Laughing Wolf
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Some Thoughts On The Indiana Election Process
I have deliberately stayed away from results coverage, though I hope the Russian news crew I met on the flight back from DC Monday are having a good time and getting what they wanted out of it. At the very least I was able to recommend some places to eat and drink to them, though I forgot to remind them that alcohol—most likely needed to deal with the politicians and flunkies—would be cut off during voting. Heck, I forgot it myself and was sore disappointed at lunch when I couldn’t get a good half pint to go with my meal.
The new convenience centers worked well in my experience. I forgot about them (I blame the Face of America bike ride and resulting tiredness) and stopped by my normal polling place on the way into work, but the convenience center was a very short walk from work. The lines moved fairly quickly, were not overly long when I went, and the staff was friendly.
The first major problem is that Indiana’s electronic system does not provide a printed output for the voter nor apparently for the election workers. This is nothing more than fraud waiting to be discovered (as opposed to simply happening). There is no realistic confirmation that you even voted, much less who you voted for, and is not acceptable.
The second major problem, in my opinion, is that there is no way to do write-in candidates. You get to vote for who they say you can vote, and that is it. If there is a way to do write-in candidates, it is not readily apparent and is not clearly posted. The system is not set up for asking for such, much less being able to do it. That takes away a major concept of our voting system—you are not limited to simply the official slate, but can write in as a mechanism for dealing with a variety of ills. Not being able to do so is the mark of several failed totalitarian states, not the Republic.
Just some quick thoughts on the day after.
LW
Saturday, March 29, 2008
If Only…
Now this is a campaign I could get behind
Update: Just was thinking that having dealt with one group of largely corrupt, treasonous, venal, power-hungry, and willfully ignorant group of b******s that he is already well prepared to deal with Congress…
Real leadership, real results, honor, integrity, and more. Cheerfully stolen from Chuck, whom I hope gets to feeling better soon.
LW
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Mini-Boycott?
Well, if this is true then it is a start. Problem is, the story InstaPundit references is from the AP, which means that multiple verifications of the content are needed.
As for me, I think it is better than the nothing that has been the case. China is a problem, a large problem on many fronts, and I don’t like supporting it. It is hard to avoid, but I do what I can. Part of me thinks this mini-boycott is a good start because it does make a point and one that will be hard for China to keep from its people or spin as anything other than what it is. At the same time, I would like to see more of a hit to their pocketbook as well as their prestige in a way that they can’t block their people from learning.
LW
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Obligatory Spitz Take
Elliot Spitzer is stepping down. Good. There were manifold reasons to dislike or even cordially loathe the man; so much so, that I am almost sorry to see what did happen. Most of all, I am sorry for his children who do not deserve the derision and such that are sure to come their way from so-called friends as well as strangers.
Personally, I would have no problem with his using prostitutes save for two things. First, as a prosecutor he swore oaths that required him to prosecute same, so he is an oathbreaker there. Never mind that as governor he signed into law an act increasing the penalty for those who used prostitutes; and, if that comes back to bite him in the butt I will find that delightful poetic justice. Second, I presume that his wedding vows were standard, which means he broke that oath as well. If he was a patron of that service at the same time he was prosecuting others, possibly including their competition, he may well be a lawbreaker as well as an oathbreaker.
The fact is, I think that prostitution should be legalized. On a philosophical level, the one true thing we own is our own bodies: for others to control them is slavery, with the degree of control being the degree of slavery involved. If that gift be consensual, that is one thing; but, if it is forced by person or institution to any degree, then that be wrong. If what you do with your body harms not another, then why should it be the concern of anyone else or any law? On a practical level, the current system facilitates and continues a system of denigration, degradation, abuse, and worse to prostitutes. Prostitutes of any gender or orientation often find themselves as slaves and chattel with no recourse to reclaim themselves or break the vicious cycle being perpetuated. To continue our present system of laws and codes is to condone non-consensual slavery, rape, and abuse; and, I find that to be reprehensible.
Do I think prostitution is good? Define good. Would I want my daughter to be one? No, it would not be my first or even my hundredth choice; but, then again, it would not be my choice to make. Have I used a prostitute? Define. Do flowers, food, jewelry, and other “luxury” items count the same as cash? If not, why not? Would using such a service be better and more honest than using lies, deceit, trickery, or more to get a target out of their knickers? Just some food for thought…
What I do know is that I have talked with prostitutes, and even broken bread with a few. Some were low end, some high end—and it is amazing the talking you can get people to do just by starting the conversation as a person, not someone who is going to save them, fix them, rescue them, etc. An acquaintance/friend actually married an “escort” (one of several very interesting wives). Short version is that such conversations are why I think the current system needs a radical rethink and thoughtful legalization. Don’t pull that harm society as a whole bit either: society is an artificial construct, and only individuals can be harmed. What direct measurable harm to you would legalization do to you, or to the prostitute who is currently subject to abuse and far too many to defacto slavery? Again, some food for thought.
