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April 30, 2007
Global warming!
55 million years ago we had massive global warming (known as the Paleicene-Eocene Thermal Maximum), with greenhouse gases reaching concentrations hundreds of times greater than what we are facing today. In a short period of time (10,000 years) the worlds temperature went up by 9 degrees Fahrenheit, the world changed and it took almost 200,000 years before it cooled down.
Many scientists attribute this to extreme periods of volcanic activity, but others are still searching for answers. That this event happened is a scientific fact and the best minds in the world have had years to review it, but cannot come to agreement on the cause.
No matter what their theories, no matter how much they hate President Bush, or love Al Gore, it’s hard to pin this one on the president and SUV’s. It should also serves a reminder that there is much that we do not know and if scientists cannot come to agreement on something that has already happened, why it is unreasonable to think that rational people can have different opinions on what might happen in the future – and why.
Posted by sharris at 12:25 AM
April 29, 2007
California: The Alpha State – This Week in media
My California: The Alpha State newspaper column this week is about the divisive issue of abortion and the reality of the 40 million that have occurred since 1973.
I also encourage you to listen to this week’s California: The Alpha State radio interview. My guest this weekend is Mark Pisano, Executive Director of the Southern California Association of Governments. We discuss air quality, transportation and other infrastructure issues and the struggle of bringing 186 entities together to work toward a common goal.
Each week I do a second column, column, This Week in Politics and Policy , with a quick overview of what’s happened in the state in the past week. I also do a radio version of the column, which you might enjoy.
Thank you and have a terrific weekend!
Posted by sharris at 09:14 PM
April 26, 2007
McCain’s announces candidacy
I follow politics fairly closely and frankly enjoy watching campaigns unfold. In many ways, it has replaced sports as entertainment for me.
That being said, am I the only one that didn’t know Senator John McCain had not already announced his candidacy?
Posted by sharris at 07:47 AM
April 25, 2007
Faulkner
"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary."
-- William Faulkner
Posted by sharris at 10:43 AM
LA Times misses the point
In an editorial today, the Los Angles Times asks the administration to pay particular attention to a poll (University of Maryland) that shows that we are losing support among Muslims, even from countries that we would consider less ant-American than others. The poll also shows that Muslim support for Bin Laden has also eroded.
Thrown in at the end of the piece is a note that less than ¼ of those surveyed believe Bin Laden was behind 9/11 and les than 2% of those polled in Pakistan think that Bin Laden masterminded the attack.
If those polled start with the premise that Bin Laden, who has repeatedly begged to be given credit for the attacks, was not involved in 9/11, why is any part of the poll taken seriously? That we are losing the PR battle among Muslims was pretty much a given before the poll. This is the inherit danger of direct democracy, that it doesn’t matter how ignorant those polled are, our elected officials should listen to them and react in accordance with their wishes. Love him or hate him, President Bush has proven to be the politician most resistant to governing by polls in modern history. While I think listening a bit more to the American people would serve him well, the Times request that he base American policies on polls of those we are at war with seems a bit much. I am almost certain that Roosevelt would not have polled well among the Japanese and the Germans in the early 1940’s, but I equally certain that listening would have been a mistake.
Posted by sharris at 06:37 AM
Reid tries comic touch
Vice president Dick Cheney was upset that Senate majority Leader Harry Reid has declared that the Iraq war has already been lost. Said Cheney, “It is cynical to declare that the war is lost because you believe it gives you political advantage.” I agree with Cheney that Reid, or any American leader, should not announce they feel the war is lost, regardless of their reason. It rarely does the team good for the coach to announce in the 3rd quarter that they believe the game is over.
However, adding comic relief to a difficult situation, was Reid’s response, “I’m not going to get into a name-calling match with the administration’s chief attack dog.” What exactly is the phrase “chief attack dog” if it’s not name calling?
