While I'm sure there is more than meets the eye, it seems as though the Big 3 automakers are serious about needing this help. Last month, the executives of Ford, GM, and Chrysler were criticized heavily for traveling to Washington in corporate jets to ask for help from the government. They appear to have taken it seriously.
Since then, Ford has made plans to sell ALL of their planes, GM over half. In addition, the executives of all 3 companies have agreed to work for a dollar next year if the government provides them with the loans they need.
While these are great first steps, I feel there is one more action that they need to take. They need to alleviate the problem that got them into this mess to begin with. The reason that our companies are failing is because while Asia's car companies are busy manufacturing hybrids and fuel-efficient cars (except Toyota for some reason), ours are running non-stop ads about how they've built the new record-breaker for "Biggest Freakin Car Ever Made."
They haven't yet figured out that while there are a few holdouts, it's time to start making smaller, cleaner cars. The 1990's SUV craze has faded to all but nothing. I think Congress needs to take advantage of this. They have the auto-industry by the sack and they should exploit that. Tell them they can have their bailout as soon as they promise to cut SUV production by 90%. As soon as they promise to increase their fleet average to 33 mpg.
They're at the mercy of the people. It's time to do what's right.
2008-12-02
2008-11-21
Auto Industry Bail Out
I don't care if millions of jobs depend on it. I feel bad for those people, yes, but I say let them go under. I have a car already and it gets great mileage. I'll be happy to buy a Japanese car. The prices should go down anyway :)
In the same way that our banks needed huge bailouts when they made loans to people that could never afford them, our auto industry now needs a huge bailout because they, too, can't figure out how to run a business.
You may not have noticed, but the gas prices kinda sucked for the past 2 years. Yet rather than take the hint and start making some cars that got decent mileage and maybe didn't suck for the environment, Ford made it a personal challenge to see how massive of a truck they could build and still sell. So while Honda and Toyota have shifted toward more fuel efficient and green cars, every last American automaker continues to pride themselves on having the largest SUV ever made.
Then they put out ads "Gets an amazing 24 mpg highway!" My car can get 24 mpg in first gear. 24 mpg is not good. I don't care if it's "good for an SUV." You shouldn't be driving an SUV and you should be ashamed of yourself if you do. You don't need it. Get over it.
Luckily, more and more people are starting to do the right thing and trade in their tanks for an actual car. There are still a few holdouts that are stupid enough to believe that SUVs are "safer because they're bigger." But those people are stupid, and they'll die some other way anyway. But since most people are starting to wise up, the SUV sales have tanked, yet our car companies continue to churn them out rather than get the R and D guys to start making some decent cars.
So I say let them fail. They had their chance and the market has spoken. Our free market economy means nothing if we save all the companies that the market rejects.
In the same way that our banks needed huge bailouts when they made loans to people that could never afford them, our auto industry now needs a huge bailout because they, too, can't figure out how to run a business.
You may not have noticed, but the gas prices kinda sucked for the past 2 years. Yet rather than take the hint and start making some cars that got decent mileage and maybe didn't suck for the environment, Ford made it a personal challenge to see how massive of a truck they could build and still sell. So while Honda and Toyota have shifted toward more fuel efficient and green cars, every last American automaker continues to pride themselves on having the largest SUV ever made.
Then they put out ads "Gets an amazing 24 mpg highway!" My car can get 24 mpg in first gear. 24 mpg is not good. I don't care if it's "good for an SUV." You shouldn't be driving an SUV and you should be ashamed of yourself if you do. You don't need it. Get over it.
Luckily, more and more people are starting to do the right thing and trade in their tanks for an actual car. There are still a few holdouts that are stupid enough to believe that SUVs are "safer because they're bigger." But those people are stupid, and they'll die some other way anyway. But since most people are starting to wise up, the SUV sales have tanked, yet our car companies continue to churn them out rather than get the R and D guys to start making some decent cars.
So I say let them fail. They had their chance and the market has spoken. Our free market economy means nothing if we save all the companies that the market rejects.
2008-11-16
Abstinence Only Education
For your enjoyment, I'd like to present to you my take on what it would sound like if we took the "logic" of abstinence only education, and applied it to medicine instead:
(Begin Funny)
It is God's will for people not to hurt themselves. The Bible says in 1 Cor 6:19 that your body "is a temple of the Holy Spirit". It is your duty to care for this temple. Getting hurt defies the word of the Lord and mocks the church. However, children today are taught that it's okay to carelessly hurt themselves, because we have defied God by training people how to correct the situation, through medical school. By teaching people how to treat injuries, we only encourage kids to hurt themselves, because we take away the consequences of their actions. The best course of action, and the one that God would want, is to do away with emergency rooms, and instead tell children to simply not hurt themselves. It is what God wants of us.
