tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8514225095012628722024-03-14T05:58:37.749-05:00Filibuster VigilantlyBecause sometimes you need a little righteous indignation...Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-51199609673213131582009-09-17T17:42:00.010-05:002009-09-18T08:41:15.522-05:00Uncivil War: of Facebook, Race, and RepublicansM, an acquaintance from high school recently posted a query on Facebook the other day about political discussions using that platform. He had been "unfriended" by someone who disagreed with his politics. This person had posted that she agreed with President Carter that much of the antics we are currently seeing on the right and even in the Republican party are motivated by race. M apparently disagreed via online comment and was then summarily released from Facebook friendship. His question is: can you only comment on other people's political posts if you agree with them?<br /><br />Perhaps Facebook is not the best place to discuss politics. In my few months of use I have noticed that interactions there tend to be more civil than anonymous Interweb back and forth. But when it becomes uncivil it can become personal and damaging to real relationships with "real" people. (Not that real relationships can't develop on the web, but I tend to assign much higher value to those that are with people we have at one time interacted with in the flesh and blood world.)<br /><br />Now I don't know exactly how the interaction that resulted in the unfriending went, but I have to say that in the current amped up climate I am not surprised that it would lead some folks to cutting others out of their social networking circles. And to be honest it is not just the current political climate but one of simple online sanity. I have hidden the updates of one particular "frienemy" whose constant uninformed anti-Obama posts I find galling. So I just don't subject myself to them anymore. Problem solved.<br /><br />But I do want to address the toxic political climate and the question of racism on the fringe right wing of American discourse. First of all, I don't personally think that all or most of the criticism of Obama is rooted in racism. I haven't heard anyone suggest that <span style="font-style:italic;">all</span> such criticism is so inspired; that is a straw man set up by the right. But can anyone deny that racism does play a part in all the nuttiness we are currently seeing from the likes of Glen Beck, Drudge, Rush Limbaugh, and some of the 9-12 protesters carrying signs of our president dressed as an African witch doctor?<br /><br />I read John Bohrer's <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-bohrer/the-gop-is-too-crazy-to-b_b_288865.html">column</a> on Huffington Post yesterday that says it very well. The nut jobs would have been coming up with wild ass conspiracies regardless of which Democrat took the White House. But Obama's race is icing on the cake. Here's the kicker: "People like that have always been around. They will always <em>be </em>around. What's different is that a political party has never adopted them before." That's the scary part. Some of these nuts are advocating secession and violence against the government. And they are being courted by the Republican party.<br /><br />I am personally concerned that we may see another Oklahoma City. I am almost certain that we will see more wingnut-inspired violence like that which occurred at the Holocaust Museum. That these people are being encouraged by the right wing media echo chamber and even some elected officials is especially concerning, as it grants them legitimacy and broadens their reach. The mainstream used to mostly ignore these folks. The GOP seems to be less and less mainstream by the day. And all the nuttiness has drowned out legitimate criticism. To say the least, this is not good for the republic.<br /><br />Venting: this is not how we are supposed to do things in the United States of America! Obama and the Democratic Congress are doing no more than exactly what they campaigned on and were elected to do by the American people. If you don't like it, get someone else elected and change it. In the meantime make your views known peacefully. But don't carry your guns to town hall meetings and poison the political discourse with ridiculous made up charges involving birth certificates and death panels. Because when you do that we can't have a conversation at all.<br /><br />I put a lion's share of the blame on the right wing media. Fox News and talk radio allow the right to live in their own universe with their own facts where our president is a racist and an evil clown secret Kenyan Muslim socialist bent on taking away our freedom, indoctrinating our children, and killing our grandmothers. I know some of my family receives their information from these sources and I am angry at these folks for filling their heads with this craziness. No wonder we're unfriending each other. We're not even on the same planet.