I'd planned to write in part about what seems to be a never-ending topic of discussion in South Carolina: The flying of the "Southern Cross" flag on the grounds of the State House. What was blocking me was how to start until I read this piece.
I don't agree with all of his declaratives, but when you take into account the intent of the legislators who authorized flying the flag on top of the State House in the first place, the attorney general's opinion of its legality flying there, the changing perspective on what flying the flag represents, how flying it there appeared to others in the nation, and how it appears to those who support it flying, the compromise that led to it's current location seems reasonable. The flag is situated at the Confederate Soldiers' Monument, which sits at the corner of Main and Gervais in downtown Columbia on the edge of State House grounds.
The NAACP took a lot of credit for organizing a boycott that continues to this day. The boycott had some successes in the early part of the decade, but only seems to be known today when an organization like the Atlantic Coast Conference commits the horrific faux pas of awarding a baseball tournament to a city 150 miles from where the flag flies. Even though the flag has been removed from the "position of sovereignty", the boycott continues because the monument is on State House grounds.
But my point to all this is really quite simple. Since the mid-1970's there had been a push to remove the flag from the top of the State House. It was done. People on both sides are still complaining about it. It's a lot of energy wasted on an issue that does nothing except sully the image of the state. The flag does not create jobs, generate revenue, improve schools, or generally contribute to the quality of life in South Carolina.
This is a local issue.
Health care is a national issue.
We have spent a half-century debating how to make health care affordable. The issues are known, but no one in that time has been willing to expend the necessary brainpower and political capital to make the changes we need. The question today is whether or not we can make it happen.
The "we" in that statement is not just the politicians. It's us, the public. As a nation we are out of shape and overweight. Our diets are unhealthy. We expect our doctors to treat whatever condition we show up with and fix it, then file complaints and lawsuits because we didn't do what they said to do to prevent a recurrence.
We are all in this together. We need the politicos to create an environment where it makes sense for those in the best of health to pay the least for coverage, but still be able to provide basic coverage for all. We need physicians willing to take the time to treat the cause instead of just the symptom. Most of all, we the people need a Gibbs-slap upside the head to get off our collective butts and get in shape.
McAllen, Texas spends more per capita on health care than any other city but Miami. If you want to know why health care costs so much, read this. When you finish, go for a walk, a swim, or a run. It'll do you good.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Are handbaskets still made in America?
State of the Union by Carl Moore
Never mind. In Hades, a jihadist is the virgin.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Hands On or Off the Wheel
Governor Sanford issued his latest apology today, which you can read here. This was published one day after an opinion piece about neo-Nazi James Von Brunn by Rabbi Marc Wilson, which you can read here. Although Rabbi Wilson is tackling a difficult and totally unrelated subject, there are words that Governor Sanford should note.
Part of the governor's apology includes this statement:
"It’s in the spirit of making good from bad that I am committing to you and the larger family of South Carolinians to use this experience both to trust God in his larger work of changing me and, from my end, to work to becoming a better and more effective leader."
This is an interesting perspective of self when compared to this part of Rabbi Wilson's piece:
"Reb Moshe Leib Sassover asserted that every human attribute, however base, could be converted into a virtuous deed. Once upon a time, Reb Moshe was taunted by a disciple to explain how atheism could become honorable. “Even that,” Reb Moshe proclaimed. “For if someone comes to you in hurt, you may not say, ‘Take your problems to God.’ No, at that moment, you must become an atheist, act as if there is no God; that there is only one force that can help this man. YOU!”"
My own take on this is more like Reb Moshe. In times of crisis, whether it be personal, professional, or both you must act. God gives us the wisdom, the free will, and the ability to choose the course we will take. At the core we know what the correct action is. It's whether or not we choose to take that action that puts us in or out of line with the teachings of our faith.
Governor Sanford is one of a long list of mostly "conservative" politicians who espouse using the guidance of God in their decision-making when it comes to their politics, but seem to leave Him at the door when it comes to their personal lives (for references, see Craig, Larry; Ensign, Jon; Clinton, William; Gingrich, Newt; Vitter, David; et al). Perhaps the cynicism of the American public about the people we elect to office is what lets them (usually) survive scandal. It doesn't make it right, but it gives them breathing room to think that maybe, just maybe, they can hold on to the power we have given them for a little while longer. If they can do that, then maybe our collective memories will have faded enough to give them our votes once again.
Fortunately for those of us in South Carolina, Governor Sanford is term-limited and has about 18 months left in office. Hopefully during that time he will decide not whether God will be a presence in his life, but whether he will consistently act in the manner that God expects all His children to act, whether we consciously seek His guidance or not.
