That's what we are, a nation of opinions. You having your's, me having mine and the person down the street having his or hers. There are some out there that argue what a terrible thing this is, but in my mind it's what makes us great and different. People disagree about all kinds of things -where they worship, how they worship, who they support in elections, if they participate in elections, if they salute, stand or sit during a pledge. We agree to disagree about practically everything and we need to celebrate that instead of beating each other up over it.
Yes, the diversity of opinions in our country makes it difficult sometimes and most recently we seem to have become a little less tolerant of each other when we do disagree. That's the real and true danger - the intolerance for each other or the other person's opinion. Of course the real trick is dialogue and listening to each other. We know it can be done.
So as we talk about the big issues, war and peace, poverty and prosperity, life and death, people's right to choose what's best for them, walking in each other's shoes, we have to remember how critical it is to allow and celebrate our differences of opinion. Some of the depression and despair that people may be feeling after an election cycle that is too long, seems to be the result of how intolerant we've become of each other.
We have some choices to make. We can keep arguing, yelling and fighting with each other or we can step back and realize how important our diversity of opinion is and how to protect it. No one needs to back off of their beliefs or their passions. If anything we should all stand strong in our positions. In the end though, let's have some respect for each other and for the exchange of ideas.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Social Media As State Sponsored Media - Has it Happened Yet?
One group that solicits displeasure, hate and/or mistrust all along the political spectrum, is that group we refer to as "the media", also known as "main stream media" or MSM in text or twitter talk. I am not an innocent bystander in this kind of discussion. I've piled on with the best of them. Maybe its the sports page that annoys you, or perhaps its the local coverage of community news. Perhaps its the financial page or a Sunday pundit that you just can't stand. Most commonly though, at least at this point in time, its the political coverage that gets your and my goat.
Having gotten that out of the way, the history and importance of a free press is known and supported by many. The role of the press, unbridled by government control is protected by our constitution and a hallmark of this and other democracies. Repressive governments on the other hand tend to almost always have a very strong state operated or state sponsored media.
So.....what happens when and if social media is state operated or state controlled? Sounds ominous. Sounds a bit propsterous. Sounds like something we in the US would never allow or something we wouldn't put up with. We of course, are above that kind of control or practice. The problem is, that's something we may have believed before the election a few weeks ago of Donald Trump.
Over the past few days, we've watched as Mr. Trump has returned to his practice of tweeting his beliefs and his positions. That of course is his right, at this point, and I say at this point cautiously. He has attacked purported enemies, the media, people who don't agree, etc. He also spreads lies and these lies can be proven with facts. Its not hard to fact check things like who won the popular vote. We've also found out recently that he even edits other people's tweets to prove one of his points about reporters. He does all of this understanding that he has many millions of followers on Twitter. He eggs people on about voter fraud, immigrants and more, much more. If he can't get his positions or stories covered in the media, he knows that he has an alternative by using social media, currently through Twitter, and he knows how to do it effectively. He has even stated that this approach is his alternative to the main stream media. His tweets, in his view, have become his New York Times.
But, and here's where it gets serious, something will change when President-Elect Trump becomes President Trump in late January. As President, he will become the symbol and spokesperson for the US Government. If he continues his use of Twitter to promote his positions, policies and propaganda, his tweets reach a whole different level. First, there are legal consequences. All of his documents become government property and they're open to new consequences and legal challenges. That means his Twitter account and tweets and any other social media items get included as presidential documents. Second, and this is really my main focus here, his tweets potentially become state sponsored media. The first time in our history. They promote what he's doing or proposing in a favorable light. They vilify opponents and use smear campaigns against them. They advocate his ideology. In this scenario Mr. Trump becomes the spokesperson and the reporter. We should be worried, very worried if that happens.
Having gotten that out of the way, the history and importance of a free press is known and supported by many. The role of the press, unbridled by government control is protected by our constitution and a hallmark of this and other democracies. Repressive governments on the other hand tend to almost always have a very strong state operated or state sponsored media.
So.....what happens when and if social media is state operated or state controlled? Sounds ominous. Sounds a bit propsterous. Sounds like something we in the US would never allow or something we wouldn't put up with. We of course, are above that kind of control or practice. The problem is, that's something we may have believed before the election a few weeks ago of Donald Trump.
Over the past few days, we've watched as Mr. Trump has returned to his practice of tweeting his beliefs and his positions. That of course is his right, at this point, and I say at this point cautiously. He has attacked purported enemies, the media, people who don't agree, etc. He also spreads lies and these lies can be proven with facts. Its not hard to fact check things like who won the popular vote. We've also found out recently that he even edits other people's tweets to prove one of his points about reporters. He does all of this understanding that he has many millions of followers on Twitter. He eggs people on about voter fraud, immigrants and more, much more. If he can't get his positions or stories covered in the media, he knows that he has an alternative by using social media, currently through Twitter, and he knows how to do it effectively. He has even stated that this approach is his alternative to the main stream media. His tweets, in his view, have become his New York Times.
But, and here's where it gets serious, something will change when President-Elect Trump becomes President Trump in late January. As President, he will become the symbol and spokesperson for the US Government. If he continues his use of Twitter to promote his positions, policies and propaganda, his tweets reach a whole different level. First, there are legal consequences. All of his documents become government property and they're open to new consequences and legal challenges. That means his Twitter account and tweets and any other social media items get included as presidential documents. Second, and this is really my main focus here, his tweets potentially become state sponsored media. The first time in our history. They promote what he's doing or proposing in a favorable light. They vilify opponents and use smear campaigns against them. They advocate his ideology. In this scenario Mr. Trump becomes the spokesperson and the reporter. We should be worried, very worried if that happens.
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Journalism, The Good, The Bad & Truth Tellers!
Journalism has changed dramatically in the past number of years. The recent election cycle has pointed that out perhaps more then we expected. Imagine, one of the biggest news stories of the day is 'fake news'. That's right, people, sometimes organizations, posting fake or made up news stories. Google and Facebook are trying to figure out how to monitor or cope with this growing phenomena. Good luck.
This is one of the dilemma's we're faced with in this changing world. The reality is that newspapers are shrinking, dying, disappearing. They may continue in one form or another but they'll never be the same. Cable News presents us with the 24/7 problem. Too many hours to fill and not enough time to really check sources if you're going to stay in front of the competition.
So what happens to us, the consumers of the news. As has become more and more apparent, we are the losers, again. We become the manipulated masses, by someone, perhaps someone new everyday - Breitbart, another country, a prankster, a corporate monster, a hacker, the Main Stream Media (less likely at this point). We want to know what's going on, or what the trends are, or who is doing what. It use to be so easy. Plunk down your change, pick up the paper or journal and read. Even as we became more comfortable with the internet, it was fairly easy. Googling it, bookmarks and electronic subscriptions got us the information faster and we still trusted it.
But now in the information world and the news world it's no different than anywhere else - buyer beware.
Oh and before I forget, then there are people like me, bloggers. Yes bloggers take the heat from everyone. They are the form of journalism that everyone can hate. They are a mixed up group -independent writers, some journalists, some opinion writers, some storytellers and some just troublemakers. Honestly blogs are one of the places where former newspaper and TV and Radio newspeople will end up as the media continues to shrink, evolve or whatever it is that it's doing. Some of these people you'll know and some you won't. Trust will need to be built.
None of this bodes well for us as the public with a need and a right to know. What we've seen most recently, is that candidates and their surrogates no matter who they are or what their ideology, can if unchecked, tell whatever lies they want. They can issue stories, fact checks and the like on their own for us to read and consume. They can create news websites, blogs, electronic magazines, reports or digital video shows.
There are still truth tellers, real journalists and opinion writers who get their facts straight and check their sources. But we're losing them fast like we did Gwen Ifill, a true journalist. We still have Bill Moyers, Amy Goodman and others trying to keep things honest everyday. And there are people, good people in hometown weeklies, magazines and the few remaining giants of daily newspapers. These are folks who are trying as hard as they can to fight what's happening to the media and to provide all of us with the correct information. Sadly, in many cases, we beat them up, egged on by the people who would rather control the information their way.
Clearly I am not optimistic about where this is all going. But I do know this. Truth telling is critical. Truth telling is driven by a value for the truth and for a belief in independence from manipulation. More and more we need to find and identify the truth tellers and support them, encourage them, protect them.
This is one of the dilemma's we're faced with in this changing world. The reality is that newspapers are shrinking, dying, disappearing. They may continue in one form or another but they'll never be the same. Cable News presents us with the 24/7 problem. Too many hours to fill and not enough time to really check sources if you're going to stay in front of the competition.
So what happens to us, the consumers of the news. As has become more and more apparent, we are the losers, again. We become the manipulated masses, by someone, perhaps someone new everyday - Breitbart, another country, a prankster, a corporate monster, a hacker, the Main Stream Media (less likely at this point). We want to know what's going on, or what the trends are, or who is doing what. It use to be so easy. Plunk down your change, pick up the paper or journal and read. Even as we became more comfortable with the internet, it was fairly easy. Googling it, bookmarks and electronic subscriptions got us the information faster and we still trusted it.
But now in the information world and the news world it's no different than anywhere else - buyer beware.
Oh and before I forget, then there are people like me, bloggers. Yes bloggers take the heat from everyone. They are the form of journalism that everyone can hate. They are a mixed up group -independent writers, some journalists, some opinion writers, some storytellers and some just troublemakers. Honestly blogs are one of the places where former newspaper and TV and Radio newspeople will end up as the media continues to shrink, evolve or whatever it is that it's doing. Some of these people you'll know and some you won't. Trust will need to be built.
None of this bodes well for us as the public with a need and a right to know. What we've seen most recently, is that candidates and their surrogates no matter who they are or what their ideology, can if unchecked, tell whatever lies they want. They can issue stories, fact checks and the like on their own for us to read and consume. They can create news websites, blogs, electronic magazines, reports or digital video shows.
There are still truth tellers, real journalists and opinion writers who get their facts straight and check their sources. But we're losing them fast like we did Gwen Ifill, a true journalist. We still have Bill Moyers, Amy Goodman and others trying to keep things honest everyday. And there are people, good people in hometown weeklies, magazines and the few remaining giants of daily newspapers. These are folks who are trying as hard as they can to fight what's happening to the media and to provide all of us with the correct information. Sadly, in many cases, we beat them up, egged on by the people who would rather control the information their way.
Clearly I am not optimistic about where this is all going. But I do know this. Truth telling is critical. Truth telling is driven by a value for the truth and for a belief in independence from manipulation. More and more we need to find and identify the truth tellers and support them, encourage them, protect them.
Friday, November 11, 2016
November Surprise - Donald Trump!
Watch his face, read his tweets, follow the news from his own team. It's pretty clear that Donald Trump was and is as surprised as anyone that he won the Presidential election on Nov. 8th. There's been an admission that a real transition plan hasn't been formulated, partly due to his own superstition about jinxing the outcome of the election. So here we are, 70 some days away from his inauguration with a surprised President-Elect, Commander In Chief-Elect. Whoa is me!....Someone reported that there are something like 4000 jobs to be filled. Drain the swamp? Please - give me a break. Lobbyists and elite Republican types are joining the team quicker then a blink. Some who were enemies a few weeks ago are now glad handing the winner, big smiles on their faces, hoping that perhaps this man known for holding a grudge and acting with vengeance, will forget recent history. We'll see, but lets watch Mitch McConnell's and Paul Ryan's faces in a month or two as the reality of Trump's governing becomes evident.
Then there are the Democrats. Who knew that roles would be quickly reversed and they, as a party, would be trying to stamp down their own civil war and performing an autopsy on their body politic. I certainly missed that call, but I know I'm not alone. They were played well by Comey, Assange and it seems like Putin. There are many who will deny this but I think history will bear it out. Hillary and her team have been gracious but they are also blaming everyone but themselves. She was the flawed candidate and many knew it from the get go. The staff who supported her had time, money and numbers of all kinds but they failed to read the information or the mood of the voters. So an autopsy is in order no doubt.
Of course all of this gets worse. How could it you ask? Well here's the worst part of the November surprise. Donald Trump has unleashed a beast that many didn't think existed. We were naive and perhaps stupid. We fell victim to thinking everything had gotten better. That years of legislative, legal and street battles had in fact changed the world. Marches were organized, songs were written, movies made, TV shows produced that lulled us into thinking we lived in a world of love, peace, hope and diversity. But the underbelly of the beast was still there. Every once in awhile, when the beast was roused, we pushed it back into the cave that it slept in and called home. The beast is pure hatred and uncivilized behavior towards people that some among us consider 'the others'. 'The others' are people of color, immigrants, muslims, people with disabilities and members of the LBGTQ community, women making choices about their bodies and their relationships.
Although I don't think Donald Trump is totally responsible for all of this hatred and hateful behavior, he has to take some responsibility. Why? Because we all watched him empower people to hate, to empower people to bully, to empower people to take action. I also want to be clear that not all of the people who voted for or supported Donald Trump encourage or support this hate. In many cases they may have legitimate grievances with a system that has in fact treated them badly. But if they were able to excuse the hatred and bullying that they must have seen, what's wrong with that kind of society? People looking the other way when the evidence is in front of them - language, treatment of women, untruths and making up information. If you're angry does that allow you to close your eyes to the possibility of nuclear war?
I'm confused about a lot of what I've seen but mostly I'm sad for our country. I find it too difficult to process. The divisions are real and seem to be getting worse. Families argue or don't speak. Young people are fearful and disgusted with what they're left with. People honestly feel threatened while others tell them to not worry and don't take it so seriously. They say everything will be alright. Our system will correct itself, etc., etc.
But the beast is big and it's ugly. It won't be okay. People have been given permission to hate and there are hateful acts taking place right now to our neighbors. Don't close your eyes to these acts. I'm going to commit to intervening and protecting people who are threatened or who feel threatened or who I see threatened. Please do the same. Engage in conversations to break up conflict or bullying. Offer comfort, support and protection if it happens and if it's needed. Listen and assist all people who may be vulnerable to hate speech, hate acts and hate crimes. Hug and hold on to people. Yes, as an old friend pointed out, lets act like human beings to each other. Is that so hard in these difficult times? By the way, there's a lot more to do but that's a whole new article.
Then there are the Democrats. Who knew that roles would be quickly reversed and they, as a party, would be trying to stamp down their own civil war and performing an autopsy on their body politic. I certainly missed that call, but I know I'm not alone. They were played well by Comey, Assange and it seems like Putin. There are many who will deny this but I think history will bear it out. Hillary and her team have been gracious but they are also blaming everyone but themselves. She was the flawed candidate and many knew it from the get go. The staff who supported her had time, money and numbers of all kinds but they failed to read the information or the mood of the voters. So an autopsy is in order no doubt.
Of course all of this gets worse. How could it you ask? Well here's the worst part of the November surprise. Donald Trump has unleashed a beast that many didn't think existed. We were naive and perhaps stupid. We fell victim to thinking everything had gotten better. That years of legislative, legal and street battles had in fact changed the world. Marches were organized, songs were written, movies made, TV shows produced that lulled us into thinking we lived in a world of love, peace, hope and diversity. But the underbelly of the beast was still there. Every once in awhile, when the beast was roused, we pushed it back into the cave that it slept in and called home. The beast is pure hatred and uncivilized behavior towards people that some among us consider 'the others'. 'The others' are people of color, immigrants, muslims, people with disabilities and members of the LBGTQ community, women making choices about their bodies and their relationships.