<br /><br />Edit: I hope it is obvious that I do not mean to imply that all listeners to right wing media are prone to violence. I think it is a small percentage but we are creating an environment where violent extremists can draw succor from and be encouraged by the bloviating, fear-mongering, race-baiting, and conspiratorial nature of what passes for punditry on the far right.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-56221042454373108722009-09-17T16:54:00.001-05:002009-09-17T16:54:48.728-05:00Test. So can I really post to blogger through SMS?Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-36683824441553046932009-06-03T20:25:00.002-05:002009-06-03T20:30:28.163-05:00Health care schemesFV is thrilled that we have a very good chance of getting health care reform this year. I am interested that President Obama has now said he is open to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/health/policy/04health.html?_r=1&hp">requiring individuals to purchase health insurance</a> unless they can't afford it. It kind of begs the question, don't those folks need insurance too? Perhaps they would be covered by Medicaid.<br /><br />Here's a different idea, though. Instead of requiring people to purchase insurance, why don't we just create a fair tax system such as a value added tax and then just cover everyone? It sounds so simple. But, alas, so European, that we would never do it.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-19454638762952748222009-05-23T10:28:00.006-05:002009-05-23T10:44:01.868-05:00Nation of laws? Part IIMemorial Day weekend.<br /><br />Today's NY Times headline (print version): "<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/23/us/politics/23detain.html?_r=1&hp">Obama Detention Plan Poses Fundamental Test / Lack of Trials a Challenge to Tradition</a>".<br /><br />Oh, "Challenge to Tradition" must be the new euphemism for subverting due process.<br /><br />FV was obviously a big supporter of candidate Obama, who never proposed anything like "preventive detention," being that he was a constitutional law professor and everything. And I can't sit here at my keyboard and tell you what I would do if I saw these detainees dossiers. But I do think our country is strong enough to uphold due process even for suspected terrorists.<br /><br />As I understand it, no Western democracy, even those with much more experience with terrorism than ours, allows for indefinite detention without charges or trial. This has gone on long enough. Just because you "create a legal framework" for something doesn't make it Constitutional. Or right.<br /><br />What are we becoming? Is this the country our fathers and mothers fought and died for?Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-52774922093903998522009-05-23T10:13:00.002-05:002009-05-23T10:21:20.145-05:00Nation of laws?I don't know the legal definition of treason, but perhaps torturing prisoners in order to extract false confessions to <a href="http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2009/05/14/cheney/">justify an invasion</a> might fall somewhere in there...<br /><br />Just a thought.<br /><br />Mr. Holder, appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the torture regime. It's not looking backwards; it is called upholding the rule of law. And in our democracy nobody is above the law. Or are they?Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-68587978787204721612009-01-20T13:23:00.004-06:002009-01-20T13:28:56.543-06:00Bless us and bless our new president<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kWWAnitUCw4&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kWWAnitUCw4&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />The Rt Rev Gene Robinson's invocation from Sunday's festivities. <a href="http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/faith_and_politics/gene_robinsons_prayer_for_pres.html">Full text here</a>.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-23215516060241836382008-12-29T19:56:00.005-06:002008-12-29T20:21:19.313-06:00Reverend RickSince I'm updating the blog so sporadically these days, this is going to look strange coming right after my election night post but here goes.<br /><br />I've been trying to figure out how much slack to cut President-elect Obama in his choice to have Rev. Rick Warren deliver the invocation at the inauguration. At first blush it seems to me a massive slap in the face to the GLBT folk (and their friends and family) who helped to elect him.<br /><br />Yes, it is merely symbolic. It is not policy related. And maybe I can cut him some slack on this.