My children should not have to be subjected to this secular talk of "pain medication" and "stitches". These are tools of temptation, all but begging children to get hurt, knowing that some doctor will come along and make it seem as though their sin never took place. With the advent of the internet, children are far too able to come across horrific images like those portrayed in Jackass.
I propose instead that we ask children to take a pledge. Let them know that the truly cool kids are the ones that stay off the jungle gym. The ones that walk carefully on the concrete and don't play football without pads. That just because they see Hollywood portraying graphic images of snowboarding and bicycling in movies, doesn't mean that they have to be a part of it. We will distribute necklaces with Band-Aid charms to remind kids anytime they are tempted to do something dangerous, they instead remember to go inside and read a book.
Children should know that outdoor activity is the leading cause of bleeding, sweating, dehydration, and other maladies. They should be told that doctors can't actually fix anyone, and that this is only a myth perpetuated by X-Gamers and the liberal media.
(End Funny)
I feel that analogies are a very effective way to demonstrate a point. A lot of my friends usually find them funny and interesting. So there's one for you to think about.
It's not the best one I've ever written, but I think you see my point. Abstinence-only education is incredibly irresponsible and utopian. Neglecting the obvious stupidity of forcing your own beliefs on everyone else (something Christians are very very good at), it's just irresponsible to actively deprive children of information. Some day this stupid culture will go away.
(Begin Funny)
It is God's will for people not to hurt themselves. The Bible says in 1 Cor 6:19 that your body "is a temple of the Holy Spirit". It is your duty to care for this temple. Getting hurt defies the word of the Lord and mocks the church. However, children today are taught that it's okay to carelessly hurt themselves, because we have defied God by training people how to correct the situation, through medical school. By teaching people how to treat injuries, we only encourage kids to hurt themselves, because we take away the consequences of their actions. The best course of action, and the one that God would want, is to do away with emergency rooms, and instead tell children to simply not hurt themselves. It is what God wants of us.
My children should not have to be subjected to this secular talk of "pain medication" and "stitches". These are tools of temptation, all but begging children to get hurt, knowing that some doctor will come along and make it seem as though their sin never took place. With the advent of the internet, children are far too able to come across horrific images like those portrayed in Jackass.
I propose instead that we ask children to take a pledge. Let them know that the truly cool kids are the ones that stay off the jungle gym. The ones that walk carefully on the concrete and don't play football without pads. That just because they see Hollywood portraying graphic images of snowboarding and bicycling in movies, doesn't mean that they have to be a part of it. We will distribute necklaces with Band-Aid charms to remind kids anytime they are tempted to do something dangerous, they instead remember to go inside and read a book.
Children should know that outdoor activity is the leading cause of bleeding, sweating, dehydration, and other maladies. They should be told that doctors can't actually fix anyone, and that this is only a myth perpetuated by X-Gamers and the liberal media.
(End Funny)
I feel that analogies are a very effective way to demonstrate a point. A lot of my friends usually find them funny and interesting. So there's one for you to think about.
It's not the best one I've ever written, but I think you see my point. Abstinence-only education is incredibly irresponsible and utopian. Neglecting the obvious stupidity of forcing your own beliefs on everyone else (something Christians are very very good at), it's just irresponsible to actively deprive children of information. Some day this stupid culture will go away.
2008-11-11
California Proposition 8, the Epilogue
So, my fears were justified, and California passed Proposition 8. Growing up in the uberChristian-infested South, I always envisioned California as a place that we could look forward to being someday. Full of complete douchebags, but douchebags with the right view on the world.
I figured this time, it was time for California to prove itself. To shoot down this affront to equality. But they failed.
It is a strange issue, gay marriage. You will never hear me say that someone isn't entitled to disagree with the concept of it, because after all, that's just opinion. But gay marriage is unique in that millions of people want to keep it from happening....for no reason at all.
It is obvious why conservatives and liberals differ on the view of taxes and the economy. Each side has great impacts on many many people. At least abortion opponents have a good point in saying that abortion takes away a life. I don't agree, but it's certainly a good and valid point.
But gay marriage is special in that it harms no one, yet half the country is still incredibly against it. No one is forcing anyone to be gay, and no one is forcing a church to perform the ceremony. Simply some basic legal rights in the eyes of the law. The kind of legal rights that are guaranteed to us all in our Constitution.
