The long holiday weekend was blissfully spent avoiding any real news beyond learning that the turkey was indeed done. Returning to a mound of newspapers to be read quickly brought me up to speed on some of the more noticed comings and goings in the world. Some reflect positive steps by governments to improve the lives of everyday people, while others serve as shining examples of bad policy and behavior. And a few items aren’t so easily categorized.
Two Steps Forward The government of Great Britain has passed a law ending mandatory closing hours for liquor serving establishments. Declaring that it’s “Time for adults to be treated as adults,” government officials blamed an increase in binge drinking and early morning accidents or violence on closing hours at pubs. By removing the mandated service hours, officials hope that people won’t get quite so hammered since there won’t be a need to get in “one last drink.” Sounds like good common sense policy to me. Arbitrary laws that encourage bad behavior should be eliminated. And the savings from not having to enforce, prosecute, and punish needless crimes can help address budget shortfalls in other areas. We could use some of that rationality in our Congress over here.
Canada appropriated $4.3 billion towards helping native populations climb out of poverty by improving access to health care and education, as well as helping people buy property off reserves. It is long past the time when the U.S. needs to address our long-standing maltreatment of our own native populations. See the previous post (Two Sides To Every Story) for more thoughts on this topic.
Five Steps Back A Federal judge has the Federal No Child Left Behind act that was being challenged by several states for not adequately funding the mandates it proscribes. Saying that Congress can, in effect, demand that certain conditions be met before doling out federal dollars, the judge in the case rejected the case as having no merit. Funny, but I thought that the tax dollars held by the federal government belonged to the people. Isn’t that Bush told us when he cut taxes time and time again? The federal government should allocate education dollars equally among the states with few strings attached and fewer mandates, acting instead only as a clearinghouse and equalizer of funds. And while we should demand that all graduates have a competency in reading, writing, mathematics, and other essential skills, we should leave it to the states to figure out how to impart them without having the federal government demand certain tests that may or may not show real progress.
Use of torture has weakened the case against terror suspect Jose Padilla, at least according to the government’s own reasoning for reducing the charges it has finally leveled against him. Realizing that most of their evidence against Padilla in the bombing plots was gleaned from men under torture interrogation, government prosecutors lost any information that may have been credible. The result will be that a self-avowed Jihadist in America will receive a reduced sentence, possible putting him back on our streets sooner rather than later or never. Tell me again why torture is such a good idea…
California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has agreed to hear a clemency plea from lawyers of convicted killer and Crips gang founder Tookie Williams, who is set to be executed in mid December for four killings in the late 70’s. Evidence at the trial, including Williams own braggart confessions revealed on the stand clearly show that the man was not wrongly convicted. His jury was not all white. Witnesses against him included some of his own acquaintances. Williams, savagely gunned down a convenience store clerk and then brutally killed three members of a family at their hotel for what amounted to $100 in the till. After 24 years of appeals being denied, it is time for this killer to be put out of our misery. Why do we continue to waste precious tax dollars keeping murderers alive? Maybe Arnold is just trying to placate some segment of society and is just going through the motions, but there is nothing to gain from commuting this sentence except further waste of tax dollars that could be better spent on society.
On the religious front, a Christian television network is suing Orange County over its lost bid to acquire the local public broadcasting station. Shed by the community college because of costs, the local PBS station went up for bid, but was awarded to a PBS foundation for a lower initial cash payment than the religious group ponied up. The religious network is decrying the process because state law allows a public sale to the highest “up-front cash” bidder, which they claim to have been. But the word “allows” is not the same as the word “must” so when local citizens banded together to save their local station from being overrun by religious programming, guess who didn’t turn the other cheek?
Finally, proving once again why America is will be her own demise, hundreds of citizens battled it out, in some cases literally, for the honor of shelling out $300-400 bucks for the new Xbox gaming system. Let’s see…poor schools…expensive energy and medical care…war as far as the eye can see…yeah, I can see how getting one of those over-rated imagination killers is high on the list of things to fight over. Way to go Consumerism!
Three to the Side Palestinians finally received control of the border between Gaza and Egypt, offering the first real tangible on their path to independence. Israel is also planning to normalize more cross border trade at this port and is allowing Palestinians to build and operate a permanent seaport. Now it is up to the Palestinian government to insure that violence doesn’t destroy these gains. They must match each step towards freedom with the application of the rule of law and as a society condemn and turn out those who will use violence to make a point. It is a tentative step in the right direction, taken in a mine field.
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has announced his intention to gain nuclear power for his county and wants to work with other South American nations to achieve his goal. While this could be the latest in a round of saber rattling between Venezuela and the U.S. one wonders why an oil-rich country with no real history of conservation or environmentalism would need nuclear energy. And with relations already frayed and the Bush Administration’s proclivity towards labeling all nuclear wanting people as enemies and terrorists, this could turn out to be a dangerous development in the politics of the America’s as well as the larger “War on Terror.” Or maybe it is a not-so-subtle repudiation of the entire Bush style of swagger and punch. Time will tell.
