Growing Plutocracy: Now in Graph Form!

Excerpted from "The State of Working America 2004-05"
(Published by the Economic Policy Institute)

"Unintentionally"? Please.

From today's Washington Post: "Greenspan, appearing before the Senate Budget Committee, also acknowledged that his support for tax cuts in early 2001 unintentionally led to policies that helped swing the federal budget from surplus to deficits."

Whatever, dude.

Gingrich '08 Slogan? "Honesty = Best Policy"

A whiff of honesty and accountability: Former Speaker Newt Gingrich -- a likely '08 presidential candidate -- actually apologized for making false statements about 9/11 hijackers entering the U.S. through Canada (none did). Kudos, Newt.

See, that didn't hurt. That wasn't so bad. Mistakes are human, and people can be forgiven for them.

CUT TO: The Bush administration never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever apologizing or admitting a single mistake.

"Both Tragedy and Farce"

That's what Republican Sherwood Boehlert of New York called the energy bill passed by the House today. I've commented before about all of the absurd provisions in this bill -- that it's a HUGE (understatement heavy) giveaway to big energy companies, and that it does nothing to conserve energy, reduce demand, or help curb energy prices. It opens up ANWR. It prohibits legal action against the manufactures of MBTE -- AND it gives them a gift of $2 billion in so-called "transition costs" when MBTE is phased out.

I will note one more thing, though: The version passed out of the House today includes $3 billion/year for aid to poor families to pay winter heating bills. The irony, of course, is that as prices skyrocket thanks to terrible energy policy (among other things), those dollars don't go nearly as far as they need to. So, in effect, it's just a handout to the oil companies. Surprise, surprise.

Oh, and one more enlightening moment that shows how our so-called leaders refuse to lead, and prefer to pander in order to get re-elected, despite the terrible long-term consequences for the freaking planet:

Asked about encouraging consumers to drive less to lower the demand, [Rep. Joe] Barton (R-Tx) [chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee] said: "If you want to tell them that, go ahead. I want to be re-elected."

Nice.

What Do Bored Scientists Study?

Things like this: "Scientists Solve Unpopped Popcorn"

Truly Amusing Prank

BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) -- Three MIT graduate students set out to show what kind of gobbledygook can pass muster at an academic conference these days, writing a computer program that generates fake, nonsensical papers. And sure enough, a Florida conference took the bait.

More...

Well, At Least They Have Credibility (Not)

Ahhh, politics. Deployment of the so-called "nuclear option" on judicial nominees is now just days away, as we learn in this story. But here's a bit of evidence that this is not about any grand defense of the Constitution, as the GOP would like you to believe. It's party politics, and toxic party politics at that:

Conservatives during the last Congress accused Democrats of being anti-minority for blocking Brown, who is black; anti-women for blocking Owen, and anti-Catholic for blocking Pryor.

Nice.

Marketing Lingo is Just Hilarious

Breaking news from KFC/Kentucky Fried Chicken:

After 14 years of trying to downplay the image of its food as greasy and unhealthy by calling itself simply KFC, the chain opened a new restaurant in its hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, on Wednesday under its former name and plans 50 more this year. The move, the chain's most aggressive yet in its roughly two years of trying to revitalize sales, is part of a broader plan to "move the brand into the future" by drawing on its Southern roots, the company said in a statement.

Tell me: Just how does it "move the brand into the future" by spelling out the word "fried"?

Joe Biden Prez '08 Poster Photo?

I kinda like it. Says, "Not that I'd ever want to, but I can fit my entire fist into my enormous mouth." Or, "I might blow my stack at any moment -- watch out!"

Words. Come Back. Haunt. 'Nuff Said.

"The time has come that the American people know exactly what their representatives are doing here in Washington. Are they feeding at the public trough, taking lobbyist-paid vacations, getting wined and dined by special interest groups? Or are they working hard to represent their constituents? The people, the American people, have a right to know...I say the best disinfectant is full disclosure, not isolation." - U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, 11/16/95

Processed Meat = Nature's Bounty!

