Concept of local control of Energy future is logical, good idea. Perpetuating a fraud on the public (that MEA is using 25%+ renewable energy from the outset) is unacceptable; power play by local pols even worse. What to do? I'm afraid I don't tolerate lies, personal agenda in the midst of critical public policy. MEA must go. If you live in CA, vote yes on Prop 16. If you live in Marin, opt out of MEA as your provider. Hold our politics to the highest standards!
I don't know how MEA escapes their self constructed ethical quandry. The fundamental premise of MEA is a falsehood and they are changing people's electrical service without their consent.
The local power argument is powerful, but has pretty basic flaws in my view; If this was really about local power, it would carry the day. Trying to make this about PG&E would have been a good idea, but in this case it looks like a facade for a power play based on deception.
MEA got this power by promoting an untruth- that they could deliver renewables in high percentages; they can only do so by cooking the books, everyone knows it, they knew they had to lie from the start, which makes this painfully terrible. I would buy the local power argument and look on PG&E's ads as bad if MEA would undo all of ITS ads and web sites and marketing of this fundamental falsehood.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Overwhelming the Ignorance
I have tried to lay back for the last couple of weeks (since the passage of Healthcare) to see if the purveyors of ignorant drivel (Fox News and Repubs) would stop and recognize that they had actually won the Healthcare battle with the disinformation that reduced any real impact.
In fact they have not turned down the heat. Instead they are escalating the propaganda because the apparent #s say the lies are working. Dumbfuckistan, that uneducated and intolerant portion of the US that is informed by Rush and Fox and others who lie for a living, is getting more and more abusive.
This is leading us to what I predict will be a violent campaign in 2010, perhaps beyond to 2012.
Unfortunately, the only way around this is for Obama to keep his back straight, look the camera in the eye and take them on. But we need more than that. The rest of us need to be clear- we will not tolerate violence or threats or lies. We must engage and educate.
Most importantly, we must follow the doctrines of Ghandi and King and do it non-violently. We may have to take some hits, but we must not become fearful or reactionary. We must continue on and fight with spirit, words and intelligence; with overwhelming numbers and an open, inclusive support system. We must use the Network and drive the mainstream media to understand that we have the votes, the numbers, the money and the system and we are not giving any of that up.
This way always wins. It will win again this time.
In fact they have not turned down the heat. Instead they are escalating the propaganda because the apparent #s say the lies are working. Dumbfuckistan, that uneducated and intolerant portion of the US that is informed by Rush and Fox and others who lie for a living, is getting more and more abusive.
This is leading us to what I predict will be a violent campaign in 2010, perhaps beyond to 2012.
Unfortunately, the only way around this is for Obama to keep his back straight, look the camera in the eye and take them on. But we need more than that. The rest of us need to be clear- we will not tolerate violence or threats or lies. We must engage and educate.
Most importantly, we must follow the doctrines of Ghandi and King and do it non-violently. We may have to take some hits, but we must not become fearful or reactionary. We must continue on and fight with spirit, words and intelligence; with overwhelming numbers and an open, inclusive support system. We must use the Network and drive the mainstream media to understand that we have the votes, the numbers, the money and the system and we are not giving any of that up.
This way always wins. It will win again this time.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Health Care
So, now that Congress has passed it, what do I really think?
I like some of it and hate most of it. But the some of it I like is critical and a driving function to my support. Unfortunately, the parts I hate may prevent a good system from ever happening.
I like: limitations on insurer cancellation rights for pre-exisiting or new conditions.
I hate: purchase requirements placed on the back of people we know cannot afford insurance without a way to administer the requirement which means one more Catch 22 of a government bureaucracy we know does not work where the law is clear and fair. In this case the requirement itself is absurd and will never be enforced.
I like: (an unintended consequence) forcing more people into the system earlier should mean better diagnostics, healthier people.
I hate: the concession to pricing that is free market driven with little or no subsidies for low end users (public option or single pater would be good) means the health professionals are free to gouge consumers while doing what they have already started- creating opt out programs for rich people with better care. Don't get me wrong here as this is a good, classic American initiative that I will buy into to protect my family. What irks me is that the very people who know they will move in this more private direction confused and conspired to crater a public option or single payer system that would guarantee QUALITY for everyone. Proof once again that selfishness is at the heart of many of our COLLECTIVE decisions.
