Open Word clouds from PEW Research
What ONE WORD best describes your impression of...
John McCain
Barack Obama
Sarah Palin
Joe Biden
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Thursday, September 25, 2008
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Open Energy - Gandhi style
First they laugh at you, then they ignore you, then they fight with you, then you win.
-M.K. Gandhi
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Introducing the new 'E-Charkha'
Developed by Bangalore based Hiremath,' e-charkha' not only produces yarn but also functions as an inverter. 2 hours of spinning will give the backup power for over 6 hours, sufficient enough to light up a small "LED" and even to power a small transistor. The Khadi and Village Industries commission formally launched 'e-charkha' last November. KVIC plans to introduce it in Khadi weaving centres across India. Mr Hiremath says that the 'e-charkha' would provide a means of economic independence to spinners in remote places – both in terms of utility and entertainment, solving the monotony of spinning. For more information on the product, call 9845113109.
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Open Lies, Damned Lies and then there are Bushisms
President Bush says ...
Emphasis mine!I'm a strong believer in free enterprise, so my natural instinct is to oppose government intervention. I believe companies that make bad decisions should be allowed to go out of business.
Under normal circumstances, I would have followed this course. But these are not normal circumstances. The market is not functioning properly. There has been a widespread loss of confidence, and major sectors of America's financial system are at risk of shutting down.
What part of free market Capitalism isn't working properly???
Oh, I get it - the part where you and your cronies aren't enjoying economic prosperity - like the rest of us have been "enjoying" the last 8 years of trickle-down paltry existence and get-by-on-less initiatives.
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Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Open Spoiler Alert: Letterman & 9:11 crisis
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Open fantasy repealed...
Aaron Sorkin Conjures a Meeting of Obama and Bartlet
...too bad fantasy is more important than reality.I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Open pile of Bush sh*t!
Who lied to us the last time there was a "crisis"?
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Open Plea
McCain Asks To Postpone Friday Debate Due To Economic Crisis
... because he knows he isn't ready...yet...ever?I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Open sense.to.me.makes
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Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Open Statement: Veterans For Peace
SEPTEMBER 23, 2008
FIVE VFP MEMBERS OCCUPY NATIONAL ARCHIVES BUILDING
On Tuesday morning, September 23, 7:30am, at the front of the National Archives Building on Constitution Ave. in Washington, D.C., five military veterans will risk arrest as they climb a 9-foot retaining fence and occupy a 35-foot high ledge to raise a 22x8 foot banner stating, "DEFEND OUR CONSTITUTION. ARREST BUSH AND CHENEY: WAR CRIMINALS!"
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Open Relief
Paulson, Bernanke Urge Swift Action
...but no mention of WMDs...yet.I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Open Analysis: A clear voice...
Tuesday, September 23, 2008; Page A21
"The queen had only one way of settling all difficulties, great or small. 'Off with his head!' she said without even looking around."
-- "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"
Under the pressure of the financial crisis, one presidential candidate is behaving like a flustered rookie playing in a league too high. It is not Barack Obama.
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Monday, September 22, 2008
OPEN DANGER!!!
Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.
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Sunday, September 21, 2008
Open Alternative: Bush and Cheney must resign immediately.
We won't get fooled again
Sunday, September 21, 2008 by Dave Winer.
Bush and Cheney must resign immediately. No immunity, no pardons. Nancy Pelosi will become President, promising not to run for re-election on November 4. Her term will be one of the shortest in US history, just long enough to enact the provisions of the bill being proposed by the Republican administration. If it really is the best thing for the country and not a trick, then the Republicans, being impressed by the seriousness of it, would have to insist that Bush step aside and let the Democrats execute the plan. The entire Bush cabinet stays in office through January 20, but reports, of course to Pelosi. And that includes Paulson.
It's pretty simple. If they won't do it, we know they're bluffing.
If they will, I will give my support to the plan, even though I still don't know what will happen if I don't.
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Open: Peace One Day
Join Jude Law and Peace One Day founder and filmmaker Jeremy Gilley for a Gala Screening of the new acclaimed documentary The Day After Peace, together with musical performances from Annie Lennox, Bryan Adams, John Legend and more, contributions from Emilia Fox, Martin Bell OBE, David Bentley, Gabby Logan and other special guests. Watch the 2008 promo below!
PEACE ONE DAY
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Open Markets: The Downfall of Unbridled Capitalism
It turns out that I am a lousy capitalist. The proof is plain to see. I am poor. I am poor not by world standards but by capitalist standards.
The very curious thing is that I have worked hard to achieve this level of poorness. I routinely spend 45-50 hours a week at work. I live in an economically depressed region of the country which helps to keep my cost of living down. We are buying a modest house on a county road. Managing my income my wife has successfully kept current with all our debts. Each of the five members of my immediate family have taken steps to accommodate my lack of capitalistic prowess.
I just have to face the fact that I am a poor capitalist.
