The Republic of T.

Three Questions, Pt. 3: Should We?

This entry is part 3 of 3 in the series Three Questions

In the previous post in this series, I wrote:

To progressives, it seems a given that of course we must do something to alleviate the suffering that the financial collapse and economic downturn have the inflicted on millions of Americans. That’s the moral response to human suffering: Do something about it. Most of our complaints about the current state of our politics is that too little has been done in this regard.

Yet, the moral response to suffering and the circumstances — whether a crisis or unfortunate circumstance — depends on your point of view.

"Do something" and "Do nothing," are statements that both reflect and answer the question, "Should we?."

Both raise questions that demand justification: "Why?" and "Why not?"

Recent headlines underscore the difference between doing something and doing nothing, and why progressive and conservative answers the second question — "Should we" — are so starkly different.

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Written by terrance in: current events,economics,politics |

Digest for August 30th through August 31st

Here are some of the people writing about some of the stuff I wish I had time to write about, for August 30th through August 31st:

The African-American Perspective on the Iraq War or…We Told You So (And Why It Matters) –

Will we ever recover from the financial crisis? –

Obama was too cautious in fearful times –

Preserving the Memories of Jim Crow. –

Glenn Beck’s world –

We Are Not Invisible –

Op-Ed Columnist: We Owe the Troops an Exit –

The Iraq war leaves a fog of ambiguity –

How Conservatives and the GOP Destroyed the "Traditional Family" They Claim to Treasure –

6 Ways Religious Frauds Try to Make Gays and Lesbians Straight –

Written by terrance in: daily digest |

Gunman in Silver Spring

OK. I don’t know what to make of this, but the hubby just called and told me, and the news confirmed that a gunman has barricaded himself at the Discovery Building in Silver Spring.

A barricade situation involving a gunman who may have taken at least one person hostage has been reported at the Discovery Communications Building in Silver Spring, Md.

Police have shut down several roads, including Georgia Avenue, around the building at One Discovery Place.

All employees at One Discovery Place have been alerted to the incident and are seeking shelter or have been evacuated from the building.

Hazmat teams, bomb squads and SWAT teams have been called to the building.

The Discovery building? Why the Discovery building? My guess is either a disgruntled former employee or a domestic issue or stalker situation between the gunman and the hostage.

(more…)

Written by terrance in: crime,current events,dc,maryland |

If you’ve been reading this blog lately, you’ve probably noticed I’ve been suffering from a bit of writer’s block. Being on vacation last week only seems to have made it worse. After a week of being almost entirely out of the news cycle, I’m finding it hard to jump back into political blogging. I’ve got one half-written post that I’m trying to wrap up, but not much else.

But then yesterday’s post got me thinking about something.

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Written by terrance in: current events,nanowrimo |

Digest for August 30th

Here are some of the people writing about some of the stuff I wish I had time to write about, for August 30th from 01:00 to 18:31:

Off to College, Then What? –

The Return of the Know-Nothings –

Andy Ostroy: Racist Maniac Stabs Muslim Cabbie — Is Republican Hate-Mongering Working? –

Waiting patiently for the 'Ground Zero Church' outrage –

This Side of Democracy –

Trey Ellis: Mr. President, We're So Ready to Believe Again –

No, Glenn, you white conservatives really WEREN’T the civil rights movement—with numbers –

An I for an I –

Op-Ed Columnist: It’s Witch-Hunt Season –

Written by terrance in: daily digest |

Serial Killer Action Figure?

I’ve written once or twice about my interest in crime stories and earlier research into serial killers for a writing project. I’ve seen the first season of Dexter, but have yet to catch up with the rest on Netflix. And, I’ll admit that I was intrigued and found Dexter more than a little sexy. (Michael C. Hall’s good looks and portrayal of the character go a long way towards towards turning a murderous psychopath into a sympathetic character. It doesn’t hurt that Dexter’s deadly impulses are directed at other killers.)

That said, I actually agree with this guy. A Dexter "action figure" is just a bit much for my tastes.

(more…)

Written by terrance in: crime,current events,family,parenting |

Digest for August 27th through August 29th

Here are some of the people writing about some of the stuff I wish I had time to write about, for August 27th through August 29th:

Warning: Why Cheaper Money Won’t Mean More Jobs –

Robert Kuttner: Simpson's 'Tits' Are the Least of It –

Glenn Beck outs himself as evil –

Michael Hirsh: How Wall Street Rolled Obama –

Bigots torch religious site in Tennessee –

Despite “All Clear,” Mississippi Sound Tests Positive for Oil –

Op-Ed Columnist: The Billionaires Bankrolling the Tea Party –

Op-Ed Contributor: Why We Need a Second Stimulus –

Civil rights’ new ‘owner’: Glenn Beck –

Public Backs Ending Tax Cuts for Rich, and More –

Written by terrance in: daily digest |

Digest for August 26th

Here are some of the people writing about some of the stuff I wish I had time to write about, for August 26th from 13:11 to 14:33:

Michigan’s Republican Secretary of State Candidates Won’t Let Trans Driver Licenses Come Between Them –

Sally Kohn: Bucking Beck, Episode 1: Fascism vs Communism vs What? –

Waiting for Equality –

Loving Gays SO MUCH You Want to Send Them to Hell –

Frank Rich: Pentagon reality show has ‘a snuff movie quality’ –

Written by terrance in: daily digest |

Digest for August 25th

Here are some of the people writing about some of the stuff I wish I had time to write about, for August 25th from 11:02 to 14:15:

9/11 families split over NYC mosque –

Don C. Reed: Overturn Dickey-Wicker Abomination, or Forget Stem Cell Cures for a Generation –

Muslim Cab Driver STABBED In New York City, Michael Enright Arrested On Hate Crime Charge –

The Oil Industry’s Corporate Welfare –

Bryan Gobin: Republicans Abandon Freedom Over Mosque –

Why aren’t you listening? We are not anti-Islam, I tell you! –

A Mob at Work –

Taxi driver stabbed after being asked ‘Are you a Muslim?’ –

Cenk Uygur: Ban Glenn Beck from Ground Zero –

Obama and Gay Marriage –

Written by terrance in: daily digest |

Digest for August 19th through August 25th

Here are some of the people writing about some of the stuff I wish I had time to write about, for August 19th through August 25th:

Egg Recall: U.S. Chose Not To Require Vaccine For Salmonella Egg Threat –

The anatomy of intolerance –

It’s the Poverty, Stupid –

The Facts Of Third World America –

Glenn Beck's Racism Is an Affront to MLK's "I Have a Dream" Vision –

How Liberal Mosque Defenders Are Playing into the Hands of the Islamophobes –

Sensitivity –

Maybe someone should do something –

E-Coli conservativism continues –

Auto Industry Rebounding, Believe It or Not. –

Written by terrance in: daily digest |

Farewell, “Dr. Laura”

Farewell, “Dr.” Laura. Alas, we knew you far too well.

Actually, there is just one thing before you go…

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Written by terrance in: celebrities,current events,gay rights,media,politics,race,video |

Our Politics of Powerlessness…And Mediocrity

I’d started thinking that I was too hard on our power company last week, when I agreed with Gov. O’Malley that their service was less reliable than power in some Third World countries. I was starting to think maybe that was a bit hyperbolic.

That is until I read the Post this morning. Apparently, Pepco is proud of its pitiful performance. (more…)

Written by terrance in: current events,dc,maryland,politics |

What’s Rand Paul Smoking?

To be more specific, what’s Rand Paul smoking these days?

His musings that America was a better, freer place when African Americans had no civil rights protection, and no one was looking out for the safety of American workers (at least no one who didn’t have one eye on the bottom line), were both amusing and disturbing. But his latest riff on unemployment — that helping the unemployed would increase drug use — is a shocker, even from him.

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Written by terrance in: addiction,crime,current events,politics |

Twitter Updates for 2010-08-17

Islamophobia: Targeting An American Community « SpeakEasy http://bit.ly/ddl5Qi #

Written by terrance in: tweets |

Twitter Updates for 2010-08-17

Islamophobia: Targeting An American Community « SpeakEasy http://bit.ly/ddl5Qi #

Written by terrance in: tweets |

Three Questions, Pt. 2: Should We?

This entry is part 2 of 3 in the series Three Questions

Last week, I wrote this:

The fundamental differences between the left and the right — between conservatives and progressives — comes down to how we answer three simple questions: “Can we?,” “Should we?” and “What do we mean, ‘We’?”

Apply them to any challenge we face as a country — Can we make health care available to all? Can we reign in Wall Street? Can we build an economy that works for the other 99% of us? Can we keep teachers, police officers, and fire fighters working in our communities? Can we reduce our contribution to climate change? — and our answers reveal who we are and where we’re headed.

This week, an exchange between two political leaders illustrates that point, and then some.

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Written by terrance in: current events |

If They Could Turn Back Time, Pt 4.

Imagine, if you will, Rand Paul, Michelle Bachman, and Sharron Angle — with Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck on speakerphone — sitting down together with a copy of the constitution, and a red pen. For edits, of course.

Now, open your eyes. And, if you’re a progressive, stop screaming. That was just an exercise in imagination. Nothing to be alarmed about. Except for conservatism’s current schzoid "reverence" for and simultaneous hostility toward the constitution.

Of course, it’s nothing new. It’s just crept from the fringes of American conservative to pretty near the mainstream.

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Written by terrance in: current events |