The sanctity of marriage thing is the biggest joke ever told, I think. You have rednecks talking about how gay people want to take away the sacred institution of man and wife, while they're in mid-backswing to smack their wife for the 8th time today. You talk about traditional marriage and saving it, as you're signing the papers to divorce your 3rd wife.
Kids left in single parent households, forced to watch their mothers beaten senseless for burning dinner, and constantly wondering why they keep getting new daddies. And THOSE are the privileged kids who got to grow up in "straight households". Pity those poor kids in gay households who had to watch their two gay parents cook them a nice meal together.
Bottom line: There is no argument that you could even START to form against gay marriage that didn't start quoting scripture within 20 seconds. And that's fine. That's your faith. But it's not everyone's.
Get used to it.
I figured this time, it was time for California to prove itself. To shoot down this affront to equality. But they failed.
It is a strange issue, gay marriage. You will never hear me say that someone isn't entitled to disagree with the concept of it, because after all, that's just opinion. But gay marriage is unique in that millions of people want to keep it from happening....for no reason at all.
It is obvious why conservatives and liberals differ on the view of taxes and the economy. Each side has great impacts on many many people. At least abortion opponents have a good point in saying that abortion takes away a life. I don't agree, but it's certainly a good and valid point.
But gay marriage is special in that it harms no one, yet half the country is still incredibly against it. No one is forcing anyone to be gay, and no one is forcing a church to perform the ceremony. Simply some basic legal rights in the eyes of the law. The kind of legal rights that are guaranteed to us all in our Constitution.
The sanctity of marriage thing is the biggest joke ever told, I think. You have rednecks talking about how gay people want to take away the sacred institution of man and wife, while they're in mid-backswing to smack their wife for the 8th time today. You talk about traditional marriage and saving it, as you're signing the papers to divorce your 3rd wife.
Kids left in single parent households, forced to watch their mothers beaten senseless for burning dinner, and constantly wondering why they keep getting new daddies. And THOSE are the privileged kids who got to grow up in "straight households". Pity those poor kids in gay households who had to watch their two gay parents cook them a nice meal together.
Bottom line: There is no argument that you could even START to form against gay marriage that didn't start quoting scripture within 20 seconds. And that's fine. That's your faith. But it's not everyone's.
Get used to it.
2008-11-09
Increased Gun Sales
So, perhaps you've heard this. Perhaps you haven't. You're going to now.
Gun sales have skyrocketed nationwide since Barack Obama was elected president. Why, you may ask? Pretty obvious. There are an awful lot of morons in this country who have, for some reason, convinced themselves that in the midst of an economic crisis and an international war, Obama's first priority is to take away your guns.
Why exactly they've all got this in their heads, I have no idea. I'm guessing it's because they really don't have anything else to be paranoid about, and they simply can't bring themselves to admit that he might actually be a good president.
I suppose I can't be surprised though. 1 in 20 people in this election said race was the "single most important" issue to them. 15% of people actually thought Obama was a Muslim terrorist. Way back in 1999 when I was taking US History in high school, we used to look back at some of the more interesting chapters in American history. It is entertaining to think how history books will write about the world that we live in today. In 2040, will children open a book to read about the "Gun Hoarding Craze" of 2008, when thousands of people started stockpiling firearms to prepare for the apocalypse that showed no signs of coming?
I am no fan of George Bush, and 75% of the country is with me on that one. So, it would be hypocritical of me to say no one should disapprove of Barack Obama or his policies. However, there is a very major difference between Bush and Obama. Bush actually proved that he has no business being president. I did not hate him on Day 1. He earned it.
What IS abominable is saying that our country is headed down the wrong path by electing Obama, without knowing anything about him short of what some campaign ads told you.
But again I say: It doesn't matter. We have always lived around crazy people, but now we are the ones with the voice. Not them. After 8 years of absolute failure and monumental steps in the wrong direction, it is time for THEM to sit back and watch how a country should be run. Powerless to impose their misguided beliefs on us, just as we have been impotent since 2001. Change has come.
So stockpile your guns. Fill your houses with bullets and your head with propaganda. Just be sure to leave some room in your mouth for your foot. You'll be needing it in about 4 years.
Gun sales have skyrocketed nationwide since Barack Obama was elected president. Why, you may ask? Pretty obvious. There are an awful lot of morons in this country who have, for some reason, convinced themselves that in the midst of an economic crisis and an international war, Obama's first priority is to take away your guns.
Why exactly they've all got this in their heads, I have no idea. I'm guessing it's because they really don't have anything else to be paranoid about, and they simply can't bring themselves to admit that he might actually be a good president.