My grade for this thing: D. Mostly because Obama wasted the political capital we gave him for a substandard health care package while he was giving the American dream to the Banks.
I like some of it and hate most of it. But the some of it I like is critical and a driving function to my support. Unfortunately, the parts I hate may prevent a good system from ever happening.
I like: limitations on insurer cancellation rights for pre-exisiting or new conditions.
I hate: purchase requirements placed on the back of people we know cannot afford insurance without a way to administer the requirement which means one more Catch 22 of a government bureaucracy we know does not work where the law is clear and fair. In this case the requirement itself is absurd and will never be enforced.
I like: (an unintended consequence) forcing more people into the system earlier should mean better diagnostics, healthier people.
I hate: the concession to pricing that is free market driven with little or no subsidies for low end users (public option or single pater would be good) means the health professionals are free to gouge consumers while doing what they have already started- creating opt out programs for rich people with better care. Don't get me wrong here as this is a good, classic American initiative that I will buy into to protect my family. What irks me is that the very people who know they will move in this more private direction confused and conspired to crater a public option or single payer system that would guarantee QUALITY for everyone. Proof once again that selfishness is at the heart of many of our COLLECTIVE decisions.
My grade for this thing: D. Mostly because Obama wasted the political capital we gave him for a substandard health care package while he was giving the American dream to the Banks.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
2010: "Not On My Watch"
As if 2009 had not given us enough of a pounding, on Christmas day we got the Nigerian Underpants Clown and the attempt to crash a planeload of good folks in Detroit, Michigan. Depressing. Following that we got tons of explanations and accusations from media "experts", bloggers and FB posters, all focused on how he got through and all worried about how these clowns are getting the best of us because of what Bush or Obama did or did not do (depending on your politics)! This was even more depressing.
I struggled with this for a few days, not sure about my own feelings until I had to fly on December 30. As I went through security behind a couple of yahoos (Yahoos are impervious and often inebriated college age guys- I know this category well having lived in it for at least 10 years) cramming their Subway sandwiches, shakes and sodas into a grey plastic container on the conveyor belt, yucking it up and having a blast. I was shocked when they got everything through just five days after Detroit; I mean this was a stoned Cheech and Chong or Michael from the Sopranos, stepping on toes and violating every rule possible under the direct supervision of TSA! And they walked...I thought- "who do these guys stop?"
For a few seconds I thought about doing a citizen's arrest or at least asking TSA about it, then I thought, "who cares- I hope they're on my flight and I hope they make a move to do something because I will lose it all on them and NOTHING will happen on My Watch!"
They were not on my plane, and I had an incident free trip to LA except that this was a real awakening for me. I think I accidentally happened on the attitude that saved the Detroit plane and also brought us the heroics on flight 93, two truly great moments. On Detroit, passengers went leaping over seats to get a piece of the Nigerian; who can ever forget the passengers on Flight 93 storming the pilot's cockpit? This attitude is a gift to us...something we can take and put into action whenever we need it- whenever we are bitching about things that are bad and how someone, the government or some bad guys, is screwing us and making life impossible....
It is time to take ownership in all things and let it all hang out. When the going gets tough and I think of the potential for ugly results in anything, I am just going to say, "NOT ON MY WATCH" then do what is necessary to bring about the just result.
From now on, no matter what the issue, I will carry this spirit with me in all I do. My Resolution for 2010 and beyond is to kick ass in the name of what is right with a "NOT ON MY WATCH" attitude.
I encourage the same from everyone...government might help us, but not until we step up to the plate and take a swing. Laying back and relying on others who may or may not help is a prescription for both failure and a continued depression of the spirit, of the country.
NOT ON MY WATCH!
I struggled with this for a few days, not sure about my own feelings until I had to fly on December 30. As I went through security behind a couple of yahoos (Yahoos are impervious and often inebriated college age guys- I know this category well having lived in it for at least 10 years) cramming their Subway sandwiches, shakes and sodas into a grey plastic container on the conveyor belt, yucking it up and having a blast. I was shocked when they got everything through just five days after Detroit; I mean this was a stoned Cheech and Chong or Michael from the Sopranos, stepping on toes and violating every rule possible under the direct supervision of TSA! And they walked...I thought- "who do these guys stop?"
