I've never written a "content blog." My previous blog was about my life, so it was easy to write.
This one is more of a challenge, because I'm trying to be useful and entertaining on a subject perceived as dull. That's a tough call in this age of societal ADD. I had been posting links to news stories because I felt not enough people were up to date on events, and thought if they just saw the headline they'd go get informed.
Did that actually inform people? No...I don't think so. People have to want to click on a link, and the ones who want to already can do, from My Yahoo and iGoogle pages. That portion of my blog really wasn't accomplishing anything new or interesting, which runs contrary to my mission statement.
It also takes a lot of time to find those news stories and link to them. That's time I could be researching a topic to write a really great post about. And now that Blogger has come out with the option to schedule posts ahead of time (thank you BLOGGER!), I think the most efficient option is to write posts ahead of time. It's all about freeing up time and keeping options open.
So for now, we'll dispense with the news links...unless there are objections?
***
I was tipped to a story by my mother that I want to bring to everyone's attention. It ties in directly to politics, because the price of commodities (think oil, corn, wheat, gasoline) is a big political issue right now (think about the nonsense about suspending the gas tax--like that will actually solve anything).
MSN Money posted an article from Jim Jubak about the insane prices of oil (and other things) that actually defy the rules of supply and demand. This is due to the fact that consumers are so scared they won't be able to get what they need--gasoline is a perfect example--they are willing to pay any price as long as it keeps coming.
It doesn't matter that our oil reserves have actually gone up since last month. It doesn't matter that world usage is still 100,000 barrels LESS than what's being produced every day. The price of oil keeps going up because people are so afraid of not being able to get oil they're not thinking straight.
I'm oversimplyfing by a long shot, but that's why I linked you to Jubak's article on scarcity markets. It was a very frustrating thing to read, because it made me realize (again) just how inflated oil and food prices are right now.
Read the article, it's good food for thought. That's all I have today...this post is long enough.
Monday
Saturday
My World News Returning Soon
So...I fail at this whole regular post thing. It's a process.
Life is far less crazy now, and things should be resuming shortly.
Life is far less crazy now, and things should be resuming shortly.
Monday
Earmarks and the Pork Barrel
My girlfriend recently asked me what earmarks were, in relation to pork barrelling. I was a little surprized that she didn't know. And I figured, "If someone as smart as her doesn't know, then...how many others don't?
What Is the Pork Barrel?
Wikipedia gets a lil smart with us, saying that it's a barrel you keep pork in. Luckily for those clowns, they go on to say it's more often a political metaphor for the appropriation of government spending for projects specifically designed to benefit a constituency or campaign contributor.
I like the Wikipedia article...it does a good job explaining it, and detailing it, and putting the term into context (really, not all appropriations are pork. Money spent on the I-35 bridge in the Twin Cities would have been money well spent, but that damned bridge in Alaska is totally pork).
Basically, it's when the Congressman from Columbus makes sure money in a Federal transportation bill gets funnelled to the Columbus Dept of Public Works, so they can replace all their signs. He does this so when election time comes around, he can say "Look, I got you money for new highway signs! I'm not useless!"
(I'm not implying that the Congressman from Columbus is useless, or that he does these things, or that he's even a man, necessarily. I know my end of Columbus has a Congressman, and he's been pretty responsible--if amazingly conservative).
What is an earmark?
Wikipedia is a lil complicated on this one, starting with the public finance definition. Long story short? It's when money is singled out for a project, or a specific exemption is made from a tax or fee. Earmarking is how pork happens, for the most part.
There's two types of earmarks: the hard type that's written into the legislation, and the soft type included in the reports of Congressional committees. Soft ones aren't binding, but in that "one hand washes the other" sort of way, they're acted on as if they were. Hard ones become law.
That's the basic pork barrel process! Not all earmarks are pork, and neither are all appropriations (remember, I-35 bridge needed money to be replaced or renovated = good earmark, useless $230 million bridge to replace a functioning ferry = pork).
The biggest issue is that earmarks are generally not handled out in the open. They don't get debated or defended...they just get passed. Anything you can't discuss on the floor of Congress probably doesn't need to have my money spent on it, is my opinion on pork.
...And Now for Some News...
Two-Prong Fed Move: Rate Cut & Bear Stearns Sale, from NPR
Terminator Has a Heart: California Lifers Getting Paroled, from NPR
Kosovo Violence Forces UN Out, from BBC
China Issues Deadline, Holds Protestors in Tibet, from BBC
Southside of Columbus to Get new Medicla Center, from WCBE
Cincinnati Snow-Removal Budget in the Red, from WVXU (All I gotta say is, Duh)
What Is the Pork Barrel?
Wikipedia gets a lil smart with us, saying that it's a barrel you keep pork in. Luckily for those clowns, they go on to say it's more often a political metaphor for the appropriation of government spending for projects specifically designed to benefit a constituency or campaign contributor.