If I had my dreams realized, it would probably be in line with the Guild from Firefly, pulling from the best parts of the Geisha and related traditions, or any of several systems (quite similar to the Firefly system in many respects) put forward by Robert Heinlein. I will settle for something that allows people to make their own choices for their own reasons free of potential abuse and those being abusive.
Elliot Spitzer is a power-hungry civil-master wannabe, who sought power long and hard in as many forms as possible. He was something of a rogue prosecutor, with several prominent cases that crashed and burned after he moved on up the political ladder. His administration has been mired in and marred by scandals. As I said, there were many reasons to loathe him and to see him gone. Were it not for the oaths he swore, his use of prostitutes and alleged liking for unsafe sex really wouldn’t matter to me. As it is, I am glad to see him go and hope he stays gone. My sympathy is with his kids, who will pay a price for his actions. What I would love to see come out of this is a rethinking of prostitution and many blue laws.
LW
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Potter and Politics
I thought I had posted this months ago, but…
I recently was subjected to a hash of politics in conjunction with the release of the new Harry Potter novel. Quite a few people felt obligated to turn the event into a political rally with buttons reading “Republicans for Voldemort” and “Democrats for Dumbledore” and the like. Showing their asses and ignorance, these cute folk took a neutral event for kids and just had to make it about them.
Funny thing is, I guess some thought I would be upset by the Republicans for Voldemort buttons but I will give them, and you, that if you will follow through with me here.
In the world of Harry Potter, it is the world of British Big Brother and the great nanny state. The state is staffed by people primarily of one belief, that is a belief in the state and the rightness of same. Conformity is the rule, and those who don’t conform are primarily regarded as evil (Voldemort et cie) or as egotistical or related mavericks (Dumbledore et cie). Individuality and any sin against the groupthink is punished, either in a passive aggressive way (note most interactions between Potter and the Ministry of Magic) or far more harshly (Ministry trial of Potter, and that delightful representative of the Ministry who effectively took over Hogwarts). The major media was very supportive of the Ministry and the efforts of same towards groupthink, and cheerfully went along with attacking anyone who threatened or was regarded as a potential threat to the Ministry and groupthink (attacks on Potter, Dumbledore, et al). What does all this sound like to you? Any certain party or group of bureaucrats you know?
Note that Dumbledore supports the rights of the individual; encourages individuals to make their own choices and live with consequences even if it means going against orders and groupthink; ignores or distorts rules and regulations in order to achieve justice and good (note how many in power will do what the rules say, even if they are wrong); and, is otherwise anti-authoritarian and pro- individual
I will give to you Republicans for Voldemort if you will accept that the Democrats (party of nanny state, the media, and groupthink) would be for Fudge (or minister of your choice) and company, the party in power. Therefore, it should be Independents/libertarians for Dumbledore, not the party of the great nanny state.
Then again, I doubt that almost any of those sporting the buttons in question could differentiate between socialism, communism, fascism, and nazi-ism, much less make an intelligent distinction between the current major political parties in the Republic (and would quite likely state blithely that we live in a democracy as well). Feh.
LW
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
I Have To Agree With Val
The news truly changes nothing. We can but hope to see freedom in Cuba’s future, but that is the future. For the present, nothing has really changed—though I hope that they do change, and rapidly.
LW
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Solidarity: Let Freedom Reign
On February 4, 2006, I joined with a host of other bloggers in solidarity with Danish journalists and artists by reposting one of the cartoons of blasphemy:
I once again choose to stand up for freedom of speech and thought, and add to that cartoon this one cheerfully stolen from Michelle Malkin:
Freedom of speech is under attack as never before. Be it through murder and mayhem and threats of same, attempts to stifle discourse by declaring anything that does not agree with a set response as hate speech, or—most insidious of them all—self-censorship for fear of the mere possibility of offending someone resulting in penalties of any sort, the end results are the same as freedom is lost.
I swore oaths long ago to protect and defend this and other freedoms. Today, I do so via words, audio, video, photography, and art on this and other blogs and outlets. Today, I reiterate my stand and repost some of that which has earned a death sentence against those who create or publish. I reaffirm my oath and my commitment.
Freedom of speech is just one part of it, however. One reason we in this Republic have that freedom is a concept called the marketplace of ideas. As citizens, we have that right and the right to express our opinions. We have the responsibility to debate ideas and concepts on merits and facts, not on pure emotionalism. As has been noted here before, freedom of speech does not mean freedom from criticism, constructive or otherwise, contempt, or even side-splitting laughter. It does not mean freedom from consequences. It simply means you have the right to express yourself, not that everyone must agree with you.
