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"Knowledge is, in every country, the surest basis of public happiness." ~ George Washington, First Annual Message, 1790
In my last blog, I questioned the patriotism of those who would break our nation's laws on her birthday. While I stand by the assertion that criminal behavior is inherently unpatriotic, I hope I didn't give the impression that most of the spectators fell into such a category.
Out of the thousands who were in attendance, I'd estimate only 5% of them were flaunting authority via illegal incendiary devices. The majority of the people were occupied with picnics, games of Frisbee, cook outs, and other acceptable forms of recreation. The trouble makers simply stood out more.
Isn't that always the way though? We tend to have a global reputation for being polluters, war mongers, and "ugly Americans." Yet, I'd argue our good works far outweigh our misdeeds & mistakes.
The following was written by an Australian Dentist, and arrived in my Inbox this morning. It does a superb job illustrating my point.
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"To Kill an American
You probably missed this in the rush of news, but there was actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published in a newspaper, an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American.
So an Australian dentist wrote an editorial the following day to let everyone know what an American is . So they would know when they found one. (Good one, mate!!!!)
'An American is English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish , Polish, Russian or Greek. An American may also be Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani or Afghan.
An American may also be a Comanche, Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navajo, Apache, Seminole or one of the many other tribes known as native Americans.
An American is Christian , or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim.. In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan . The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them chooses.
An American is also free to believe in no religion.... For that he will answer only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.
An American lives in the most prosperous land in the history of the world.
The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes the God given right of each person to the pursuit of happiness.
An American is generous. Americans have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need, never asking a thing in return......
When Afghanistan was over-run by the Soviet army 20 years ago, Americans came with arms and supplies to enable the people to win back their country!
As of the morning of September 11, Americans had given more than any other nation to the poor in Afghanistan.
The national symbol of America, The Statue of Liberty, welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless, tempest tossed. These in fact are the people who built America
Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of September 11 , 2001 earning a better life for their families. It's been told that the World Trade Center victims were from at least 30 different countries, cultures, and first languages, including those that aided and abetted the terrorists.
So you can try to kill an American if you must.. Hitler did. So did General Tojo , and Stalin , and Mao Tse-Tung, and other blood-thirsty tyrants in the world.. But, in doing so you would just be killing yourself . Because Americans are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American."
This blog began as a writing and literature blog with the occasional Op-Ed piece on current events & issues. The political writing has, slowly but surely, taken this blog over. Readers will still be treated to some of my thoughts on pop culture and sports, but, for the most part, Blogito Ergo Sum will feature my opinions on the state of our union and world.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Our Nation's Birthday
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"The government is the potent omnipresent teacher. For good or ill it teaches the whole people by its example." ~ Justice Louis D. Brandeis
Seaside, Oregon is a coastal town to built, primarily, on tourism. Broadway, its version of The Strip, leads from downtown to the sea front boardwalk, and is packed with shops, restaurants, and amusements. Every day, a pudgy good natured candy man stands on the corner of Broadway & Columbia, singing his jingle and handing out samples of salt water taffy to passers by.
We spent our 4th of July weekend in Seaside. Walking along the boardwalk, one couldn’t help but notice signs stating that no illegal fireworks would be tolerated. Thus, during a late night stroll, on the 3rd, I was surprised to see the beach being illuminated by unsanctioned explosions of color. Figuring the police were on their way, I shrugged and continued the stroll. However, upon reaching the main staircase to beach, I witnessed a Hispanic family, mom, dad, and two little kids, being frisked by officers as they were leaving the beach. To make sure I was seeing things correctly, I asked a man, with his two kids, if he’d seen the family being searched as explosions continued to erupt on the beach. He said, “Yes, my kids and I were just talking about that.”
Let me pause to say that I’m a huge fan of law enforcement. I spent years volunteering for my local department, and will always give them the benefit of every doubt. I don’t know what the Hispanic family’s behavior was like before I arrived on the scene. There may very well have been probable cause to search them. It was simply the choice to do it as others were blatantly breaking the law which threw me for a loop.
The next night, the beach was crowded with tents, lawn chairs, and blankets as citizens waited for the pyrotechnic extravaganza to come. We claimed our spot at 5pm along the dividing wall between the boardwalk and the beach. Rain spit from the cloud covered sky periodically, forcing us to huddle under blankets. Music from local radio station 94.9, which had set up speakers along the beach, entertained the crowd.
