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Jack Mallory

Yesterday I awoke to a foot of snow, and more snow/sleet/freezing rain to shovel throughout the day. Today I awoke to this sunrise, and later in the day temperatures around 50, and this avian hint of spring. 

Joan Ruggles (Young)

Jack, I hope the worst is over for you, though I dread winter far more than you. I appologize in advance for my excessive diatribe which follows. Sometimes I let it sit there too long and it comes out all at once

I wonder if someone can explain to me the obsession/preoccupation the current administration has with coal miners. How come we don’t hear anything about the steel workers who’ve lost their jobs to cheaper steel from China? There are 175,000 people employed in the coal mining industry, only 83,000 of those are miners. http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Coal_and_jobs_in_the_United_States  Yet there is constant talk of the tragedy of this small number of people losing their jobs. Since it’s clear that the coal industry is in decline due to forces having nothing to do with any kind of coal plant regulations. The world is just not building new coal fired plants. Other plants are aging and being shut down and others are going bankrupt. The reason is mostly that natural gas is cheaper than coal and solar energy is cheaper yet. Why is there no talk of funds being allocated to train these coal miners in other areas of the energy industry? Instead of falsely promising to bring back jobs in mining, why not train them for new jobs for which there is demand? 

As someone who used to work in the photography business, I didn’t hear any such outcry from, for instance, employees at Kodak when the switch was made to digital photography. What about the thousands of film labs all over the country who were suddenly out of business? No special promises were made to force the country back to using film. Those employees simply trained for other aspects in the industry.  The economy changes and certain jobs come and go. It’s been happening since we put horse and buggy makers out of business with the advent of cars. 

Last night I heard a coal plant manager (sorry I can’t remember the network, but I believe it was on the national news) saying that his problem was that his coal plant was old and in need of repairs and that it was simply not worth doing repairs since coal plants are out of date as an energy source. He also said the regulations recently removed by one of DT’s little executive orders was not the problem at all. In today’s NY Times there is an excellent story about how Chile is pouring their efforts into solar energy which is clean, nonpolluting and….FREE. Why aren’t we doing more of the same? 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/world/2017/03/31/while-trump-promotes-coal-other-countries-are-turning-to-cheap-sun-power/?utm_term=.27952aae5fc8&wpisrc=nl_headlines&wpmm=1

Also in regard to the proposed funding cuts to the EPA, the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities in the proposed DT budget. The EPA would lose 25% of it’s funding and the NEA and NEH would lose 100%. White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney said "Can we really continue to ask a coal miner in West Virginia” (again that obsession with coal miners) “or a single mom in Detroit to pay for these programs? The answer was no. We can ask them to pay for defense and we will, but we can't ask them to continue to pay for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting." Maybe he’s not aware that the EPA cost .2% of the national budget and the funding for the NEA and NEH is .02%. I wonder how much that would cost that coal miner? I wonder also whether he or DT have considered the effect that firing 3500 employees at the EPA will have. Creating jobs? Really? 

Jack Mallory

Oh, come on, Joan. You know as well as I do that the Trumpublicans don't give a real goddamn about coal miners. They're a temporarily useful political accessory--the right demographic, economically and regionally, they wear cute helmets and give So-called a chance to put on a hard hat for photo ops. God, I hope he never has the nerve to wear a military helmet for the same purpose; but I wouldn't put it past him.

I see this morning (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/01/us/west-calumet-housing-complex-lead-indiana.html?_r=0) that the EPA has been promulgating more hysteria narrative: people advised to leave their homes in a low-income neighborhood (median per capita income under $15,000/yr) of East Chicago, Indiana because their kids test high for lead levels. The EPA has advised families to keep their children away from the dirt, which contain 70 times the permissible level of lead. Keep children away from dirt? 

Trump has found an even more effective solution to problems like this: drastically reduce funding for the agency responsible for monitoring and identifying environmental hazards. This will reduce the bad publicity and costs to industry involved in avoiding or mitigating air, water, or soil pollution. The inhabitants of every low-income community like East Chicago (industries don't locate in higher-income neighborhoods) should consider becoming active in environmental issues, as Nora suggests. They can each do their own research on toxic chemicals, they can each negotiate with the industries that poison their children, or they can just move to some other low-income neighborhood. All funded with bake sales, and avoiding their helpless dependence on the federal government. 

