I read an interesting article today about the most recent Global Warming conference taking place in Poland. One of the none government representatives is a Canadian Indian who fears for his tribe's future as changes due to climate and industry - in this case oil producing - are changing the ways of the caribou, a important source of food for his people.
As the nations of the world argue the effects of Global Warming, all to often the most immediately effected are often overlooked. These are the Indians and Eskimos of the Arctic Region, trying to maintain a life style that is free of industrialization, pollutants and waste. The natives and Indians who live in the rain forests that circle the equator, who are losing their lifestyle and sense of being to industrialization and having "civilization" forced upon them.
All of these parties need to be represented at any talks dealing with Global Warming, because they are the ones who can tell the world what is actually happening right now. Their eyes are not shut because they have lived in smog covered cities and had their sense of smell destroyed by smelling the output of paper factories and the like.
These are the people who have tried to live as one with the earth, something the rest of us should be looking at a lot more closely. All of us should see what we can do to help save our planet.
We cannot sit comfortably in our homes and make demands on developing nations, who unfortunately feel obligated to imitate the industrialization of their countries to equal the nations of Europe and the USA, without offering practical alternatives. Who are we to say not to cut the rain forest for mining, lumber, farming and industry if we cannot offer an alternative equally economical that will have less impact on the environment.
Maybe the lesson to be learned from the indigenous peoples of the world who have put the earth as their priority, rather than individual wealth, is that the time has come to return to Mother Earth, that the needs of the community are more important than the needs of the individual, and that clean air, water, and harmony with nature are the only way we can ensure a productive world for those that are to follow us.
Its Common Sense.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
OJ Goes to Jail - The American Legal system
OJ is going to do some serious jail time for what he did in Las Vegas. Looks like his luck finally ran out. I just hope that the jury who convicted him did so based on the evidence presented at this trial and not because they felt justice had not been served 13 years ago.
Although I get as frustrated as anyone else when what looks obvious to me is not obvious to the jury, the important thing is that everyone is entitled to there day in court. Is the system fair? Probably not. After all, not all of us can afford top line defense teams and at times have to settle for whatever is available for a court appointee.
On the prosecution side, not all investigations are as complete and prepared (take OJ's first trial) as they should be.
However, even though it is not perfect, the legal system in the United States is a lot better than what other countries have to offer.
Of course the next major decision our country needs to face is what we are going to do about the prisoners in Guantanamo accused (but not proven by any court) of committing terrorism and/or crimes against the United States. Do these individuals have the same rights as OJ? Should they be allowed to face their accusers in a court of law, with no water board present, present their case and allow a jury to decide their fate? Or are we simply going to ship them off to somewhere like Egypt where they will never be seen again?
We as Americans boast of our country's love of freedom and justice. Even though the justice system is not perfect, overall it has served us well.
Now we, and in this case I think the truth of the matter is that the Obama Administration is going to be be representing we the people, have to decide just what American Justice means and who it applies to.
Let your representatives know your views. If you believe the alleged terrorist deserve their day in court, say so. If you believe the proof is there and they should be executed, say so.
Do not sit idly by and let others make this decision with out your input. We Americans are our legal system. It is as strong or as weak as we allow it to be.
Let's make it strong, fair and just for everyone.
Its Common Sense!
Although I get as frustrated as anyone else when what looks obvious to me is not obvious to the jury, the important thing is that everyone is entitled to there day in court. Is the system fair? Probably not. After all, not all of us can afford top line defense teams and at times have to settle for whatever is available for a court appointee.
On the prosecution side, not all investigations are as complete and prepared (take OJ's first trial) as they should be.
However, even though it is not perfect, the legal system in the United States is a lot better than what other countries have to offer.
Of course the next major decision our country needs to face is what we are going to do about the prisoners in Guantanamo accused (but not proven by any court) of committing terrorism and/or crimes against the United States. Do these individuals have the same rights as OJ? Should they be allowed to face their accusers in a court of law, with no water board present, present their case and allow a jury to decide their fate? Or are we simply going to ship them off to somewhere like Egypt where they will never be seen again?
We as Americans boast of our country's love of freedom and justice. Even though the justice system is not perfect, overall it has served us well.