Although I don't think Donald Trump is totally responsible for all of this hatred and hateful behavior, he has to take some responsibility. Why? Because we all watched him empower people to hate, to empower people to bully, to empower people to take action. I also want to be clear that not all of the people who voted for or supported Donald Trump encourage or support this hate. In many cases they may have legitimate grievances with a system that has in fact treated them badly. But if they were able to excuse the hatred and bullying that they must have seen, what's wrong with that kind of society? People looking the other way when the evidence is in front of them - language, treatment of women, untruths and making up information. If you're angry does that allow you to close your eyes to the possibility of nuclear war?
I'm confused about a lot of what I've seen but mostly I'm sad for our country. I find it too difficult to process. The divisions are real and seem to be getting worse. Families argue or don't speak. Young people are fearful and disgusted with what they're left with. People honestly feel threatened while others tell them to not worry and don't take it so seriously. They say everything will be alright. Our system will correct itself, etc., etc.
But the beast is big and it's ugly. It won't be okay. People have been given permission to hate and there are hateful acts taking place right now to our neighbors. Don't close your eyes to these acts. I'm going to commit to intervening and protecting people who are threatened or who feel threatened or who I see threatened. Please do the same. Engage in conversations to break up conflict or bullying. Offer comfort, support and protection if it happens and if it's needed. Listen and assist all people who may be vulnerable to hate speech, hate acts and hate crimes. Hug and hold on to people. Yes, as an old friend pointed out, lets act like human beings to each other. Is that so hard in these difficult times? By the way, there's a lot more to do but that's a whole new article.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
An Old Friend Builds Homes In Vietnam
It's pouring rain here in the Finger Lakes of NYS and that's good. It's needed and welcome. Seneca Lake and surrounding lakes are low due to the drought that we've experienced all summer and into the fall. But the rain brings other things, melancholy thoughts, tiredness, a few new aches and pains along with the old ones that have been hanging around more often and for longer periods.
Focus.... focus on the positive. An old friend of mine, Paul Mann, is getting set to return to Vietnam for the second time as part of the international Habitat for Humanity program where a diverse group of people will help build houses for Vietnamese citizens. I've talked about Paul before. He and I were at the Catholic Worker together in the mid 60's both refusing to fight in the Vietnam War, choosing the works of mercy versus the works of war, feeding the poor, clothing the naked, singing and trying to work for peace. We lived together, sang together, loved together, made jokes and walked the streets together. At one point we moved north of the city to Tivoli, NY and tried our hand at the communal life with a small group of friends living in an old chicken coop minus the chickens - quite comfortable actually.
Dan Kelly another draft resister from the Catholic Worker is joining Paul on this trip. Dan is a well respected pediatrician in San Francisco these days and it is great to see him joining Paul and the team that is going to Vietnam.
Paul called me a while back and invited me to go along on this trip, something I really wanted to do for lots of reasons. Alas, it's not in the cards. Health issues keep me pretty close to home these days. I'm certainly not in dire straits by any means but I've got enough issues that keep me from going too far.
What Paul and Dan are doing though is truly important. Yes the homes for families are important but so is the healing, personally, communally and for all of the individuals going on the trip. Paul tells the story of working with and bonding with a veteran of the war on the last trip, crying together as the reality of their two experiences during that time frame long ago hit home. Two characters from different worlds, now working together to build a home for a Vietnamese family. The myth of antiwar protesters and veterans waring with each other proven wrong again.
Paul and his veteran compadre are examples of what needs to happen more in this country, especially after this terrible election season. People sitting in silence, looking at each other and realizing that they're in this together nd that there are better ways to get things done.
Paul has a GoFundMe page to help with expenses for his trip. Of course money or lack of it won't stop Paul from going. Never has, never will. But if there are some folks out there reading this who believe in a better way, a more peaceful world, a place where healing can and should take place, think about sending a few dollars to Paul for his voyage. It will be money well spent. You can find his page here Paul Mann Vietnam Trip . In the meantime, thanks Paul and Dan for doing this and safe travels.
Focus.... focus on the positive. An old friend of mine, Paul Mann, is getting set to return to Vietnam for the second time as part of the international Habitat for Humanity program where a diverse group of people will help build houses for Vietnamese citizens. I've talked about Paul before. He and I were at the Catholic Worker together in the mid 60's both refusing to fight in the Vietnam War, choosing the works of mercy versus the works of war, feeding the poor, clothing the naked, singing and trying to work for peace. We lived together, sang together, loved together, made jokes and walked the streets together. At one point we moved north of the city to Tivoli, NY and tried our hand at the communal life with a small group of friends living in an old chicken coop minus the chickens - quite comfortable actually.
Dan Kelly another draft resister from the Catholic Worker is joining Paul on this trip. Dan is a well respected pediatrician in San Francisco these days and it is great to see him joining Paul and the team that is going to Vietnam.
Paul called me a while back and invited me to go along on this trip, something I really wanted to do for lots of reasons. Alas, it's not in the cards. Health issues keep me pretty close to home these days. I'm certainly not in dire straits by any means but I've got enough issues that keep me from going too far.
What Paul and Dan are doing though is truly important. Yes the homes for families are important but so is the healing, personally, communally and for all of the individuals going on the trip. Paul tells the story of working with and bonding with a veteran of the war on the last trip, crying together as the reality of their two experiences during that time frame long ago hit home. Two characters from different worlds, now working together to build a home for a Vietnamese family. The myth of antiwar protesters and veterans waring with each other proven wrong again.
Paul and his veteran compadre are examples of what needs to happen more in this country, especially after this terrible election season. People sitting in silence, looking at each other and realizing that they're in this together nd that there are better ways to get things done.
Paul has a GoFundMe page to help with expenses for his trip. Of course money or lack of it won't stop Paul from going. Never has, never will. But if there are some folks out there reading this who believe in a better way, a more peaceful world, a place where healing can and should take place, think about sending a few dollars to Paul for his voyage. It will be money well spent. You can find his page here Paul Mann Vietnam Trip . In the meantime, thanks Paul and Dan for doing this and safe travels.
Monday, October 31, 2016
The FBI......Standing Up For Democracy, Freedom and Truth!
Look, let's be honest. The FBI has a long history of messing up people's lives. This time the lives they're messing with just happen to be Presidential Candidates. Yes, the FBI messes with people big time - writers, actors, moviemakers, activists, organizers, peacemakers. It's all there. It's all documented. People's lives have been destroyed by the FBI.
But now the institution that has based its existence on secrecy and hasn't been accountable in that secrecy is being recognized by some in the media and the public as the truth teller, the organization we should be depending on for truth in a terrible election. I don't buy it. This is a very scary proposition. The history and tradition of dirty tricks, meddling and informants speaks volumes.
But now the institution that has based its existence on secrecy and hasn't been accountable in that secrecy is being recognized by some in the media and the public as the truth teller, the organization we should be depending on for truth in a terrible election. I don't buy it. This is a very scary proposition. The history and tradition of dirty tricks, meddling and informants speaks volumes.
It's Almost Over......Or Is It?
This last week before the election will most likely be wild, discouraging, sad, and gut wrenching. I'm sure there are many more adjectives that people could and would use but the bottom line is that it certainly won't be pleasant. So many people, including myself, just wish it would end. Many are disgusted with both candidates, both major parties, the media coverage and the entire process. The FBI Director's entry into the fray late last week certainly didn't help and there are talks of more allegations, email dumps and innuendos over the remaining days.
Could it get any worse? Probably and we may as well brace ourselves for that eventuality. Find a good book, a favorite TV series, a movie or two, a comic book collection or even some cartoons. Clean the house, work outside, throw yourself at projects at work. But here's the really bad news. Many may think it will finally be over on Nov. 8th but that's only wishful thinking. No matter who wins this election, we're going to live with the results for years to come. Investigations, scandals, impeachments, resignations, gridlock, appointment battles, all seem to be in the cards starting on Nov. 9th.
Of course the saddest thing is that we've done all of this to ourselves. We've allowed the major parties to get away with a nominating process and candidate choices that few respect. We've fed the media machine by our addiction to reality TV.
And there you have it. This won't be over for a very long time. Many will find ways to tune out, others will take advantage.
Could it get any worse? Probably and we may as well brace ourselves for that eventuality. Find a good book, a favorite TV series, a movie or two, a comic book collection or even some cartoons. Clean the house, work outside, throw yourself at projects at work. But here's the really bad news. Many may think it will finally be over on Nov. 8th but that's only wishful thinking. No matter who wins this election, we're going to live with the results for years to come. Investigations, scandals, impeachments, resignations, gridlock, appointment battles, all seem to be in the cards starting on Nov. 9th.
Of course the saddest thing is that we've done all of this to ourselves. We've allowed the major parties to get away with a nominating process and candidate choices that few respect. We've fed the media machine by our addiction to reality TV.
And there you have it. This won't be over for a very long time. Many will find ways to tune out, others will take advantage.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
And Then There's The Hat
The hat itself isn't that bad. A good baseball cap is always welcome. Something to throw on when you wake up with bed head but need to walk the dog or go to the corner store for a coffee and a quick look around town. Also nice in the wind to keep the curls calmed down and in place.
But the artistry of the logo on the front is important. If you don't get it right you can look like a real jerk. Embroidery is nice and lots of color always helps. Letters with a saying across the front are the worst though. Cheap and silly may be the best way to describe that approach.
Of course the biggest issue with baseball caps is the overall look, the fashion if you will. A cap with a tee shirt and shorts works. Jeans and a sweater topped off with a cap is a nice look. Sweats and a cap can be seen on joggers, walkers, etc. But the absolute worst thing anyone wants to do is to wear a baseball cap with a suit. It just looks dumb, out of place and crazy. Did I say crazy?
So if you decide to run for President some day, think about the don't wear hats rule. And if you have advisors, which you should, insist that they tell you if you look stupid in a baseball cap and a suit.
But the artistry of the logo on the front is important. If you don't get it right you can look like a real jerk. Embroidery is nice and lots of color always helps. Letters with a saying across the front are the worst though. Cheap and silly may be the best way to describe that approach.
Of course the biggest issue with baseball caps is the overall look, the fashion if you will. A cap with a tee shirt and shorts works. Jeans and a sweater topped off with a cap is a nice look. Sweats and a cap can be seen on joggers, walkers, etc. But the absolute worst thing anyone wants to do is to wear a baseball cap with a suit. It just looks dumb, out of place and crazy. Did I say crazy?
So if you decide to run for President some day, think about the don't wear hats rule. And if you have advisors, which you should, insist that they tell you if you look stupid in a baseball cap and a suit.
How Did We Get Here?
Here we are in the middle of October, 24 days before the Presidential election. We have had two debates between the two major candidates. The Vice Presidential candidates have had their one and only debate. A tape has surfaced where one of the major candidates states that he has committed sexual assault and seems proud of it. Nine or ten more accusers have stepped forward at this point and the accused shames them by calling them liars and unattractive. Exactly what he said his opponent did to accusers of her husband's actions.
In the midst of all of this, otherwise decent and good people are either dismissing or defending language or actions that they know in their hearts is not defensible. Others are stating that these things are not defensible but then reiterating their support of the candidate.
Some of this is the nature of partisan politics which in itself is a sad state of affairs. On top of that, the other major candidate is not without her flaws or problems.
But what seems to be missing in all of the discussions by pundits, analysts, campaign surrogates and the candidates themselves is the answer to the question - How did we get here? What happened to our democracy and how do we recover? These are probably some of the most serious questions that will come out of our election in 2016.
I'm going to take a shot at answering these questions. I've written before about the lack of accountability on the part of Congress and I really think this goes to the heart of the discussion. The country has known, political parties, their leadership and the candidates have all known, how frustrated the American people are with Congress and its ineffectiveness over the past six or seven years. We have all known about and had to live with gridlock in Washington, DC. Did all of these leaders think their stupid and ineffective behavior could go on forever without consequences? If so, they are worse then we all thought. But that really is the crux of the issues we're facing today in our elections. People are extremely angry with the ineffectiveness of government, the gridlock and the partisan fighting that leads to nothing being negotiated with some level of civility.
The frustration level is so high that people have become what they hate and yes, decent people defend the indefensible. So now we have an election and one candidate in particular who has been flaming those levels of frustration and anger. He makes big, bold pronouncements not only about everything that people think is wrong but also about his fixes to the system. The missing and most critical piece of course is how, with a divided Congress, will he get anything done? How would his negotiations with Congress be more successful then Barack Obama's or George Bush's or Hillary Clinton's. Most likely he wouldn't be anymore successful especially if he continues to insult most members of Congress.
I don't think anyone looks forward to gridlock continuing and if it does it will only continue to exasperate the country and perhaps lead people to more extreme positions. We need the opposite of that. We need efforts that will bring people together. We need efforts that will help us all to get some things done for the sake of future generations. We need a real shake up in Congress. The non negotiators need to be replaced. They have created our current reality.
In the midst of all of this, otherwise decent and good people are either dismissing or defending language or actions that they know in their hearts is not defensible. Others are stating that these things are not defensible but then reiterating their support of the candidate.
Some of this is the nature of partisan politics which in itself is a sad state of affairs. On top of that, the other major candidate is not without her flaws or problems.
But what seems to be missing in all of the discussions by pundits, analysts, campaign surrogates and the candidates themselves is the answer to the question - How did we get here? What happened to our democracy and how do we recover? These are probably some of the most serious questions that will come out of our election in 2016.
I'm going to take a shot at answering these questions. I've written before about the lack of accountability on the part of Congress and I really think this goes to the heart of the discussion. The country has known, political parties, their leadership and the candidates have all known, how frustrated the American people are with Congress and its ineffectiveness over the past six or seven years. We have all known about and had to live with gridlock in Washington, DC. Did all of these leaders think their stupid and ineffective behavior could go on forever without consequences? If so, they are worse then we all thought. But that really is the crux of the issues we're facing today in our elections. People are extremely angry with the ineffectiveness of government, the gridlock and the partisan fighting that leads to nothing being negotiated with some level of civility.
The frustration level is so high that people have become what they hate and yes, decent people defend the indefensible. So now we have an election and one candidate in particular who has been flaming those levels of frustration and anger. He makes big, bold pronouncements not only about everything that people think is wrong but also about his fixes to the system. The missing and most critical piece of course is how, with a divided Congress, will he get anything done? How would his negotiations with Congress be more successful then Barack Obama's or George Bush's or Hillary Clinton's. Most likely he wouldn't be anymore successful especially if he continues to insult most members of Congress.
I don't think anyone looks forward to gridlock continuing and if it does it will only continue to exasperate the country and perhaps lead people to more extreme positions. We need the opposite of that. We need efforts that will bring people together. We need efforts that will help us all to get some things done for the sake of future generations. We need a real shake up in Congress. The non negotiators need to be replaced. They have created our current reality.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Policing - The Good & The Bad
Two more terrible incidents of black men being shot and there are many, too many more that happen on a pretty regular basis. Hands up, you get shot. When your handcuffed, you get shot. You get put on the ground with a foot on your neck and you get shot. What should black men do? What should parents tell their sons to do?
There are good cops and we all know it. There are great cops and we know it. But how can this continue to happen? What is the culture that allows it to happen? The other reality is that when people do speak up, or when they do protest, or when anger spills over onto the street, agitators and thugs get blamed. Protesters are marginalized and spoken down to by people in power.
I worked for many years supporting people with disabilities. When system problems occurred, regulators and government officials were quick to implement mandates. They ranged from training to reporting policies and procedures. They also became universal requirements for all providers. Some of this was good and needed and some of it was overkill and stupid. What strikes me though is that when we know we have a national problem of black men being shot and killed by those in authority, it seems like a national solution is necessary. I wonder why there isn't a push for every police agency in the country to immediately provide training and retraining on use of force and racial and minority interactions. Every police agency, within a reasonable period, needs to retrain current officers on these issues, tactics and relationships.
