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July 31, 2006
Krauthammer on Israel
Regular readers of this blog might remember that Charles Krauthammer is one of my favorite columnists. He has written a brilliant column on Israel’s efforts to defend and protect themselves and the “We love Neville Chamberlain” reaction from so much of the world.
Krauthammer writes eloquently and passionately about the challenges facing Israel, not the least of which eminent from countries that should be supporting them. It is well worth reading.
However, in the end, the key take away is that Hezbollah is wrong and Israel is right. As Americans, beneficiaries of the greatest democracy the world has ever known, and Israel's allies, we should be encouraging and supporting them at every step and in every way possible.
If they can help rid the world of these immoral terrorists, we will all be better off. With apologies to President Kennedy (and written in Hebrew if I knew how) – Today, I am an Israeli!
Posted by sharris at 12:36 AM
Another gang injunction
On Friday, District Attorney Greg Totten announced a second gang injunction, following up on the original – and successful – injunction against Oxnard’s Colonia Chiques.
This past week I recorded a radio interview (to be aired Saturday August 12 on News Talk KVTA 1520) in which we spend virtually the entire show discussing the gang injunction, the role it’s played in helping clean up Oxnard and the balance between security and civil liberties – individual and collective.
District Attorney Totten give insightful answers to difficult questions and for anyone wanting to understand the motivations for having injunctions and the results achieved, this is a must listen.
If you cannot wait until the 12th, or live outside of the KVTA 1520 area (Ventura County), you can hear Totten’s interview now on my website. As always, your feedback is welcomed and encouraged.
Posted by sharris at 12:09 AM
July 30, 2006
The cost of fat
As we explore healthcare costs, it is worth noting that Forbes magazine says that the direct medical costs of obesity account for 9% ($93 billion dollars) of the total U.S. healthcare costs. That's a high price to pay for being unwilling to push the plate away or say no to that tasty little dessert.
Posted by sharris at 08:13 PM
Free healthcare - I don't think so.
On the 19th of this month, I wrote about the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimous vote to make their city the nation's first to provide all residents with health care, approving a plan that would give adults access to medical services regardless of their immigration or employment status.
As anyone who has ever taken an entry level economics class can tell you, nothing is “free” and certainly not healthcare. Forcing healthcare providers to give away their product and forcing businesses to pay for benefits for non–employees (paying for employees is expensive enough) is a recipe for disaster.
Now, less than two weeks later, the Los Angles Times has run a front page article and an opinion piece that are directly related.
In a front page story today , the Los Angles Times is surprised to learn that many Americans are going off shore for their medical care, traveling to countries whose standards of care are equal to those available in America, but whose costs are a fraction. In the article, they come very close to connecting the dots that forcing hospitals to absorb almost $7 billion in costs to offer “free” healthcare to the uninsured of California might not be a great idea. The natural result is that those who can afford to pay, are forced to pay far more than the actual value of the healthcare, having to cover the costs of “free” healthcare so easily given away by socialist legislators.
This thought process, the inability to recognize that people with means will find alternatives to the overly burdensome and unfair practice of forcing them to pay for others, echoes the “tax the rich to pay for our programs” philosophy. Our legislators never seem to grasp the concept that taxpayers can move out of state and that some will leave the country to avoid paying outrageous fees for a product, let’s say healthcare for example.
The geniuses behind these ideas are still trying to figure out why union jobs are being sent off shore (it’s the costs!) and now they can’t quite grasp why taxpayers are moving and patients are electing to leave the country for healthcare.
The Los Angeles Times also ran an editorial today imploring businesses to shoulder more of their “fair share” of healthcare costs.
I guess the fact that I continue to be surprised and disappointed at the inability of educated and elected people to understand the idea that “free healthcare” doesn’t exist is no better than their inability to grasp the concept that businesses and individuals will find alternatives to participating in socialist programs. I hope one of us wises up soon.
Posted by sharris at 08:27 AM
NY Times attacks Lieberman
The New York Times today proudly endorsed Ned Lamont for Connecticut Senator.
In a 12-paragraph editorial, they spend 11 paragraphs ripping apart one of the few men of character in national politics. His crime? He supported the president and war in Iraq. In the 12th and last paragraph, the best they can say for Ned Lamont is that he is not Lieberman and is against the president, reason enough apparently, for the New York Times to want him as senator.
The Time belittles Lieberman for his position on the Iraq war, never attempting to explain what nefarious motive would drive a Democrat to support an unpopular Republican, taking an unpopular position on an unpopular war. It’s almost as if Lieberman made a principled decision.
For those who look for character in their politicians, regardless of party, let’s hope the New York Times endorsement of Ned Lamont does not affect the election. For those who look for something other than a knee-jerk, anti-president stance on every possible issue, here’s hoping the New York Times rediscovers it’s once great heritage.
Posted by sharris at 12:56 AM
July 29, 2006
NY Times doesn't want Bolton
I hope you’re sitting for what has can only be considered shocking news, the New York Times does not think the senate should confirm John Bolton as the American Ambassador to the United Nations.
Mr. Bolton’s biggest crime and most egregious act appears to be that he is a strong proponent of what is good for America and not nearly concerned enough with what other countries think and how we can be the most popular kid on the playground.
