Disagree without being disagreeable

It's a noble cause to attempt to "disagree without being disagreeable" it's one that I've tried to do for years and at times have not always met with success, I've discovered something in my years of having that as a goal. The person you are disagreeing with has to share it as a belief too and despite what we may want to accept, our nation has quite a few people who will always be "disagreeable" no matter what.

They have to be, because once they stop being disagreeable they'd have to actually rethink their positions, they'd have to stop and rethink how they treated others. It's much easier for them to be disagreeable, living an existence that typically includes the hypocrisy of expecting them to be treated one way, yet treating others in the exact same manner that they claim is wrong to do.

It'd be easy to pretend that only one party or one group in our nation does this, but that's far from the truth. A prime example of that has been evidenced with the reaction over the selection of Rick Warren, part of which is pointed out in this article that inspired my soap box moment about those who are disagreeable, Put differences aside, let us pray together. For us to really put our differences aside, both sides would have to actually do that. It rarely happens, what does happen is one side demands the other put their differences aside but are not willing to do the same.

We spend more time focusing on what divides us and as long as we continue to do that and we continue to forget what should be our common goals? Things will continue to be pretty disagreeable...

Edwards could not resist the power trip..

That's basically what it boils down to:

“It is inadequate to say to the people who believed in me that I am sorry, as it is inadequate to say to the people who love me that I am sorry. In the course of several campaigns, I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic. If you want to beat me up - feel free. You cannot beat me up more than I have already beaten up myself. I have been stripped bare and will now work with everything I have to help my family and others who need my help.”

I think many would say we are seeing, "I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic" with another presidential candidate, and it happens with many of them. When they start to believe their own bs, we have a problem.

Presidents who had extramarital affairs either in office out of office: (ones we know of anyway):

* Thomas Jefferson
* James Garfield
* Warren Harding
* Franklin Roosevelt
* John Kennedy
* Lyndon Johnson
* Bill Clinton
* Ronald Reagan

Trying to keep track of how many other elected officials have admitted they had affairs would be time consuming. Just google "admits extramarital affair" and once you get past the page of the recent news attributed to John Edwards, you'll see for yourself...

For those wondering what Elizabeth Edwards has to say? It's here.

A ‘sociopathic sex addict’ or a big fat liar...

Normally I don't read advice column stuff, but the title of this article, Married man: ‘I slept with 13 women this week’ caught my attention. As I read the letter that was written to Dr. Gail Saltz, my first reaction was "you have got to be kidding me". While I read Dr. Gail's assessment: "I think you are a sex addict and a sociopath", I think what is probably closer to the truth is this guy is a big fat liar who probably doesn't even have a wife let alone manage to have a wife and to have had sex with 13 different women in one week with his wife not having a clue as to what is going on.

On People who matter...

The title, People who mattered caught my eye since I've been involved in a local organization recently called 1Matters. It's however a bit different in that what we are focusing on is the homeless and how they matter.

Yet the Time article was an interesting read, while I'm not really sure I agree that Don Imus or Brittney Spears matter to the point that they were selected, there are quite a few people, like the Burmese Monks who had an impact on media attention long enough to make a few of us pause and take notice as to what is happening out there that is wrong.

Reality Check...who doesn't plant questions?

As Muriel Gallo-Chasanoff gets her 15 minutes of fame, the real question in this latest fabricated drama of what has become the presidential election is who doesn't plant or encourage supporters to ask questions at these events?

Even here locally it happens, take our recent school board race, one of the campaigns had a supporter present who asked a question so that the candidate would be able to flash this big huge notebook. Candidates urge their supporters to attend and on a local level at times it seems like the only ones who show up are supporters of the candidates which means the questions directed at the candidates you don't support are going to be harder and the ones directed at the candidate you do support are going to be ones that give your candidate a chance to shine...

The media does a huge disservice when it makes stories like this become stories without pointing out the obvious...It's human nature, just as it's human nature for a 19 year old to have had obviously no problem asking the question (which if she really had a problem with the process she wouldn't have asked the "planted question" in the first place) and now be out there stating "she just wants honesty". I want honesty too, which is why I can honestly say almost any single event you have with candidates where there will be audience questions taken? There will be people in that audience who want their candidate to be the "best" one...

Was John Edwards boo'd at Mellencamp Concert?

Apparently there are reports out there that John Edwards was boo'd at a recent John Mellencamp concert.

While the recording of the crowd noise that comes directly from John Mellencamp website isn't the best, the audio of the crowd even singing along is hard to hear, but it is pretty clear if Edwards was being boo'd? It wasn't up near the front where the audience was since all you can really hear is applause and cheering rather than boo's when Edwards briefly makes an appearance on stage.