I suppose I can't be surprised though. 1 in 20 people in this election said race was the "single most important" issue to them. 15% of people actually thought Obama was a Muslim terrorist. Way back in 1999 when I was taking US History in high school, we used to look back at some of the more interesting chapters in American history. It is entertaining to think how history books will write about the world that we live in today. In 2040, will children open a book to read about the "Gun Hoarding Craze" of 2008, when thousands of people started stockpiling firearms to prepare for the apocalypse that showed no signs of coming?
I am no fan of George Bush, and 75% of the country is with me on that one. So, it would be hypocritical of me to say no one should disapprove of Barack Obama or his policies. However, there is a very major difference between Bush and Obama. Bush actually proved that he has no business being president. I did not hate him on Day 1. He earned it.
What IS abominable is saying that our country is headed down the wrong path by electing Obama, without knowing anything about him short of what some campaign ads told you.
But again I say: It doesn't matter. We have always lived around crazy people, but now we are the ones with the voice. Not them. After 8 years of absolute failure and monumental steps in the wrong direction, it is time for THEM to sit back and watch how a country should be run. Powerless to impose their misguided beliefs on us, just as we have been impotent since 2001. Change has come.
So stockpile your guns. Fill your houses with bullets and your head with propaganda. Just be sure to leave some room in your mouth for your foot. You'll be needing it in about 4 years.
2008-11-07
Affirmative Action
So a downside to Tuesday's great results:
While I'm quite pleased with Colorado turning so bright and blue on Tuesday, I am saddened by our failure to finally get rid of affirmative action once and for all. Four other states passed similar measures, but ours very narrowly failed.
I realize that at one point, affirmative action was necessary to give people equal standing, especially minorities. However, I truly believe that those days are gone. Is racism still around? Of course, and it always will be. Jesse Jackson isn't doing much to help the situation. However, I don't believe that it translates to the workforce or education to the level that a legal solution is required. I'm sure that there is the occasional CEO that doesn't promote a woman or a black man because of some deep-seeded racism or sexism, but affirmative action isn't going to change that.
Instead, you have what is quite literally reverse racism/sexism. Preferring one race or gender over another is still prejudice, no matter who benefits. Let us not forget that men are the minority in the US and in the world as a whole, yet from a young age we are programmed to believe that we should feel sorry for women because we've been oppressing them so much.
That was true at one time (1919 and before). It is not any more. At least not on such a scale that legal recourse is needed. I would be willing to bet that for every man that doesn't hire a woman, there is another woman who doesn't hire a man because she feels like she's doing something for the female gender.
No one actually benefits from this outdated policy. As a white man, I have to live with the fact that no matter how hard I work, or how much I achieve, there is the very real possibility that I won't get the job I want simply because of my gender/skin color. There is no "men in science" scholarship. No "United Caucasian College Fund". And there never will be.
How could any black person or woman actually support this idea that anything you achieve might just be because of a handicap? That society is telling you "Here's a little help. We know you're not good enough to do it on your own." If there are fewer women in science, it's because there are fewer women trying to be in science, not because of some male-dominated conspiracy to keep the women out. What possible motive could the scientific community have in keeping women out of it?
Our country has had some bad chapters in its history. White men have certainly done their fair share of screwing over everyone else. But we need to realize that while there are still remnants every now and then, it is a closed chapter, and it will not get any better than this. It is time to stop being apologetic and overcompensating by screwing over the other side instead for a while. Two wrongs do not make a right.
We just elected a black president, and 47% of the country voted for a female vice-president. I'd say we've come far enough, wouldn't you?
While I'm quite pleased with Colorado turning so bright and blue on Tuesday, I am saddened by our failure to finally get rid of affirmative action once and for all. Four other states passed similar measures, but ours very narrowly failed.
I realize that at one point, affirmative action was necessary to give people equal standing, especially minorities. However, I truly believe that those days are gone. Is racism still around? Of course, and it always will be. Jesse Jackson isn't doing much to help the situation. However, I don't believe that it translates to the workforce or education to the level that a legal solution is required. I'm sure that there is the occasional CEO that doesn't promote a woman or a black man because of some deep-seeded racism or sexism, but affirmative action isn't going to change that.
Instead, you have what is quite literally reverse racism/sexism. Preferring one race or gender over another is still prejudice, no matter who benefits. Let us not forget that men are the minority in the US and in the world as a whole, yet from a young age we are programmed to believe that we should feel sorry for women because we've been oppressing them so much.
That was true at one time (1919 and before). It is not any more. At least not on such a scale that legal recourse is needed. I would be willing to bet that for every man that doesn't hire a woman, there is another woman who doesn't hire a man because she feels like she's doing something for the female gender.
