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The Daily Planet, Vol. 65

Cher: A friend of mine recently suggested that each time a miltary action along the lines of Iraq or Libya, that taxes ought to go up by one percent automatically. Personally, I think it needs to be two percent. I’m wondering if higher taxes would serve to keep us out of all of these mideast conflicts.

So what is your take on the Medicare issue? Have the Republicans overreached to the point that it will affect the 2012 elections?

Thanks for all your great work on the planet. BTW, you’re doing pretty well for 65. 🙂

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 28, 2011 @ 7:46 am

The Republican Snake Oil Salesmen

AdLib: Your post is spot-on in its analogy, history and methodology.
Republicans have followed the age-old cure-all recipe perfectly.

Let’s say you’re selling a pill for tape worms — not too uncommon back in the day. Well, inside this little pill is coil of white string which will pass through your system in a couple of days and appear miraculously as a ‘dead worm’ — proving that the pill worked and sending the patient / victim back for another pricey pill.

By cutting taxes, Republicans have manufactured the debt malady so they can sell their desperate fiscal transfer-of-wealth-to-the-wealthy, remarkable remedy ‘poison’ pills. Snake oil salesmen and Republicans are of the same ilk… each peddling quack-cures for money.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 22, 2011 @ 6:33 pm

The Daily Planet, Vol. 58

Cher:

The Maddow Show segment on Michigan is indeed a powerful piece. Her assessment about the Republican takeover / corporatization of Government being the issue that should be driving the debate is spot-on. I don’t understand why this story isn’t MSM news — or maybe I’m just in denial about the negative effect that corporate ownership of our national media.

Amidst all the fervent Republican shouts about Freedom and Liberty, the GOP actions are in direct opposition to their words. I hope Americans are paying attention.

Thanks, as always, for what you do to get the message out.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 20, 2011 @ 7:24 am

The Daily Planet, Vol. 44

If you don’t have enough science or math credits in your major, a lot of colleges will let you shift your degree from BS to BA.

The fact that he can’t ‘do numbers,’ and that the numbers don’t add up make Mr. Ryan the ideal guy for the cut job. As for me, I’m personally awarding Mr. Ryan a “BS” degree — Can’t think of a guy who deserves “BS” after his name more than Paul Ryan.

Heard from the House Floor: Facts… ‘We don’ need no stinkin’ facts… Where’s my tea? Somebody get me my tea.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 5, 2011 @ 9:16 am

“Emotions like fear and anger – the stock in trade of the GOP – usually win out over fact and logic.”

Yup. Sad, but true. Well said!

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 5, 2011 @ 8:57 am

Dem politicians after the 2010 elections were often heard lamenting about the low turn-out by Dems. If these pols keep burying their heads in the sand, likely we’ll see the same lament in 2012. The sad thing — polls confirm we have the winning arguments.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 5, 2011 @ 8:54 am

I got a we-need-money letter yesterday from DNC Chairman Gov Tim Kaine. My first though was to write him back and tell him that I’d be happy to contribute when Dems start standing up and speaking out — not before. Maybe there’s a strategy in this ‘pile,’ but I’m certainly having trouble understanding it. I can’t figure out what I’m ‘smelling.’ Is it fear or the rot of accepted defeat?

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 5, 2011 @ 8:41 am

The Democratic Scorpions: Always the Sting in Our Own Collective Ass

Marion: A beautifully articulate post. You touched on a something I hope you will expand upon … “That sort of messianic snobbery is part and parcel of why white working class people moved away from the Dems – …”

What are some of the ‘other’ parts and parcels that play into this?

The GOP appears to be doing a better job of messaging than the Dems. Or is it that Dems and Independents rejecting the Dem message — or do they feel little in common with the messengers?

If indeed the great middle is guilty of voting against their own self interest, as they are often accused, is it that they do not recognize their self interest? (I struggle with this idea.) Or are they rejecting Dem culture more than message and platforms? Do you get the sense that there is a nothing-in-common attitude — or worse, loathing towards Dems coming from the working class?

