Archive for the Politics/Economics category
Teaching Evolution In the US
by Rio Flores on April 4th, 2007
An interesting, though dated, map from strangemaps on the teaching of evolution. It’s from the March 2002 issue of Scientific American.
And the Simpson’s take…
Republican Senators Flip-flop on Escalation
by Rio Flores on February 6th, 2007
Last night, Senate conservatives successfully blocked debate on a bipartisan anti-escalation resolution. At least eight senators who claim to oppose sending more U.S. troops to Iraq voted the wrong way, supporting the conservative filibuster. They include Sens. John Warner (R-VA) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE). John Warner (R-VA) actually introduced the anti-escalation resolution in question, voting against his own bill.
read more | digg story
“Where Does Greed Stop?” -Ted Kennedy
by Rio Flores on January 26th, 2007
We need more of this…
“We have now had amendments that have been worth over 200 billion dollars… Amendments that have been offered. We’ve had amendments on education of 35 billion dollars. We’ve had health-savings amendments that will benefit people with average incomes of $112,000… We’ve had those kinds of amendments and we’re looking at the Kyl amendment at 3 billion dollars. But we still cannot get two dollars and fifteen cents — over two years. Over two years!
“What is the price, we ask the other side? What is the price that you want from these working men and women? What cost? How much more do we have to give to the private sector and to business? How many billion dollars more, are you asking, are you requiring?
“When does the greed stop, we ask the other side? That’s the question and that’s the issue.”
Manhattan - After Sea Levels Rise
by Rio Flores on January 25th, 2007
[via Scienceblogs.com]
From Vanity Fair, a photo of what Manhattan might look like if sea levels continue to rise. Photo illustration by John Blackford; original photograph by Cameron Davidson. Related article: “While Washington Slept,” by Mark Hertsgaard.
US Presidential Speeches: Words of their Day 1776-2006
by Rio Flores on November 3rd, 2006
A very cool Digg find for political junkies: Chir.ag has taken major presidential speeches and turned them into into tag clouds.
You can use the slider at the top to go back to George Washington see the emphasis in his speeches on “Assembly” and “Constitution.” Abraham Lincoln, predictably, uses the word “Emancipation” a good number of times. Bill Clinton spends a great deal of time focusing on “Welfare,” “bipartisan” and other domestic issues. Unsurprisingly, W’s most used word is Terrorist.
Support Our Troops: Republicans Talk the Talk. Democrats Walk the Walk
by Rio Flores on October 25th, 2006
via DailyKos
With a brother on his third tour in Middle East, I’ve often wondered why a Republican controlled congress consistently fails to provide for our troops in the “War on Terror.” Aren’t Republicans constantly talking about how tough they are on terror and how much they love our men and women in uniform? Uhm… Not so much, it turns out!
The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America took a look at legislative votes that directly affected American troops, veterans and their families. They looked at 324 votes on proposals ranging from healthcare and veterans’ benefits to medical research dedicated towards helping injured soldiers. Every single last Senate Democrat has been more supportive of the troops than any of the Senate Republicans. When it comes to their actual votes, not rhetoric, over the past five years, it’s clear who talks the talk and who walks the walk.
You can see the full results at the IAVA website or take a look at this handy chart from Bob Geiger, sorted by letter grade.
The IAVA is a nonpartisan organization. These voting patterns are so striking, that they leave little wiggle room for any Republican apologists.
Money Changes Everything - The Challenges of Economic Inequality Among Friends
by Rio Flores on May 8th, 2006
Last Sunday’s New York Times Styles section has a great article inspired by the recent film, Money Changes Everything. It dives into the awkwardness of large economic disparities among friends, of all ages, which the article suggests are largely the result of two recent phenomena. The first is the very rapid income growth of the top 1% and even 5% percent of the population when most Americans are seeing their real wages stagnate or decline. The second is the much higher numbers of college students from lower-income households (even if, as a percentage of total students enrolled, this number is shrinking).
Perhaps surprisingly to some, the pressure to blend in among peers is intense and goes in both directions. There is probably the better known story of individuals like me who attended college on scholarships and students loans. Many of my friends drove cars my parents couldn’t afford. I left college with over $70k in college debt and $7,000 in credit card debt - much of that the result trying to keep up with my better financially off international friends.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are those affluent students who prefer to simply blend in – feigning an inability pay for a taxi or brining up other gripes so as to not put off their less wealthy peers.
I highly recommend reading the full article here.
Stephen Colbert Lambastes Bush at White House Coorespondent’s Dinner
by Rio Flores on May 1st, 2006
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a group of more uncomfortable people than when Stephen Colbert lambasted the president,sitting only a few feet away from the podium. While the AP barely mentions Colbert’s performance, the blogs left are overjoyed. One clever fellow set up Thank you site (Digg it here). My favorite lines:
The press secretary announces those decisions, and you people of the press type those decisions down. Make, announce, type. Just put ‘em through a spell check and go home. … Write that novel you got kicking around in your head. You know, the one about the intrepid Washington reporter with the courage to stand up to the administration. You know - fiction!
Watch the Video (Part One of Three)
View part 2 and part 3. View the full transcript at DailyKos.
UPDATE: Apparently, Bush was really angered by Colbert’s performance. I couldn’t be more pleased.
Chinese vs. American Students - Scary
by Rio Flores on April 20th, 2006
Bill and Melinda Gates, Oprah and a bunch of clueless students demonstrate very clearly how our public schools are a complete wreck. The clip:
Chevrolet Appears to be Lying to the New York Times
by Rio Flores on April 4th, 2006
Taken from Viral No.de: “The New York Times takes a look at Chevy’s new create-your-own-ad contest. According to Chevrolet spokeswoman Melisa Tezanos, Chevy anticipated the “critical submissions,” but accepted the risk. According to her, the company doesn’t plan on shutting down the anti-SUV ads.” But they appear to be doing that very thing!
This probably isn’t the best way to win over the hearts of the shrinking pool of customers. I hope they get nailed for it in the mainstream press.