The very curious thing is that in this exact same situation I would be a wealthy socialist. I would still work hard, spending 45-50 hours a week at work. I would still live in my modest house. My wife would continue to manage my income efficiently. None of us would live outside our means.
Here is a wonderful word puzzle. See if you can see the problem:
As a society we have accepted capitalism as a lifestyle.
Answer: There is no mechanism for saying "As a capitalismy we have accepted society as a lifestyle."
Put in the simplest terms, unlike socialism, there is no 'social' in capitalism. Conversely in our capitalistic lifestyle everything, and I do mean everything, is a commodity. In our capitalist lifestyle even our own self worth is expressed in the price tags of market value.
"You get what you pay for."
This is certainly true when you bargain in good faith with a reputable broker. But this phrase has come to mean the opposite in our capitalistic lifestyle: If you don't pay for something then it is worth nothing. Consider then a few things that you cannot pay for:
A good reputation
Justice
Health
Faith
Love
Justice
Health
Faith
Love
In pure capitalistic terms they must be worth nothing. Yet in social terms they are invaluable.
IMPORTANT NOTE: I in no way endorse or subscribe to the propagandistic view that Socialism is a state run welfare system. I will continue to work and contribute to society. I will continue to honor my debts. I will only accept assistance when my needs exceed my resources.
One year ago today:
One Peace, One Day... Soon!
Peace Day - September 21st, 2008 - TODAY!!!I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Open in theaters soon
SYNOPSIS
Stranded in a remote Iranian village, a French journalist is approached by Zahra, a woman who has a harrowing tale to tell about her niece, Soraya, and the bloody circumstances of her death the day before...
As the journalist turns on his tape recorder, Zahra takes us back to the beginning of her story which involves Soraya's husband, the local phony mullah, and a town all too easily led down a path of deceit, coercion, and hysteria. The women, stripped of all rights and without recourse, nobly confront the overwhelming desires of corrupt men who use and abuse their authority to condemn Soraya, an innocent but inconvenient wife, to an unjust and torturous death.
A shocking and true drama, it exposes the dark power of mob rule, uncivil law, and the utter lack of human rights for women. The last and only hope for some measure of justice lies in the hands of the journalist who must escape with the story -- and his life -- so the world will know.
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Open the door, sweep out the dirt, close the door.
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Open Faith: “Voting ALL Our Values” - Obama
The Christian Broadcasting Network's The Brody File reports...
Exclusive: Obama Campaign Faith Tour Starts Next Week
September 19, 2008
An official with Barack Obama’s campaign tells The Brody File that beginning next week the campaign will start an official faith tour in key battleground states called “Barack Obama: Faith, Family and Values Tour”. The subheading of the tour is as follows: “Voting ALL Our Values”
The Brody File is told that top faith surrogates will hit the trail for Obama. Some of those high profile figures include Former Indiana Congressman and pro-life Democrat Tim Roemer, Catholic legal scholar Doug Kmiec, and author Donald Miller. You can also expect a soon to be named Evangelical North Carolina (red state) Congressman to travel the country as well. All of these surrogates are well versed and comfortable talking faith and politics. This is clearly a sign by the Obama campaign that they plan to target red state and swing state moderates.
A campaign official tells me the tour is designed to feature the “strong faith and values” of both Barack Obama and running mate Joe Biden. Issues will range from healthcare to poverty to the economy to climate change to yes, even abortion. The campaign understands tough questions may come their way but they’re ready with an answer of how they can reduce abortions.
... the Obama campaign understands that most people in this country consider their faith integral to their lives. The values and religion talk resonates not just with conservative Evangelicals but a whole range of people out there. It means different things to different people. Obama wants to tap into that and also stay true to the fact that his faith has been central to his life.
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Open/Closed: McCain works to keep POW/MIA info from families
McCain and the POW Cover-up
The "war hero" candidate buried information about POWs left behind in Vietnam
Research support provided by the Investigative Fund of The Nation Institute. This is an expanded version, with primary documents attached, of a story that appears in the October 6, 2008 issue of The Nation.
By Sydney H. Schanberg
September 18, 2008
John McCain, who has risen to political prominence on his image as a Vietnam POW war hero, has, inexplicably, worked very hard to hide from the public stunning information about American prisoners in Vietnam who, unlike him, didn't return home. Throughout his Senate career, McCain has quietly sponsored and pushed into federal law a set of prohibitions that keep the most revealing information about these men buried as classified documents. Thus the war hero who people would logically imagine as a determined crusader for the interests of POWs and their families became instead the strange champion of hiding the evidence and closing the books.
Follow this LINK and read the entire article.
This is the sort of man America wants as a leader?
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Open McDouble McStandards redux
McCain’s Camp Tests Fund-Raising Limits
P.S. I felt the need to reinforce my understanding of the word ...
in·teg·ri·ty[in-teg-ri-tee]
1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
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Friday, September 19, 2008
Open Directive: There is a new President in town...
We all know our place. Sarah just wants us to be sure she knows her place.
President Sarah Palin has made it clear to all parties involved that under her administration there will be no pandering to special interests or kowtowing to established power brokers...
