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Sample Postings: 6 of the most recent entries ordered by date
[ Monday, October 31, 2005 14:31 PDT ]
Judge Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr
Section:
Legal
Summary:
quis iustius induit arma scire nefas: magno se iudice quisque tuetur; uictrix causa deis placuit se uicta Catoni
Which had the right ‘twere impious to enquire; Each for his cause can vouch a judge supreme; The victor, heaven: the vanquished, Cato, thee
A male, second generation Catholic Italian-American New Jersey native son, and 15 year Second Circuit Appeal Judge was today nominated by President Bush to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. If confirmed, he will join Justices Ginsburg, Souter, Thomas and Scalia as east coast representatives servicing on the nation’s highest court. Arguably, Stephens, Roberts, Kennedy and Breyer all have midwest or west coast roots dispite their long standing east coast and sundry European associations.
Main:
Some may oppose the nominee because of his geographic identity, his elite Ivy league education, his gender, his age, his religion, his ethnicity, his lack of experience in elective office, his judicial record and writings in more than 700 cases, or even his new nickname——Tony Scalito. “Radical, dangerous, out of the main-stream, provocative unacceptable ,not out of the O’Connor mold” are among the allegations in the attack mode opening salvo.
Joining in the frenzy of characterization by wicked wordsmiths, assorted pundits, fund raisers and would be political oracles will be:
* More bad advice from the loyal opposition. For example, the ober earnest Minority Leader of the Senate, Harry Read of Nevada voted against John Roberts, when asked, recommended the nomination of “someone like Harriet Miers”, and has opposed any on the shortlist of nominees from which Alito was selected.
* A clarion call for funds by a variety of liberal lobbying and advocacy groups.
* An advertising blitz and instant cash cow potential for big media.
* An avalanche of blogsphere and talk media meistering.
* A drum beat on abortion, privacy, women"s , worker rights, the enviromental and other core liberal and key cultural touchstone issues.
* Delay tactics by the disorganized opposition in the hope than something will be turned over by deep plowing the Alito record.
Meanwhile, have a Happy Halloween and a good Reformation Day.
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[ Thursday, October 27, 2005 13:39 PDT ]
If it is Fall it must be time for some hardball.
Section:
Politics
Summary:
Footballs, Home Coming and Political Squeeze plays are in the air today as Harriet Miers loyally layed down the perfect sacrific bunt. Who was moved to second base in the final game of the Judicial World Series is now the biggest guessing game in Washington D.C. as the President flys to Florida and Associate Justice Sanda Day O’Connor, the Grand Marshall of the 2006 Rose Parade, spreads her magic this week in Southern California. Today, she is joining with Maria Shriver Schwarzenegger at the Governor and First Lady’s Conference on Women and Families” in Long Beach. Reportedly, the soldout event will be Webcast. with support from Disney and ABC. BP is the lead corporate sponsor. The long list of celebrity Speakers includes Dr.Steven Covey and Barbara Walters
Main:
Today in Davis, there are are more than a few 80 something ladies with a bit of a twinkle in their baby blues who have had their fill of B—S—from the east and are about daily business of public service at the Annual Davis Senior Center Health Fair. There are booths to be “personed”, flu shots to be given, meals to be served, questions to answered, friends to be met, news, opinions and stories to be shared, smiles to be exchanged and much in the business of living a full and productive to be conducted.
And then there is the barely noticed backgroud CNN dronecast of “contributors” quessing as to Who is on first and What is on second.
Meanwhile,
* Heads roll at CBS.
* The nytimes does another mea culpa.
* The mass media and the Congress continue to decline in national polls.
* A Special Federal Prosecutor brings his case to the public on Friday.
* Google goes after the local classified ads.
* Untamed Internet Blogs, Podcasts, VoIP, and real time Video streaming and conferencing are popping up like mushrooms after a spring shower.
* The White Sox fans in Chicago, around the nation and in Venzuela are a happy bunch. The Houston fans were oh so polite who as not to interfere with the brilliant foulball grab in the bottom of the 9th in game 4 by shortstop, Juan Uribe. “Pappy” GHWB and Luis Aparicio can both applaude with pride.
* In Davis, the prevailing sentiment appears to be that those Texas got what they deserved. Please send us our rightful share of your $2.50 gasoline , but you all keep your noxious refineries down in Texas, but also, keep them up and running in Corpus Christi et al .
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[ Tuesday, October 25, 2005 12:58 PDT ]
The Roots of Optimism from the Heartland.
Section:
Almanac
Summary:
Main:
What is the Evidence?
* For every potential expatriot and naysayer, there is ready multitude willing and able to swap places in a heart beat.
* Last year, Americans donated more than $270 billion to charities.
* Public Service, Volunteerism, and Pro Bono work is part of the popular culture. NB, the Mormon Mission history.
* The economy is Strong, productive and attracting outside capital investment. Profits are up, the Stock Market is responding, the currency is stable and the job market is favorable. The rate of home ownership has never been higher.
* American Higher Education, particularly Graduate Programs. Professional Schools and Research Institutes are the envy of the world.
* Local, State, Regional and Federal politics, elections and administration are relatively free of corruption.
* The culture values freedom, creativity and security. A first of its kind referendum in Brazil, a nation with a high rate of gun associated deaths, recently defeated a goverment sponsored measure to restrict the private sale and ownership of fire arms for which there is no written constitution right.