Now we, and in this case I think the truth of the matter is that the Obama Administration is going to be be representing we the people, have to decide just what American Justice means and who it applies to.
Let your representatives know your views. If you believe the alleged terrorist deserve their day in court, say so. If you believe the proof is there and they should be executed, say so.
Do not sit idly by and let others make this decision with out your input. We Americans are our legal system. It is as strong or as weak as we allow it to be.
Let's make it strong, fair and just for everyone.
Its Common Sense!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Americans and guns
Sometime you have to wonder about Americans and their fascination with firearms. Don't get me wrong, I am one of the biggest cowboy fans around, I've seen all the John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Randolph Scott, Joel McCrea etc movies and dreamed of having a Peacemaker Colt, Winchester and maybe Greener shotgun. However, I have never dreamed of having an assault rifle or sub machine gun in my home for protection.
The reason I bring this up is that I read an article about an eight year old boy who killed himself at a gun show in Massachusetts recently. While dad was getting ready to the film, the boy was given a mini-Uzi fully automatic sub machine gun by a fifteen year old instructor, pointed at a target and told to fire. The boy lost control and shot himself repeatedly.
Now who in their right mind gives an eight year old a weapon that was specifically created for Israeli commandos so they could go out an kill their enemies? This is not a hunting rifle, this is not a pistol, this is an attack weapon made for the purpose of killing.
Hunting and home defense (if you actually know what the hell you are doing) is one thing, automatic rifles and sub machine guns are for either killing an entire herd of deer or for killing people. They were not made for sports, competitions, or home defense and they should not be available for everyone to buy.
In this age of terrorism Americans have to be realistic about what it means to bear arms.
Its Common Sense! (Or is it?)
The reason I bring this up is that I read an article about an eight year old boy who killed himself at a gun show in Massachusetts recently. While dad was getting ready to the film, the boy was given a mini-Uzi fully automatic sub machine gun by a fifteen year old instructor, pointed at a target and told to fire. The boy lost control and shot himself repeatedly.
Now who in their right mind gives an eight year old a weapon that was specifically created for Israeli commandos so they could go out an kill their enemies? This is not a hunting rifle, this is not a pistol, this is an attack weapon made for the purpose of killing.
Hunting and home defense (if you actually know what the hell you are doing) is one thing, automatic rifles and sub machine guns are for either killing an entire herd of deer or for killing people. They were not made for sports, competitions, or home defense and they should not be available for everyone to buy.
In this age of terrorism Americans have to be realistic about what it means to bear arms.
Its Common Sense! (Or is it?)
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Capital Visitor Center
Nancy Pelosi and the gang opened the new Capital Visitor Center today. Only $360 million over budget and a year or so behind schedule it will be interesting to see if it was worth the effort and more importantly the money. I will have to get down to Washington and take a look.
Another project way over budget. This happens all of the time. We know the Pentagon never pays what the contract calls for because of - because of what?
I believe that once a contractor bids on a project and says it will cost so much, that's the end of it. You promised to do the job for a certain amount, live up to the contract. The politicians in DC seem to believe that contracts are not binding documents - no wonder things are so screwed up - but rather a means of getting things started.
What would happen if a government agency simply said "The bid was for X$s, that's all we have, too bad if you don't make a profit. Live up to the contract."
Did you ever see the movie "Dave"? He's nobody important, who looks exactly like the president and has to fill in. One of the best parts of the movie is when he wants to save a children's center and calls in a friend who is an accountant to find some money. The accountant is shocked at the bookkeeping method in DC and maybe it is time for all of us to be shocked as well.
Overage is not normal! Wasting taxpayer dollars should not be normal!
Let's call our representatives to task. A contract is a binding agreement, let's make the contractors honor their commitments. There is no more money to go around. The country is going down the tubes. Its time to stop giving the impression that our government is a bottomless money well.
Accountability!!! In the White House! In the Congress! In the Pentagon! In Federal Agencies!
In contracts with all parties!!
Its Common Sense!
Another project way over budget. This happens all of the time. We know the Pentagon never pays what the contract calls for because of - because of what?
