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Blame the People
SD Politics - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 11:57pm
Who is to blame? That is a persistent question in politics, and it becomes more persistent when things don't seem to be going your way. The President and Congress have been extraordinarily bold. The New York Times has done everything in its power back up their play. And yet…it looks like the voters are about to cancel their subscription. While some enlightened organs of thought, like the New Yorker, see sinister cabals at work behind the scenes, the Times and Eugene Robinson have the courage to put the blame squarely where it belongs. The people are to blame. The people have let their heroes down.
We have been told that New Yorkers were more sympathetic to the building of a Mosque, pardon me, an Islamic Center, near ground zero. So the NYT commissioned a poll and found that, well, they aren't, exactly. The Times Editorial tells the disappointing story.
A full 72 percent agreed that people had every right to build a "house of worship" near the site. But only 62 percent acknowledged that right when "house of worship" was changed to "mosque and Islamic community center." Sixty-seven percent thought the mosque planners should find "a less controversial location."
One may disagree with the majority of New Yorkers here, but this is surely a reasonable position. Yes, the Constitution protects the right of Muslims to free exercise. No, this isn't the best place to put your mosque. The Times doesn't merely disagree, they think the majority is retarded.
As the site of America's bloodiest terrorist attack, New York had a great chance to lead by example. Too bad other places are ahead of us. Muslims hold daily prayer services in a chapel in the Pentagon, a place also hallowed by 9/11 dead. The country often has had the wisdom to choose graciousness and reconciliation over triumphalism, as is plain from the many monuments to Confederate soldiers in northern states, including the battlefield at Gettysburg. New Yorkers, like other Americans, have a way to go.
New Yorkers and Americans in general have "way to go" to be as evolved and enlightened as the editors of the New York Times. If we were that evolved, apparently, we would have to build a monument to the terrorist who died in those airplanes. That's going to take a lot of evolution on our part.
Eugene Robinson is also disappointed with Americans.
In the punditry business, it's considered bad form to question the essential wisdom of the American people. But at this point, it's impossible to ignore the obvious: The American people are acting like a bunch of spoiled brats.
Robinson admits, correctly, that both parties promise painless solutions to our problems. But he thinks that we are being spoiled brats because we are holding the current bunch of office holders to account. He thinks that the solutions to the problems facing the economy, including the astronomically rising public debt and the insolvency of our entitlement programs, will take time to work and therefore require patience on the part of the electorate. Fair enough.
Ought we not, then, at least demand that the party in power present a plan for solving these problems? What is the Democrat's plan for bringing the budget into balance? What is their plan for putting Social Security and Medicare on a sound financial footing? Right now, we are running deficits of a trillion or more a year, just as these programs go into the red. That's not what happens if Obama's plan fails. That's his plan.
The New York Times and Eugene Robinson are right. The people, spoilt and retrograde as they are, just aren't getting with the program.
Categories: SD Political Blog MegaMix
Now that the Pavilion has killed SEAC, they will use the extra tax dollars to propagandize the joint
South Dacola - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 10:51pm
What a wonderful show idea on channel 16. Let’s tell you about all the elitist events at our joint that you can’t afford to attend, and let’s use your tax dollars to rub it in;
In this episode of PavNow, we introduce you to Pavilion President Larry Toll, who talks about the programs and organizations that comprise the Washington Pavilion.
Then we preview upcoming events taking place at The Mary W. Sommervold Hall; including Legally Blonde the Musical, and Spring Awakening.
We also take a look at the exhibits currently on display at the Visual Arts Center, and movies now playing at the Cinedome.
I love the ‘Sanford and Son’ intro music.
He talks about how the Pavilion’s mission was supposed to be the hub for the arts in Sioux Falls and mentions SEAC under their roof now. Yeah, this office looks permanent . . . NOT.
The show also reminds me why I don’t like Norman Rockwell, or as I call him, the Baroque Cartoonist.