The good word from the American Meat Institute: “The most important fact is that the larger body of evidence has shown that processed meats are a healthy part of a balanced diet,” the trade group said in a statement.

Sure, "healthy" if you don't mind pancreatic cancer.

Corporate Absurdity, Cont'd

Ridiculous.

Oy, Pittsfield

So the Pittsfield teacher's union held a march yesterday in support of a new, better contract yesterday. Great to see the activism, but man, after you look closely at the sign they're holding, you just have to groan and roll your eyes.

The Funniest Thing I Have Ever Read

House passes bankruptcy sham. And as promised, here's the funniest thing I have ever read. Seriously, I'm going to have to consider adding Dreier to the nascent "RGM Botox Club" -- politicians who manage to say these outrageous and hilarious and absurd things while keeping a straight face.

Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., said the legislation would save American families an average $400 a year in higher interest rates now charged to consumers to recoup losses from those who abuse bankruptcy proceedings.

CUT TO: Dreier reading from talking points written and faxed to him by the credit card companies, who earned $30 billion last year.

CUT TO: What? During the 2004 campaign cycle, Dreier received a total of $72,000 in individual contributions from people in the commercial banking and finance industries -- more than from any other sector?

CUT TO: What? During the 2004 campaign cycle, Dreier received $394,500 from business PACs, and just $7,000 from labor?

CUT TO: What? Of that $394,500 in PAC contributions, fully $117,000 came from credit card companies, commercial banks, insurance and real estate companies?

CUT TO: What? Dreier is a "representative" of "the people"? I just don't believe it.

Brothers?

Are U.N. ambassador nominee JOHN Bolton and schlocky crooner MICHAEL Bolton brothers? I'll let you decide.

John Bolton


Michael Bolton

YEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!

By which I mean, of course, "NOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo!"

Aside from protecting makers of fuel additive MBTE from any responsibility for cleaning up the thousands of water sources that have been spoiled by it -- as they knew it would -- the energy bill coming out of the House this week also awards the same manufacturers $1.75 billion in "transition" costs when MBTE is phased out in 2014. That is simply un-freaking-believable.

And then there's this, describing the $8 billion in energy-related tax cuts:

Of the $8 billion in tax incentives, less than $500 million would go to promote renewable energy sources or foster efficiency and conservation programs.

Rep. Bill Thomas, R-California, the Ways and Means Committee chairman, said he expects programs to be added during negotiations with the Senate.

A proposal, offered by Rep. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, that would require the Transportation Department to boost fleet-wide auto fuel economy requirements beginning with 2015 model year cars was defeated.

Markey said cars are less fuel efficient than they were eight years ago. "We are now moving backwards," he said.

Not to mention, by the way, that the EPA still uses cartoonish mileage-per-gallon tests designed in the 1970s and which dramatically understate the real MPG of today's cars.

Ladies and gentlemen of the future -- say hello to boiling oceans!

Shameful, Shameful, Shameful

Well, the House is going to pass the abominable bankruptcy bill today, and don't be surprised when President Bush signs it without a public signing ceremony. See, whenever Congress gives more power to the powerful (last fall's $136 billion corporate tax cut, for instance), it does its best to avoid letting the American people know what is going on.

Here's reason enough to be outraged over this new law, which will further enrich banks and credit card companies at the expense of living, breathing human beings:

Endangers child support. Despite extravagant claims to the contrary, the bill still threatens the welfare of children. If the parent who owes child support is the debtor, the bill will divert more money to other creditors (such as auto lenders) and allow more non-child support debts to survive bankruptcy. Thus after the bankruptcy is over the custodial parent will have to fight with creditors for the debtor's limited income.

Here's a quick summary of the problems with this bill. Not that it matters -- in the new American plutocracy, big-money corporate lobbyists always win the day. Welcome to the new America, friends. Where corporate values (and profits) trump human values. (You might think about asking your "representatives" about this next time they swing through the district).

If You Thought Stem-Cell Research Was Controversial...

