My Conservative is Showing

A bill before the legislature would require some of Massachusetts oldest banking, financial and insurance companies to look deep into their history — and the histories of subsidiaries and predecessor companies — to uncover links to the slave trade, as a condition of doing business with the state.

via Bill would probe fiscal legacy of slavery in Mass. – Boston.com.

Are we SERIOUSLY considering this? Did several other states REALLY pass this kind of crap? I have to admit to agreeing with House Republican leader Rep. Brad Jones,  who “called slavery ‘a historical stain that is never going to be erased,’ but said the proposal sounds more like an academic or historical project best undertaken by a university rather than state government.” Doesn’t our state legislature have WAY better things to be doing with their time and MY money than research this? I find it hard to believe that anyone thinks any major company in this country doesn’t have some ties to the slave trade if you dig back far enough. It was a major business from before Europeans even came to this country–if you think not one tribe of Native Americans didn’t turn their hostages into slaves, you are sadly mistaken. I’m not condoning the practice; it was and continues to be a blemish on the world and the US, but how about looking forward, to those problems faced by African-Americans due to generations of slavery and prejudice against their ancestors. How about trying to further reduce prejudice and discrimination that’s still happening in many areas. I just don’t see how this knowledge will be of any use to anyone.

I guess it all comes down to priorities–I feel that all branches of the government has better things to do (like successfully restructure the Mass Highways and MBTA to save the taxpayers’ money) than ’study’ something that has no real bearing on society because it’s not going to change the past. Please do try to explain it to me though.

 

Are You *F*ing Kidding Me???

South Carolina first lady Jenny Sanford released another statement today, this time blaming her husband’s affair on the declining moral values in America.

via Jenny Sanford: “Gay marriage wrecked my family” | theDiscust.

I really shouldn’t be surprised by this–in fact, I should be shocked that it’s taken so long for some conservative asshat to actually say it. I really have no words, the first line of the article says it all. That, and the fact that Rush Limbaugh rushed to add his two cents,

“It’s finally happened,” said Rush Limbaugh, conservative radio personality. “America, I’ve been warning you for years that gay marriage would destroy the American family and look… there they are, a husband, wife, and four children — destroyed.  When is this going to stop America? When will the liberals be satisfied?  When all the marriages break up? This wasn’t Mark Sanford’s fault, this was Ted Kennedy’s fault.  Sanford didn’t cheapen the value of marriage, he was victimized by the cheapening of marriage.”

So marriage wasn’t cheap before states began allowing same-sex couples to legally marry? Maybe they don’t know any divorced people…

 

Commentary: April 15 is patriots’ day – CNN.com

I don’t often follow the headlines on my Google Reader, but I followed this one and am glad I did. The amount of money taken out of my check every week is ludicrous, but I’d be a lot less upset about it if taxation was equal across the board and if more of my tax money was actually going to good causes like those discussed below rather than bailing out the likes of GM or buying new toilet seats for the White House.

Give me a break. Instead of tossing tea bags for the cameras, the Fox phonies ought to go to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. There they would find better, braver men who have truly sacrificed for their country. They deserve nothing but the best — not the shameful and shoddy conditions they endured during the Bush administration.

You want something to protest? How ’bout protesting how little we give back to our veterans? Or how ’bout protesting that the entire budget of the National Cancer Institute (where government researchers battle a disease that will strike half of all men and a third of all women) is 0.03 percent of what we gave the bandits at American International Group alone? Oh, but veterans benefits and cancer research might cost money. It might require — dare I say it? — paying taxes.

If the whiners at Fox News want to advertise their selfishness, they are free to do so. But please don’t dress it up as patriotism. Patriotism is putting your country ahead of yourself — which is the precise opposite of what the tea party plutocrats are doing./a>.

 

Even Though I Hate Politics

My Political Views
I am a left social moderate
Left: 4.78, Authoritarian: 0.61

Political Spectrum Quiz

• Yeah, that’s about right, although I would have placed myself at that same junction in the Libertarian camp

My Foreign Policy Views
Score: -0.62

Political Spectrum Quiz

• Not too crazy about “policing the world,” but sometimes it needs to be done. And once we’re in (right or wrong), we don’t always have the option to just pack up and leave.

My Culture War Stance
Score: -2.48

Political Spectrum Quiz

 

The Price of Humanity

Sunday night I went to see Michael Franti & Spearhead with Ellie and some of her friends. It was pretty good, although I couldn’t understand most of the lyrics. They are a bled of rock, reggae, hiphop and funk, with a political and social bend. Watching this show got me thinking about the nature of society; specifically famous people and those of us that love them.

People like Bono, Brad and Angelina, and all the others that are out there supporting the poor, hungry, etc are doing an amazing thing. But what is the line between true philanthropy and mythomania? These people that wouldn’t know what it was like to go hungry for a day, let alone a lifetime,and have never faced civil war or disease. I’m not begrudging them the works their do–they ARE helping thousands of people, and are also inspiring their fans. I just don’t see how these privileged people, who have a couple dozen cars, and more than 2 homes can think they are doing enough. Convert one of your homes into a shelter or hospice. Donate a care of two to a town that has no means of transportation to the local hospital.

I’m not looking for famous activists to go hungry or homeless, but I do expect a little more humility than they seem to present. I went to a U2 show a few years ago. I was accosted by volunteers for The ONE Campaign every few feet asking for money and support. Bono devoted about a half hour to giving a commercial about the Campaign. Yet the band had a minimum of 4 costume changes each and the gods know how many different guitars they each went through.

I just don’t see why they can’t live a little more modestly, why they feel a need to flaunt what they have despite their supposedly humanitarian ideals.

 

It’s Over

Other than a few Tweets, and speaking with wtbrosie just a bit ago, I have been 100% successful in avoiding the election since I arrived home from voting. Between cartoons, Food Network and Donnie Darko (free On Demand), I was able to avoid all the hoopla.

And no, I did not vote for a major party candidate. I voted honestly and true to my ideals and desires. It’s too bad more people don’t do that.

 

Saving A Buck

“Patrick said his administration is working on a set of new regulations that would open the door to replacing some of the police details by hiring civilians, equipping them with orange safety vests and flags, and training them to direct traffic, especially on secondary roads.”

Words cannot even begin to express how much I support this! It was about 10 years ago I was informed that police are paid up to $40 an hour to stand around directing traffic, and I was old enough to realize what crap that was. Just a few years ago I found out that we are one of very few (if not the only) states that doesn’t have civilians doing traffic detail. If Gov. Patrick can successfully pull this off, I just might help with his re-election campaign.

Okay, we all know that’s a lie since politics bores me to tears, but I’ll still be really happy and supportive!!