We have to pay attention to this. We have to do something. An approach mandating training/retraining could save some lives.
In Charlotte, NC, I listened today to the police chief state unequivocally that the victim in the police shooting had a gun and the officer who shoot him felt endangered. When pressed about videos of the incident, the police chief stated that the portions he had viewed did not show a gun but there was more to be reviewed. Where then did the facts come from? Witness and police accounts I would presume but can't he or the mayor understand the questions raised by such strong statements knowing that there is more video to be reviewed. In addition, a position is being taken that the video evidence can't or won't be released because it is part of an investigation. It is also an opportunity for transparency.
None of this started tonight. There is a long history that people have experienced. People are angry and frustrated and officials believe a show of force will quell the anger. Police and protesters confront each other and we all wait and hope for de-escalation. I have respect for all of them, the good police, trying to keep a city safe and keeping peace - and the protesters angry and hurting. People want justice, transparency and accountability.
There are good cops and we all know it. There are great cops and we know it. But how can this continue to happen? What is the culture that allows it to happen? The other reality is that when people do speak up, or when they do protest, or when anger spills over onto the street, agitators and thugs get blamed. Protesters are marginalized and spoken down to by people in power.
I worked for many years supporting people with disabilities. When system problems occurred, regulators and government officials were quick to implement mandates. They ranged from training to reporting policies and procedures. They also became universal requirements for all providers. Some of this was good and needed and some of it was overkill and stupid. What strikes me though is that when we know we have a national problem of black men being shot and killed by those in authority, it seems like a national solution is necessary. I wonder why there isn't a push for every police agency in the country to immediately provide training and retraining on use of force and racial and minority interactions. Every police agency, within a reasonable period, needs to retrain current officers on these issues, tactics and relationships.
We have to pay attention to this. We have to do something. An approach mandating training/retraining could save some lives.
In Charlotte, NC, I listened today to the police chief state unequivocally that the victim in the police shooting had a gun and the officer who shoot him felt endangered. When pressed about videos of the incident, the police chief stated that the portions he had viewed did not show a gun but there was more to be reviewed. Where then did the facts come from? Witness and police accounts I would presume but can't he or the mayor understand the questions raised by such strong statements knowing that there is more video to be reviewed. In addition, a position is being taken that the video evidence can't or won't be released because it is part of an investigation. It is also an opportunity for transparency.
None of this started tonight. There is a long history that people have experienced. People are angry and frustrated and officials believe a show of force will quell the anger. Police and protesters confront each other and we all wait and hope for de-escalation. I have respect for all of them, the good police, trying to keep a city safe and keeping peace - and the protesters angry and hurting. People want justice, transparency and accountability.
Saturday, September 17, 2016
It Is The Changing Economy Stupid!
There are lots of people focused on the presidential election and defeating Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. We will survive Trump and Clinton, but what will we do afterward? What will we do when manufacturing jobs never return, which is the unspoken reality? What do we do when the economic bleeding continues and more jobs are lost as computers begin to talk in real human voices and take over service jobs in the insurance and financial sectors? How do we cope with less people working and less income being shared? When will we realize that the whole college experience doesn't require bricks and mortar and many thousands of dollars every year to support that infrastructure? Why do we allow local and state governments to invest billions in economic development plans and marketing that don't recognize the new realities of markets, jobs and workforce challenges? These are all serious questions that honestly, we should be discussing during this election cycle, but we can't because the media is forced or perhaps chooses to cover goofs, blunders and lies. We also don't because we choose not to face many of these realities. We want to believe in the past and past successes.
The economy really is one of the most critical issues facing all of us. It is also the issue that has a large portion of the electorate angry and feeling taken advantage of and left out. Its really the majority of the anger we see at rallies and events. But who's dealing with it? It's hardly discussed or if it is, the hopes of past economies are brandished. We really need smart conversations about new economies, globalization, education, job preparation and shifting roles and new vocations. I don't see it happening soon enough. Most elected officials still believe in the past. Many educators still belief in traditional models of learning and teaching. But some day fairly soon, the reality is likely to hit us in the back of the head. Hopefully it won't be too late for the change that will be necessary.
The economy really is one of the most critical issues facing all of us. It is also the issue that has a large portion of the electorate angry and feeling taken advantage of and left out. Its really the majority of the anger we see at rallies and events. But who's dealing with it? It's hardly discussed or if it is, the hopes of past economies are brandished. We really need smart conversations about new economies, globalization, education, job preparation and shifting roles and new vocations. I don't see it happening soon enough. Most elected officials still believe in the past. Many educators still belief in traditional models of learning and teaching. But some day fairly soon, the reality is likely to hit us in the back of the head. Hopefully it won't be too late for the change that will be necessary.
Thursday, September 15, 2016
The Economy of Seneca Lake
I've written before about Seneca Lake here in the Finger Lakes of New York State. I've written about her beauty, her depth, her recreational assets and her threats or stress.
I recently attended the annual meeting of the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association where reports on the health of the lake were given and discussed. I've also been attending a number of meetings as a member of the public of the Seneca Lake Inter-Municipal Organization. The latter group is an attempt to bring all of the municipalities that share the waterfront of Seneca Lake together to work on cooperative actions relative to the protection and stewardship of the watershed. It's a great idea and effort but participation by the 40 or more municipal entities surrounding the lake has been difficult to organize between time constraints, meeting schedules and priority setting.
Seneca Lake, according to experts, is in a very slow recovery from an enormous amount of sodium that entered the water sometime in the mid sixties to the early seventies. The recovery is part of a natural flushing that will take years to complete. At the same time Seneca is being threatened by increased phosphorus levels primarily from agricultural expansion and practices on the land above the lake. These levels have lead to the threat and reality of increasing instances of blue green algae, a dangerous pea green slime that can cause serious health threats to animals and humans.
Few people really seem to grasp the economic impact of Seneca Lake on the region. This impact is broad and huge in scope - from tourism to scenic vistas, fisheries to wineries, hotels and restaurants. Yet one of the biggest economic drivers, real estate and real estate taxes from lakefront residences is hardly ever discussed. Elected officials, economic developers and Chambers of Commerce keep looking for that brass ring of more, more and more development. Sadly, they don't seem to realize that their biggest cash generator, property taxes on lake front properties, is or could be threatened by both green blue algae or another huge influx of sodium into the lake.
It really is about time for economic developers, Chamber presidents and lake experts to sit down in a room together and really learn about and discuss solutions to the problems that the lake faces. Everyone needs to work together on this and the sooner the better.
I recently attended the annual meeting of the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association where reports on the health of the lake were given and discussed. I've also been attending a number of meetings as a member of the public of the Seneca Lake Inter-Municipal Organization. The latter group is an attempt to bring all of the municipalities that share the waterfront of Seneca Lake together to work on cooperative actions relative to the protection and stewardship of the watershed. It's a great idea and effort but participation by the 40 or more municipal entities surrounding the lake has been difficult to organize between time constraints, meeting schedules and priority setting.
Seneca Lake, according to experts, is in a very slow recovery from an enormous amount of sodium that entered the water sometime in the mid sixties to the early seventies. The recovery is part of a natural flushing that will take years to complete. At the same time Seneca is being threatened by increased phosphorus levels primarily from agricultural expansion and practices on the land above the lake. These levels have lead to the threat and reality of increasing instances of blue green algae, a dangerous pea green slime that can cause serious health threats to animals and humans.
Few people really seem to grasp the economic impact of Seneca Lake on the region. This impact is broad and huge in scope - from tourism to scenic vistas, fisheries to wineries, hotels and restaurants. Yet one of the biggest economic drivers, real estate and real estate taxes from lakefront residences is hardly ever discussed. Elected officials, economic developers and Chambers of Commerce keep looking for that brass ring of more, more and more development. Sadly, they don't seem to realize that their biggest cash generator, property taxes on lake front properties, is or could be threatened by both green blue algae or another huge influx of sodium into the lake.
It really is about time for economic developers, Chamber presidents and lake experts to sit down in a room together and really learn about and discuss solutions to the problems that the lake faces. Everyone needs to work together on this and the sooner the better.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
US Congress Lack of Accountability In Presidential Elections
It's pretty amazing that neither candidates, party officials, the media or the electorate are very vocal about the US Congress' responsibility for little action on lots of issues in our country. Both candidates rant and rave about how bad things are and what hasn't been done. The reality is that Congress has a huge role in helping to make things happen or in finding ways to obstruct. Presidents can lead or try to lead but whoever they are, they need willing partners in the governing process.
I think one of the biggest problems that our country faces, is that whoever wins this election, the healing, the negotiation, the compromise is going to continue to be missing. That will cause more of the same gridlock that we have all become so use to and so frustrated with.
Representative government does have its downside. There are finite numbers of Senators and House Members. These folks can work at getting along or as we have all seen, they can shut everything down both literally and figuratively. In that process, they do us all a disservice. They, the current Members of Congress, are more responsible for the current political environment then anyone else.
Frankly I'm surprised that more people aren't calling them out, including the candidates, party leadership and us, the voters.
I recently edited this entry to include this link to a long but good article that speaks to the issue above How Washington Blew Its Chance To Fix Immigration
I think one of the biggest problems that our country faces, is that whoever wins this election, the healing, the negotiation, the compromise is going to continue to be missing. That will cause more of the same gridlock that we have all become so use to and so frustrated with.
Representative government does have its downside. There are finite numbers of Senators and House Members. These folks can work at getting along or as we have all seen, they can shut everything down both literally and figuratively. In that process, they do us all a disservice. They, the current Members of Congress, are more responsible for the current political environment then anyone else.
Frankly I'm surprised that more people aren't calling them out, including the candidates, party leadership and us, the voters.
I recently edited this entry to include this link to a long but good article that speaks to the issue above How Washington Blew Its Chance To Fix Immigration
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
My Fickle Muse
A muse is a mythological entity who helps makes things happen. Traditionally, a muse helps to inspire writers of all sorts - authors, poets, song and music writers. The muse comes and goes, darting around the mind and environment of the creative spirit. My muse seems to come and go more frequently lately - a fickle muse, one who perhaps travels to other venus.
I have a dear old friend, Jack Cook. Jack is a wonderful writer of stories, experiences, history and poetry. He has written books and columns and knows his craft well. Jack and I sometimes ponder and bemoan the disappearance of our inspiration to write, our muse, or muses (perhaps mice) as it were. We complain and sympathise with each other. We become depressed sometimes and even curse the disappearance of the muse.
Now it should be noted that my problem is much bigger than Jack's. He may pause every once in awhile, taking a rest, but his prose and poetry are certainly still there, along with his wealth of experiences. He has been a teacher, a carpenter, a prisoner, an organizer, a father, a barkeep, a keeper of the revolutionary spirit and so much more. Every once in awhile he just needs a break or has to dig a little deeper, or get a jump start of sorts. That's what I tell him anyway.
But the fickle muse does elude us every so often. She/he/it leaves us or just flits around in our heads. There are topics galore. Some are part of stories or beliefs that need to be told. Their telling is, in many ways, imperative. But the muse dances away, sometimes at the most crucial moment. Other stories are bigger, longer term projects that require time and research and thinking. Then there's the music, song, and art, all waiting to be strummed, sung, put to paper or clay and shared with others. Perhaps its all too confusing for my particular muse. Maybe they specialize and mine is just overwhelmed.
Most creative people experience this flight of inspiration. Some shrug it off. Others suffer through it impatiently. Many times there's a bottle of good bourbon or scotch sitting nearby. Something that allows us to wait and ponder as the muse wanders somewhere.
Recently some friends have encouraged me to write more or perhaps write in a more focused way (read book here). I resist. Partly because I think I understand the work involved and the enormity of such a project. But there is a temptation. My fear is the fickle muse and the bottles of bourbon needed to ponder and wait. Having said that, there are stories that should be told. Histories to be recorded and lessons learned. If only I had a more regular muse. We could get some things done.
I have a dear old friend, Jack Cook. Jack is a wonderful writer of stories, experiences, history and poetry. He has written books and columns and knows his craft well. Jack and I sometimes ponder and bemoan the disappearance of our inspiration to write, our muse, or muses (perhaps mice) as it were. We complain and sympathise with each other. We become depressed sometimes and even curse the disappearance of the muse.
Now it should be noted that my problem is much bigger than Jack's. He may pause every once in awhile, taking a rest, but his prose and poetry are certainly still there, along with his wealth of experiences. He has been a teacher, a carpenter, a prisoner, an organizer, a father, a barkeep, a keeper of the revolutionary spirit and so much more. Every once in awhile he just needs a break or has to dig a little deeper, or get a jump start of sorts. That's what I tell him anyway.
But the fickle muse does elude us every so often. She/he/it leaves us or just flits around in our heads. There are topics galore. Some are part of stories or beliefs that need to be told. Their telling is, in many ways, imperative. But the muse dances away, sometimes at the most crucial moment. Other stories are bigger, longer term projects that require time and research and thinking. Then there's the music, song, and art, all waiting to be strummed, sung, put to paper or clay and shared with others. Perhaps its all too confusing for my particular muse. Maybe they specialize and mine is just overwhelmed.
Most creative people experience this flight of inspiration. Some shrug it off. Others suffer through it impatiently. Many times there's a bottle of good bourbon or scotch sitting nearby. Something that allows us to wait and ponder as the muse wanders somewhere.
Recently some friends have encouraged me to write more or perhaps write in a more focused way (read book here). I resist. Partly because I think I understand the work involved and the enormity of such a project. But there is a temptation. My fear is the fickle muse and the bottles of bourbon needed to ponder and wait. Having said that, there are stories that should be told. Histories to be recorded and lessons learned. If only I had a more regular muse. We could get some things done.
Monday, August 15, 2016
Donald Trump & Joe McCarthy
I was 10 years old when Sen. Joe McCarthy opened his televised hearings with the goal of rooting out communism in our country. I remember watching the hearings intently. I remember asking my mother what this was all about and why everyone was being so terrible to each other? She didn't have a lot of answers but I knew she wasn't comfortable with what was going on.
As I think about it, this event probably had more to do with my future interest in politics than I knew. It also helped me develop what side I would be on in the future. What the country and I witnessed was bullying, insults and finger pointing. Pressure was put on people to name names, tell stories and provide information about friends and family members. There were questions about what books people read, what music they listened to, what parties they attended and who they associated with. Peoples lives were ruined. There was some outrage but there was also fear and sadly there were many people who went along with the whole process.
J. Edgar Hoover, the director of the FBI, was also watching. He watched very closely and learned as well as taught. Joe McCarthy provided Hoover with cover to 'protect' all of us.
Fast forward to 2016. Donald Trump is talking about 'extreme vetting', creating a commission to root out those among us who are in effect 'un-American', at least in his opinion. He is also talking about 'viscously' removing people from the country who don't meet his, Trump's, loyalty test.
I think Donald Trump is confused about his own country, its constitution and the majority of the people who make it up. I watch his face, his mouth, his expression as he repeats words like 'extreme vetting' and 'vicious actions' as he talks about other people, some immigrants and others, fellow citizens. I see hatred and bigotry as well as real anger in his face. Joe McCarthy had some of these same looks, especially when he thought he had the American people behind him. Finally though, decency won out. A word of caution - it could have gone the other way and in fact, people like Hoover took the message and the activity behind closed doors and into the dark. For those who didn't witness that part of history, be watchful. It's easy to slip back into those very dark places where all of our freedom is at risk. Sadly I fear there are 10 year olds today wondering what this is all about and why everyone is being so terrible to each other.