"Museum Brings Abraham Lincoln to Life"

Aiiiieeeee! RUN! It's the re-animated body of President Lincoln, and HE'S COMING THIS WAY!

Ridiculous

There's a box on CNN.com right now that says the following: "CNN UNDER YOUR COMMAND - New Commercials - See Soledad O'Brien & company in the latest CNN.com ads"

I don't even have the words to comment.

Rich = Richer = Even Richer!

Another $290 billion in irresponsible tax cuts. But who's counting? (Obviously not Congress).

WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Republicans on Wednesday pushed to make permanent a one-year reprieve on estate taxes, a change that Democrats said would reward the wealthiest families and increase the federal deficit by tens of billions of dollars annually. Current laws would eliminate the estate tax in 2010, only to resurrect it the following year. Republican lawmakers want to keep the repeal in place, decreasing government revenue by roughly $290 billion over a decade.

Look, the estate tax (a) impacts a very small number of people, (b) helps to maintain what's left of a progressive tax system, (c) has never resulted in the loss of A SINGLE FAMILY FARM -- NOT ONE!, and (d) is a legitimate way to prevent the dangerous consolidation of wealth in a democratic society. Wealthy folks already have all kinds of ways to establish trusts and other ways to pass wealth on to their heirs; eliminating the estate tax -- at a cost of nearly $300 billion just over the next 10 years -- is so heroically irresponsible that I'm pounding the keys of my laptop as if it might make a difference.

Oh, and this is just rich (pun intended):

"Eliminating the death tax is a matter of basic fairness," President Bush said.

Yeah, if you think "fairness" means asking working Americans to shoulder more of the tax burden. Once again, policies that favor the wealthy and powerful at the expense of regular folks are being cheered by regular folks. Insanity. Or, to coin a phrase, "Reason Gone Mad."

Ya Think?

"I don't think Wisconsin should become known as a state where we shoot cats." -- Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle

Mmmmm! Light, Sweet Crude!

Good news, everybody!

"Light, sweet crude for May delivery fell $1.36 to $50.50 a barrel in morning trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange."

All Publicity is Good Publicity?

When a news story includes this...

Wendy's maintains the finger did not enter the food chain in its ingredients. All the employees at the San Jose store were found to have all their fingers, and no suppliers of Wendy's ingredients have reported any hand or finger injuries, the company said.

... I can't imagine anyone thinks it's good for business. Unless Wendy's is opening a side business: "Wendy's Old-Fashioned Hamburgers - Now With Drive-Through Microsurgery Until Midnight!"

Geez, Tiger: Couldn't Bring a Sport Coat?

Look, I don't know much about Tiger Woods or The Masters golf tournament that he won yesterday, but don't you think he could have brought a nicer sport coat with him to Augusta? How embarrassing ... after he won the tourney, they had to give him an ugly green blazer to wear for interviews with the press and for the awards ceremony. Must have some kind of dress code in the clubhouse. Man, I bet he felt silly.

An Admittedly Immature Suggestion

I think Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee should agree to support John Bolton as U.N. ambassador IF -- and only if -- he gets rid of that goofy mustache.

Check back soon for more of my insightful political commentary on today's confirmation hearing!

Inexplicably Amusing/Interesting

For the life of me, I can't explain why this photo of that baby gorilla makes me chuckle. Is it because it looks like a 130-year-old woman? That it's wrapped like a human baby? Or something else altogether? Take a look.

It's PhleboTASTIC!

Oh, Craigslist. How you amuse me.

Question

I admit to not knowing much about Catholicism, but one thing stood out during the coverage of the Pope's passing and his funeral: Where was his wife in all this?

Reminder: We're at War

Young Americans killed in Iraq get less attention than ever. This is just disgusting. From Google News:

"Marine Killed in Iraq" (all 3 related>>)
"Prince Charles, Camilla Tie the Knot (all 1,595 related>>)

I don't think I'm going to post this data anymore -- which I started doing during the Schiavo matter when politicians blathered about "erring on the side of life" and "building a culture of life." That case was the focus of thousands and thousands of news stories, while Iraq, Darfur, and similar tragic situations received exponentially less coverage.

