tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post7774134475364911160..comments2024-03-27T18:00:02.032-04:00Comments on Sardonicky: Commentariat CentralKaren Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15612731479365562803noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-62157524536330192782015-04-27T11:35:40.041-04:002015-04-27T11:35:40.041-04:00In dutifully reading Hedges this Monday morning, I...In dutifully reading Hedges this Monday morning, I tripped over the unfamiliar (to me) name of Michael Eric Dyson. Researching him inevitably led me to the dust up between him and Cornell West. Along the way I found this recent quote by West, who clearly is not for more of the status quo with which Dyson is more at ease. The passage may resonate with Karen's essays and the Sardonicky Commentariat.<br /><br />“[O]ur Ferguson moment should compel us to focus on what really matters: The life and death issues of police murders, poverty, mass incarceration, drones, TPP (unjust trade policies), vast surveillance, decrepit schools, unemployment, Wall Street power, Israeli occupation of Palestinians, Dalit resistance in India, and ecological catastrophe.<br /><br />Character assassination is the refuge of those who hide and conceal these issues in order to rationalize their own allegiance to the status quo. I am neither a saint nor prophet, but I am a Jesus-loving free Black man in a Great Tradition who intends to be faithful unto death in telling the truth and bearing witness to justice. I am not beholden to any administration, political party, TV channel or financial sponsor because loving suffering and struggling peoples is my point of reference. Deep integrity must trump cheap popularity. Nothing will stop or distract my work and witness, even as I learn from others and try not to hurt others.<br /><br />But to pursue truth and justice is to live dangerously. In the spirit of John Coltrane’s LOVE SUPREME, let us focus on what really matters: the issues, policies, and realities that affect precious everyday people catching hell and how we can resist the lies and crimes of the status quo!”Jay–Ottawahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10360356126450612113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-67312479382147131062015-04-27T10:30:26.800-04:002015-04-27T10:30:26.800-04:00Isn't this typical Obama?
"President Oba...Isn't this typical Obama?<br /><br />"President Obama tightened rules for the U.S. drone program in 2013, but secretly approved a waiver giving the CIA more flexibility in Pakistan to strike suspected militants."<br /><br />That makes him personally responsible for the deaths of those two hostages. If he's trying to qualify for entry into Hell, he's succeeded. <br /><br />http://www.wsj.com/articles/obama-kept-looser-rules-for-drones-in-pakistan-1430092626annenigmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-38689172314951298172015-04-26T23:05:53.738-04:002015-04-26T23:05:53.738-04:00Clinton's Weak Campaign Finance "Pillar&q...Clinton's Weak Campaign Finance "Pillar" https://shar.es/1pCMuh via @sharethis<br /><br />This is from Truthout and beyond my abilities to digest, but any legal mind would understand what is truly involved and explains her use of language to circumvent what people think she should do. <br />I hope other great minds will use this information to expose her plans. Another Obama as I have said but with more backup and money and smarts to support her. <br />This is a good article for people like you Karen to use as reference when she opens her mouth. I have chills about the future.Pearlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-5174493642714129482015-04-26T15:16:35.186-04:002015-04-26T15:16:35.186-04:00Wonderful tune on a Sunday afternoon, Jay! Never h...Wonderful tune on a Sunday afternoon, Jay! Never heard of Pink Martini before. Now after a quick google search I'm officially in love with lead singer China Forbes and her gorgeous voice. Thanks!<br /><br />Oh, and about this Nerdwriter fellow. I'm painfully aware of his misguided, cringe-inducing, non-Sardonickian political views. It probably wouldn't shock you that the poor kid's a full-fledged Obamabot who used to work for MSNBC. Yet there's something about that big brain of his that gives me the audacity to hope he'll see the light one day and put his fierce intellect to better use. Pretty sure he's gotta get the hell out of his 20s first, though. :)Willnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-28226877131255841392015-04-26T14:59:03.699-04:002015-04-26T14:59:03.699-04:00Wonderful tune on a Sunday afternoon, Jay! Never h...Wonderful tune on a Sunday afternoon, Jay! Never heard of Pink Martini before. Now after a quick google search I'm officially in love with lead singer China Forbes and her gorgeous voice. Thanks!<br /><br />Oh, and about this Nerdwriter fellow. I'm painfully aware of his misguided, cringe-inducing, non-Sardonickian political views. It probably wouldn't shock you that the poor kid's a full-fledged Obamabot who used to work for MSNBC. Yet there's something about that big brain of his that gives me the audacity to hope he'll see the light one day and put his fierce intellect to better use. Pretty sure he's gotta get the hell out of his 20s first, though. :)Willnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-60970194528698908522015-04-26T12:04:22.760-04:002015-04-26T12:04:22.760-04:00Will, that first link was a nifty explanation of t...Will, that first link was a nifty explanation of the Sixth Extinction in a few minutes of nicely laid out speed cartoons—handy for people who don’t have time for trivia like global warming. I intend to send it around.