared at the person who defrauded the American people of 30 million dollars, 'who just happened to be feeling that way without warning' and allowed him to pass with a shamefully light sentence while thousands of people of color continue to languish in prisons all over the land for longer durations as a result of convictions for offenses of much less magnitude.
So in the wake of the injustice on full display in our nation's capital yesterday, we can say in sad voices and with heads bowed, to all those who 'philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears' that today you may 'bury the rag deep in your face; for now is the time for your tears'!
Likewise yesterday, a man's place of privilege was honored by a judge who 'spoke through his cloak, deep and distinguished, and handed down strongly for penalty and repentance': Paul Manafort with a 47 month sentence, drastically reduced from the prescribed sentencing guideline of 15-25 years. Like the Maryland court of old, Judge Ellis 'pounded his gavel in the courtroom of honor, to show that all's equal and that the courts are on the level and that the ladder of law has no top and no bottom; and that even the nobles get properly handled once the cops have chased after and caught 'em'...stared at the person who defrauded the American people of 30 million dollars, 'who just happened to be feeling that way without warning' and allowed him to pass with a shamefully light sentence while thousands of people of color continue to languish in prisons all over the land for longer durations as a result of convictions for offenses of much less magnitude.
So in the wake of the injustice on full display in our nation's capital yesterday, we can say in sad voices and with heads bowed, to all those who 'philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears' that today you may 'bury the rag deep in your face; for now is the time for your tears'!
Thursday, March 7, 2019
When Will They Ever Learn
In response to my second cousin's appeal to end the two decade long war in Afghanistan and to retroactively compensate veterans for the their service, I offered this accompanying observation...
The concept of endless war for endless peace first coined by the great Gore Vidal was always intended as a diversionary battle cry to enable those in the vast military-industrial complex (not my characterization but rather that of General Dwight D Eisenhower) to reap the monetary benefits of international conflict while subjecting yet another generation of young Americans to the horrors of war. It is always the old men in soft chairs who send the young and upright into the caldron so that another round of callus profit taking might be secured and the barbaric institution of war be perpetuated.
Among the first victims of war are those who are sent to participate in it. Every effort to support these individuals who continue to suffer the horrible effects of combat long after the event has passed should be embraced as a bottomline responsibility of those whose goal is to provide care, compassion, and healing to the wounded; or as Dylan would say: 'to each and every underdog soldier in the night'. And, together with poet, we might collectively 'gaze upon the chimes of freedom flashing'.
The concept of endless war for endless peace first coined by the great Gore Vidal was always intended as a diversionary battle cry to enable those in the vast military-industrial complex (not my characterization but rather that of General Dwight D Eisenhower) to reap the monetary benefits of international conflict while subjecting yet another generation of young Americans to the horrors of war. It is always the old men in soft chairs who send the young and upright into the caldron so that another round of callus profit taking might be secured and the barbaric institution of war be perpetuated.
Among the first victims of war are those who are sent to participate in it. Every effort to support these individuals who continue to suffer the horrible effects of combat long after the event has passed should be embraced as a bottomline responsibility of those whose goal is to provide care, compassion, and healing to the wounded; or as Dylan would say: 'to each and every underdog soldier in the night'. And, together with poet, we might collectively 'gaze upon the chimes of freedom flashing'.
Misplaced Assignment of Blame
The conflation of legitimate criticism of the government of Israel with anti-semitism is a deliberate attempt to silence the opposition to the current/past US policy of lock-step support for one side of the Israeli/Palestinian issue. Moreover, to equate Representative Ilan Omar's recent remarks (for which she has taken responsibility) with the hateful and racist statements regularly uttered by White Nationalists and the anti-immigrant and xenophobic rhetoric coming from the highest levels of our current government is to further demonize a member of a religion already subject to decades of abuse at the hands of an intolerant minority in the long and shameful aftermath of 9/11.
Saturday, February 23, 2019
A Lesson in Perspective
During a recovery run at Ocean Beach yesterday I stopped to say hi to Albert whom I often see walking on the same path that extends from the base of the Cliff House Hill to the SF Zoo. Albert, who is originally from Tibet, is one of those souls embodying peace and good cheer so he was quick to inquire about my well being, asking how long I was running that day and how I was feeling. I answered by giving him a detailed description of my latest race where I had experienced a hamstring injury from which I was attempting to recover. After this lengthy recitation, it was finally my turn to ask him how he was doing. With a beaming smile, he said that he was feeling much better now that he recently had completed the final chemotherapy session in a long series of treatments. He then happily exposed a six to eight inch scar just below his clavicle to illustrate the site of the affected area, saying: 'much better now'. We then clasped hands, wished each other well, and I said that I would keep a good thought for him. He responded with thanks and a smile of gratitude. As we parted ways, it was I who was grateful to this courageous and gentle survivor for providing valuable perspective on the range of life experiences our fellow travelers experience and endure. So the next time I begin to complain about this or that annoyance, perhaps a better choice will be to think about Albert and be properly thankful for the gifts and blessings already in my possession.
