Saturday, June 28, 2014

MN Senate Race Franken vs McFadden

 Per Laurie's request.
"After reading a couple of Minnpost columns I have become interested in the MN senate race.

Finally, Mike McFadden offers details on his health-care views

McFadden on how he would deal with his No. 1 worry: U.S. government debt

I think it will be a close race." Laurie

"Laurie, thanks for those posts. They were informative, even though Eric Black is a highly biased leftist. Once you know that, you can learn a lot from reading "between the li[n]es." Jerry
 I know nothing about these folks yet, so I welcome the opportunity to research, listen and learn.

Personally I am thinking Franken will win easily.  I mean this is Minnesota, he is the incumbent and he hasn't embarrassed MN as badly as I thought he would.

McFadden for US Senate
Franken for Senate
Real Clear Politics
WP A Break for GOP
WP McFadden / Franken

Friday, June 27, 2014

Thursday, June 26, 2014

G2A Is Censored?

Or maybe it was google and it's products...

Though I am a bit hard up for interesting topics, I was not intentionally avoiding my posting duty...  I have been in China since Saturday, and the Beijing Airport Hilton is the first place where I have been able to access my account. (ie blogger is part of google)

And that blockage is pretty impressive since I have been in 5 different cities in 5 days...Yes...  It has been a real "planes, trains and automobiles" trip...  (without John Candy fluffing pillows)  By the way:
  • high speed trains are really cool for travelling between major metropolitan areas.
  • there are wind turbines and big corn fields in the NE
  • air quality is pretty rough, my eyes and throat are looking forward to getting home
  • my new name for China is the land of 1 million sky cranes, they continue to build EVERYWHERE...
  • it is very interesting reading their local english newspapers...  apparently some folks in Hong Kong are being pretty subversive by talking about holding elections...
  • the street cleaners are still out in full force. (ie 1000's per city) we really need to consider giving brooms to those on public assistance or long term unemployment.  our blvd's could be that nice.
Thoughts regarding China, or ideas for future posts?

Flying back tomorrow.  Have a great weekend!!!

Monday, June 16, 2014

California Teacher Tenure Ruling

Dan at MPP is all bent out of shape over some teacher ruling, so it is probably it likely a good thing for the K-12 students and a bad thing for that small group of unproductive Teachers.

CNN Will Tenure Ruling be a Lesson
Forbes Tenure Ruling

Thoughts?

Iraq: Waste or Failed Intervention

The Liberals are out to use the destruction and suffering in Iraq to prove that all that US money and those US lives were wasted.  The irony I see in this is that these same people continue to demand that we spend ever increasing amounts on welfare, medicare and other programs that have not solved the poverty problem.  They see one as our duty and one as waste.

I am very sad that things are going poorly in Iraq.  Just as I am sad when an alcoholic falls off the wagon, an abused spouse goes back to their abuser, a student wastes a free K-12 education opportunity, etc.  Does it mean that interventions that provide people a chance to change their lives are a "waste"?  I guess I see Afghanistan and Iraq as a significant intervention that may or may not work.  I guess I am not agreeing that it was a waste.

Whereas I see waste in supporting people who refuse to change and improve decade after decade.  That is kind of like going back to Iraq multiple times and expecting different results.  That I agree would be a waste.

MinnPost Tempest over Bergdahl
MPP New Rule on Iraq is Shut Up

 Here is one of the comment strings from the Bergdahl piece.
"Relative Concerns. On one hand, you are frustrated by low wages, corporate greed, job off shoring, global warming, mining issues, etc.

Yet you are seemingly indifferent to the plight of people in other countries who face very real and immediate problems.

I agree the USA can not save everyone, however ensuring school girls aren't shot on the way to school or stoned for dating the wrong man seems much more important than many of the trivial problems within the border of the USA.

Priorities are an interesting thing." G2A

"You forgot to mention. Several times Karzai has threatened to kick us out. He is very ambiguous about our continued presence in HIS country. Is that the thanks we get for committing blood and treasure to the support of a corrupt regime? No...it is time we leave this pathetic country and let them deal with their future themselves." Myles

"Lost Causes.  I don't mind leaving them to their issues, I mind the fact that Liberals are calling this a waste and we stop trying, while demanding that we spend more money on welfare, etc.

America spent money and lives to give the Afghan and Iraqi people a chance at better lives. They unfortunately are finding it hard to break old habits, thus to Liberals here it is a waste.

Yet we spend hundreds of billions each year trying to help those who are not willing to change, and the Liberals just ask for more.

I find it inconsistent." G2A

"Who is not willing to change. you're vilifying American citizens in the same breath as giving Iraqis and Afghans a pass for "unfortunately finding it hard to break old bad habits." You're either willfully obtuse or just plain mean spirited against the poor. Yeah, I'd rather spend billions to help the poor n this country than billions + American lives so Halliburton can rake in more corporate profits as we lumber into regions of the world that have been at war for thousands of years in some ludicrous attempt to whip a little American- style democracy on them. The money and lives spent WERE a colossal waste. The only "lost cause" is getting that reality across to people whose only personal sacrifice to these pointless wars is finding room on the bumper of their Suburban for a "we support the troops" ribbon." Jason
Yet to be cleared by the moderator.
"Yes very inconsistent.  
You want to spend Billions more on people in group 1. These people have been given an opportunity to obtain a free education.  They have access to many charities and other society provided services. They are protected by the rule of law.  And yet many of them choose to live in the safety hammock we continue to fund at increasing levels.
You see spending Billions on protecting people in group 2, women in particular, who live in near slavery with no chance at an education as a waste.
I am interested to know your rationale. " G2A 

Thursday, June 12, 2014

American Political Divide

Something new worth discussing.
MinnPost Yes we're more polarized most Americans still don't fit description

"The overall share of Americans who express consistently conservative or consistently liberal opinions has doubled over the past two decades from 10% to 21%." Pew

"That's a tall tree, and growing steadily taller. But don't forget to notice that the forest — the other 79 percent of the population — do not fit this description." Eric Black

Pew Research Political Polarization
NYT Polarization
WP Polarization

G2A Political Self Awareness
G2A The Popularity Contest
G2A Conservative / Liberals: Who Cares More

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Obama, Bergdahl, Boko Haram and West Point

Okay I am hard pressed for topics and working too much lately.  So let's give these links a try:

CNN Bergdahl, Boko Haram and Benghazi - by Gingrich
CNN Ethics Issues in Bergdahl Swap
CNN Bergdahl's Release Raises Questions
Fox News Briefing does little to quell concerns
The Atlantic Obama weakened rule of Law
MinnPost Muscle vs Obama Doctrine
MinnPost Afghanistan Exit Plan
Main Justice Holder's Committee
CSM Obama Singles Out Boko Haram
WP Obama at Westpoint

Thoughts and/or questions in my mind:
  • Did Obama break the law?  Bad enough to get him in trouble?
  • Was Bergdahl a prisoner or a somewhat willing guest?
  • What will be the consequences of this new precedent?
  • If we pull all of our troops out of the Middle East, will the Jihadists move their attacks to American soil?
  • Other?
Thoughts?