... except when it is in the best interest of President Sarah Palin.
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Thursday, September 18, 2008
Open Threat Level: A Palin Theocracy
Quoted from
A Palin Theocracy
Thursday 11 September 2008
by: Marjorie Cohn, t r u t h o u t | Perspective
Rick Davis, McCain's campaign manager, said that "this election is not about issues ... This election is about a composite view of what people take away from these candidates." The Republicans know they will lose if they really focus on issues such as the economy, the war, healthcare, education and the environment. They are hoping that pro-choice women who supported Hillary Clinton will gravitate to Palin because she's a feisty - albeit anti-choice - woman. They are also banking on support from people who cannot bring themselves to vote for a black man.Emphasis mine...
It is abundantly clear from Rick Davis' comment that he believes that as a nation we don't want a leader but rather a figurehead. Such an operational philosophy has served us in good stead for the last 8 years. It has promoted good will and admiration among our world peers. It has brought peace and prosperity to our nation.
Oh! Wait...
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Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Open Reason: This is why I support Barack Obama
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Open Nationalization: AIG & McBush
Now that we the people are stake holders does that mean we will get better rates on our insurance?
Wait, have pigs taken flight?
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Open Question(s) of Adoption
Note: This is quoted in its entirety for clarity.
Saturday
John and Cindy McCain: Illegal Adoptive Parents?
Dr. Abdul Momen
[Dr. Momen, a professor of Economics in Massachusetts and a political analyst, raises questions about the legality of the adoption of the McCains' daughter, Bridget - ShadaKalo editors]
Wes Gullett, Senetor McCain's former staff member, spoke at the Republic National Convention (RNC) in St. Paul, Minnesota, with his adopted daughter Nikki by his side. He talked about the compassion of the potential first lady, Senator John McCain's wife Cindy McCain. The camera repeatedly showed Mrs. McCain and the McCains' adopted daughter, Bridget. The proof of Mrs. McCain's compassion? She had rescued two baby girls from an orphanage in Bangladesh, and "adopted" one of them, while Mr. Gullett "adopted" the other. After the 11-house stories, this certainly helped humanize the McCains and garner some sympathy.
Unfortunately, there is a reason we put the quotes around adopted.
According to Bangladeshi Law, no foreigner is allowed to adopt a Bangladeshi child. The US embassy in Bangladesh says:Actual adoption of children is not permitted under Bangladesh law. However, Bangladesh law does permit its own citizens to apply for guardianship of children. At that time, a U.S.-Bangladeshi dual citizen who has obtained guardianship of a Bangladeshi child could apply for an immigrant visa for that child to go to the U.S. Under Bangladesh law, the 1982 Guardianship and Wards Amendments Ordinances prohibit granting guardianship of Bangladeshi children to non-Bangladeshi parents. Further, these restrictions have limited adoption of Bangladeshi children to only a few each year.Lets parse this. First, adoption is not allowed. Second, guardianship is allowed, but only to Bangladeshi citizens.
John and Cindy McCain, therefore, could not have legally adopted Bridget. The same applies to the Gullets and Nikki. I am personally happy that they adopted her and saved her life, but they broke Bangladeshi law. It is not expected from a war hero, a national role model and a highly respected US Senator like John McCain to adopt his daughter ‘without due process of law’ illegally and use such ‘illegal adoption’ for political gain.
But then again, Mrs. McCain is no stranger to breaking the law.
In 1992, when we wanted to arrange the adoption in the USA of 25 Bangladeshi boys, all below the age of 5 who were being sold as ‘camel jockeys’ in the Gulf countries, the Bangladesh government did not allow us to do it because of their adoption law. As the US embassy page points out, Bangladeshi law does not allow foreigners to adopt their children legally since the ordinance was enacted in 1982. We got their custody after six months only when we (me and my friend Faith Willard of Cape Cod, Massachusetts) agreed to the conditions such as (1) we would repatriate and rehabilitate them in Bangladesh, and (2) would hand them over back to Bangladesh government if any ‘real parents’ claim them.
It also looks like Mrs. McCain was also embellishing stories about the adoption for the past 17 years. She has been claiming that Mother Teresa herself convinced her to adopt the baby Bridget. There was just a small problem: Mrs. McCain never met Mother Teresa:The McCain campaign had also put out the story that Mother Teresa “convinced” Cindy to bring home two orphans from Bangladesh in 1991.So why was she name-dropping? Just to exploit the good name of Mother Teresa? During Mr. Gullett's speech, a photo of Mrs. McCain and Mother Teresa was shown. Perhaps the GOP wants us to believe that some of her sainthood must have rubbed off on Cindy McCain.
Mrs. McCain, it turns out, never met Mother Teresa on that trip. (Once contacted by the Monitor, the campaign revised the story on its website.)
The RNC paraded Bridget and Nikki as examples of Cindy McCain's compassion--for a political campaign. This makes the following a fair question.
