It started a week or so ago when demonstrations in Tunesia led to the fall of the government. The United States tried to cover all bases and be supportive of Democratic reforms but the jury is still out on what will happen as to the form of government to be established there.
Now Egypt is exploding. 30 years of rule since the death of Anwar Sadat. Egypt is not a Democracy. As so often happens to the United States we have backed Mubarek because he has kept the Islamists at bay, agreed to be hands off to Israel, kept the Suez Canal safe and all for the price of only billions of dollars a year in aid.
So now the die is cast. No matter how much we urge restraint on the Egyptian governments part we cannot want Mubarek to fall. If he falls there is a strong chance of a much less Western friendly government. This could lead to trouble for Israel, the Canal, and the overall stability in the region.
Success in Egypt would throw the shadow inevitably on Saudi Arabia. A fall of the Royal family in Saudi Arabia would be nothing short of catastrophic for the West. Were that to happen oil shock does not begin to describe what would happen. Gas prices would double overnight and that would most likely only be the beginning.
Would the United States military be forced to prop up the Royals.
As with most things this would be an opportunity. It would cut the cord to Middle East oil then and there. We would hurt, it would hurt but that would be the real " Sputnik" moment for the West.
That is a long way from happening. It could happen. We need to be prepared.
It is not that we made the wrong choices in supporting Mubarek. As is so often the case for the United States we made the best choice in a list of all bad choices.
Now we must wait and see.
Friday, January 28, 2011
The old trash barrel
We all tend to romanticize our youth and the way things were at that time. Much of the stuff we remember was not really good and certainly not safe.
When we think of how we helicopter as parents now it is almost laughable how much freedom we country kids had.
I was born in the mid sixties and my parents were good parents. They were not well educated however and in looking back of what I remember is very surprising.
I remember riding in the backseat except when I wanted to be in the front seat. If I wanted to get in the front seat I would crawl over while we were moving. Seat belts were not used, when I was very small I do not even think they were in the cars. The only rule was don't kick Dad in the head while he was driving.
I remember on a few occasions when my Mom was driving and she would have to stop quick and out her arm would come in front of me as she held me back. A seat belt would have done the same.
Once or twice when riding with my older brother and his kids we would be so crammed in the backseat we looked like a Twister game. Once in an old Barracuda he had we got between the back seat and the glassed back...I think it was a fastback. It was hot like being an ant under a microscope.
In Bangor they are talking about going to a pay per bag for trash removal. Our taxes seem plenty high to me to pay for it but of course these things are inevitable. It makes me remember the rusty barrel that we had that Dad would burn stuff in each week. The smoke would plume, when you were 4 it was great fun to watch. Much of our trash was burned that way.
Of course what we did not burn we took to the dump. There were actual dumps then. We would go on Saturday mornings. There were always gulls and lots of birds there. I guess that was a prime address for them. I remember I always went with my Dad. But i also remember I was always just a little bit scared because it seemed to me that he drove just a little too close to the big cliff that you would backup to when you were to unload your trash. Still I remember it.
Often at the end of this adventure if was after 12 or on other trips that Dad and I took he would stop in a little store and buy a bottle of beer. Then he would take the long way home around the back roads and slowly sip the beer that he held between his legs.
We rode in the back of trucks as they went tooling down the road. When we wanted to talk to those in front we banged on the roof and leaned over the edge and yelled. Bike helmets did not exit.
Were we less safe? It would seem so.
I also suspect that the way I parent is over protective.
The world has changed.
My kids have more. My kids do more. But we were kids of a different sort. Now it seems like that with practices, ballets, trips to the Y sometimes we feel as parents like personal assistants. Trust me my parents were no ones personal assistant.
I do wish we could get that trash barrel back though,
When we think of how we helicopter as parents now it is almost laughable how much freedom we country kids had.
I was born in the mid sixties and my parents were good parents. They were not well educated however and in looking back of what I remember is very surprising.
I remember riding in the backseat except when I wanted to be in the front seat. If I wanted to get in the front seat I would crawl over while we were moving. Seat belts were not used, when I was very small I do not even think they were in the cars. The only rule was don't kick Dad in the head while he was driving.
