Leaky Government

Those that leak US classified information are not whistle blowers, nor patriots.  Whether they leak info for or against themselves, they are spineless.  Unwilling to speak openly, engage in civil disobedience and/or use the “system” to deal with alleged improprieties. Those that leak information because they disagree with policy, where no improprieties exist, is even [...]

Middle East Struggles

Hassan Nasrallah refuses to abandon it armed militia and withdraws from the recognized government of Lebanon.
Muqtada al-Sadr refuses to abandon its armed militia and withdraws from the recognized government of Iraq.
Hamas and al Fatah refuse to abandon their armed militias and refuse to form a coalition government to help the Palestinian people.
There is a struggle [...]

Merry Christmas

If I meet you on the street and wish you a Merry Christmas, I’m wishing you the joy that I feel from my celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  Please don’t think that I am evangelizing Christianity or diminishing the celebration of other religions or festivities. Especially don’t think that I’m slighting or slandering [...]

Measure Congressional Performance

Everyone wants our US Congress to perform.  Perhaps what is required are some simple, non-partisan performance measures. Here’s my starter list:

days in session per month

days in session per year

bills passed per bills introduce

bills passed by more than the majority party’s advantage

bills passed by more than 10% of the majority party’s advantage

bills passed by more than [...]

Who Won the 2006 Election?

Senator Lieberman and those seeking independent thought and action from our legislators won the 2006 election.  Its only a foothold, but lets hope that it gather momentum.
Discounted by his own party on a single issue and embraced by the GOP on a single issue, the Senator was “forced” to go independent.  He now finds himself [...]

Leftovers from Thanksgiving

Yesterday we all gave thanks, but today its time for leftovers. Earmarks is one of those issues leftover from a discussion at our dinner table.
Here’s an interesting proposal for Earmark Reform:
Congressional districts are sized to be equal units of representation.  So…..each House Representative gets an equal amount to appropriate as they wish, just like their [...]

Contrast with America

We need a US Congress to develop a contract, rather than a contrast with America.  Middle America is not concerned about who has political power.  Middle America wants Congress to solve problems.  Extreme left/right thought is not where the majority is, nor where the most of the problems are.The problems on the fringes are not [...]

Compulsory Government Service

A Military Draft? – No!  Compulsory Government Service (CGS) by our Youth? – Maybe.
Trying to implement a CGS in a country as large as the US would be onerous.  I’m a bit dubious, but its worth a discussion.
Here’s my framework and offering for discussion.

must be comprised of only specific services
it should not be a jobs [...]

I’d Rather be a Pragmatist

Pessimists and optimists always seem to be able to convince themselves that they are correct no matter the outcome of any position they may take
To the contrary, pragmatist are more reflective and honest about the results of their prognostications.  This points out the differences between focusing on the positive and the negative or the practical.
That [...]

No More OJ

I believe and respect that a jury of his peers found O.J. Simpson not guilty of murdering his wife, Nicole and Ron Goldman.  I believe he did murder his wife.  It is unbelievable that a TV program is being aired to promote his latest book.
I don’t blame the book publisher of his latest book.  I [...]