Friday, February 15, 2019
A Real National Emergency
If The Current Occupant was serious about addressing a real national emergency, he would be well advised to turn his attention to the ongoing environmental crisis brought about by increasing global warming and the accompanying climate disruption experienced throughout the world. Instead, he continues to be oblivious to and ignorant of the distinction between human induced climate change and the weather at any given moment. As a result, we need not look any farther than the White House to properly locate the source of our most dire threat to national security.
Combating the Crisis
It's more than a bit curious if not downright dubious (okay, call it specious) that our president will spend the first few days of our 'national emergency' playing golf in his Florida resort.
Thursday, February 7, 2019
The Turning of the Tide
It is a testament to the effect progressive influence has had on the current Democratic Party to hear longtime establishment apologist and regular MSNBC commentator Lawerence O'Donnell sing the praises of the contribution American socialist have made to the quality of life in this country. In response to the latest vilification of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, O'Donnell reminded his viewers that the eight hour work day along with the 40 hour work week were products of the efforts of thousands of early American socialists (Eugene Debs being a notable 20th century example although not specifically mentioned by O'Donnell). He went on to make note of the formation and popularity of such socialist programs as Social Security and Medicare and the specific contribution of FDR's Secretary of Labor, Francis Perkins, in the enactment of the former while noting the historical roots of the latter.
O'Donnell's declarations represent an abrupt change of attitude from at least this sector of the Democratic mainstream. It was only a few short months ago that O'Donnell was attempting to minimalize AOC's historic defeat of 20 year incumbent and party kingpin, Joseph Crowley, and, in so doing, hope to marginalize her accomplishment. In the ensuing months, O'Donnell has apparently come to realize the very real depth of appeal that current socialist ideas and programs enjoy among an ever growing majority of Americans. As alluded to by O'Donnell, socialism, its ideas and benefits, have been an essential part of the American societal fabric throughout much of our history although not always identified by name. We might add to this list the very publicly financed and proudly American institutions of the National Park Service; the vast and largely well functioning system of highways, roads, and bridges; the much lauded and often revered US military; our police and fire service; a network of public libraries; a public educational system at once filled with promise and in need of even greater attention and the promise of the restoration of fully finance higher education to compete on the world stage with other industrialized nations of the world. In the light of these existing socialistic realities, the introduction of the Green New Deal as proposed by Bernie Sanders, Ms Ocasio-Cortez and scores of other members of Congress appear not as outlying concepts but rather ideas consistent with ongoing and successful programs with which we are all well accustomed and familiar. These ideas echo a rich and vibrant heritage forged throughout our history by the efforts, sacrifices, and vision of the likes of Mr. Debs, Samuel Gompers, social activist Dorothy Day, the great Paul Robson, our would-be Vice President Henry Wallace, and the legendary vision of Martin Luther King. They and thousands of other American socialist forefathers must look upon the current iteration of those who strive for the full and authentic expression of democracy with pride and hope for the fulfillment of a dream once conceived and still yet to be fully realized.
Of course, there exists now, as then, a formidable opposition to this movement...a very well organized and financed effort to maintain the status quo of wealth disparity and the preservation of a system that protects the 1% of elites...American oligarchs dedicated not to the common good but rather to the perpetuation and continuance of their narrow, myopic, and destructive vision based upon greed and self aggrandizement. They are currently represented by the familiar Koch Brothers, the Waltons, Robert Mercer, and Leo Leonard and the Federalist Society just to cite a few notable examples. They will do their best to demonize the harbingers of change in the upcoming election cycle now already upon us with vile insult, misinformation, and outright defamation in an attempt preserve a hold on an unjust system increasingly viewed with disfavor. When mainstream representatives like Lawrence O'Donnell begin to accept the need for real change and link this need with reference to the heritage of past struggle and the existence of ongoing successful programs that benefit the many, we may look forward to a future where a consensus will be achieved to turn the tide and enjoy a day when, in the words of Mr. Dylan, 'the sun will respect every face on the deck; the hour when the ship comes in!' The ship is indeed on the horizon.