Here's a Great Idea!

How about an investigation into the investigations about why we went to war based on faulty intelligence and faultier (I just invented a word!) political considerations? See, with another Washington-style "investigation," and then perhaps a few dozen more, we can put off holding anyone responsible until the year 2841!

WASHINGTON (AP) - The CIA and members of Congress said they want to know how a presidential commission unearthed details on intelligence failures about Iraq's prewar weapons programs that previous investigations missed.

CUT TO: America, not as safe and secure as we should be

"I'm CIA Director Porter Goss, and you know
what? I have no idea what the hell I'm doing!"

Separated at Birth?

New Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and former U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt?

Shot. Self. Foot. 'Nuff Said.

From yesterday's AP story, that also ran in the Eagle, "Voters Endorse Wal-Mart Growth":

BENNINGTON, Vt., April 5 (AP) - An attempt to halt the expansion of a Wal-Mart store in Bennington failed on Tuesday when the retailer won a vote on whether to cap the size of retailers to 75,000 square feet. Voters rejected the cap by 2,189 to 1,724. Wal-Mart wants to increase its Bennington store to 112,000 square feet.

Let the race to the bottom of wages and benefits continue! When will we recognize that low prices (at any cost) for consumer goods are costing us our communities, our livelihoods, our future? That at a time when corporate profits are seeing upwards of 20 percent year-over-year growth, wages and benefits for working Americans are flat -- at best? That big-box retailers like Wal-Mart don't invest in communities? That they offer only low-paying jobs that lead more and more American families to require box-store low prices?

It's a powerful and detrimental cycle from whose grasp we may not be able to emerge anytime soon. Not a good move, Bennington. Don't forget, by the way, that the Wal-Mart expansion in Bennington was championed by an Ohio-based real estate developer who doesn't have the best interests of Bennington in mind.

Deck Chairs. Titanic. 'Nuff Said.

Thanks for the nearly meaningless gimmickry, boys! Don't bother with the big stuff, like investments in renewable energy or meaningful conservation efforts or shifting our national priorities away from growth-at-all-costs. Better to stick with ideas adapted from Congress's smoke-and-mirrors budget process!

Lawmakers crafting energy legislation approved an amendment Wednesday to extend daylight-saving time by two months, having it start on the first Sunday in March and end on the last Sunday in November.

[...] "The more daylight we have, the less electricity we use," said [Democratic Congressman Ed] Markey, who cited Transportation Department estimates that showed the two-month extension would save the equivalent of 10,000 barrels of oil a day.

The country uses about 20 million barrels of oil a day. [emphasis mine]

The Funniest "Non-Denial Denial" in History

Tom DeLay, soon-to-be-ex-majority-leader of the House of Representatives, explaining how his wife and daughter earned $500,000 in four years from his PAC and campaign operation:

The Times said the payments to DeLay's wife, Christine DeLay, and his only child, Dani DeLay Ferro, were described in the disclosure forms as "fund-raising fees," "campaign management" or "payroll," with no additional details about how they earned the money.

"My wife and daughter have any right, just like any other American, to be employed and be compensated for their employment," DeLay said. "It's pretty disgusting, particularly when my wife and daughter are singled out and others are not, in similar situations in the Senate and as well as the House..."

One thing DeLay said is 100 percent true: We should be looking at all of the "similar situations" DeLay cites in his defense. Incredibly, Rep. Roy Blunt, DeLay's deputy, echoed that line yesterday, saying, "The things that Tom has been criticized about in one way or another every member of Congress could be criticized about." [emphasis mine]

Hello, mainstream media? Investigative reporters? Anyone? Bueller?

Hilariously Stubborn to a Fault

Oh, "Star Wars" fanatics: Must you always be so damn entertaining?

From CNN.com:

Seven weeks before its release, "Star Wars" fanatics started lining up outside Grauman's Chinese Theater for the sixth installment of the popular George Lucas movie series. The vigil began Saturday.

