I have two thoughts about the President's speech. I'll articulate the first and then allow you to read an excellent column by Tom Friedman of the NYT regarding the speech. It may be his best writing yet.
My thought is this, the President ought to pledge to cure cancer in 15 years. I think if we put the resources into doing it we could probably come close -- if not get the job done. To do so would take an extraordinary effort in both prevention and research for a cure -- but it is doable. The fact is that cancer and the things that cause it are a major drain on our economy and a cure would have huge benefits both in terms of lives saved and dollars created.
Now for Tom Friedman. Below are just two paragraphs from an excellent column he wrote regarding his views on what Bush ought to say. To read the entire column, click on the title. I've linked to the syndicated version on the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's website.
THE SPEECH BUSH OUGHT TO GIVE
Thomas l. Friedman, New York Times
Transportation accounts for most of our oil consumption. And many Americans have purchased big cars and SUVs, expecting gasoline to remain cheap. That is no longer the case. Therefore, I propose creating a government agency that will buy up any gas-guzzling car or truck in America at the original new or used price, and crush it. This national buy-back program will be financed by a $2-a-gallon gasoline tax that will be phased in by 10 cents a month beginning in 2008 -- so people know what is coming and start buying fuel-efficient cars right now.
By removing so many gas guzzlers, we will quickly reduce our oil consumption and create a huge demand for new energy-efficient cars from Detroit, which will rescue our auto industry. We have to do something drastic. The Harley-Davidson motorcycle company is worth more today than General Motors! But by sharply raising the gasoline tax, we'll also make sure that Detroit shifts its fleet to energy-saving plug-in hybrids and hydrogen- and ethanol-fueled vehicles, which will force Detroit to out-innovate Toyota. And by generating so much income from a gasoline tax, we will be able to give gas-tax rebates to lower-income folks and have plenty left over to pay for new investment in education and scientific research.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Friday, January 27, 2006
Wisdom from a former President of the United States
Below is a lightly excerpted speech given by Jimmy Carter to the last Democratic National Convention. I've taken out most of the references to John Kerry and John Edwards because at this point they are simply gratuitous and unnecessary. (That and I'm not a huge fan of the junior Senator from Massachusetts.) The words of this former President, however, are more true today than on the day he gave this speech. I believe it is worth your time to take another look at this speech.
My name is Jimmy Carter, and I'm not running for president.
Twenty-eight years ago I was running for president, and I said then, "I want a government as good and as honest and as decent and as competent and as compassionate as are the American people."
As you know, our country faces many challenges at home involving energy, taxation, the environment, education, and health. To meet these challenges, we need new leaders in Washington whose policies are shaped by working American families instead of the super-rich and their armies of lobbyists. But the biggest reason to make John Kerry president is even more important. It is to safeguard the security of our nation.
Today, our dominant international challenge is to restore the greatness of America -- based on telling the truth, a commitment to peace, and respect for civil liberties at home and basic human rights around the world. Truth is the foundation of our global leadership, but our credibility has been shattered and we are left increasingly isolated and vulnerable in a hostile world. Without truth -- without trust -- America cannot flourish. Trust is at the very heart of our democracy, the sacred covenant between the president and the people.
When that trust is violated, the bonds that hold our republic together begin to weaken. After 9/11, America stood proud, wounded but determined and united. A cowardly attack on innocent civilians brought us an unprecedented level of cooperation and understanding around the world. But in just 34 months, we have watched with deep concern as all this goodwill has been squandered by a virtually unbroken series of mistakes and miscalculations. Unilateral acts and demands have isolated the United States from the very nations we need to join us in combating terrorism.
Let us not forget that the Soviets lost the Cold War because the American people combined the exercise of power with adherence to basic principles, based on sustained bipartisan support. We understood the positive link between the defense of our own freedom and the promotion of human rights. Recent policies have cost our nation its reputation as the world's most admired champion of freedom and justice. What a difference these few months of extremism have made!
The United States has alienated its allies, dismayed its friends, and inadvertently gratified its enemies by proclaiming a confused and disturbing strategy of "preemptive" war. With our allies disunited, the world resenting us, and the Middle East ablaze, we need John Kerry to restore life to the global war against terrorism.
In the meantime, the Middle East peace process has come to a screeching halt for the first time since Israel became a nation. All former presidents, Democratic and Republican, have attempted to secure a comprehensive peace for Israel with hope and justice for the Palestinians. The achievements of Camp David a quarter century ago and the more recent progress made by President Bill Clinton are now in peril.
