Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Update on Trayvon Martin Shooting
Video from CNN posted on Wednesday, March 28:
Also, Trayvon Martin's parent's spoke out on the conflicting accounts of the incident that have emerged in recent days:
Also, Trayvon Martin's parent's spoke out on the conflicting accounts of the incident that have emerged in recent days:
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Obama Speaks Out on Trayvon Martin Shooting
President Obama made these remarks in response to a question from a reporter last week:
Meanwhile, some have started wearing hoodies as a tribute/protest:
Congressman tries it too:
Meanwhile, some have started wearing hoodies as a tribute/protest:
Congressman tries it too:
Monday, March 19, 2012
Tragic Death of Trayvon Martin - Was it the result of racial injustice?
Outrage is building and today, there were protests in Florida and almost half a million people have signed an online petition calling for an arrest of the shooter, George Zimmerman.
An ABC News report on the release of the 911 tapes of the incident:
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Afghan Massacre
A horrific tragedy has cast new doubts on the U.S. presence in Afghanistan and the timetable for withdrawal.
First from NBC news the March 12th report on the shooting:
Sgt. Bales' Lawyer interviewed him on Monday, March 19th:
First from NBC news the March 12th report on the shooting:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
A report from NBC news on the U.S. soldier accused of committing the massacre:Sgt. Bales' Lawyer interviewed him on Monday, March 19th:
Monday, January 23, 2012
Be Thankful for the Fourth Amendment!
The Supreme Court issued three different opinions in this case, but I really think the Court made the right decision on this case of police putting GPS tracking devices on suspects cars without first obtaining a warrant.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Watch Want to Use a GPS-Tracking Device? Get a Warrant, Supreme Court Tells Police on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
MLK Was More Than a Dreamer
MLK Was More Than a Dreamer:
In the years since his assassination I have been troubled by what I consider to be the co-opting of Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision. What has troubled me over the years is how his revolutionary message has been hijacked, compromised and relegated to being that of just a dreamer.
People are comfortable with dreamers. Why? Dreamers are safe and in a restful state. Dreamers are docile and easy to manipulate. To cast King in the light of a dreamer allows people to be convinced that substantive change resulting from clear vision and direct action is not necessary.
Read full article...
In the years since his assassination I have been troubled by what I consider to be the co-opting of Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision. What has troubled me over the years is how his revolutionary message has been hijacked, compromised and relegated to being that of just a dreamer.
People are comfortable with dreamers. Why? Dreamers are safe and in a restful state. Dreamers are docile and easy to manipulate. To cast King in the light of a dreamer allows people to be convinced that substantive change resulting from clear vision and direct action is not necessary.
Read full article...
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Why can't we have civil discourse in our politics?
For those of you thinking about the themes of civil discourse, compromise, political parties, etc. this article just posted by USA Today is a must-read. I actually think it is good for everyone to read.
After Giffords shooting, civility still elusive: One year later, Americans and their elected leaders still struggle to show each other respect when opinions differ.
From a previous posting, here are some links that deal with the issue on modern American politics.
President Obama Asks Americans to Reflect on How We Talk to Each Other
Last school year, I showed most of the speech. If you are interested in watching it, here it is:
University of Arizona to Open Civility Institute - NYTimes.com
http://nicd.arizona.edu/
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june11/publicmedia_01-13.html?print=
After Giffords shooting, civility still elusive: One year later, Americans and their elected leaders still struggle to show each other respect when opinions differ.
From a previous posting, here are some links that deal with the issue on modern American politics.
President Obama Asks Americans to Reflect on How We Talk to Each Other
Last school year, I showed most of the speech. If you are interested in watching it, here it is:
University of Arizona to Open Civility Institute - NYTimes.comhttp://nicd.arizona.edu/
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june11/publicmedia_01-13.html?print=
Evaluating 2011 for Obama' - and Congress
The conservative Washington Times criticizes Obama for making America weaker in 2011.On the other hand, National Public Radio ran a story yesterday claiming After A Year of Struggles, Obama Finds His Footing. One note in his favor after a very hard year is that his poll numbers have risen a bit since the battle with House Republicans over the bill to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits for another two months. Gallup: Obama's approval rating at 5-month high
Obama has been putting a lot of the blame on Congress - more specifically Republicans in Congress for not being willing to compromise. As the New York Times reports this morning, running against Congress will be a part of his election year strategy.
Was Congress that bad? Well, I might be biased, but I think the polls showing the approval rating for Congress at about 12% tell us a lot. NPR also ran a very interesting story asking experts to evaluate the job Congress has done in the past year. This Year In Congress: Much Drama, Little To Show
How would you evaluate the job the President and Congress have done?
Saturday, December 24, 2011
News of Interest from Dec 24
Some news stories that caught my attention:
When President Obama signed a budget bill on Friday, he issued a signing statement claiming a right to bypass dozens of provisions that placed requirements or restrictions on the executive branch, saying he had “well-founded constitutional objections” to the new statutes.
Justice Dept. Cites Race in Halting Law Over Voter ID
By CHARLIE SAVAGE
The department said a new South Carolina law that would require voters to present photo identification would disproportionately suppress turnout among eligible minority voters.
