This is being written before the results are in on the 2016 election. It is a bipartisan critique of voters. Time after time, throughout the campaign people have declared that they could never vote for XXX because of some activity. For the Democrats, they abhor the cavalier way Donald Trump acted with regard to women. Republicans, on the other hand focused on Hillary Clinton’s lying and other ethical failures.
This is not to depreciate the importance of morals and ethics, but the election is for the policy leader of this country and by default, the free world. None of the “never XXX’ers” ever mentioned any policy issue, whether social, financial, national, or international. Their focus was on the purported unscrupulous actions of one party while ignoring the failures of their choice.
If ever there was a case of speck in the eye of the examined and log in the eye of the examiner, this is it. And yes, these character flaws will have an effect on the ruling efforts of the victorious candidate. But looking back in history we see the Presidency rife with men who would be classified as unscrupulous (Johnson), womanizing (Kennedy), adulterous (Eisenhower), unrestrained (T. Roosevelt), and who knows how many other moral and ethical deficiencies.
But their national policy was the salient determinant of their place in history. Our voting efforts should be focused on ferreting out the candidate who will best pursue the overall interests of the country. The party platforms are the area from which this decision should arise.
It is too late to affect the outcome now, but one would hope that such “shallow” thinking will disappear into the past as this election fades. Whatever happens, the USA is “stuck” with the results of this exercise in representative governance.
We can only hope and pray that this will not be our last opportunity to participate. And even more that we get it right next time, regardless of how “lucky or unlucky” we are after we evaluate the present results.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Advertising and Articles
Do you have Asteroid Anxiety? Good news! Now the cumulative resources of mankind have been able to map the heavens and identify “near earth objects” which might, at some time threaten to crash into the earth and become devastating meteorites. (Meteors that penetrate the atmosphere to strike the ground or water.) Well, “we” have identified 90% of them, mainly the larger ones.
So imagine that an imminent impact is identified. The response is to get FEMA and other disaster agencies on alert to help mitigate the damage. I do not know about you, but that certainly relieves my asteroid anxiety. If and when the “big one” hits, our disaster agencies will be on high alert. As Speedy, the AlkaSeltzer boy used to warble, “Oh what a relief it is.”
A Medicare advertisement shows two attractive women roughly in their twenties or thirties smiling as they peruse the new Medicare Advantage offerings. Guess the advert guys have not been told that Medicare is for those over 65.
One particular auto advertisement that runs mainly on the “off channels” is one that says, “You pay your premiums for your car insurance faithfully and on time, and now that you have an accident, you have to pay more.” Obviously it is referring to the deductible that we choose when we pick insurance.
They act like it is such an affront to humanity and decency that they do that. It is possible that we can have a zero deductible (possibly what this company offers), but at a much higher premium. Obviously the company would prefer the higher premium as they get to keep all the money if you do not have an accident.
If you do file a claim, they will pay it, but you may rest assured that in the long run, they “get” more than they give. Now they are advertising to entice the potential client to pay even more into the kitty on the pretense of not being cheated by the greedy insurance guys. Is it any wonder that all of those tall buildings downtown are named for Insurance companies?
On the topic of advertisements, does anyone else get a little tired and even irritated at the advertisements that assume that their potential clients are dumber than a box of rocks? Listen to the implied statements, and try not to be so offended that you refuse to buy the product even if it is one that you prefer. Or on the other hand, why prefer one from such a doltish company?
So imagine that an imminent impact is identified. The response is to get FEMA and other disaster agencies on alert to help mitigate the damage. I do not know about you, but that certainly relieves my asteroid anxiety. If and when the “big one” hits, our disaster agencies will be on high alert. As Speedy, the AlkaSeltzer boy used to warble, “Oh what a relief it is.”
A Medicare advertisement shows two attractive women roughly in their twenties or thirties smiling as they peruse the new Medicare Advantage offerings. Guess the advert guys have not been told that Medicare is for those over 65.
One particular auto advertisement that runs mainly on the “off channels” is one that says, “You pay your premiums for your car insurance faithfully and on time, and now that you have an accident, you have to pay more.” Obviously it is referring to the deductible that we choose when we pick insurance.
