Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders gathered in Jurasalem the other day in a rare show of unity. Now one could make any number of logical guesses as to why they might have joined hands in solidarity. Perhaps it was against terror, or genocide, maybe hunger or against slavery. Perhaps it was a demonstration demanding that the holy lands be declared a peace only zone and they would all vow to end sectarian violence in the name of ecumenical brotherhood?
Well if you guessed any of those things you would have made a worthy try but the prime motivating factor which has resulted in this un precedented united front is to launch a campaign to stop Jerusalem WorldPride 2005. Worldpride 2005 is a gay festival that includes a parade, academic conference and films. Apparently this festival is a danger beyond what we mere mortals thought it was. Most gay parades I have seen involved some very poor fashion and make up and boys and girls doing some kissing and huggin. The problem of course is the boys are kissing and hugging the boys, likewise with the girls.
According to Jonathan Saul reporting in the Age http://www.theage.com.au/news/Middle-East-Crisis/Clerics-unite-to-protest-gay-festival/2005/03/31/1111862530301.html?oneclick=true# this could have far more negative repercussions than let's say a bombing or machine gunning of some innocents. According to Yahuda Levin the festival would be "spiritual rape"! After all "this is not homo-land, this is The Holy Land"!
The Catholics and Muslims chimed in with equally stunning and insightful commentary. This from Vatican Archbishop Pietro Sambi "To make a parade would not be an offence but a provocation to Christians, Jews and Muslims all over the world'. Not to be outdone in anticipating the potential damage that the parade might do, Muslim Sheikh Abdul Bukhari suggested that the festival could draw down divine wrath much like that which destroyed Soddom and Gomorrah. "God destroyed that city and we don't want that to happen to us".
Isn't it ironic that a region which has produced some of the most vicious sectarian violence against one another including the murder of innocent women and children can have its so called spiritual leadership sit down in peace together to unite against a gay parade? Doesn't it make you want to get them in a room dressed in all their religious regalia and carrying their precious icons and books and just laugh in their face?
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Friday, March 25, 2005
I would want to go
There might never be a more obvious demonstration of the herd mentality than that which is being exhibited over the Terri Schiavo case. The issue and the woman herself are being abused and exploited by anyone and everyone who has an agenda to drive. Politicians, media of all kinds, and various religious and pressure groups are all chiming in as if the fate of humankind weighs in the balance. Iraq, Iran, social security, Asian tsunami and Bin Laden all have taken a back seat while this issue plays out in Florida.
The issue strikes a note for all of us because as Dick Morris rightly points any of us could be in this situation. Abortion, capital punishment, prayer in schools or any other of the divisive social issues for most of us do not have the visceral reality of each of us facing our own demise.
I get the most rational personal response to the issue by imagining myself in the same situation as this woman. Were I unconscious to the events around me and unable to participate in even a shred of even a miserable existence I would want to be allowed to die with dignity.
I get the most emotional response when I imagine that I am in this situation and I have some measure of awareness of the events going on around me. Every day I awake to a life of entrapment and silence. Unable to command a single thing in my life. Silently I would be screaming, get away from me! Leave me alone! Don't show my picture, don't parade me before a national audience, don't exploit me for your own personal agenda. Don't sell advertising next to my story and don't pander to the electorate for votes on either side. Let me go to whatever awaits me and who ever greets me on the other side may be the judge of my decision.
The issue strikes a note for all of us because as Dick Morris rightly points any of us could be in this situation. Abortion, capital punishment, prayer in schools or any other of the divisive social issues for most of us do not have the visceral reality of each of us facing our own demise.
I get the most rational personal response to the issue by imagining myself in the same situation as this woman. Were I unconscious to the events around me and unable to participate in even a shred of even a miserable existence I would want to be allowed to die with dignity.