<br /><br />The second link, also about extinction, starts off as a primer on Uranium. It soon had me recalling the old (1960s) charge that even Mickey Mouse was deeply political. There’s a whole lot of politics being put over in that fast-talking nerd's asides. <br /><br />Which galactic societies really are better on the scale provided: the ones with mounting positive numbers or the unmentioned one (0)? Do we really favor the global concentration of power the speaker describes as progress? At around 4:20 onward, do his remarks follow the lead of Benjamin Netanyahu and friends about Iran? Not one worried word about other powers with a tight grip on U-235?<br /><br />I'll trade the Uranium video for this one, something utterly neutral (I think) and so upbeat. 1.6 million views and counting.<br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jz706sJMjgJay–Ottawahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10360356126450612113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-12013013275692356482015-04-26T08:46:04.447-04:002015-04-26T08:46:04.447-04:00Oh yes, Karen. I remember that post now. I reread ...Oh yes, Karen. I remember that post now. I reread it-- what a hilarious claim that Eldridge understands the needs of those struggling because both of his parents were doctors (in Ohio)! Does this passage not distill (almost)everything that is wrong with the NYT?<br />When I saw those ads for Start Up NY and all the treats offered to businesses all I could think was "just degrees of difference" between someone like Cuomo and Gov. Brownback. Katnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-26088343144941978162015-04-26T04:09:07.046-04:002015-04-26T04:09:07.046-04:00Clinton Foundation got millions tied to uranium: r...Clinton Foundation got millions tied to uranium: report http://nydn.us/1bAjshb<br /><br />This may be starting to make bumps in Hillary's plans.Pearlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-63188219627654509342015-04-25T20:22:32.891-04:002015-04-25T20:22:32.891-04:00What is wrong with Obama? He recently claimed that...What is wrong with Obama? He recently claimed that Democratic Congressional opponents of TPP such as Senator Elizabeth Warren "didn't know what they were talking about". <br /><br />'Obama To Democratic Trade Critics: 'I Take That Personally'<br /><br />http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/23/obama-tpp-opposition_n_7132208.html<br /><br />Now he's escalating that war of words by claiming that Warren and Sherrod Brown, et al, are 'dishonest' and spreading 'misinformation', actively working to deceive the public. He also claims the secret TPP isn't secret and ignores the fact that he has made it illegal for Congress or anyone from discussing any details of the trade deal publicly. <br /><br />Someone should do a brain scan on him, or a conscience scan if there was such a thing. Is this some kind of political game he's playing? Is someone blackmailing him? Why is he sounding so desperate that he attacks his own party members with such wild accusations? <br /><br />'Elizabeth Warren Tells Obama To Put Up or Shut Up On Trade'<br /><br />http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/25/elizabeth-warren-tells-ob_n_7142850.html<br /><br />As usual with Obama, he accuses others of what he himself is guilty of. It's become his modus operandi. As Valerie has pointed out in the past, why didn't he fight this hard for the public option? He hasn't fought this hard against Republicans over ANY issue. <br /><br />If he takes something PERSONALLY, watch out. He seems to have a lot at stake with the TPP, as if he can't disappoint someone who's extremely important. Himself? A big donor to his future Presidential Library?annenigmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-50028747266240568012015-04-25T16:28:04.994-04:002015-04-25T16:28:04.994-04:00Here's a finely wrought gem from Borowitz re t...Here's a finely wrought gem from Borowitz re the Kochs.<br /><br />Kochs Defend Purchase of Scott Walker<br />By Andy Borowitz<br /><br />NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report)—Koch Industries is defending its acquisition of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker against charges that it overpaid for the Midwestern politician.<br /><br />After co-owner David Koch revealed that Walker had become a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries, he set off a firestorm of criticism that the company had spent too much for a worthless asset.<br /><br />“There was absolutely no bidding war for Walker,” an industry analyst familiar with the market value of politicians said. “Even Sheldon Adelson had no interest in acquiring him.”<br /><br />While Koch Industries did not disclose the purchase price of the Walker subsidiary, it said that Koch Industries would spend nine hundred million dollars between now and November, 2016, for a variety of upgrades to the Wisconsin governor.<br /><br />In a terse statement, Koch Industries argued, “Scott Walker is a perfect fit with our diversified portfolio of elected officials,” but indicated that, if Walker underperforms, the company would be open to selling him at a later date.<br /><br />Meredith NYCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-17255296614074409912015-04-25T15:43:59.738-04:002015-04-25T15:43:59.738-04:00Before I read your comments that I missed, here...Before I read your comments that I missed, here's some food for thought.<br /><br />1st, Wish we had a good columnist like Tim Egan 2X/week. See ‘The Plutocrat Primary’ re the Kochs. This column went up at some odd time, so I almost missed it---thank you op ed page, for your consideration of readers.