Glen Hirose

Jack,  That is one lost soul (the Robin) in the winter photo.

Nori, Stephen, I still vote for “the Portrait of Dorian Gray” and “A Christmas Carol” is a close 2^nd.

Joan,  My career field went extinct too with the advent of “Computer Graphics”, but then the same applies  for Type Setters (15^th century CE), and Architectural Draftsman (3500 BCE) too. I’m sadden to think that the period of the 20^th Century we were most responsible for witnessed such a greatest loss of ancient crafts and skill.

I often wonder why it seems that occupations we need the least are the ones that endure the longest…

Stephen Hatchett

Joan, you've made an excellent point.  The numbers make no sense, but somehow people can be swayed by demagoguery that preys on irrational fears and sympathies. The plight of the millions poisoned by coal is ignored because they are not quite so easy to see (I guess) -- or the demagogue just shoots the messenger (the EPA).  I wish we humans were a more evolved species, but we're not, and the only antidote is education and enlightened leadership (which only gets recognized with better education).  

We want things explained, to give ourselves some sense of control. So we get religion.  Christianity or Islam or ... are hardly the only religions out there. Libertarianism has its converts. No "eviddence" can persuade its converts to change their beliefs. . Likewise Marxism. Fortunately new generations are born, and even though the children are "carefully taught" (South Pacific), the circumstances that pushed the parents psyches into their religious beliefs have changed.  Mayge that is too optimistic, but my own psychic circumstances are pushing me hard to try to find a way in that direction.

Nora Skinker (Morton)

Glen, are you suggesting that THE oldest occupation is not needed anymore?  😜

Stephen, let me know how your push in the new direction is working for you. 

And, Jack, thank goodness we have you to tell us exactly why Trump says & does the things he does. Many have wondered. From what you convey, however, it would seem that all one must do is read the NYT on a daily basis!. Do I have that right? 

Joan, get that bake sale up & running! I hear you're a helluva pastry chef! Proceeds earmarked to help found your very own private environmental watchdog group. Ruggles Struggles? Just think of the gazillions of Dems waiting to donate their time & savings to such a worthy cause! Though I am not Party affiliated, I would donate in a heartbeat! 

You brilliant & highly educated people are forced to tolerate the lowly deplorable throngs & their flawed leader. What a burden it must be to carry! So, (blinded by my faith) I shall (like the poor, brain-washed lemming I am) add you to my prayer list. 

Footnote: it is odd to me that Ted Kennedy (a man who was responsible for the drowning of a young woman & (trying to hide his guilty involvement) chose not to report the accident for 10 hours) is to this day revered as The Lion of the Senate. It is odd that Bill Clinton (a man who raped a woman, seduced many others, received oral sex in our Oval Office from a young intern & lied under oath to America about it) is considered a champion of Women's Rights. But Mike Pence (a man who protects his marriage & family by refusing to dine alone with women other than his wife) is, as a result, considered misogynistic by many on the Left. 

So, Joan, the simple answers are not logical. They are complicated &, in politics, elusive. If there's any easy answer, it's just that we do the best we can with what we have. What we have is a Republican administration until 2020. So in the meantime, what can YOU do to make the best of it? 

Jack Mallory

Glen--help! I'm getting tired of winning Single Malt; what's the best cognac I can virtually drink?

I won yet another bet with myself by predicting a Yabbut Whatabout. I had no idea it would include Teddy Kennedy, Bill Clinton, drowning, rape, seduction, oral sex, lies, an attack on the NYT, and Mike Pence! An attention diverter worthy of So-called himself.

​Off to my Iliad class (is it elitist to mention Homer?). If I'm going to read about a philandering demagogue, Zeus is so much more fun than Trump, and way less insecure. The modern world lacks a Gray-Eyed Athena, though, much to its loss. 