I get the most emotional response when I imagine that I am in this situation and I have some measure of awareness of the events going on around me. Every day I awake to a life of entrapment and silence. Unable to command a single thing in my life. Silently I would be screaming, get away from me! Leave me alone! Don't show my picture, don't parade me before a national audience, don't exploit me for your own personal agenda. Don't sell advertising next to my story and don't pander to the electorate for votes on either side. Let me go to whatever awaits me and who ever greets me on the other side may be the judge of my decision.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
No energy consumption day
In a perfect world the price for goods or service is determined by the law of supply and demand. A price of a product will be determined when a point is reached that equalizes those two elements. However in a real world the price is actually established by three other elements when the product such as oil has geo political implications. Those three additional elements are fear, greed and politics.
The fear element can be most graphically illustrated by the long gas lines during the Arab embargo of the seventies. The average driver motivated by fear that he or she would not have enough gas therefore at every opportunity waited in long lines so that they would be sure to have a full tank. Having a full tank in every car in America of course only exacerbated the problem.
The politics of the price of oil is so complex that I can only make some general observations. We have an oil man in the white house, high oil prices are vital to the reconstruction of Iraq and the stability of the former Soviet Union. It can also be said that high oil prices are placing enormous economic pressure on the tyrannical regime in North Korea.
The greed component of high energy prices is one that we can all attack. Their can be no question that a good deal of this increase can be attributed to more than just the emerging economies of India and China. In every commodity, real estate or financial instrument boom cycle we have always had a large element of speculation which has driven the prices beyond the equalization rules of the law of supply and demand. The American consuming public can reverse the tables and put fear in the hearts of the speculators by adopting a simple new mind set. Consume less energy.
It wouldn't really take a whole lot of effort to send the price of oil cascading in the other direction. Make conservation the focus of the TV news cycle, the blogosphere and the main stream print media. Put just the topic of conservation on the lips of every American and have some actually practice it and the speculators will run for the hills. Promote no energy consumption days, turn the heat off, car pool, turn all the lights out.
As in every boom and bust cycle the late stage speculators driven by greed will get the punishment they so richly deserve.
The fear element can be most graphically illustrated by the long gas lines during the Arab embargo of the seventies. The average driver motivated by fear that he or she would not have enough gas therefore at every opportunity waited in long lines so that they would be sure to have a full tank. Having a full tank in every car in America of course only exacerbated the problem.
The politics of the price of oil is so complex that I can only make some general observations. We have an oil man in the white house, high oil prices are vital to the reconstruction of Iraq and the stability of the former Soviet Union. It can also be said that high oil prices are placing enormous economic pressure on the tyrannical regime in North Korea.
The greed component of high energy prices is one that we can all attack. Their can be no question that a good deal of this increase can be attributed to more than just the emerging economies of India and China. In every commodity, real estate or financial instrument boom cycle we have always had a large element of speculation which has driven the prices beyond the equalization rules of the law of supply and demand. The American consuming public can reverse the tables and put fear in the hearts of the speculators by adopting a simple new mind set. Consume less energy.
It wouldn't really take a whole lot of effort to send the price of oil cascading in the other direction. Make conservation the focus of the TV news cycle, the blogosphere and the main stream print media. Put just the topic of conservation on the lips of every American and have some actually practice it and the speculators will run for the hills. Promote no energy consumption days, turn the heat off, car pool, turn all the lights out.
As in every boom and bust cycle the late stage speculators driven by greed will get the punishment they so richly deserve.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Campaigning
The campaign is up and running and off to a good start. Even in a small town, a campaign for public office takes on some of the characteristics of a national campaign.The most important element of a campaign is the people who make up your core group of workers and thinkers. I am fortunate to have got a group of 13 very seasoned volunteers who have been part of the political landscape for a long time. They are a bit of an eclectic group in that they represent several independent political groups on their own and may not have worked together in the past.
Money plays as much of a role on the local level as it does in any other level of political activity. There is a whole industry built around democracy. Bumper stickers, lawn signs and handouts are absolutely necessary for the candidate to get adequate exposure to the voting public. The expense is of course directly related to the number of units. In my case I have bought 250 bumper stickers and 250 signs which will double as lawn signs and poll as well as stand on the corner holding signs total cost $1200. They were a blue and red background coupled with white letters and if I do say so myself they are quite nice looking. I was going to go with a white background but the printer said with all the snow on the ground that wasn’t a very good idea!