I like the Wikipedia article...it does a good job explaining it, and detailing it, and putting the term into context (really, not all appropriations are pork. Money spent on the I-35 bridge in the Twin Cities would have been money well spent, but that damned bridge in Alaska is totally pork).
Basically, it's when the Congressman from Columbus makes sure money in a Federal transportation bill gets funnelled to the Columbus Dept of Public Works, so they can replace all their signs. He does this so when election time comes around, he can say "Look, I got you money for new highway signs! I'm not useless!"
(I'm not implying that the Congressman from Columbus is useless, or that he does these things, or that he's even a man, necessarily. I know my end of Columbus has a Congressman, and he's been pretty responsible--if amazingly conservative).
What is an earmark?
Wikipedia is a lil complicated on this one, starting with the public finance definition. Long story short? It's when money is singled out for a project, or a specific exemption is made from a tax or fee. Earmarking is how pork happens, for the most part.
There's two types of earmarks: the hard type that's written into the legislation, and the soft type included in the reports of Congressional committees. Soft ones aren't binding, but in that "one hand washes the other" sort of way, they're acted on as if they were. Hard ones become law.
That's the basic pork barrel process! Not all earmarks are pork, and neither are all appropriations (remember, I-35 bridge needed money to be replaced or renovated = good earmark, useless $230 million bridge to replace a functioning ferry = pork).
The biggest issue is that earmarks are generally not handled out in the open. They don't get debated or defended...they just get passed. Anything you can't discuss on the floor of Congress probably doesn't need to have my money spent on it, is my opinion on pork.
...And Now for Some News...
Two-Prong Fed Move: Rate Cut & Bear Stearns Sale, from NPR
Terminator Has a Heart: California Lifers Getting Paroled, from NPR
Kosovo Violence Forces UN Out, from BBC
China Issues Deadline, Holds Protestors in Tibet, from BBC
Southside of Columbus to Get new Medicla Center, from WCBE
Cincinnati Snow-Removal Budget in the Red, from WVXU (All I gotta say is, Duh)
Friday
A Closer Look at Obama
Now to look at Barack Obama. I'm currently very disappointed in Obama, since his campaign failed to act on my Myspace friend request. I gave them a lil over three weeks, and they muffed it. So it's cancelled. HA!
Education: Obama seems to have his head on straight when it comes to education. He talks about performance pay, better respect, a sense of urgency, and keeping life long education affordable. I can get behind all that.
Diplomacy: This is a good run down on Obama's foreign policy. Essentially, I see the opposite of the cowboy diplomacy going on here. Phrases like "learn from the past" and "understanding the non-Western world" give me hope.
Bipartisanship: Obama has been big on this issue. The biggest sign of it that I've seen is the fact his health care plan doesn't include a mandate (a horror to the right wing) except where children are concerned. That's a compromise position, and I think it's something we should admire.
War in Iraq: He didn't vote for the war, wanted to finish Afghanistan instead (what a novel concept!). He plans on having all but a token force out by 16 months into his administration, with only embassy protection and al-Qaeda hunters left (no permanent military presence). Check it out.
...And Now for Some News...
White House Unveils Plan for Credit Crisis, from NPR
Fire In Lhasa as a Result of Tibet Protests, from BBC
Blue Jackets Still in Playoff Running, from WCBE
Education: Obama seems to have his head on straight when it comes to education. He talks about performance pay, better respect, a sense of urgency, and keeping life long education affordable. I can get behind all that.
Diplomacy: This is a good run down on Obama's foreign policy. Essentially, I see the opposite of the cowboy diplomacy going on here. Phrases like "learn from the past" and "understanding the non-Western world" give me hope.
Bipartisanship: Obama has been big on this issue. The biggest sign of it that I've seen is the fact his health care plan doesn't include a mandate (a horror to the right wing) except where children are concerned. That's a compromise position, and I think it's something we should admire.
War in Iraq: He didn't vote for the war, wanted to finish Afghanistan instead (what a novel concept!). He plans on having all but a token force out by 16 months into his administration, with only embassy protection and al-Qaeda hunters left (no permanent military presence). Check it out.
...And Now for Some News...
White House Unveils Plan for Credit Crisis, from NPR
Fire In Lhasa as a Result of Tibet Protests, from BBC
Blue Jackets Still in Playoff Running, from WCBE
Wednesday
A Closer Look at Clinton
Since she isn't my favorite, I'll look at her first. Here are a few stances she has on her issues.
Clinton:
War in Iraq: Near as I can tell, didn't vote for the war PER SE, but voted for authorization because the Administration apparantly mentioned they'd try and use diplomacy first. As far as ending the war, she says she'll do it, starting phased redeployment (wow that's a loaded term) within the first 60 days of her administration.
Education: Clinton issues a press release about NCLB I found on the Senate website (yay Google!). It says essentially that it's a wonderful thing, but now it needs to be revamped based on what's happened in the last five years and then funded appropriately. I didn't see much in the way of college level positions, but really...if we're doing a good job at the high school level, the kids will be able to get into college.