Is God the pilot or the co-pilot? Do you have to consult with God before making any decision, no matter how small? Or do you instinctively know when to do the right thing? I prefer to think I'm the one behind the wheel of my own life, but I'm using a GPS designed by God to get me where I need to go. Whether I choose to stay on the optimal route or look for a way that will be faster or shorter is up to me. I know of people who prefer to think of God as the pilot and if that works for them, that's great. I only wish more of them actually lived like it.
Part of the governor's apology includes this statement:
"It’s in the spirit of making good from bad that I am committing to you and the larger family of South Carolinians to use this experience both to trust God in his larger work of changing me and, from my end, to work to becoming a better and more effective leader."
This is an interesting perspective of self when compared to this part of Rabbi Wilson's piece:
"Reb Moshe Leib Sassover asserted that every human attribute, however base, could be converted into a virtuous deed. Once upon a time, Reb Moshe was taunted by a disciple to explain how atheism could become honorable. “Even that,” Reb Moshe proclaimed. “For if someone comes to you in hurt, you may not say, ‘Take your problems to God.’ No, at that moment, you must become an atheist, act as if there is no God; that there is only one force that can help this man. YOU!”"
My own take on this is more like Reb Moshe. In times of crisis, whether it be personal, professional, or both you must act. God gives us the wisdom, the free will, and the ability to choose the course we will take. At the core we know what the correct action is. It's whether or not we choose to take that action that puts us in or out of line with the teachings of our faith.
Governor Sanford is one of a long list of mostly "conservative" politicians who espouse using the guidance of God in their decision-making when it comes to their politics, but seem to leave Him at the door when it comes to their personal lives (for references, see Craig, Larry; Ensign, Jon; Clinton, William; Gingrich, Newt; Vitter, David; et al). Perhaps the cynicism of the American public about the people we elect to office is what lets them (usually) survive scandal. It doesn't make it right, but it gives them breathing room to think that maybe, just maybe, they can hold on to the power we have given them for a little while longer. If they can do that, then maybe our collective memories will have faded enough to give them our votes once again.
Fortunately for those of us in South Carolina, Governor Sanford is term-limited and has about 18 months left in office. Hopefully during that time he will decide not whether God will be a presence in his life, but whether he will consistently act in the manner that God expects all His children to act, whether we consciously seek His guidance or not.
Is God the pilot or the co-pilot? Do you have to consult with God before making any decision, no matter how small? Or do you instinctively know when to do the right thing? I prefer to think I'm the one behind the wheel of my own life, but I'm using a GPS designed by God to get me where I need to go. Whether I choose to stay on the optimal route or look for a way that will be faster or shorter is up to me. I know of people who prefer to think of God as the pilot and if that works for them, that's great. I only wish more of them actually lived like it.
Monday, July 13, 2009
The Politics Corollary
"When I get a case about discrimination, I have to think about people in my own family who suffered discrimination because of their ethnic background or because of religion or because of gender. And I do take that into account."
I'll share the name of the person who gave that quote later. For now it's just something to ponder.
When you look at lists of who the greatest people were in any country, normally those who are considered at the top are policitians or statesmen. Ask me who the greatest Americans were and I might come up with names like Theodore Roosevelt, Benjamin Franklin, George Mason, Dwight Eisenhower, or Colin Powell.
Ask kids today who the greatest Americans are and you'd get answers like Kobe Bryant, Terrell Owens, Paris Hilton, or Dane Cook.
Ugh.
Charles Barkley did a commercial for Nike years ago where he famously said "I am not a role model," and was vilified for it. He wasn't wrong, but he wasn't right either. When you work in a profession that puts you on tv, the radio, or the internet you are a role model whether you like it or not. If people are shelling out $50 to watch you perform, you can bet they're going to pay attention when you screw up.
I really hope Plaxico Burris is reading this, and that Donte Stallworth is beating him upside the head.
But there's one faction of the population that puts itself on display at every opportunity for the world to see, and they regrettably do it whether it's necessary or not.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the "Modern Politician". One hour and forty-eight minutes of saying absolutely nothing.
In most endeavors it is said that cream rises to the top. Yet, we never seem to elect these people to office. Imagine if great minds like Warren Buffett, Carly Fiorina, Bill Gates, or Jack Welch had chosen to tackle elective politics with the same gusto that made them great leaders in business. Sure, the pay would suck by comparison, but how much would the country benefit? Instead we get hacks like Barney Frank and Jim DeMint, cut from different sides of the same tattered cloth.
Maybe its our own fault. Are we as a nation smart enough to elect people who are actually smart?
Did I just answer my own question?
By the way, the quote at the top is from current Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, spoken during his own confirmation hearing. Betcha Jeff Sessions wasn't worried about his use of empathy in making decisions.
I'll share the name of the person who gave that quote later. For now it's just something to ponder.
When you look at lists of who the greatest people were in any country, normally those who are considered at the top are policitians or statesmen. Ask me who the greatest Americans were and I might come up with names like Theodore Roosevelt, Benjamin Franklin, George Mason, Dwight Eisenhower, or Colin Powell.