The next largest potential expense is newspaper advertising. This of course can be a bottomless pit of expense depending on the size and frequency of your ads. I have put a limit on this and will be running a small banner at the bottom of the second page of the daily from now until Election day April 9th and the week before the election I will run one or 2 quarter page ads. This of course is subject to change depending on what the opponent rolls out Total cost $716
Next up is postage. We have approximately 13,000 registered voters in the town but it is senseless to try and reach them all since only about 20% may turn out for the election. The key here is to do two things. Identify your own support and get then to turn out and to identify the voters who most frequently come out. Fortunately our town clerk is very up to speed systems wise and provides candidates a disk which contains the voter information. From this our list guy will provide us with a list of the 2000 most frequent voters and we will get a mailing to them. Approximate cost $800
The rest is a bunch of incidental expense which add up. Coffee and doughnuts for meetings, 4X8 signs for strategic locations in town, handout cards, mailers, victory/loss party. The total budget for this campaign should come in around $3500. It would be nice to offset that with donations however an effective campaign requires spending the money first. A fund raiser is in the works but so far the brunt of the expense is being born by the people closest to the campaign and the candidate.
Considering that the moderator’s job pays $150 per year it seems ludicrous to spend that much money to attempt to get elected but the average candidate is faced with the basic dilemma of sticking to ones principles of not spending money and let the voter decide on the basis of ones qualifications for the post. If the candidate does this they do so at their own peril since that position is likely to be viewed as one of complacency, arrogance or disinterest. Voters in town or the state or the nation want to see a spirited campaign that includes all the traditional methods of competing for their votes.
The large amount of snow has been a blessing in disguise since it has pretty much condensed the actual campaign down to a sprint. Lawn signs are pretty much out of the question at this point because the snow banks are to large and the ground is frozen. So instead of seeing them for 5 or 6 weeks cluttering up the landscape they may realistically only be around for 2 weeks.
The other less attractive elements of the campaign began on Saturday. I stood in front of the local donut shop for a couple of hours each day handing out my flyer and asking for support. People by and large are receptive to this and understand and appreciate someone making a fool out of themselves at 7 in the morning in a snow storm trying to drum up votes. There were no surprises this weekend except one fellow who had a few drinks and was quite talkative and assured me of his undying support. “I am with you all the way Bob”. That’s great except my name is Phil. One can only wonder how it is possible for someone to already have a snoot full at 7 a.m. on a Sunday morning.
Standing on the street corner is another time tested method of campaigning and although I find this to be a royal pain, it is the single best way to convince people your serious about running. I will be out there in different locations everyday morning and evening until election day. Waving at traffic on a frosty March morning at 7 a.m. convinces the electorate that you are a serious candidate or in need of some serious mental health care. Hopefully the ones that think your crazy won’t be voting.
Money plays as much of a role on the local level as it does in any other level of political activity. There is a whole industry built around democracy. Bumper stickers, lawn signs and handouts are absolutely necessary for the candidate to get adequate exposure to the voting public. The expense is of course directly related to the number of units. In my case I have bought 250 bumper stickers and 250 signs which will double as lawn signs and poll as well as stand on the corner holding signs total cost $1200. They were a blue and red background coupled with white letters and if I do say so myself they are quite nice looking. I was going to go with a white background but the printer said with all the snow on the ground that wasn’t a very good idea!