* Public Institutions work. A UCDavis Medical Center Pediatrican reports that his recent faith based medical work on the ground in St Bernard Parish in post- Katrina coastal Lousiana was well supported by FIMA and their power generators. The electricity helped to refrigerate tetanus vaccine and other biologicals. In addition, Tulane Medical Students are currently enrolled at UCDMC.
* The Free Press and mass media is vigilant, critical, rational and active. John Tierney, new to the nytimes Opinion Page, is but one example of a voice and a perspective that are worthy of trust and respect.
* Science and Technology are valued, thriving and contributing to an expanding quality of life. In addition, Forbes reports that many of the Rockerfeller, the duPont and other east coast family dynastys are being replaced by Bill Gates and Michael Dell types.
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[ Monday, October 24, 2005 12:19 PDT ]
Finding your way in the Fog and the Din
Section:
Essays
Summary:
Noise, Opinion, Forecasting appear to reign without restraint in the Land of the Free and the Home of the mainstream media and blogsphere Soapbox.
Main:
“A good leader needs to have a compass in his head and a bar of steel in his heart.”.... Robert Townsend
but,
“A
rusty nailplaced near a faithful compass, will sway it from the truth, and wreck the argosy”.....Walter Scott
Sometimes a clear statement of standards, beliefs and principles can guide behavior and improve performance. Consider the 10 Commandments, the Boy Scout motto, the 4H pledge and countless inscriptions in stone. For example, “To cure sometimes, to comfort frequently and to care always” ... Hotel Dieu, Paris.
And then there are the mastheads that grace some of the worlds best publications. Consider two. ” Fair and Balanced” vs “We could not make this stuff up.” Which broadside is more likely to advertise falsely?
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[ Saturday, October 22, 2005 14:17 PDT ]
Senior Citizens of Davis and the November Elections
Section:
Politics
Summary:
Fall Saturdays at the Davis Farmer’s Market offers a grassroots forum for local, regional and national politics. The off year election is scheduled for 8 November. MoreOn.org, candidates for the UDSB public school trustee positions, and various Propostion activists are onsite armed with glossy hot off the press brochures and hotbutton talking points straight from the the most recent organizational meeting.
Main:
“Well done is better than well said.”——Ben Franklin
“The democratic process is safe until the people are learn how to vote themselves a paycheck”—-Winston Churchill
” We are Humanitarians not helicoper pilots”—— a career UN Disaster Relief Official from Scandinavia to criticism of earth quake damage response in Pakistan
Meanwhile, Serious Senior of Davis with Voter Pamphlet in Hand are trying to get the facts straight on pending ballot issues like regulalatory mandates on public utilities, extending the pretenure period of K-12 teachers from two to five years, one stop purchasing of medical prescription drugs for certain income groups, parental notification prior to termination of unplanned teen pregnancies, redrawing of state and congressional district bounderies by an independent commission of retired judges, limiting the money power of public service employee union officials and a local referendum to amend The City Plan to allow for a Planned Community of 1,800 housing units by local group of developers over the next 10 years.
Taglines and snippets of convertional wisdom soundbites abound:
* ” Always vote No on Yes. “
* ” Follow the recommendation of the League of Women Voters. They are unbiased”
* “All my friend say_____.”
* ” All we really need is ___ ___ ___ (Universal Health Insurance, Respect for Worker Rights, Respect for Disversity, Alternative Sources of Energy, Politics that is Free of Power, Money and Special Interests, etc.
* ” How will this effect me, my checkbook and my life?”
Meanwhile, we continue to muddle along.
BTW: Ben Franklin was born 300 years ago, the UN turns 60 soon, and Margaret Thatcher, who turned 80 this month, had much to say and do about each of the issues on the 2005 Calilfornia as Prime Minister of England in the 1980s as the personification of backbone, clarity of thought and lack of muddle in building her brand of cultural reform. Each has a significant legacy.
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[ Tuesday, October 18, 2005 14:42 PDT ]
Eugene Oregon is once again Track Town USA.
Section:
Sports
Summary:
“In this life the big, Strong guys are always taking from the smaller, weaker guys but…the smart take from the Strong”.... Pete Carril, Princeton and Sacramento Kings BB Coach
.
The state of Oregon is floating on a sports news high this week. Eugene will host the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2008 for the first time since 1980. In football,the Ducks are 5 and 1 at midseason after crushing the University of Washington at Autzen Stadium. Plus, the OSU Beavers had a big victory over the Bears on the road in Berkeley.
Main:
Of the three stories, the first may be the most interesting. The announcement of the decision of Eugene over Sacramento was made by Craig Masback of the USA Track and Field Association. The keys appear to have been the Strong presentation made by the Oregon Track Club, the University of Oregon Athletic Department, and an event management company. It addition, The City of Eugene, Lane County and various administrative units of the University presented plans for logistics, security and housing.
One X factor includes the recent hiring of respected exStanford Cross County Coach and ex Oberlin Administrator Vin Lananna as Duck Track and Field Coach, and assistant Athletic Director. Another is the venue. Hayward Field is hallowed ground for track and field athletes. Finally, there are the big Nike factors: money and marketing talent.
So hats off to UofO President Frohnmeyer, former Vice President for Administration, Dan Williams, the Athletic Department, the Oregon Track Club and The City of Eugene. Somehow, we have to believe that Bill Bowerman from the tiny town of Fossil in eastern Oregon, would approve, that Phil Knight is smiling, and Bill Dillinger is one happy guy.
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