But there's a problem: "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" won't be showing at the Hollywood landmark when the movie is released May 19. The studio, 20th Century Fox, opted instead to open the film a mile away at the ArcLight theater.

Still, the resolute "Star Wars" die-hards aren't moving on. Beneath a makeshift awning, 11 people refused to relinquish their spots in line.

Now THAT's comedy!

News Judgement Update (cont'd)

Way to go, journalists! Kudos on the EXCELLENT news judgement, boys!

Yet another a fine example of the choices made by editors world-wide, courtesy of Google News:

"Jackson in Shower with Boy, Court Told" (see all 1,018 related>>)
"18 Soldiers Killed in Desert Helicopter Crash" (see all 466 related>>)

I feel sick.

"Fix Your Problems and Light This Candle!"

A welcome sight for the explorer in us all: Discovery on its way to the pad.

This Should Be a Criminal Offense

"Britney Spears, though complaining lately about being in the spotlight, has signed on to be the focus of a reality series."

CUT TO: Millions of eyes, rolling

Apparently the networks were battling it out for a bunch of home footage of Spears and her husband. There was a bidding war for this show.

Ladies and gentlemen, the handbasket to Hell is in the station. ALL ABOARD!

Wow. Classy. (Not).

Tom Brokaw on the announcement that Peter Jennings is battling lung cancer:

"Peter is an old friend," Brokaw said in a press release.

Press release. Nice.

Daily Dose of Absurd Larry King Questions

A great find from my friend Will Heyniger:

KING: Did his training help him as Pope, do you think?

JIM CAVIEZEL: Are you speaking to me, Larry?

KING: Yes, the acting training.

CAVIEZEL: I would think so. My acting is based in truth. And everything I read about the Holy Father -- in his letter to the actors, he talked about truth. And there is good and there is evil. And it's important not to make good look like evil or evil look good. Just call it as it is. And that's my training. And I think, when he spoke to people, he spoke to their hearts. And whether you're speaking in front of a million or you're acting with another actor, you're still speaking from your heart. And this is the kind of training that I think he came from.

[... ] KING: Jim, you think he's with Jesus now? We only have 30 seconds.

It's just so hard to believe Larry King when he says he never prepares for interviews.



Okay, I'm just kidding. (Here's the whole transcript).

Rest Easy, Pittsfield!

This is a bit of urgent preparedness advice from the Web site of Pittsfield Emergency Management Services. Before reading further, you might wish to have a map of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts handy:

A tsunami is a series of waves that may be dangerous and destructive. They are caused by underwater seismic activity. They occur most commonly in Hawaii and along the Pacific Rim. It is quite unlikely that Pittsfield could be affected by a tsunami.

Whew!

More Global News Judgement...

I really need to stop doing this. It's just maddening. Again, from Google News:

"Prince Charles Pushes Wedding Back a Day" (all 908 related>>)
"Attack on Abu Ghraib Leaves 16 Wounded" (all 744 related>>)
"Bush Honors Slain Soldier with Top Military Honor" (all 379 related>>)

Erg.

Steinbeck Library II

Forgot to highlight this excerpt from the Times story:

Sommer Brooke, 11, a sixth grader who spoke at the read-in, questioned how Salinas could close libraries in one breath and ask schools to raise reading test scores in the next.

"It is like feeding someone but giving them no food," she said, "teaching children to read but cutting off their access."

City officials said the closings were forced in part by the defeat of several tax measures on the ballot in November. But some conceded that two measures failed because they did not specifically discuss how the libraries would have been affected.

Sergio Sanchez, a city councilman who voted to keep the libraries open, said that even if the state decides to help Salinas, the community must remain involved.

"We as citizens have to step up," he said. "There is no one else to help us."

Priorities, people!

The story of the Steinbeck library has (finally?) hit the New York Times -- and as a "national" story, which is what it is. Let's hope it helps to shine some light on the sorry state of library funding in every corner of our increasingly fledgling democracy.