As I think about it, this event probably had more to do with my future interest in politics than I knew. It also helped me develop what side I would be on in the future. What the country and I witnessed was bullying, insults and finger pointing. Pressure was put on people to name names, tell stories and provide information about friends and family members. There were questions about what books people read, what music they listened to, what parties they attended and who they associated with. Peoples lives were ruined. There was some outrage but there was also fear and sadly there were many people who went along with the whole process.
J. Edgar Hoover, the director of the FBI, was also watching. He watched very closely and learned as well as taught. Joe McCarthy provided Hoover with cover to 'protect' all of us.
Fast forward to 2016. Donald Trump is talking about 'extreme vetting', creating a commission to root out those among us who are in effect 'un-American', at least in his opinion. He is also talking about 'viscously' removing people from the country who don't meet his, Trump's, loyalty test.
I think Donald Trump is confused about his own country, its constitution and the majority of the people who make it up. I watch his face, his mouth, his expression as he repeats words like 'extreme vetting' and 'vicious actions' as he talks about other people, some immigrants and others, fellow citizens. I see hatred and bigotry as well as real anger in his face. Joe McCarthy had some of these same looks, especially when he thought he had the American people behind him. Finally though, decency won out. A word of caution - it could have gone the other way and in fact, people like Hoover took the message and the activity behind closed doors and into the dark. For those who didn't witness that part of history, be watchful. It's easy to slip back into those very dark places where all of our freedom is at risk. Sadly I fear there are 10 year olds today wondering what this is all about and why everyone is being so terrible to each other.
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
"Lock Her Up" Chant Was Only The Beginning
There has been some fear about the direction of political discourse over the past year. Things do become heated in political campaigns. They always have and probably always will. No one party can claim a mantel of good, clean, calm language over the years. Sometimes however, the language of campaigns can be one of the greatest tests of leadership.
A few weeks ago the Republicans had their chance to gather in Cleveland, Ohio and scream, hoot and holler about their opponent and the state of the country. They took advantage of the opportunity. As they gathered to nominate their candidate and build support for his candidacy. They, their party and the candidate himself were well aware of criticisms about a political movement that looks and feels, at times, like fascism. It certainly doesn't help when video images show people raising their arms and shouting various chants of support. These images remind us of other movements in history.
It gets worse however when an audience of delegates to a national political party start chanting of their opponent "Lock Her Up, Lock Her Up". What these folks seem to have forgotten is that they were participating in a really important part of the democratic process - selecting their candidate and stating their case for political ideas. Instead we were reminded of a Banana Republic, mob rule and vigilantes.
Whatever you think of Hillary Clinton and the controversy surrounding her emails, she deserves what every other citizen deserves which is due process, not mob rule. Language and leadership really do matter. Crowds getting whipped up due to enthusiasm for their candidate is natural and as old as the political process itself. What people chant and how leaders react are things that can be controlled.
Now Donald Trump has crossed whatever lines are left, with a wink, a nod and a suggestion that 2nd amendment people may be able to deal with Hillary Clinton. He has disqualified himself as a candidate for President. He's probably broken the law, he's an embarressment and he's dangerous. He doesn't care about what he says, or worse, what people hear. He has raised the specter of violence wth his talk of rigged elections and 2nd amendment threats.
A few weeks ago the Republicans had their chance to gather in Cleveland, Ohio and scream, hoot and holler about their opponent and the state of the country. They took advantage of the opportunity. As they gathered to nominate their candidate and build support for his candidacy. They, their party and the candidate himself were well aware of criticisms about a political movement that looks and feels, at times, like fascism. It certainly doesn't help when video images show people raising their arms and shouting various chants of support. These images remind us of other movements in history.
It gets worse however when an audience of delegates to a national political party start chanting of their opponent "Lock Her Up, Lock Her Up". What these folks seem to have forgotten is that they were participating in a really important part of the democratic process - selecting their candidate and stating their case for political ideas. Instead we were reminded of a Banana Republic, mob rule and vigilantes.
Whatever you think of Hillary Clinton and the controversy surrounding her emails, she deserves what every other citizen deserves which is due process, not mob rule. Language and leadership really do matter. Crowds getting whipped up due to enthusiasm for their candidate is natural and as old as the political process itself. What people chant and how leaders react are things that can be controlled.
Now Donald Trump has crossed whatever lines are left, with a wink, a nod and a suggestion that 2nd amendment people may be able to deal with Hillary Clinton. He has disqualified himself as a candidate for President. He's probably broken the law, he's an embarressment and he's dangerous. He doesn't care about what he says, or worse, what people hear. He has raised the specter of violence wth his talk of rigged elections and 2nd amendment threats.
Monday, August 8, 2016
The Wonders Of Nature
The area I live in, like so many others right now is struggling through a dry, a very dry season. I'm lucky to be able to draw water from a beautiful, large lake. For the past few weeks I've been watering flower gardens, trees and shrubs to keep things alive, fresh and colorful. I'm amazed at what I see and experience during this simple task that takes me around my yard each morning.
Here are just a few examples. Three magnificent Osprey calling out to each other, or to me or to an enemy, high above, flying in circles. Wings spread with white underbellies, coasting along with the wind. The neighborhood Humming Bird, in full rest, on a wire across my driveway, contemplating the nectar from a red flower in the distance. The Honey Bee drinking from the birdbath as I'm filling it with fresh water, getting caught in a whirlpool and floating over the edge to the ground. There I watch as the bee flaps and dries its wings in the grass, taking off a minute later. The Butterflies, Grasshoppers and Crickets are out in force, moving between blossoms or from stem to stem, reacting to the sprinkles of water. One of many cats, sitting, watching me and the movement of the hose and waiting for her chance to stand at the birdbath and drink fresh, cool water.
I decide to spray a tall tree to hydrate its leaves and as I look up, close to a puffy cloud I see a huge dark spot. I look closer and see the white feathers on the fan of the tail. There it is in all of its beauty, a Bald Eagle soaring, gliding above my house and Seneca Lake. No flapping of wings. Pure and simple soaring in circular patterns.
Every morning there's something new to see, if I take the time to look for and see these wonders of nature.
Here are just a few examples. Three magnificent Osprey calling out to each other, or to me or to an enemy, high above, flying in circles. Wings spread with white underbellies, coasting along with the wind. The neighborhood Humming Bird, in full rest, on a wire across my driveway, contemplating the nectar from a red flower in the distance. The Honey Bee drinking from the birdbath as I'm filling it with fresh water, getting caught in a whirlpool and floating over the edge to the ground. There I watch as the bee flaps and dries its wings in the grass, taking off a minute later. The Butterflies, Grasshoppers and Crickets are out in force, moving between blossoms or from stem to stem, reacting to the sprinkles of water. One of many cats, sitting, watching me and the movement of the hose and waiting for her chance to stand at the birdbath and drink fresh, cool water.
I decide to spray a tall tree to hydrate its leaves and as I look up, close to a puffy cloud I see a huge dark spot. I look closer and see the white feathers on the fan of the tail. There it is in all of its beauty, a Bald Eagle soaring, gliding above my house and Seneca Lake. No flapping of wings. Pure and simple soaring in circular patterns.
Every morning there's something new to see, if I take the time to look for and see these wonders of nature.
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Partisanship, Protests and Tactics
Protests have become pretty common place over the past few months. There's no shortage of causes, issues or injustices. Plus, protesting has a long and important history throughout civilization and in our country. There are those who try to present protest as their own concept of democracy and their constitution, but truth be told, the concept of protest goes as far back as humanity and its earliest development. Tactics have evolved and changed along with all of us and all of the things we do.
In the many movements that I'm aware of, there have always been tactical discussions, sometimes arguments and even splits among participants. Protests start as a reaction to something and evolve into discussions about how to best react to the identified issue. Some affected individuals feel more strongly then others and inevitably some, who may not even be affected, join in to manipulate the activity and ultimately the outcome. It's an old story and will continue to be repeated as time churns on.
All of this is worth a discussion as we face issues today around the environment, economic fairness, the US Presidential election, guns and violence to name just a few issues.
I come from a tradition of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience. The kind of protest practiced by and encouraged by Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Dorothy Day, Cesar Chavez and many more. These leaders of the nonviolent movement understood both the moral and tactical aspects of their acts of civil disobedience and non cooperation with civil authorities. They understood that their actions in many cases would lead to their arrest and jail sentences, some significant and others minimal.
Although there are still some leaders and believers in non violent civil disobedience, there seem to be many more who view protest and the protest movement as confrontational in nature, stoking violence and participating themselves in violent responses. We can usually predict the outcome. Violence begets violence and the cycle continues.
Too much shouting, too much name calling, too much closed mindedness for me. I tend to believe that a non violent response to violence has a major impact on the perpetrator of violence as well as on the audience viewing the violence. That's its power. Public opinion and authorities in power can and have been swayed by non violent actions.
But in todays environment of confrontational protests, audiences, authorities and even participants become confused over positions and support. It is easy to find fault with everyone and as a result the status quo continues. The status quo of yelling past each other, not taking any time to listen, raising fists, etc. We'd all be better off taking a little more time to step back and talk to each other.
In the many movements that I'm aware of, there have always been tactical discussions, sometimes arguments and even splits among participants. Protests start as a reaction to something and evolve into discussions about how to best react to the identified issue. Some affected individuals feel more strongly then others and inevitably some, who may not even be affected, join in to manipulate the activity and ultimately the outcome. It's an old story and will continue to be repeated as time churns on.
All of this is worth a discussion as we face issues today around the environment, economic fairness, the US Presidential election, guns and violence to name just a few issues.
I come from a tradition of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience. The kind of protest practiced by and encouraged by Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Dorothy Day, Cesar Chavez and many more. These leaders of the nonviolent movement understood both the moral and tactical aspects of their acts of civil disobedience and non cooperation with civil authorities. They understood that their actions in many cases would lead to their arrest and jail sentences, some significant and others minimal.
Although there are still some leaders and believers in non violent civil disobedience, there seem to be many more who view protest and the protest movement as confrontational in nature, stoking violence and participating themselves in violent responses. We can usually predict the outcome. Violence begets violence and the cycle continues.
Too much shouting, too much name calling, too much closed mindedness for me. I tend to believe that a non violent response to violence has a major impact on the perpetrator of violence as well as on the audience viewing the violence. That's its power. Public opinion and authorities in power can and have been swayed by non violent actions.
But in todays environment of confrontational protests, audiences, authorities and even participants become confused over positions and support. It is easy to find fault with everyone and as a result the status quo continues. The status quo of yelling past each other, not taking any time to listen, raising fists, etc. We'd all be better off taking a little more time to step back and talk to each other.
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Bigotry, Lying and Stream of Consciousness
We've all been witnessing the debates, the rallies, the conventions, the interviews, protests and everything else associated with the Presidential election in the U.S. We've also seen history. There have been historical events that have helped identify the moral compass of the world. There have also been historical events that have helped identify the moral compass of the U.S. These things include the rise of Hitler, the atrocities of the Holocaust, the use of nuclear weapons in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the spectacle of Sen. Joseph McCarthy, the Nixon tapes and Watergate. When I say moral compass I would emphasis a notion of and a recognition of the times when people decided, usually after the fact, the importance of speaking up about injustice, immorality and hate.
So here we are in 2016. The reality is that we have a candidate for the highest office in the country who is promoting bigotry on various levels and who, based on his own words, lies and changes stories about his own history, beliefs and accomplishments. The challenge is, as it always has been, are there people willing to condemn not just the language of one man but in reality, the movement he's created.
I think it's important to be clear. This candidate is a bigot. He's proven it over and over again. His statements about Mexicans, Muslims and immigrants in general. He seems to be able to lie without any effort and with no sense of remorse or apology. In some cases he seems to be proud of his lies. Most disturbing though are his stream of consciousness rants, where people, real people are subjected to his hateful speech and attacks. Journalists, political figures, parents of soldiers, immigrants and so many more, are subjects of his hatred.
We sit and wonder, how can this be? Where did he come from? Who is he speaking for? Sadly it is us. He came from us, our own insecurity, fear and mistrust. He speaks for so many who feel as though the world has left them behind. He is a fear monger in a time when fear is rampant. He is a divider.
All I know is that people who believe in justice, freedom and peace must speak out.
So here we are in 2016. The reality is that we have a candidate for the highest office in the country who is promoting bigotry on various levels and who, based on his own words, lies and changes stories about his own history, beliefs and accomplishments. The challenge is, as it always has been, are there people willing to condemn not just the language of one man but in reality, the movement he's created.
I think it's important to be clear. This candidate is a bigot. He's proven it over and over again. His statements about Mexicans, Muslims and immigrants in general. He seems to be able to lie without any effort and with no sense of remorse or apology. In some cases he seems to be proud of his lies. Most disturbing though are his stream of consciousness rants, where people, real people are subjected to his hateful speech and attacks. Journalists, political figures, parents of soldiers, immigrants and so many more, are subjects of his hatred.
We sit and wonder, how can this be? Where did he come from? Who is he speaking for? Sadly it is us. He came from us, our own insecurity, fear and mistrust. He speaks for so many who feel as though the world has left them behind. He is a fear monger in a time when fear is rampant. He is a divider.
All I know is that people who believe in justice, freedom and peace must speak out.
The Real Apprentice - Donald Trump
Apprentice - a person who is learning a trade from a skilled employer, having agreed to work for a fixed period at low wages. Synonyms: trainee, learner, probationer, novice, beginner, starter, cadet, tenderfoot.
Who knew that a reality show would play out in real time, with real people, running for President of the United States? Perhaps Donald Trump? But here we are, less then 100 days before a national election and the GOP somehow decided to back, support and hire an apprentice as their candidate for the highest office in the country.
Everyday Donald Trump proves that he is in fact, an apprentice, as well as all of the synonyms associated with the word. Worse yet, he proves that he is not doing well in the role. All that's missing is someone, a mentor and skilled employer, and some process to tell the candidate that in fact, he's fired. It is a cop out to say that will be done by the electorate. The GOP went through a process and ended up with Trump as their candidate but if the leadership of the party truly cares about the continuation of the GOP, they need to come up with some type of solution to stop the destruction of their own organization. It is unchartered territory but a withdrawal of the candidate may make sense.
You can renounce statements and positions but eventually this apprentice needs to be fired.
Who knew that a reality show would play out in real time, with real people, running for President of the United States? Perhaps Donald Trump? But here we are, less then 100 days before a national election and the GOP somehow decided to back, support and hire an apprentice as their candidate for the highest office in the country.
Everyday Donald Trump proves that he is in fact, an apprentice, as well as all of the synonyms associated with the word. Worse yet, he proves that he is not doing well in the role. All that's missing is someone, a mentor and skilled employer, and some process to tell the candidate that in fact, he's fired. It is a cop out to say that will be done by the electorate. The GOP went through a process and ended up with Trump as their candidate but if the leadership of the party truly cares about the continuation of the GOP, they need to come up with some type of solution to stop the destruction of their own organization. It is unchartered territory but a withdrawal of the candidate may make sense.
You can renounce statements and positions but eventually this apprentice needs to be fired.
Friday, July 29, 2016
Aging With Grace, Or At Least Trying
Aging comes on some of us suddenly. Others may know it's coming for many years. I would guess we all have some different experiences based on lots of things - genes, physical and mental health, lifestyles and support systems.
Personally I feel my aging has hit me quite suddenly, although I'm sure if I look back, I might have seen it coming. My eyes just weren't that wide open and like everyone else, I had things to do, places to be and was just too damn busy to concentrate on the inevitable. This year I turned 72. That will sound young to some and very old to others. It's all relative and depends on your perspective. But yes I'm feeling my age, struggling with some health issues and coming to grips with the aging process.