Instead, violence has gripped the Holy Land, with the region increasingly swept by anti-American passions. Elsewhere, North Korea's nuclear menace -- a threat far more real and immediate than any posed by Saddam Hussein -- has been allowed to advance unheeded, with potentially ominous consequences for peace and stability in Northeast Asia. These are some of the prices of our government's radical departure from the basic American principles and values espoused by John Kerry!
In repudiating extremism we need to recommit ourselves to a few common- sense principles that should transcend partisan differences. First, we cannot enhance our own security if we place in jeopardy what is most precious to us, namely, the centrality of human rights in our daily lives and in global affairs. Second, we cannot maintain our historic self-confidence as a people if we generate public panic. Third, we cannot do our duty as citizens and patriots if we pursue an agenda that polarizes and divides our country. Next, we cannot be true to ourselves if we mistreat others. And finally, in the world at large we cannot lead if our leaders mislead.
You can't be a war president one day and claim to be a peace president the next, depending on the latest political polls. Ultimately, the issue is whether America will provide global leadership that springs from the unity and integrity of the American people or whether extremist doctrines and the manipulation of truth will define America's role in the world.
At stake is nothing less than our nation's soul. In a few months, I will, God willing, enter my 81st year of my life, and in many ways the last few months have been some of the most disturbing of all. But I am not discouraged. I do not despair for our country. I believe tonight, as I always have, that the essential decency, compassion and common sense of the American people will prevail.
And so I say to you and to others around the world, whether they wish us well or ill: do not underestimate us Americans. We lack neither strength nor wisdom. There is a road that leads to a bright and hopeful future. What America needs is leadership. Thank you and God bless America!
My name is Jimmy Carter, and I'm not running for president.
Twenty-eight years ago I was running for president, and I said then, "I want a government as good and as honest and as decent and as competent and as compassionate as are the American people."
As you know, our country faces many challenges at home involving energy, taxation, the environment, education, and health. To meet these challenges, we need new leaders in Washington whose policies are shaped by working American families instead of the super-rich and their armies of lobbyists. But the biggest reason to make John Kerry president is even more important. It is to safeguard the security of our nation.
Today, our dominant international challenge is to restore the greatness of America -- based on telling the truth, a commitment to peace, and respect for civil liberties at home and basic human rights around the world. Truth is the foundation of our global leadership, but our credibility has been shattered and we are left increasingly isolated and vulnerable in a hostile world. Without truth -- without trust -- America cannot flourish. Trust is at the very heart of our democracy, the sacred covenant between the president and the people.
When that trust is violated, the bonds that hold our republic together begin to weaken. After 9/11, America stood proud, wounded but determined and united. A cowardly attack on innocent civilians brought us an unprecedented level of cooperation and understanding around the world. But in just 34 months, we have watched with deep concern as all this goodwill has been squandered by a virtually unbroken series of mistakes and miscalculations. Unilateral acts and demands have isolated the United States from the very nations we need to join us in combating terrorism.
Let us not forget that the Soviets lost the Cold War because the American people combined the exercise of power with adherence to basic principles, based on sustained bipartisan support. We understood the positive link between the defense of our own freedom and the promotion of human rights. Recent policies have cost our nation its reputation as the world's most admired champion of freedom and justice. What a difference these few months of extremism have made!
The United States has alienated its allies, dismayed its friends, and inadvertently gratified its enemies by proclaiming a confused and disturbing strategy of "preemptive" war. With our allies disunited, the world resenting us, and the Middle East ablaze, we need John Kerry to restore life to the global war against terrorism.
In the meantime, the Middle East peace process has come to a screeching halt for the first time since Israel became a nation. All former presidents, Democratic and Republican, have attempted to secure a comprehensive peace for Israel with hope and justice for the Palestinians. The achievements of Camp David a quarter century ago and the more recent progress made by President Bill Clinton are now in peril.
Instead, violence has gripped the Holy Land, with the region increasingly swept by anti-American passions. Elsewhere, North Korea's nuclear menace -- a threat far more real and immediate than any posed by Saddam Hussein -- has been allowed to advance unheeded, with potentially ominous consequences for peace and stability in Northeast Asia. These are some of the prices of our government's radical departure from the basic American principles and values espoused by John Kerry!
