Update from the
Heartland
No.706
22.6.15 – 28.6.15
Blog version: http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/
To all,
On Friday, 26.June.2015, President Obama eulogized those
citizens who lost their earthly lives last week, at Emmanuel AME Church in
Charleston, South Carolina [17.6.2015, 705]. His speech lasted less than 30 minutes,
but he proved to be in rare form, even for him. His pace, his rhetorical structure, his message were worthy
of the best of Sir Winston Churchill.
It was a masterful speech, expertly delivered. He had the confidence to sing the first verse of “Amazing
Grace,” the words evoke history and the long struggle for equal rights for all
citizens . . . regardless of the social factors. I continue to be struck by the enormous and dramatic
contrast between the aftermath of Charleston and what happened after Baltimore,
Ferguson, New York City, et al.
There are lessons in this tragedy for all of us.
The follow-up news items:
-- The original form of the trade authorization bill (H.R.
1314) [704] was suspended. The Senate commandeered H.R. 2146 to
pass their amended version of the trade negotiation authorization bill. The House approved the Senate
version. The bill was submitted to
the President on the 24th; he is expected to sign it into law. The bill passed by Congress is titled: Defending
Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act [PL 114-xxx; H.R.2146; Senate:
60-38-0-2(0); House: 218-208-0-8(1); 129 Stat. xxx]. Title I of H.R. 2146 is the Bipartisan Congressional Trade
Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 [129 Stat. xxx]. Since the issue of congressional
oversight of future trade agreements has been a topic of discussion in this
forum, I must illuminate Title I, §104, which provides a set of oversight
requirements on the Executive Branch.
The bill gives the President “fast track” authority to negotiate trade
agreements and complete the 12-nation trade deal with countries around the
Pacific Ocean, known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The bill also provides for any trade
deals to be submitted to Congress for an up-or-down vote without amendments.
-- The U.S. Supreme Court rendered their decision in the
case of King v. Burwell [576 U.S. ___ (2015); no. 14-114], which
preserves a centerpiece of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
(PPACA) [PL 111-148; 124 Stat. 119; 23.3.2010] [432]. The ruling
allows federal subsidies for health-insurance purchases by lower-income
Americans across the country. The
ruling marks the second time PPACA has been affirmed by the Supremes – National
Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius [566 U.S. ___ (2012); 28.6.2012]
[554]. I doubt this latest SCOTUS ruling will end congressional and
state challenges to the health care law.
-- The Supreme Court also released its decision in the case
of Obergefell
v. Hodges [576 U.S. ___ (2015); no. 14-556], which established
non-heterosexual partners have a constitutional right to marry, sweeping away
state bans on gay unions and extending marriage equality nationwide. The ruling reversed a 6th
Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in a number of cases in Kentucky, Michigan,
Ohio and Tennessee. I would like
to think we can move on from here, but based on the bellicose and defiant
rhetoric of some of the Republican presidential candidates, I suspect we are
still a distance away from equal rights for all citizens.
I
will reserve my opinion comments until I complete my reading of the above
decisions. However, since some have
renewed their objection to equal marriage rights on religious grounds, I will
simply say, if any citizen does not agree with same gender marriage, then do
not marry someone of the same gender.
The challenge for all of us will be proper, or acceptable, conduct in
the public domain.
The incessant trickle of stolen, highly classified documents
from WikiLeaks, Snowden, Greenwald, et al, stirred up France this week to
condemn the big, bad, nasty, United States. A friend, colleague and contributor added his opinion:
“Way to go America, piss off your friends (or ex-friends). Geez! This is starting to get really
old, when not only our geo-friends cannot trust us, but We the People surely
cannot trust BIG GOV and the agencies like NSA (to name just one of way too
many). What a gross abuse of both
power, privilege and our civil liberties.
Not to mention will France accept overtures from a mega combined Russia
and China as our U.S. current and world peg of our Petrodollar burn up? If you thought $5/gallon milk was
bad prepare for $30/gallon milk, and the zombies who all are tatted-up and
pierced, lurking outside your bedroom windows at night. Not only thank the
current corrupted and cancerous leaders we have, but it goes back to many
before Obama & cartel/cabal.