Nora Skinker (Morton)

👏👏👏 Take a bow! Would our agreement that politicians pander to different factions (even small ones) been more acceptable? I'd rather skip the obvious. >p>

So, whaddya think about getting the misogynist Pence to replace the misogynist Trump, Jack? Nothing? 

Glen, good start for the Nats today, kind sir! Did you notice the huge "Impeach Trump" banner in the outfield? What a town! 

Robert Hall

Robert Hall

Nora Skinker (Morton)

Too soon for me to make assumptions, Robert. Just trying to get Gorsuch on the SCOTUS & not watch the Dems shoot themselves in the foot. Reminds me of The Right shutting down the government a short time ago. Not smart. 

How bout the ever-truthful (not!) Susan Rice (Obama's right-hand gal) unmasking Flynn? She recently declared she knew nothing at all about it. Same old, same old. 🙄

Glen Hirose

Jack,

​My favorite Cognac is Courvoisier VSOP because my dad introduced it to me, and I've been enjoying it for some 50 years now.  I would love to try the 3 Star, but it might be a bit cost prohibitive.

​​Nori,

​How about those Natz? Bryce has had an opening day homer 5 years straight and it sparked a rally too. The new guys on the team did their part which included the pinch-hit go ahead homer.  But, I do not care for the mixing of politics and baseball; oh well, it's a free country. Finally the career thing: "Witch Doctor".

Nora Skinker (Morton)

Oh, dear...has politics turned our fave teetotaler back to drinking? Don't egg him on, Glen. 😎

Am with you, my friend. The mixing of sports & politics (particularly when somebody takes a knee) is not palatable..(though I think meeting with the Egyptian Head of State is no excuse to miss throwing the first pitch.) Impeach the S.O.B. 😡! 

Nora Skinker (Morton)

Sorry, Glen. Not to be for the Z's but what a game!!!! Whew! I'm whipped!! 💤

Joan Ruggles (Young)

I for one am holding no bake sales. I'll leave that to Nora who suggested that idea for funding worthy causes. I just give money and protest often. Much more efficient. And FYI I've never claimed to be "a helluva pastry chef" just a lowly minimum wage pastry cook - but thanks for the upgrade! And thank you so much for praying for us. I know we'll all benifit. Your Yabbut Whatabout response regaring Bill C is classic!  You just can't help yourself. Nobody talks anymore about the misogyny of DT. Nobody talks anymore about the misogyny of Bill Clinton. Nobody talks anymore about the fact that DT won the election. But you (and he) keep bringing it up. When will you get over it and admit that your guy won?  What we do talk about is the real mess he's made of it. That's probably harder for you to admit.  

A couple of examples (there are too many to list) from only today:

Brutal dictator/tyrant (who killed hundreds of protestors) gets welcomed to the White House with a big hug. DT says,  ““I just want to let everybody know in case there was any doubt that we are very much behind President el-Sisi.”  Thereby legitimizing his authoritarian rule. DT clearly has a love of strong men and repressive regimes. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/trump-praises-egyptian-dictator-agree-article-1.3017611

36 year old real estate investor, Jared Kushner is today the primary member of the current administration in charge of our foreign policy with the world, Rex Tillerson having been set aside/not invited to Middle East meetings in Iraq.  Does knowing that make you sleep better at night? What do our allies all over the world make of this kid who knows nothing of world affairs nor of negotiating with world leaders having this position of power and influence in the DT White House. They must be laughing at our ignorance and naiveté at giving this power to someone so clueless and inexperienced. https://www.wsj.com/articles/trumps-son-in-law-arrives-in-iraq-with-top-u-s-military-officer-1491219732

Nora Skinker (Morton)

Perhaps you didn't read recently the anti-conservative cheap shots aimed at Pence for mentioning his choice to avoid dining with other women, Joan. And did you think Obama's throwing mega bucks to the terrorist country of Iran was warmer than a hug? But whether it is your points or mine being made, there is plenty to be concerned about - not the least of which is the choice your Party has made to block & tear down, every step of the way, this President's attempts to govern. 