Categories: SD Political Blog MegaMix
One color at the Beck rally. White.
South Dacola - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 10:43pm
Oh, there was a black man selling flags.
Click here to view the embedded video.Categories: SD Political Blog MegaMix
Poetry club w/ Charles Luden
South Dacola - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 10:37pm
I was laughing at the old folks
bumping their grocery carts
down the isle at Sunshine
then when I got home noticed
in the mirror I have gray hair too
Charles Luden
8-31-10
Categories: SD Political Blog MegaMix
You're finding out what the Rapid City Tea Party f...
Madville Times: Latest Comments - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 9:06pm
You're finding out what the Rapid City Tea Party folks knew a year ago: he's not only not a viable candidate, he's not a good candidate.
Marking came alongside the Tea Party movement early on, and we were friendly toward him. We allowed him to sell his book at one of our events, and I bought a copy. But once we started to learn about his campaign agenda, we quickly saw that we couldn't support it.
Our founders created a republic, not a democracy. We created a nation where the people learn about the values of the candidates and vote for the one we believe will best reflect our own values in office. We created a system of government with a written constitution which establishes the parameters of what can and what cannot be done in government, and we require each elected official to swear fealty and obedience to that written constitution.
We didn't create a puppet or tool of the mob who professes no values of their own, someone who pledges themselves to go with the whim of the mob (those who choose to make their voice known to their puppet, that is) regardless of whether it is constitutional or moral.
This is part of why Marking lacks passion and enthusiasm, as you so deftly pointed out. He is an empty vessel, waiting to be filled with the will and passions of his constituents. He has nothing to get passionate or enthusiastic about at this point because he has not been told by his constituents via the electronic puppet strings of how he should vote.
He's not a bad guy. He's just a guy who insists on doing democracy in a republic, and it doesn't fit.
I'll never stop with the personal friction, John, ...
Madville Times: Latest Comments - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 7:28pm
I'll never stop with the personal friction, John, but I wouldn't mind a motorbike for some other trips.
I'm thinking you should stop with the friction and...
Madville Times: Latest Comments - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 6:45pm
I'm thinking you should stop with the friction and get yourself a motorcycle.
Another point worth mentioning here is Troy's asse...
Madville Times: Latest Comments - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 5:48pm
Another point worth mentioning here is Troy's assertion that everything in the universe has to have a cause. Check me here, but I think there are things in the known universe that don't have a cause, as far as we can tell. Radiation, for example. The physics taxes me beyond my small mind's ability to comprehend it fully, but from what I can get, there isn't any "cause" when it comes to electrons resulting from beta decay, for example. It's basically stuff coming out of nowhere.
Very good point, Carl. One interesting thing is th...
Madville Times: Latest Comments - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 5:27pm
Very good point, Carl. One interesting thing is that many of us think we have a grasp on what infinite means, or at least have some vague general notion.
We don't. Thanks to recent current political events, we have a relatively good idea about what "20 trillion" might mean, and would probably guess that 20 trillion is closer to infinity than, oh say "5" or "3,762" is.
It's not. Neither is "five billion trillion."
Compared to infinity, any finite number at all is infinitesimally small. For all practical purposes, "3" and 1,000,000,000,000 (a trillion) compared to infinity, would be approximately the same size (if taken as a percentage of the whole, for example).
From Carl Gooley in New Jersey: What a thoughtful...
Madville Times: Latest Comments - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 2:35pm
From Carl Gooley in New Jersey:
What a thoughtful dialog, with respect to one another shown and deserved.
I will add one exception to one of Troy's thoughts about the unreasonable confluence (Occam's Razor) of events that allow creatures (us) to try to understand our universe .
Troy uses the word "infinite" to quantify the number of physical constants that must be as they are to allow us to exist. There are a great many of these factors, but I believe they can be measured at well less than a hundred. Still almost mind-boggling, but just within grasp. An infinite number would lead me, and maybe others, to give up trying to understand.