They act like it is such an affront to humanity and decency that they do that. It is possible that we can have a zero deductible (possibly what this company offers), but at a much higher premium. Obviously the company would prefer the higher premium as they get to keep all the money if you do not have an accident.
If you do file a claim, they will pay it, but you may rest assured that in the long run, they “get” more than they give. Now they are advertising to entice the potential client to pay even more into the kitty on the pretense of not being cheated by the greedy insurance guys. Is it any wonder that all of those tall buildings downtown are named for Insurance companies?
On the topic of advertisements, does anyone else get a little tired and even irritated at the advertisements that assume that their potential clients are dumber than a box of rocks? Listen to the implied statements, and try not to be so offended that you refuse to buy the product even if it is one that you prefer. Or on the other hand, why prefer one from such a doltish company?
Sunday, October 16, 2016
The Talk 2
We recently discussed having “the talk” with our kids. That is the one where a wise dad instructs an adolescent on how to interact with a police officer. “Use respect, as if he has a gun. He does!”
There is a second “talk” that is even more important, and at a younger age. That is what to do when a child encounters a gun. If it is lying on the ground or exposed somewhere, do not touch it. Get away without doing anything else. Get an adult, preferably police, to take possession of it.
But more likely, is when they are visiting a friend’s house, someone will produce a gun. At that point, the child should immediately leave. Say, “I got to go home.” Do NOT give a reason or make a joke about it. Do not warn that this is dangerous. Just go and tell an adult.
If a child is manipulating the weapon, it is dangerous. If you mention anything about it, they may, in their immaturity, point it at someone as a joke. If you try to take it away from them the ensuing struggle may result in a discharge. All of these things can, and often do, lead to disaster.
And of course, Dad, talk to yourself. Any guns in your house MUST be secured and assuredly unavailable to any child, yours or any other. Incidentally, that is where gun legislation and prosecution comes into play. A responsible gun owner will absolutely ensure that no child can access his weapons. Period. No exceptions. No slip ups. No extraneous circumstances. And even then, keep them unloaded and apart from the ammunition.
Imagine it is like a live rattle snake. You would not “accidentally” leave it lying around or “forget” to it away. The gun potentially can be more deadly than the snake. Treat with due respect.
Gun tragedies are almost uniformly preventable. If we publish the responsibility caveats and then enforce them, careless gun owners will shape up or be locked up.
Our kids are worth it. Talk to them.
There is a second “talk” that is even more important, and at a younger age. That is what to do when a child encounters a gun. If it is lying on the ground or exposed somewhere, do not touch it. Get away without doing anything else. Get an adult, preferably police, to take possession of it.
But more likely, is when they are visiting a friend’s house, someone will produce a gun. At that point, the child should immediately leave. Say, “I got to go home.” Do NOT give a reason or make a joke about it. Do not warn that this is dangerous. Just go and tell an adult.
If a child is manipulating the weapon, it is dangerous. If you mention anything about it, they may, in their immaturity, point it at someone as a joke. If you try to take it away from them the ensuing struggle may result in a discharge. All of these things can, and often do, lead to disaster.
And of course, Dad, talk to yourself. Any guns in your house MUST be secured and assuredly unavailable to any child, yours or any other. Incidentally, that is where gun legislation and prosecution comes into play. A responsible gun owner will absolutely ensure that no child can access his weapons. Period. No exceptions. No slip ups. No extraneous circumstances. And even then, keep them unloaded and apart from the ammunition.
Imagine it is like a live rattle snake. You would not “accidentally” leave it lying around or “forget” to it away. The gun potentially can be more deadly than the snake. Treat with due respect.
Gun tragedies are almost uniformly preventable. If we publish the responsibility caveats and then enforce them, careless gun owners will shape up or be locked up.
Our kids are worth it. Talk to them.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Piling On
Whenever there is a fumble during a football game two or three guys “fall” on the ball and begin to wrestle for control. At this point about 13 other guys leap onto the pile. They do not have a chance of even seeing the ball, but they jump on. Some of the leaps are even pretty artistic.
The focus of the game is not to pile on to the stack. It is to win the game. While they may not affect the outcome of the struggle under the pile, they get the aggression relief of building a big pile. (Note: Usually a replay shows one guy capturing the ball and curling up around it. Then the pile hits.)