“For those with passports like me, it may soon be the time to
exercise your only capacity to leave, and find some nice little country, even
Costa Rica, to lay low in, and try to survive as the American Housewives and
too many other American zombies, are destroying each other in riots and
more. Of course before that,
prepare for CNN to prep you on political correctness, causing you to down your
Confederate Flag, burn your Bible, and announce your hatred of the past, and
your bullying behavior of another.
“France, Germany, and our other friends, might get close to
dumping U.S.A. soon, and then tell me, who in the world will we actually have
as our friends? Ourselves!”
. . . to which I
responded:
In
1929, then SecState Henry Stimson said, “Gentlemen do not read each other’s
mail.” as he rationalized zeroing funding for the Black Chamber, the State
Dept's signals intelligence program, and we were left virtually blind during
the prelude to WW2. Stimson changed his tune 180 degrees, when he became
SecWar in 1940. I understand the general and inherent resistance to
intelligence operations, but frankly I would be truly shocked if we did not try
to gather all we can about friend and foe. This is a prime example of
Snowden's treason and the extraordinary damage done to our national security by
his betrayal.
. . . and he
added:
“You might be interested in this article, it might be some good
info for your Update.”
[The article proffered:]
“Why the U.S.-France Spying Scandal Will Quickly Blow Over”
by Simon Shuster / Berlin
Time
Published: June 24, 2015
. . . and
responded with the following comment:
“Thank you for your angle/input/opinion. Please feel free to include my response
or any others, to your Update.
“I suppose a veiled matrix of operations and spying occurs in many
ways we cannot imagine, not limited to nation-states but as you know, complex
and elaborate corporate espionage.
“Since 9/11 America, in my opinion, has taken a dangerous course
on the slippery slope of protecting our basic civil liberties and expectations
of privacy, sold as the War on Terrorism. I don't doubt we have real and
present threats escalating with rabid runaway Islamic fascism, not to mention
other threats abroad and internal. If one signals gathering (data collection/warehousing/mining)
was able to avoid one dirty bomb from being used in an America city (or for
that matter, in our friends cities like France or Germany), then I might be
that one to say "maybe it was all worth spying on the
collective".
“The problem, I believe much of this surveillance state combined
with what I believe has been a deliberate fueling the fires for Islamofascism,
whether through our own direct actions (Iraq War) to lack of action (like
making sure something we broke was fixed), is all part of some sinister
endgame, perhaps to achieve the next set of objectives.
“The risk of us spying on France is to cause an outcry there from
the populace, as Greece is about to default, and many both geopolitical and
geo-economic changes (if not some Black Swans) could be on the horizon. I find this all too convenient and
suspicions.”
News from the economic
front:
-- Greece temporarily closed banks and their stock exchange
for the next week to deal with rapidly dwindling cash reserves and the likely
default by the Greek government on their debt. Default now appears inevitable on Tuesday, when the
government will probably fail to make a US$1.3B debt payment to its
creditors. The Greek default may
well lead to expulsion of Greece from the European Union, which in turn might
push the socialist government farther down the road to Russia. The consequences to NATO and the world
economies are difficult to predict.
Buckle up! This is going to
be a rough ride.
Comments and contributions from Update no.705:
As I read your opening paragraph questioning how Dylann Roof was
raised I am immediately reminded of a quote I heard many years ago, the
profundity of which resonates again with me in this circumstance.
“I fear there will be many more Dylann Roofs.”
[FYI NOTE: The quote comes from a 1941 play – Der
aufhaltsame Aufstieg des Arturo Ui (The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui) – by German playwright Eugen
Berthold Friedrich ‘Bertolt’ Brecht.
The play is a satirical allegory of the rise of Adolf Hitler and the
National Socialist movement in Germany.
Brecht left Germany in 1933 and did not return to Germany until 1947; he
lived in East Berlin, until his passing in 1958.]
My response:
Excellent
choice. Brecht was an interesting
character. His words in that play
certainly resonate with me as well.
Brecht expresses my opinion in far more carnal terms. I also share your fear.
. . . a follow-up comment:
“I first encountered the quote when viewing Cross of Iron, Sam
Peckinpah’s WWII Masterpiece from 1977. The words struck me then and have
resonated with me since.”