O'Donnell's declarations represent an abrupt change of attitude from at least this sector of the Democratic mainstream. It was only a few short months ago that O'Donnell was attempting to minimalize AOC's historic defeat of 20 year incumbent and party kingpin, Joseph Crowley, and, in so doing, hope to marginalize her accomplishment. In the ensuing months, O'Donnell has apparently come to realize the very real depth of appeal that current socialist ideas and programs enjoy among an ever growing majority of Americans. As alluded to by O'Donnell, socialism, its ideas and benefits, have been an essential part of the American societal fabric throughout much of our history although not always identified by name. We might add to this list the very publicly financed and proudly American institutions of the National Park Service; the vast and largely well functioning system of highways, roads, and bridges; the much lauded and often revered US military; our police and fire service; a network of public libraries; a public educational system at once filled with promise and in need of even greater attention and the promise of the restoration of fully finance higher education to compete on the world stage with other industrialized nations of the world. In the light of these existing socialistic realities, the introduction of the Green New Deal as proposed by Bernie Sanders, Ms Ocasio-Cortez and scores of other members of Congress appear not as outlying concepts but rather ideas consistent with ongoing and successful programs with which we are all well accustomed and familiar. These ideas echo a rich and vibrant heritage forged throughout our history by the efforts, sacrifices, and vision of the likes of Mr. Debs, Samuel Gompers, social activist Dorothy Day, the great Paul Robson, our would-be Vice President Henry Wallace, and the legendary vision of Martin Luther King. They and thousands of other American socialist forefathers must look upon the current iteration of those who strive for the full and authentic expression of democracy with pride and hope for the fulfillment of a dream once conceived and still yet to be fully realized.
Of course, there exists now, as then, a formidable opposition to this movement...a very well organized and financed effort to maintain the status quo of wealth disparity and the preservation of a system that protects the 1% of elites...American oligarchs dedicated not to the common good but rather to the perpetuation and continuance of their narrow, myopic, and destructive vision based upon greed and self aggrandizement. They are currently represented by the familiar Koch Brothers, the Waltons, Robert Mercer, and Leo Leonard and the Federalist Society just to cite a few notable examples. They will do their best to demonize the harbingers of change in the upcoming election cycle now already upon us with vile insult, misinformation, and outright defamation in an attempt preserve a hold on an unjust system increasingly viewed with disfavor. When mainstream representatives like Lawrence O'Donnell begin to accept the need for real change and link this need with reference to the heritage of past struggle and the existence of ongoing successful programs that benefit the many, we may look forward to a future where a consensus will be achieved to turn the tide and enjoy a day when, in the words of Mr. Dylan, 'the sun will respect every face on the deck; the hour when the ship comes in!' The ship is indeed on the horizon.
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
It's a Both/And Proposition
In response to the need to identify the most authentic progressive candidate for 2020, I'm in agreement with the the assertion that policy and ideology matter and that the continuation of the neo-liberal model as represented by the recent Democratic establishment needs to be replaced by a genuine progressive who better embodies the principles and vision inherent in a new and emerging base. That said, it is also true that electability matters and we must be mindful to balance our need to effect real change with a deep understanding of the political landscape in which we both operate and hope to transform.
Monday, February 4, 2019
Socialists Love Baseball Too!
Note to all Progressives: in spite of the heavy-handed capitalist marketing, the excessive allusions to and promotions of militarism implicit in American sports (please read Howard Bryant's The Heritage), the billionaire franchise owners, and the excessive salaries paid to a selected few...it's still okay to support your favorite teams and the individual athletes who populate them. It's not a mutually exclusive proposition to embrace Bernie Sanders while idolizing Sandy Koufax; hold Marx and Montana in high esteem; extol the virtues of Paul Robson and the Raiders; and sing the praises of George Bernard Shaw as you marvel at the exploits Georgie Best!! Remember: a well functioning team embodies the principles of collective effort and egalitarian regard for its constituent members while pursuing a common goal!
Friday, January 25, 2019
An Ignoble Legacy
With the imminent threat of yet another United States engineered coup d' etat looming in Venezuela, the Trump administration is poised to join the ranks of several past US administrations in orchestrating a regime change in Latin America. The ongoing political chaos under the leadership of current president Nicolas Maduro is a result of an unhappy mixture of governmental mismanagement, crippling economic sanctions unilaterally imposed by the US without United Nations authorization, and a relentless internal opposition by the US backed ultra right resistance which successfully undermined a recent agreement by members of the moderate opposition to negotiate a peaceful settlement with the Maduro regime in a peace conference in the Dominican Republic. At this point the National Assembly leader, Juan Guaido, is being touted by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as the rightful heir to the presidency without the benefit of an actual democratic election...the classic trappings of a coup d' etat. Additionally, the election which brought Maduro to power was boycotted by the radical right opposition in an attempt to delegitimize Maduro presidency and pave the way for the coup we are now witnessing in real time.