We call upon the McCain campaign to clarify this adoption: since foreign adoption has been illegal since at least 1982, how did the McCain family adopt a child from Bangladesh in 1991?
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Open Fundamentally
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Open Damnation
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Monday, September 15, 2008
Open Foreign Correspondence
Let Sarah Palin Run for Office in Saudi Arabia
September 14, 2008 by American Bedu
I think there are likely Saudi women who would be much better qualified as a Vice President contender of the United States than Sarah Palin. In fact as I think on some of her responses to queries it made me realize that gee…maybe I could someday fit a profile as a Vice President. No; I’ve not been Mayor of a small Alaskan town or Governor of a State but I have met foreign heads of state…I even met a few U.S. presidents during my old diplomatic career. I’ve not only traveled to war zones but I have worked in them in Iraq and Pakistan. But this post is not about me and whether I’d ever be a viable candidate. This post is about Sarah Palin and perhaps she should consider coming to serve in Saudi Arabia rather than the United States of America.
Here are some of the issues I see with her so far that would make her an ideal citizen of Saudi Arabia:
o Favors creationist teaching instead of evolution. This is also what is taught in the Saudi school systems.
o Speaking of the Saudi school and education system, the way she parroted her answers to Charles Gibson also indicated she can learn by rote memorization. Another endearing point for bringing her to Saudi.
o She hinted that Iraq war is a mission from God. Many sheiks and clerics may agree with her but perhaps for differing reasons.
o She does not believe in abortion even in the case of rape and incest (only time she accepts it is if the mother life is in danger). Again, this teaching would go down well in Saudi Arabia.
o Her husband was a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, which has a platform of cessation from the Union, She is rumored to have been a member but no one can make the paper trail stick yet. However, she addressed the convention of the party as late as this year. For a party (Republican) that is running on a platform of country first. If this sticks to her she has a major problem. How can you be a Vice President and support something as crazy as cessation even if that was 10 years ago. Now this one would likely get her in trouble with a monarchy.
o Her previous church of which she was a member of all her life until 2 years ago, believes that God speaks through people in tongues. I’m sure that would endear her to the Muttawa.
o She “should” know much about oil coming from the key American producing state. The Ministry of Oil here in Riyadh would appreciate that.
And then we get to her stance on issues. Oh dear…she has contradicted herself. For example, she spoke in a speech on Obama asking for ear marks when she asked for more per year than him. She even hired a lobbyist to help her get earmarks when she was a small town Mayor. She also lied outright about selling a state airplane on e-bay at a profit (it was sold privately and for a loss)
She lied about the bridge to nowhere. She was for it when running for governor and then reversed her position when she won and used the money for other projects (there was NO “thanks but no thanks”, she took the money). She is exaggerating her success in the pipeline project. It will take a minimum of 10 years to get it done and not even 1 mile has been built yet. She needs to get the federal government on and oil companies on board (not an easy task since she alienated the oil executives). So in essence she is claiming a touchdown when she is still on the 50 yard line. What is worse is she is selling the pipeline victory as something that will impact Americans soon, when it will take at minimum 10 years to have any impact.Do not get me wrong, she is a very smart lady and can speak very well. But there are so many issues that make her the wrong VP… for the United States of America.
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Open Market
| 11,170.56 | -251.43 | (-2.20%) | |
| 2,229.61 | -31.66 | (-1.40%) | |
| 1,225.51 | -26.19 | (-2.09%) | |
10y bond | 3.53% | -0.01 | (-0.28%) |
| 0.7053 | +0.0012 | (0.18%) | |
| 105.6500 | -1.9800 | (-1.84%) | |
| 0.5592 | +0.0012 | (0.21%) | |
Dow Nasdaq S&P 500 
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McLipstick
Dave Winer sure can pick 'em...
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Saturday, September 13, 2008
Open Conflict of Interest: Lipstick on a porkbarrel
Read all of the extensive article...
In Office, Palin Hired Friends and Hit Critics
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Open need for change!
The solution to the failed drug war
By Jack A. Cole September 13, 2008
. . .
There are more black men in US prisons today than there were slaves in 1840, and they are being used for the same purpose; working for private corporations at 16 to 20 cents an hour. Half the states have private, for-profit prisons whose lobbyists are demanding longer mandatory-minimum prison sentences. Indeed, American blacks are incarcerated at nearly eight times the level of South African blacks during the height of apartheid.
. . .
Inner-city communities are devastated not by drug use but by the same turf-war street violence that accompanied alcohol prohibition and that dramatically decreased once that drug was legalized and regulated. Almost one in seven African-Americans are denied voting rights largely because of drug arrests, and countless minorities are denied intact families, college loans, driver's licenses, and jobs because of selective enforcement of a prohibition that, even fairly enforced, prevents no one from using drugs.
. . .I represent Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, an international organization of sworn antidrug warriors who know that we must end this prohibition in order to legalize and regulate all drugs, thus wresting control from the cartels and street thugs who prey on children.