Quite a few of the media outlets are reporting this as Edwards was boo'd though the discussion on CNN does a great job of pointing out how divisive presidential campaigns can be and really makes me wonder if unity is going to be possible after the primary with some of the strong feelings being expressed by supporters. Then again, I remember very well how some really took issue with Howard Dean and it almost appears the attempt to make this whole booing story bigger than what it really should be is ala the fake Dean Scream moment. Yes, I'm still a Dean fan at heart :-)

New way to search for information on people...

When I first read about Spock and how you can search for information on people and politicians in certain categories, one example would be Presidential candidates who are Pro-Choice, it sounded like an interesting website to check out. They even offer the ability to put a widget on your site for a search:



I'm far from famous but I wondered what would happen when I searched me, so that's what I did, and then I created a profile which took only a few moments to create. I then discovered that there was the ability to add a mini version of my Spock.com profile on any of my blogs that I wanted to.

You also have the ability to add your Linked in profile and search out friends. That seems to be a fun additional benefit of using Spock, though for me the main reason would be to have another resource to find out information on public officials/candidates. You can search by name or by tag, and as with the example above if you wanted to search in tags for "Presidential candidates democrat" using Spock.com you'd find a list of 41 names and also be able to add a widget for that particular search term as well.

Since promoting blogging is something that I'm really into, if I wanted to display a widget of Ohio bloggers on my sidebar, it would be possible to highlight all of those within Spock who are tagged "Ohio blogger". I saw some familiar faces which was fun and a few new people which was informative.



I do recommend checking out Spock.com to find information on the famous and to find information on the not so famous.

:-)

Media...GOP and creating NASCAR drama...

Wow...if you actually believed the GOP and most of our more irresponsible media, you'd think that Democrats believed they needed immunizations before they went to watch NASCAR. Watch the spin below:



Interested in the real truth?

Thompson said the immunizations are commonly recommended for people working in hospitals, holding centers and similar locations.

"Since committee staff members are visiting hospital and other health-care facilities available at or near these venues, including areas where groups of people are detained before being transferred to other off-site facilities, I believe that the recommendation (not requirement) that our congressional staff receive these same immunizations was sound," Thompson said in a letter responding to Hayes issued Wednesday.

"I am sure you would agree that providing immunizations to personnel involved in public safety is good public health policy, and there is no need to exclude staff from taking the preventative measures that the public health community recommends -- regardless of why and where mass gatherings are taking place," Thompson said in the letter.

Much less exciting...

Will the Monks be broken...

The issue of will the government in Burma be able to break the Monks into submission is the topic of this Newsweek article, Blood in the Streets. Once again I think it should be pointed out that sanctions such as the US and other nations are punishing Burma with don't work. All these types of economic sanctions do is hurt those who can least afford to suffer. A huge part of me hopes that the Monks win, the courage and the dedication to their beliefs that they are demonstrating right now should be creating a huge outcry as to how wrong the government of Burma is. Yet, it appears all that is happening is rhetoric and news reports, the Monks may be applauding the British embassy but what is really being done to help them in this type of living conditions:

The Burmese monks' bare feet were raw after more than a week of street protests, but as they swarmed past the British Embassy, they burst into applause. They seemed to know that London was supporting their cause—in part by having Ambassador Mark Canning, watching from a window above, spread the word about the military junta's efforts to silence them. "Normally we wouldn't talk," the tall, impeccably groomed diplomat told NEWSWEEK. "But under these circumstances we decided we have an obligation to try and ensure that the outside world knows what is going on here." He had seen trouble ahead for months, since hearing that the country's Buddhist monks, who rely on alms to eat, were down to just one meal a day. "That tells you a lot about the economic hardship," he says. "It's very, very difficult."

Perhaps if the British Embassy was out there offering them food or real support it would have been more worthy of applause...Then again, that's more than what the US government is doing right now.

Push-up bra ads banned as meeting nears?

The headline caught my eye as I wondered...wow now that's not very supportive (Okay bad joke couldn't help it). Seriously though, beyond the catchy title there is a more serious issue at work, media control in China.

The reason the ads for push up bras as well as "sexually provocative sounds" on "saucy" adverts for push-up bras and figure-hugging underwear, "low-brow and base" commercials for sex toys and those featuring famous people or experts attesting to the efficacy of medicines have all been banned is the approaching 17th Party congress that happens every five years in China. Evidently it's felt that the right public mindset has to be created:

"Every television advertisement management bureau and television station must strengthen their political consciousness and responsibility toward society," Tian Jin, deputy head of the regulator, was quoted as saying.

It earlier urged the country's increasingly freewheeling broadcasters to forgo vulgarity and bad taste in the pursuit of ratings in favor of providing "inspiring" content for the masses imbued with "socialist" values.