A few days ago I was out and stopped for a bite to eat at lunch time. I watched a group of older gentleman and thought about their banter, actions and so forth. Some of my thoughts weren't that complimentary, laced with ageism and a high horse attitude about these old guys. At a certain point I realized that in reality, most of them were probably younger then me. That helped set some things straight in my mind.
Then the other day I walked past a mirror and caught a glimpse of someone I thought I knew. Was it my father? No, it couldn't be. He passed away when he was 85. Lets see that was about 20 years ago but I remember how he looked. Something like that fellow in the mirror. Or was it my brother. Looked a bit like him. He's going on 76 and it looked a bit like him. Same slouch and shuffle. But no, the reality hit. There I was, looking at myself and wondering when all that happened.
Some things with my health changed this year. I became very aware that I just can't do the same things that I used to in terms of physical activity. I certainly tire more easily and there is more shortness of breath upon exertion. Much of that is related to my Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD), emphysema and bronchitis, all caused and aggravated by years of smoking. But this year it has become a bit more noticeable and challenging and medications have their issues and side effects.
But not being able to do the things that you used to, does have an impact on your thinking and that's some of where I'm at. It really comes down to dealing with the reality of what you can and can't do.
But aging is bigger than all of that. It also has to do with remembering the great things you may have done along with the reminders and review of those things you either screwed up royally or that you just, plain and simple, didn't do. And yes, all of that is a very real part of aging. Identifying things done well and things left undone, at least until now. A serious review has to take place and undone things need to be attempted or at least resolved in some way. But, and this is the real problem, it all happens so quickly. It's the blink of an eye in the scheme of things, even though it may have been the past 20 or 30 years. So, in addition to becoming as comfortable as possible with inevitable physical changes, I know I have lots of things to do and I'm moving forward on those. I hope I do all of this gracefully and I hope I get a chance to ask for forgiveness where necessary and to congratulate and praise all those who deserve it. And one more thing - as I walk past that mirror every day, I'll try to remember to wink at that nice old man and give him a smile.
Personally I feel my aging has hit me quite suddenly, although I'm sure if I look back, I might have seen it coming. My eyes just weren't that wide open and like everyone else, I had things to do, places to be and was just too damn busy to concentrate on the inevitable. This year I turned 72. That will sound young to some and very old to others. It's all relative and depends on your perspective. But yes I'm feeling my age, struggling with some health issues and coming to grips with the aging process.
A few days ago I was out and stopped for a bite to eat at lunch time. I watched a group of older gentleman and thought about their banter, actions and so forth. Some of my thoughts weren't that complimentary, laced with ageism and a high horse attitude about these old guys. At a certain point I realized that in reality, most of them were probably younger then me. That helped set some things straight in my mind.
Then the other day I walked past a mirror and caught a glimpse of someone I thought I knew. Was it my father? No, it couldn't be. He passed away when he was 85. Lets see that was about 20 years ago but I remember how he looked. Something like that fellow in the mirror. Or was it my brother. Looked a bit like him. He's going on 76 and it looked a bit like him. Same slouch and shuffle. But no, the reality hit. There I was, looking at myself and wondering when all that happened.
Some things with my health changed this year. I became very aware that I just can't do the same things that I used to in terms of physical activity. I certainly tire more easily and there is more shortness of breath upon exertion. Much of that is related to my Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD), emphysema and bronchitis, all caused and aggravated by years of smoking. But this year it has become a bit more noticeable and challenging and medications have their issues and side effects.
But not being able to do the things that you used to, does have an impact on your thinking and that's some of where I'm at. It really comes down to dealing with the reality of what you can and can't do.
But aging is bigger than all of that. It also has to do with remembering the great things you may have done along with the reminders and review of those things you either screwed up royally or that you just, plain and simple, didn't do. And yes, all of that is a very real part of aging. Identifying things done well and things left undone, at least until now. A serious review has to take place and undone things need to be attempted or at least resolved in some way. But, and this is the real problem, it all happens so quickly. It's the blink of an eye in the scheme of things, even though it may have been the past 20 or 30 years. So, in addition to becoming as comfortable as possible with inevitable physical changes, I know I have lots of things to do and I'm moving forward on those. I hope I do all of this gracefully and I hope I get a chance to ask for forgiveness where necessary and to congratulate and praise all those who deserve it. And one more thing - as I walk past that mirror every day, I'll try to remember to wink at that nice old man and give him a smile.
Computer Finally Forces Action
I nudged it along for too many months. Pushed it to its limits I guess. Added new software and operating system. Added RAM. I fought it on a daily basis. Spinning beach balls and lock ups or freezes. I pleaded, prayed and begged my little machine to keep going. Please don't put me through the pain of having to leave you, divorce you, find a home for you, smash you, etc., etc. It was all in vain and I finally drove to the store, bought a newer model and have spent time finding and migrating files. Actually, it's been easier then I thought it would be but it was still stressful. Some of that stress continues as I wait for the 'potential' disaster that I fear. I may escape it but who knows?
So maybe I'll be writing a bit more but no promises. We'll see. There certainly is no shortage of topics - conventions, candidates, droughts, peacemakers, social justice, killing, guns and violence. But for now I'm learning some new things and the workings of a new computer. Hope it lasts.
So maybe I'll be writing a bit more but no promises. We'll see. There certainly is no shortage of topics - conventions, candidates, droughts, peacemakers, social justice, killing, guns and violence. But for now I'm learning some new things and the workings of a new computer. Hope it lasts.
Thursday, June 23, 2016
John Lewis, An American Hero, Inspires Again!
The last time I watched John Lewis lead a historic demonstration was in March of 1965. I headed for a plane and went to Selma, Al to follow him and other great leaders of the civil rights movement. It looks like maybe a trip to Washington D.C. is in the cards.
Lewis is currently in a leadership role in the sit-in that has occurred in the US House of Representatives, an extraordinary and unheard of action. The Democrats in the House are demanding votes on a number of bills related to gun issues in the US. Lewis has, as usual, been eloquent in his explanation of the action. He reminds us that we "need to be headlights, not taillights" in efforts toward change. He also encourages us all "not to give in and not to give up or give out". As in many of his communications to students and activists throughout the years, John Lewis reminded us last night and today about the need sometimes to "get in the way, make noise, to get into trouble - good trouble" to bring about necessary change.
Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House, has pulled out a response reminiscent of the authorities in Selma 50+ years ago. He is saying, and he has instructed his followers to say, that this is nothing but a publicity stunt. Your damn right Mr. Speaker and an effective one to boot. That's the whole point of moral, non violent demonstrations - to shine a light on stupidity and injustice, to educate the public as well as the opposition that a position is morally flawed. Yes, just as the mayor and police chief in Selma said,"this is just a publicity stunt". The only thing he can't say is that it's being done by a bunch of outside agitators.
A friend sent me a note this morning and pointed out that we had both lived to see a sit-in in the House. "What else is possible?" he asked. Plenty I'm sure, especially with people like John Lewis still around and young people hearing his message. This is why it's important to keep telling the stories of Dorothy Day and Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King, Jr and Dan & Phil Berrigan.
How the violence and gun issue is resolved may be a question and people may differ on solutions but publicity stunts are better then massacres. Hopefully John Lewis will inspire more and more people to join, to take action, to get into trouble - good trouble. Peace John and keep it up!
Lewis is currently in a leadership role in the sit-in that has occurred in the US House of Representatives, an extraordinary and unheard of action. The Democrats in the House are demanding votes on a number of bills related to gun issues in the US. Lewis has, as usual, been eloquent in his explanation of the action. He reminds us that we "need to be headlights, not taillights" in efforts toward change. He also encourages us all "not to give in and not to give up or give out". As in many of his communications to students and activists throughout the years, John Lewis reminded us last night and today about the need sometimes to "get in the way, make noise, to get into trouble - good trouble" to bring about necessary change.
Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House, has pulled out a response reminiscent of the authorities in Selma 50+ years ago. He is saying, and he has instructed his followers to say, that this is nothing but a publicity stunt. Your damn right Mr. Speaker and an effective one to boot. That's the whole point of moral, non violent demonstrations - to shine a light on stupidity and injustice, to educate the public as well as the opposition that a position is morally flawed. Yes, just as the mayor and police chief in Selma said,"this is just a publicity stunt". The only thing he can't say is that it's being done by a bunch of outside agitators.
A friend sent me a note this morning and pointed out that we had both lived to see a sit-in in the House. "What else is possible?" he asked. Plenty I'm sure, especially with people like John Lewis still around and young people hearing his message. This is why it's important to keep telling the stories of Dorothy Day and Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King, Jr and Dan & Phil Berrigan.
How the violence and gun issue is resolved may be a question and people may differ on solutions but publicity stunts are better then massacres. Hopefully John Lewis will inspire more and more people to join, to take action, to get into trouble - good trouble. Peace John and keep it up!
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Does It Really Matter Where Hate Comes From?
The mass shooting in Orlando has brought a sharp focus to hate. There is plenty to go around. Sadly, there are those who are already using the tragedy to stoke even more hatred. The LGBTQ community is no stranger to experiencing hate. The Muslim community has also experienced hate. And there are so many, too many others who know what hate is all about.
Looking at the pictures of the victims in Orlando is difficult. These were vibrant young people with so much of life in front of them and so much they could have offered. Gone in an instant for some and agonizing minutes turned into hours for others. All a product of hate.
Does it really matter if the hate comes from ISIS, homophobia, mental illness, political or religious motives? Does it matter if hate comes from the right, the left or the middle? Does it matter if hate is home grown or internationally bred? Does it matter who hate kills - children, Jews, Muslims, people of color? Hate is pretty pervasive, towards individuals and groups. It is stoked and encouraged and it's coming from all directions.
To me it doesn't matter where it comes from. There are too many hate villains. It really comes down to what do we (I) do about it or how do we (I) respond to it? I certainly think we need to call it out when it happens. I also think we need to work at non confrontational, non violent responses to it. As we've seen in this presidential election cycle, disruption and yelling at opponents is being used as a tactic more and more. The result ends up being more people yelling at each other and the potential for more, not less violence. But hate speech does need a response and the more direct, the better.
I will write about it, talk about it, engage people in discussions and stand against it wherever and whenever possible. Where it comes from matters less then what we do about it.
Looking at the pictures of the victims in Orlando is difficult. These were vibrant young people with so much of life in front of them and so much they could have offered. Gone in an instant for some and agonizing minutes turned into hours for others. All a product of hate.
Does it really matter if the hate comes from ISIS, homophobia, mental illness, political or religious motives? Does it matter if hate comes from the right, the left or the middle? Does it matter if hate is home grown or internationally bred? Does it matter who hate kills - children, Jews, Muslims, people of color? Hate is pretty pervasive, towards individuals and groups. It is stoked and encouraged and it's coming from all directions.
To me it doesn't matter where it comes from. There are too many hate villains. It really comes down to what do we (I) do about it or how do we (I) respond to it? I certainly think we need to call it out when it happens. I also think we need to work at non confrontational, non violent responses to it. As we've seen in this presidential election cycle, disruption and yelling at opponents is being used as a tactic more and more. The result ends up being more people yelling at each other and the potential for more, not less violence. But hate speech does need a response and the more direct, the better.
I will write about it, talk about it, engage people in discussions and stand against it wherever and whenever possible. Where it comes from matters less then what we do about it.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Mental Health Screening For Presidential Candidates
I wonder if we've reached the point where mental health screening of presidential candidates is in order and necessary? I mean think about it. We screen and check people for all sorts of occupations. Usually because we're concerned about the protection of vulnerable people - our kids and grandchildren for example or perhaps people with disabilities or the elderly.
Well, here we are in the process of giving a person a job where they will be responsible for the young, the old, people with disabilities, and by the way, all of us. Responsible to the point of our survival. Seems like a pretty big deal.
So what kind of screening do we have in place to make sure we aren't electing someone who shouldn't have access to nuclear weapon codes? Hmm? Maybe there are previous occupants of the White House who wouldn't pass the muster? Lots to think about.
Well, here we are in the process of giving a person a job where they will be responsible for the young, the old, people with disabilities, and by the way, all of us. Responsible to the point of our survival. Seems like a pretty big deal.
So what kind of screening do we have in place to make sure we aren't electing someone who shouldn't have access to nuclear weapon codes? Hmm? Maybe there are previous occupants of the White House who wouldn't pass the muster? Lots to think about.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
2016 Election Blues
I've got 'em - the 2016 election blues! They're here and probably will stay for awhile. I've tried everything - laughing it all off as a joke, getting angry, trying to ignore it, shutting off the cable news, but nothing seems to work. Reality always sets in and I get nervous and jumpy about the future, mine and everyone else's.
It seems I just have to accept the fact that this year's presidential election has in fact turned into a reality TV show and the public is getting what they want and crave. The news media with its 24/7 cycle is part of it, sometimes creating 'news' where there is none. Breaking News announcements about protests and near riots in places where police, their horses and the media themselves outnumber any protesting crowd.
Candidates as front runners who few people trust and who are viewed and followed for their entertainment value will someday lead our country. I watch the crowds behind all of these candidates at their campaign events for some sign of hope and have a hard time finding it as I scan the faces. People yelling, cheering and waving signs at whatever their candidate says.
It's debilitating and it leads to these election blues. Especially when I realize we haven't even gotten to the conventions yet and have another six months of all of this until the general election. When you think it couldn't get uglier or more stupid, it gets uglier and more stupid and people cheer about it. More red meat, more fodder, more insults and attacks. An unbelievable mess.
Of course we've brought it on ourselves. We've all accepted these inadequate candidates. We've watched and allowed a dysfunctional Congress. We've disapproved of them but rewarded them at the same time.
I'm shutting out as much of this noise as I can, reassesing my own values and priorities. That's about all any of us can do at this point. Perhaps all of this is like the rest of the TV shows. Ratings matter eventually. Tuning out may be the only option for it to all end. Please. Deep breaths, calm music, breathe slowly......
It seems I just have to accept the fact that this year's presidential election has in fact turned into a reality TV show and the public is getting what they want and crave. The news media with its 24/7 cycle is part of it, sometimes creating 'news' where there is none. Breaking News announcements about protests and near riots in places where police, their horses and the media themselves outnumber any protesting crowd.
Candidates as front runners who few people trust and who are viewed and followed for their entertainment value will someday lead our country. I watch the crowds behind all of these candidates at their campaign events for some sign of hope and have a hard time finding it as I scan the faces. People yelling, cheering and waving signs at whatever their candidate says.
It's debilitating and it leads to these election blues. Especially when I realize we haven't even gotten to the conventions yet and have another six months of all of this until the general election. When you think it couldn't get uglier or more stupid, it gets uglier and more stupid and people cheer about it. More red meat, more fodder, more insults and attacks. An unbelievable mess.
Of course we've brought it on ourselves. We've all accepted these inadequate candidates. We've watched and allowed a dysfunctional Congress. We've disapproved of them but rewarded them at the same time.
I'm shutting out as much of this noise as I can, reassesing my own values and priorities. That's about all any of us can do at this point. Perhaps all of this is like the rest of the TV shows. Ratings matter eventually. Tuning out may be the only option for it to all end. Please. Deep breaths, calm music, breathe slowly......
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Where Do TV Dinners Come From and Other Stories?
Life experiences are the basis for lots of things - songs, plays, teaching, stories and more. Over the past few weeks I've been drawn back to memories of some of my own experiences that helped shaped me. Things that taught me and helped make me who I am today. One of those memories was shaken from a file in my brain by a short article last week about workers in a poultry factory not being allowed to take bathroom breaks and solving their problem by wearing adult diapers. Yes folks, May of 2016 was the date of the article.