<br /><br />Then I read Warren's comments <a href="http://www.beliefnet.com/News/2008/12/Rick-Warren-Transcript.aspx?p=7#gaymarriage">equating homosexuality with incest and pedophilia</a>, and I read that until recently he had a message on his church's web site that an "unrepentant" homosexual could not be a member of his church.<br /><br />And I think - couldn't we have found someone else?<br /><br />The GLBT community is accustomed to being thrown under the bus at the first sign of friction, but it is almost as if the incoming administration is going out of their way to slight them with this decision. Make no mistake about it, Obama has been consistently against marriage rights for homosexuals, so perhaps we shouldn't be too surprised. But Warren has become a lightening rod to advocates of gay rights because of his disturbing statements linked above and because of his strong support for California Proposition 8.<br /><br />To invite Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the inaugural is not to encourage unity with religious conservatives - they are upset that he accepted the invitation. No, to invite Rick Warren is to say to gays and lesbians and their families, at the outset of this administration we're putting politics above civil rights and equality and there will be a powerful reminder on an otherwise joyous day that there are still second class citizens in this country.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-87892252289281986252008-11-04T23:37:00.003-06:002008-11-04T23:44:01.387-06:00SpeechlessChampagne and a few tears flowing at the FV household.<br /><br />America has made a choice and I am elated at this historic moment.<br /><br />We have a chance now to get our country back to where it needs to be. To be a beacon of democracy, equality, prosperity, brotherhood and hope to the world.<br /><br /><br />"A government of the people, by the people, and for the people <em><strong>has not </strong></em>perished from the earth." ~President-elect Barack ObamaBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-91946801783773153572008-11-03T17:01:00.003-06:002008-11-03T17:06:36.414-06:00Holding my breath for one more day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglH_oQndIJ6FFm5nEFOm_pRx41rT7IWLZsqHMOORCC3Dk2jFwGNf-_T2Pab1q2KZeRaWtuDwoK638jroSiTQdfIEim7JGsVncMvxwzJ91H0A4aDBZSzDqi3x7dUaXEUgzYzA6KBqTDgKBz/s1600-h/2231258092_43d8e672b5%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglH_oQndIJ6FFm5nEFOm_pRx41rT7IWLZsqHMOORCC3Dk2jFwGNf-_T2Pab1q2KZeRaWtuDwoK638jroSiTQdfIEim7JGsVncMvxwzJ91H0A4aDBZSzDqi3x7dUaXEUgzYzA6KBqTDgKBz/s320/2231258092_43d8e672b5%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264570986566254242" /></a><br /><br />Not much left to say. Except go out and vote!<br /><br />Madelyn Dunham RIPBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-5946281954547152282008-11-02T19:25:00.001-06:002008-11-02T19:28:34.875-06:00Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_-xPrfBNO_wRX3qYsNDeDSWRQDoveKv-0PrC29tefuQJSrVS80-LNdrMoWJVtcrnguYTlticjrKaCf2w-AKCRmZl2mULvOejVe35-SOM9oncUyGmz1lnr68K3XL9werHGu1griBxNcxH/s1600-h/292-jm110208_COLOR_Acorn_Voter_Roll_Purges_standalone_prod_affiliate_56.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_-xPrfBNO_wRX3qYsNDeDSWRQDoveKv-0PrC29tefuQJSrVS80-LNdrMoWJVtcrnguYTlticjrKaCf2w-AKCRmZl2mULvOejVe35-SOM9oncUyGmz1lnr68K3XL9werHGu1griBxNcxH/s320/292-jm110208_COLOR_Acorn_Voter_Roll_Purges_standalone_prod_affiliate_56.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264236997481416434" /></a>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-58248602580993501162008-10-30T17:06:00.003-05:002008-10-30T17:12:27.366-05:00Important note from Texas Freedom NetworkCalling all Texans: Let's keep creationism out of our kids' science classes.<br /><br />It is time for the public comment period on the state's science curriculum standards. <a href="http://www.tfn.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5453">The draft looks very good, by the way</a>. But that doesn't mean the anti-science conservatives on the Board can't wreck it. As many of us as possible need to make our voices heard and follow these steps helpfully supplied by <a href="http://www.tfn.org/site/PageServer">TFN</a>:<br /><br />1. <a href="http://www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/scienceTEKS.html">Click here to go to the comments form on the TEA Web site</a>.<br />2. Scroll down to "Directions for Using the Feedback Forms." You will find a list of links to feedback forms for Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, and high school courses. Forms for Grades K-8 are in Microsoft Excel. You have a choice of formats for the high school form: Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Word.