Bipartisanship: Every candidate talks a big game about bipartisanship, because all the polls tells them we're sick to death of partisan bickering. I couldn't find any specific statements about this from Clinton. I also can't remember any big across-aisle reaches from her (I could be wrong there). I do know she makes conservatives foam at the mouth (for reasons I don't really understand...) and that's not conducive to getting things done.
Diplomacy: That same article I cited under ending the war in Iraq mentions quite a bit about diplomacy as part of her rebuilding plan. If that is any indicator on how her diplomatic efforts in other ends of the world, it makes quite a bit of sense. Also, the campaign ads I've been seeing (since she HAS to win in Ohio, more or less) mentioned an "end to cowboy diplomacy," which I'd be ok with.
...And Now for Some News...
Obama Wins Mississippi Primary, from NPR
Governor Spitzer Resigns in Scandal, from NPR (he was caught by the same tactics he pushed for as NY Attorney General...irony, eh?)
British Air Strike Kills Afghan Civilians, from the BBC
Rwandan Priest Gets Life Term on Appeal, from BBC
Columbus Appoints Homeless Advocate to Mayor's Office, from WCBE
Union Vote at Ohio Hospitals Called Off, from WVXU
Clinton:
War in Iraq: Near as I can tell, didn't vote for the war PER SE, but voted for authorization because the Administration apparantly mentioned they'd try and use diplomacy first. As far as ending the war, she says she'll do it, starting phased redeployment (wow that's a loaded term) within the first 60 days of her administration.
Education: Clinton issues a press release about NCLB I found on the Senate website (yay Google!). It says essentially that it's a wonderful thing, but now it needs to be revamped based on what's happened in the last five years and then funded appropriately. I didn't see much in the way of college level positions, but really...if we're doing a good job at the high school level, the kids will be able to get into college.
Bipartisanship: Every candidate talks a big game about bipartisanship, because all the polls tells them we're sick to death of partisan bickering. I couldn't find any specific statements about this from Clinton. I also can't remember any big across-aisle reaches from her (I could be wrong there). I do know she makes conservatives foam at the mouth (for reasons I don't really understand...) and that's not conducive to getting things done.
Diplomacy: That same article I cited under ending the war in Iraq mentions quite a bit about diplomacy as part of her rebuilding plan. If that is any indicator on how her diplomatic efforts in other ends of the world, it makes quite a bit of sense. Also, the campaign ads I've been seeing (since she HAS to win in Ohio, more or less) mentioned an "end to cowboy diplomacy," which I'd be ok with.
...And Now for Some News...
Obama Wins Mississippi Primary, from NPR
Governor Spitzer Resigns in Scandal, from NPR (he was caught by the same tactics he pushed for as NY Attorney General...irony, eh?)
British Air Strike Kills Afghan Civilians, from the BBC
Rwandan Priest Gets Life Term on Appeal, from BBC
Columbus Appoints Homeless Advocate to Mayor's Office, from WCBE
Union Vote at Ohio Hospitals Called Off, from WVXU
Hobson's Record
Since he's up for re-election this year, I decided to take a quick look at what my Congressman has voted on. And I'm not talking about silly lil resolutions, I mean things like defense spending.
So here's a list big bills that went down in 2007 and how Hobson voted on them.
Enhancing Intelligence Oversight, No.
Adding Stemcell Research to Public Health Service Act, No.
Ammending Medicare to Require Medicare to Negotiate Drug Prices, No.
Implementing the 9/11 Commission Reccomendations, Yes.
Supreme Court Hears Appeal by Exxon on Valdez Damages, from NPR
Bowling HQ May Move to Texas, from NPR
$1.4 Billion in Fines for Microsoft, from BBC
German High Court Limits Cyber Spying, from BBC
Columbus Curbside Recycling Charge to Double, from WCBE
McCain Apologizes for Cunningham Remarks, from WVXU
So here's a list big bills that went down in 2007 and how Hobson voted on them.
Enhancing Intelligence Oversight, No.
Adding Stemcell Research to Public Health Service Act, No.
Ammending Medicare to Require Medicare to Negotiate Drug Prices, No.
Implementing the 9/11 Commission Reccomendations, Yes.
College Student Relief, Yes.
Advaced Fuels Infrascture Research and Development Act, Yes.
Before even 100 votes took place in 2007, Hobson had managed to vote against my values 5 times and vote for them only 3. There will be another edition of this...it's just too fun!
Right now, I need to focus on seeing who his challenger is...
...And Now for Some News...Supreme Court Hears Appeal by Exxon on Valdez Damages, from NPR
Bowling HQ May Move to Texas, from NPR
$1.4 Billion in Fines for Microsoft, from BBC
German High Court Limits Cyber Spying, from BBC
Columbus Curbside Recycling Charge to Double, from WCBE
McCain Apologizes for Cunningham Remarks, from WVXU
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