Ending this prohibition is a singularly potent civil rights issue. It is a remarkable movement, led by both white and minority law enforcement officials.
In an election infused with racial overtones, we wonder which politicians will be brave enough to follow.
Jack A. Cole is executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.
It is time for very real changes ... very soon!
[h/t to wirearchy]
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Open Tagging
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Open Tragedy of Errors - Microsoft's version of Dumb & Dumber (The Bill & Jerry Show)
-Ben Worthen in the Wall Street Journal said...
The next installment of Microsoft’s controversial ad campaign featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates is out. And you know what? It’s pretty good.My view is just slightly different - IT IS CRAP! (<- YouTube link, 4:30 of your life you will never get back. I only watched the first 30 seconds. So I didn't lose 4:00 minutes of my life.)
[Updated: After reading some of the comments offered by the readers I realize that whether this ad campaign is good or bad is irrelevant. Microsoft is running these ads for the same reason McCain nominated Palin; to garner media news cycles.]
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Open Enjoyment: Day by Day
There is a little link ... Day By Day ... (in the left hand column) Go hover over it.
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Open Wal-mart: The failing of extreme capitalism.
Did you ever notice that there is nothing really special at Wal-mart? In fact it is entirely possible that every Wal-mart store offers exactly the same things. Now while strong branding and uniformity of product is seen as a strong market position Wal-mart has taken this approach to the extreme. To their detriment as well.
Wal-mart employs a buy-low-sell-at-the-lowest-price-the-market-will-bear policy. Wal-mart, under the auspices of 'saving you money', is lowering the overall standard of product quality offered in favor of meager profit margins. Effectively Wal-mart has trained consumers to accept large volumes of low quality commodities.
Wal-mart marries this buy-low-sell-low practice with the understanding of the American consumers belief in one stop shopping. Once in the door the customer belongs to Wal-mart. Wal-mart, not the customer, decides what will be available to the purchasing public. Wal-mart is training their customers in what is an acceptable standard of living.
A side note worthy of mention is Wal-mart's practice of importing low cost, low quality goods in order to meet the lowered expectations of their well trained customers. Sadly, when the goods are imported American money leaves the country to pay the substandard wages of workers who have undercut the American job market. That's right, we have perpetuated our own worsening employment circumstances by allowing Wal-mart to flourish.
So, when facing the prospect of union representation for its employees Wal-mart quickly realizes that its extreme capitalism practices are built on a less than firm foundation. Wal-mart recognizes that its one real cost, the low wages it pays employees, cannot be outsourced. In order to continue to show the degree of profitability when having to pay union scale will mean that prices will have to rise.
This in turn will show their customers that in a truely competative market place that price vs. quality is the real value of the transaction. Simply offering the lowest priced lowest quality goods will quickly be seen for what it is - usuary profiteering of the worst order.
Wal-mart is affraid of unionization because it knows that Sam Walton's sand castle will crumble when the playing field is leveled.
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Friday, September 12, 2008
Open Fortune (Stolen from Linux)
It now costs more to amuse a child than it once did to educate his father.
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Thursday, September 11, 2008
Open Notice: A lie is still just a pig with lipstick.
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Open Lipstick on a McPig
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Sunday, September 07, 2008
Open Nationalization: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Bush
Having no faith in free market economic forces the U.S. government nationalized Mae & Mac. American tax payers will be expected to pay "tens of billions of dollars" for the questionable business decisions made by real estate profiteers.
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Open Noise, distraction and more NOISE
Executing the perfect political ploy John McCain has successfully introduced noise and distraction into an otherwise forgone conclusion of a presidential race. From the very moment of her theatrical introduction McCain's choice for a VP running mate has served to pull focus away from his short-comings. With one convenient PR brush stroke the American public is no longer worried about any of the real-life issues of the day. Mr. & Mrs. Joe and Jane Q. Public are now consumed with the tawdry details of Alaska's politico-soap opera starring an evangelical extremist and her family-values clan.
But wait, there's more ... I predict that the master of political wet-work will pull yet another grandiose theatrical rabbit out of the hat.
Imagine how the continuing discomfort of the Republicans grates on the party faithful. Imagine how this Alaskan albatross appears to continue the (Troopergate) slow (Bridge to Nowhere) death (Wasilla Pork Barrel) spiral of public opinion against McCain. Poor, poor put upon John.
Then, all of a sudden, Sara Palin has a change of heart. She claims she must honor God's plan, she must support family values and most of all she must uphold her sworn duty and responsibility to her beloved Alaska, she must, for the good of all Republicans everywhere, step aside.
Poor, poor John McCain. What is a fellow to do?
Quick, quick, have those signs printed that say "McCain & Lieberman". Rejoice, rejoice, the prodigal son returns.
Executing the perfect political ploy John McCain again successfully introduces MORE noise and MORE distraction into an otherwise forgone conclusion of a presidential race. From the very moment of his theatrical introduction McCain's choice for a VP running mate serves to pull focus away from his short-comings. With one convenient PR brush stroke the American public is no longer worried about any of the real-life issues of the day.