Posted by sharris at 06:23 AM
April 24, 2007
Nunez stands up to Pelosi
Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) stood up to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week, in a move that surprised many. Nunez, against the wishes of the powerful Democrat Pelosi, proposed a bipartisan commission redraw both California legislative districts and congressional districts.
Pelosi didn’t care about the legislative districts, but fears that an honest redistricting might put a couple of congressional districts in play, tip the balance of power in Washington and cost her the Speakers job.
Nunez very logically said, “Because if it’s good enough for the state Legislature, it ought to be good enough for Congress.”
While any honest redistricting plan faces an uphill battle, having Nunez on your side carries quite a bit of political weight. Stranger things have happened. Not many, but they have☺
Posted by sharris at 12:00 AM
April 23, 2007
Cho was a murderer
The massacre last week at Virginia Tech has not yet blossomed into a full-blown political issue, but it soon will and I would be remiss if I didn’t say something.
First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their friends and family. As an American, a parent and a father of two who are heading off to college this year, I am devastated by what happened – as we all are. I also am struck that I have been reading this week about a gunman and some students who were killed. I have not once read about a murderer and those he murdered. Let’s be clear and accurate: Cho was a murderer.
Calling him a gunman seems to blame the gun as much or more than Cho. If he had poisoned the students, would he be known as chemist? The 32 students and teachers were not killed, they were murdered. Someone is killed in a tragic automobile accident. If a deranged, suicidal maniac systematically and intentionally mows you down with guns – you were murdered. Since there were 32 victims, it was a mass murder.
Why is it so hard for the media to say this? Why is the word “evil” not used? Why is the press already looking to help justify the acts “of a tortured, misunderstood, scared student”? We need to acknowledge this act for exactly what is was before we can learn from it and perhaps stop the next one. Hiding behind language to minimize the level of evil – and the results – is an insult to all of us, but most of all to the 32 victims.
The debates (“college security,” “gun control,” “who’s responsible,” “who will pay,” etc.) will heat up over the next few days and weeks as this shifts from a tragedy to an opportunity. Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) couldn’t even wait one day before saying, “The unfortunate situation in Virginia could have been avoided if congressional leaders stood up to the gun lobby.” Let’s not make this a political football, play partisan politics, and destroy additional lives by blaming innocent people for the act of a madman. If we can do that, maybe there is a silver lining to this tragedy.
Posted by sharris at 07:08 AM
Democrats healthcare plan
Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) and Senate President pro tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) have announced they will work together to iron out minor differences in healthcare plans they have been working on and then take the combined plan to the Legislature and the people.
The announcement is a bit of a slap at Governor Schwarzenegger who has been so caught up in talking about post-partisanship, that he has not moved forward with his universal healthcare plan. This is shaping up to be quite a battle. Still sitting at the little kids table and hoping their votes will matter are Sacramento Republicans. Unless they want to become even more marginalized, Republicans are going to have to do something other than try and remind us that they are still there and still important. How about an idea?
Posted by sharris at 12:43 AM
April 22, 2007
Middle East capital
The news this weekend is filled with stories of a war ravaged Middle Eastern capital that in the last three days has seen another 113 people killed in fighting led by Islamic insurgents. One local leader said, “Today was one of the worst days of shelling yet…. We call on both sides to cease this war immediately.”
Close to 1/3 of the capital’s population has fled in the past three months and suicide bombers are killing dozens of people.
Baghdad? No. Mogadishu, Somalia.
The story is painfully familiar and happens with or without U.S. involvement. It doesn’t appear that U.S. or U.N. troops are the answer for these civil wars. The leaders of these groups are like rabid dogs and while we may, may, be able to pull them apart for a while, eventually we have to let them go and they are right back at it. While I hate the idea of simply containing the area and hoping the violence is isolated to the Middle East (a perhaps unrealistic hope), none of the alternatives we’ve tried seem to be working.