Between music sets, a recording of Police Chief Robert Gross stated, in no uncertain terms, that illegal fireworks would definitely not be tolerated. As this public service announcement filled the airwaves, unsanctioned fireworks were booming on both ends of the beach, decorating the gray clouds, and a group of four young officers nonchalantly made their way into the alley between the Shiloh Inn and the next motel. The smoke from the illegal incendiary devices was eventually thick enough to burn my eyes, forcing them shut.
I’m not against people having fun. I’m not even against allowing illegal fireworks in designated areas, as long as kids and alcohol are kept from those areas. What bothers me is stating something won’t be allowed, then allowing it. There’s no better way to breed contempt for the law than failing to enforce laws which you’ve stated will be upheld. Children witness such contradictions and grow up thinking that laws are merely suggestions which can be disregarded on a whim.
To my knowledge, no physical harm was done that night, other than the junk being left on the beach, by the thoughtless. Broken chairs, beer bottles, and spent rockets gathered sand and laid forgotten, and the candy man assumed his customary post on Broadway & Columbia as visitors headed home. Yet, I can’t help but wonder what it means when people celebrate our nation’s birthday by ignoring her laws?
On a final note, remember the man who witnessed the search with his kids on the 3rd? That witness was none other than Congressman David Wu. I hope he walked away asking the same questions that I have.
"The government is the potent omnipresent teacher. For good or ill it teaches the whole people by its example." ~ Justice Louis D. Brandeis
Seaside, Oregon is a coastal town to built, primarily, on tourism. Broadway, its version of The Strip, leads from downtown to the sea front boardwalk, and is packed with shops, restaurants, and amusements. Every day, a pudgy good natured candy man stands on the corner of Broadway & Columbia, singing his jingle and handing out samples of salt water taffy to passers by.
We spent our 4th of July weekend in Seaside. Walking along the boardwalk, one couldn’t help but notice signs stating that no illegal fireworks would be tolerated. Thus, during a late night stroll, on the 3rd, I was surprised to see the beach being illuminated by unsanctioned explosions of color. Figuring the police were on their way, I shrugged and continued the stroll. However, upon reaching the main staircase to beach, I witnessed a Hispanic family, mom, dad, and two little kids, being frisked by officers as they were leaving the beach. To make sure I was seeing things correctly, I asked a man, with his two kids, if he’d seen the family being searched as explosions continued to erupt on the beach. He said, “Yes, my kids and I were just talking about that.”
Let me pause to say that I’m a huge fan of law enforcement. I spent years volunteering for my local department, and will always give them the benefit of every doubt. I don’t know what the Hispanic family’s behavior was like before I arrived on the scene. There may very well have been probable cause to search them. It was simply the choice to do it as others were blatantly breaking the law which threw me for a loop.
The next night, the beach was crowded with tents, lawn chairs, and blankets as citizens waited for the pyrotechnic extravaganza to come. We claimed our spot at 5pm along the dividing wall between the boardwalk and the beach. Rain spit from the cloud covered sky periodically, forcing us to huddle under blankets. Music from local radio station 94.9, which had set up speakers along the beach, entertained the crowd.
Between music sets, a recording of Police Chief Robert Gross stated, in no uncertain terms, that illegal fireworks would definitely not be tolerated. As this public service announcement filled the airwaves, unsanctioned fireworks were booming on both ends of the beach, decorating the gray clouds, and a group of four young officers nonchalantly made their way into the alley between the Shiloh Inn and the next motel. The smoke from the illegal incendiary devices was eventually thick enough to burn my eyes, forcing them shut.
I’m not against people having fun. I’m not even against allowing illegal fireworks in designated areas, as long as kids and alcohol are kept from those areas. What bothers me is stating something won’t be allowed, then allowing it. There’s no better way to breed contempt for the law than failing to enforce laws which you’ve stated will be upheld. Children witness such contradictions and grow up thinking that laws are merely suggestions which can be disregarded on a whim.
To my knowledge, no physical harm was done that night, other than the junk being left on the beach, by the thoughtless. Broken chairs, beer bottles, and spent rockets gathered sand and laid forgotten, and the candy man assumed his customary post on Broadway & Columbia as visitors headed home. Yet, I can’t help but wonder what it means when people celebrate our nation’s birthday by ignoring her laws?