Republicans collectively heave a huge sigh of relief ...
[Ronnie Bennett: I apologize for not reading your link before going off on my rant - Palin as Political Distraction
From Sylvia Kirkwood of The View From Over the Hill : The Requirements of Liberty]
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Open Approval Ratings
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Open Message: Says it all
Jesus of Nazareth was a community organizer.
Pontius Pilate was a governor.
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Open Organizers
4 more years? No, we won't!
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Saturday, September 06, 2008
Open alternative: The Correct Palin
Bush No Mas!
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Open Quote
Alaskans Speak (In A Frightened Whisper): Palin Is “Racist, Sexist, Vindictive, And Mean”
September 5, 2008
“So Sambo beat the bitch!”
This is how Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin described Barack Obama’s win over Hillary Clinton to political colleagues in a restaurant a few days after Obama locked up the Democratic Party presidential nomination.
According to Lucille, the waitress serving her table at the time and who asked that her last name not be used, Gov. Palin was eating lunch with five or six people when the subject of the Democrat’s primary battle came up. The governor, seemingly not caring that people at nearby tables would likely hear her, uttered the slur and then laughed loudly as her meal mates joined in appreciatively.
“It was kind of disgusting,” Lucille, who is part Aboriginal, said in a phone interview after admitting that she is frightened of being discovered telling folks in the “lower 48” about life near the North Pole.
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Friday, September 05, 2008
Open and honest assessment?
Walter Reed Middle School in North Hollywood, California ... because he thinks his constituency is 12-14 years of age???
Bush no mas!
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Open Speaking: Truth to Impotence
4 more years? No!
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Thursday, September 04, 2008
Open Notable Quote
From Joho the Blog ...
I experienced the conv in another alienated way: Among Europeans, to whom SP looks like the ultimate US joke on itself.[ SP = Sarah Palin ]
No amount of saber rattling or stamping of petite feet will overcome the stigma of buffoonery.
America can return to greatness only when it begins to act great. (This will include not insulting our or anyone else's intelligence.)
4 more years? No!
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Open Calendar Check
Regardless of who John McCain chooses for his running mate ... it would still be
4 More Years !?!?!
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Open Sky: Nikos' view
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Open Sky: One Future
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Open Collar, Green
This was borrowed from
Green California Community Colleges Summit to Take Place October 8 - 9
On October 8 - 9, a conference entitled Green California Community Colleges Summit will take place at the Pasadena Convention Center. Some sessions at the conference will focus on themes relevant for green collar jobs, including "Educating the New Green Workforce" and "Meeting Current and Evolving Workforce Needs for the Green Economy."
For more information:
(Emphasis mine!)
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Open Questions
Daughter: Mom, can I have a beer?Bringing new meaning to the phrase "Family Values" since August of 2008
Mother: No!
Daughter: Mom, can I have unprotected sex before I am married?
Mother: No!
Daughter: Well the Republican nominee for Vice President let her children... Why can't I?!?!?
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Open Retrospective: Part 1
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Monday, September 01, 2008
Open Green Jobs Opportunity
Excerpted from ...
It’s Getting Hot In Here
Dispatches from the Youth Climate Movement
Reporting from the Big Tent in Denver
Published by janosmarton, August 25th, 2008 global warming
. . .
Oakland area activist Van Jones wastes no time getting to the heart of how clean energy can be sold as a pragmatic solution in the current political climate, and he does so by tipping his hat to everyone’s favorite capitalist, Adam Smith.
. . .
Van’s second great skill, as you may have gathered, is an oratorical eloquence that takes a somewhat stilted phrase- “green collar economy” – and keeps it lively until you’ve heard it out.
. . .
Van concluded that the first political step is to acknowledge that “government today is on the side of the problem, providing tax credits to polluters, the Pentagon and the prison system- we need to incentive the problem solvers who use the wind and the sun.” There is nothing radical here. For those in the activist community who have felt beaten back for so long, know that you aren’t just on the side of social responsibility and justice. You’re also on the side of common sense, any way you spin it.
Green Jobs Now!
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Open Hope, Open Change
It is my greatest hope and my worst fear that the United States of America will choose its next leader. As a staunch supporter of democracy I believe in the will of the people expressed in the electoral process. I recognize that the democratic process is essentially one of balance and compromise. I acknowledge that the will of the people, no matter how close or distant from my own, is the best democratic resolve. So in that closeness or distance lies both my greatest hopes and my worst fears.
Of my fellow country people I can make only one observation; we are fickle. As the election approaches self-interested power brokers will temporarily drive fuel (gas and heating) prices down toward the $3.25 range. My fellow Americans will all shout hoo-rah that prices are sooooo low - easily forgetting the BILLIONS of dollars of profits BIG Business has taken from our food budgets, from our prescription drug budgets, from our ever diminishing quality of life budgets.
PEW Research reports...