I remember on a few occasions when my Mom was driving and she would have to stop quick and out her arm would come in front of me as she held me back. A seat belt would have done the same.
Once or twice when riding with my older brother and his kids we would be so crammed in the backseat we looked like a Twister game. Once in an old Barracuda he had we got between the back seat and the glassed back...I think it was a fastback. It was hot like being an ant under a microscope.
In Bangor they are talking about going to a pay per bag for trash removal. Our taxes seem plenty high to me to pay for it but of course these things are inevitable. It makes me remember the rusty barrel that we had that Dad would burn stuff in each week. The smoke would plume, when you were 4 it was great fun to watch. Much of our trash was burned that way.
Of course what we did not burn we took to the dump. There were actual dumps then. We would go on Saturday mornings. There were always gulls and lots of birds there. I guess that was a prime address for them. I remember I always went with my Dad. But i also remember I was always just a little bit scared because it seemed to me that he drove just a little too close to the big cliff that you would backup to when you were to unload your trash. Still I remember it.
Often at the end of this adventure if was after 12 or on other trips that Dad and I took he would stop in a little store and buy a bottle of beer. Then he would take the long way home around the back roads and slowly sip the beer that he held between his legs.
We rode in the back of trucks as they went tooling down the road. When we wanted to talk to those in front we banged on the roof and leaned over the edge and yelled. Bike helmets did not exit.
Were we less safe? It would seem so.
I also suspect that the way I parent is over protective.
The world has changed.
My kids have more. My kids do more. But we were kids of a different sort. Now it seems like that with practices, ballets, trips to the Y sometimes we feel as parents like personal assistants. Trust me my parents were no ones personal assistant.
I do wish we could get that trash barrel back though,
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Joe Lieberman's Time to Go
In the last week since we have heard that Senator Lieberman is resigning many opinions have been offered about his departure. I, myself, have had several opinions myself.
Lieberman has been a career politician and if obtuse he has also been a successful one. His recent championing of the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell was an admirable one.
Still he has been incredibly frustrating. Perhaps the change started in 2004 when his run for the Democratic nomination went nowhere. In 2006 when the debate over the Iraq War was at its most intense Lieberman's loss in his own Democratic primary came as a surprise to many including I am sure to himself.
Primaries can be dangerous. In Maine only the hardcore voted in the primaries and the result in the end was Paul Lepage as governor. If a more moderate candidate was available available instead of Paul Lepage I certainly would have voted for him, in fact I did.
Still it easy to see why Lieberman's then decision to run as an independent rankled. Then he committed even more flagrant violations by supporting and campaigning for John McCain.
Somewhere his bitterness got the best of him. A purported comment of his during the Health Care debate was that he was against the Health Care option because the liberal were against it.
Many of the successful parts of Obama's agenda were watered down drastically to hold Lieberman's support. Perhaps it would have been better for the Democratic party to have had Joe win the primary in 2006, then perhaps his anger would not have led to those dilutions.
It will not be a problem this next election cycle. Joe is going away. It is time.
Lieberman has been a career politician and if obtuse he has also been a successful one. His recent championing of the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell was an admirable one.
Still he has been incredibly frustrating. Perhaps the change started in 2004 when his run for the Democratic nomination went nowhere. In 2006 when the debate over the Iraq War was at its most intense Lieberman's loss in his own Democratic primary came as a surprise to many including I am sure to himself.
Primaries can be dangerous. In Maine only the hardcore voted in the primaries and the result in the end was Paul Lepage as governor. If a more moderate candidate was available available instead of Paul Lepage I certainly would have voted for him, in fact I did.
Still it easy to see why Lieberman's then decision to run as an independent rankled. Then he committed even more flagrant violations by supporting and campaigning for John McCain.
Somewhere his bitterness got the best of him. A purported comment of his during the Health Care debate was that he was against the Health Care option because the liberal were against it.