On a final note, remember the man who witnessed the search with his kids on the 3rd? That witness was none other than Congressman David Wu. I hope he walked away asking the same questions that I have.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Sometimes I'm Slow, But I Get Things Eventually
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A month ago, I briefly wrote about the BP oil spill. I said, in a nutshell, the spill had been written about to death, and the higher seafood prices really irked me. Basically, I blew it off as something which was being over hyped by the media. Typically, I’m a pretty bright chap, but I was stupidly ignorant at the time. I just didn’t grasp the scope of the disaster.
Part of my problem was that I was used to oil spills being one time events, which can be cleaned up once they end. I honestly thought the worst was over. I was wrong.
To put things in perspective, let's look at the numbers. To date, this spill has been pumping 2.5 million gallons of oil, per day, into the Gulf of Mexico for fifty-eight days. That’s 145 million gallons of oil so far, covering 580 square miles, with no end in site. According to TREEHUGGER.COM;
14 - The approximate number of Exxon Valdez spills it would take to equal the BP spill.
783 - Number of birds killed by the oil spill so far, according to the Fish & Wildlife Dept.
1% - Percentage of birds that survive long-term after being covered in oil, according to some studies.
353 - Endangered sea turtles killed.
41 - Dolphins and other marine mammals killed.
86 - Number of oil cleanup workers who have gotten sick, as reported by BP.
109 - Number of oil cleanup workers who have gotten sick, as reported by state records.
As for the the 86 sick clean up workers, acknowledged by BP so far. In a report by NBC News, a BP spokesman has been quoted as saying, "the company has tested air quality and has deemed that respirators are not needed under government guidelines." This is interesting, considering cleanup workers can only work for 30 minutes at a time before being overcome by fumes. Some believe that even the 109 figure is an incomplete total.
Last night, President Obama addressed the disaster with an 18 minute speech from the Oval Office.
I think making BP clean up the spill is a great idea. I think making BP set aside enough money to compensate every single person effected by the spill is a great idea. I think designating a third party to determine liability on a case by case basis is a great idea. Now let's see if ANY of it actually happens.
Among liberals, such as myself, Obama has a reputation for talking a good game, but being toothless when it comes to execution. The question now is, will the government being actively implementing these ideas a year from now, or will people be left to fend for themselves, once the news trucks pull away, just like the victims of Katrina? It does no good for a quarterback to call great plays if he keeps dropping the ball.
A month ago, I briefly wrote about the BP oil spill. I said, in a nutshell, the spill had been written about to death, and the higher seafood prices really irked me. Basically, I blew it off as something which was being over hyped by the media. Typically, I’m a pretty bright chap, but I was stupidly ignorant at the time. I just didn’t grasp the scope of the disaster.
Part of my problem was that I was used to oil spills being one time events, which can be cleaned up once they end. I honestly thought the worst was over. I was wrong.
To put things in perspective, let's look at the numbers. To date, this spill has been pumping 2.5 million gallons of oil, per day, into the Gulf of Mexico for fifty-eight days. That’s 145 million gallons of oil so far, covering 580 square miles, with no end in site. According to TREEHUGGER.COM;
14 - The approximate number of Exxon Valdez spills it would take to equal the BP spill.
783 - Number of birds killed by the oil spill so far, according to the Fish & Wildlife Dept.
1% - Percentage of birds that survive long-term after being covered in oil, according to some studies.
353 - Endangered sea turtles killed.
41 - Dolphins and other marine mammals killed.
86 - Number of oil cleanup workers who have gotten sick, as reported by BP.
109 - Number of oil cleanup workers who have gotten sick, as reported by state records.
As for the the 86 sick clean up workers, acknowledged by BP so far. In a report by NBC News, a BP spokesman has been quoted as saying, "the company has tested air quality and has deemed that respirators are not needed under government guidelines." This is interesting, considering cleanup workers can only work for 30 minutes at a time before being overcome by fumes. Some believe that even the 109 figure is an incomplete total.
Last night, President Obama addressed the disaster with an 18 minute speech from the Oval Office.
I think making BP clean up the spill is a great idea. I think making BP set aside enough money to compensate every single person effected by the spill is a great idea. I think designating a third party to determine liability on a case by case basis is a great idea. Now let's see if ANY of it actually happens.