The vast majority of self-identified middle class workers (89% overall) are either completely or mostly satisfied with their job. These high levels of job satisfaction registered by virtually all types of workers demonstrate that worries about employment in the future doesn't translate directly into dissatisfaction with the current job. Among workers who are worried about job loss or cutbacks of benefits or wages, eight-in-ten report high job satisfaction. Variations in job satisfaction by demographic groups within the middle class are quite small. There is no real difference between male and female workers and few differences based on age. In terms of income, 81% of workers in families with incomes below $30,000 are satisfied with their jobs, as are 92% of those in families with incomes above $100,000. Finally, 89% of blacks express job satisfaction, while the figure is 90% for whites and 88% for Hispanics. Middle class workers are not unique in their high levels of job satisfaction: 91% of upper class workers are either completely or mostly satisfied with their jobs, as are 78% of lower class workers."...worries about employment in the future doesn't translate directly into dissatisfaction with the current job." Truer words were never let slip by any professional politician, lawyer, snake oil sales person or the current president of the United States of America. Middle class Americans are ecstatic that they have any job at all right now - let alone one that might offer any additional satisfaction. In other words fickle America will be susceptible to political line: Don't threaten your current well being by voting for my opponent.
(Emphasis mine.)
So there is a very real possibility that the democratic electoral process will prevail and that we will have 4 more years of fear. We will continue to have record unemployment. We will insist on sacrificing our national treasures - our sons and daughters as well as our pristine wilderness - to feed our addiction to oil.
All of that being said I am turning my attention and energies away from the current sound-bite battles between figure heads. Instead I will be lending my voice to WORKing alternatives. I believe that work, working responsibly is the way to make this country great. Responsible work means through personal initiative contributing to the health and welfare of this nation. Responsible work means not furthering the detrimental affects of those systems that brought us to this crisis. Responsible work allows responsible people to flourish.
Let responsibility beget responsibility.
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Open Abhorrence : Alaska's dirty little secret
Alaska's dirty little secret... needs to be spread far and wide.
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Open Inquery: Is this image real or photochopped?
VPOTUS, I think not!
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Open Intrigue
What is John McCain to do?
Either Mrs. "Not-So-Plain-And-Simple" Sarah Palin is the heretofore unheard of Golden Child or ... she will likely be the last nail in McCain's coffin. Certainly the Republican party faithful have reservations about the possibility of elevating her to POTUS. Most assuredly the everyperson Republican cannot be so blinded by Mrs. Palin's glossy verneer as to not recognize a true political liability.
What McPains me the most is that the Republican party moved from the realm of historical venerability to a sordid adult version of video game buffoonery. How could McCain's handlers allowed such a monumental gaff? Or is this the kind of direction Leadership we can expect from the Republicans if by some miraculous turn of fate they actually attain the Oval Office.
I know that the next time I am assailed by my Republican acquaintances imploring me to reconsider my Obama stance I will have to do nothing more than whisper the name of McCain's venerable VP choice - and try not to laugh out loud.
So, what's a McCain to do?
What if "Troopergate" is the icing on Sarah's going-away cake? From under which stone will McCain's handlers try to pull another rabbit? Or perhaps, just perhaps wiser Republican heads will prevail and Romney or Pawlenty might be willing to be reconsidered. (Once burned, twice shy?)
What's a McCain to do?
Time to put on your Happy Face, polish up your rhetoric, stand by your choice... and face the music.
Or, you could... try and McExplain her away like a previous marriage and try again.
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Open Assurance
I was asked, honestly, if I thought Jon Stewart or Robert Colbert were really Republicans?
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Open Assessment: "Its a pretty cool job..."
I am more frightened than I have ever been in my life, our country stands at the brink...
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Open Invite: For a good time call...
Anecdotal Evidence
A blog about the intersection of books and life.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
`Life is Not Like That'
. . .
Elizabeth Bishop reports a similar honesty and taste in her friend Marianne Moore:
“Sometimes we went to movies together, to Kon-Tiki twice, I recall. I never attempted to lure her to any dramatic or `artistic’ films. Since Dr. and Mrs. Sibley Watson were her dearest friends, she must have seen his early experimental films, such as Lot in Sodom. I heard the sad story of two young men, however, who when they discovered that she had never seen Eisenstein’s Potemkin insisted on taking her. There was a short before Potemkin, a Walt Disney film; this was when the Disney films still had charm and humor. After the movie they went to tea and Marianne talked at length and in detail about the ingenuity of the Disney film, and nothing more. Finally they asked her what she had thought of Potemkin. Her opinion was brief but conclusive: `Life,’ she said, `is not like that.’”
Thank you Patrick Kurp for wonderful and insightful Intersections of books and life.
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Open Conundrum: Sincerity or Parody?
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Open Clean Energy: We Deserve It!
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Open Suffering of fools gladly (?)
A healthy male adult bore consumes each year one and a half times his own weight in other people's patience.
-- John Updike
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Open Censure: Ladies Pro Goof Ass.
The New York Times reports...