Many of the successful parts of Obama's agenda were watered down drastically to hold Lieberman's support. Perhaps it would have been better for the Democratic party to have had Joe win the primary in 2006, then perhaps his anger would not have led to those dilutions.
It will not be a problem this next election cycle. Joe is going away. It is time.
Sargent Shriver Part II
Shriver's funeral was Saturday. Attended by politicians, family members and other luminaries it was if anything not enough.
In addition to the Special Olympics, Peace Core and Vista I also note that Shriver founded Head Start and Job Core.
We need more people who give for the reasons he did. Out of a desire to make things better for everyone not to better his position in the world.
In addition to the Special Olympics, Peace Core and Vista I also note that Shriver founded Head Start and Job Core.
We need more people who give for the reasons he did. Out of a desire to make things better for everyone not to better his position in the world.
Friday, January 21, 2011
A True Public Servant Passes
Sargent Shriver died this week. Brother in law to the Kennedy's this man was a man in his own right. Married to Eunice Shriver he was JFK's Director of his landmark program Peace Core. With his wife Eunice he founded the Special Olympics, a program his son Tim currently runs. Vista Volunteers and the Peace Core are also programs that he was involved with.
Maria Shriver is his daughter.
Shriver ran with George McGovern as his Vice Presidential candidate in 1972.
Friends and family say that for Shriver politics was a means to an end, not a betterment for him but for the world. In his case it is actually possible to believe him.
Perhaps in the entire Kennedy orbit this man was the best role model of all.
Maria Shriver is his daughter.
Shriver ran with George McGovern as his Vice Presidential candidate in 1972.
Friends and family say that for Shriver politics was a means to an end, not a betterment for him but for the world. In his case it is actually possible to believe him.
Perhaps in the entire Kennedy orbit this man was the best role model of all.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Governor Lepage and the NAACP
Paul Lepage had his foot in mouth problem again last week. An offhand comment that the NAACP could " kiss his butt" brought about the predictable response from groups all over the state.
It was a stupid statement. I did not vote for the Governor nor will I ever see myself voting for him. However he is the governor for the next four years and he has a terrible job of balancing the budget on his shoulders. My wife teaches , I receive Social Security and I have friends and family in education or government work. Budget cuts could hit those in my circle dramatically.
With all that I cannot spare any anger over this stupid comment that I think was just stupid and not evil. The governor should know however that the excuse that he has a black son is not always going to give him a free pass to say stupid or insensitive things about minorities. We have all heard about the man who says " I am not prejuidiced some of my best friends are ( fill in the blank.)
For now though lets give him a pass and wait until we have something to really be angry about. Unfortunately I am sure that opportunity will soon be here.
It was a stupid statement. I did not vote for the Governor nor will I ever see myself voting for him. However he is the governor for the next four years and he has a terrible job of balancing the budget on his shoulders. My wife teaches , I receive Social Security and I have friends and family in education or government work. Budget cuts could hit those in my circle dramatically.
With all that I cannot spare any anger over this stupid comment that I think was just stupid and not evil. The governor should know however that the excuse that he has a black son is not always going to give him a free pass to say stupid or insensitive things about minorities. We have all heard about the man who says " I am not prejuidiced some of my best friends are ( fill in the blank.)
For now though lets give him a pass and wait until we have something to really be angry about. Unfortunately I am sure that opportunity will soon be here.
Gun Control
The events in Tuscon have brought this issue back to the front. There is no doubt that the United States has more guns than it needs. It is no doubt that it is an issue that is something that needs to be addressed.
I have a very good friend, a man I respect very much who with his whole heart believes that any gun control is the first step to confiscating all guns. When a person might mention that there is no real reason for a Glock pistol that will shoot 30 bullets in five seconds the response is that is the first step.
I am not a gun person. I think that having a gun around can allow a situation to escalate to a point it would not were one not present.
However it is not just gun nuts that have this theory. For example those on the extreme left are usually loath to approve even what most would call a very moderate limitation on on demand abortion. Why? For the same reason that gun folks do not want any limitations neither do they.
In an era of extremism both sides have much to atone for.