Last but not least was the major capitulation from the Bush Administration on troop reductions in Iraq. Curiously timed to coincide with the mid-term elections, it will be hard for people to pick at this planned reduction since it is what they have been clamoring for. But this may just be another classic bait-and-switch by this administration. The key is what starting point they use to measure “reductions” against. Troop strength has grown fro 138,000 this past summer to over 160,000 by years end. The planned reductions in ’06 should be measurably smaller than the summer numbers to truly be reductions of any meaningful size. Further, reductions are still only going to happen when certain nebulous conditions are met. Without a stricter timetable, Iraqi’s may decide to let us keep dying for them, since it is easier than dying for themselves. There is little incentive for them to take control as long as we are there indefinitely. Again, we’ll see how they spin this come next summer in the heart of the congressional campaign season.
This entry was posted on Monday, November 28th, 2005 at 8:01 am and is filed under Bush, General, Government, Iraq, Politics, Religion, War, World News.
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November 28th, 2005 at 12:02 pm
I figured we would hear this eventually and i am not surprised it came from you. The Bush administration had said all along(except for most of the Bush detractors don’t listen) that we would start reducing troops numbers once the Iraqi’s can start handling their own security. It is funny that all of these blow hard Democrats in Washington demand time tables and thongs like that from Bush, but once they get them they start accusingBush of using the timing to coincide with 2006 elections. When we all know that is exactly what they are doing with all this bluster coming out of the Lefties.
November 28th, 2005 at 8:23 pm
Yeah, the new law in the UK is well overdue. Although, I’m not sure if those two steps forward will be in a straight line, or a little stumble along the way.
We have a really destructive drinking culture in the UK where people hammer themselves because of the rapidly impending closing time at 11.00. Hopefully this will create a more appropriate social environment for our excessive consumption of alchohol.
November 28th, 2005 at 8:39 pm
Hello
I like your opening quote in the header: Common sense.
My favourite saying is that common sense is far too often uncommon
My name is hoe bing and I wanted to ask for a favour. I know your blog is not totally on topic, but your straight forward no nonsense way of critique is something that I would really appreciate some of.
I have a blog at ADHD and was wondering if you would mind giving it a n honest review?
If you think the site is of benefit please link to it, I think there is much to be said about the issue, especially with the upcoming generations.
Thank you for listening.
Again, kudos to your blog, obviously much effort has gone into it.
warmest regards,
Hoe Bing
November 28th, 2005 at 11:13 pm
It strikes me that all things conducted by the government are done for some political reason or gain. Certainly, nothing done by the W, Rove and Co ever wasn’t. I challenge anyone to find something that truly was benevolently (and turned out to be truly beneficial for all) planned, executed or passed by the W,Rove and Co.
November 29th, 2005 at 1:12 am
Dude:
FYI: the “shoe bomber” was Richard Reid.
Jose Padilla is accused of trying to explode a dirty bomb in the US.
November 29th, 2005 at 6:03 pm
The money the Federal government has promised to the natives in Canada could very well be in jeopardy now with the non-confidence vote resulting in the government losing power until the January election, when the Liberals will no doubt win again.
This entire fiasco is really making me angry, especially since nothing will change when the election comes. At the very least, I seriously hope the majority of Canadians are smart enough to NOT vote for Harper and his right wing conservatives.
There are many other Bills on hold now as well, including the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana…
November 29th, 2005 at 10:47 pm
Hey Ken, long time no see! It’s nice Canada appropriated that much money to care for its people. I wonder how a country can do that and not become socialist. I want us to take care of those who cannot care for themselves out of mental or physical disability and I am all for giving a hand UP not hand OUT to the poor and downtrodden.
The problem is that those who have their hands out in America who can provide for themselves will expect they can hold it out forever and the government will make them believe that they will take care of them for life.
November 30th, 2005 at 6:27 am
Watch. Canada is going to fail miserably in whatever contrived idea they have of improving Natives’ way of life. They always do. Whenever they put their policies into effect, it is always regarded as “progressive”. Then, in hindsight, it is considered sinfully oppressive.
December 1st, 2005 at 11:33 pm
A lot of good things here, but I will save my comments just for Tookie. I think it is great and noble that he has done so much to try and keep kids out of gangs, but he he hasn’t taken responsibility for his actions.
Sorry Tookie, but your time is up.
December 3rd, 2005 at 7:28 pm
An interesting post. A couple of quick disagreements.
“Funny, but I thought that the tax dollars held by the federal government belonged to the people. Isn’t that Bush told us when he cut taxes time and time again?”
Whether he told us that or not (I just don’t know) it is true. That money does belong to us.
“The federal government should allocate education dollars equally among the states……….”
Shouldn’t the federal govenment just stop confiscating taxpayer money in the first place which would allow the states to tax their residents and and allow states to spend the money on education the way they see fit.