No one actually benefits from this outdated policy. As a white man, I have to live with the fact that no matter how hard I work, or how much I achieve, there is the very real possibility that I won't get the job I want simply because of my gender/skin color. There is no "men in science" scholarship. No "United Caucasian College Fund". And there never will be.
How could any black person or woman actually support this idea that anything you achieve might just be because of a handicap? That society is telling you "Here's a little help. We know you're not good enough to do it on your own." If there are fewer women in science, it's because there are fewer women trying to be in science, not because of some male-dominated conspiracy to keep the women out. What possible motive could the scientific community have in keeping women out of it?
Our country has had some bad chapters in its history. White men have certainly done their fair share of screwing over everyone else. But we need to realize that while there are still remnants every now and then, it is a closed chapter, and it will not get any better than this. It is time to stop being apologetic and overcompensating by screwing over the other side instead for a while. Two wrongs do not make a right.
We just elected a black president, and 47% of the country voted for a female vice-president. I'd say we've come far enough, wouldn't you?
2008-11-06
Why One Nation, but Not One World?
Let's start this post with a couple of basic assumptions that I think we can agree on.
1) Most of the civilized world is absolutely elated that Bush's time is coming to an end.
2) They are nearly as excited about Obama being his successor.
With those in mind, I have some thoughts. Obama supporters are obviously excited along with the whole of Europe, Canada, and everywhere between here and the moon. McCain supporters plainly less enthusiastic about the whole thing. When the opinions of the remainder of the free world are pointed out to them, the response is typically something that boils down to "I couldn't care less what the rest of the world thinks..."
Because of 8 years of a Bush presidency, that position has been solidified as the stereotypical "American attitude toward the world." When people think of us, they think of people who are unaware of a world outside their borders, completely ignorant to the events and opinions of the rest of the planet. Now, those of us who actually live here know this to be a false stereotype. Most of us know and care a great deal about the rest of the world.
But that's not the point of this post. When 9/11 happened (and every second since) we heard nothing but "United We Stand" and how we should all think as one country and put our petty differences aside. While many (both here and abroad) would love to pretend that America wasn't part of the world, the fact is that our selection as president has a huge impact on the rest of the planet. We are a very powerful and influential country and people around the world know that. In the south, where I grew up, that was viewed as nothing more than a point of pride and bragging rights, but it comes with a responsibility.
Even though we are the only 300 million people that are privileged enough to vote for the US president, the fact is that the rest of the world deals with the consequences.
So the question I have is: Why is it so wonderful to be one united country, but so terrible to be one united world? The same people that get so overly patriotic telling us all to get behind America, will quickly turn around and tell you that the rest of the world doesn't matter.
To my friends outside the US, you're welcome. We have heard your calls, and we have responded. I know you all have as high of hopes for Barack Obama as I and 52% of us do. I truly believe with the rest of you that the next 4 years signal a change for America, not just here, but more importantly with our image abroad.
Because after all, there is nothing more valuable to national security than not getting in a fight in the first place.
1) Most of the civilized world is absolutely elated that Bush's time is coming to an end.
2) They are nearly as excited about Obama being his successor.
With those in mind, I have some thoughts. Obama supporters are obviously excited along with the whole of Europe, Canada, and everywhere between here and the moon. McCain supporters plainly less enthusiastic about the whole thing. When the opinions of the remainder of the free world are pointed out to them, the response is typically something that boils down to "I couldn't care less what the rest of the world thinks..."
Because of 8 years of a Bush presidency, that position has been solidified as the stereotypical "American attitude toward the world." When people think of us, they think of people who are unaware of a world outside their borders, completely ignorant to the events and opinions of the rest of the planet. Now, those of us who actually live here know this to be a false stereotype. Most of us know and care a great deal about the rest of the world.
But that's not the point of this post. When 9/11 happened (and every second since) we heard nothing but "United We Stand" and how we should all think as one country and put our petty differences aside. While many (both here and abroad) would love to pretend that America wasn't part of the world, the fact is that our selection as president has a huge impact on the rest of the planet. We are a very powerful and influential country and people around the world know that. In the south, where I grew up, that was viewed as nothing more than a point of pride and bragging rights, but it comes with a responsibility.
Even though we are the only 300 million people that are privileged enough to vote for the US president, the fact is that the rest of the world deals with the consequences.
So the question I have is: Why is it so wonderful to be one united country, but so terrible to be one united world? The same people that get so overly patriotic telling us all to get behind America, will quickly turn around and tell you that the rest of the world doesn't matter.