Reading a recent article about the history of the NRA as a political force it was only in the seventies that the second amendment came to be viewed as the right to bear arms and not the right to form militias. There is a strong difference but now whole generations of American are taking this interpretation as gospel. Republicans have latched onto this issue as one that a segment of the population uses as a determinant of their vote.
There appears no chance of any common sense on this issue. It is very unfortunate.
I have a very good friend, a man I respect very much who with his whole heart believes that any gun control is the first step to confiscating all guns. When a person might mention that there is no real reason for a Glock pistol that will shoot 30 bullets in five seconds the response is that is the first step.
I am not a gun person. I think that having a gun around can allow a situation to escalate to a point it would not were one not present.
However it is not just gun nuts that have this theory. For example those on the extreme left are usually loath to approve even what most would call a very moderate limitation on on demand abortion. Why? For the same reason that gun folks do not want any limitations neither do they.
In an era of extremism both sides have much to atone for.
Reading a recent article about the history of the NRA as a political force it was only in the seventies that the second amendment came to be viewed as the right to bear arms and not the right to form militias. There is a strong difference but now whole generations of American are taking this interpretation as gospel. Republicans have latched onto this issue as one that a segment of the population uses as a determinant of their vote.
There appears no chance of any common sense on this issue. It is very unfortunate.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
William Daley as Chief of Staff
This one baffles me. It surely does. This man is paid 5 million a year by JP Morgan, he worked against the Health Care bill and the Financial Reform bill. These could be sold as Obama's two biggest achievements and now a man who worked and lobbied against those bills sits as Obama's Chief of Staff, the gatekeeper of access.
The left leaners are mortified and rightly so. Obama will need to get along better in this second term to get elected but to choose someone so blatantly in bed with business and from Chicago no less, talk about insulated, Obama has made a mistake.
Mr Donahue the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce said the move was a great one. That should tell you all you need to know.
Obama with visions of a Palin matchup may feel invincible, he may think perhaps so that the lefties in the end have no where to go. However as previous defeated Presidents can tell you the base can stay home. Obama is going to have a tough time energizing the base with his record. His best hope may be an extreme right wing candidate such as Palin. If anyone less scary or polarizing is nominated Obama could be in serious trouble.
The left leaners are mortified and rightly so. Obama will need to get along better in this second term to get elected but to choose someone so blatantly in bed with business and from Chicago no less, talk about insulated, Obama has made a mistake.
Mr Donahue the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce said the move was a great one. That should tell you all you need to know.
Obama with visions of a Palin matchup may feel invincible, he may think perhaps so that the lefties in the end have no where to go. However as previous defeated Presidents can tell you the base can stay home. Obama is going to have a tough time energizing the base with his record. His best hope may be an extreme right wing candidate such as Palin. If anyone less scary or polarizing is nominated Obama could be in serious trouble.
Net Nuetraility
This is an issue that is hard to wrap your mind around. But Obama thought enough of it to campaign in favor of it and allowing that he would absolutely protect this through any Obama administration. He did not.
By my understanding Net Nuetrality means that all information from all sights moves equally through the internet. Verizon amongst other major characters had lobbied for the right to allow certain internet sites to transmit their info faster.
The issue here is of course that will allow another form of profit by selling these premium networking capabilities. The danger is that again, smaller sites with less money will have less money to equal the marketplace.
Capitalism rules and I guess it is fair in a capitalistic world. We had no reason to think the Internet would be any different. We did have hope that Obama would mean what he said. He did not.
By my understanding Net Nuetrality means that all information from all sights moves equally through the internet. Verizon amongst other major characters had lobbied for the right to allow certain internet sites to transmit their info faster.
The issue here is of course that will allow another form of profit by selling these premium networking capabilities. The danger is that again, smaller sites with less money will have less money to equal the marketplace.
Capitalism rules and I guess it is fair in a capitalistic world. We had no reason to think the Internet would be any different. We did have hope that Obama would mean what he said. He did not.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Basketball in Maine on a Winter Night
We did a triple header last night. It was a busy night. Three games with three teams in three gyms.