Among liberals, such as myself, Obama has a reputation for talking a good game, but being toothless when it comes to execution. The question now is, will the government being actively implementing these ideas a year from now, or will people be left to fend for themselves, once the news trucks pull away, just like the victims of Katrina? It does no good for a quarterback to call great plays if he keeps dropping the ball.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Mumbo Jumbo Updated
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The following is a song from a 60s play, "Stop The World - I Want To Get Off." The song is sung by Littlechap, who's running for the House of Commons, and is meant to mock political speeches which use key phrases amidst the "mumbo jumbo," but actually say nothing. I simply updated it for today's American elections.
Mumbo Jumbo Updated
Littlechap begins to campaign, as the Chorus sings:
Vote for Littlechap! Vote for Littlechap!
Vote for Littlechap! Vote for Littlechap!
For Littlechap!
Girl: Fellow citizens, our speaker for tonight is the Opportunist candidate for this constituency, Mr. Littlechap.
Littlechap sings:
Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb,
Tickety bubarb yak yak yak.
Mumbo jum red white and bluebarb,
Goldman Sach's on it's back.
Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb,
Nothing newbarb cha cha cha.
Mumbo Jumbo BP's spillbarb.
I think someone's gone too far!
Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb,
Voulez-vousbarb avec moi?
Mumbo Jumbo entrez-nousbarb,
Paris Hilton ooh la la!
Girl: Ladies of the Book of the Month Guild, it is my pleasure to introduce the Opportunist candidate for this constituency, Mr. Littlechap!
Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb,
Has Pakistan got the bomb?
Holy cowbarb if it's truebarb,
We'll be blown to kingdom come.
Chorus: You've got a bomb, We've got a bomb, All God's children got bombs.
Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb,
Give Bear Stearns more free cash.
Helps the nation, stops inflation.
How's your mortgage? Wall Street crash.
Chorus: We wanna be rich with money to burn.
Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb,
Housing Market can't go wrong.
APR's sky rocket,
In plans four score long.
Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb,
Here everybody's free.
Give the homobarbs their rights,
Just don't tell the G.O.P!
Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb,
Up your flubarb, City Hall.
And, dear friends, if I'm elected,
I'm all right, Jack--screw you all!
Littlechap wins the election by a landslide.
The following is a song from a 60s play, "Stop The World - I Want To Get Off." The song is sung by Littlechap, who's running for the House of Commons, and is meant to mock political speeches which use key phrases amidst the "mumbo jumbo," but actually say nothing. I simply updated it for today's American elections.
Mumbo Jumbo Updated
Littlechap begins to campaign, as the Chorus sings:
Vote for Littlechap! Vote for Littlechap!
Vote for Littlechap! Vote for Littlechap!
For Littlechap!
Girl: Fellow citizens, our speaker for tonight is the Opportunist candidate for this constituency, Mr. Littlechap.
Littlechap sings:
Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb,
Tickety bubarb yak yak yak.
Mumbo jum red white and bluebarb,
Goldman Sach's on it's back.
Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb,
Nothing newbarb cha cha cha.
Mumbo Jumbo BP's spillbarb.
I think someone's gone too far!
Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb,
Voulez-vousbarb avec moi?
Mumbo Jumbo entrez-nousbarb,
Paris Hilton ooh la la!
Girl: Ladies of the Book of the Month Guild, it is my pleasure to introduce the Opportunist candidate for this constituency, Mr. Littlechap!
Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb,
Has Pakistan got the bomb?
Holy cowbarb if it's truebarb,
We'll be blown to kingdom come.
Chorus: You've got a bomb, We've got a bomb, All God's children got bombs.
Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb,
Give Bear Stearns more free cash.
Helps the nation, stops inflation.
How's your mortgage? Wall Street crash.
Chorus: We wanna be rich with money to burn.
Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb,
Housing Market can't go wrong.
APR's sky rocket,
In plans four score long.
Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb,
Here everybody's free.
Give the homobarbs their rights,
Just don't tell the G.O.P!
Mumbo Jumbo, rhubarb rhubarb,
Up your flubarb, City Hall.
And, dear friends, if I'm elected,
I'm all right, Jack--screw you all!
Littlechap wins the election by a landslide.
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