Concerned about its appeal to sponsors, the women’s professional golf tour, which in recent years has been dominated by foreign-born players, has warned its members that they must become conversant in English by 2009 or face suspension.Concerned about their share of the profits, never mind the integrity of the players.
“We live in a sports-entertainment environment,” said Libba Galloway, the deputy commissioner of the tour, the Ladies Professional Golf Association. “For an athlete to be successful today in the sports entertainment world we live in, they need to be great performers on and off the course, and being able to communicate effectively with sponsors and fans is a big part of this.Never mind said athlete can play golf well.
“Being a U.S.-based tour, and with the majority of our fan base, pro-am contestants, sponsors and participants being English speaking, we think it is important for our players to effectively communicate in English.”'We want to insure that those fur-iners stop beatin' us up and takin' our lunch money... Hellfire, iffen they cain't talk good English then I says they shou'n't be allowed ta play at all. Sheeeesh, cain't unnerstan a word they says.'
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Open Endorsement: Strange Bedfellows
Politics: the game where you start out cutting your opponent's throat and end up getting in bed with him.
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Open Affirmation: Yes We Can!
Yes we can!
Those three words constitute the perfect campaign slogan. As a signature phrase it conveys a sense of optimism, unity and achievement. In its personal familiarity it resonates deeply. Its upbeat tone promotes a feeling of well being. As a firm assertion it carries the full weight and measure of a promises offered and kept.
It begins with the absolute affirmation, "Yes". This is the ultimate feel-good word. This is the word that we most want to hear. In its affirmation it gives permission by categorically refuting the implied historical put-down, "You can't do that." Permission in turn provides the ethical foundation for empowerment.
Literally, "We" are in the middle. "We" is the unifying element bringing everyone together. "We" can also be used self-referentially (the Royal "we") allowing individuals to be invested up-close-and-personal with positive empowerment. It should also be noted that from a political governance perspective "We" is shorthand for "We, the people, in order to form a more perfect union..."
"Can" is the very heart of promise. Simultaneously "can" denotes that we have knowledge, ability, power and that we have the right to use them. It implies that we are capable as well as suitably resourced or provisioned to meet the coming challenge. In this instance "can" is used as a synonym for "may". The more proper "may" gives us (we) formal permission to aspire and achieve.
Yes we can!
However, it promises everything and delivers nothing.
We feel good, we have the ability and we have permission. To do what?
Yes I will!
Yes I will accept personal responsibility for...
improving my health
improving my diet
reducing my carbon foot print
Yes I will affect positive change in my community.
Yes I will vote for Barack Obama.
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Open Sacrifice
The poor make sacrifices by default.
Unable to afford rising heating fuel prices means that thermostats are turned down. Higher food costs require "adjustments" in dietary standards. Difficult decisions are required when the cost of prescription drugs are balanced against the overall price of health care. Driving habits are severely modified in light of excessive gas costs. Luxury items like dinner and a movie don't come into the equation. Just getting by as the status quo is even more pressing.
The poor have never been irresponsible spenders.
As a single income family in a two income society we have always worked to meet our debt obligations. We insist on paying our bills on time. I believe that we like the vast majority are fiscally responsible. The fact that we have limited and finite money resources means that we must make sacrifices by default to remain in economic good standing.
Neither major party presidential candidate, or any candidate can significantly alter this fact. So all of the promises and rhetoric becomes just so much political tripe. Professionals jousting and positioning for the coming election - the process of enthroning the next leader.
So the sacrifices that must be made, and the promises that must be kept, are not for the short term good. We as a country must make larger sacrifices for the good of our future. We as a country must make and keep promises that will further the good of our nation.
What then are the sacrifices that we must make?
First and foremost we must sacrifice the misplaced belief that we are the superpower, that we are superior to all others. Next we must sacrifice the belief of entitlement that goes along with such superiority. In such a sacrifice, which will cost us nothing, we must realize that we must work to achieve our desired ends. We must realize that government alone is not responsible for our overall well being.
By establishing ourselves in the truth of our situation we will recognize that individual initiative at the grassroots level is our real promise. To that end we must ask not what our government will do for us but what we will do for ourselves.
If we wish to excel then as individuals we must ascribe to excellence. We must recognize the truth of our situation and strive as individuals to make our country better. This is easily attainable by simply seeing our own great wealth instead of berating our nation for our personal failures.
We must sacrifice our illusion of greatness for the reality of our true value.
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Open Fearmongering: Taking your money.
Oil prices rose ~$5.00 per barrel because of saber rattling in and around Georga - speculators are afraid that a disruption in oil supply will cause shortages and their profits might fall.
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Open xkcd Disclaimer > 1000 pictographs
Recently read at xkcd ...
Warning: this comic occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors).Bonus:We did not invent the algorithm. The algorithm consistently finds Jesus. The algorithm killed Jeeves.
The algorithm is banned in China. The algorithm is from Jersey. The algorithm constantly finds Jesus.
This is not the algorithm. This is close.
I am William "Papa" Meloney and I endorse this message.
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