It was fun and each game showed how hard our young people play all through the state.
The first game was a junior high game my son was in. His team is challenged and it has been a tough season thus far. It did not get much better for this game and they lost by a significant amount. The coach, a teacher at his school, is a nice gentleman who is doing his best but thus far whatever he is attempting does not seem to be working very well. It is unfortunate but as in all things there are character builders here. The biggest issue we see is that the parents are not a great example. They grumble about the coach, they complain about the calls and all the while the kids on the floor see them. If you think it does not matter know that a game a couple of weeks ago my son's team lost by 40. Not fun. He was naturally frustrated but blamed the refs. I am not one to suffer excuses and not when you lose by 40. When you lose by 40 you just got beat but he said did you see all the parents complaining and gesturing about the calls. I told him we did but that was a bad example for them to see. I really believe that we need to remember that. My wife reminded me of my feeling for this subject mater when I whispered to her what they were doing in practice everyday after the opponent last night scored its fifth or sixth basket on an inbounds play under its own basket.
Our second game was at the high school as my oldest son had a junior varsity game. They played a team that was struggling so we saw the other side of the coin. Our coach to his credit quickly pulled off the press and played three different sets of five and so all the boys including the second string my son is usually in got to play quite a bit. He had his first double digit game in scoring, did other things well and just as importantly for me is a good teammate. First one off the bench to high five his teammates and such. This has been a good year for him, playing time not what he would like but he is learning big picture stuff here. I am proud of him. We met some folks that we did not know ( other parents) including some who he had visited last weekend with a new friend of his. They commented on how nice and polite he was, something every parent wants to hear.
Lastly we went to a friend of mine's game against an opponent in town here. My friend coaches the varsity team in his town. It was a great game. Two small schools in contrast to where my boys go. The game went to overtime, the people were involved it was a great night.
Looking at those schools and the players I could see my boys playing their and being much bigger fish in a small pond. It just is not the life experience they are going to get.
One of the schools last night was a local Christian school. I was very impressed with them, their coaches and the way their kids played the game. Very impressive. A young man who filed out shakes the refs hand. I was impressed in the same way when they played an exhibition game against my sons baseball team last spring, after losing by a great deal, they all thanked our boys for the experience.
Basketball in Maine is a great microcosm of the people who live here.
It was fun and each game showed how hard our young people play all through the state.
The first game was a junior high game my son was in. His team is challenged and it has been a tough season thus far. It did not get much better for this game and they lost by a significant amount. The coach, a teacher at his school, is a nice gentleman who is doing his best but thus far whatever he is attempting does not seem to be working very well. It is unfortunate but as in all things there are character builders here. The biggest issue we see is that the parents are not a great example. They grumble about the coach, they complain about the calls and all the while the kids on the floor see them. If you think it does not matter know that a game a couple of weeks ago my son's team lost by 40. Not fun. He was naturally frustrated but blamed the refs. I am not one to suffer excuses and not when you lose by 40. When you lose by 40 you just got beat but he said did you see all the parents complaining and gesturing about the calls. I told him we did but that was a bad example for them to see. I really believe that we need to remember that. My wife reminded me of my feeling for this subject mater when I whispered to her what they were doing in practice everyday after the opponent last night scored its fifth or sixth basket on an inbounds play under its own basket.
Our second game was at the high school as my oldest son had a junior varsity game. They played a team that was struggling so we saw the other side of the coin. Our coach to his credit quickly pulled off the press and played three different sets of five and so all the boys including the second string my son is usually in got to play quite a bit. He had his first double digit game in scoring, did other things well and just as importantly for me is a good teammate. First one off the bench to high five his teammates and such. This has been a good year for him, playing time not what he would like but he is learning big picture stuff here. I am proud of him. We met some folks that we did not know ( other parents) including some who he had visited last weekend with a new friend of his. They commented on how nice and polite he was, something every parent wants to hear.
Lastly we went to a friend of mine's game against an opponent in town here. My friend coaches the varsity team in his town. It was a great game. Two small schools in contrast to where my boys go. The game went to overtime, the people were involved it was a great night.