For a few seconds I thought about doing a citizen's arrest or at least asking TSA about it, then I thought, "who cares- I hope they're on my flight and I hope they make a move to do something because I will lose it all on them and NOTHING will happen on My Watch!"
They were not on my plane, and I had an incident free trip to LA except that this was a real awakening for me. I think I accidentally happened on the attitude that saved the Detroit plane and also brought us the heroics on flight 93, two truly great moments. On Detroit, passengers went leaping over seats to get a piece of the Nigerian; who can ever forget the passengers on Flight 93 storming the pilot's cockpit? This attitude is a gift to us...something we can take and put into action whenever we need it- whenever we are bitching about things that are bad and how someone, the government or some bad guys, is screwing us and making life impossible....
It is time to take ownership in all things and let it all hang out. When the going gets tough and I think of the potential for ugly results in anything, I am just going to say, "NOT ON MY WATCH" then do what is necessary to bring about the just result.
From now on, no matter what the issue, I will carry this spirit with me in all I do. My Resolution for 2010 and beyond is to kick ass in the name of what is right with a "NOT ON MY WATCH" attitude.
I encourage the same from everyone...government might help us, but not until we step up to the plate and take a swing. Laying back and relying on others who may or may not help is a prescription for both failure and a continued depression of the spirit, of the country.
NOT ON MY WATCH!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Goldman Sachs statement about why it sold short against bundled mortgages it was selling.
They miss the fundamental point- these instruments (and the government programs that licensed but did not regulate them) were based on artificial prosperity and a selling of America at prices based on that illusion. We were (and are) in a deflationary period since 2000; housing and its price inflation and mortgage fraud was based on easy Fed money and sales and application fraud from bottom to top in real estate (customers, sales brokers, mortgage companies, IBankers and Traders), not on anything the markets were doing to create real value increases.
As Goldman says, selling short was smart and the responsible activity (unless the traders had knowledge of the ongoing fraud- what do you think? I have my opinion on that one...:)). The real fraud is in the development and sale of the prosperity illusion that led to the short selling opportunity. The real story is in the application of the illusion strategy across all markets, not just "Synthetic" CDOs. Wall Street cannot escape that reality with a one page explanation. It is why the Street's anti-competitive license from Washington must go.
Time to allow open source technology and information in multiple online trading markets with no regulation and no advantages based on licenses. Let the participants create and manage the regulatory process (like we do so well online). If there is fraud, let's be democratic about it and let everyone participate, not just the same old robber barons!
They miss the fundamental point- these instruments (and the government programs that licensed but did not regulate them) were based on artificial prosperity and a selling of America at prices based on that illusion. We were (and are) in a deflationary period since 2000; housing and its price inflation and mortgage fraud was based on easy Fed money and sales and application fraud from bottom to top in real estate (customers, sales brokers, mortgage companies, IBankers and Traders), not on anything the markets were doing to create real value increases.
As Goldman says, selling short was smart and the responsible activity (unless the traders had knowledge of the ongoing fraud- what do you think? I have my opinion on that one...:)). The real fraud is in the development and sale of the prosperity illusion that led to the short selling opportunity. The real story is in the application of the illusion strategy across all markets, not just "Synthetic" CDOs. Wall Street cannot escape that reality with a one page explanation. It is why the Street's anti-competitive license from Washington must go.
Time to allow open source technology and information in multiple online trading markets with no regulation and no advantages based on licenses. Let the participants create and manage the regulatory process (like we do so well online). If there is fraud, let's be democratic about it and let everyone participate, not just the same old robber barons!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Arrival of the Trading Class
Like it or not, the last ten years of no productivity followed by the "almost depression" were the start of a new direction for America that mirrors post-Industrial Revolution events in Britain and Germany that resulted in the creation of two tiered societies that function only to reward the "Trading" or Merchant Class.
Riches earned from Trading are the wealth of the Crown in a land where few do much that is good for underprivileged around the World. Protecting its Merchant Class and their ever more sophisticated and risky financial adventures is what England is all about. In Germany the rise of the Trading Class led to the rise of the Third Reich.
In the US, Obama missed an opportunity to avoid that direction for the US and follow Roosevelt's lead of building and investing in communities and people. Had Obama studied FDR or the other two great Democratic Presidents- Jefferson and Jackson, he would have understood the risk of calamity that serving the Merchant Class brings on a once free society. Jefferson's ardent opposition to Hamilton's financial adventures are a great read for those wanting a quick understanding of this principle.