To my friends outside the US, you're welcome. We have heard your calls, and we have responded. I know you all have as high of hopes for Barack Obama as I and 52% of us do. I truly believe with the rest of you that the next 4 years signal a change for America, not just here, but more importantly with our image abroad.
Because after all, there is nothing more valuable to national security than not getting in a fight in the first place.
2008-11-03
E Pluribus Unum
You will now hear me take a stance that many would assume I would never take. The most conservative stance there is. I'm not talking about this new "conservative" where everyone just hates taxes and gay people. I'm talking about the real conservative. Where it all began.
I believe that nearly every last law or regulation in this country should be left to states to decide. There are certain fundamental things that are nearly unanimously agreed upon. It goes without saying that murder and rape should be illegal (but even these are regulated by the state, not the federal government in most cases). However, to controversial issues, I believe that TRUE conservatives are right in saying that these issues are best left to each state to decide for themselves. (Fake conservatives have recently become famous for completely reversing this position and trying to make a federal amendment banning gay marriage. See: Bush, Musgrave)
The fact that we are a nation comprised of 50 unique states is what truly sets us apart from much of the world. Sure, Mexico has states and the UK has counties, but you could never tell when you were there. A good portion of people in the UK couldn't even tell you what county Birmingham was in (West Midlands). But if you drive from Colorado to Utah, you will most certainly know it. You will start by noticing that a new flag flies and the speed limit changes. You will then go the store and notice a totally different tax structure. You will then try to buy alcohol at 7:02 pm and be unable to do so, even though liquor stores are open for 5 more hours, just 30 feet behind you across that invisible line that separates Colorado and Utah. You will go from a place that will vote Obama tomorrow, to a place that bleeds red for McCain.
It is the coexistance of those 50 "countries" that make us a great nation. That if you don't like the place you live, you simply pack up and move a few hundred miles and you're in a new world. No passports required, no visas, no new currency, and nearly the same language. We can fully embrace this idea by allowing each state to truly follow what it believes. I'm very much a proponent of gay marriage and a woman's right to choose, but if Alabama doesn't want to be, then they shouldn't have to be. Over time, people will relocate based on their preference, and the culture will shape itself, based solely on who moves where.
I often hear people say, "Well, if I'm gay, I shouldn't have to move just to be somewhere that accepts me." Why wouldn't you want to? Our ancestors were sick of England (for good reason; the weather sucks). They came over here on a wooden plank of a ship that took weeks to cross. I don't care how poor you think you are. You can relocate to Oregon for a minute if it means getting an abortion without a coat hanger.
I always liked the idea of living in Oklahoma, with a low cost of living, but being able to drive to Kansas for lottery tickets because we just didn't have one. (Oklahoma did finally join the 21st century in 2004 and adopt a lottery.)
It is states' rights that sets us apart in the world, that keeps us from being just another nationalized chunk of land where all people are forced to agree on everything. Our country was founded on dissonance and disagreement, and those values should be cherished.
It's written on all of our money.
E Pluribus Unum: One out of many.
Embrace it.
I believe that nearly every last law or regulation in this country should be left to states to decide. There are certain fundamental things that are nearly unanimously agreed upon. It goes without saying that murder and rape should be illegal (but even these are regulated by the state, not the federal government in most cases). However, to controversial issues, I believe that TRUE conservatives are right in saying that these issues are best left to each state to decide for themselves. (Fake conservatives have recently become famous for completely reversing this position and trying to make a federal amendment banning gay marriage. See: Bush, Musgrave)
The fact that we are a nation comprised of 50 unique states is what truly sets us apart from much of the world. Sure, Mexico has states and the UK has counties, but you could never tell when you were there. A good portion of people in the UK couldn't even tell you what county Birmingham was in (West Midlands). But if you drive from Colorado to Utah, you will most certainly know it. You will start by noticing that a new flag flies and the speed limit changes. You will then go the store and notice a totally different tax structure. You will then try to buy alcohol at 7:02 pm and be unable to do so, even though liquor stores are open for 5 more hours, just 30 feet behind you across that invisible line that separates Colorado and Utah. You will go from a place that will vote Obama tomorrow, to a place that bleeds red for McCain.
It is the coexistance of those 50 "countries" that make us a great nation. That if you don't like the place you live, you simply pack up and move a few hundred miles and you're in a new world. No passports required, no visas, no new currency, and nearly the same language. We can fully embrace this idea by allowing each state to truly follow what it believes. I'm very much a proponent of gay marriage and a woman's right to choose, but if Alabama doesn't want to be, then they shouldn't have to be. Over time, people will relocate based on their preference, and the culture will shape itself, based solely on who moves where.