This flaunting of international law which serves to protect the sovereignty of nations and protect against the illegal intervention of one nation into the internal affairs of another is, of course, perfectly consistent with past practice by the United States under the leadership of Democratic and Republican alike. The current inference of the US in the affairs of a sovereign nation reminds one of the CIA directed military coup against the democratically elected president of Guatemala, Jacobo Arbenz, in 1954 under the leadership of President Eisenhower and his Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles. It should be noted that an earlier attempt to unseat Arbenz was conducted during the administration of Harry Truman, which was successfully albeit temporarily thwarted by the Guatemalan government.
The Nixon/Kissinger regime became infamous in giving approval to the CIA backed assassination of the democratically elected president of Chile, Salvatore Allende, in September (11th, no less) of 1973. This resulted in one the most repressively brutal regimes of the 20th century under the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.
This legacy of illegal intervention continued under Bush the Elder (in 1991) and repeated itself during the regime of Bush the Lesser (in 2004) as they twice moved to undermine the popular presidency of Jean-Bertrand Aristide by presiding over his removal from office and his forced exile to Africa. It might be remembered with a degree of shame when then Secretary of State, Colin Powell, boldly announced on PBS, as an acquiescent Jim Lear passively looked on, that...'Aristide really has to go'. It was as if he was announcing to the world on behalf of the current, past, and future generations of American leaders that 'sovereignty be damned when we decide a regime change is in our best interests'! Of notable interest in the case of Haiti is that the ensuing chaos emanating from this coup led the way for the insertion of the Clinton Foundation in the 'rebuilding' of Haiti which resulted, instead, in further devastation of one of the poorest nations on the face of the Earth and the aggrandizement of Bush's predecessor.
A more recent example of our involvement in the removal of a democratically elected leader of a sovereign nation was 2009 military coup in Honduras, which ousted President Manuel Zelaya from office and replaced him with the US/CIA backed Roberto Micheletti with the full endorsement of then Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, under the direction of the Obama/Biden administration. The resulting dissolution of this society has brought endless suffering to the Honduran people and yielded an environment in which lawlessness and gang violence has thrived to this day. We see clearly the effects of this societal deterioration in the form of the multitudes of refugees fleeing the country, often seeking asylum in this country...a cruel example of the blowback from unintended consequences.
It cannot be lost on even the most inattentive reader that these examples of orchestrated regime change were perpetrated against leftists governments not ideologically allied with the United States. It follows that these incursions into the politics of these sovereign countries were done in order to re-assert a kind of ideological and economic hegemony in the Southern Hemisphere against the will of the people and in service of our more narrow geo-political ambitions.
The current situation is essentially no different than the cases cited above in that, however flawed the Maduro administration might be as a result of internally and externally imposed forces, Venezuela, much like Guatemala, Chile, Haiti, and Honduras before them, has its own unique set of issues with which it must deal and must be allowed, as an independent and sovereign entity, to resolve their challenges by reference to their own electorate, free from foreign interference, violence, and malicious intent.
This flaunting of international law which serves to protect the sovereignty of nations and protect against the illegal intervention of one nation into the internal affairs of another is, of course, perfectly consistent with past practice by the United States under the leadership of Democratic and Republican alike. The current inference of the US in the affairs of a sovereign nation reminds one of the CIA directed military coup against the democratically elected president of Guatemala, Jacobo Arbenz, in 1954 under the leadership of President Eisenhower and his Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles. It should be noted that an earlier attempt to unseat Arbenz was conducted during the administration of Harry Truman, which was successfully albeit temporarily thwarted by the Guatemalan government.
The Nixon/Kissinger regime became infamous in giving approval to the CIA backed assassination of the democratically elected president of Chile, Salvatore Allende, in September (11th, no less) of 1973. This resulted in one the most repressively brutal regimes of the 20th century under the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.
