June 17, 2010
June 6, 2010
BP Oil Spill
I plead ignorance. I assumed, which I realize is a dangerous thing to do - that the deep sea oil drillers had all the research, experimentation, technology and ability to handle a drilling disaster of any magnitude they undertook and that they were tightly regulated. It seems obvious now, that not only the U.S. but also other countries of the world have allowed the oil companies to poke holes in the earth and create environmental disasters they are not capable of handling. It is too bad that the environmental catastrophe in the gulf had to occur before regulation will take place. Much like the WTC Buildings had to go down before the world took notice of Al Quida.
We can be sure, oil companies will be required by law and regulation to handle (plugging holes or some method) before they can drill. We can be sure that these oil companies will have that second hole dug to before they start pumping from the first. The cozy relationship with the regulators and oil companies is ended. As citizens of the earth, we must watch our government. It will cost us more at the pump but that is the price we have to pay.
Finally, where is England in all of this? This is a British company? And this is not President Obama's fault - it is the years of fighting safety regulations, primarily by republicans. Where is "drill, baby drill, Sarah Palin now? Hiding on her porch in Wasilla? And this is who the republicans wanted one heart beat away from the presidency?
Right now, all we have is hope, hope that this oil leak will not last 40 years or however long it takes to deplete the oil field under the ocean. I have always been a political independent - but this one belongs squarely in the the hands of the republicans who want only de-regulation. There is a place for governments of the world and government in our lives. Government being involved to prevent such disasters.
We can be sure, oil companies will be required by law and regulation to handle (plugging holes or some method) before they can drill. We can be sure that these oil companies will have that second hole dug to before they start pumping from the first. The cozy relationship with the regulators and oil companies is ended. As citizens of the earth, we must watch our government. It will cost us more at the pump but that is the price we have to pay.
Finally, where is England in all of this? This is a British company? And this is not President Obama's fault - it is the years of fighting safety regulations, primarily by republicans. Where is "drill, baby drill, Sarah Palin now? Hiding on her porch in Wasilla? And this is who the republicans wanted one heart beat away from the presidency?
Right now, all we have is hope, hope that this oil leak will not last 40 years or however long it takes to deplete the oil field under the ocean. I have always been a political independent - but this one belongs squarely in the the hands of the republicans who want only de-regulation. There is a place for governments of the world and government in our lives. Government being involved to prevent such disasters.
March 17, 2010
March 10, 2010
About Meaning in Life
"Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognize it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by his life; and he can only answer to his life by answering for his own life, to life he can only respond by being responsible." Victor Frankl
In addition, I would add, we owe it to all humanity, to be as kind as possible to each other.
In addition, I would add, we owe it to all humanity, to be as kind as possible to each other.
September 16, 2008
February 24, 2008
January 19, 2008
The Bush Tragedy
In my July 24 and September 3, 2007 post "Post-Mortem on the Bush Presidency (Part I and II), I provided my analysis of this failed presidency. There was a book released January 15th, 2008 (today) called "The Bush Tragedy." In my earlier op-eds, it was my struggle to try and understand how this person could be elected president, then re-elected, despite what seemed to a consensus of many of an incompetent leader. "The Bush Tragedy" by Jacob Weisberg ( I have only previewed it) provides a psychological/historical analysis of this president. Weisberg is not a professional psychologist nor a professional historian, but the book it is good and I think will receive fairly good reviews (I venture a guess - a B- review). What strikes me is that some of the ideas and themes I wrote about in the "Post-Mortem" op-eds half a year ago are eerily similar. Weisberg includes research and familiarity with the Bush family- mine was from everyday news listening.
Election 2008, The Times They Are a Changin
I feel vindicated. In my September 3rd, 2007 post (60's,70's again), I simply entered the lyrics of the Bob Dylan song "The Times They Are a Changin." The theme of the 2008 elections started with Barak Obama " CHANGE." Now all the other candidates, democratic and republican are echoing the words.
January 9, 2008
Unrealistic Hopes for 2008 Revisted
In my December 30th, 2007 blog, I wrote of unrealistic hopes for 2008. Number one was that super tuesday of the primary elections would overturn the Iowa caucus and NH primary results - so these states would have less influence in picking presidential candidates. Since these events are now history, overturning the results on the democratic side on super tuesday would likely have put Joe Biden or Chris Dodd as front runners, but it is not to be, since they dropped out the race. I liked Joe Biden, here is what he said:
"Barack Obama hasn't passed any bills. There's not a major bill I know of with Hillary's name on it. John Edwards has only passed 4 bills. They are all about post offices - I mean, literally."
Aime Casavant
"Barack Obama hasn't passed any bills. There's not a major bill I know of with Hillary's name on it. John Edwards has only passed 4 bills. They are all about post offices - I mean, literally."
Aime Casavant
December 30, 2007
Unrealistic Hopes for 2008
1. The Super Tuesday states upset the Iowa and New Hampshire winners as a way to diminish the importance that is given on these two states in the primaries. The start of something good.