<br /><br />I posted.....Ironic---the Koch fortune stems from the father’s engineering services to the biggest, baddest govt of the time—Stalin’s tyranny. Koch sons are now using that money to make our govt small and weak, to undermine US democracy. <br /><br />2nd, I got interesting replies on other countries’ elections to my Krugman comment---our overly long campaigns with huge expense of TV ads, since he cited Koch/Adelson.<br /><br />The Brits started their campaign in March and will vote in May—of this year, not 2016. The French have mandated free media time for all candidates---and don’t even allow privately paid campaign ads on their media. <br /><br />See NYT.....As Candidates Speak in France Meter Is Running--- March 7, 2012. <br /><br />From article: They regulate media time so that “in France “all candidates, mainstream or marginal, receive their fair share of exposure.”<br />“Rules protect the candidates’ constitutional right to “equitable participation” in politics. .... broadcasters must accord each contender precisely equal speaking time and coverage in the final weeks of the campaign.<br /><br />Under French law, political advertisements are banned from television and the radio. (!)<br /><br />The US allows “campaigns amplified by “super PACs” to flood the airwaves ...What limits there once were, the Fairness Doctrine, were dropped in 1987.”<br /><br />Here are interesting replies re abroad. This deserves in depth NYT articles or columns.<br /><br />"EBroadwell Oberlin, OH 16 hours ago<br />Other countries have time limits on campaigns, and larger turnouts, too. What do two years of campaigning and massive fundraising get us? 34% turnout at the pols.<br /><br /><br />Scottilla Brooklyn 15 hours ago<br />Unlike the parliamentary systems of many other countries, we have a fixed election cycle. There is no such thing as a no confidence vote, and we can predict with certainty when the next election will be. <br /><br />We know the next presidential election will be on November 8, 2016, and the following one is on November 3, 2020. There is nothing to stop someone from starting their 2024 campaign right now, knowing that with certainty there will be an election then. <br /><br />In Europe, the election date isn't set until an election is called, which can be at any time, so it doesn't make sense to campaign willy nilly. Our systems are different, so you can't compare the length of the campaigns like that.<br /><br />(I never thought of that aspect, but see below)<br /><br /><br />Jersey Boy Winnipeg 13 hours ago<br />Not entirely true. Britain and Canada (federal government and several provinces) have fixed election laws. Several Australian states plus Germany and Norway have generally predictable election dates. All have some kind of non-confidence measures and/or other "out" that can advance the date but none appear to have non-stop election campaigning. I think you can draw some comparisons with the US system, but it would likely be not terribly flattering to the US."<br /><br />So, any comments?<br /><br />A CNN article said that like us, the UK doesn’t limit private donation amounts, which is said to lessen public confidence in their politics. Someone from UK once told me they have publicly financed elections with strict limits on donations. Guess not.<br /><br /><br />Meredith NYCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-17070941442840842082015-04-25T13:06:32.062-04:002015-04-25T13:06:32.062-04:00Thanks, Kat. I knew this program was b.s. but the ...Thanks, Kat. I knew this program was b.s. but the extent of the failure surprised even me.<br /><br />New York State Govt is so corrupt it's impossible to keep up with it all.<br /><br />I wrote about StartUp NY last year as part of a piece about failed Dem congressional candidate Sean Eldridge.<br /><br /><br />http://kmgarcia2000.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-case-of-millionaire-carpetbagger.html <br /><br />He invested in a 3-D printing company called Makerbot, taking advantage of the tax-free deal,and to show how invested he was in Hudson Valley folks he didn't know. Also to create fodder for his glitzy campaign commercials. So the lucky students of SUNY New Paltz can learn the technology of the future for all those great-paying jobs of the future. Long story short, the company just laid off 20% of its workforce. I guess 3-D printing is not the wave of the future, when the workers of present can't even afford the rent or groceries. Karen Garciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15612731479365562803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-61469391128218882382015-04-25T12:54:34.998-04:002015-04-25T12:54:34.998-04:00I second that emotion, Jay. Thanks, Pearl!
So, I ...I second that emotion, Jay. Thanks, Pearl!<br /><br />So, I have a couple videos for y'all today, and no, it's not the usual comedy crap I love so much. We're talking heady stuff like mass extinctions & why we've never encountered other forms of "intelligent" life out there in our big bad universe. Enjoy!<br /><br />https://youtu.be/wissIOikrqc<br /><br />https://youtu.be/XhkwT466ykc<br />Willnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-72072694999927738252015-04-25T12:30:15.213-04:002015-04-25T12:30:15.213-04:00Not related Karen, but did you happen to catch thi...Not related Karen, but did you happen to catch this news related to your governor. Perhaps living in NY, you did not catch the ads for this cant miss initiative.<br />http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2015/04/8565435/cuomos-start-ny-program-slow-startKatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-64583975060044362015-04-25T11:09:30.704-04:002015-04-25T11:09:30.704-04:00h/t Pearl––for getting Karen to open her treasure ...h/t Pearl––for getting Karen to open her treasure chest of recent posts from the NYT. Never would have seen them otherwise.Jay–Ottawahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10360356126450612113noreply@blogger.com