Frankly, I find his candor and America first approach to be refreshing and comforting. While I don’t think attempting to curry favor from such moral giants as France is a complete and total waste of time, it is fairly close. I hope that each day when Mr. Bolton awakens, his first thought is what he can do that will benefit America the most and that the same thought crosses his mind just as he dozes off at night.
Everything else he does, or attempts to do, everything else – is secondary. What more could America and Americans want from our United Nations ambassador?
Posted by sharris at 07:38 PM
Press has tough decisions to make
Most liberals have no problem identifying Fox News as a conservative outlet and conservatives have no hesitation identifying CNN, the New York Times and the Los Angles Times as all leaning hard to the left. Once those filters are in place, we subconsciously look to have our point-of-view substantiated. Every time the NY Times runs a story critical of the President, it proves they are anti-American and every Fox story supporting our actions in Iraq prove they are in the pocket of big business, most particularly oil.
But, no matter how you view the press, it is unarguable that they have an extraordinarily difficult job do to, a responsibility greater than most of us deal with day-to-day and decisions made in a short time frame that can immediately and directly impact individuals and even the nation or the world. Like it or not, what the NY Times says on the front page or in an editorial carries weight worldwide.
Recently the print press, most prominently the NY Times, has taken quite a hit for breaking a story regarding the federal government and their efforts to trace terrorists by following money. It is well worth noting that in addition to the NY Times and the LA Times, the Wall Street Journal, long considered a friend to conservatives, broke the story on the same day.
Responses range from “This is the responsibility of the press, break stories as they find them and let the American people sort it out and react as they see fit” to “It was a treasonous act and the media outlets who ran with story should be prosecuted.”
The Washington Post ran an article about a similar situation that took place in 1979 during the Iranian hostage crisis. It is a fascinating study of the Solomon like decisions the press is called on to make and how an individual and an industry responded.
After reading the article, it is fair to ask that in today’s environment (so many different media outlets, so much competitive pressure and news being viewed more as a tool for profits rather than a civic / corporate responsibility) – would the reaction have been the same?
I’m afraid that if forced to answer, I would say no. Given the same set of circumstances in today’s environment, it is almost impossible to believe that the story would not have been broken, regardless of the cost. Your thoughts?
Posted by sharris at 12:05 AM
July 28, 2006
Thanking our soldiers
A friend sent me a website that allows you, in less than a minute and at no cost, to send a postcard of support to our troops overseas.
Regardless of our individual politics, we can all support supporting our troops, so please take a minute and say thank you.
Posted by sharris at 12:02 AM
Radio show starts tomorrow!
My new talk radio show, California: The Alpha State, premiers tomorrow, Saturday, at 3:30 on News Talk KVTA 1520.
My first guest is Ventura County Supervisor Judy Mikels. Judy gives a very candid interview, touching on subjects including her recent defeat at the polls, Supervisor John Flynn and public safety.
If you live outside of the KVTA (Ventura County) listening area, the show is available now at my website – AlphaState.org.
In addition to the Mikels interview, I have also posted interviews with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Charles Weis and District Attorney Greg Totten.
As always, your feedback and suggestions are welcome. Thank you.
Posted by sharris at 12:01 AM
Ronald Reagan
No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.
Posted by sharris at 12:00 AM
July 27, 2006
Muslim fanatics want Americans dead
With all that is happening in the Middle East and with many people focused on September 11th and Osama bin Laden it is sometimes easy to forget how many times America has been attacked since 1979. The constant in every one of these attacks on America and Americans is “Muslim extremists”.
November 1979: The United States embassy was seized by Muslim extremists and for 444 days they held 52 Americans hostage. This is the one that’s seems to have started the ball rolling. Perhaps if we had gone in early and hard, things would have been different, then and now.
April 1983: Our embassy in Beirut was bombed by Muslim extremists, killing 16 Americans.
October 1983: U.S. Marine barracks at the Beirut airport were bombed by Hezbollah, killing 241 Marines.
December 1983: Muslim extremists, killing 5 and injuring 80, bombed The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait.
September 1984: The U.S. Embassy annex in Beirut was the site of another Hezbollah truck bomb, this one killing 24 people, including 2 of our servicemen.
June 14, 1985: TWA Flight 847 out of Athens was hijacked by Hezbollah (see a trend?) flown to Beirut. When their demands for a prisoner / hostage exchange were not met, the Muslims shot U.S. Navy diver Robert Dean Stethem and dumped his body on the tarmac.
October 1985: The Italian cruise ship, the Achille Lauro, was hijacked by the Libyan supported Palestine Liberation Front and 69-year-old American Leon Klinghoffer was shot him and his body was tossed overboard.
December 1985: Airports in Vienna and Rome were bombed, again by Muslim extremists, killing 20 people, 5 of them Americans.
April 1986: Libyan backed Muslim extremists bombed a discotheque in West Berlin, injuring hundreds and killing 2, including a U.S. soldier.
December 1988: Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed by Libyan backed Muslim extremists, killing 270 people.
February 1993: The war moves to American soil with Muslim extremists bombing the World Trade Center, wounding more than 1,000 and killing 6.
November 1995: 5 U.S. military servicemen are killed at the U.S. military headquarters in Saudi Arabia by a car bomb, once again courtesy of Muslim extremists.