To my Republican friends: Today’s application is a political fumble. Actually one that happened over 10 years ago. Mr. Trump clearly fumbled the ball and even loyal Republicans cannot wait to jump on the pile. Back on the playground we called it piling on. But in the hurry to leap the pile, we need to remember, like a football player, that the object of the game is not to make a big pile on the ground. It is to win the game.
And to those who sanctimoniously proclaim that we should, “Vote our conscience,” where was this conscience back in January and February when internecine disputes could have been resolved. Instead three conservatives spli the vote and left the path open for Mr. Trump. Rather than utilizing conscience, concern for the party, and more importantly, to a lot of us, concern for the country, we had three factions selfishly fighting for about 2/3 of the voting block. Splitting that base was a heady, self gratifying action. But in the long run, none of the three were able to prevail and now these same loyal party guys are busy throwing Mr. Trump and the party under the bush. (Oops, freudian slip) Under the bus.
Republican alert! Even if you do not like the head of the ticket, examine the competing platforms. If the Democrats win, it will be more and more of the same. And more. If your social conscience is guided by the platforms, you have to vote to stop Hillary. Yes, Trump is a former Democrat. That is great. There is hope that others will “see the light.”
If “voting our conscience” paves the way for another devastating attack on social mores and constitutional government, then your conscience was not well informed. And do not forget the $1 trillion dollar addition to the national debt every year that the H-camp will undoubtedly pile on. Don’t be like the boys on top of the pile. They have no idea of what is happening underneath. They are just piling on.
The game is more important than the pile. Let’s win the game.
The focus of the game is not to pile on to the stack. It is to win the game. While they may not affect the outcome of the struggle under the pile, they get the aggression relief of building a big pile. (Note: Usually a replay shows one guy capturing the ball and curling up around it. Then the pile hits.)
To my Republican friends: Today’s application is a political fumble. Actually one that happened over 10 years ago. Mr. Trump clearly fumbled the ball and even loyal Republicans cannot wait to jump on the pile. Back on the playground we called it piling on. But in the hurry to leap the pile, we need to remember, like a football player, that the object of the game is not to make a big pile on the ground. It is to win the game.
And to those who sanctimoniously proclaim that we should, “Vote our conscience,” where was this conscience back in January and February when internecine disputes could have been resolved. Instead three conservatives spli the vote and left the path open for Mr. Trump. Rather than utilizing conscience, concern for the party, and more importantly, to a lot of us, concern for the country, we had three factions selfishly fighting for about 2/3 of the voting block. Splitting that base was a heady, self gratifying action. But in the long run, none of the three were able to prevail and now these same loyal party guys are busy throwing Mr. Trump and the party under the bush. (Oops, freudian slip) Under the bus.
Republican alert! Even if you do not like the head of the ticket, examine the competing platforms. If the Democrats win, it will be more and more of the same. And more. If your social conscience is guided by the platforms, you have to vote to stop Hillary. Yes, Trump is a former Democrat. That is great. There is hope that others will “see the light.”
If “voting our conscience” paves the way for another devastating attack on social mores and constitutional government, then your conscience was not well informed. And do not forget the $1 trillion dollar addition to the national debt every year that the H-camp will undoubtedly pile on. Don’t be like the boys on top of the pile. They have no idea of what is happening underneath. They are just piling on.
The game is more important than the pile. Let’s win the game.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Today
Today
Today is Sept 22 and is the autumnal equinox. So we got as much nighty night as we did day time. I hope you had plenty of sleep. Or rather got a lot done, because day light is going away. The old “man works from sun to sun” is catching up with us.
Today was also the anniversary, of the 1776 execution of Nathan Hale. I hope you know who he was. “I regret that....” Look it up if you don’t know.
You will be glad you did.
Have a good day.
Today is Sept 22 and is the autumnal equinox. So we got as much nighty night as we did day time. I hope you had plenty of sleep. Or rather got a lot done, because day light is going away. The old “man works from sun to sun” is catching up with us.
Today was also the anniversary, of the 1776 execution of Nathan Hale. I hope you know who he was. “I regret that....” Look it up if you don’t know.
You will be glad you did.