I often hear people say, "Well, if I'm gay, I shouldn't have to move just to be somewhere that accepts me." Why wouldn't you want to? Our ancestors were sick of England (for good reason; the weather sucks). They came over here on a wooden plank of a ship that took weeks to cross. I don't care how poor you think you are. You can relocate to Oregon for a minute if it means getting an abortion without a coat hanger.
I always liked the idea of living in Oklahoma, with a low cost of living, but being able to drive to Kansas for lottery tickets because we just didn't have one. (Oklahoma did finally join the 21st century in 2004 and adopt a lottery.)
It is states' rights that sets us apart in the world, that keeps us from being just another nationalized chunk of land where all people are forced to agree on everything. Our country was founded on dissonance and disagreement, and those values should be cherished.
It's written on all of our money.
E Pluribus Unum: One out of many.
Embrace it.
2008-10-23
Call Me Unpatriotic...
You know what? I know you're not supposed to say this, but when it comes to baseball's 7th inning stretch, I don't give a crap about September 11th. For decades, it has been one of baseball's most sacred traditions to sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game during the stretch. As traditional as Cracker Jack and the first pitch. And then 9/11 happens and all of a sudden everything televised becomes a "How Patriotic Can You Be?" contest. Now, you have about 4 ballparks that still sing Take Me Out and 27 that sing God Bless America.
It's not unpatriotic to cling to your country's traditions rather than change them to seem heartwarming. In fact, I would argue that it shows our weakness in how easily our emotions can be swung around like a rag doll. In the next 100 years, every day will be a national holiday, there will be a memorial of some kind every 2 miles, and sporting events will become a concert of "patriotic" anthems.
This overpatriotism has gotten to the point that it's actually bringing us down. There are actually people in the USA that claim they are not voting for Barack Obama because one time he didn't have a little flag pin on. Do you have a flag pin on? Last time I checked, we elected a President for their ability to lead, not their ability to cry everytime someone says "America."
Slightly related note: The Star Spangled Banner has actual music...sheet music. And a prescribed tempo. It is not a mad lib where you just get to fill in whatever your "artistic soul" thinks should be there. It is meant to last 60 seconds. Not 70, not 80, and if you're the Backstreet Boys, not 257. People cry treason when someone doesn't wear a flag pin, but when they butcher our National Anthem to make themselves seem like better artists, they're just being especially patriotic?
Mob mentality is a really dangerous thing.
It's not unpatriotic to cling to your country's traditions rather than change them to seem heartwarming. In fact, I would argue that it shows our weakness in how easily our emotions can be swung around like a rag doll. In the next 100 years, every day will be a national holiday, there will be a memorial of some kind every 2 miles, and sporting events will become a concert of "patriotic" anthems.
This overpatriotism has gotten to the point that it's actually bringing us down. There are actually people in the USA that claim they are not voting for Barack Obama because one time he didn't have a little flag pin on. Do you have a flag pin on? Last time I checked, we elected a President for their ability to lead, not their ability to cry everytime someone says "America."
Slightly related note: The Star Spangled Banner has actual music...sheet music. And a prescribed tempo. It is not a mad lib where you just get to fill in whatever your "artistic soul" thinks should be there. It is meant to last 60 seconds. Not 70, not 80, and if you're the Backstreet Boys, not 257. People cry treason when someone doesn't wear a flag pin, but when they butcher our National Anthem to make themselves seem like better artists, they're just being especially patriotic?
Mob mentality is a really dangerous thing.
2008-10-21
California Proposition 8
I think the likelihood of Prop 8 passing in California is evidence that California isn't quite as progressive as they like to make everyone think they are. According to the latest poll I saw, it currently trails 53% to 44%, which gives it a slight likelihood of passing, and taking away the rights of gays to marry.
Now, I can't really fault them for how far they've come. Colorado isn't any more gay friendly than California. However, since California already allows gay marriage, this Proposition isn't a measure to move forward. They're actively voting to take a step back, to regress.
I suppose there is hope in the fact that only 53% of people want to tell gay people that they're just not quite as good as everyone else. 30 years ago that probably would have been closer to 80%. Maybe someday we'll get past this.
I maintain that gay people are the black people of the 21st century. I find it so funny that we look back on 1960 America and say "How could they possibly have treated black people like that just because of their skin color?!", and then immediately turn around and say that gay people are threatening everything we hold sacred.
We are a dumb society.
Now, I can't really fault them for how far they've come. Colorado isn't any more gay friendly than California. However, since California already allows gay marriage, this Proposition isn't a measure to move forward. They're actively voting to take a step back, to regress.
