Stephen Weinstein's blog

Stephen Views the News 8/9/08

http://stephenviewsthenews.blogspot.com/

* Another note to Senator Obama - Your changing of positions is becoming vexatious! In last week's blog I spent considerable energy pointing out the disingenuous claims made by proponents of off-shore drilling. No sooner had I posted the blog than I read that you are considering backing limited off-shore drilling saying, "if that's what it takes to enact a comprehensive policy to foster fuel-efficient autos and develop alternate energy sources." I understand that politics and legislation are reliant on compromise. However, if in fact the drilling off our coasts will result in virtually no reduction in the price of gasoline AND presents a threat to coastal communities, you are being compromised, not compromising. U.S. oil companies already have rights to a great deal of potential on-shore oil fields. They have not used their vast profits to explore these areas or to develop alternative energy capabilities. By lining the pockets of many of our elected officials oil companies are allowed to ignore the interests of this country and its citizens. Intelligent energy legislation has been lacking in this country for over 3 decades. Will waiting 6 more months make much of a difference? In January of 2009 you may be in the White House and supported by an increasing majority of Democrats in congress. That would be the time to draft an intelligent energy policy. What is to be gained by pushing for legislation now that in order to get by Republican obstructionism and past the oil companies' man in the White House would be the quality of sludge? A short-term political solution in place of a substantive long-term energy policy is not "hope that we can believe in."

* No Mr. Fix-it ~ me or John McCain - I do not have an affinity to repair things around the house or to use power tools to make a dining room table. I therefore do not subscribe to Popular Mechanics. Perhaps I should. John Aravosis at Americablog.com noted a recent article from this publication. It appears that Barack Obama's comment about drivers who have properly inflated tires will save considerable energy had merit - contrary to John McCain and Republican spokespeople mocking the idea. "Underinflated tires on cars in fact waste a good amount of energy. How much? Exactly the amount the energy industry thinks we could get from increased offshore drilling." The Popular Mechanics article can be read at this link.

Stephen Views the News 6/28/08

* The passing of comedian George Carlin this week generated citations of his humor and philosophy. The following appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer:

While critical of society, Carlin was no political activist. His view of the human condition was bleak.

"I really don't have a stake in any of this," he said. "I'm not a cheerleader for a certain outcome. Most liberals who despair of the current state of things, most of them think there's a solution and so they're naturally disappointed. It's built into their thinking system. I know there's no solution, so I just enjoy what's here and I enjoy the journey."

Stephen Views the News  6/14/08

http://stephenviewsthenews.blogspot.com/

* My rock garden - Several years ago I placed a number of rocks by a flower garden. The landscaping still looks beautiful but I have no expectation that the rocks have any more intelligence now then when first placed on my property. My rock garden is analogous to the Bush administration. They arrived in Iraq several years ago and, like a rock, they are no more intelligent now then when they instituted this immoral war. If anything, they have regressed while justifying and juxtaposing their original sin. McClatchy Newspapers is reporting that "the United States is demanding 58 bases (28 more bases than currently in place) as part of a proposed "status of forces" agreement that will allow U.S. troops to remain in the country indefinitely (hello, John McCain)... Leading members of the two ruling Shiite parties said in a series of interviews the Iraqi government rejected this proposal along with another U.S. demand that would have effectively handed over to the United States the power to determine if a hostile act from another country is aggression against Iraq. Lawmakers said they fear this power would drag Iraq into a war between the United States and Iran (a concern of international magnitude)." Many Iraqis see this proposal as "more abominable than the occupation."  The Bush administration is in place for about 7 more months. It is imperative that what have been a demonstrably weak congress and a compliant military somehow find the courage and ability to keep Bush and Cheney in check. The alternative is further devastation of our military and treasure and a worsening of our ability to address the Iraq quagmire once the rocks drop out of office.

* George Bush in free-fall - not the reality, the game - A reader forwarded an online game that has our 43rd President free-falling through the sky. With your cursor you can stop him from falling and flipping. My cursor chose the passive approach.