Which reminds me: At last month's Berkshire County legislative breakfast for library staff, library trustees, and our local legislative reps, the food was good, the conversation was lively, but the outlook was grim. That's because here in Massachusetts, our library funding situation is simply precarious. After the massive (understatement heavy) budget cuts in '03 (from $33.8 million in '02 to just $25.9 million in '03), very little has been restored. The proposed '06 state budget seeks $27.1 million, but -- and this is a critical "but" -- the line item for "Library Technology and Resource Sharing" is just $691,811. Sound small? It is. Because back in '01 it was $4.4 million. And in '02 it was $3.8 million. Then, tragically, in '03 it went down to just $340,000.

Why is that line item -- #9506 for you budget nerds -- important? Because it's what funds the statewide inter-library loan program, library access to hundreds of subscription-only periodicals (and their archives), and lots more. Wonder why your town rarely sees the bookmobile any more? And why it doesn't carry any non-fiction books? Line #9506, baby. Out here in rural counties, where libraries are small, that bookmobile is critical. And appreciated. And utilized. But now it comes 'round just once every 13 weeks.

Of course, everyone at the legislative breakfast (which, by the way, was at 7:30 a.m. all the way up in Adams, which required an early wake-up call, an ice-cold shower, and mega caffeine en route), touted the importance of libraries. Our state reps, as expected, said they're "on our side." But I didn't hear anything from the politicos that convinced me that libraries are a priority. Instead, it was boilerplate talk about "all the good work you do" (to the library directors and staff) and "we're going to fight for you" (during the budget process). Thanks for the pandering, dudes!

Unless there's more of outcry from you and me, it ain't gonna happen. We take libraries for granted. Slowly but surely they're crumbling -- literally, because there's no money for structural work. And as an educational institution, because there's little money to put anything new on the shelves.

Look, it's pretty simple. Public libraries=democracy. As I noted in this goofy little piece about our little Monterey library, nearly two-thirds of everyone in America uses the services of a library each year. And as the publishing biz drives up the price of a new hardcover book to nearly 30 beans a pop, libraries are critical for providing access to education and information to everyone.

Anyway, spread the word about the Steinbeck library and the fate of libraries everywhere. And kick in a few bucks if you got 'em -- and a few more for your local library, too.

Artists in the Hood

One of the most interesting things about Berkshires life is stumbling across creative people at every turn. Not long ago I found a ten-dollar bill with this message stamped on it: "What is satisfied in you by buying things?" It caught my eye -- just like the fiver that had someone's grocery list crammed into the margin that I found a few years back. Turns out that the message -- and others like it -- is part of a public art project started by someone right up the road in Williamstown. Here's the AP story about the artist that ran in this a.m.'s Eagle.

Hey! A Little Privacy, Please!

Two possibly related paragraphs from a story about pandas:

The installment of mobile telecommunications technology at Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve will allow researchers involved in saving the endangered species to monitor their movements. The wireless network transmits real-time data on the pandas, including photos and video signals, 24 hours a day from any corner of the nature reserve. (emphasis added)

...AND...

"Despite the increase, the animal's existence is menaced by problems including loss of habitat and a low rate of reproduction," Xinhua said.

Is it possible that 24/7 video monitoring could, potentially, make pandas a bit less "frisky?" Who knows. Maybe pandas aren't as easily embarrassed as humans...

Family Feud ... on eBay!

I love the last paragraph of this story.

The Bankruptcy Bill's Fine Print

The reality of the pending bankruptcy bill is almost unimaginable: Credit card companies and commercial banks, already enjoying huge profits thanks to usurious interest rates, remarkable late fees, and marketing strategies that take advantage of less savvy consumers, will do even better. Families hit by a job loss, divorce, or medical emergency that leads to financial crisis will find themselves with fewer options.