I suppose there is hope in the fact that only 53% of people want to tell gay people that they're just not quite as good as everyone else. 30 years ago that probably would have been closer to 80%. Maybe someday we'll get past this.
I maintain that gay people are the black people of the 21st century. I find it so funny that we look back on 1960 America and say "How could they possibly have treated black people like that just because of their skin color?!", and then immediately turn around and say that gay people are threatening everything we hold sacred.
We are a dumb society.
2008-10-14
Liberal Bias
You constantly hear the phrase "liberal bias" tossed around, and it's been increasing in the last...oh...8 years or so. But what does it really mean, and why is it bad? You never seem to hear "conservative bias."
The organizations and people that are most famously accused of being left-leaning are education and the media. Let us examine that for a moment. Has no one ever stopped to ask WHY that might be? What is it that causes this collection of liberal thinking people to move toward education and mass communication?
Perhaps the causality is being viewed in the wrong direction. Maybe the liberals didn't go to college. Maybe college made them liberal.
There is no arguing that there is a strong correlation between education level attained and a tendency to vote more liberally. Every census ever taken shows it. But the question is why? It is highly unlikely that only liberals go to college.
College and higher education are melting pots of different cultures, lifestyles, religions, and ideas. Going to college can quickly make you realize how different America is from the rest of the world. And more importantly, it makes you start to question whether or not that's such a great thing. The result is a person that thinks more liberally. More in favor of changing the status quo.
What is sad is that conservatives have an incredible spin machine. You have to admire their ability to say that the correlation between liberalism and education is proof that the education system is flawed. Never recognizing that the liberal demographic is made up heavily of educated people and scientists, while the conservative demographic is composed of either rich, old people, or people in trailer parks.
As for the media, here you have a group of people arguably more aware of what's going on around them than anyone else. People who truly see the entire picture because they're the ones bringing it to you. So again, you have conservatives consisting of isolated people who are convinced that the world only exists in a 20 meter radius around them. And you have liberals who actually see the whole world for what it is.
It's not a bias. It's a result.
The organizations and people that are most famously accused of being left-leaning are education and the media. Let us examine that for a moment. Has no one ever stopped to ask WHY that might be? What is it that causes this collection of liberal thinking people to move toward education and mass communication?
Perhaps the causality is being viewed in the wrong direction. Maybe the liberals didn't go to college. Maybe college made them liberal.
There is no arguing that there is a strong correlation between education level attained and a tendency to vote more liberally. Every census ever taken shows it. But the question is why? It is highly unlikely that only liberals go to college.
College and higher education are melting pots of different cultures, lifestyles, religions, and ideas. Going to college can quickly make you realize how different America is from the rest of the world. And more importantly, it makes you start to question whether or not that's such a great thing. The result is a person that thinks more liberally. More in favor of changing the status quo.
What is sad is that conservatives have an incredible spin machine. You have to admire their ability to say that the correlation between liberalism and education is proof that the education system is flawed. Never recognizing that the liberal demographic is made up heavily of educated people and scientists, while the conservative demographic is composed of either rich, old people, or people in trailer parks.
As for the media, here you have a group of people arguably more aware of what's going on around them than anyone else. People who truly see the entire picture because they're the ones bringing it to you. So again, you have conservatives consisting of isolated people who are convinced that the world only exists in a 20 meter radius around them. And you have liberals who actually see the whole world for what it is.
It's not a bias. It's a result.
2008-10-12
Sarah Palin is a Moron
There's a YouTube video making the rounds where some guy is heckling Sarah Palin, so in response, she turns to him and says "My son is in Iraq fighting for your right to protest!"
Sarah Palin is an idiot. Props to her son for fighting, I guess, but last time I checked, the remaining Iraqi insurgents were not shooting at our troops with the intention of stopping us from protesting. A guy is yelling at the woman who supports keeping our troops in their country until the end of time. Why would an insurgent want to shut that guy up?
You know, I do have a great deal of respect for people that put on the uniform, but stop trying to make it into something it's not. No one is assaulting our freedom, and hence, no one is defending it.
Sarah Palin is an idiot. Props to her son for fighting, I guess, but last time I checked, the remaining Iraqi insurgents were not shooting at our troops with the intention of stopping us from protesting. A guy is yelling at the woman who supports keeping our troops in their country until the end of time. Why would an insurgent want to shut that guy up?
You know, I do have a great deal of respect for people that put on the uniform, but stop trying to make it into something it's not. No one is assaulting our freedom, and hence, no one is defending it.
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