Ask kids today who the greatest Americans are and you'd get answers like Kobe Bryant, Terrell Owens, Paris Hilton, or Dane Cook.
Ugh.
Charles Barkley did a commercial for Nike years ago where he famously said "I am not a role model," and was vilified for it. He wasn't wrong, but he wasn't right either. When you work in a profession that puts you on tv, the radio, or the internet you are a role model whether you like it or not. If people are shelling out $50 to watch you perform, you can bet they're going to pay attention when you screw up.
I really hope Plaxico Burris is reading this, and that Donte Stallworth is beating him upside the head.
But there's one faction of the population that puts itself on display at every opportunity for the world to see, and they regrettably do it whether it's necessary or not.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the "Modern Politician". One hour and forty-eight minutes of saying absolutely nothing.
In most endeavors it is said that cream rises to the top. Yet, we never seem to elect these people to office. Imagine if great minds like Warren Buffett, Carly Fiorina, Bill Gates, or Jack Welch had chosen to tackle elective politics with the same gusto that made them great leaders in business. Sure, the pay would suck by comparison, but how much would the country benefit? Instead we get hacks like Barney Frank and Jim DeMint, cut from different sides of the same tattered cloth.
Maybe its our own fault. Are we as a nation smart enough to elect people who are actually smart?
Did I just answer my own question?
By the way, the quote at the top is from current Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, spoken during his own confirmation hearing. Betcha Jeff Sessions wasn't worried about his use of empathy in making decisions.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
When Will They Ever Learn?
I was in Nashville for a long weekend with Alexa, visiting her mother. We arrived very late Wednesday night (or very early Thursday morning) and had a good time. Since I'd inflicted the "Tour D'Elliot" on Alexa back in December when we were in Boston, she did the same to me with the "Tour D'Alexa" on Thursday. Friday we went to Huntsville and visited the US Space and Rocket Center (overrated), and barbecued at her cousin's house. Saturday we left the house early and did a tour at Mammoth Cave National Park (awesome). So far so good, and we were going to be back in plenty of time for that night's fireworks show.
We'd have hoped other than a few jokes at Mark "The Lov Gov" Sanford's expense we'd hear little or nothing about phamous philanderers. So it was a bit of a punch to the gut to hear the radio report on the way home that retired Tennessee Titan QB Steve McNair had been shot, and the queasy feeling of illness started to follow when word got out about who he was with.
Why do they do it? Because they can? Because they don't think they'll get caught? Is it a show of power? Ego? Dissatisfaction?
I'm not going to claim the moral high ground here; I'm in no position to do so. But it boggles my mind at the ratio of people who moralize to the general public to those who get caught doing what they moralize about.
Eliot Spitzer, Mark Sanford, David Vitter, Ted Haggard, John Ensign, Newt Gingrich, Henry Hyde, Jim McGreevey, Larry Craig, Jimmy Swaggert. Enough for you? Never mind the Shawn Kemps of the world, who seem to take the instruction to "go forth and multiply" to extremes.
A line I like to use is "Lead me not into temptation, I can find it myself." If this article is any indication, some people are better at it than others. When you're a public figure, you have to know there is someone out there ready to knock you off the pedestal.
It's really quite simple: Don't engage in behavior that would cause your momma to swat you over the head with a rolling pin if she saw it on the news. In this day and age, there's a camera on every corner and people with dollar signs in their eyes willing to talk about what they saw you do and with who you did it.
Is it really that hard?
We'd have hoped other than a few jokes at Mark "The Lov Gov" Sanford's expense we'd hear little or nothing about phamous philanderers. So it was a bit of a punch to the gut to hear the radio report on the way home that retired Tennessee Titan QB Steve McNair had been shot, and the queasy feeling of illness started to follow when word got out about who he was with.
Why do they do it? Because they can? Because they don't think they'll get caught? Is it a show of power? Ego? Dissatisfaction?
I'm not going to claim the moral high ground here; I'm in no position to do so. But it boggles my mind at the ratio of people who moralize to the general public to those who get caught doing what they moralize about.
Eliot Spitzer, Mark Sanford, David Vitter, Ted Haggard, John Ensign, Newt Gingrich, Henry Hyde, Jim McGreevey, Larry Craig, Jimmy Swaggert. Enough for you? Never mind the Shawn Kemps of the world, who seem to take the instruction to "go forth and multiply" to extremes.
A line I like to use is "Lead me not into temptation, I can find it myself." If this article is any indication, some people are better at it than others. When you're a public figure, you have to know there is someone out there ready to knock you off the pedestal.
It's really quite simple: Don't engage in behavior that would cause your momma to swat you over the head with a rolling pin if she saw it on the news. In this day and age, there's a camera on every corner and people with dollar signs in their eyes willing to talk about what they saw you do and with who you did it.
Is it really that hard?
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