Yet as we dig into the fine print of the bill, we discover even more outrageous changes to bankruptcy law -- not surprisingly, changes that benefit corporations over people. For example, while debtors could never eliminate overdue child support and alimony payments via bankruptcy, an article in today's Christian Science Monitor notes that no priority is given to those payments under the proposed law. Credit card companies and other creditors would be on an equal footing with those who are owed child support. From the Monitor article:

Under current laws, noncustodial parents who file for bankruptcy cannot discharge their child support and alimony. Under the proposed new law, [Jill Miller, chief executive officer of Women Work! in Washington, D.C.] says, they still can't discharge those debts, but there's a difference. Claims to back child support and alimony would be on equal footing with the claims of credit-card companies. In some cases, "mothers will be coming in after other creditors have received their payment," Miller says. "It's absolutely terrible."

Indeed it is. (Read the Monitor story for a better understanding of how the bill will impact women and single mothers.)

Another noteworthy fact from Talking Point Memo's special bankruptcy bill blog is that 18 current senators who voted in 1991 to cap credit card interest rates at 14 percent recently voted against Sen. Mark Dayton's amendment to cap those rates at 30 percent. That's right: they opposed a cap of THIRTY PERCENT. Why the switch? A few million in campaign contributions from commercial banking interests is certainly worth considering. TPM has assembled a list of these senators, should you wish to send them a strongly-worded note.

There's much more to protest about this legislation, because it continues the transfer of "power to the powerful" through legislation cleverly disguised in a variety of faux populist and faux pro-consumer arguments. I'll write more about this soon, both here in the blog and in upcoming columns. It's not too late to stop this bad legislation with its host of awful consequences for working Americans.

Funny Line in Gene Wilder Book Review

Just imagine this moment:

[Wilder] was drafted into the Army in 1956, where he spent much of his time as an aide in a psychiatric ward, helping to administer electroshock therapy to patients. Two years later, he was discharged. He changed his name -- Wilder is from Thornton Wilder, Gene is from a Thomas Wolfe novel -- took classes with Lee Strasberg, auditioned a lot and married a woman whom he began to dislike on the drive to their honeymoon.

Yikes.

Here's the full review of Wilder's "Kiss Me Like a Stranger," a review worth reading, if not the book itself.

A Question for the Ages

"Sunday on MSN: Should you get bangs?"

The 'Values' Debate (cont'd)

It's refreshing to see at least a few commentators point out that Pope John Paul II was an outspoken critic of consumerism and “unfettered neo-liberal capitalism.” Indeed, he believed it was a detriment to creating a "culture of life," a term he coined which has been misconstrued recently by partisans in the abortion debate. John Paul II meant it in a far broader sense: Feeding the hungry, ensuring health care for the sick, opposing war, ending the death penalty, and yes, in keeping with longstanding Catholic Church policy, opposing abortion.

(It remains a mystery how opposition to birth control can be reconciled with these beliefs, given the suffering from AIDS and overpopulation that could be relieved with aggressive family planning education. Not to mention a reduction in the number of abortions around the world.)

Even as he helped topple Communism and totalitarian political rule, the Pope encouraged discussion about a few kernels of Marxist economic theory -- particularly ideas that would ensure some kind of economic fairness for working people. (He once said that he came from "the proletariat.") He was said to be seeking a "third way" between Marxism and capitalism. And, yes, it's related to abortion, too, because in economic hard times, abortions increase. Under President Bush, a staunch opponent, abortions are on the rise. Why? Because as working families and low-income Americans get squeezed economically, and also try to get by without health insurance, they make different choices.

In the wake of the Pope's passing, I hope the "values" debate expands to include economic issues, because reducing suffering and enhancing the quality of life for billions of human beings depends on it. Here in the U.S., it's critically important to cast more of our public policy debates in this light. Massive tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans while nearly 17 percent of American children live in poverty is indeed a "values" debate.

In a recent interview, comedian and commentator Bill Maher talked about values in the context of our attitudes toward money (and, interestingly, found a connection to homeland security):

"I think you can really quantify what a value is. In America, we don't seem to be able to count votes accurately. But . . . no one ever makes a mistake when we're counting money. I see the people at Diebold finally figured out a way to have a paper trail (from an electronic voting machine) - after the election. It's called a receipt. At the airports, we seem unable to have any kind of real security. And yet, ever walk into a casino in Las Vegas? There are cameras everywhere, there are plainclothes people making a good salary who know what to look for. Somehow, nothing ever escapes the security apparatus at the Bellagio. That's because we obviously value money more than we do life."