<br />3. Select whichever grade levels on which you want to comment. PLEASE CLICK ON THE HIGH SCHOOL LINK TO COMMENT ON THE TREATMENT OF EVOLUTION IN THE BIOLOGY STANDARDS.<br />4. Once you have completed a feedback form (each is short), you may save the file on to your computer. Then you have three options for sending the form to TEA:<br />- Attach the saved file of the completed form to an e-mail and send it to TEA at curriculum@tea.state.tx.us. Please put SCIENCE COMMENTS in the Subject Line.<br />- Print out the completed form and fax it to TEA at (512) 463-8057; Fax to: SCIENCE COMMENTS<br />- Mail the completed form to TEA at the following address:<br />Texas Education Agency<br />Division of Curriculum, Science Comments<br />1701 N. Congress Ave.<br />Austin, Texas 78701-1494Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-62027141032573825422008-10-30T17:05:00.002-05:002008-10-30T17:06:17.583-05:00Democracy happensAnd in a big way. Congratulations, Texas, on <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/103008dntexearlyvotingrecord.163d84e55.html">surpassing the vote totals from 2004</a> before election day even gets here!Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-9724937829281164302008-10-26T16:49:00.005-05:002008-10-27T10:21:13.896-05:00Good times, early votingYou know what makes up for jerks in East Texas tailgating you due to your bumper stickers and wackos putting propaganda in your mailbox due to your yard sign? (No, I'm not paranoid, why do you ask?)<br /><br />Casting a ballot.<br /><br />The line was out the door at Audelia Road Library for early voting on Sunday - and it bears mentioning that this was during the Cowboys game. It was a wonderful sight. And my 18 month old got a little more exposure to the democratic process.<br /><br />I still don't like touch screen voting machines with no paper trail. But the election workers were very efficient and got us in there after about a ten minute wait. I wonder what it's going to look like on election day...Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-44139290093577330472008-10-24T16:53:00.007-05:002008-10-24T17:45:39.224-05:00Ruthify me<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKev_fk_gwkJl7_gjfeNbzeUzMre8cPWtIjyyoJszdXJu_p3M1u7zcDq6F4q_RbJf1CsNV8NDkK5i_NW8OB7O_FNUpPZH-CZlQxozYiAiOnKHxLxhBRt6zxb46UIINO0v_PMiWMz7ieMpI/s1600-h/m-plbeerb.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 177px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKev_fk_gwkJl7_gjfeNbzeUzMre8cPWtIjyyoJszdXJu_p3M1u7zcDq6F4q_RbJf1CsNV8NDkK5i_NW8OB7O_FNUpPZH-CZlQxozYiAiOnKHxLxhBRt6zxb46UIINO0v_PMiWMz7ieMpI/s200/m-plbeerb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260844307677326386" /></a><br />Let me just say, I can relate to what <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-david/waiting-for-nov-4th_b_137029.html">Larry David is going through</a>. I've been really anxious and irritable lately. And maybe it's stuff at work and maybe it's years of savings evaporated in my 401k, but I know it's this election. I can't wait for this election to be over and in the meantime I need therapy.<br /><br />This morning I asked God for grace and went running rather than reading the newspaper. And on my commute I kept my paper shut most of the train ride and my spirit was calmed by the sounds of Jack Johnson and Ruthie Foster.<br /><br />I'm off work early today and am about to open up my voter's guide and a <a href="http://www.sierranevada.com/">Sierra Nevada Pale Ale</a>. Gotta figure out who to vote for in the Lead Leprechaun race (hat tip Anna Kay). If I have time I'll go ahead and hit the library for early voting.<br /><br />November 5th can't get here soon enough.<br /><br /><strong>Update: </strong>Polls closed at 5PM, but the Sample Ballot is filled out and ready to go.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-69643005849010255172008-10-23T20:10:00.005-05:002008-10-30T17:04:57.258-05:00Republican warm fuzziesA friend and colleague of mine is a rabid Republican. She and I have fought for months, sometimes very uncomfortably, about politics and the presidential race. As the primaries were winding down she tried to bet me $100 that McCain would win the election. (I modified the bet to lunch and I'm looking forward to collecting on November 5.)<br /><br />On Monday she said she had a confession for me. She was considering voting for Barack Obama for President of the U.S. and A. This is a woman who has never voted for a Democrat in her 40 years, still thinks George W. Bush has done a good job, thinks Obama is probably a socialist and also likes Sarah Palin. So what is it that has (possibly) turned her around?