Have a good day.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
The Electoral College
Electoral College
The direct election of the President was a cause that I supported in the past. Then I heard a high school student explain the genius of the founding fathers’ paradigm for government. To review, the Constitution specifies a tripartite system of government that contains both separation and division of powers. There are three separate divisions, and three distinct methods for choosing the participants. We have a Legislative branch elected by the general population. The House and Senate share, though to a different degree, the distinction of being chosen by the individual voters.
Second the Judicial branch is appointed by the Executive and approved by the Legislative. Notice the intertwining of elections processes without overlapping. Finally, the President and ultimately the Executive is chosen by the States through the electoral college. Thus we also have a check and balance system to ultimately control all three branches.
A popularly elected President, or one chosen by apportioned electoral votes reduces him to a one-man congress or prime minister of the population only without the “no confidence” circuit breaker. (See below.)
The legislature is apportioned roughly by the division of interests in the individual states. Even the Senate can be “split” if a particular state has evenly divided interests. (Note that parties have usurped the role of interests, but in most cases, they are responsive to their “base” and quickly come into line when they stray.)
The States choose the President on the basis of their specific needs and convictions. So to be elected, the President must appeal to a majority of the States. The “division” of our society that is represented is the individual States. In this manner individuals, the government itself, and the states are all equally represented and involved in the checks and balances. One branch does not overwhelm the other two.
These electoral votes are traditionally voted by State on a winner take all basis. Each State submits its choice for President and they are tallied at the Electoral College to determine the next President.
Apportioning votes is as silly as having the Supreme Court Justices vote a percentage. Take, for instance, a situation where one Justice voted 30% in favor of a position and 70% against and two others voted 51% for and 49% against. This would have been a 2 to 1 decision in favor of the side. But if the percentages are summed, it is a 132 to 168 decision against.
The Supreme Court presents a decision based on the majority. The Senate, often with advice from their House colleagues, confirms the Judiciary. Likewise, the states have a united voice in the final decision for the executive.
Actually reporting the accumulated total votes for the President is both worthless and misleading. It has contributed to the popular myth that the people elect the President. It is as useless as reporting the total number of votes cast for the Republican and Democratic members of the House of Representatives. We do not know, nor care how many total votes the parties received. The count of the representatives is what is important.
So the Constitution has crafted a marvelous division and separation of powers. It is not an whimsical fantasy of the founding fathers. It is a functional, utilitarian, and extremely successful model for governance that has not been improved upon for over 2 centuries. And no other form of government has even approached the success and stability that this structure has afforded to the United States of America.
The real genius of this Constitutional system is the President. He (or she) is elected by the States. The States have proportional strength so representation is roughly apportioned, but not exclusively, on size of their population. Compare this to a prime minister who merely represents the majority of the legislative branch. He is not independent nor able to restrain the legislative body. We need only observe Canada, Great Britain, and even Israel to see the drawbacks and impotence built into this system. The no confidence vote effectively reduces him or her to a pawn of the legislative branch.
.
Dividing electoral votes proportionally is merely a thinly veiled attempt to make an end run around the concept of State selection of the Executive. If proportionality is so sacred, why not make the Congressmen and Senators vote for issues on a proportional basis predicated on their percentage backing in their electoral district?
The check and balance system is complete and functional. We only tend to “muck things up” when we arbitrarily change one aspect without considering the whole entity. This is called “systems analysis.” No one in his right mind would install 24 inch wheels on the back of his car to make it go fast and 13 inch wheels on the front to save money because they are cheaper. (Unless you are building a drag racer, which is not too functional on Briley Parkway.)
Changes in one part of the car affect other aspects and must be carefully, and thoughtfully considered. The Founding Fathers crafted an impressive edifice for governing our country. Let’s be very careful of tipping it in any direction.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Learning from Football
Learning from Football
This weekend several teams made egregious mistakes that either cost them the game or nearly did. One mistake that should be pounded into the head of every quarterback, especially toward the end of the game is, “Do not lose field goal position.”
LSU was trailing by two and was in field goal range. The QB “scrambled” out of trouble, but did not get rid of the football. He retreated farther and then broke the second cardinal rule for passers. “Don’t force it when you are off balance. Always throw to the outside of the receiver. And cross field passes are always problematic.” Kind of a long rule, but has critical components.