I continually get a good laugh from trolls and others who state that any alteration or deletion, much less banning, shows an unwillingness to tolerate dissent and a lack of commitment to free speech. Bull. Your ability to say what you want is still there, for you can (and should) start a blog of your own and see how it fares in the marketplace of ideas. Good ideas will get lots of recurring readers, discussion, links, and dialog. Bad ideas tend to get the ratings they deserve. There is no requirement (yet) that any newspaper, broadcast station, blog, or other has to pay to host your ideas or random spewings—unless it is your own.
Since few if any newspapers in the U.S. (much less broadcast outlets) see fit to stand up for and with those who are literally putting their lives and the lives of their families on the firing line for true freedom of speech, I will step forward. To all those who are true enemies of freedom, no matter what country, religion, or party I have but one thing to say: Bite Me.
LW
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Kucinich: A Cancer On The Body Politic
Others are going into a lot more detail, but as for me I simply consider him and his actions to be the height of ignorance and the worst of philosophical and moral cowardice.
LW
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Independence Day
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Anyone But Lugar
I didn’t have much respect for him before moving up here; and, after having lived in Indiana for several years now, I have none. When it comes to the global war on terror, he is not only ignorant but woefully and willfully uninformed. When it comes to illegal immigration, well, he sure wasn’t representing me or the vast majority of his constituents. Which brings up two points:
1. Anyone up for a recall election?
2. Anyone who wants to run against him, be you Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, or anything else, let me know and I will be glad to cover you and your campaign. Not saying I will be nice, but I will be glad to discuss you and your position on the issues without ever once mentioning the hack.
LW
Thursday, April 05, 2007
The Republic Will Not Stand
Sorry for the lack of free ice cream, but work and life have taken a toll of that rarest of commodities—free time. Overall, things are going well. Some good things are afoot at work; some good—if time consuming—things are happening in private life; and, there has been some good news for a few friends that make life extremely bright and warm despite the weather outside.
Yet, a good time last night was spoiled quite a bit by some commentary that reminds me why I think the Republic will fall—sooner rather than later. Amidst an otherwise nice conversation, some commentary came up about the (alleged in my book) comic Colbert and his brave attack against the President a year or two ago. The BDS that came forth was expected, and not a surprise. What made me feel that my prediction of the fall within ten years was overly optimistic was the realization that none of the Americans at the gathering had even the vaguest concept of respecting the office of the President (or any other, for that matter) if they didn’t like the person holding it. If that basic concept is indeed lost, then so too is the Republic. At times like last night, I fear that the clash between the so-called progressives and the individual determinants will be soon and will not be peaceful; and, that in the process, the Great Experiment that is our Republic will fail. My strongest hope in that regards is that something better can be built instead—but I am not optimistic this morning.
Sorry, time to go spend some quality time with bright young people who not only believe in a better future, but work hard to make it a reality. For in such lies the true hope for the future.
LW
Friday, March 16, 2007
Eat An Animal For PETA Day
Was yesterday. Ooops. Meant to post on that, and encourage some carnivorous behavior, but… Ah well, I went and had a delicous and LARGE section of prime rib as my celebration. What did you eat to celebrate the day?
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Holy Warming Church
Tell me I am not the only one seeing the purchase of carbon offests as a parallel between the cult of global warming and the pre-reformation purchase of dispensations from the Catholic Church? Why is it I suspect that one is just about as valid and useful as the other? I am rich, so let me sin, for I shall buy my way out of all consequences for my actions… Feh.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Bah Humbug
For a number of close friends, a running joke of life is my saying Bah Humbug this time of year. To my utter disgust, I read this, and then went and found this local coverage. He’s troubled? Troubled??? Frell that. I wrote the good mayor at rloveridge@riversideca.gov the following:
Sir,
I am writing to express my outrage over the silencing of the children’s choir by city employee and faux civil servant Michelle Baldwin, and the subsequent handling of the situation. What happened is nothing more or less than a travesty, and a particularly disgusting one at that. Compounding it is what I have read of the response to it.
It is my sincere hope that the press reports to date are wrong, and that you have done more than just offer what appears as a flip apology via media. Quite frankly, what happened to those children was indeed devastating, and you as the leader who is responsible for what happens under your command need to do all in your power to rectify it—for nothing can ever make it right. While I personally feel that you, Belinda J. Graham, and most especially Michelle Baldwin, need to get on your knees and personally apologize to each and every one of those children individually, the least you as a leader should do is apologize to the group in person.
This day and age I don’t expect much from those who claim to serve the public via politics, but I would love to be proven wrong. Until this situation is dealt with honorably and properly, I say Merry Freakin Christmas to the government of Riverside, California and my thanks for putting the Bah Humbug into the season.
Troubled. Frell that. Frelling Bah Humbug to them all. I hope someone does right by those kids, for I have no faith or confidence that the local civil master wannabes will do so.
Content copyright C. Blake Powers and the individual authors. Comments become the property of C. Blake Powers and may be altered, edited, deleted, and used by C. Blake Powers or the individual authors without restriction or recompense.