The wires in my brain lit up and began searching my memory bank - poultry, factories, injustice - and soon I slipped back into the mid 60's. Something was familiar. Once there I remembered and saw myself and five or six close friends who had migrated from St. Joseph's House of Hospitality in New York City to the small town of Tivoli, up the Hudson River and home to the Catholic Worker's Farm community. Some details are a bit grey but basically we were a group of young people going off in our own direction but at the same time needing to be in close proximity to the core of our beliefs, the Catholic Worker. We discovered an abandoned property, perhaps even purchased or rented it with the hopes and dreams of starting our own community of workers and scholars. Of course we needed revenue for our adventure so a number of us found work, picking fruit with migrants and performing other odd jobs in the area. The fruit harvesting didn't go that well as I remember it, at least not for me.
We, along with everyone else, were paid at piece rate for containers of fruit brought back to the orchard owner's scale where another employee would, somewhat gleefully, go through our baskets culling out what he considered to be unacceptable fruit. This process had a direct impact on the amount you were paid for that 'piece' and many times we drifted back to the trees to refill our baskets for a recount. It was hard work and I didn't do particularly well at it, fruit bouncing off of my head more often then landing in the basket. We worked in blazing sun, strong winds and rain. Weather didn't really matter to either the farmer or the migrant group leader.
At some point along the way, we became aware of a frozen food factory that was hiring line workers and other production employees for an hourly rate. This seemed like a much better alternative to picking fruit and having someone control your pay by choosing what was and what wasn't acceptable. It turned out that the factory was subcontracting for a large national food company to produce a newly popular item, frozen TV dinners, chicken dinners to be precise. One section of the factory consisted of a poultry room where chickens were plucked, literally ripped apart, cooked and processed for delivery to the production line.
The other section consisted of a conveyor belt production line where frozen vegetables, mashed potatoes with tabs of butter, and chicken were placed in the three compartments of aluminum trays. Another line wrapped and packaged the trays for freezing in cartons on pallets. Middle aged women sat on stools at stations along the conveyor belt controlling the flow of potatoes, placing butter, and arranging chicken slices or pieces.
My friend Isidore, always up for an adventure, choose to work in the chicken processing center. He wore thick, oversized rubber gloves and spent his days ripping chicken carcasses apart, all day, every day for 8 plus hours. The room and the people would be hosed down numerous times per day and bones cutting through gloves and skin were a common occurrence. Isidore loved it and hated it at the same time but that tended to be his philosophy with most of what he encountered in life.
I worked on the production line. The foreman saw me as a young man who should be able to do the work at the head of the line. That work consisted of taking aluminum trays in stacks and placing them in two tower type holders that fed into the conveyor belt. But there was more. Next to the belt was another pallet of 40 to 50lb boxes of frozen vegetables for a particular run, peas, corn or succotash. Each of these boxes were smashed on the floor to loosen the vegetables, opened and finally lifted and dumped into a bin at shoulder height that would drop the appropriate amount of peas, etc. into the tray compartment as trays were being fed by the belt. Trays and vegetables obviously had to keep up with each other. Trays had to be placed correctly so that they wouldn't jam and more importantly that the right compartment lined up with the automated vegetable shoot. The orchards were looking better every minute.
I was killing myself keeping up with what I considered to be about three jobs in this 'automated' factory while I looked at others sitting on stools placing a pat of butter on a pile of potatoes. About 30 minutes into my agony, as I was smashing a box on the floor to fill the near empty bin, I heard the machinery screech. I had stacked the trays a bit off center and they were all flying over and under the belt getting caught in various machine parts. As the foreman ran across the floor to hit the switch to shut down the belt, puffing and swearing, I looked at the line and saw a number of the women giving me a thumbs up. It turns out that was the only way people got a break - equipment breakdown or maintenance. The previous line feeder had been fired for too many of these self inflicted breakdowns and all were glad to see that their breaks would continue due to my inability to keep trays straight and bins filled. I smile at the thought. Forced overtime was also a constant issue at this factory. At what was supposed to be the end of the day, the foreman would announce that four more pallets had to be competed before anyone could leave. Smile gone.
There are more stories about this particular expierience and the saga of the commune along the Hudson but I'll leave it there for now while we all ponder how far we've come in poultry and food processing plants.
The wires in my brain lit up and began searching my memory bank - poultry, factories, injustice - and soon I slipped back into the mid 60's. Something was familiar. Once there I remembered and saw myself and five or six close friends who had migrated from St. Joseph's House of Hospitality in New York City to the small town of Tivoli, up the Hudson River and home to the Catholic Worker's Farm community. Some details are a bit grey but basically we were a group of young people going off in our own direction but at the same time needing to be in close proximity to the core of our beliefs, the Catholic Worker. We discovered an abandoned property, perhaps even purchased or rented it with the hopes and dreams of starting our own community of workers and scholars. Of course we needed revenue for our adventure so a number of us found work, picking fruit with migrants and performing other odd jobs in the area. The fruit harvesting didn't go that well as I remember it, at least not for me.
We, along with everyone else, were paid at piece rate for containers of fruit brought back to the orchard owner's scale where another employee would, somewhat gleefully, go through our baskets culling out what he considered to be unacceptable fruit. This process had a direct impact on the amount you were paid for that 'piece' and many times we drifted back to the trees to refill our baskets for a recount. It was hard work and I didn't do particularly well at it, fruit bouncing off of my head more often then landing in the basket. We worked in blazing sun, strong winds and rain. Weather didn't really matter to either the farmer or the migrant group leader.
At some point along the way, we became aware of a frozen food factory that was hiring line workers and other production employees for an hourly rate. This seemed like a much better alternative to picking fruit and having someone control your pay by choosing what was and what wasn't acceptable. It turned out that the factory was subcontracting for a large national food company to produce a newly popular item, frozen TV dinners, chicken dinners to be precise. One section of the factory consisted of a poultry room where chickens were plucked, literally ripped apart, cooked and processed for delivery to the production line.
The other section consisted of a conveyor belt production line where frozen vegetables, mashed potatoes with tabs of butter, and chicken were placed in the three compartments of aluminum trays. Another line wrapped and packaged the trays for freezing in cartons on pallets. Middle aged women sat on stools at stations along the conveyor belt controlling the flow of potatoes, placing butter, and arranging chicken slices or pieces.
My friend Isidore, always up for an adventure, choose to work in the chicken processing center. He wore thick, oversized rubber gloves and spent his days ripping chicken carcasses apart, all day, every day for 8 plus hours. The room and the people would be hosed down numerous times per day and bones cutting through gloves and skin were a common occurrence. Isidore loved it and hated it at the same time but that tended to be his philosophy with most of what he encountered in life.
I worked on the production line. The foreman saw me as a young man who should be able to do the work at the head of the line. That work consisted of taking aluminum trays in stacks and placing them in two tower type holders that fed into the conveyor belt. But there was more. Next to the belt was another pallet of 40 to 50lb boxes of frozen vegetables for a particular run, peas, corn or succotash. Each of these boxes were smashed on the floor to loosen the vegetables, opened and finally lifted and dumped into a bin at shoulder height that would drop the appropriate amount of peas, etc. into the tray compartment as trays were being fed by the belt. Trays and vegetables obviously had to keep up with each other. Trays had to be placed correctly so that they wouldn't jam and more importantly that the right compartment lined up with the automated vegetable shoot. The orchards were looking better every minute.
I was killing myself keeping up with what I considered to be about three jobs in this 'automated' factory while I looked at others sitting on stools placing a pat of butter on a pile of potatoes. About 30 minutes into my agony, as I was smashing a box on the floor to fill the near empty bin, I heard the machinery screech. I had stacked the trays a bit off center and they were all flying over and under the belt getting caught in various machine parts. As the foreman ran across the floor to hit the switch to shut down the belt, puffing and swearing, I looked at the line and saw a number of the women giving me a thumbs up. It turns out that was the only way people got a break - equipment breakdown or maintenance. The previous line feeder had been fired for too many of these self inflicted breakdowns and all were glad to see that their breaks would continue due to my inability to keep trays straight and bins filled. I smile at the thought. Forced overtime was also a constant issue at this factory. At what was supposed to be the end of the day, the foreman would announce that four more pallets had to be competed before anyone could leave. Smile gone.
There are more stories about this particular expierience and the saga of the commune along the Hudson but I'll leave it there for now while we all ponder how far we've come in poultry and food processing plants.
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Daniel Berrigan: To Grieve or Celebrate His Life
Someplace in my head, I know I'm supposed to celebrate the life of Daniel Berrigan and I do. But I really grieve his loss, for me, the country and the world he tried so hard to change. Some of my grief is very selfish and some is guilt. I thought many times over the past few years about visiting Dan, to say hello, to share history and to say thank you. But I didn't. I wrote a number of times, sent cards after searching for addresses. I eventually found where Dan was residing at Fordham and had planned trips a couple of times. Dan, 94, died on the morning of April 30, 2016.
My relationship with Dan goes back to my days at the Catholic Worker in the mid 60's in NYC. A young kid working with the poor and for peace and a more mature Jesuit priest in his late 30's or early 40's trying to find his own answers. For awhile, we journeyed together. Weddings, liturgies and celebrations, shared and enjoyed with songs and hugs.
A small group gathered after Roger LaPorte's death from self immolation protesting the war in Vietnam. We celebrated a liturgy with Dan Berrigan. We broke bread and drank wine. We talked about Roger, his life, his action. Dan was part of that liturgy and for that, supposedly, he was silenced on the war and exiled to South America by the Jesuits.
Dan visited me when I ended up in prison for my own war protest. He welcomed me home and baptized my first born. We lost touch at some point but reconnected when he was in Ithaca at Cornell. He went underground during this period, giving the FBI a good run.
Dan wrote and wrote and wrote. He was a prolific writer and poet. He was a quiet and complicated man. He didn't have every answer and he'd let you know that was the case. Dan truly was a prophet. He taught priests and bishops and he pissed them off as well.
So there is a lot to celebrate about Dan Berrigan and I'm sure he'd be the first to say, "celebrate". But I can't right now. I really do grieve. Besides my guilt, we need people like Dan with us. I'm sure there are many out there but we need so many more. People who really get the theology of peace and justice. People who really understand mentoring and why it's important. I grieve because the church doesn't know what they got wrong with Dan and Phil Berrigan and Dorothy Day and so many others.
Another fighter is gone, another rebel rouser and trouble maker. RIP Dan. You're missed.
My relationship with Dan goes back to my days at the Catholic Worker in the mid 60's in NYC. A young kid working with the poor and for peace and a more mature Jesuit priest in his late 30's or early 40's trying to find his own answers. For awhile, we journeyed together. Weddings, liturgies and celebrations, shared and enjoyed with songs and hugs.
A small group gathered after Roger LaPorte's death from self immolation protesting the war in Vietnam. We celebrated a liturgy with Dan Berrigan. We broke bread and drank wine. We talked about Roger, his life, his action. Dan was part of that liturgy and for that, supposedly, he was silenced on the war and exiled to South America by the Jesuits.
Dan visited me when I ended up in prison for my own war protest. He welcomed me home and baptized my first born. We lost touch at some point but reconnected when he was in Ithaca at Cornell. He went underground during this period, giving the FBI a good run.
Dan wrote and wrote and wrote. He was a prolific writer and poet. He was a quiet and complicated man. He didn't have every answer and he'd let you know that was the case. Dan truly was a prophet. He taught priests and bishops and he pissed them off as well.
So there is a lot to celebrate about Dan Berrigan and I'm sure he'd be the first to say, "celebrate". But I can't right now. I really do grieve. Besides my guilt, we need people like Dan with us. I'm sure there are many out there but we need so many more. People who really get the theology of peace and justice. People who really understand mentoring and why it's important. I grieve because the church doesn't know what they got wrong with Dan and Phil Berrigan and Dorothy Day and so many others.
Another fighter is gone, another rebel rouser and trouble maker. RIP Dan. You're missed.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
New York State Voting Laws
We are great in New York State about pointing out other people's problems and shortcomings. Perhaps we feel entitled. Perhaps our diversity and our struggles make it easier. Perhaps we've seen so much injustice and unfairness that we believe we have a claim on truth and justice. Whatever the reason, we were given a taste of reality on Presidential Primary Election Day 2016. Actually many knew about the issues before Primary Day but the actual vote and instances of disenfranchisement brought it home much more clearly.
Yes, New York State has problems with our voting regulations and laws and the problems were out there for every one to see on April 19, 2016. Here's just a short list. No early voting, something we are outraged by when we see it in other parts of the country. No same day registration, again an outrageous thing in this day and age. To switch political parties, NYS requires a six month do ahead. A closed primary protects the interests of the major parties but not the voters. Online, electronic registration is next to non-existent. You can register online through the Dept. of Motor Vehicles but all you can do at the Board of Elections website is print off the form, fill it out by hand and mail it in. As I said, that's the short list.
Much of this is about power struggles and power brokering by current elected officials and by the two major political parties. The NYS Legislature and the Governor couldn't come to agreement on any consolidation of primary voting dates in this Presidential Election year so New Yorkers and taxpayers will have two additional primary dates this year on top of the one just held. We'll be having a Federal Office Primary as well as a State and Local Primary spread out through the summer/fall and then the general election.
In the meantime, pundits, party leaders and politicians will criticize the electorate for low turn out and a lack of involvement. Truth be known, low voter turn out is the goal for many of our leaders and representatives.
This year it was hard to hide the truth from voters. There was a lot of emotion and a lot of interest in the Presidential Primary. All of that uncovered the blemishes and sores in NYS's election law. But like others, we have short memories in NY. It will be easier to criticize our neighbors to the south and the west then to really do anything about our existing laws. Just as it has become easier for the Governor and the Legislature to put off or forget about ethics reform as a judge prepares to sentence the former Speaker of the NYS Assembly and the Majority Leader of the NYS Senate for corruption and gross misconduct.
Voters are disgusted and angry. They should be. The trick now is to do something about it.
Yes, New York State has problems with our voting regulations and laws and the problems were out there for every one to see on April 19, 2016. Here's just a short list. No early voting, something we are outraged by when we see it in other parts of the country. No same day registration, again an outrageous thing in this day and age. To switch political parties, NYS requires a six month do ahead. A closed primary protects the interests of the major parties but not the voters. Online, electronic registration is next to non-existent. You can register online through the Dept. of Motor Vehicles but all you can do at the Board of Elections website is print off the form, fill it out by hand and mail it in. As I said, that's the short list.
Much of this is about power struggles and power brokering by current elected officials and by the two major political parties. The NYS Legislature and the Governor couldn't come to agreement on any consolidation of primary voting dates in this Presidential Election year so New Yorkers and taxpayers will have two additional primary dates this year on top of the one just held. We'll be having a Federal Office Primary as well as a State and Local Primary spread out through the summer/fall and then the general election.
In the meantime, pundits, party leaders and politicians will criticize the electorate for low turn out and a lack of involvement. Truth be known, low voter turn out is the goal for many of our leaders and representatives.
This year it was hard to hide the truth from voters. There was a lot of emotion and a lot of interest in the Presidential Primary. All of that uncovered the blemishes and sores in NYS's election law. But like others, we have short memories in NY. It will be easier to criticize our neighbors to the south and the west then to really do anything about our existing laws. Just as it has become easier for the Governor and the Legislature to put off or forget about ethics reform as a judge prepares to sentence the former Speaker of the NYS Assembly and the Majority Leader of the NYS Senate for corruption and gross misconduct.
Voters are disgusted and angry. They should be. The trick now is to do something about it.