. . . my follow-up response:
I’ve
not seen the movie, as I recall.
I’ll have to look it up on Netflix.
Another contribution:
“You are spot on about this clown Gosnell. He previously has
made intemperate racial comments from the bench and has done other questionable
actions in relations to other judges. The South Carolina Supreme Court is
making noises about removing him from the Roof case.
The fact that he is still on the bench shows a lot about South
Carolina.
“Also the imbroglio about the flag has me angry. They
lowered the state of South Carolina and national flags to half-mast, but the
confederate battle flag, which is nearby on a monument remained at full
staff. The hapless governor said that she had no power to lower it- a
real profile in courage. This has raised anew the issue of flying that flag on
public property, as well. While the proponents of the flag prattle
on about ‘honoring their ancestors’- others see it as a symbol of treason and
racial oppression. The flag went into abeyance after the
end of the Civil War- but the KKK brought it back. For those who live or
have lived in the South, that flag is a symbol of white supremacy and
overlording over blacks (and others).
Remember that at the outset of the Civil War, the South explicitly said
that the war was over slavery and maintaining the superiority of whites over
blacks. That flag is one of
intimidation and racial discrimination- I don’t buy that nonsense about
‘honoring those who fought.’ I am
in Austria now, and don’t see the Haakenkreutz (Nazi swastika) flag flying here
or in Germany by those whose ancestors fought in WWII- even though they may
have not been members of the Nazi party.”
My reply:
Indeed. My source as well was the South
Carolina Supreme Court’s finding and conclusion in their reprimand of
Gosnell. Guys like Gosnell must
think no one is listening. I also
agree with your observation regarding Gosnell remaining as a practicing judge and
a reflection of the state.
As
a student of history, I seek and advocate for preserving our history – good,
bad and ugly. Yes, the Stars &
Bars was the flag and battle ensign of the Confederate States of America – that
is history – and should not be forgotten or pushed to the rubbish bin. However, since the resurgence of the Ku
Klux Klan in 1915, that particular flag has become a far more overriding
symbol, having been commandeered by segregationists, racists, white
supremacists, neo-Nazis, and many other brands of xenophobes in our
society. It no longer represents
the CSA; it now stands for the oppression of our citizens. The claim of history for the display of
CSA flag no longer rings true; the flag must be removed from public property
and relegated to appropriate museums.
Another
contribution:
“Magistrate Gosnell has been removed from the case by the State
supreme court.”
My reply:
Hadn’t
heard that. Thx for the news
update. Good riddance.
A
different contribution:
“A little reality on the Greek situation:
“Europe wants Greece to suffer: The truth about the
never-ending financial crisis & the cult of extreme austerity – Greece's
financial nightmare has lasted five years now. There's no sign of real
relief—for a very specific reason”
by David Dayen
salon.com
Published: Tuesday, JUN 23, 2015 04:57 AM CDT
My response:
Thank
you for the article. I had not
read that before.
Dayen
laments the ‘punishment’ exacted by Greece’s creditors, and rightly so. The people who have, are and will pay
the terrible price for the extravagance of days gone by are not the ones who
put Greece into its current predicament.
I certainly agree with his assessment of the penalty on the Greek people
in the main and in general.
However, like most folks, he missed the root cause and thus the
necessary fixative changes.
One
sentence in Dayen’s article stands out above all the others, to me. “Three governments ago, Greece rang up
a series of debts that they have no practical ability to pay back.” Some group of someones benefited from
all that money. If the creditors
want their money back, go after the beneficiaries. Allowing a government employee to ‘retire’ at 45yo on a very
generous lifetime pension hardly seems realistic. Anyway, easy to say, nearly impossible to accomplish, just a
reflection of frustration the perpetrators are getting away with their crimes.
Dayen’s
last two sentences set the peg in the ground. “The entire continent of Europe is stuck in a box of their
own making, led by vain economic illiterates who think heaping more pain on the
public is the path to glory. Without new thinking, I’ll be writing this same
column in another six months, in perpetuity.” In this, he is spot on. New thinking is indeed required. The ’Troika’ could seek prosecution of the perpetrators,
demand societal corrections like require working age people take significant
‘pension’ reductions and return to work, and at least for a time, artificially
create jobs to at least stabilize the economy and rebuild confidence for
investors to create real jobs for the future. Writing off the Greek debt that three-governments-ago signed
up to, is not the answer.