June 1996: 19 American servicemen are killed and injuring hundreds are injured by a truck bomb at the Khobar Towers military complex, again by Muslim extremists.
August 1998: al-Qaida enters the world stage, killing 224 and injuring thousands with truck bombs at the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
October 2000: 17 U.S. sailors on the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Cole are killed when it is attacked by al-Qaida.
Sept. 11, 2001: Nearly 3,000 Americans are killed by al-Qaida attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.
These attacks – against America and Americans and by Muslim extremists - have been occurring for almost 30 years, under the watch of both Democratic and Republican presidents. Negotiations have proved futile, appeasement has failed and perhaps we need to accept the fact that a large group of people want us dead and show no signs of stopping, unless stopped.
Without a doubt, mistakes of omission and commission have been made by president after president, including Presidents Bush (commission) and Clinton (omission). However, the focus now needs to be on protecting America, Americans and American interests here and abroad. Let’s quit pretending that we are dealing with rational people who only need to be shown the value of working together in peaceful coexistence. The time for trying to “understand and work with” Muslim fanatics has passed and the time to protect ourselves is here.
Posted by sharris at 12:24 PM
Men & women – different?
The July 31st edition of Newsweek magazine has a fascinating article about a new book – certain to be controversial – that dares to suggest there might be hard-wire differences between male and female brains.
Written by neuropsychiatrist Louann Brizendine, The Female Brain, posits that there are biological and neurological differences between male and female brains. Ironically, Brizendine was faculty member at Harvard, where Lawrence Summers was recently forced out as president for even hinting at the same thing.
Many of us have been concerned for quite a while that “political correctness” had invaded areas of academia – including science – where it has no place, influencing research, results and published papers. If Harvard professors can be so frightened by their own president simply asking that they explore the possibility that there might be differences between men and women, imagine how many academics in lesser positions have been shut down.
The most telling statement from Brizendine is the following: “I know it’s not politically correct to say this and I’ve been torn for years between my politics and what science is telling us. But I believe that women actually perceive the world differently than men.”
The response from her peers will be enlightening and I predict angry and dismissive. Already Dr. Nancy Andreasen, psychiatrist at the University of Iowa said in response to the book, “Whatever measurable differences exist in the brain are used to oppress and suppress women.”
I wonder what the impact of Dr. Andreasen and those women who think like her will have on other women who want to explore new ideas. Any chance it will oppress and suppress them?
Posted by sharris at 12:09 AM
July 26, 2006
Terrorism television
I had an opportunity last night to meet and hear speak Clifford May, President of Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a nonpartisan policy group focused on promoting pluralism, defending democratic values and fighting those who promote terrorism. They have a very impressive Board of Directors and track record of defending democracies worldwide.
Not surprisingly, the focus last night was on the war in the Middle East and the potential ramifications for the United States and the world. Mr. May’s views, based on years of travel and extensive experience were interesting and the stories of two Lebanese Christians who spoke were gripping
However, perhaps the most notable part of the evening was the when I learned that primarily through the efforts of FDD, Hezbollah’s television station, Al-Manar is virtually shut down, having been designated by our Treasury Department as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization. I urge you to visit the FDD website, learn more about why this was so critical in the war against terrorism and the work that FDD is doing in continuing this battle. It’s an organization worth learning about and worth supporting.
Posted by sharris at 06:41 PM
July 24, 2006
Mayor, governor stand up for Israel!
A pro-Israel rally was held yesterday at the Jewish Federation in Los Angeles’ Fairfax district.
10,000 people came out and showed their support for Israel and their efforts to defend their homeland. The two most notable were Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who both publicly supported Israel, their cause and their right to defend themselves.
This is another bi-partisan effort by the pair, in this case offering their mutual support on a controversial issue. Most important, it is an example of leadership.
Not surprisingly, their support was not welcomed by Salam Al-Marayati of the Muslim Public Affairs Council who said “We take issue with the governor and the mayor taking sides on this issue…”
Of course they don’t want anyone taking sides – they are on the wrong side of this issue.
What they should be taking issue with is Lebanon being unwilling or unable to evict terrorists from their nation. They should take issue with Iran and Syria supporting Hezbollah and their publicly stated goal of destroying Israel and they should take issue with a group of terrorists murdering innocent people.
The last thing they should take issue with is Israel finally standing tall and taking the necessary steps to ensure their survival and our leaders supporting their actions!
Posted by sharris at 09:46 AM
Workers comp lunacy
For those who were concerned that gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides wasn’t liberal enough, rest easy.
Concerned that the tentative business recovery in California might continue, Angelides and his supporters have rallied around businesses best friend – the California Applicants’ Attorneys Association in an effort to peel back the minimal gains made in an effort to control spiraling workers comp costs.
Workers comp rates have long identified as the number one business killer in California and Governor Schwarzenegger had successfully brokered a deal that removed the most egregious of workers comp abuses and saved businesses more than $8 billion dollars.
If you would like to see our economic recovery continue, our businesses prosper, jobs created and employees rewarded, please write your representatives and let them know.
Posted by sharris at 12:01 AM
July 23, 2006
In support of term limits?
In today’s Los Angeles Times, Mark Petracca writes a thoughtful column on all the reasons that term limits are a good idea and should continue.
Most of his arguments make sense and are difficult to argue with, assuming you accept his unstated premise – California voters are too lazy or too dumb to be trusted to pick their own representatives.