Perhaps a region almost permanently torn by civil war(s) is not suited to peace and/or democracy. It strikes me that until there is evidence contrary to what we are witnessing, maybe U.S. blood should not be spilled in the Middle East. Politics aside, if it doesn’t make sense in Iraq (and indicators are that it doesn’t), it also doesn’t make sense in Iran, Darfur or Somalia.
Posted by sharris at 10:36 AM
April 21, 2007
California: The Alpha State – This Week in media
California: The Alpha State – This Week in media
My California: The Alpha State newspaper column this week is about the business of racism in America and how racists come in all colors.
I also encourage you to listen to this week’s California: The Alpha State radio interview. My guest this weekend is Dr. Jim Fishkin, Stanford professor and the “father” of Deliberative Polling. He discusses how the process he developed engages citizens and brings about better decisions.
Each week I do a second column, column, This Week in Politics and Policy , with a quick overview of what’s happened in the state in the past week. I also do a radio version of the column, which you might enjoy.
Thank you and have a terrific weekend!
Posted by sharris at 02:31 AM
April 19, 2007
Cho Seung-Hui was a murderer
I have been reading this week about a gunman and some students who were killed. I have not once read about a murderer and those he murdered. Cho was a murderer. Calling him a gunman seems to blame the gun as much or more than Cho. If he had poisoned the students – would he be known as chemist? The 32 students and teachers were not killed, they were murdered. You are killed in a tragic automobile accident. If a deranged, suicidal maniac systematically and intentionally mows you down with guns – you were murdered. Since there were 32 victims – it was a mass murder.
Why is it so hard for the media to say this? Why is the word evil not used? Why is the press already looking to help justify the acts “of a tortured, misunderstood, scared student”? We need to acknowledge this act for exactly what is was before we can begin to learn from it and perhaps stop the next one. Hiding behind language to minimize the level of evil – and the results – is an insult to all of us, but mostly to the 32 victims.
Posted by sharris at 07:40 AM
Sudan and the U.N.
Sudan President Omar Hassan Ahmed Bashir, bowing to pressure from Chine, the United States and the United Nations is allowing 3,000 international peacekeepers into Sudan in an effort to stop the slaughter. An estimated 200,000 people have been massacred since 2003 and an additional 2 million have been displaced.
The initial 3,000 is considered a precursor of a force that may reach 20,000. Bshir was forced to accept this action because of threats of U.N. sanctions; sanctions that would further devastate an already devastated country.
I applaud the effort and hope and pray that the United Nations is successful. However, I have to wonder, in light of the fact that Saddam Hussein’s regime massacred far more people during his reign than have so far been killed here, what is the difference? Why is the U.N. willing to step up now, with support from so many counties, when they would do nothing to stop Saddam? It would seem that either we step in to stop internal slaughter, or we don’t. Where are the outraged counties, decrying this attack on Sudan’s sovereignty? Where is the U.N. policy and where is the consistency?
Posted by sharris at 12:30 AM
April 18, 2007
Darrow
"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure."
-- Clarence Darrow
Posted by sharris at 10:42 AM
Mexico needs immigrants
BusinessWeek published a report last week that 82% of Mexican companies report having trouble filling jobs. Among the needs are factory workers and laborers. Only those with no sense of humor or irony would not be amused by this.
Posted by sharris at 12:54 AM
Zbigniew Brzezinski
Rumors have been floating that American military commandoes have been operating in Iran, with the rumors going as far as suggesting they may be involved in terrorist acts. Even for the most enthusiastic of the anti-Americans, it seems like a bit of a stretch. However, far be it from a President Jimmy Carter’s national security advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski pass up an opportunity to attack America. Said ZB, “There are some legitimate questions that (Iran) may be concerned about, such as: It is true…. That American commandoes are operating in Iran? It’s not an idle question. “ he says, adding: “I don’t know, but I’ve seen allegations to the effect, and I do know that people are getting killed by acts of terrorism, and if it’s not us, then who else could it be?”