Pull the Plug on Marking
Madville Times - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 2:32pm
I am hard on third-party candidates because I hope for so much from them. As a blogger and even as a Democrat, I believe we'd have much livelier and more instructive election discussions and debates if we had a viable third party, or at least a sufficiently strong Independent movement that would offer voters alternatives to the status quo. And I can't help rooting for underdogs.
I cast my first Presidential vote for H. Ross Perot. He fired up millions of supporters, entered the popular lexicon (remember the giant sucking sound?), and won nearly 19% of the popular vote. He had lots of facts and figures handy, and he was excited to talk about them. Plus, he used charts (and still does!). Perot came across as if he'd done his homework and was ready to do the job. Perot's running mate, the venerable Admiral James Bond Stockdale, alas, presented himself as shovel-ready... and not for the handle.
Listening to Independent B. Thomas Marking on SDPB's Dakota Midday yesterday, I heard more Stockdale than Perot. If passion and enthusiasm are suddenly anathema to good politics, then Marking ought to be the GOP's favorite. Not once did Marking sound fired up about his campaign or this 30 minutes of free air time to reach voters statewide. Marking gave his usual brief answers. That's a plus in some settings, but not in campaign mode. Every time a reporter asks you a question, you need to give an answer that shows how deeply you've thought through the issue. You need to tie that question into your preferred key messages and hit them hard. You need to own the airtime, own the microphone, talk like you are the boss. Instead, Marking comes across as a nice enough gentleman on the street, surprised to be interrupted by some reporter asking him political questions, and eager to return to his daily stroll.
Marking also has a bad habit of dodging questions. He doesn't dodge creatively. He doesn't buffalo or bluster to make listeners forget some uncomfortable question and come away remembering that he sounded smart and tough. Marking just declines to answer. He did it at the Sioux Empire Fair House debate. He did it Thursday on the radio. He declined to answer a listener question about helping people pay for long-term care because his mother was listening and is facing long-term questions herself. What, is Marking planning to put old folks on ice floes and doesn't want Mom to see it coming?
Come on, B. Thomas, that long-term care question is exactly the kind of question you should answer. It's a golden opportunity to show you understand the policy problem on a personal level. That's why your opponent Kristi Noem beats the drum on estate tax, because she has what sounds like a compelling personal narrative to tell. (Actually, given that the details of her story don't add up and that Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin has a better plan with more deficit responsibility, Noem might want to drop it... but that's another post!)
Marking also failed to answer a question about economic stimulus. He mouthed the armchair quarterback points anyone could get from two minutes reading the KELO forums. When SDPB host Paul Guggenheimer asked Marking for specific ways he would use the stimulus money better, Marking had nothing. He mumbled something about having to consult with economic experts. Bonk. It's September. If you haven't already consulted with economic experts and come up with some alternatives to the economic stimulus, you're not ready for the job of U.S. Congressman.
The rest of Marking's statements are more regurgitation. He toots the national 30% sales tax horn, like every other casual Libertarian radio listener. He says a national sales tax would be better than income and other taxes, because (paraphrasing) we would shift taxes away from investment and savings and all the things that make the economy grow and instead tax consumption. Never mind that consumer spending makes up two-thirds of the economy. Never mind that a national sales tax opens Social Security to more fraud and removes the same amount of money from the market economy as the current system (if not more). Marking just hears "Fair Tax" and thinks it must be good.
Even on his single best (his only) distinguishing idea, the online referendum, Marking shows a disappointing superficiality of thought. Guggenheimer asks how an online referendum differs from the current system of just writing or calling your Congressperson. Marking says (paraphrasing) that calls and letters give a distorted view of the general feeling of the population. Marking never confronts the obvious: implement an online referendum in Congress, and interested parties will wage concerted get-out-the-vote efforts, just as they do now with online polls and real elections. A random sample would likely give a better view of the general feeling of the population than Marking's online referendum... and Marking doesn't seem to get that.
