Another Creepy "The Gates" Photo...

Hmmm. This photo leaves no doubt at all about where Christo found the $20 million needed to pay for "The Gates" ...

"The Gates" Sells Out for a Buck

I guess there's a DVD coming out (or something) ...

The Shocking Truth About "The Gates"

It's subtle, but I think you can see it if you look real close...

World's Best Procrastination Tool EVAH!

Check it, kiddies.

A Funny Take on "The Gates"

Having just done a quick day trip to NYC to see "The Gates" in Central Park, man oh man did this make me laugh.

More Power to the Powerful!

Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress on Thursday passed legislation that would transfer most large, multistate class action lawsuits to federal court, fulfilling one of President Bush's second-term goals. The aim of the bill was to protect businesses and stop lawyers from reaping huge profits by filing suits in carefully selected state courts.

(sarcasm mine).

This Just Ain't Right

So Wal-Mart agrees to pay a $135,000 fine to settle child-labor charges (about what they make in profit just during the time it took me to type the opening "(" in this parenthetical). Apparently they let teenage employees (under 18) handle chain saws and other dangerous machinery in a number of states. But they seem to have gotten back much more for their agreement to pay a piddly fine and not even admit wrongdoing:

"A provision also promises to give Wal-Mart 15 days' notice before the Labor Department investigates any other "wage and hour" accusations, like failure to pay minimum wage or overtime."

Here's what an expert, who has worked for the Department of Labor, for both Democratic and Republican administrations, had to say about this:

"With child labor cases involving the use of hazardous machinery, why give 15 days' notice before we can do an investigation?" asked a district office supervisor who has worked in the wage and hour division for nearly 20 years. "What's the rationale?"

What's the d'illeo? How does Wal-Mart influence what happens in Washington to their advantage, even when it's getting fined?

CUT TO: Wal-Mart's $1.6 million in 2004 cycle PAC contributions to House and Senate candidates (nearly 80 percent to Republicans), not to mention another million or so to candidates for state offices

Oh, Won't You Just Quit It with Your "Junk Science" !!

For your review:

Exhibit A: "NASA: 2005 could be warmest year recorded"
Exhibit B: "Kyoto protocol heats global warming debate"

and (drumroll, please) ...

Exhibit C: "Bush budget cuts EPA funding"

CUT TO: The year 2023, when the wealthiest one percent of Americans are living in a fortress-like biodome on the Atlantic seacoast ... IN DES MOINES, IOWA!!!

The Tsunami Was Caused by ... Shadow Bunnies and Alligators?

Hmmm. I may not be interpreting this CNN graphic properly, because that doesn't sound right. Yeah, forget what I said. You should just read the story.

"Dr. Rice Didn't Just Cut Me Off at the Knees..."

... as you can see.

SFX: Sound of horrified screams

Hey Big Oil: Here's a Crazy Idea!

Try investing more of the $100+ billion in 2004 profits earned by the 10 biggest oil companies in something that will (a) protect the environment and (b) reduce our need for oil from the Middle East. And what is that "something"? How about clean, renewable energy like biomass, hydro, and solar? And since you have your self-interest always in mind, remember, it will help you secure profits as our planet runs out of oil. That, my greedy friends, is what you should do with all the cash you don't seem to know what to do with, as described in this New York Times article.

Congratulations Are In Order For ...

... our friend Judy from Time-Life, who recently had a baby! Congratulations, Judy!

And His Policy Credentials Are ... ???

Look, we all know that political hacks of all sorts get policy/management jobs in Washington all the time. Sometimes they serve the public well, oftentimes they don't. Now that Karl Rove has moved up the ladder to deputy chief of staff, with responsibility for overseeing everything from economic policy to coordinating homeland security policy(!), I'm reminded of a speech that Mary Matalin - wife of James Carville, and now a Cheney aide - gave up here in the Berkshires last year. It was part of the Dowmel Lecture Series, a terrific program that brings a diverse mix of well-known speakers to our humble little hamlet of Great Barrington to talk about their work.

As you know, Matalin is a longtime political hack -- a strategist, a flack, an operative, whatever. So, here's the story: At one point during her wholly unimpressive speech (I had withheld judgement, hoping for something of value), Matalin began to describe the events of September 11th in the White House, and talked with great suspense about being in the White House "bunker" with Vice President Cheney as the towers fell, the president shuttled around the country, and questions like whether to shoot down a commerical airliner loaded with civilians confronted those in the bunker. It was certainly a riveting tale, as we all remember that horrible, horrible day and the simply unbelievable events that were unfolding minute-by-minute.