"Create a positive atmosphere for public opinion," the regulator cited state television head Zhao Huayong as telling his staff in preparation for the congress.

Internet connection in Myanmar cut...

CNN is reporting the Internet connection in Myanmar was cut Friday which leads to increasing concerns about what is happening. I also read earlier that satellite photos would be used to be able to track some of what has been happening, that while it would be difficult to point out individuals it would be possible to see if there was violence against the crowds of protesters.

Well they do breed like...rabbits...

First let me clearly state it is wrong to dump domestic pets anywhere, including rabbits, but it's also understandable how quickly a situation can get out of control and the majority of time the humane societies out there will not help you. Hence, reports of situations like this Bunny dumping mystery should not surprise anyone who has ever tried to request assistance from a local humane society. Bottom line is of course people should be responsible for their pets, and rabbits do breed quickly. We as a society need to do a better job when it comes to reproduction issues of pets and to make sure we aren't adding to the problem...

72 Eurofighter Typhoon jets equals peace?

I'll never understand the logic behind those that think the more arms they have the better chances for peace, yet it's alive and well with more to come in the latest arms race which is taking place as we speak. Just a few of the recent arms sales:

In a deal announced this week, Saudi Arabia has agreed to buy 72 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Europe's largest defense company, BAE Systems worth almost $9 billion. A boon for the company, especially given that a previous major deal is under investigation for allegations of corruption.

Hailed by the UK ministry of defense as a "new chapter" in cooperation with Saudi Arabia, the contract will be called "Project Salam," meaning "peace." It is also a new chapter that will see much more military hardware entering the region and one that ratchets up current tensions and divisions between Sunni-dominated states, such as Saudi Arabia, and Shiite Iran.

Larger deals between governments have been taking place. In August this year, the U.S. agreed to provide Israel with $30 billion in military aid over the next ten years.

Another agreement that is currently awaiting approval by the U.S. Congress would see a further $20 billion in military aid go to Saudi Arabia and other weapons deals to UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, plus a further $13 billion to Egypt.

I can't help thinking back to this flash video cartoon The End of the World....

Amazing uses for software...

When I read about succession planning at first I thought it was some type of planning to take over a king or a queen, thinking line of succession. However, I was wrong it has to do with computer software that can track employee talents and abilities to be able to better utilize employee skills. Our modern technology and the amazing different types of software out there to help businesses perform research tasks in a more efficient manner is impressive.

Amar C. Bakshi on Iran...

Another very thought provoking piece by Amar C. Bakshi for the Washington Post's PostGlobal, this time he talks to Iranian Americans on the topic of U.S. Engage or Isolate Iran?. While I'm far from a scholar on the topic of Iran and the middle east, I've talked to enough people and done enough reading to tend to agree with what Reza Aslan states:

He says that if America destabilizes Iran covertly, or starves it through sanctions, Iranians will turn against the U.S., emboldening hard line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and legitimating the old (Iranian) rhetoric of “westoxification” which was particularly salient when U.S. President Jimmy Carter seemed cozy with the Shah in the late 1970s. If America confronts Iran now, it will spread the will to sacrifice, and increase the risk of war.

I also think this quote from another Iranian American should be pointed out:

“Look at Iraq! You expect America to do any better in Iran! We have no choice but diplomacy.”

He makes a very valid point...

So which are they? "hostile" or "enemy"?

Evidently the New York Times and CNN can't even seem to agree on what Israel has deemed the Gaza (which of course means Hamas). The New York Times headline from my google front news page states:

Israel Declares Gaza an ‘Enemy Entity

CNN has:

Israel: Hamas-controlled Gaza 'hostile entity'.

From the NY Times, I'm trying to figure out how the US will follow through on this:

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday the United States ''will not abandon the innocent Palestinians in Gaza,'' shortly after Israel declared the territory to be an enemy entity in order to cut off power and fuel supplies to the coastal strip.

Given she then said this:

At the same time, Rice said Gaza, ruled by the Islamic militant Hamas group, ''is a hostile entity to us as well.''

Israel stopped short at cutting off the water supply, but without food, electricity and medical supplies, only providing water is not going to do much to prevent increased human suffering in the Gaza. We've gone to war and overthrown governments for treating people the way people are being allowed to suffer in the Gaza...

Guys need to step up to the sink

I understand the whole hygiene thing though depending on the public restroom facility it's easy to see why men are more inclined to pass heading to the sink. The ironic moment in reading the CNN article, Men more likely to not wash after bathroom use was not the statement:

"Guys need to step up to the sink,"

It was who the statement came from:

Brian Sansoni, spokesman for the Soap and Detergent Association, which co-sponsors the survey and related education campaigns.