I advocated for B. Thomas Marking to be included in all of the debates, hoping he would be a butt-kicker. Alas, he's not getting his boots off the ground. He's not showing the doubled fire in the belly he needs to make up for the inherent disadvantages of third-party/non-party status. He's not making the most of his media appearances to make headlines and drive the conversation. And he's not demonstrating any defining or deep grasp of the issues that promises great contributions to the election discourse.
Marking isn't ready for Congress. He's not even ready for a great quixotic campaign that would stir up the electorate and worry the frontrunners.
If you want to be a good third-party candidate, you don't have to be Ross Perot. But don't hang around being James Stockdale. B-Thom, save your money, quit now, and enjoy autumn in the Hills with your family.
Categories: SD Political Blog MegaMix
Pull the Plug on Marking
Madville Times: Latest Posts - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 2:32pm
I am hard on third-party candidates because I hope for so much from them. As a blogger and even as a Democrat, I believe we'd have much livelier and more instructive election discussions and debates if we had a viable third party, or at least a sufficiently strong Independent movement that would offer voters alternatives to the status quo. And I can't help rooting for underdogs.
I cast my first Presidential vote for H. Ross Perot. He fired up millions of supporters, entered the popular lexicon (remember the giant sucking sound?), and won nearly 19% of the popular vote. He had lots of facts and figures handy, and he was excited to talk about them. Plus, he used charts (and still does!). Perot came across as if he'd done his homework and was ready to do the job. Perot's running mate, the venerable Admiral James Bond Stockdale, alas, presented himself as shovel-ready... and not for the handle.
Listening to Independent B. Thomas Marking on SDPB's Dakota Midday yesterday, I heard more Stockdale than Perot. If passion and enthusiasm are suddenly anathema to good politics, then Marking ought to be the GOP's favorite. Not once did Marking sound fired up about his campaign or this 30 minutes of free air time to reach voters statewide. Marking gave his usual brief answers. That's a plus in some settings, but not in campaign mode. Every time a reporter asks you a question, you need to give an answer that shows how deeply you've thought through the issue. You need to tie that question into your preferred key messages and hit them hard. You need to own the airtime, own the microphone, talk like you are the boss. Instead, Marking comes across as a nice enough gentleman on the street, surprised to be interrupted by some reporter asking him political questions, and eager to return to his daily stroll.
Marking also has a bad habit of dodging questions. He doesn't dodge creatively. He doesn't buffalo or bluster to make listeners forget some uncomfortable question and come away remembering that he sounded smart and tough. Marking just declines to answer. He did it at the Sioux Empire Fair House debate. He did it Thursday on the radio. He declined to answer a listener question about helping people pay for long-term care because his mother was listening and is facing long-term questions herself. What, is Marking planning to put old folks on ice floes and doesn't want Mom to see it coming?
Come on, B. Thomas, that long-term care question is exactly the kind of question you should answer. It's a golden opportunity to show you understand the policy problem on a personal level. That's why your opponent Kristi Noem beats the drum on estate tax, because she has what sounds like a compelling personal narrative to tell. (Actually, given that the details of her story don't add up and that Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin has a better plan with more deficit responsibility, Noem might want to drop it... but that's another post!)
Marking also failed to answer a question about economic stimulus. He mouthed the armchair quarterback points anyone could get from two minutes reading the KELO forums. When SDPB host Paul Guggenheimer asked Marking for specific ways he would use the stimulus money better, Marking had nothing. He mumbled something about having to consult with economic experts. Bonk. It's September. If you haven't already consulted with economic experts and come up with some alternatives to the economic stimulus, you're not ready for the job of U.S. Congressman.