As I listened and absorbed her tale, I could only think of one thing: What in the world was a political hack like Mary Matalin doing in the White House bunker -- at the elbow of the vice president, offering advice -- during an honest-to-God national crisis? She simply didn't belong there. Was she telling him how certain actions would play with Soccer Moms in November, 2004? Of course not. But she certainly didn't have any wisdom to offer about managing that national crisis -- that's not in her job description.

Sure, keep people like her (and Rove) in the political office spinning their evil strategic webs. But don't let them do policy. And certainly not national security policy.

James Carville, to his credit, knows what he is: A political strategist/hack. Love him or hate him -- and there's good reason for both -- he never claimed to be a policy aide or qualified for a senior position in the Clinton administration.

Keep the political strategists out of policymaking, regardless of party. Because when the partisan interest trumps the national interest -- as has been all too common in recent years -- we all lose.

The Larkin Column(s)

I've received a fair number of e-mails -- as well as calls at home -- about the series of columns I wrote recently about the resignation of a local state rep, Peter Larkin, who became a lobbyist with a Beacon Hill (and Capitol Hill) powerhouse lobbying shop, ML Strategies.

Let me be clear: Being described as a "powerhouse lobbying shop" should never, ever be considered a badge of honor. Quite the opposite. Big-money corporate lobbying is right at the dangerous nexus of money and access that's distorting our democracy and underming the very future of this country. I'm not using hyperbole; I'm dead serious.

That former Rep. Larkin could claim, as I quote in one of my columns, that lobbying is just "governing in another form" is one of the most outrageous things I've ever heard said by anyone about anything.

We need a pretty good number of democracy reforms in this country, and on that list has got to be literally closing the door on high-priced lobbyists -- especially those who are also carrying campaign donations in the pockets of their $1,000 suits. Otherwise, money will continue to increase its power over votes, and any chance of holding back the rising tide of plutocracy will be lost.

The Bush "Budget"

I put "budget" in quotations because this document insults a normally boring, staid word like "budget." I'll have lots to say about this "budget" in the coming days, but let me start by highlighting one little example of how the president's campaign for re-election was built on a whole new batch of falsehoods:

"We will double the number of people served by our principal job training program." -- President Bush, during his speech accepting the GOP nomination

"In his fiscal 2006 budget request for the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, Bush is asking Congress to approve $5.16 billion in spending, down from $5.34 billion this year. Programs to retrain and find new jobs for fired workers and the youth-oriented Job Corps are both cut." -- Bloomburg News, today

CUT TO: Twice as many unemployed people receiving just half the training they need??

And why oh why oh why oh why is there even any question that the president's wrongheaded, misguided tax cuts (a) didn't create real job-creating stimulus, and (b) are the reason we have huge deficits? Again (for the trillionth time), fully FIFTY PERCENT of the cost of the 2001-2003 tax cuts comes from benefits granted to the wealthiest ONE PERCENT of Americans. Can we roll some of those back to cut the deficit and make sure we're properly funding the things that should be properly funded? You betcha.

There's so, so, so, so much more disappointing news in the budget proposal, including cuts in a variety of programs to properly fund our nation's first responders. Those of you who guzzle ginko biloba or blueberries or fish oil, creating brain power and good memories that go all the way back before Election Day, may recall the many gauzy speeches by the president and others about our firefighters, police, and EMTs. Didn't mean a whit, it seems. Amazing, eh?

Sadly, more to come on this...

I Just LOVE This Name!

Why should "information warfare" be limited to domestic politics?

Holy Pajoley!

"Bush tells CBC he's 'unfamiliar' with Voting Rights Act"

C'mon, what's knowledge of the Voting Rights Act between friends? And seriously, why should he be familiar with what his own Justice Department says is "generally considered the most successful piece of civil rights legislation ever adopted by the United States Congress."

Read the gruesome truth.

By the way, here's CNN's coverage of the very same meeting. Not a mention.

World's Largest Orwellian Backdrop?

Man, these things are getting out of hand. (Bonus points for the depth-of-field problem that makes it look like the president is smacking a smiling man in the face).

WAMC Fund Drive

To discover what I'm talking about, you can listen to WAMC online right now. My bet is you'll hear Chartock's voice the moment you click that link. Have some thoughts about WAMC? Post a comment, baybee!