My very best wishes to all. Take care of yourselves and each other.
Cheers,
Cap :-)
2 comments:
Today's interchange on spying and leaked documents was unintelligible to me due to the spy jargon and to your “friend, colleague and contributor's” incoherence and poor use of language. I'm sure France will “get over it” if that suits their government's interests.
My contribution on this topic is to point out again that secrecy is no longer practical. Regardless of one's moral views on spying and secrecy, technology has made it impossible to keep secrets. Like it or not, the 21st Century will be different that way.
Let me be direct: Dylann Roof's parenting cannot be held responsible for his actions. I know of no report or even conjecture that they participated in his actions or instructed him to take any actions resembling what he did. The study of parenting in early childhood might well lead to societal progress, but an individual of legal age is held responsible for his actions for good reasons. A child's character stabilizes (or congeals) well before adulthood. From then on, his or her influences are largely a matter of circumstance. To hold parenting responsible for the specifics of an adult's successes, failures, or directions merely takes away legitimate individual responsibility.
The flags of defeated nations rarely fly except in museums and history books, classrooms, or websites, which are the appropriate ways to preserve those flags' history. In particular, battle flags of defeated forces symbolize only the defeat. The Confederacy lost that war 150 years ago. Their (in some cases) descendants need to let that go.
My position on Greece is pretty much summed up in/by the article I sent:
http://www.salon.com/2015/06/23/europe_wants_greece_to_suffer_the_truth_about_the_never_ending_financial_crisis_the_cult_of_extreme_austerity/
I agree with the writer that Greece has nothing left to lose by exiting the European Union. Perhaps the EU might learn to take a different approach if that happens. I note in your writing on this the phrase “push the socialist government further down the road to Russia.” The Cold War is long over. As far as I know, Russia is no longer Communist. Perhaps we need to give up seeking out enemies. We have made plenty already.
Calvin,
Re: intelligence & secrecy. Without secrecy, intelligence will be of little value. If a potential adversary knows everything we know, then they can easily the path for them to injure or hurt us. I simply cannot fathom intelligence without secrecy.
Re: parental accountability. Dylann did not learn his racial hatred in the last three years of his (adult) life. You are correct; I’ve seen no hints or clues his parents participated at any level in his crimes. My point is, he did not just become what he became. His parents created him by their direct teaching, by their complacency, by their neglect, or any combination of bad parenting. Yes, a child’s character congeals well before adulthood; some actually believe a person’s character is set my 5yo. I acknowledge that legally hold the parents accountable is NOT possible. In circumstances like the Roof case, they should be subjected to intense scrutiny to at least make the public aware of those traits that made Dylann what he is. If we do not shine a very bright light on those parents, we will continue to suffer these crimes perpetrated by bad people who have no respect for other human beings. The parents do not deserve immunity from public scrutiny, and despite Gosnell’s proclamation, they are NOT victims in the Charleston tragedy.
Re: CSA flag(s). The point is not the public display of the flag, but rather the State’s display of the flag. If a private citizen chooses to display the CSA flag (without disrespecting the U.S. national flag), that is their freedom of choice. That flag no longer belongs on any state objects, documents, property, or anything that reflects or represents the State.
Re: Greece. The government chose not to collect taxes due, or collect other revenues due the State. Yet, they somehow thought borrowing money to pay for their socialist programs was a sustainable policy. I have absolutely nothing against the people of any nation choosing socialism; that is their choice. What I cannot tolerate is that government asking creditors to forgive their obscene debt. The Greeks have no right whatsoever to think the rest of Europe should pay for their socialism. The people of Greece, or at least some portion of the population, benefitted from all that borrowed money; those who benefited should suffer the consequences of those bad decisions and ridiculous largesse. We are not seeking out enemies; we have always preferred customers to enemies.
“That’s just my opinion, but I could be wrong.”
Cheers,
Cap
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