In repudiating extremism we need to recommit ourselves to a few common- sense principles that should transcend partisan differences. First, we cannot enhance our own security if we place in jeopardy what is most precious to us, namely, the centrality of human rights in our daily lives and in global affairs. Second, we cannot maintain our historic self-confidence as a people if we generate public panic. Third, we cannot do our duty as citizens and patriots if we pursue an agenda that polarizes and divides our country. Next, we cannot be true to ourselves if we mistreat others. And finally, in the world at large we cannot lead if our leaders mislead.
You can't be a war president one day and claim to be a peace president the next, depending on the latest political polls. Ultimately, the issue is whether America will provide global leadership that springs from the unity and integrity of the American people or whether extremist doctrines and the manipulation of truth will define America's role in the world.
At stake is nothing less than our nation's soul. In a few months, I will, God willing, enter my 81st year of my life, and in many ways the last few months have been some of the most disturbing of all. But I am not discouraged. I do not despair for our country. I believe tonight, as I always have, that the essential decency, compassion and common sense of the American people will prevail.
And so I say to you and to others around the world, whether they wish us well or ill: do not underestimate us Americans. We lack neither strength nor wisdom. There is a road that leads to a bright and hopeful future. What America needs is leadership. Thank you and God bless America!
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Denver, Colorado
We are well into the process of moving from Austin to Denver. My best guess is that we will be living there before May 1 and maybe even before April 1. Currently, we are looking at houses in Littleton, Highlands Ranch, South Aurora, the Stapleton neighborhood in Denver and the greater Louisville area.
Stapleton is probably my favorite of the neighborhoods we've looked at but I can't see us moving into the Denver public school system. There are just too many problems. My personal second choice is Louisville -- but we'll have to see how things work out.
If anyone knows anything about schools in Highlands Ranch, Littleton or Louisville please feel free to post a message here. South Aurora is covered by the Cherry Creek School District and that looks really good.
I'll get into why we are leaving Austin in a later post. But we really have fallen in love with Colorado.
Stapleton is probably my favorite of the neighborhoods we've looked at but I can't see us moving into the Denver public school system. There are just too many problems. My personal second choice is Louisville -- but we'll have to see how things work out.
If anyone knows anything about schools in Highlands Ranch, Littleton or Louisville please feel free to post a message here. South Aurora is covered by the Cherry Creek School District and that looks really good.
I'll get into why we are leaving Austin in a later post. But we really have fallen in love with Colorado.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
24
I'm addicted. I got home last night at 11:15 from Washington and started watching hours three and four at midnight. Thank god for Tivo. I made it to bed just before 2:00 AM.
I thought hours one and two were a bit to hard core with the action. As a long-term fan of the show I wish they would have spent more time developing the story of Jack living life away from being a terror fighter.
Hours three and four, however, were excellent. My only wish is that they'd get rid of the idiot President.
I thought hours one and two were a bit to hard core with the action. As a long-term fan of the show I wish they would have spent more time developing the story of Jack living life away from being a terror fighter.
Hours three and four, however, were excellent. My only wish is that they'd get rid of the idiot President.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Washington DC restaurant recommendation
I made my second trip last night to Acadiana, a four month old restaurant near the convention center in Washington, DC. It is fantastic! First, my thanks to Ryan and Erin, the bartenders who helped make my evening enjoyable.
The food is wonderful. I had, for the second time, the trio of soups as an appetizer. The trio is made up of chicken gumbo, oysters Rockefeller soup and turtle soup. While I think the gumbo is average -- for great gumbo visit your nearest Pappadeaux restaurant -- the oyster soup is rich and leaves you wanting more, the turtle soup with the splash of sherry is my favorite of the three.
I've now tried two entrees and they were both very good. I had Grillades and grits on my first visit -- and it took all my self control not to order it again last night. Last night I ordered the bar-b-que shrimp. This is clearly not the kind of bar-b-que shrimp we serve in Texas but it was still fantastic.
The order contained a pound of shrimp -- six of the largest shrimp you've ever seen. Now the shrimp are served with both head and tail on so you may want to ask for the head to be removed if you are queasy about your dinner staring at you while you eat it. The shrimp came with a good sized loaf of bread for sopping up the roux like sauce that the shrimp were served in. I ordered a side of grits just to make sure I would over-eat.
I skipped desert just because I was way too full. It was all I could do to lift myself off my barstool and waddle the one block back to my hotel.