The next largest potential expense is newspaper advertising. This of course can be a bottomless pit of expense depending on the size and frequency of your ads. I have put a limit on this and will be running a small banner at the bottom of the second page of the daily from now until Election day April 9th and the week before the election I will run one or 2 quarter page ads. This of course is subject to change depending on what the opponent rolls out Total cost $716
Next up is postage. We have approximately 13,000 registered voters in the town but it is senseless to try and reach them all since only about 20% may turn out for the election. The key here is to do two things. Identify your own support and get then to turn out and to identify the voters who most frequently come out. Fortunately our town clerk is very up to speed systems wise and provides candidates a disk which contains the voter information. From this our list guy will provide us with a list of the 2000 most frequent voters and we will get a mailing to them. Approximate cost $800
The rest is a bunch of incidental expense which add up. Coffee and doughnuts for meetings, 4X8 signs for strategic locations in town, handout cards, mailers, victory/loss party. The total budget for this campaign should come in around $3500. It would be nice to offset that with donations however an effective campaign requires spending the money first. A fund raiser is in the works but so far the brunt of the expense is being born by the people closest to the campaign and the candidate.
Considering that the moderator’s job pays $150 per year it seems ludicrous to spend that much money to attempt to get elected but the average candidate is faced with the basic dilemma of sticking to ones principles of not spending money and let the voter decide on the basis of ones qualifications for the post. If the candidate does this they do so at their own peril since that position is likely to be viewed as one of complacency, arrogance or disinterest. Voters in town or the state or the nation want to see a spirited campaign that includes all the traditional methods of competing for their votes.
The large amount of snow has been a blessing in disguise since it has pretty much condensed the actual campaign down to a sprint. Lawn signs are pretty much out of the question at this point because the snow banks are to large and the ground is frozen. So instead of seeing them for 5 or 6 weeks cluttering up the landscape they may realistically only be around for 2 weeks.
The other less attractive elements of the campaign began on Saturday. I stood in front of the local donut shop for a couple of hours each day handing out my flyer and asking for support. People by and large are receptive to this and understand and appreciate someone making a fool out of themselves at 7 in the morning in a snow storm trying to drum up votes. There were no surprises this weekend except one fellow who had a few drinks and was quite talkative and assured me of his undying support. “I am with you all the way Bob”. That’s great except my name is Phil. One can only wonder how it is possible for someone to already have a snoot full at 7 a.m. on a Sunday morning.
Standing on the street corner is another time tested method of campaigning and although I find this to be a royal pain, it is the single best way to convince people your serious about running. I will be out there in different locations everyday morning and evening until election day. Waving at traffic on a frosty March morning at 7 a.m. convinces the electorate that you are a serious candidate or in need of some serious mental health care. Hopefully the ones that think your crazy won’t be voting.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Liberation
The opinion columns this week were filled with commentary on the unfolding events and preliminary progress in democratization of the Middle East (see RealClearpolitics.com for a compilation of these). There can be no denying it now. The freedom genie is out of the bottle and the unintended puller of the cork is none other than Osama Bin Laden. His stated intentions of course was to drive the infidels from the areas surrounding the Islamic holy lands and to strike back at the great Satan America for its crimes against Islamic people. The underlying theme is to diminish American influence and promote Islamic fundamentalism throughout the Arab world.
His attack on the twin towers and the Pentagon on 9/11 would strike a blow against us and show the Islamic people how weak and decadent we Americans were. This Islamic extremism could be fostered toward the ultimate goal of establishing Islamic fundamentalist regimes throughout the Arab lands and return the Caliphate to lead the Arab world under the Quran. http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/ISLAM/CALIPH.HTM
Poor Osama, based on current events he must rue the day he came up with this strategy. For what 9/11 proved to George Bush was that our strategy of a "realistic approach" in the Middle East of accepting the status quo of oppressive authoritarian rulers in the name of stability had only resulted in "the bigotry of low expectations" and that strategy needed to be drastically shaken.
Although many other factors are at play here such as the death of Arafat, the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in Lebanon and the peaceful revolution in Ukraine these coupled with the new Bush policy are combining to put Arab lands on an unalterable course toward freedom. There is no question that a good deal of this progress can be laid directly at the feet of President George Bush. In just a couple of months since his State of the Union address laying out the Bush doctrine, more progress has been made in Israeli/Palestinian relations than in the previous decade. Saudi Arabia has held municipal elections (a tiny step), Syria is under extreme popular and international pressure to vacate Lebanon and Egypt has announced plans for multi party presidential elections. There are popular expressions of freedom all over the region and we are encouraging it.