As a spokesman he's supposed to push soap...but guys? If it's really true that:

One-third of men didn't bother to wash after using the bathroom, compared with 12 percent of women, said the researchers who spy on people in public restrooms. They reported their latest findings Monday at a meeting of infectious disease scientists.

Remember that next time someone is watching you in the bathroom that makes you uncomfortable enough that you left without washing? He was watching to see if you washed...

:-)

And in the Gaza...people suffer while Hamas/Fatah play power games...

The title of the Washington Post article is Hamas's New Order Exacts Toll On Gazans. There can be no doubt that life in Gaza has changed and that part of that change is directly related to the enforcement of the more stringent religious rules.

Yet, what disturbed me about the Washington Post article is it seems to forget that part of the reason why the people in Gaza are suffering more than they should be is because of Fatah and Abbas's U.S.-backed government cutting off funding to the Gaza for important basic life needs, such as trash pick up, medical supplies. Basically it's a starvation type sanction being placed on Hamas and the residents of Gaza to see how long it will take for people to break.

This type of sanction behavior doesn't work, it may get some to "surrender" but it also breeds contempt and even more resistance. The Post article hints at it but doesn't come right out and point out how huge of a reason this is behind how life in the Gaza is right now.

Facing money shortages, a shrinking private sector and growing political resistance, Hamas leaders are increasingly imposing harsh interpretations of Islamic law and using brute force to bolster their isolated administration....

Scott Wilson, the reporter for the story finds one factory owner who states they blame Hamas for all of this. No mention of the fact that the reason Hamas was in power was they were elected in January 2006 and what has happened since as far as aid being cut off as well as the many squabbles between Fatah and Hamas since the election. It'd be like if President Bush had not won this last election period and decided since he didn't like the outcome he was going to stay in office. It's a simplistic example but people are being punished for voting for Hamas, and it's clear the goal at the end of this from a Fatah/US/Israel standpoint is for people to be so much more miserable under Hamas (which Hamas is adding to by their own fear/control tactics) that power will be restored to Fatah...

It's a given that given the reputation of Hamas that should there be a power switch and they act like Fatah as far as not acknowledging it? That would be treated in a different manner by both the US and the media. Just like in Iraq, the sanctions didn't hurt Saddam, they hurt the people of Iraq, so while the US/Israel/Fatah continue to try to destroy Hamas, they are all destroying Gaza.

New York Post questions New York Times...

I think the question being raised as to the difference in the normal price charged for the size ad that Move on ran in the New York Times is a valid one to raise, as this Reuters article, NY Times criticized for ad attacking Petraeus points out:

Moveon.org confirmed it paid $65,000 for the full page ad headlined "General Petraeus or General Betray Us."

The New York Post ran a story on Thursday asking why the basic rate of $181,692 for such an ad was discounted.

Despite the various reasons being touted by the New York Times, questions like this:

Jeff Jarvis, a journalism professor who blogs on media at buzzmachine.com, said the key question for the Times was could any other political or advocacy group get the same rate under the same circumstances.

"The quandary the Times gets stuck in is they don't want to admit you can buy an ad for that rate, no matter who you are," Jarvis said, noting that with print advertising revenues in decline newspapers generally did offer big discounts.

Anyone, conservative or liberal is going to look at the math and realize that a $116,692 dollar discount is pretty big, and if that is something that the New York Times does on a regular basis if you were one of the few who did pay full price? You'd be pretty steamed at the way you were ripped off.

This is without even getting into the deeper political issue that the ad most likely did more harm than good since rather than focus on the real issues which are valid concerns regarding the latest reports on Iraq, quite a bit of attention has been on this ad instead. Last I looked the real way to change things was to work on the real issues and not just create a subject change...

Poll Respondents Doubt Petraeus Will Give True Picture

It really should not come as a surprise given the current atmosphere when it comes to trust and our government but...Wide Skepticism Ahead of Assessment is being reported in the poll results done by the Washington Post:

The public's baseline judgment on the war is little changed -- more than six in 10 said the war is not worth fighting, a sentiment that has been a majority view for nearly three years.

But though the public assessment of progress in Iraq remains largely negative, most expected Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, to express a rosier view when he begins his congressional testimony tomorrow. Only about four in 10 said they expect the general to give an accurate accounting of the situation in Iraq. A majority, 53 percent, said they think his report will try to make the situation in Iraq look better than it really is.

As on many issues involving Iraq, Democrats and Republicans have decidedly divergent views, with independents largely tilting toward the Democratic vantage point. Just 23 percent of Democrats and 39 percent of independents expected an honest depiction of conditions in Iraq. By contrast, two-thirds of Republicans anticipated a straightforward accounting.

I found that two-thirds number hard to take, perhaps the Republicans asked were being hopeful. It would be interesting to track the very same 1,002 adults who were polled and see how they feel once the testimony has been completed.