“Three to the Side Palestinians finally received control of the border between Gaza and Egypt, offering the first real tangible on their path to independence.”
Here is one of the headlines today: “Militants Wanted by Israel Return to Gaza.” By militants they mean terrorists. I would say that importing terrorists into the recently acquired Gaza is not a sign of a realistic path to independance
December 3rd, 2005 at 7:32 pm
I forgot this headline from today as well:
“Ballot boxes set on fire in Palestinian election”
Let’s see if they look for and prosecute those that are fighting democracy. If they don’t I would say it will be business as usual.
December 4th, 2005 at 8:29 am
Ken,
Great post, as always.
I have to say, though, haven’t the Iraqis already let us know that they want us to leave?
And to Jon, what, exactly, has changed? By all credible reports, the number of Iraqi units actually fully trained and able to operate on their own is still just one. The campaign Bush referenced in his speech as being led primarily by the Iraqi forces was, according to officers on the ground, actually still entirely led by U.S. forces. Nothing has changed.
So this discussion of draw down of forces, which does coincide with what promise to be potentially very damaging mid-term elections for Bush (assuming we can find a way to keep the Diebold machines from being hacked) doesn’t seem to be motivated by anything but PR, the one thing that Bush and the neoconservatives are really good at.
(And before anyone calls my shot at Diebold a liberal talking point, I refer anyone who honestly cares about fair elections to read the recent G.A.O. report, which more or less confirms widespread irregularities in the voting which seem, by some amazing coincidence, to have favored Bush in every case. Add to that the fact that Republicans have benefitted not once but TWICE from previously unprecedented differences between exit polls and official results and stir in a quick dose of Howard Dean being shown on a TV show how the Diebold results can be hacked and changed untraceably in about 30 seconds, and there’s really no reason to believe Bush won the last election.)
Liam.
December 6th, 2005 at 8:06 pm
(responses)
jon- Sure, there is nothing political about Bush’s proposed timing. Jon, the president is being forced to produce an actual plan for withdrawal precisely because he failed to plan for the aftermath of the war. That he resisted for so long, only to produce finally offer up some tangible steps when his approval ratings are at all time lows (for him at least) instead of having a real plan to begin with belies his own politicizing of this whole affair. Thanks for the comment.
Graham- We have a drinking culture here too, mostly among the youth, who also cram up before closing time. This kind of law just makes sense to me and I hope that Britons will use this flexibility to reduce the damage caused by binge drinking. Glad to hear from you.
adhd- Thanks for your kind comments. I did take a quick look at your site, and you seem to be doing something good there. If anyone is interested in learning more about adhd, take a visit.
windspike- Looks like the challenge is unmet! no surprise there… hope all is well for you in spite of it all.
John- thanks for the proofread- I changed the text as indicated.
Glyn- Sad to see that Canadian politics has taken a stumble. Let’s hope all of youin the North can reclaim a hold on rational politics and policies, like the one that would help native populations. Always good to hear from you.
Jessica- Nice to have you back! I don’t think that this is a case of llifetime entitlements so much as an effort to bring the living realities of native people in line with the non-native population- think better school access so they can get better jobs or better health care so they can live with better quality of life.
Our problem is as you say, but it is as much due to failing public institutions and institutional bungling as it is “lazy Americans” just wanting more and more.
Christopher- Are there any examples you can provide to back this up? I am not a Canadian political student, so would be curious to hear what you mean, in more specific terms.
Me4- Interesting to note that his “Nobel Prize” nominations are not that hard to come by, simply takes someone to throw your name in the hat. If his books were so successful and provocative, why has he never won. Also, Stalin and Hitler have been nominated for Nobel Prizes, but I don’t hold them up as prime examples of humanity.
Yes, Tookie must pay for his crimes, and as of now, the death penalty is our best legal option.
Gindy- I agree that the money belongs to the people and not the government, but the feds do have to collect taxes to pay for the services we demand. They just do a terrible job of implementing and reducing waste, fraud, and corruption. I’ve written several essays regarding education and associated funding if you’d care to check through the archives for my thoughts.
As for Gaza, I didn’t say this step would be an end-all, only an opportunity for realistic change. If Palestine chooses to remain on their path towards political terror and refuge for terrorists, then their chance at self-determination will be short lived indeed.
Always nice to hear from you.
Liam- Some Iraqi’s surely want us to stay longer, but the majority are saying, in one way or another, that it is time for us to go. Let’s see if they can follow their speech with actions towards handling their own affairs more peacefully as we withdraw. Glad to hear from you again.
December 12th, 2005 at 5:07 am
“They just do a terrible job of implementing and reducing waste, fraud, and corruption.”
Agreed. I just think that the money would be easier to monitor in the state hands. We do seem to demand more from our government nowadays.
“As for Gaza, I didn’t say this step would be an end-all, only an opportunity for realistic change.”
You are correct that there is a chance. I don’t like the odds though. Time will tell.