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Looking Forward To Primary Campaign In NYS
Right now I'm actually looking forward to the Presidential Primary in NYS. Not sure that will be the case after two weeks of TV ads and wall to wall coverage but we'll see. Initially all of the emphasis seems to be on New York City, recognizing it as the metropolis and media capital that it is although I'm pretty certain that will change.
With all of the serious issues that are facing us nationally, it will be interesting to see how all of them play out in New York State. NewYork Values have been raised as both a negative and a positive. Bernie, Donald and Hillary will have something to say about that I'm sure and Ted Cruz will have some explaining to do. The reality is that NYS has it all when it comes to issues. There are Finger Lakes Wines vs Trump Wines. Documented workers and undocumented workers who provide a labor force for many of the agricultural operations in NYS is sure to be an issue. Manufacturing continues as a dream for many upstate communities. Perhaps Donald Trump will identify where his factory for tie manufacturing will be sited during the primary here, as he brings back jobs from China. The new NYS law increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour, below Westchester County over the next few years and above Westchester County over a greater time period (so really not an increase to $15/hr) will be referenced as either manna from heaven or a scourge. It's most likely neither.
If and when the candidates and the entourage of campaign staffers as well as national media travel upstate they will be faced with a number of challenges. First and foremost, pronouncing the names of the counties and cities, towns and villages that they find themselves visiting or traveling through. Places like Canandaigua, Skaneateles, Canajoharie, Cattaraugus, and Onondaga. Perhaps they're already studying to see if they can name all 11 of the Finger Lakes (or is it 10 or 12?). They will also have to learn how to navigate around all of the 'Repeal The Safe Act' signs and worse yet, try to figure out how to defend it or rail against it.
The easy way out is to just stay in New York City and its Boroughs or to follow the NYS Thruway Trail and stop in Albany, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo. But where's the fun in that and more to the point, how does that get them close to all of those real people who make up the collage of New York State - the poor, the wealthy, the farmers, the immigrants, transplants, entrepreneurs, hunters, etc.
The biggest challenge is probably for Ted Cruz. I'm not sure New Yorkers will understand why he smirks or laughs at himself after each sentence even though we tend to smirk and laugh after each of his sentences. I think John Kasich will be welcomed as a neighbor and respected for his working class background or as he says, the little engine that could. New Yorkers tend to like the little guy or the underdog. And then there's Donald. Of course as New Yorkers we take less offense to Donald Trump calling us and everyone else stupid and dumb and incompetent. We just yell it back at him. His rallies should be interesting. Of course Bernie and Hillary tear us apart. Our brains and hearts explode in conflict as we listen to each of them - a woman and an old socialist. Conflicts, conflicts everywhere.
Two weeks may be too long. We'll see.
With all of the serious issues that are facing us nationally, it will be interesting to see how all of them play out in New York State. NewYork Values have been raised as both a negative and a positive. Bernie, Donald and Hillary will have something to say about that I'm sure and Ted Cruz will have some explaining to do. The reality is that NYS has it all when it comes to issues. There are Finger Lakes Wines vs Trump Wines. Documented workers and undocumented workers who provide a labor force for many of the agricultural operations in NYS is sure to be an issue. Manufacturing continues as a dream for many upstate communities. Perhaps Donald Trump will identify where his factory for tie manufacturing will be sited during the primary here, as he brings back jobs from China. The new NYS law increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour, below Westchester County over the next few years and above Westchester County over a greater time period (so really not an increase to $15/hr) will be referenced as either manna from heaven or a scourge. It's most likely neither.
If and when the candidates and the entourage of campaign staffers as well as national media travel upstate they will be faced with a number of challenges. First and foremost, pronouncing the names of the counties and cities, towns and villages that they find themselves visiting or traveling through. Places like Canandaigua, Skaneateles, Canajoharie, Cattaraugus, and Onondaga. Perhaps they're already studying to see if they can name all 11 of the Finger Lakes (or is it 10 or 12?). They will also have to learn how to navigate around all of the 'Repeal The Safe Act' signs and worse yet, try to figure out how to defend it or rail against it.
The easy way out is to just stay in New York City and its Boroughs or to follow the NYS Thruway Trail and stop in Albany, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo. But where's the fun in that and more to the point, how does that get them close to all of those real people who make up the collage of New York State - the poor, the wealthy, the farmers, the immigrants, transplants, entrepreneurs, hunters, etc.
The biggest challenge is probably for Ted Cruz. I'm not sure New Yorkers will understand why he smirks or laughs at himself after each sentence even though we tend to smirk and laugh after each of his sentences. I think John Kasich will be welcomed as a neighbor and respected for his working class background or as he says, the little engine that could. New Yorkers tend to like the little guy or the underdog. And then there's Donald. Of course as New Yorkers we take less offense to Donald Trump calling us and everyone else stupid and dumb and incompetent. We just yell it back at him. His rallies should be interesting. Of course Bernie and Hillary tear us apart. Our brains and hearts explode in conflict as we listen to each of them - a woman and an old socialist. Conflicts, conflicts everywhere.
Two weeks may be too long. We'll see.
Monday, April 4, 2016
A Discussion On The 2016 Election at Keuka College
2016 Election - What Does The Future Hold?
I've been involved for the past few years with people in the Schuyler and Yates county communities who are part of an entity called the Civic Diversity and Dialogue Group. A small core group of people meet every other week to identify topics that are important for community discussion. The topics range from community policing to educational type forums on health care, education, poverty, etc. The whole idea is for people to hear and participate in civil conversations that focus on diversity and social justice. Communities many times find themselves polarized by issues and sometimes there just aren't venues available for people to sit back and discuss things in an informal way. Our group has tried to fill that gap and provide the opportunity for conversations
On April 13, 2016 the group is sponsoring a presentation and discussion at Keuka College near Penn Yan, NY relative to the 2016 Election & Political Forecasts just days before New York's April 19 primary. The election is shaping up to be one of the most contentious, and potentially the most momentous in US history.
How will the election turn out? How will the result affect the United States, the world and you? Everyone is welcome to come and join what promises to be a lively discussion at this presentation.
Political scientist Ray Copson will start things off by presenting his 18 month and 5 year forecasts for the United States. Copson holds a Ph.D. in political science/International relations from Johns Hopkins University. He worked as an analyst in Washington for many years and has taught at colleges and universities in the United States and Africa.
Copson's political forecasts and various scenarios will be presented and discussed. Keuka College students, faculty and members of the community will participate in the discussion that follows. If you have concerns about the election or are just interested in what the future holds, this is your chance to participate and express your views and hear from others.
As I said, the event will be held on April 13, from 4-6pm in Jephson Hall, Room 104 at Keuka College. The event is organized by the Civic Diversity and Dialogue Group and is hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Keuka College.
Here is a link to Copson's political forecasts as they currently stand. Take a look:
US Political Forecast
Here is a link to Copson's political forecasts as they currently stand. Take a look:
US Political Forecast
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
The Anti Bullying Challenge
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Can you imagine how difficult it is, in the environment we're all seeing play out on TV, in papers, on Twitter, Facebook Instagram, etc. to talk to kids or administer anti bullying programs in schools and neighborhoods? Just a few short years ago people saw the consequences of public bullying - things like depression in young people, drug use, and most sadly suicides, as people were ridiculed and made fun of on social media and in real time on school properties or in cyber space.
Everyone seemed to jump on board and voice how terrible this behavior was and how it needed to stop. Making fun of people, badgering people due to weight issues, a disability, their sexuality, appearance, etc. was seen for what it was - bad behavior that needed to be called out and dealt with. Parents demanded it. The courts weighed in. School administrators, college presidents, politicians, psychologists and medical professionals all spoke out and began doing things. Funding was made available. T-shirts were printed, rallies were held and speakers were invited to school assemblies. In many cases, bad behavior was turned around. In other cases, individuals found their voice and spoke out. These were positive results I think and perhaps some lives were even saved.
Fast forward to today. Our adult world has been turned upside down. In a few short months it has become acceptable to turn all of this around. People cheer and wave their fists as people are tossed to the ground or punched at political rallies. It is ok to provoke political adversaries with obscenities on placards or to shout in someones face. Pictures, flattering and unflattering, of political candidates' wives are fair game. And when it gets really rough, front runners in campaigns say things like "he started it" in defense of their behavior.
I can't imagine what an administrator of an anti bullying program is supposed to do or say in this environment. How do you explain gross and bullying behavior by adults who are supposed to know better? How do you continue to talk to employees about positive workplace behavior?
We're going to feel and see some serious consequences to what is playing out in the current national political campaign I fear. People do respond to other people's behavior. Role models exist based on positions and historical context. Young people, and from what we've seen older people, model people they view as leaders.
The basic fact remains though. Bullying is wrong. It's hurtful and has consequences to the victim. It leads to long term behavior issues. Most importantly it has no political party or religious affiliation. It is a part of the human condition that needs to be controlled and most importantly not tolerated.
We can do things about this. Actually we should do things about this. Speaking up is a start. Letting people know when things cross lines that we all know are there and being respectful of differences and differences of opinion. Encouraging conversations and debates on issues while promoting tolerance. These are just some of the positive steps we can take. But we also have to be able to look young people in the eye and tell them what's acceptable and what's not.
It's a challenge but we have to meet it.
Everyone seemed to jump on board and voice how terrible this behavior was and how it needed to stop. Making fun of people, badgering people due to weight issues, a disability, their sexuality, appearance, etc. was seen for what it was - bad behavior that needed to be called out and dealt with. Parents demanded it. The courts weighed in. School administrators, college presidents, politicians, psychologists and medical professionals all spoke out and began doing things. Funding was made available. T-shirts were printed, rallies were held and speakers were invited to school assemblies. In many cases, bad behavior was turned around. In other cases, individuals found their voice and spoke out. These were positive results I think and perhaps some lives were even saved.
Fast forward to today. Our adult world has been turned upside down. In a few short months it has become acceptable to turn all of this around. People cheer and wave their fists as people are tossed to the ground or punched at political rallies. It is ok to provoke political adversaries with obscenities on placards or to shout in someones face. Pictures, flattering and unflattering, of political candidates' wives are fair game. And when it gets really rough, front runners in campaigns say things like "he started it" in defense of their behavior.
I can't imagine what an administrator of an anti bullying program is supposed to do or say in this environment. How do you explain gross and bullying behavior by adults who are supposed to know better? How do you continue to talk to employees about positive workplace behavior?
We're going to feel and see some serious consequences to what is playing out in the current national political campaign I fear. People do respond to other people's behavior. Role models exist based on positions and historical context. Young people, and from what we've seen older people, model people they view as leaders.
The basic fact remains though. Bullying is wrong. It's hurtful and has consequences to the victim. It leads to long term behavior issues. Most importantly it has no political party or religious affiliation. It is a part of the human condition that needs to be controlled and most importantly not tolerated.
We can do things about this. Actually we should do things about this. Speaking up is a start. Letting people know when things cross lines that we all know are there and being respectful of differences and differences of opinion. Encouraging conversations and debates on issues while promoting tolerance. These are just some of the positive steps we can take. But we also have to be able to look young people in the eye and tell them what's acceptable and what's not.
It's a challenge but we have to meet it.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Brussels - May 22, 2016
We live in a hateful and hurting world. Today it's the people of Brussels who have felt it and who are suffering the consequences. All I can do is offer them a wish for peace, hope and strength as they struggle through the events of the day. I can also speak out about about hateful language and hateful policies. It's shameful that in my country, people involved in a political campaign for President are using these events for their own political purposes and that they're spewing words of hate, torture and bigotry. Hate plus hate always equals more hate. Reactive policies, repressive policies only feed the root cause what the world id dealing with. Historically, young people have always been radicalized by repression. The acts of terror in Brussel are meant to cause reactive and repressive responses.
A small part of what we can do is to offer our support to people who have been attacked, senselessly as they went about their daily lives. And yes, we need to slow down the haters, step back and try to understand how to move forward. The work of peace is hard, very hard.
A small part of what we can do is to offer our support to people who have been attacked, senselessly as they went about their daily lives. And yes, we need to slow down the haters, step back and try to understand how to move forward. The work of peace is hard, very hard.
Monday, March 14, 2016
Manipulated Violence - News Loops, The Media & Trump
Responsible and open journalism is one of the most important things to have in any democracy. This is a pretty basic concept and most people support it. Some would be and have been jailed or worse to protect it. This year's presidential election cycle is causing many to really think about and analyze all of this and how important a free and responsible press is to a democracy.
From the beginning of Donald Trump's entry into the race, cable news made a choice to turn news coverage into a mix of a documentary and a reality TV show. Obviously it was done for the sake of ratings. CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and others early on decided to take Trump's phone call interviews whenever he called them. Pundits and moderators laughed before and after these calls (they cannot in truth be called interviews). All of this did not bode well for journalism.
So a marketing pro manipulated the media into covering him, his way and on his terms. He played them like a fiddle. Now as everyone has reaped what they've sown - the GOP, cable news, congress and so on, we have an even worse manipulation and it goes to the heart of good and responsible journalism. The Trump rally on Friday, March 11 in Chicago looks more and more like a manufactured event with very dark purposes. An impression has been given that the rally was canceled due to violence and the potential for people being hurt. A cursory review of what occurred though doesn't lead one to that conclusion. The event was planned on a college campus in an area known for organized activism, so demonstrations could/should have been expected. The campus and city police indicate that they did not give any advice on canceling the event, although Trump says they did.
If the video of the event is reviewed closely it seems the violence occurred after the announcement canceling it was made. But it was a Friday night and there was a need for some good TV. Trump has made it clear that he believes protesters and violence help his candidacy.
But the manipulation and the message gets worse and the media is complicit. If you watched on Friday what you saw were continuous video loops of blacks and whites pushing, shoving and swinging/punching each other. All of these repetitious videos gave Trump the opportunity to reference thugs, disrupters, violent protesters, etc. In addition they fed in to some peoples' worse fears - that black people were going on the offensive and the future is indeed bleak.
Certainly protesters planned on being there and were prepared to take a stand but my point is that Trump knew that and also understood how it would look and yes how it would play on TV. The media so concerned about their ratings followed and fell once again into his hands.
Sadly, Trump loves the violence or so it seems. He even says its good for his campaign. His face as he shouts, screams and yells is filled with hatred and it seems very real. There may be very serious consequences to all of this and Trump as well as the media will have to be held accountable.
Journalists and editors should really review how and why they're covering things like phone calls from Trump, or why they agree to be held in a pen at his events. All of us should try to see the manipulation of these stories and how they are pitting one group against "the others" - the "they" that are always referenced at Trump's rallies. The biggest danger is how easy it is to become a member of "the others".
From the beginning of Donald Trump's entry into the race, cable news made a choice to turn news coverage into a mix of a documentary and a reality TV show. Obviously it was done for the sake of ratings. CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and others early on decided to take Trump's phone call interviews whenever he called them. Pundits and moderators laughed before and after these calls (they cannot in truth be called interviews). All of this did not bode well for journalism.
So a marketing pro manipulated the media into covering him, his way and on his terms. He played them like a fiddle. Now as everyone has reaped what they've sown - the GOP, cable news, congress and so on, we have an even worse manipulation and it goes to the heart of good and responsible journalism. The Trump rally on Friday, March 11 in Chicago looks more and more like a manufactured event with very dark purposes. An impression has been given that the rally was canceled due to violence and the potential for people being hurt. A cursory review of what occurred though doesn't lead one to that conclusion. The event was planned on a college campus in an area known for organized activism, so demonstrations could/should have been expected. The campus and city police indicate that they did not give any advice on canceling the event, although Trump says they did.