At a time when Roosevelt would have invested in the poor and created jobs and reigned in financial misadventures, Obama gave us TARP solutions that protect the very markets and people that caused our economic downturn. That catastrophic decision sets the direction for the last "American" century and entrenches a Wall Street led "Trading Class" at the helm of all US decisions.
It is ugly and about to get worse. When the modest recovery stalls, Traders will follow the path they always take when they can no longer rely on the productivity and resources of their own society. They will look overseas and try to take on wealth rightfully belonging to others. They and the government they control will renege on financial obligations to other societies as well. These two paths will require military support.
We are now well positioned in Afghanistan with an army whose imperative is unclear and whose brass has been looking for a path to success. We must be careful to watch the interests of the Trading Class as it pushes and confuses our President to use that army to support trading programs. If he wakes up and opposes them with a sharp progressive, populist stance it will be a miracle and maybe America's only chance to avoid real demise, as Obama's successor is likely to be a populist tool of the trading class who can inspire millions of uneducated people to take action directly contrary to their personal interests.
Sound familiar? It should; that is what happened in Germany after WWI.
Riches earned from Trading are the wealth of the Crown in a land where few do much that is good for underprivileged around the World. Protecting its Merchant Class and their ever more sophisticated and risky financial adventures is what England is all about. In Germany the rise of the Trading Class led to the rise of the Third Reich.
In the US, Obama missed an opportunity to avoid that direction for the US and follow Roosevelt's lead of building and investing in communities and people. Had Obama studied FDR or the other two great Democratic Presidents- Jefferson and Jackson, he would have understood the risk of calamity that serving the Merchant Class brings on a once free society. Jefferson's ardent opposition to Hamilton's financial adventures are a great read for those wanting a quick understanding of this principle.
At a time when Roosevelt would have invested in the poor and created jobs and reigned in financial misadventures, Obama gave us TARP solutions that protect the very markets and people that caused our economic downturn. That catastrophic decision sets the direction for the last "American" century and entrenches a Wall Street led "Trading Class" at the helm of all US decisions.
It is ugly and about to get worse. When the modest recovery stalls, Traders will follow the path they always take when they can no longer rely on the productivity and resources of their own society. They will look overseas and try to take on wealth rightfully belonging to others. They and the government they control will renege on financial obligations to other societies as well. These two paths will require military support.
We are now well positioned in Afghanistan with an army whose imperative is unclear and whose brass has been looking for a path to success. We must be careful to watch the interests of the Trading Class as it pushes and confuses our President to use that army to support trading programs. If he wakes up and opposes them with a sharp progressive, populist stance it will be a miracle and maybe America's only chance to avoid real demise, as Obama's successor is likely to be a populist tool of the trading class who can inspire millions of uneducated people to take action directly contrary to their personal interests.
Sound familiar? It should; that is what happened in Germany after WWI.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Afghanistan- Why not Kick Ass Quickly and Leave?
Struggling to make sense of more troops in Afghanistan and find myself longing for the articulated, but abandoned Powell doctrine (Colin Powell circa 1992 after correctly turning back on the 'Road to Death' in the first war in Iraq)- only send troops if you intend to unleash their full fury (and accept the result)- bring them home asap and NEVER occupy anything- let the chips fall where may after you leave.
What scares me about Afghanistan is that we are already occupying, we show no intent to really kickass and we are setting a timetable based on our western desire of a future for Afghanistan. I don't see any prospect for success and that makes me sad for our boys.
I hear this may be part of a grand regional strategy to contain Pakistan and India. I would love to understand that better and think that may be the product of too much Starbucks in the morning, too much Georgetown at night by State Department intellectuals pushing an overused army into its tenth year of war; close to the stretched out and failed war in Viet Nam.
Time to kickass and leave.
What scares me about Afghanistan is that we are already occupying, we show no intent to really kickass and we are setting a timetable based on our western desire of a future for Afghanistan. I don't see any prospect for success and that makes me sad for our boys.
I hear this may be part of a grand regional strategy to contain Pakistan and India. I would love to understand that better and think that may be the product of too much Starbucks in the morning, too much Georgetown at night by State Department intellectuals pushing an overused army into its tenth year of war; close to the stretched out and failed war in Viet Nam.
Time to kickass and leave.
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