The food is wonderful. I had, for the second time, the trio of soups as an appetizer. The trio is made up of chicken gumbo, oysters Rockefeller soup and turtle soup. While I think the gumbo is average -- for great gumbo visit your nearest Pappadeaux restaurant -- the oyster soup is rich and leaves you wanting more, the turtle soup with the splash of sherry is my favorite of the three.
I've now tried two entrees and they were both very good. I had Grillades and grits on my first visit -- and it took all my self control not to order it again last night. Last night I ordered the bar-b-que shrimp. This is clearly not the kind of bar-b-que shrimp we serve in Texas but it was still fantastic.
The order contained a pound of shrimp -- six of the largest shrimp you've ever seen. Now the shrimp are served with both head and tail on so you may want to ask for the head to be removed if you are queasy about your dinner staring at you while you eat it. The shrimp came with a good sized loaf of bread for sopping up the roux like sauce that the shrimp were served in. I ordered a side of grits just to make sure I would over-eat.
I skipped desert just because I was way too full. It was all I could do to lift myself off my barstool and waddle the one block back to my hotel.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
ESPN still sucks HOOK 'EM HORNS!
I was right about ESPN. Did you notice? Texas wins one of the greatest games ever played in the Rose Bowl and the first two interviews by ABC/ESPN/Disney are with Pete Carrol and Matt Leinart. Wouldn't it be nice if the premier sports network in this country actually understood something about college football?
January 14, 2006 Austin, Texas
54 degrees and almost perfectly blue skies. I'm sitting at the patio table typing this while my kids pay on their playscape and in the sandbox in the back yard. This is about as close to perfect weather as I think one can get. It is just cool enough so there is a chill in the air and yet it no so cold that one has to bundle up. Jeans and a fleece or sweatshirt do the job just fine.
I love the cool air. It always smells better to me. For some reason cold air always seems more clean, more fresh and more invigorating than hot air to me. Our local public raido station does these local IDs where they have regular folks tell stories about life in Austin. They call them "Sonic IDs". They are really fun snippets of life in Austin. More than one Sonic ID has dealt with the Texas heat. I've got a slightly different take. I am a cold weather guy.
Monday is MLK day. I was explaining to my three year old son that Monday is a holiday so he doesn't have to go to day care. He asked what kind of a holiday it is so I told him it was a day to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr., a preacher who lived in Georgia. My son asked if MLK was a Georgia Bulldog fan. I have no idea. I wonder when the Georgia football team was integrated?
I love the cool air. It always smells better to me. For some reason cold air always seems more clean, more fresh and more invigorating than hot air to me. Our local public raido station does these local IDs where they have regular folks tell stories about life in Austin. They call them "Sonic IDs". They are really fun snippets of life in Austin. More than one Sonic ID has dealt with the Texas heat. I've got a slightly different take. I am a cold weather guy.
Monday is MLK day. I was explaining to my three year old son that Monday is a holiday so he doesn't have to go to day care. He asked what kind of a holiday it is so I told him it was a day to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr., a preacher who lived in Georgia. My son asked if MLK was a Georgia Bulldog fan. I have no idea. I wonder when the Georgia football team was integrated?
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Bush Administration continues to screw up Katrina relief efforts
1. There are still 11,000 Katrina evacuees living in Houston hotels and the mayor has announced the city is full and has no more space to move people. As a result, those 11,000 people all need to find another city that isn't full.
2. One million cans of donated water -- which were not used at emergency shelters set up in Texas and Louisiana -- were dumped so that the cans could be recycled, FEMA announced.
Really?
Does water go bad?
There couldn't find anyone in the world who could use a little water?
What a bunch of fools. They were more interested in getting the money from the cans than say, donating the water to food banks.
2. One million cans of donated water -- which were not used at emergency shelters set up in Texas and Louisiana -- were dumped so that the cans could be recycled, FEMA announced.
Really?
Does water go bad?
There couldn't find anyone in the world who could use a little water?
What a bunch of fools. They were more interested in getting the money from the cans than say, donating the water to food banks.
ESPN
Sucks. Honestly, could someone tell Dan Patrick that there are some good stories to be found in Austin? I'm so tired of hearing about USC. Does Stuart Scott know the name of the starting quarterback at Texas? ESPN's coverage has been all about USC. The Longhorns are simply an afterthought.
How much you want to bet that if Texas wins tonight ABC/ESPN will spend more time interviewing USC players and coaches than Texas players and coaches.
How much you want to bet that if Texas wins tonight ABC/ESPN will spend more time interviewing USC players and coaches than Texas players and coaches.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