If the video of the event is reviewed closely it seems the violence occurred after the announcement canceling it was made. But it was a Friday night and there was a need for some good TV. Trump has made it clear that he believes protesters and violence help his candidacy.
But the manipulation and the message gets worse and the media is complicit. If you watched on Friday what you saw were continuous video loops of blacks and whites pushing, shoving and swinging/punching each other. All of these repetitious videos gave Trump the opportunity to reference thugs, disrupters, violent protesters, etc. In addition they fed in to some peoples' worse fears - that black people were going on the offensive and the future is indeed bleak.
Certainly protesters planned on being there and were prepared to take a stand but my point is that Trump knew that and also understood how it would look and yes how it would play on TV. The media so concerned about their ratings followed and fell once again into his hands.
Sadly, Trump loves the violence or so it seems. He even says its good for his campaign. His face as he shouts, screams and yells is filled with hatred and it seems very real. There may be very serious consequences to all of this and Trump as well as the media will have to be held accountable.
Journalists and editors should really review how and why they're covering things like phone calls from Trump, or why they agree to be held in a pen at his events. All of us should try to see the manipulation of these stories and how they are pitting one group against "the others" - the "they" that are always referenced at Trump's rallies. The biggest danger is how easy it is to become a member of "the others".
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Transitions, Elections and The History of Rock & Roll
I got word the other day about the death of an old friend and colleague. He was a youngster at 62, at least to me, 9 years his senior. He was also one of the good guys - never a bad word about anyone and always a smile and a twinkle in his eye. As always I was saddened, a bit confused and in wonder about his passing. Matters of life and death do seem to become a bit more intense as you age, at least for me. It's all part of a transition that we go through though, from our earliest years that dance around in memories to our current lives and status. Those memories help us in the transition but they also, sometimes, make it difficult. A paradox I suppose.
And then there's the present, staring us in the face. I'm tired and sick of debates, primaries, candidates, mock news conferences and pundits trying to interpret what I do or should think. It goes on and on. Both parties are reaping what they've sown. Obstructionism and non cooperation have led to people losing faith in government. I never thought I would see in America, the day when people would stand in rallies raising their right arms and hands, pledging to vote for someone as he knowingly mimics what many thought was the worst that the world had seen. Fascism seems to be alive and well. I have a backlog of writing about all of this but just shutter at publishing any more. It's tiring and depressing.
A funk that is usually shaken by the appearance of St. Patrick's Day on the calendar isn't shaken so easily this year. The call of spring and summer are not far off but I see more debates, more made up scandals, more shouting and blaming, yard signs, bumper stickers and on and on. Too much for far too long.
Then, through the magic of the internet comes a message from another friend. He shares a site, a video that helps to clear the mind. Something that helps to categorize some of those memories filed away - the days of learning, exploring, experimenting, dancing, bonding and just plain enjoying. I begin to remember each of those days well. I enjoy the noise and movement of life in the music that I hear. So now, I share it with you for as long as it's available. A click that may help take you through your own experiences, enjoyment and beliefs. Sit back and escape for a bit and be thankful for what this brings. It's 15 minutes of enjoying The History of Rock & Roll. Enjoy & Peace.
And then there's the present, staring us in the face. I'm tired and sick of debates, primaries, candidates, mock news conferences and pundits trying to interpret what I do or should think. It goes on and on. Both parties are reaping what they've sown. Obstructionism and non cooperation have led to people losing faith in government. I never thought I would see in America, the day when people would stand in rallies raising their right arms and hands, pledging to vote for someone as he knowingly mimics what many thought was the worst that the world had seen. Fascism seems to be alive and well. I have a backlog of writing about all of this but just shutter at publishing any more. It's tiring and depressing.
A funk that is usually shaken by the appearance of St. Patrick's Day on the calendar isn't shaken so easily this year. The call of spring and summer are not far off but I see more debates, more made up scandals, more shouting and blaming, yard signs, bumper stickers and on and on. Too much for far too long.
Then, through the magic of the internet comes a message from another friend. He shares a site, a video that helps to clear the mind. Something that helps to categorize some of those memories filed away - the days of learning, exploring, experimenting, dancing, bonding and just plain enjoying. I begin to remember each of those days well. I enjoy the noise and movement of life in the music that I hear. So now, I share it with you for as long as it's available. A click that may help take you through your own experiences, enjoyment and beliefs. Sit back and escape for a bit and be thankful for what this brings. It's 15 minutes of enjoying The History of Rock & Roll. Enjoy & Peace.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Did Donald Trump Disqualify Himself?
Over the weekend, Donald Trump disqualified himself as a candidate for President of the United States. It's interesting that he did it himself rather then some proposed opponent, or the mainstream media. No, it wasn't a rival in the Republican field or Hillary or Bernie from the Democratic side. It was Trump himself.
I'm speaking of course of his failure to disavow himself from the support of David Duke or the Ku Klux Klan when asked directly a number of times by Jake Tapper of CNN on Sunday. Now Trump's latest excuse is that he had already disavowed David Duke on Friday of last week. Of course it also doesn't help that he was preparing for a rally in the deep south later on Sunday. Frankly all of this makes his refusal to be clear even worse. How can you deny knowing anything about David Duke on Sunday when you disavowed him on Friday? Do you somehow believe that not making a clear comment about the Ku Klux Klan will help you in voting in the south? Thankfully the vast majority of people in the south have moved beyond that kind of pitiful thinking.
If Trump needs any reminders, the Klan stood for not just racial hatred but for murder, torture, burning homes and instilling fear while hiding their identity under hoods. David Duke was a former leader or Grand Dragon of the Klan.
It isn't hard to be clear about Duke or the Klan and for whatever reason, Trump refused. His excuses and response on Monday morning gives people more insight and is pretty typical of Trump. This whole thing is CNN's fault says Trump. According to Trump, he had already been clear and in addition, they had given him a faulty earpiece so he was unable to understand the question and any nuances. These are reactions and responses we should be familiar with from Trump. He is never accountable for his words or actions and it is always someone else's fault.
How difficult is it to say that the principles and beliefs of the Ku Klux Klan are despicable? Not at all - I just said it. The fact that Donald Trump can't or won't say anything that clearly on the issue really should disqualify him from the Presidential race. It's as simple as that.
I'm speaking of course of his failure to disavow himself from the support of David Duke or the Ku Klux Klan when asked directly a number of times by Jake Tapper of CNN on Sunday. Now Trump's latest excuse is that he had already disavowed David Duke on Friday of last week. Of course it also doesn't help that he was preparing for a rally in the deep south later on Sunday. Frankly all of this makes his refusal to be clear even worse. How can you deny knowing anything about David Duke on Sunday when you disavowed him on Friday? Do you somehow believe that not making a clear comment about the Ku Klux Klan will help you in voting in the south? Thankfully the vast majority of people in the south have moved beyond that kind of pitiful thinking.
If Trump needs any reminders, the Klan stood for not just racial hatred but for murder, torture, burning homes and instilling fear while hiding their identity under hoods. David Duke was a former leader or Grand Dragon of the Klan.
It isn't hard to be clear about Duke or the Klan and for whatever reason, Trump refused. His excuses and response on Monday morning gives people more insight and is pretty typical of Trump. This whole thing is CNN's fault says Trump. According to Trump, he had already been clear and in addition, they had given him a faulty earpiece so he was unable to understand the question and any nuances. These are reactions and responses we should be familiar with from Trump. He is never accountable for his words or actions and it is always someone else's fault.
How difficult is it to say that the principles and beliefs of the Ku Klux Klan are despicable? Not at all - I just said it. The fact that Donald Trump can't or won't say anything that clearly on the issue really should disqualify him from the Presidential race. It's as simple as that.
Saturday, February 20, 2016
The Damage Done By Uncivil Discourse
It seems to me this is a topic that everyone should be thinking about. It's a topic that's bigger then just a Presidential election cycle, but that process and reality has certainly had a major impact on civil and uncivil discourse in our society recently. The fact is, how we talk to and about each other is an important part of how societies function. Most of the development of governing models has revolved around finding ways for people to communicate and discuss issues in a civil manner.
The discourse we're seeing today didn't just happen because of one particular candidate. All of this has been brewing for a long time and there's plenty of blame to go around relative to why people are feeling unrepresented, disenfranchised, beaten up and beaten down. I happen to believe that elected officials and bureaucrats are responsible for much of the problem as it has evolved over time. People have gone to meetings and to officials trying to approach things in a logical and respectful way. Too often they have been put off by excuses, shuffling of papers, or hearing blame placed on the opposition or some other political scapegoats. Enter Donald Trump, a nativist, a marketer and a showman.
I have to admit, there are some times when it's been enjoyable watching Trump at work just from the perspective of understanding human nature, marketing and showmanship. It's fascinating to watch him work a crowd with stream of consciousness like remarks. It's similar when he's questioned by reporters. Watching him not answer questions or bounce around the subject, raising new topics, etc. is certainly interesting. It does make one wonder how he gets away with it.
There is a very dark side however to what he has unleashed and to me, it all ties back to civil and uncivil discourse. The worst thing Trump has done, is that he's given permission to people to denigrate and speak ill of others. It's what school yard bullies do all of the time, perform for the crowd and put other people down. Say hurtful things and goad people into striking back. It's not just bad manners, it's dangerous. Some of what we're seeing play out is akin to mob rule and could easily evolve into that. As crowds shout USA, USA or Trump, Trump to silence protesters who raise their voice or a sign, it's easy to make a leap toward intolerance and violence. I've actually heard stories of people saying to someone else that they're going to "pull a Trump" on them and just be mean and rotten in their treatment and interaction. This is not at a rally but during normal day to day social contact.
Yes, the real danger and damage that Donald Trump has done is that he's made it acceptable to bully people, to dislike Mexicans because they are Mexican (not because they're immigrants), to build a hatred toward Muslims, to make fun of people with disabilities. This is certainly not civil discourse and honestly it will make it harder for civil discourse to take place as people lash out at people, things or systems they don't like.
In many communities there are groups of people trying to find ways to encourage civil discourse. Sometimes they are church based, organizational based or sometimes they just citizens trying to make sure there is a forum for reasonable and civil conversation. We should all try to seek them out or if necessary start the conversation ourselves.
The discourse we're seeing today didn't just happen because of one particular candidate. All of this has been brewing for a long time and there's plenty of blame to go around relative to why people are feeling unrepresented, disenfranchised, beaten up and beaten down. I happen to believe that elected officials and bureaucrats are responsible for much of the problem as it has evolved over time. People have gone to meetings and to officials trying to approach things in a logical and respectful way. Too often they have been put off by excuses, shuffling of papers, or hearing blame placed on the opposition or some other political scapegoats. Enter Donald Trump, a nativist, a marketer and a showman.
I have to admit, there are some times when it's been enjoyable watching Trump at work just from the perspective of understanding human nature, marketing and showmanship. It's fascinating to watch him work a crowd with stream of consciousness like remarks. It's similar when he's questioned by reporters. Watching him not answer questions or bounce around the subject, raising new topics, etc. is certainly interesting. It does make one wonder how he gets away with it.
There is a very dark side however to what he has unleashed and to me, it all ties back to civil and uncivil discourse. The worst thing Trump has done, is that he's given permission to people to denigrate and speak ill of others. It's what school yard bullies do all of the time, perform for the crowd and put other people down. Say hurtful things and goad people into striking back. It's not just bad manners, it's dangerous. Some of what we're seeing play out is akin to mob rule and could easily evolve into that. As crowds shout USA, USA or Trump, Trump to silence protesters who raise their voice or a sign, it's easy to make a leap toward intolerance and violence. I've actually heard stories of people saying to someone else that they're going to "pull a Trump" on them and just be mean and rotten in their treatment and interaction. This is not at a rally but during normal day to day social contact.
Yes, the real danger and damage that Donald Trump has done is that he's made it acceptable to bully people, to dislike Mexicans because they are Mexican (not because they're immigrants), to build a hatred toward Muslims, to make fun of people with disabilities. This is certainly not civil discourse and honestly it will make it harder for civil discourse to take place as people lash out at people, things or systems they don't like.
In many communities there are groups of people trying to find ways to encourage civil discourse. Sometimes they are church based, organizational based or sometimes they just citizens trying to make sure there is a forum for reasonable and civil conversation. We should all try to seek them out or if necessary start the conversation ourselves.
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Money and Political Advertising
Think about it - $100 Million will be spent on TV advertising in New Hampshire by the primary election on Tuesday Feb. 9. $100 Million!! I don't know that particular media market well but I think there are only a few local stations that cover all of New Hampshire and then there are the stations from Boston that cover the southern portion of the state. Now that $100 Million is just New Hampshire and t's only this week. Millions more have been spent in Iowa and will be spent in So. Carolina, Nevada, etc. I even heard that Jeb Bush's Super Pac will be advertising during the Super Bowl. Think about that cost alone.
Of course this happens every Presidential election cycle and every political party and candidate takes part. In addition there's all that money spent on polling, brochures, buttons, flyers, t-shirts, etc. But I understand those dollars and their economic impact a little more clearly. Someone prints the brochures, does the polling, screen prints the shirts. These things equate into jobs done by real people and materials that need to be produced and purchased so I get that. My question is, what happens or what is produced by those millions, or more realistically billions of dollars spent on TV advertising? Producing the ads is one thing. There are real costs there. Again, people doing work and being paid for it. Those again are costs to the campaign. But what's the deal with millions to run an ad that are paid to the station?
I assume TV stations would say that those advertising charges go toward the cost of producing programing, affiliate fees, etc. Have you seen local programing recently? And who does the cost analysis on all of this? Maybe these revenues are just thrown in to a big pile and allocated over the next four years until the cycle begins all over again.
I saw something recently that indicated one of the candidates paid $500 for a short spot but a Super Pac then paid $5000 for the exact same spot. Makes you wonder if perhaps a studio upgrade is in order or if the Weather person will get a new wardrobe and perhaps some on air coaching to learn how to use that damn weather map mouse. Maybe an engineer working on the weekends would be possible instead of a co-anchor trying to bring up local news videos and failing miserably. Jewelry and makeup, haircuts and fashionable ties, all of these things could use a bit of an upgrade on my local stations. But I doubt that's where the campaign dollars go. Which leads me back to my original query. Where the heck does all that money go?
Of course this happens every Presidential election cycle and every political party and candidate takes part. In addition there's all that money spent on polling, brochures, buttons, flyers, t-shirts, etc. But I understand those dollars and their economic impact a little more clearly. Someone prints the brochures, does the polling, screen prints the shirts. These things equate into jobs done by real people and materials that need to be produced and purchased so I get that. My question is, what happens or what is produced by those millions, or more realistically billions of dollars spent on TV advertising? Producing the ads is one thing. There are real costs there. Again, people doing work and being paid for it. Those again are costs to the campaign. But what's the deal with millions to run an ad that are paid to the station?
I assume TV stations would say that those advertising charges go toward the cost of producing programing, affiliate fees, etc. Have you seen local programing recently? And who does the cost analysis on all of this? Maybe these revenues are just thrown in to a big pile and allocated over the next four years until the cycle begins all over again.
I saw something recently that indicated one of the candidates paid $500 for a short spot but a Super Pac then paid $5000 for the exact same spot. Makes you wonder if perhaps a studio upgrade is in order or if the Weather person will get a new wardrobe and perhaps some on air coaching to learn how to use that damn weather map mouse. Maybe an engineer working on the weekends would be possible instead of a co-anchor trying to bring up local news videos and failing miserably. Jewelry and makeup, haircuts and fashionable ties, all of these things could use a bit of an upgrade on my local stations. But I doubt that's where the campaign dollars go. Which leads me back to my original query. Where the heck does all that money go?
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