The level of betrayal of America and anti-Americanism that ZB shows is beyond the pale. He actually said that since there are unconfirmed rumors, the most likely guilty party has to be the United States. This acceptance of rumors and assumption of American guilt is to be expected from Rosie O’Donnell, fanatical left-wing college professors or young students – but a former NSA? It shows how deep anti-Americanism runs in some Americans and is a sad commentary of what we have to deal with.
Posted by sharris at 12:31 AM
April 17, 2007
Virginia Tech
As an American, a parent and a father of two who are heading off to college this year, I am devastated by what happened – as we all are.
The debates (college security, gun-control, etc.) will heat up over the next few days as this moves from a tragedy to an opportunity. Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) couldn’t even wait one day before saying “The unfortunate situation in Virginia could have been avoided if congressional leaders stood up to the gun lobby.”
Lawsuits will start soon as well. No American tragedy is complete without someone, or a collection of someones, trying to capitalize financially. Even as this is written, teams of attorneys from around the country are positioning themselves to handle the class action suit against Virginia Tech.
In the end, I believe the scariest and most frustrating part of all of this is left unspoken, because it is so difficult to accept. It’s going to happen again and we can’t stop it.
It’s part of the price we pay to have a free society. We can’t lockdown thousands of college campuses around the country and even if we could, what about the high schools, Little League games, post offices and shopping malls?
Bottom line is that an insane person, especially one willing to sacrifice their life, has the ability to destroy other lives. Remove every gun in this country (an impossibility) and he could still ram a crowd with a car or blow up a bridge. Guns are a convenient, readily available and efficient vehicle for committing mass murders, but they are not unique or the only possible way for a psychopath to kill.
Like all of us, my heart aches and my prayers go out to the victims and their families. I also pray that we do not try and blame the university president, or the local police department. In retrospect, there are always things we can learn – and we should. However, the blame for this lies with the young man who was sick enough to do this and coward enough to kill himself. Let’s try to avoid making this a political football, dividing the nation along party lines and destroying additional lives by blaming innocent people for the act of a madman. If we can do that, maybe there is a silver lining to this tragedy.
If not, the damage caused by this man will extend far beyond the 32 lives he took yesterday.
Posted by sharris at 08:53 AM
April 14, 2007
Little League gets small
Traditional baseball chatter has been banned by Little League in Greater Cincinnati. No more “batter, batter” or “swing” and certainly no more “Pitcher has a rubber arm”. League president Dave Epplen said, “Honest to gosh, I didn’t have any trouble doing this.” Epplen was concerned that kids that struck out might feel bad. Here’s a little tip for Epplen, kids that strike out do feel bad, kids who make errors feel bad and kids who lose games feel bad. It’s part of growing up! How sanitized do you want the kids lives to be? In my own Little League experience (as a parent), we had parents who wanted to ban All-Stars, or have the kids picked randomly and other parents who wanted to stop keeping score because they didn’t like the idea of kids “losing”. Much of life involved wining and losing, success and failure. Pretending it doesn’t exist just cripples these kids who at some point in their lives will find out that everything doesn’t – and shouldn’t – go their way.
Disclosure - as a pretty bad ballplayer as a kid, my biggest contribution to the team may have been creative banter.
However, my guess is that this is much more about the parents of the kids who strike out, not the kids. Playful banter is a part of Little League and for children, is a part of life. Winning – and losing – are important experiences and a key component of growing up. Let kids experience being kids, with all it’s ups and downs and they’ll be happier and better adjusted as adults. Play ball!
Posted by sharris at 12:50 AM
California: The Alpha State – This week in media
My California: The Alpha State newspaper column this week is about the 50th anniversary of the Economic Union and why the EU will never really rival the United States. I admit to being unabashedly patriotic and hope you enjoy the column.