Looking at those schools and the players I could see my boys playing their and being much bigger fish in a small pond. It just is not the life experience they are going to get.
One of the schools last night was a local Christian school. I was very impressed with them, their coaches and the way their kids played the game. Very impressive. A young man who filed out shakes the refs hand. I was impressed in the same way when they played an exhibition game against my sons baseball team last spring, after losing by a great deal, they all thanked our boys for the experience.
Basketball in Maine is a great microcosm of the people who live here.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Sheeps or Goat
In Matthew Jesus tells us that whatsoever we did or however we treat the lowliest amongst us is how we treat him and thus will be a measure of our reward in heaven or not. It is a complicated statement or is it?
Jesus advises us to clothe the poor, feed the needy, help the homeless, visit the imprisoned and in general to do treat the lowly just as we would treat those better off and Jesus himself.
Reading a theological book an interesting quote is that modern clerics and the modern churches often seem to want to " deradicalize Jesus". The question is would he want us to.
His message was clear. So what is enough. We have money in the bank, not enough to cover much of an emergency but should we give that away. Or is it more of a sense of how do we feel about those in need, do we offer our help and more or just as importantly our compassion and care.
Clearly one of Jesus's comments of judge not yet lest be judged is not one that is followed well in our society. The scholar I am reading makes a point that those persecuting gays are persecuting Jesus as Jesus dwelt and dealt with sinners always.
I am not an expert but I do wonder what my responsibility is. We have homeless people that we see often in our section of town. One in particular. It would be not a blessing on me to admit that while we feel sorry for him and I hope for the best for him we have done nothing to help him. One day he crossed my path as I waited for a light and I pondered giving him a ten dollar bill. Of course the follow up is what would he use it for. Beer and Cigarettes? Would it be better to contribute to give ten dollars to Manna so that they can distribute it into healthier programs rather than the individual I see.
Worse than that this particular gentleman has a resemblance to the character Gargamel in the old Smurfs show and I mentioned that once or twice. If I have said that in front of my children I am starting the process whereas they become numb to the hurt of others. This is wrong to do. I am wrong.
A resolution for 2011 is to make an absolute effort to do more to help people. Either with the Susan Komen effort, or with contributions to Manna, or thru a church if we join one as we are shopping currently. I might even give that gentleman on the corner a few bucks. I know it will not help him but it might help me.
Jesus advises us to clothe the poor, feed the needy, help the homeless, visit the imprisoned and in general to do treat the lowly just as we would treat those better off and Jesus himself.
Reading a theological book an interesting quote is that modern clerics and the modern churches often seem to want to " deradicalize Jesus". The question is would he want us to.
His message was clear. So what is enough. We have money in the bank, not enough to cover much of an emergency but should we give that away. Or is it more of a sense of how do we feel about those in need, do we offer our help and more or just as importantly our compassion and care.
Clearly one of Jesus's comments of judge not yet lest be judged is not one that is followed well in our society. The scholar I am reading makes a point that those persecuting gays are persecuting Jesus as Jesus dwelt and dealt with sinners always.
I am not an expert but I do wonder what my responsibility is. We have homeless people that we see often in our section of town. One in particular. It would be not a blessing on me to admit that while we feel sorry for him and I hope for the best for him we have done nothing to help him. One day he crossed my path as I waited for a light and I pondered giving him a ten dollar bill. Of course the follow up is what would he use it for. Beer and Cigarettes? Would it be better to contribute to give ten dollars to Manna so that they can distribute it into healthier programs rather than the individual I see.
Worse than that this particular gentleman has a resemblance to the character Gargamel in the old Smurfs show and I mentioned that once or twice. If I have said that in front of my children I am starting the process whereas they become numb to the hurt of others. This is wrong to do. I am wrong.
A resolution for 2011 is to make an absolute effort to do more to help people. Either with the Susan Komen effort, or with contributions to Manna, or thru a church if we join one as we are shopping currently. I might even give that gentleman on the corner a few bucks. I know it will not help him but it might help me.
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