Shockingly straightforward, because who would agree (or admit) that we value money more than life itself? No one, of course. Which is why it's worth reflecting on how our public policy choices -- or, more accurately, the actual impact of public policy choices -- may not match our stated values. I suggested as much in last Wednesday's column, Politics for Kids, because I believe it's central to the debate about the future of America.

CUT TO: Shein stepping off soap box...

Great Editorial in The Eagle

When Journalists Go Bad.

'Compounded' His 'Mistake'?

Wow, understatement as heavy as understatement can be. From a story about former President Clinton's national security advisor, Sandy Berger, pleading guilty to intentionally removing classified documents from the National Archives:

Mr. Berger, speaking outside the courthouse, declined to answer any questions regarding his motives. Associates attributed the episode to fatigue and poor judgment, saying he had spent many hours reviewing documents at the National Archives on the two occasions when he took the classified material, in September and October 2003. He removed five versions of the report, they said, because he wanted to compare them side by side in his own office.

The associates acknowledged that he had compounded the mistake by cutting up three of the reports with a pair of scissors at his office and then misleading officials at the National Archives as to what had happened when they confronted him about the missing documents. [emphasis added]

Hard to explain that away. Still, charges that Berger took the documents to prevent the September 11 Commission from seeing them are simply false. According to the Justice Department, the Commission saw all of the original threat assessments described in the reports Berger took. But still, it sure looks bad/stupid/wrong.

I [HEART] 'Sidd Finch'

Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of perhaps the greatest April Fools "prank" of all time -- though calling it a "prank" doesn't do it justice. Read "The Curious Case of Sidd Finch," written by the singular George Plimpton and published in Sports Illustrated on April 1, 1985. Then read this New York Times story, published yesterday, sharing the story of one of the bit players in the scheme. Then, finally, read this description of Plimpton's book about Finch.

Posted on the wall next to my writing desk is a short article Plimpton wrote before his death in 2003. It's called "Dream Up Your Own List," part of a Men's Journal cover story suggesting 100 things you should do before you die. Dubbed #57, his piece is a typically Plimptonesque selection of his offbeat wishes and dreams, from learning to do Tiger-Woods-like tricks with a golf ball to "I'd like to have Britney Spears stop mid-gyration on the stage, notice me in the front row, and cry out, 'It's you!' "

The last line of the piece is worth reprinting in its entirety:

"There are many more, and the splendid thing is that they are all available -- as soon as the hour is late and the fire has gone down and it is time to drift off into sleep. It's only a matter of picking one before the sweet darkness arrives."

The Last Word on Terri Schiavo

Okay, probably not. But this powerful column and this sensible editorial are valuable additions to the ongoing discussion and debate.

What? We WON? Like, No WAY!

Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe shows what appears to be Oscar-worthy mock surprise on news of his party's victory in the third rigged election in five years.

Nicholas Kristof, in today's New York Times, powerfully outlines why Mugabe's continued hold on power is unbearably tragic for the people of Zimbabwe.

UPDATE: An editorial in the Times on democracy in Zimbabwe.

One More and It's a "Trend" Story!

First Kristol, now Buchanan. Who's next?

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Commentator and former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan cut short an appearance after an opponent of his conservative views doused him with salad dressing.

"Stop the bigotry!" the demonstrator shouted as he hurled the liquid Thursday night during the program at Western Michigan University. The incident came just two days after another noted conservative, William Kristol, was struck by a pie during an appearance at a college in Indiana.

More seriously, I think people should be allowed to speak without being doused with condiments or pie. Protestors and hecklers should have a chance to speak, too. But man oh man oh man did the first two paragraphs of this story make me laugh -- the deadpan newswriting makes it highly chuckle-worthy.

Who Needs a Laptop?

This guy:

[Via Stephanie Klein]