I believe that once a contractor bids on a project and says it will cost so much, that's the end of it. You promised to do the job for a certain amount, live up to the contract. The politicians in DC seem to believe that contracts are not binding documents - no wonder things are so screwed up - but rather a means of getting things started.
What would happen if a government agency simply said "The bid was for X$s, that's all we have, too bad if you don't make a profit. Live up to the contract."
Did you ever see the movie "Dave"? He's nobody important, who looks exactly like the president and has to fill in. One of the best parts of the movie is when he wants to save a children's center and calls in a friend who is an accountant to find some money. The accountant is shocked at the bookkeeping method in DC and maybe it is time for all of us to be shocked as well.
Overage is not normal! Wasting taxpayer dollars should not be normal!
Let's call our representatives to task. A contract is a binding agreement, let's make the contractors honor their commitments. There is no more money to go around. The country is going down the tubes. Its time to stop giving the impression that our government is a bottomless money well.
Accountability!!! In the White House! In the Congress! In the Pentagon! In Federal Agencies!
In contracts with all parties!!
Its Common Sense!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Recession - DAH!!!!!!!!
Wall Street fell yet again with the official news that the country is in a recession. What the hell do they think has been going on? They need official word to know that things are screwed up?
Explain to me again why we want to bail these jokers out? (I know its the fancy banks but they are all linked to Wall Street.)
On a hopefully positive note Barrack Obama named his security team. No surprises and some people who at least on paper look pretty good. Time will tell.
Tomorrow Georgia is having their run off for Senate. Sarah Palin came to root for the Republican and the Clintons and Al Gore showed up for the Democrat. Even the Obamas sent recorded messages. Tomorrow we'll see if anyone really cares.
What's the word from Minnesota? Al Franken where are you?
In just 24 days we celebrate Christmas. With all of the craziness in the world - terror attacks in Mumbai, a worker trampled to death in a Wal Mart in New York, insurgencies continuing in Iraq and Afghanistan, civil war in the Congo and Nigeria, the president of Russia invading the Caribbean and visiting Fidel and making deals with Chavez - maybe we all need to sit back and reflex on where we fit into the scheme of things. Those of us who are Christian plan to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. Have we lived up to his example?
Who am I? What do I want? What kind of person am I? Do I care about the good of the many or am I only interested in myself?
This weekend I watched the HBO miniseries on the life of John Adams and although I do not agree with all he did or said, I do believe that even though he had a large ego, his overlying motivation was for the good of the people and the country.
Do our current leaders have that vision? Do they want to make this country and world better or are they only interested in the own ambitions? Time will tell.
Who do you care about? What do you care about?
To thine own self be true, then take care of your family, then your country and then the world.
Its Common Sense!
Explain to me again why we want to bail these jokers out? (I know its the fancy banks but they are all linked to Wall Street.)
On a hopefully positive note Barrack Obama named his security team. No surprises and some people who at least on paper look pretty good. Time will tell.
Tomorrow Georgia is having their run off for Senate. Sarah Palin came to root for the Republican and the Clintons and Al Gore showed up for the Democrat. Even the Obamas sent recorded messages. Tomorrow we'll see if anyone really cares.
What's the word from Minnesota? Al Franken where are you?
In just 24 days we celebrate Christmas. With all of the craziness in the world - terror attacks in Mumbai, a worker trampled to death in a Wal Mart in New York, insurgencies continuing in Iraq and Afghanistan, civil war in the Congo and Nigeria, the president of Russia invading the Caribbean and visiting Fidel and making deals with Chavez - maybe we all need to sit back and reflex on where we fit into the scheme of things. Those of us who are Christian plan to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. Have we lived up to his example?
Who am I? What do I want? What kind of person am I? Do I care about the good of the many or am I only interested in myself?
This weekend I watched the HBO miniseries on the life of John Adams and although I do not agree with all he did or said, I do believe that even though he had a large ego, his overlying motivation was for the good of the people and the country.
Do our current leaders have that vision? Do they want to make this country and world better or are they only interested in the own ambitions? Time will tell.
Who do you care about? What do you care about?
To thine own self be true, then take care of your family, then your country and then the world.
Its Common Sense!
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