Monday, December 19, 2011
The Death of a Tyrant - Kim Jung-il
Only the second leader of communist North Korea, Kim Jung-il died yesterday at age 69. Most believe he will be succeeded by his son, Kim Jung-un. The first leader of communist North Korea was Kim Jung-il's father.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
University of Arizona to Open Civility Institute - NYTimes.com
University of Arizona to Open Civility Institute - NYTimes.com
http://nicd.arizona.edu/
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june11/publicmedia_01-13.html?print=
Notice here, one simple example. Republican Senator Lindsay Graham refers to Obama's new regulatory agency as "something out of the Stalin era":
http://nicd.arizona.edu/
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june11/publicmedia_01-13.html?print=
Notice here, one simple example. Republican Senator Lindsay Graham refers to Obama's new regulatory agency as "something out of the Stalin era":
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Michael Jackson's doctor sentenced
From NBC news:
He was convicted of manslaughter defined as: the unlawful killing of a human being without malice.
Was justice done in this case?
He was convicted of manslaughter defined as: the unlawful killing of a human being without malice.
Was justice done in this case?
WA Legislature Special Session Begins With Turmoil
Monday, the State Legislature was back for a "special session" that was called by Governor Christine Gregoire to deal with the $2 billion dollar budget shortfall.
That is $2 billion more than they expected when they passed the budget in the spring, which already made deep cuts in state government programs such as K-12 education, state universities, and health care services for the state's poorest residents.
So, lots of people showed up to protest the state making any more cuts. Here was the scene at the State Capitol on Monday:
Last week, Governor Gregoire gave a forceful, and passionate speech urging the legislature to increase the state sales tax by 1/2 cent to cover some of the shortfall. The legislature can't do that with a simple majority however, so Gregoire has asked them to put it on the ballot as a referendum to be voted on by the people of WA in March.
I'm with the Gregoire on this one, except in my perfect world, the solution would be to institute a state income tax, which would fall most heavily on those able to pay. A sales tax hurts the poor, unemployed, and lower middle classes much more.
What do you think the government should do? Do you think the legislature will raise taxes, or make deeper cuts?
That is $2 billion more than they expected when they passed the budget in the spring, which already made deep cuts in state government programs such as K-12 education, state universities, and health care services for the state's poorest residents.
So, lots of people showed up to protest the state making any more cuts. Here was the scene at the State Capitol on Monday:
Last week, Governor Gregoire gave a forceful, and passionate speech urging the legislature to increase the state sales tax by 1/2 cent to cover some of the shortfall. The legislature can't do that with a simple majority however, so Gregoire has asked them to put it on the ballot as a referendum to be voted on by the people of WA in March.
I'm with the Gregoire on this one, except in my perfect world, the solution would be to institute a state income tax, which would fall most heavily on those able to pay. A sales tax hurts the poor, unemployed, and lower middle classes much more.
What do you think the government should do? Do you think the legislature will raise taxes, or make deeper cuts?
Monday, November 21, 2011
No Deal from the Super Committee
Thanks for nothing Congress. Of course this isn't over because new legislation can replace the legislation calling for the automatic spending cuts triggered by the committee's failure. The cuts don't begin to take effect until 2013, and cooperation may be easier after the election.
From the USA Today: Panel's inability to cut debt deal reflects divide
From the NBC Nightly News:
From the USA Today: Panel's inability to cut debt deal reflects divide
From the NBC Nightly News:
Super Committee Standoff?
Prospects look dim for a budget deal to be reached by the November 23rd deadline:
Saturday, November 19, 2011
UC Davis - Police Use Pepper Spray on Passive, Non-Violent student protesters
The video of seemingly indefensible police action:
The police claim they were surrounded and the protesters would not move. From the CBS news article:
"according to Annette Spicuzza, UC Davis police chief...police used the pepper spray after they were surrounded. Protesters were warned repeatedly beforehand that force would be used if they didn't move, she said.
An 84-year-old woman who was pepper sprayed this week at an Occupy Seattle protest said the national attention she received can help the movement's cause.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Supreme Court to Hear Legal Challenge to Health Care Law
Note: I will try to get a brief summary of the law and the controversy surrounding it posted here soon.
The signing of the law was a high moment for the Obama Administration, which promised to solve many of the problems plaguing the American health care system, including estimates that 47 million Americans don't have health care insurance.
The signing of the law was a high moment for the Obama Administration, which promised to solve many of the problems plaguing the American health care system, including estimates that 47 million Americans don't have health care insurance.
However, many conservatives, especially "Tea Party" activists thought the law went too far and challenged the constitutionality of it in court. Those challenges have quickly worked their way through the system and Monday, the Supreme Court, announced its decision to hear the case in March of 2012.
The NBC Evening News report:
You can also read more detailed coverage from the New York Times:
Justices to Hear Health Care Case as Race Heats Up
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Supreme Court Hears Arguments in GPS Tracking Case
One of the more controversial cases of the Supreme Court term was heard this past week.
Below NBC has a short report on the case, and the oral arguments made before the Court.
Two more detailed sources on the case:
From the NY Times:
Below NBC has a short report on the case, and the oral arguments made before the Court.
Two more detailed sources on the case:
From the NY Times:
In an argument studded with references to George Orwell’s “1984” and the possibility that rapid advances in technology would soon allow the government to monitor everyone’s movements, the Supreme Court on Tuesday struggled to articulate how the Fourth Amendment’s ban on unreasonable searches and seizures should apply to the tracking of cars using GPS devices. The fit between 18th-century principles and 21st-century surveillance seemed to leave several justices frustrated.
From the NewsHour on PBS:
Monday, October 24, 2011
Americans Coming Home from Iraq - What will be the legacy?
This question is posed by the following report from NBC news:
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