<br /><br />In short: the need for the country to come together and the ugliness of McCain's supporters. The blatant racism and divisiveness that flood her e-mail inbox from acquaintances. She's sick of the division and doesn't want to be associated with the hatefulness of some of McCain's supporters. I assured her that I didn't think that McCain was a racist or that all his supporters were hateful people, but that the Obama camp would welcome her with open arms.<br /><br />This is a big reason why McCain's campaign is failing. He could have repudiated these tactics. Instead he continues to fan the flames of hate and fear with <a href="http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/17/voters-slam-mccain-mailer-robocalls-linking-obama-terrorists/">mailers and robocalls</a> continuing to try to link Obama with terrorism.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-44139331227020827602008-10-18T21:11:00.003-05:002008-10-18T21:27:44.588-05:00Thank you neighbor!A neighbor noticed our missing sign this morning and offered that he had an extra one he'd be happy to give us. That's the kind of gesture that just makes you feel good.<br /><br />Fire up Lake Highlands Dems! Let's turn precinct 2209 blue!Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-60660358874783066862008-10-13T21:14:00.004-05:002008-10-13T21:23:20.747-05:00Lake Highlands Obama yard signs kidnappedSome tool swiped a bunch of Obama yard signs in Lake Highlands - either last night or this morning. It appears that only Obama signs were taken. Other Democratic signs were in their proper place.<br /><br />OK, this was probably some stupid kid, so I'll not try to read too much into this. But a few points:<br />1. Isn't the Republican party the party of law and order? Don't they get PO'd when someone takes their stuff (think tax policy)?<br />2. It's hard for me to think that it's merely a coincidence that this happened shortly after the character attack on Obama began. These accusations and insinuations give people tacit approval to do and think some pretty horrible stuff, as witnessed by the hate speech at the McCain-Palin rallies. Swiping my yard sign isn't hate speech and it may be a petty crime, but it is still a crime. And it is not how we are supposed to do democracy.<br />3. Those whippersnappers better stay off my lawn!<br /><br />The FV family is contemplating a homemade sign to replace our stolen one. If we do so I'll throw a picture of it up here.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-57286360157185061982008-10-11T16:22:00.003-05:002008-10-11T16:28:26.427-05:00Thank GodAfter a week of stoking the fear and hate of the far right wing of his party, Senator McCain has finally <a href="http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/11/obama-thanks-mccain-for-toning-down-supporters/?hp">done the right thing</a> and is trying to calm down his supporters. Thank you, Senator. I hope your ads, rallies, and rhetoric will all shift to stop questioning the patriotism and motives of your opponent. Fear and hate will never bring this country together.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-67273989523974331852008-10-10T10:03:00.003-05:002008-10-10T10:20:17.760-05:00Stirring up troubleI have become extremely concerned and disturbed as the campaign has <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/opinion/08wed1.html">taken a nasty turn this week</a>. It is not surprising that the flailing Republican ticket has decided to go negative. What I <em>have </em>been disturbed by though is the violent language which is being stoked on the campaign trail. In separate instances this week crowds at McCain-Palin rallies have been heard to yell "treason," "traitor," "kill him," and "off with his head" in reference to Barack Obama. These remarks, many of them audible to the Republican candidates, were not immediately repudiated.<br /><br />Even more disturbing is that, even in the face of this hatred, the campaign has kept up the same line of attack. They are fomenting an environment where it would not be surprising for some wingnut to attempt an act of violence against Obama, one of his supporters, or even a member of the media which has also been on the receiving end of much of this same vitriol.<br /><br />This is not supposed to be the way we conduct democracy in America folks. Please see <a href="http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/10/the-dangerous-p.html">Andrew Sullivan's piece</a> on this.<br /><br />Obama is probably going to win this election. Let's not create an environment where the next president has to go everywhere in a bullet proof pope-mobile and his family and country have to be fearful for his life.<br /><br />John McCain can put a stop to this. I'm waiting to see some leadership from him. As Sullivan signs off: "For once in this campaign, put your country first."Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-78445774851380729512008-09-14T20:20:00.003-05:002008-09-14T20:47:29.234-05:00Culture clash at Flagpole HillWell, I can see everything is pretty much as I left it back in June. There's plenty on my mind and I have lots of opinions on the presidential campaign, but nothing that I'll share right now.<br /><br />An interesting thing happened this evening. While picnicking (can you verb picnic?) with friends at Flagpole Hill, near the end of our time there, I saw something that at once piqued my interest and then my own reaction surprised me.<br /><br />It was a beautiful evening, still a little warm even with the cooling we received courtesy of the edge of hurricane Ike that passed by yesterday. Some older kids were flying a big kite and we talked about how they pitted kites against one another in Afghanistan, like in <em>The Kite Runner</em>.<br /><br />Our kids played on the playground with the other kids, most of whom were primarily Spanish speaking. This doesn't bother me too much to be in the minority and I consider it good for the kids to be around people who are different from them. I expect it at the public parks because for whatever reason the Latino population makes much better use of the parks system than the white families do.<br /><br />We had dinner and then played some more. When we were almost ready to leave a family made their way to the park with two women in full burka, only their eyes peeking out. Another reminder of Afghanistan in the days after the 7th anniversary of 9/11/2001. I pointed them out to my wife but reserved any comment until we were driving home when all I could muster was "that freaked me out a little." She seemed to agree and we said later that it seems so oppressive.<br /><br />The giant American flag overhead seems to stand in stark contrast to these women's attire. As we try to teach our kids to respect other cultures, I'm realizing that some cultures seem completely incompatible and at odds with ours. I think there's room for all of us here, but this multicultural society of ours isn't always the beautiful melting pot or salad bowl we like to imagine.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-88894053288169159612008-06-05T08:39:00.003-05:002008-06-05T08:43:06.570-05:00Bubble to study congestion pricingBubble City, a.k.a. Highland Park, Texas, is planning to study <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/060508dnmetmockingbird.3a6f30d.html">tolling Mockingbird Lane</a> for through traffic.<br /><br />This is a great idea. I think the Dallas City Council should immediately move to study tolls for those residents of the Park Cities who would like to leave the comfort of the Bubble to drive on Dallas city streets.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-28922977117001097662008-06-04T12:45:00.005-05:002008-06-05T08:35:42.639-05:00Democrats, not bargaining chipsGo to huffingtonpost and read this <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hilary-rosen/i-am-not-a-bargaining-chi_b_105133.html">great column</a> by Clinton supporter Hilary Rosen. She has it exactly right. Clinton missed her chance last night to end this primary with some grace. And now she's trying to use her supporters as some kind of bargaining chip for who knows what.<br /><br /><blockquote>Senator Clinton's speech last night was a justifiably proud recitation of her accomplishments over the course of this campaign, but it did not end right. She didn't do what she should have done. As hard and as painful as it might have been, she should have conceded, congratulated, endorsed and committed to Barack Obama. </blockquote><br /><br />As I have some friends and family who have supported Sen. Clinton, I have tried not to be too critical of her or her candidacy. But she needs to stop. Both sides have made some gaffes. Unfortunately her gaffes are going to be used by the Republicans in general election ads against Obama.<br /><br />Concede the election and get in line behind our nominee, Senator Clinton. The primaries are over and it is time to step aside and turn our focus on winning the White House.<br /><br /><strong>Update Thursday:</strong> Obviously I'm pleased and relieved that Clinton plans to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/us/politics/05dems.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin">suspend her campaign</a> on Saturday. Better late than never. Hopefully her supporters will feel welcomed into the Obama tent. Time heals all wounds and we have plenty of time between now and November.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-19474430778507623772008-06-03T22:17:00.003-05:002008-06-03T22:24:58.351-05:00We have a nomineeBarack Obama <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/04/us/politics/03cnd-elect.