I also encourage you to listen to this week’s California: The Alpha State radio interview. My guest this weekend is Mark Schneipp, Executive Director of the California Economic Forecast on to discuss the economic conditions in California and throughout the nation, what’s happening in the housing market and how it will impact you and demographic trends in California and what they mean to those of us who already live here.
Each week I do a second column, column, This Week in Politics and Policy , with a quick overview of what’s happened in the state in the past week. I also do a radio version of the column, which you might enjoy.
Thank you and have a terrific weekend!
Posted by sharris at 12:48 AM
April 13, 2007
Children in charge
President Bush is willing to meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but is unwilling to negotiate regarding a timetable for removing troops from Iraq. For those who support President Bush (a shrinking group), this is another example of his character, his willingness to fight for what he believes in, even when it is not popular. For his detractors, with numbers growing daily, this again proves that he is stubborn, unwilling to change and completely out of touch with the American people.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is willing to negotiate, but not to meet. Her position is that if the President takes a troop withdrawal timetable off the table, there is no reason to meet. This refusal comes from a woman who flew half way around the world to meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad. She handled the trip poorly, went against the wishes of the President and the State Department and irritated Israel by misrepresenting their position. While she is willing to meet the leader of a country that is home to Hezbollah and is listed as a state sponsor of terror, she is unwilling to meet with the leader of the free world and of her country.
Both President Bush and Nancy Pelosi are making huge mistakes. We have a president who refuses to even discuss an option that a majority of Americans have indicated they want and a House Speaker who is willing to meet with a terrorist, but not her president. The unwillingness of our leaders to meet and discuss issues is another indicator that they both place politics above the people of the United States. Once again, how are we supposed to believe that our leaders have our best interests at heart when they refuse to be in the same room as each other? It is an embarrassment for both of them, for their parties and for our system. Maybe Syrian President Assad could act a go between?
Posted by sharris at 07:26 AM
One down
I wrote yesterday that I hope to see Don Imus, Alberto Gonzales and Mike Nifong fired. Only hours later, Imus was fired, though admittedly, it’s possibly not as a direct result of my blog. However, one down, two to go!
Posted by sharris at 07:25 AM
April 12, 2007
Fire ‘Em, Fire ‘Em All!
Let me start with a disclaimer. I am not normally someone who feels that any / every mistake requires a firing. I do believe in second chances. However, in three recent cases, I find myself in favor of people being fired.
1. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. I acknowledge that he has not been tried and might be innocent. However, he is the nation’s highest-ranking law enforcement officer and has a responsibility above the letter of the law. It appears that he has purposely mislead us on a number of issues, his own people are either countering his versions or refusing to testify, the President himself does not want Gonzales’ staff to testify under oath and as a result, the American people have justifiable lost confidence in our Attorney General – his abilities, motives and honesty. It seems to me that the United States Attorney General has to be above reproach and that while we can disagree with his decisions, his character has to be unassailable. For these reasons, I support the call for his dismissal.
2. Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong. As with Gonzales, Nifong should be considered innocent until proven guilty. However, as with Nifong, he has a responsibility that extends beyond the letter of the law. He has abused his position, damaged the reputation of District Attorney’s around the country and needs to be let go. Further, if the charges being leveled against him are true, he should be prosecuted and imprisoned – for as long as the young Duke players would have been imprisoned had they been convicted.
3. Radio shock jock Don Imus. This is not a matter of innocence or guilt; it is simply a business decision. My personal view is that guys like Imus should be legally allowed on the radio (as much as I despise their shows and how hard they work to bring out the worst in people), but I would hope that more business’ would stand up to guys like this and not advertise, promote and condone what they do. This is a perfect opportunity for sponsors and media companies to walk away and maybe, just maybe, raise the bar slightly above the gutter.
Posted by sharris at 12:43 AM
April 11, 2007
Earmarks marked
The White House has created a website that lists all earmarks for the 2004-05 fiscal year.