Jack Mallory

Don't know if Joan considers herself a Democrat. I don't, but regardless, I support blocking Trumpublican attempts to change policies, regulations, laws, and the enforcement of laws in ways that cause harm to millions, inside and outside the US. Trump's election has no necessary effect on the values and opinions of Joan, myself, or the majority that voted against him/for others. 

Obama/Iran is yet another Yabbut Whatabout: wrong then, he's not president now, why is it relevant? Should we look at years of American support of brutal autocrats around the world to justify similar policies today and tomorrow? (There's a Yabbut Whatabout Anonymous meeting at St. Peter's tonight at 6.)

*************

Last night, in class, we were introduced to Delusion (Atē), the goddess of mischief, ruin, and folly. She pissed off Zeus, who threw her (literally, swinging her around by her long hair) from Olympus, sending her to live on earth forever. Here, Delusion "walks the air above men’s heads and leads them astray," wreaking havoc on human life. "Atē" also refers to the effects of Delusion: death and destruction. 

I think the Js and their allies have every right to resist the delusions of So-called, and their resulting havoc.

*************

50 years ago today, Dr. King gave one of his most broadly-encompassing speeches on American values and policies. While focusing on the war in Vietnam, he also said that when "profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism and militarism are incapable of being conquered.” He concluded by calling for “a worldwide fellowship that lifts neighborly concern beyond one’s tribe, race, class and nation.”

I wonder if Dr. King would have voted for Trump, supported his national and international policies. That's bullshit--I'm damned sure he wouldn't have. 

.

Nora Skinker (Morton)

Thanks for the MLK wisdom. And where are our values if convenience is worth more than human life itself? There are many lenses, Jack. And of course people here have the right to resist but when one resists just to resist, I question the good it does for our system of government as a whole. My view - Judge Gorsuch's demeaning opposition forces exist because Trump picked him. It shows the lock-step obstructionism of a bitter & hateful party & media (generally speaking) whose goal is to destroy..not build, not grow, not govern.  Just my lens. 

So, are you affiliated with a Party? If so, please educate as to where your views differ from say, Shumer? You never wanted to in the past but since you brought it up...

Stephen Hatchett

I see two problems with Gorsuch. Only one is of his own making, and neither is that Trump picked him.  Most legal scholars seem to agree that he’s a good jurist.  The first problem is that a hateful party leadership, in lock step obstructionism blocked Obama’s appointment  of Garland for a calendar year.  Should the Dems play tit-for-tat?  There is now an extensive poli-sci literature on tit-for-tat as a good strategy in many, many circumstances.  One has to be provokable lest opposition just run all over you.  Is this one of those circumstances?  I’d like much to hear Dianne Feinstein’s thinking. The second problem I personally have is with Gorsuch’s stand (and book) against physician aid-in-dying. I certainly don’t want him blocking my access to it, nor access for most anyone I could think of who wants it in life-ending circumstances. I don’t think there’s a big slippery-slope problem, and the experiment is being done elsewhere.  That’s a big topic worthy of discussion, perhaps in this forum — I’m pretty damn sure we’ve all thought about it by now.

Jack Mallory

I think my party affiliation has been pretty clear: independent, unaffiliated, or as it used to say on my dog-tags, no preference.  I matured politically when both parties were waging a brutal and useless war in Indochina; I've never trusted either, since. As Mercutio put it, "A plague o' both your houses!" I don't think anyone wants me to reiterate all of my very frequently iterated political opinions: still fully available in old forum posts for anyone who can't remember them.

Political lenses are personal and particular. Hence, beliefs about when human life begins, or about reproductive decisions, or about right to die issues, are best left to individuals and have been and should be protected by the Constitution. I suppose that's why many of us are concerned about who sits on the Supreme Court, and support "lock-step obstructionism of a bitter & hateful party & media (generally speaking) whose goal is to destroy..not build, not grow, not govern." Or, to express it in a less bitter, hateful, and destructive way, careful consideration of a nominee's qualifications.

A lot of my family and friends are atheists. They don't characterize those they disagree with the way Nora does, thank god. Another reason I'm an atheist--the hypocrisy of some of those who claim to love their enemies. 