2. The U.S. under George W Bush takes the world lead in in efforts to reduce global warming.
3. Al-Quida continues causing trouble in its own region of the world so those Arab countries and others riding on the fence turn against them as they did in Iraq ( this one is a possibility)
4. Large,unexpected advances are made in the free world and the U.S. in establishing alternative sources of energy - to reduce to an appreciable affect, the western worlds dependence on oil from the middle east. Something George W Bush seems to have finally understood after 7 years of being president.
5. More success occurs in Iraq, particularly security and political re-conciliation due to Al-Quida messing around in that area - allowing the U.S. to reduce its military presence there.
6. Pakistan has reasonably acceptable democratic elections, regardless who the winner might be. A stable Pakistan is one of the most important things for the world right now.
7. Democrats get their heads together and realize all other nominees are a role of the dice and Joe Biden or Chris Dodd are nominated for their party for president, two candidates who can surely beat any republican in the race. The country needs change and a different political party to take us into the next 4 years. This includes giving the senate and house more democrats so legislation can get passed.
8. Countries of the world, through the U.N. vote a resolution that nuclear weaponry is too great of a threat to the planet, and bans nuclear weapons as instruments of war - to be verified by by a strong U.N. inspection team.
9. The U.S. leads the world in a program to reduce greatly, child abuse and neglect throughout the world.
10. The greatest discovery ever made occurs provides a cure for all forms of cancer - the magic bullet.
11. The U.S. legislative and executive branch stops rewarding Americans who do not save to take care of their basic personal needs such as housing, healthcare, long term care. Basically force them to stop buying 48 inch television screens, expensive cars and boats and forces them to re-prioritize to put first responsibilities first and not depend on the government.
12. Congress and the executive branch let the banks and borrowers who wallowed in sub-prime mortgages, incurring debt and credit to fail in their own mess, and make sure Americans who loaned and borrowed with prudence and sensibility prosper.
13. The U.S. voters recognize the damage that the religious right has done to this country in mixing religion with politices ( i.e. electing George W Bush, incompetent to run the country) and allow history to record the type of damage this has done, so it never happens again.
14. The peace process that was jump started by Condelezza Rice actually takes hold, Palistine establishes its own country, becomes a memeber of the U.N. with all rights and privileges. The Bush presidency was late, but hopefully successful where no others have.
15. The countries of the world all come to understand, appreciate and incorporate into their U.N. priorities, Carl Sagan, astrophysicist, perceptions of the world, making it the centerpiece of their existence.
2. The U.S. under George W Bush takes the world lead in in efforts to reduce global warming.
3. Al-Quida continues causing trouble in its own region of the world so those Arab countries and others riding on the fence turn against them as they did in Iraq ( this one is a possibility)
4. Large,unexpected advances are made in the free world and the U.S. in establishing alternative sources of energy - to reduce to an appreciable affect, the western worlds dependence on oil from the middle east. Something George W Bush seems to have finally understood after 7 years of being president.
5. More success occurs in Iraq, particularly security and political re-conciliation due to Al-Quida messing around in that area - allowing the U.S. to reduce its military presence there.
6. Pakistan has reasonably acceptable democratic elections, regardless who the winner might be. A stable Pakistan is one of the most important things for the world right now.
7. Democrats get their heads together and realize all other nominees are a role of the dice and Joe Biden or Chris Dodd are nominated for their party for president, two candidates who can surely beat any republican in the race. The country needs change and a different political party to take us into the next 4 years. This includes giving the senate and house more democrats so legislation can get passed.
8. Countries of the world, through the U.N. vote a resolution that nuclear weaponry is too great of a threat to the planet, and bans nuclear weapons as instruments of war - to be verified by by a strong U.N. inspection team.
9. The U.S. leads the world in a program to reduce greatly, child abuse and neglect throughout the world.
10. The greatest discovery ever made occurs provides a cure for all forms of cancer - the magic bullet.
11. The U.S. legislative and executive branch stops rewarding Americans who do not save to take care of their basic personal needs such as housing, healthcare, long term care. Basically force them to stop buying 48 inch television screens, expensive cars and boats and forces them to re-prioritize to put first responsibilities first and not depend on the government.
12. Congress and the executive branch let the banks and borrowers who wallowed in sub-prime mortgages, incurring debt and credit to fail in their own mess, and make sure Americans who loaned and borrowed with prudence and sensibility prosper.
13. The U.S. voters recognize the damage that the religious right has done to this country in mixing religion with politices ( i.e. electing George W Bush, incompetent to run the country) and allow history to record the type of damage this has done, so it never happens again.
14. The peace process that was jump started by Condelezza Rice actually takes hold, Palistine establishes its own country, becomes a memeber of the U.N. with all rights and privileges. The Bush presidency was late, but hopefully successful where no others have.
15. The countries of the world all come to understand, appreciate and incorporate into their U.N. priorities, Carl Sagan, astrophysicist, perceptions of the world, making it the centerpiece of their existence.
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