It’s a great start for showing the American people how Congress hid 13,496 earmarks (budget items buried in nonrelated bills) that totaled billions of dollars. As Representative Jeff Flake (R-Az) said, “I think when taxpayers take a look, they’ll be quite upset at how their dollars are being spent.”
It was a good start by the White House, but it doesn’t go far enough, omitting two key pieces of information.
First, it does not list the sponsoring lawmaker and second, it does include any earmarks requested from the President and his administration. Without this information, it is hard to hold anyone accountable and to see how involved the administration is in this shameful practice.
Posted by sharris at 12:20 AM
April 10, 2007
Mars / Global Warming
The Los Angeles Times ran an article Saturday, Clue to Mars’ warming is seen.
It seems that the surface temperature on mars has grown 1% since the 1970’s. According to scientists, this “Global Warming” is at least partially to blame on wind-driven dust storms that range across the entire planet’s surface.
No repose yet from Al Gore and his buddies on how President Bush and America are to blame, but look for Al’s new movie explaining how Global Warming can happen so far way away from SUV’s, Republicans and America – An Inconvenient Truth II – Maybe I Was Wrong. Don’t hold your breath waiting for him to return his Academy Award.
Posted by sharris at 12:51 AM
April 09, 2007
Growing Economy
It was announced Thursday that we added 180,000 new jobs in March (LA Times – Surprisingly strong government report) and unemployment reached a six year low. I spent Friday-Sunday looking for the series of articles crediting President Bush and his policies for this economic good news, but I must have missed them.
Posted by sharris at 12:41 AM
April 08, 2007
California: The Alpha State – This Week in media
My California: The Alpha State newspaper column this week is about the dangers of unquestioned beliefs, in science, religion or the Constitution. If early responses are an indicator, this column will generate quite a few questions and a few heated options.
I also encourage you to listen to this week’s California: The Alpha State radio interview. My guest this weekend is Allan Hoffenblum, a Republican political consultant and publisher of the California Target Book, a publication that analyzes state and federal political races. Allan and I discuss the 2008 presidential election, the future of politics in California and the growing influence of independents and the impact of Latinos on California politics.
Each week I do a second column, column, This Week in Politics and Policy , with a quick overview of what’s happened in the state in the past week. I also do a radio version of the column, which you might enjoy.
Posted by sharris at 11:37 PM
April 06, 2007
Birth control for illegal immigrants
The Bush administration wants California to ensure that all recipients of free birth control are citizens or legal residents, a decision that will impact thousands of illegal immigrants who currently take advantage of the program.
The administration argues that the programs should be for legal residents only, the counter argument is that is we withhold free birth control, it will lead to increase in the number of babies born, who would be United States citizens and might wind up costing us far more than some relatively inexpensive birth control.
What this battle – and all battles - relating to illegal immigrants boils down to is a single argument. Should we accept and acknowledge what to many seems inevitable, that illegal immigrants are here, necessary and not leaving anytime soon, so let’s deal with it realistically? Or, they are here illegally, shouldn’t be and I’ll be damned if my tax dollars are paying for their birth control (or education, healthcare, etc.).
What we need from the administration is not more “deck chairs on the Titanic” mentality regarding the 11 million illegal immigrants in this country, but a solid plan for dealing with the situation. So far, almost sadly predictable, nothing.
Posted by sharris at 03:55 AM
April 05, 2007
Radio show
Yesterday’s guest on California: The Alpha State was Allan Hoffenblum, Founder and Publisher of the California Target Book, a publication that analyzes state and federal political races.
Allan and I discuss the 2008 presidential election, the future of politics in California and the growing influence of independents and the impact of Latinos on California politics.
Posted by sharris at 12:04 AM
April 04, 2007
Stinking up the joint
John Thow, owner of the Thirsty Kirsty’s pub in Scotland has banned Stewart Laidlaw for “chronic flatulence.” Saying that Laidlaw seemed to revel in disgusting the other patrons, Thow laid down the law and gave Laidlaw the permanent boot.