If you did trust the voters, there would be no reason to have term limits. We would keep the good elected officials and drum out the ones that we no longer wanted in office. However, because the system is bad and voters can’t be trusted, we need to protect us from – us.
I have more confidence in the people of California than Mr. Petracca and believe our effort should be spent in informing voters, selecting better candidates and adjusting (rather than circumventing) the system to better fit our needs.
Interestingly enough, also in today’s Los Angles Times, is an excellent article about “brain drain” one of the dangers associated with term limits. Enjoy!
Posted by sharris at 03:09 PM
Lieberman and a 3rd Party
I was fortunate enough today to have two columns run in various newspapers.
The first is about Joe Lieberman, how much I respect him, how I hope he loses in the August 8th primary and why. It ran today in the Ventura County Star.
The second column, about the viability and perhaps even the inevitability of a national 3rd party originally ran in the Ventura County Star, but was picked up today by a couple of newspapers, including the Whittier Daily News and in light of the Lieberman piece, seems particularly appropriate.
As always, feedback, critiques and questions are encouraged. Thank you.
Posted by sharris at 01:40 PM
July 22, 2006
John Wooden - hero
The word hero is thrown around a little too often for my taste. a common definition is - a person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose. Sports are especially prone to hyperbole and sports writers, broadcasters and fans frequently confuse someone who is a great athlete for being a hero.
In my opinion, there are very few athletes who would qualify as heroes; Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson and John Wooden.
John Wooden is in the Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach, is undoubtedly the greatest college coach ever and is certainly on a very short list when discussing the greatest coaches of all time, regardless of sport.
Where he really shines is with the way he has led his life, helped his players grow into men and inspired millions. You can read more about his accomplishments and I hope you do.
However, what I’m writing about today is Congressman Brad Sherman’s effort to have a Reseda post office named after Coach Wooden. If you have an opportunity, please write Congressman Sherman and lend your support and enthusiasm to this effort. Thank you.
Posted by sharris at 12:24 AM
July 21, 2006
President Bush still seen as dumb
Regular readers of this blog may remember two recent entries (July 12th and 16th) about how the print media (since the mid-1860’s) and in particular the New York press love to attack the intelligence of Republican presidents.
I can’t figure out if they just think anyone who has a different belief system or set of values is by definition dumb, or if it’s the only way they know how to debate.
Today’s entry combines two of my favorites – Maureen Dowd and the New York Times.
If you ever wondered how many times you could insult a president, his intelligence and his priorities in only 750 words, take a look at her column. In case you don’t get a chance, here’s the column plug from the New York Times – “President Bush has enshrined his immaturity and insularity, turning every environment he inhabits into a comfortable frat house.”
However – don’t ever call the New York print media or Maureen Dowd liberal, anti-president or biased, unless you want to prove how dumb you are!
Maureen Dowd's July 19, 2006 op-ed....
Bush has enshrined his immaturity and insularity,
turning every environment he inhabits
— no matter how decorous or serious —
into a comfortable frat house
Reporters who covered W.’s 2000 campaign often wondered whether the Bush scion would give up acting the fool if he got to be the king.
Would he stop playing peekaboo with his pre-meal moist towels during airplane interviews? Would he quit scrunching up his face and wiggling his eyebrows at memorial services? Would he replace levity and inanity with gravity?
“In many regards, the Bush I knew did not seem to be built for what lay ahead,’’ wrote Frank Bruni, the Times writer who covered W.’s ascent, in his book “Ambling Into History.”
“The Bush I knew was part scamp and part bumbler, a timeless fraternity boy and heedless cutup, a weekday gym rat and weekend napster, an adult with an inner child that often brimmed to the surface or burst through.”
The open-microphone incident at the G-8 lunch in St. Petersburg on Monday illustrated once more that W. never made any effort to adapt.
The president has enshrined his immaturity and insularity, turning every environment he inhabits — no matter how decorous or serious — into a comfortable frat house.
No matter what the trappings or the ceremonies require of the leader of the free world, he brings the same DKE bearing and cadences, the same insouciance and smart-alecky attitude, the same simplistic approach — swearing, swaggering, talking to Tony Blair with his mouth full of buttered roll, and giving a startled Angela Merkel an impromptu shoulder rub. He can make even a global summit meeting seem like a kegger.
Catching W. off-guard, the really weird thing is his sense of victimization. He’s strangely resentful about the actual core of his job.
Even after the debacles of Iraq and Katrina, he continues to treat the presidency as a colossal interference with his desire to mountain bike and clear brush.
In snippets of overheard conversation, Mr. Bush says he has not bothered to prepare any closing remarks and grouses about having to listen to other world leaders talk too long. What did he think being president was about?
The world may be blowing up, and the president may have a rare opportunity to jaw-jaw about bang-bang with his peers, but that pales in comparison with his burning desire to return to his feather pillow and gym back at the White House.
“Gotta go home,’’ he tells the guy next to him. “Got something to do tonight. Go to the airport, get on the airplane and go home.”
A White House spokesman said Mr. Bush had nothing on his schedule after he returned to Washington on Monday about 4 p.m.
When he began meandering about how big Russia was, you expected him to yell, “Yo, Condi!’’ and ask his secretary of state: “Hey, what’s the name of that other big country that has more people than any other country in the world? It begins with a ‘C.’ Dad spent some time there.’’