"Some See the World and Ask 'Why'? Others See the World and Ask..."

"Why not Kinky?"

Will There Be a Super Bowl Ad For This?

It's infinitely more important than virtually everything else, but calls to fight global poverty and inequality are rarely loud enough to rise above the din of mad consumerism and the "economic growth at all costs" club. Mandela speaks to a few thousand in London about it.

Amateur Hour with Harry and Nancy!

Wow, this "response" to the president's speech was absolutely horrific. I thought I was watching some kind of cable access public affairs show. Pelosi & Reid are the face of the party that's going to fight back against the barreling train of the president and his nation-destroying policies? Oy, we're in trouble.

CUT TO: Shein taking a swig from a bottle of his patent-pending "Liquid Psychiatrist" (if you know what I mean).

Best Activist Group Name Ever?

"Citizens Against Nude Juicebars and Pornography"

It's all explained here.

Good News, Torture Fans!

On this Alberto Gonzales nomination to be the nation's chief law enforcement officer, America can be proud that Democrats in the Senate are finally stepping up to the plate to say, "Enough! We will not have someone who thinks torture is acceptable in some circumstances as the Attorney General of OUR United States!"

Of course, by "stepping up to the plate" I mean they're "rolling over, once again, like scared little girls." (No offense to little girls, who have every right to be scared. But American lawmakers? No excuse.)

And WATCH OUT, Mr. President! Because according to this article, the Democrats are planning some extensive debate before letting Gonzales slip on through! Yeah, Democrats: That'll learn 'em! A taste of some of that kick-ass extensive debate ought to ensure the president's future nominees are more sensible! You go, little girls!

What?! Big Corporations Protecting Big Corporations?

There will be no dissent!

Was "July" Before the Election?

Because in July, the administration announced -- with great fanfare -- that this year's deficit would drop to $331 billion from last year's tax-cuts-for-the-wealthy-enhanced $412 billion. And man, that's definitely the kind of thing you want to predict when you're, you know, campaigning for re-election. But alas, surprise surprise, turns out that the deficit will grow this year to $437 billion:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 - The White House announced on Tuesday that the federal budget deficit was expected to rise this year to $427 billion, a figure that includes a new request from President Bush to help pay for the war in Iraq.

The White House's announcement makes it the fourth straight year in which the budget deficit was expected to grow; as recently as last July the administration had predicted that the deficit, which was $412 billion last year, would fall this year to $331 billion.

Hey, who needs to worry about stuff like this, folks. The election's behind us, and we've protected the institution of marriage from being "undermined!"

CUT TO: Lots of gay married couples here in my state of Massachusetts, where we have the lowest divorce rate in the nation.

Oy. Remember, if we make them tax cuts permanent, that's an extra $200 billion/year on the deficit for the next 10 years (at least). Wheeeeeeeeeeeee!

CBO: "With Us" or "Against Us" ??

Seems the numbers on when the "crisis" will begin just won't cooperate with plans to phase-out Social Security and replace it with a program to ensure millions more seniors die in poverty.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Social Security system will take in more money annually than it pays out in benefits until 2020, two years later than earlier estimated, the Congressional Budget Office reported Monday in a modest change unlikely to alter the growing political debate over the program.

Congress' budget analysts also estimated the program's trust funds will be depleted in 2052, "meaning that beneficiaries will be able to count on receiving only 78 percent of their scheduled benefits beginning then. (emphasis mine)

Wow, that's 10 years later than it was a week ago. A month from now, it should be secure into the 22nd century!

OH MY GOD NOOOOOO!

"Orlando Bloom, Kate Bosworth split"

(This is an example of the "new" CNN? Hmmm.

"They did decide to take some time apart due to their upcoming work schedule, and they remain very close," the couple's representative, Robin Baum, told the magazine.

FREE RGM MEDICAL ADVICE: Print out that sentence and keep it in your medicine cabinet. It's handy any time you need to induce vomiting!

Consistency, ConSMISHtency

A quick little math while in the shower today produced this startling insight: If the economic growth projections made by the Bush administration with its "let's make those tax cuts permanent" pitch are actually met, guess what? The Social Security trust fund will run out of money ... NEVER!

CUT TO: Right hand yelling something, left hand not hearing it

But why should the scare tactics used to promote one proposal have to synch up with the fantastical promises of another proposal? It's the second term, baybeeeeee!

BTW, I gotta admit that the chalkboard I hung in the shower last month has paid for itself many times over in shower-based public policy insights.