If getting kicked out for stinking up the place takes hold in America, our elected officials in Sacramento and DC better start looking for alternative employement!
Posted by sharris at 12:44 AM
April 03, 2007
Churchill
He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."
-- Winston Churchill
Posted by sharris at 10:41 AM
$20 million reasons to pay attention
The first quarter numbers are in and the Republican winner is…. Mitt Romney.
The former governor of Massachusetts, who trails Rudy Giuliani and John McCain by significant amounts in the early popularity polls, is winning the race that many consider to be the true indicator of who’s going to be the Republican presidential nominee. He’s raised the most money.
In the first quarter of this year, Romney raised over $20 million dollars, while Giuliani raised $15 million and McCain trailed with $12.5 million.
National campaigns (or statewide campaigns in a state like California) require money, lots of it and the ability to raise money is a strong indicator of potential success. While Romney has yet to gain traction with the general public, February 5th (the new Super Tuesday) is almost a year away and in politics that is a lifetime. With Giuliani having so many personal conservative red flags (multiple marriages, pro-choice, support for gun control and gay rights) and McCain (who has never earned the trust of conservatives) seeming to tire both literally and figuratively, Romney is going to have to be taken seriously.
Watch for the bandwagon effect, with people jumping off of McCain’s and onto Romney’s.
Posted by sharris at 06:17 AM
April 02, 2007
Steinbeck and immigrants
For the umpteenth time, I am reading John Steinbeck’s Travels With Charley. It is my favorite book from my favorite author and I have yet to read the book without learning something new. For those who haven’t had the opportunity, it his account of a 3-month, 10,000 mile, 34 state trip around the country in a pickup truck (Rocinante) with his dog, Charley.
At one point in the trip, he is visiting Aroostook, Maine, which was one of the three great potato-raising areas in America (along with Idaho and Long Island) and discussing the immigrants (in this case French Canadian) who cross borders to harvest our food. Although the book was written 45 years ago, I was struck by the following passage….
“I’ve seen migrant crop-picking people around the country: Hindus, Filipinos, Mexicans, Okies away from their states. Here in Maine, a great many were French Canadians who came over the border for the harvest season. It occurs to me, just as the Carthaginians hired mercenaries to do their fighting for them, we Americans bring in mercenaries to do our hard and humble work. I hope we may not be overwhelmed one day by peoples not too proud or too lazy or too soft to bend to the earth and pick up the things we eat.”
On my radio show this week, Ward Connerly talked about the cultural devastation in the black community and the dearth of jobs available for young blacks and how it is a misnomer that they wouldn’t do the jobs that Mexican immigrants are doing. Steinbeck and Connerly are both bright men and if they’re both right….
Posted by sharris at 12:47 AM
April 01, 2007
California: The Alpha State – This Week in media
My California: The Alpha State newspaper column today is about how in the days following September 11th President Bush was able to galvanize our nation and in some way, the entire world. Unfortunately for the president and the nation, this was the high point of his presidency, not the beginning. President Bush has proved unable to articulate his positions, motivate Americans and lead a nation. I discuss how many of his predecessors, leaders of our country and the free world, were able to seize a moment that crystallized an idea and motivated a nation – or the world – to change. These were galvanizing moments, the men permanently tied to the result, forever entwined in history and our minds.
I also encourage you to listen to this week’s California: The Alpha State radio interview as I discuss race in America with Ward Connerly, former member of the UC Board of Regents, father of Prop 209 and founder of the American Civil Rights Institute. Ward is an outspoken advocate of equal opportunity for all Americans, regardless of race, sex, or ethnic background and his comments are candid, thoughtful and important.
Each week I do a second column, column, This Week in Politics and Policy , with a quick overview of what’s happened in the state in the past week. I also do a radio version , which you might enjoy.
Posted by sharris at 06:42 PM