This legacy of illegal intervention continued under Bush the Elder (in 1991) and repeated itself during the regime of Bush the Lesser (in 2004) as they twice moved to undermine the popular presidency of Jean-Bertrand Aristide by presiding over his removal from office and his forced exile to Africa. It might be remembered with a degree of shame when then Secretary of State, Colin Powell, boldly announced on PBS, as an acquiescent Jim Lear passively looked on, that...'Aristide really has to go'. It was as if he was announcing to the world on behalf of the current, past, and future generations of American leaders that 'sovereignty be damned when we decide a regime change is in our best interests'! Of notable interest in the case of Haiti is that the ensuing chaos emanating from this coup led the way for the insertion of the Clinton Foundation in the 'rebuilding' of Haiti which resulted, instead, in further devastation of one of the poorest nations on the face of the Earth and the aggrandizement of Bush's predecessor.
A more recent example of our involvement in the removal of a democratically elected leader of a sovereign nation was 2009 military coup in Honduras, which ousted President Manuel Zelaya from office and replaced him with the US/CIA backed Roberto Micheletti with the full endorsement of then Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, under the direction of the Obama/Biden administration. The resulting dissolution of this society has brought endless suffering to the Honduran people and yielded an environment in which lawlessness and gang violence has thrived to this day. We see clearly the effects of this societal deterioration in the form of the multitudes of refugees fleeing the country, often seeking asylum in this country...a cruel example of the blowback from unintended consequences.
It cannot be lost on even the most inattentive reader that these examples of orchestrated regime change were perpetrated against leftists governments not ideologically allied with the United States. It follows that these incursions into the politics of these sovereign countries were done in order to re-assert a kind of ideological and economic hegemony in the Southern Hemisphere against the will of the people and in service of our more narrow geo-political ambitions.
The current situation is essentially no different than the cases cited above in that, however flawed the Maduro administration might be as a result of internally and externally imposed forces, Venezuela, much like Guatemala, Chile, Haiti, and Honduras before them, has its own unique set of issues with which it must deal and must be allowed, as an independent and sovereign entity, to resolve their challenges by reference to their own electorate, free from foreign interference, violence, and malicious intent.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
A Thankless Task
Taking a moment here to express appreciation and gratitude to my friend Rich Osborn (among others) who works tirelessly to sort through the muck, mire, and minutiae of the unseemly residue left behind daily by The Current Occupant and his band of decidedly unhappy and incompetent minions.
During the past three years, I've written well over one hundred pieces about TCO and have reached a point best described by Mr. Dylan where: 'you're sick of all this repetition...' and await the metaphorical arrival of 'Queen Jane' (save the rather obvious symbolic reference).
Meanwhile, Rich persistently, determinedly, and with great insight exposes the various ways in which our democracy is threatened and undermined by this ill-informed, directionless, and thoroughly corrupt administration.
Thank you, Rich and others, for staying true to the task of exposing the incessant mendacity endemic to this regime and pointing the way forward...away from this darkened moment in time.
During the past three years, I've written well over one hundred pieces about TCO and have reached a point best described by Mr. Dylan where: 'you're sick of all this repetition...' and await the metaphorical arrival of 'Queen Jane' (save the rather obvious symbolic reference).
Meanwhile, Rich persistently, determinedly, and with great insight exposes the various ways in which our democracy is threatened and undermined by this ill-informed, directionless, and thoroughly corrupt administration.
Thank you, Rich and others, for staying true to the task of exposing the incessant mendacity endemic to this regime and pointing the way forward...away from this darkened moment in time.
Monday, January 7, 2019
The Changing of the Guard
With the advent of such vibrant, forward thinking, diverse, and youthful new leaders in the House, Senate and state government, we are in the midst of a new wave of political thought and energy. This is embodied in the unapologetic confrontational style of Kamala Harris, Alexandra Ocasio Cortez, and Rashida Tlaib who are not likely concede ground in deference to protocol and establish patterns of thought. Washington governor, Jay Inslee, is running on a uncompromising environmental agenda and is a leading spokesman for the New Green Deal while Beto O'Rouke combines the qualities and values of inclusiveness, progressive ideals, youthful perspective, collective action, grass roots organizational skill, and a genuine ability to authentically connect with people.
By contrast, Joe Biden appears to champion the old, weathered, and tired set of ideas and methods of a status quo rapidly becoming irrelevant when compared to this new, inspired, hopeful and reinvigorated political landscape rapidly being forged. Instead of offering the fresh face of a man ready to lead us into the fertile fields of the future, Uncle Joe increasingly presents himself as the old guy who just wants you off his front lawn!
By contrast, Joe Biden appears to champion the old, weathered, and tired set of ideas and methods of a status quo rapidly becoming irrelevant when compared to this new, inspired, hopeful and reinvigorated political landscape rapidly being forged. Instead of offering the fresh face of a man ready to lead us into the fertile fields of the future, Uncle Joe increasingly presents himself as the old guy who just wants you off his front lawn!
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