Perhaps it’s that anti-patrician chip on his shoulder, his rebellion against a family that prized manners and diplomacy above all. But when bored or frustrated, W. reserves the right to be boorish — no matter if the setting is a gilded palace or a Texas gorge.
He treated Tony “As It Were” Blair like the servant in “The Remains of the Day,’’ blowing off his offer to help with the Israel-Lebanon crisis, and changing the subject from substance to fluff at one point, noting about his 60th-birthday Burberry gift: “Thanks for the sweater. Awfully thoughtful of you.’’
Then he razzed the British prime minister, who was hovering and wheedling like an abused wife: “I know you picked it out yourself.”
After doing his best to undermine the U.N. and Kofi Annan, W. talked about the secretary general like a fraternity pledge he wanted to send out for more beer or a keg of Diet Coke: “I felt like telling Kofi to get on the phone with Assad and make something happen.’’
His loosey-goosey confidence that everything could be fixed with a phone call — and not even a phone call made by him, and not even a phone call made to the Iranians, who have more control over Hezbollah — was striking.
He seems to have no clue that his own headlong, heedless actions in the Middle East have contributed to the deepening chaos there, and to Iran’s growing influence and America’s diminished leverage.
Mr. Bush may resent the sophistication required of a president. But when the world is going to hell, he should stop chewing and start thinking.
Maureen Dowd/NYT
Posted by sharris at 08:42 AM
Ta Mok is dead - finally
For those unfamiliar with Ta Mok (he died yesterday), he is the reason that you should root for the existence of hell and within hell, a special place for people like Ta Mok.
Ta Mok was second in command (to Pol Pot) in Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge, a terrorist regime that murdered 1.7 million (one out of every six) Cambodians. Their 44-month reign ended in 1979 when the Vietnamese invaded Cambodia.
Ta Mok, far more concerned with killing than ideology, later led a guerilla war against the Vietnamese, than purged the Khmer Rouge (removing Pol Pot) and followed that with an attack against the Cambodian government.
Ta Mok proves two things that many in the world are unwilling to admit.
First, there is evil in the world, personified by Ta Mok.
Second, the United Nations is borderline useless. The Cambodian genocide, orchestrated by Pol Pot and executed by Ta Mok is exactly what the United Nations was supposed to prevent and / or stop. They did neither. They stood by and watched – as they almost always do – while 1.7 million people were slaughtered.
Posted by sharris at 08:11 AM
July 19, 2006
Republic of San Francisco
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to make the city the nation's first to provide all residents with health care, approving a plan that would give adults access to medical services regardless of their immigration or employment status.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to make the city the nation's first to provide all residents with health care, approving a plan that would give adults access to medical services regardless of their immigration or employment status.
This was not a mistake; I just thought it was so important that it needed to be printed twice.
The anticipated cost is $200 million, though no one who has ever reviewed government cost estimates would expect it to be anything less than $500 million.
Roughly half the cost will come from the City, with the balance split between the participants (novel idea) and new forced tax on businesses with 20+ employees.
This means that businesses in San Francisco are now required to fund healthcare for the unemployed, illegal immigrants and anyone else who chooses to take up residency in San Francisco.
With the usual farsightedness that San Francisco politicians have historically shown, which do you think is more likely – a flood of new businesses, eager to pay an hourly penalty ranging from $1.06 to $1.60 per hour per employee, or a flood of people unable / unwilling to pay for their own healthcare who can now get it for FREE!
As the number of recipients grows, the business base shrinks and the cost estimates are adjusted to reflect reality, how long before San Francisco is dead to new business and begins to drive borderline businesses out of business – or at least out of San Francisco.
The mayor and the 11 supervisors are slapping each other on the back, reveling in the fact that they spent other peoples money and received almost universal support from those who will be receiving FREE healthcare and from those who do not have to pay for it. As usual, they do not understand or recognize the long term costs, the impact it will have on businesses and the city coffers and how many traditional city services will now be under funded as this program grows beyond the optimistic and unrealistic cost estimates used to sell it.
The question to ask is – what is the difference between this and socialism?
Posted by sharris at 12:12 AM
July 18, 2006
War of words
It strikes me that one of the issues we are dealing with in our effort to battle terrorism and protect our people and our country is that many in the nation do not see this as a serious problem, but rather a bit of a nuisance, or something that affects others – other people and other countries.
It is difficult to think of the challenges we currently face and not think back to the mid-1930’s, Adolf Hitler, Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill. People are dying daily in this struggle, Israel is once again on the brink of war, one that we would inevitably be drawn into and yet most of us go through our day-to-day lives as if nothing is happening.
Why? Surprisingly, both of my answers boil down to communication.
First, while the President Bush sees the problem and is making an effort to deal with it, he is a poor communicator and motivator and except for that short period immediately following September 11 has been unable to rally the country. It makes one long for a communicator / leader with the oratory skills of John F. Kennedy or Ronald Reagan. I have to believe that either man would have been able to rally the American people, make us understand the seriousness of the problem and the sacrifices required to meet and beat the problem.
The second is the cheapening of language, specifically the word war. There was a time that the word meant something. It has been so cheapened by its use as to have lost its impact. We have the War on Drugs, War on Poverty and now the War on Terror. The last few days, many of our media pundits are throwing around the term “start of World War III”.