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin">claims the Democratic nomination</a> for President of the United States.<br /><br /><blockquote>“You chose to listen not to your doubts or your fears, but to your greatest hopes and highest aspirations,” Mr. Obama told supporters at a rally in St. Paul. “Tonight, we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another — a journey that will bring a new and better day to America. Because of you, tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States.” </blockquote><br /><br />It's been a long road to where we are tonight. It will be good to enjoy it for an evening.<br /><br />This general election contest won't be an easy one, but sitting here tonight taking in the historical nature of Obama's candidacy and the hopeful nature of his message, I truly believe that this is the right candidate at the right time to lead our country. It is time to show what America can do when we listen to the better angels of our nature again.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-44469785256947068322008-05-30T16:22:00.004-05:002008-05-30T16:31:29.548-05:00A note to the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee"It's clear, this election they're having is not going to count for anything."<br />-Hillary Clinton (referring to the Michigan primary), October 11, 2007<br /><br />“Votes cast outside the rule of law and in the absence of contested elections lack moral standing and by themselves have no legitimate claim on the selection of delegates to the national party convention.”<br />-Tom Mann, The Brookings InstitutionBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851422509501262872.post-20453770894638982482008-05-30T10:16:00.006-05:002008-05-30T10:37:29.104-05:00Wherein I discuss city finances, voting, hotels, and the Trinity RiverThis is your last day to vote to rename Industrial Blvd over by our new Trinity River park/highway/floodway/boondoggle. Go <a href="http://www.trinityrivercorridor.com/html/rename_industrial.html">here</a> to vote!<br /><br />And while you are exercising your right to make your voice heard to rename a street, remember that your elected representatives aren't interested in your input for things like building a 1,200 room convention center hotel for $500M with revenue bonds. Nope, we don't need a vote for the city getting into the hotel business. But renaming Industrial, now that's important stuff.<br /><br /><a href="http://news.dallasobserver.com/2008-05-29/news/fix-the-streets-or-build-a-500-million-hotel-seems-like-a-no-brainer/">Jim Schutze points out</a> the extra incongruity in this whole hotel business when you consider that the city is going to have to curtail basic services due to declining sales tax revenue. So the city is $50M in the hole for the next budget year but we've decided to spend $500M on a hotel. And Jim doesn't buy the argument that it's free money because it's revenue bonds. There's no guarantee that revenue generated by the hotel will cover the debt service on these bonds. And if revenue does fall short they become general obligation bonds. Translation: the taxpayers just bought debt service on their fancy hotel to add to the budget deficit. Thanks Mayor Tom and Council!<br /><br />Since it's Friday and I don't want to end on a down note, here's some great news about the <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/053008dnmettrinityaudubon.39a4d14.html">new Audobon Center</a>, which is one of the bright spots of the whole Trinity River project.<br /><br /><blockquote>"We wanted the building itself to be a teaching tool," said Craig Reynolds, a principal in Brown Reynolds Watford Architects Inc., the project's architects. "The idea was to create something that's an extension of the natural setting, rather than something that intrudes on that setting. <br /><br />"We hope that because of the way it's been designed and built, this center will help convey the message that the land and the water are worth preserving." <br /><br />According to the Dallas school district, there are 37 elementary schools, seven middle schools, six high schools and one Montessori magnet school within five miles of the center. Together, they have almost 38,000 students. <br /><br />Most of these students are from low-income families. Some have never seen a river except from a car, a forest except on television, a fish except in fish sticks. <br /><br />The opportunity to reach this urban school population was one of the things that attracted Audubon to the project, said Ben Jones, the group's director of education at the center. </blockquote><br />Way to go Audubon Texas, Meadows Foundation, and Dallas Parks and Recreation! This will truly be a great asset to our city.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10332645937905379966noreply@blogger.com0