These events reinforce the absolute need for the United States to maintain our commitment to restoration of Afghanistan and Iraq and to leave those lands to their people as soon as it is practical from an economic and security standpoint. Reinforcing the idea that we don't covet the natural resources of Iraq will send a strongest possible message to the rest of the region. Leaving them with operating democratic institutions will be just as historic as the Marshall plan in post world war two Europe.
Liberation from the current regimes and prevention of the adoption of the Bin Laden vision is a noble goal and worthy of our efforts as a nation. Open and free elections, institution of free markets and capitalism, women's rights and multi cultural governments are just the punishment that Osama deserves.
His attack on the twin towers and the Pentagon on 9/11 would strike a blow against us and show the Islamic people how weak and decadent we Americans were. This Islamic extremism could be fostered toward the ultimate goal of establishing Islamic fundamentalist regimes throughout the Arab lands and return the Caliphate to lead the Arab world under the Quran. http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/ISLAM/CALIPH.HTM
Poor Osama, based on current events he must rue the day he came up with this strategy. For what 9/11 proved to George Bush was that our strategy of a "realistic approach" in the Middle East of accepting the status quo of oppressive authoritarian rulers in the name of stability had only resulted in "the bigotry of low expectations" and that strategy needed to be drastically shaken.
Although many other factors are at play here such as the death of Arafat, the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in Lebanon and the peaceful revolution in Ukraine these coupled with the new Bush policy are combining to put Arab lands on an unalterable course toward freedom. There is no question that a good deal of this progress can be laid directly at the feet of President George Bush. In just a couple of months since his State of the Union address laying out the Bush doctrine, more progress has been made in Israeli/Palestinian relations than in the previous decade. Saudi Arabia has held municipal elections (a tiny step), Syria is under extreme popular and international pressure to vacate Lebanon and Egypt has announced plans for multi party presidential elections. There are popular expressions of freedom all over the region and we are encouraging it.
These events reinforce the absolute need for the United States to maintain our commitment to restoration of Afghanistan and Iraq and to leave those lands to their people as soon as it is practical from an economic and security standpoint. Reinforcing the idea that we don't covet the natural resources of Iraq will send a strongest possible message to the rest of the region. Leaving them with operating democratic institutions will be just as historic as the Marshall plan in post world war two Europe.
Liberation from the current regimes and prevention of the adoption of the Bin Laden vision is a noble goal and worthy of our efforts as a nation. Open and free elections, institution of free markets and capitalism, women's rights and multi cultural governments are just the punishment that Osama deserves.
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Sorry Danny
School still isn't out on the Walker trade but after four consecutive wins it is time to fess up to the fact that Danny Ainge has made a very strong move and strengthened the club for what may be a very interesting 23 game end of season run and a lot of fun in the playoffs. The reaction of the fans to Walker's introduction prior to the Laker's game is a good indication that the fan base is on board with Danny's work.
The chief criticism of the deal was the loss of Gary Payton who was the only point guard the Celtics had with a great deal of experience. That of course has not been made a moot point since Altanta released him after the trade and he re-signed with the Celtics and showed up in uniform for last night's nights game.
The short hiatus allowed both Marcus Banks and Delonte West to show off their skills at the point and quite frankly they acquitted themselves quite nicely. We have seen flashes of brilliance last year from Banks with his tremendous speed and penetrating skills and this year he has added pressure defense to his tool box.
Delonte West has showed well on occasion but was slowed to only 16 games by injury early in the season. That is all behind him now as with each game he shows veteran poise and rookie enthusiasm. He has a complete game from the point position which includes an uncanny rebounding ability to go with his mature ball handling and defensive skills. Additionally he cannot be left open on the perimeter because he will consistently stick the open jumper. With Payton back and playing lesser minutes but mentoring the young guards, Coach Rivers has a bounty of options.