I’m afraid that with the combination of a watered down language and a president who is at best a poor communicator, we have lost the ability to motivate the American people and to make us understand the dangers we face and the consequences of underestimating or ignoring those dangers.
While I am not certain where the answer lies, we can certainly start at home by using language and words as they were meant to be used and on a political level by demanding more from those we elect to represent and lead us.
Posted by sharris at 10:11 AM
July 17, 2006
Daily News misses mark on term limits
The Daily News this morning ran an editorial that completely misses the mark on term limits.
They take the most cynical view possible, attacking the League of Women Voters and the Los Angles Area Chamber of Commerce and assuming that extending term limits has to be bad, because politicians support it. This is the worst type of op-ed, assuming weakness or dark, nefarious motivations behind those who disagree with your position, rather than trying to understand why there can be an honest well-intentioned difference of options that should be explored.
They claim that Californians do not support term limit elimination or extension, but offer no support for their position. They avoid discussion of any of the legitimate and valuable reasons for extending or eliminating term limits.
First, a principled point of view. We, as voters, should be allowed to put and keep anyone in office that we choose. If we’re too dumb or lazy to run bad politicians out of office, then it’s our mistake and when they get bad enough, maybe we’ll wake up.
Second. A glaring example of why term limits are a problem exists right in the Daily News backyard – Keith Richman, Republican Assemblymen for the 38th Assembly District and most important – a moderate and sensible voice. Keith, after six solid years in Sacramento has been termed out and not only the 38th, but the entire state is losing a strong and important voice of reason.
The list of reasons that term limits are bad extends even further and includes far too much turnover, no institutional knowledge, and too short of a time frame to learn and then perform a good job.
To the Daily News, please debate ideas without resorting to attacking the motives of those who have a different point-of-view than yours and to the readers, please take some time to learn a bit more about why the state (on local, regional and a statewide level) will be better off with either extending or eliminating term limits.
Posted by sharris at 09:34 AM
July 16, 2006
Dumb ol’ President Bush vs. LA Times
It was only Wednesday of this week (see blog entry for the 12th) that I wrote about the New York print media’s time-honored tradition (dating back to at least 1860) of attacking the intelligence of Republican presidents and presidential candidates.
Apparently the Los Angles Times felt a bit left out and so they ran a nice long op-ed this morning focused solely on pointing out that yes, the president really is dumb. The proof is that he does not read enough to satisfy the writer and also puts too much trust in his advisors, especially, God forbid, if the people the president picks to advise him show confidence in their positions.
Now, neither the Los Angeles Times, nor writer Jonathan Chait, can be accused of being a friend of the presidents, but isn’t this getting a bit tired? It is also insulting to anyone who supports the president, as the underlying tone is how could anyone be so dumb as to vote for someone so dumb?
No doubt the president has made decisions that Mr. Chait and the Times are having difficulty understanding and certainly do not support. However, it would be an interesting twist of they could attribute those differences to policy decisions and not a lack of intelligence. Perhaps, then we could have intelligent dialogue between the parties and a better chance of reaching an understanding.
Posted by sharris at 08:29 AM
July 15, 2006
Redistricting and Term Limits
The Los Angeles Times continues to cover Governor Schwarzenegger and the state legislatures effort to reach a compromise that will allow for true redistricting and an extension of term limits.
It is my personal opinion, as well as the opinion of Golden Again, that this would be a significant step forward in Bringing Accountability to Sacramento. To learn more about why this would be a positive step forward, please visit our website.
The plan, as it stands, would create an independent 11-person committee to redistrict the state, while at the same time extending term limits beyond the existing six for an assemblyperson and eight for a state senator. If some form of this compromise passes and we can get the parties to open up the primaries, we have a chance to bring reason and moderation to Sacramento. It’s worth taking a few minutes and writing your representatives an email, letting them know you’re behind this effort. Have a great weekend!
Posted by sharris at 10:01 AM
July 14, 2006
Abel Maldonado – California or Mexico first?
For those who have been following the story, State Senator Abel Maldonado, who failed in his effort to become the Republican candidate for California state controller and was angry that Governor Schwarzenegger had not supported his candidacy, came out earlier this week and blasted the Governor.
Predictably, having had a day to think about his political future, he quickly and weakly backtracked. On Tuesday, according to Maldonado, "Our governor cares about one thing only, and that's Arnold Schwarzenegger." But by Wednesday with his already faltering political future hanging in the balance, Maldonado decided “I will continue to support the governor in his efforts to strengthen California."
The loop was closed when the Governors office magnanimously and predictably accepted the apology and another episode of Days of Our Sacramento Lives quickly came to a close.
However, the most frightening part of this episode has been mostly overlooked. While still angry and presumingly candid, Maldonado – the states highest ranking Latino Republican – stated the Governor had shown a lack of respect to California’s Latinos by spending too little time in Mexico.
Have we reached a point where major statewide elected officials believe the Governor of California’s commitment to Californians should be judged by the frequency and length of his visits to a foreign country? Does Senator Maldonado’s indignation extend to other nationalities or ethnicities, or is it simply Mexicans who are disrespected by the Governor of our state not paying tribute to Mexico?