Jack Mallory

General McChrystal may not like Joe Biden, but he loves Big Bird! Fund PBS, he says! (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/05/opinion/stanley-mcchrystal-save-pbs-it-makes-us-safer.html?_r=0)

Salute the general by sending this on to your Congressionals!

****************

This week, the LA Times has been running a series of editorials on Trump's presidency. Everyone know the left coast is full of pinko PBS watchers, pastry-cooks, physicists, and until I got religion and moved east, elitist high school teacher/archaeologists. But regardless of political bent, most of us might agree with the Times' description of what a good citizen does. 

"Our civilization is defined in part by the disciplines — science, law, journalism — that have developed systematic methods to arrive at the truth. Citizenship brings with it the obligation to engage in a similar process. Good citizens test assumptions, question leaders, argue details, research claims.

Investigate. Read. Write. Listen. Speak. Think. Be wary of those who disparage the investigators, the readers, the writers, the listeners, the speakers and the thinkers. Be suspicious of those who confuse reality with reality TV, and those who repeat falsehoods while insisting, against all evidence, that they are true. To defend freedom, demand fact."

This takes time, effort, and enough intellectual curiosity to want to do the work--well. This isn't "resisting just to resist," as some charge. This is what a good citizen does. 

Nora Skinker (Morton)

Stephen, from what I've gleaned watching confirmations through the decades, a nominee best not be determined by his/her particular rulings (which are, in nature, fraught with controversy) but more by his/her experience, knowledge/respect of constitutional law & record of independent & apolitical thinking. Gorsuch appears to fit the criteria. Moreover, a la Anton Scalia, he maintains (what many consider important) a balance on the Court. Though I take your valid point in bringing up the "tit for tat" mindset, I strive to find statesmanship in those who break from that game & actually act according to what is best for the country at any given time. Both Parties have at times exercised their right to deny a confirmation hearing in an election year or when there is a lame-duck President, to see what election results may dictate. I personally think the Dems resistance has everything to do with (1) pressure from anti-Trump groups & (2) the threat of a Roe repeal.

Joan, what can I say when you take my words so personally & so literally? Of course I have no idea what kind of pastry chef you are. Of course I don't expect you to host a bake sale.  Of course much is playful banter to keep perspective. I do hope, however, that you don't feel you are a failure as a pastry chef because you bring in minimum wage. As to why I bring up Obama & Susan Rice, even though they are "history" now? I bring them up because, in today's news, it seems they might have been complicit in "unmasking" various members of the Trump transition team, which means if they did that for political reasons, they could have committed a felony. This investigation by the DOJ & FBI is running in conjunction with the investigation into whether Trump &/or his team colluded with the Russians. They are separate cases but (I believe) of equal importance to all of us. 

Jack, if you knew what being a Christian is, you would know that it means NOT that you are better than anyone (or somehow unhypocritical or inhuman) but that you try to align yourself with the teachings of Christ and therefore strive to be less hypocritical. I fail every day. But one phrase that may behoove both you & me to remember more often is that ultimately "it's better to be loving, than right".

Glen, I HATE the Caps!! They're setting me up for another tragic fall!!!!! 😩 

Glen Hirose

Nori,

For years the Caps have been like watching an exquisite soufflé baking in the oven;  when it’s “Show Time” and you take it out, “Poof” flat-as-a-pancake…
     

This time I believe there is true “Substance” there a no-nonsense get it do, butt kicking, scrappiness that will get them the 2017 Stanley Cup.  You know like a Fruit Cake, an undeniable presence.

Nora Skinker (Morton)

Mmmm...your culinary similes are SO welcome (except that fruit cake thing) as I embark on my South Beach Diet after two months of Florida seafood dinners, Glen. I agree that this team seems as unstoppable as any Cup winner could be, but then I see the Flyers' goalie (Neuvirth) fall back in a heap the other night (sealing the team's doom) & I say to myself "There but for the grace of God...."

Bottom line: it's all about attrition!! And believing in "da boys" 😎

Nora Skinker (Morton)

Everything discussed on this forum is dwarfed next to Assad's horrific chemical attack on innocents in Syria seen in photos this morning. Beyond pleading that the UN do something in response, what would the forum propose the US do?