The addition of Walker has dramatically shored up the rebounding game as he is a force both on the defensive and offensive glass. By inserting him into the starting lineup it has moved Mark Blount to the bench and he has been very effective and seems rejuventated by this change. Walker is not a shrinking violet and will get into Blount's face if his effort is sub par. With Al Jefferson coming off the bench to sub in the front court with Blount the Celtics are now very big on the second team.
It may take the full 23 games or more for this team to fully mesh but one thing is for certain each night is the athleticism and energy the club brings to the court. Besides the young legs of West, Jefferson and Banks is added the all world leaping ability of Tony Allen and Ricky Davis. Ricky and Paul Pierce seem to be the two main beneficiaries of the addition of Walker has both of them have been streaking all over the court. In one game last week they both submitted 29 point efforts. The hall mark of the entire club has been its unselfishness. Very rarely have we seen the one side clearout while a player backs down his defender in a boring bouncing the ball one on one isolation play.
Ainge's contribution has been to completely make over the talent on the team and the faithful like what they see. The contribution of Coach Rivers should not be overlooked. He has been a positive force in encouraging the younger players in spreading out playing time and he has been relentlessly demanding and optimistic about the team changing its style to a traditional Celtic ball club.
Again, it is very early to predict anything more than an improving environment for basketball in the region but perhaps the re-naming of the arena to the "Garden" may be an omen of greater things to come. This club is a mixture of youth, talent and experience. At the moment one can only guess at what fanciful things the future might bring.
The chief criticism of the deal was the loss of Gary Payton who was the only point guard the Celtics had with a great deal of experience. That of course has not been made a moot point since Altanta released him after the trade and he re-signed with the Celtics and showed up in uniform for last night's nights game.
The short hiatus allowed both Marcus Banks and Delonte West to show off their skills at the point and quite frankly they acquitted themselves quite nicely. We have seen flashes of brilliance last year from Banks with his tremendous speed and penetrating skills and this year he has added pressure defense to his tool box.
Delonte West has showed well on occasion but was slowed to only 16 games by injury early in the season. That is all behind him now as with each game he shows veteran poise and rookie enthusiasm. He has a complete game from the point position which includes an uncanny rebounding ability to go with his mature ball handling and defensive skills. Additionally he cannot be left open on the perimeter because he will consistently stick the open jumper. With Payton back and playing lesser minutes but mentoring the young guards, Coach Rivers has a bounty of options.
The addition of Walker has dramatically shored up the rebounding game as he is a force both on the defensive and offensive glass. By inserting him into the starting lineup it has moved Mark Blount to the bench and he has been very effective and seems rejuventated by this change. Walker is not a shrinking violet and will get into Blount's face if his effort is sub par. With Al Jefferson coming off the bench to sub in the front court with Blount the Celtics are now very big on the second team.
It may take the full 23 games or more for this team to fully mesh but one thing is for certain each night is the athleticism and energy the club brings to the court. Besides the young legs of West, Jefferson and Banks is added the all world leaping ability of Tony Allen and Ricky Davis. Ricky and Paul Pierce seem to be the two main beneficiaries of the addition of Walker has both of them have been streaking all over the court. In one game last week they both submitted 29 point efforts. The hall mark of the entire club has been its unselfishness. Very rarely have we seen the one side clearout while a player backs down his defender in a boring bouncing the ball one on one isolation play.
Ainge's contribution has been to completely make over the talent on the team and the faithful like what they see. The contribution of Coach Rivers should not be overlooked. He has been a positive force in encouraging the younger players in spreading out playing time and he has been relentlessly demanding and optimistic about the team changing its style to a traditional Celtic ball club.
Again, it is very early to predict anything more than an improving environment for basketball in the region but perhaps the re-naming of the arena to the "Garden" may be an omen of greater things to come. This club is a mixture of youth, talent and experience. At the moment one can only guess at what fanciful things the future might bring.
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