The battle over illegal immigration will continue for a long time in this nation, the issue is difficult and offers no easy answers. However, I think we can all get behind the idea that the Governor’s commitment to his constituents and the citizens of California should be judged by his efforts in California and on behalf of Californians.
Posted by sharris at 12:52 PM
July 13, 2006
Judy Mikels
As some of you know, I have a new radio show starting July 29th. Yesterday, I recorded the first of those shows.
My guest was Judy Mikels, Ventura County Supervisor, 4th District.
Judy was a terrific guest, candid and thoughtful. She addressed a variety of issues and subjects on a local, state and national level. I wanted to publicly thank Judy for joining me and to encourage you to listen. Thank you.
Posted by sharris at 06:11 AM
July 12, 2006
Are all Republicans dumb?
No honest reader of the New York Times can deny that the newspaper, especially in its editorials, leans to the left. Anymore than a viewer of Fox News could rationally deny their leanings to the right.
I think it’s sad that one of the nations, even the worlds, leading newspapers is so transparently biased. Their attacks on President Bush consistently allude to, if not outright declare, that he not very bright. I remember these same attacks were made against President Reagan, while at the same time; Democratic President’s Carter (perhaps the nations worst president) and Clinton are frequently applauded for their intelligence.
What I didn’t know was that the New York Times is following a time honored tradition of New York newspapers belittling the intelligence of Republican presidential candidates.
“The conduct of the republican party in this nomination is a remarkable indication of small intellect, growing smaller. They pass over… statesman and able men, and they take up a fourth rate lecturer, who cannot speak good grammar.”
--- The New York Herald (May 19, 1860), commenting on Abraham Lincoln’s nomination for president.
Posted by sharris at 07:36 AM
July 11, 2006
Straight down the middle
Because I think moderation and centrist thinking are so important to the future success of California – and of the nation – I like to highlight steps in that direction.
Today’s Los Angeles Daily News ran a solid editorial addressing exactly that issue. It is well written and another in the thousands of steps that will need to be taken before reform catches hold and our election system makes room for a few moderates.
Please send me your ideas and always send any links you think would be important to share. Thank you.
Posted by sharris at 10:44 PM
New radio show - California: The Alpha State
I have a new talk radio show starting Saturday, July 29th. KVTA AM 1520 and KKZZ AM 1590 AM will be carrying the show – California: The Alpha State – Saturdays at 3:00.
If you live outside of the Ventura County area, you can catch the show on their website or mine.
We have some great guests lined up, including Judy Mikels discussing her career as a county supervisor, District Attorney Greg Totten discussing the Oxnard injunction and Ventura County School Superintendent Dr. Charles Weis discussing a variety of issues, all relating to education.
More information is available on my website. I hope you’ll listen to the show, live Saturdays at 3:00 or check out AlphaState.org for the archives. Thank you.
Posted by sharris at 04:06 PM
July 10, 2006
Washington Mutual follow-up
Yesterday’s column in the Ventura County Star has created quite an email storm.
In brief, I address the issue of an ad campaign that attacks white males. The emails I received ran about 8-1 in favor of the column. Most of the supportive emails took the “It’s about time” approach. Quite a few readers, male and female, felt that it’s about time that we stop picking on white males.
The handful of responses that were negative ranged from calling me racist and anti-Semitic (which will come as a surprise to my Jewish wife) to some very thoughtful communication. Those varied, starting with, since white males have historically controlled most of corporate and political America, we are responsible for most of the countries ills and should accept this as part of our penance, to, since white males still control most of America, we should just shut up and take this and finally, to – you’ve got to be kidding, you don’t have anything more important to think about☺
I write my columns as a way of expressing my point of view, as an effort to start conversations, as a way to engage with people who are kind enough to read what I write, but mostly – to learn. With this column, I learned quite a bit about the range of emotions that people have on this issue. Thank you to all of those who took the time to read the column and respond. Please keep it up.
Posted by sharris at 10:00 PM
July 09, 2006
Did Washington Mutual cross the line?
Today’s column in the Ventura County Star takes a look at the current Washington Mutual ad campaign. WaMu humorously stereotypes and effectively lampoons a group of bankers. If the group was anything other than white males, there would be outrage, so why is this OK?
Posted by sharris at 07:35 AM
July 08, 2006
The middle is a lonely place
The Los Angeles Daily News has a front-page interview today with Keith Richman, one of Sacramento’s good guys.
The focus of the interview is Keith’s frustration in being a moderate and trying to get anything done in Sacramento. He discusses the difficulty of getting moderates to Sacramento, the difficulty in keeping them in Sacramento and the difficulty in getting anything done, as a moderate, in Sacramento.
He further discusses some of the reforms that need to happen, reforms which are consistent with with the goals of an organization, Golden Again, that I am executive director of.
I share this with you because I have tremendous respect for Keith, believe this article highlights the source problem for the issues in California and because Keith is going to be a guest on my new radio show California: The Alpha State.
Please read the article and if you have questions for Keith, email me and I’ll try to work them into the show. Thank you!
Posted by sharris at 09:35 AM
July 07, 2006
Superman Returns - but I won't
Superman Returns has opened to pretty good reviews and solid box office results. I enjoy going to the movies and I prefer to watch “big” movies like Superman at the theater.
But I’m going to skip this one.