The rest of Marking's statements are more regurgitation. He toots the national 30% sales tax horn, like every other casual Libertarian radio listener. He says a national sales tax would be better than income and other taxes, because (paraphrasing) we would shift taxes away from investment and savings and all the things that make the economy grow and instead tax consumption. Never mind that consumer spending makes up two-thirds of the economy. Never mind that a national sales tax opens Social Security to more fraud and removes the same amount of money from the market economy as the current system (if not more). Marking just hears "Fair Tax" and thinks it must be good.
Even on his single best (his only) distinguishing idea, the online referendum, Marking shows a disappointing superficiality of thought. Guggenheimer asks how an online referendum differs from the current system of just writing or calling your Congressperson. Marking says (paraphrasing) that calls and letters give a distorted view of the general feeling of the population. Marking never confronts the obvious: implement an online referendum in Congress, and interested parties will wage concerted get-out-the-vote efforts, just as they do now with online polls and real elections. A random sample would likely give a better view of the general feeling of the population than Marking's online referendum... and Marking doesn't seem to get that.
I advocated for B. Thomas Marking to be included in all of the debates, hoping he would be a butt-kicker. Alas, he's not getting his boots off the ground. He's not showing the doubled fire in the belly he needs to make up for the inherent disadvantages of third-party/non-party status. He's not making the most of his media appearances to make headlines and drive the conversation. And he's not demonstrating any defining or deep grasp of the issues that promises great contributions to the election discourse.
Marking isn't ready for Congress. He's not even ready for a great quixotic campaign that would stir up the electorate and worry the frontrunners.
If you want to be a good third-party candidate, you don't have to be Ross Perot. But don't hang around being James Stockdale. B-Thom, save your money, quit now, and enjoy autumn in the Hills with your family.
Isn't that dualism, Troy?
Madville Times: Latest Comments - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 2:15pm
Isn't that dualism, Troy?
I see Mike Wagner is still whining about his ex-wi...
Madville Times: Latest Comments - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 2:09pm
I see Mike Wagner is still whining about his ex-wife. The fact that everyone from Senator Johnson to numerous judges agree that the kids are better off with the mother having custody should tell Mikey something.
Get a grip dude. You need professional mental help.
Bill, Alot smarter people than I have discussed t...
Madville Times: Latest Comments - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 1:38pm
Bill,
Alot smarter people than I have discussed these items:
God is the "uncaused Cause."
Just because God needs no cause, the universe does.
God is before time and outside both time and space. And yes, there was no time before He made the universe.
Pretty basic theology here Bill. Did you mean to throw these softballs up?
Basically to grasp all this, the best book I've ever read on this is "Knowledge of the Holy" by Tozer.
There are a couple of logic problems with the "fir...
Madville Times: Latest Comments - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 11:02am
There are a couple of logic problems with the "first cause" argument, the most cogent being okay, then who caused God? And the reciprocal: if God doesn't need a cause, neither does the universe.
Another is a flaw in the assertion, having to with time.
If space/time began at the beginning of the universe, there was no "time before that."
Now that the Pavilion has killed SEAC, they will use the extra tax dollars to propagandize the joint
SD Blog Mix - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 10:51am
What a wonderful show idea on channel 16. Let's tell you about all the elitist events at our joint that you can't afford to attend, and let's use your tax dollars to rub it in;
In this episode of PavNow, we introduce you to Pavilion President Larry Toll, who talks about the programs and organizations that comprise the Washington Pavilion.
Then we preview upcoming events taking place at The Mary W. Sommervold Hall; including Legally Blonde the Musical, and Spring Awakening.
We also take a look at the exhibits currently on display at the Visual Arts Center, and movies now playing at the Cinedome.
I love the ‘Sanford and Son' intro music.
One color at the Beck rally. White.
SD Blog Mix - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 10:43am
Oh, there was a black man selling flags.
Click here to view the embedded video.Poetry club w/ Charles Luden
SD Blog Mix - Fri, 09/03/2010 - 10:37am
I was laughing at the old folks
bumping their grocery carts
down the isle at Sunshine
then when I got home noticed
in the mirror I have gray hair too
Charles Luden
8-31-10