He attempted a pass from one side of the field to the other. Not only did he miss his target, it went directly to the defensive player, who intercepted it and promptly dropped to the ground.
(Note: Several years ago Nebraska was ahead of Texas A & M at the end of the game. A&M was threatening, but the Huskers intercepted a pass in the end zone. Ball game.., Except the player tried to run it out, was hit, fumbled, and A&M recovered for a touchdown, winning the game.)
The LSU QB broke just about every end of game rule that you can imagine. My son and I were discussing some of the other mistakes. He commented that on the irony of guys who have watched over 50 years of football and seen just about everything but are unable to play the game. We have to suffer the guys who have not seen or thought of these thing–yet–are out there losing games. How sad. Sigh.
The Tennessee QB did that at the end of the first half against Appalachian State, also losing an almost sure three points. The game ended in a tie, and only a propitious bounce gave Tennessee the win. But the rest of their schedule may not be so accommodating. Maybe. See below.
Who does the offensive end block on field goals and extra points? Often two guys will line up “over the end” and he cannot block both. On Friday night, we watched a high school game and the end started to go after the outside guy, realized that the inside guy was going too, swung back, missed him, and watched the kick get blocked.
Always take the guy with the shortest route if you have two and cannot get them both. Make the guy go the “long way around.” This kid learned the hard way. The kick was blocked, the game ended in a tie, and they lost in overtime–on another blocked kick. Maybe he has learned now.
Where was the coach? I bet he and the boys watch a few kicks over the week end.
Shall we look at Houston and Oklahoma? I thought every coach in the country would warn his teams against letting down on field goal misses. Alabama lost a chance at the National Championship a couple of years ago by not covering a missed attempt. Oklahoma did the same on Saturday. The guy was about 2" from the end line. It was a 109 yard and 34 inch return.
More coaches are watching film, and showing them to players. Let the games go on. They are, at the least, interesting.
This weekend several teams made egregious mistakes that either cost them the game or nearly did. One mistake that should be pounded into the head of every quarterback, especially toward the end of the game is, “Do not lose field goal position.”
LSU was trailing by two and was in field goal range. The QB “scrambled” out of trouble, but did not get rid of the football. He retreated farther and then broke the second cardinal rule for passers. “Don’t force it when you are off balance. Always throw to the outside of the receiver. And cross field passes are always problematic.” Kind of a long rule, but has critical components.
He attempted a pass from one side of the field to the other. Not only did he miss his target, it went directly to the defensive player, who intercepted it and promptly dropped to the ground.
(Note: Several years ago Nebraska was ahead of Texas A & M at the end of the game. A&M was threatening, but the Huskers intercepted a pass in the end zone. Ball game.., Except the player tried to run it out, was hit, fumbled, and A&M recovered for a touchdown, winning the game.)
The LSU QB broke just about every end of game rule that you can imagine. My son and I were discussing some of the other mistakes. He commented that on the irony of guys who have watched over 50 years of football and seen just about everything but are unable to play the game. We have to suffer the guys who have not seen or thought of these thing–yet–are out there losing games. How sad. Sigh.
The Tennessee QB did that at the end of the first half against Appalachian State, also losing an almost sure three points. The game ended in a tie, and only a propitious bounce gave Tennessee the win. But the rest of their schedule may not be so accommodating. Maybe. See below.
Who does the offensive end block on field goals and extra points? Often two guys will line up “over the end” and he cannot block both. On Friday night, we watched a high school game and the end started to go after the outside guy, realized that the inside guy was going too, swung back, missed him, and watched the kick get blocked.
Always take the guy with the shortest route if you have two and cannot get them both. Make the guy go the “long way around.” This kid learned the hard way. The kick was blocked, the game ended in a tie, and they lost in overtime–on another blocked kick. Maybe he has learned now.
Where was the coach? I bet he and the boys watch a few kicks over the week end.
Shall we look at Houston and Oklahoma? I thought every coach in the country would warn his teams against letting down on field goal misses. Alabama lost a chance at the National Championship a couple of years ago by not covering a missed attempt. Oklahoma did the same on Saturday. The guy was about 2" from the end line. It was a 109 yard and 34 inch return.
More coaches are watching film, and showing them to players. Let the games go on. They are, at the least, interesting.
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