Since Superman was introduced in 1932, he has stood for “truth, justice and the American Way.” However, screenwriter Michael Dougherty has decided that Superman now stands for “truth, justice and all that stuff.”
As the owner of an advertising agency, I understand the marketing motivation of having to appeal to audiences worldwide and even within America, many no longer believe in the American Way. This includes Dougherty who says about the change “They’re talking about what the “American way” meant back in the ‘40s and ‘50’s, which was something more noble and idealistic.
This is where he loses me. I believe America is noble and more now than ever, as we stand alone, we need to support her. Mr. Dougherty and those who share his beliefs do not feel good about our country and make conscience decisions to distance themselves from America.
My position is simple. I am not asking for a boycott of Superman Returns or for Mr. Dougherty to be hung in effigy and I certainly support his right to make a movie that if not anti-America, at least distances itself from our great country. I simply choose not to watch this film, or as I do with Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon (both fine actors) projects, I will not watch future films that Mr. Dougherty participates in. I am certain this will cause me to miss some fine movies, and equally certain it will not impact Mr. Dougherty’s choices, but I sleep a bit better at night knowing I do not support those who do not support America.
Posted by sharris at 12:03 AM
July 06, 2006
Flag Burning
The nation continues to debate the issue of a constitutional amendment banning the burning of the American Flag. Conservatives have rallied their troops by tying the amendment to patriotism and liberals have somehow wrapped their “right” to burn the flag around Freedom of Speech and the 1st Amendment of the Bill of Rights.
Some particularly anti-American citizens even hosted a flag-burning rally on the 4th of July. These are the sad ones, those who through ignorance or a lack of maturity confuse a right to do something with it being right to do.
However, the saddest of all are those who equate the burning of the American flag to the highest levels of patriotism. This is as asinine as arguing the KKK burning a cross at a black church promotes diversity or a good old-fashioned book burning is the strongest possible support of literacy. Flag burning is a vile, violent act, designed to cause harm and I see no difference between Muslim fanatics burning the American flag and American citizens burning our flag.
However, the debate does bring to mind a quote usually attributed to Voltaire – “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
While I think it’s quite possible that the United States Supreme Court has stretched the definition of Freedom of Speech beyond its original intentions and beyond reason, as it stands, flag burning is allowed.
But, that does not change the fact that it is a despicable act, intentionally done to hurt those who most love this country and those who participate in the burning of an American flag, regardless of citizenship or country of origin, are beneath contempt.
Posted by sharris at 01:13 PM
July 02, 2006
Mexico's problems
In an upcoming column I wrote about Washington Mutual and their racist ad campaign “Banker’s Pen”, there is a throwaway line about how easy it is for the world to blame all of their problems on America.
Today, Mexico will be electing a new President, either leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who has a slight lead going into the election, or conservative Felipe Calderon.
Jumping on the “blame the U.S.” bandwagon, Lopez Obrador has been campaigning, in part, by blaming Mexico’s economic ills on the United States. He is joined by many “experts”, including some in the United States, who hold us responsible for Mexico’s problems, with NAFTA (which Mexico voluntarily agreed to participate in back in 1994) being at the heart of our offenses.
Lopez Obrador has committed to not honoring some sections of NAFTA’s commitment and his chief economic advisor, Rogelio Ramirez de la O is asking for a full review of NAFTA. Says Ramirez de la O “We think that this is high time for a due diligence on NAFTA… We have to recognize where things have not worked out.”
Many of those blaming the United States point out that on issues like NAFTA we tend to put American interests first.
I think it’s high time we stand up and acknowledge that in every decision we make, every act we take and every move we contemplate – we should and will put America first. Without apology, without second thoughts and without guilt. We should certainly never look to harm another country or group of people and we should help where we can, but America first should always be our policy.
In the meantime – here’s hoping that conservative Felipe Calderon is Mexico’s new President!
Posted by sharris at 07:34 AM
July 01, 2006
Great week for the Republic!
This week, once again, America proved why it is the greatest nation on earth, now or ever.
On Thursday, the United States Supreme Court told the President of the United States, the nation and the world that he overstepped his boundaries, that trials held in Guantanamo Bay were illegal under United States and international law.
We also spent a good part of the week debating the print medias disclosure of a government program that tracked millions of financial records in search of terrorists. The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, neither generally considered a friend of the Presidents, both defended their decision to run with the story, in spite of efforts by the government to stop the stories and strong rebukes by the President and Vice President after they ran.
It is well worth noting that the Wall Street Journal, generally considered a conservative newspaper, also ran with the story and have since defended their decision, though distancing themselves from the New York Times reasoning.
The magic of this is that both decisions went directly against the wishes of the most powerful man in the world, the President of the United States. The danger to the Supreme Court or the press – zero. Nada, zip, zilch. We have a country where difficult decisions are made and systems are in place to check those decisions. Whether or not you agree with the President on either or both of his positions, you have to be heartened that we as a nation, can debate the decisions, even stop or reverse the Presidents actions and we keep moving forward, keep functioning as a nation. No bloodshed, no changing of Supreme Court Justices, no shutting down of the media.
Maybe, as we begin enjoying our Independence Day weekend, this is the greatest gift the Founding Fathers gave us. I kind of wish it was Thanksgiving, because we have lots to be thankful for!
Posted by sharris at 11:35 PM