I understand why the GOP does what it does. I disagree, but I understand. I can even understand why some on the Left are disappointed and / or disengaged.

But I don’t understand how so many voters appear to buying into or accepting the we-need-to-cut Social-Security-to-pay-for-tax-cuts message at a time when we are spending incredible amounts of treasure for off-shore wars.

Frankly, I feel as if I’m missing something fundamental about what’s going on out in the political marketplace.

Your thoughts welcome.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 4, 2011 @ 2:06 pm

Southern Discomfort – Code Red

“Hayley Barbour is well overdue for one such (overt) lapse.”

Khirad: For me the overt lapse was when he said ‘it wasn’t that bad’ when referring to Civil Rights era Mississippi. I lead a comparatively sheltered life and saw enough to be horrified. If he’s not willing to be honest about our past, he has no business being a part of our future.

Thanks for posting.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 6:12 pm

WTS: I agree with you. I think the best thing about my humble post is what others have added. I’ve really, really enjoyed their rich contributions. Thanks for the kind words.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 5:21 pm

Escribacat: Thanks for writing. I’m glad you found the post enjoyable.

WTS is correct. People generalize. People stereotype. ‘People think what they’re going to think.’

I worked for a guy who often joked about me being a “Southern Inbred.” Actually, that’s not true. It was “Snaggled-tooth Southern Inbred.” For some reason, it never got under my skin. There are people who equate Southern with stupid. Me, I think such generalizations are what’s not too intelligent.

Some of America’s richest culture (I think) can be found in the South. I’m glad you’ve sampled some of the South’s authors, but hope you will also have the opportunity to eat oysters in the New Orleans French Quarter or take a drive along the Natchez Trace or visit Richmond, VA or perhaps Vicksburg, MS. As you say, the full spectrum will be on display.

I took a way a lot from Mississippi, the poorest state in the Union. Even with the painful memories, I think gained much, much more than I lost.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 5:18 pm

Oohrah, KT!

My dad pulled a similar trick on his brother. Told him he couldn’t make it in college. His brother went on to become an educator. And, of course, my dad claimed credit for this psychological motivation for decades. Surprised my uncle didn’t deck my dad. 🙂

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 4:35 pm

Thanks, Adonai.

Oddly enough, I never realized just how important family is until I got into the military. I was an advanced training company commander. At any one time I had around 100 females and 200 males under the same roof. (Talk about your high intensity parenting experiences, I’ve had mine — and then some.)

A lot of soldiers wash out in basic training or a bit later during specialty training (Advanced Individual Training). My job was clothe, house and feed the soldiers and discharge them if they couldn’t make it. AIT, as it is called, is less structured than Basic Training. Soldiers need a certain amount of self discipline to get through AIT.

What I found out is that the young people who got in trouble, but made it through, had an aunt, an uncle, a parent or grandparent that they didn’t want to disappoint. Those who had no one back home who cared about them were like leaves in the wind. Invariably I ended up discharging these folks.

With the effective disbanding of the close-proximity extended family in America, our society pays a price. Glad you had your Grandpa to show you the path.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 3:49 pm

“What I am thinking is that the “North” won a war and occupied a country and that a lot of people don’t understand that today. The loser of a war feels a whole lot different than the winner and I think “blow-back” is a very real concept.”

Foodchain: I think there is something to what you’re saying. The ‘Ain’t Fergettin’ bumper tags should have been a clue to me. My attitude at the time was that: (a) the South made a mistake, (b) lost the war, and (c) the needs of the country as a whole should prevail. Obviously, my attitude was naive.

I really appreciate your adding the richness of your experience, and the experiences of your sisters, to the post.

And, your reply was plenty timely. We’re in some respects still fighting aspects or the legacy of the Civil War. It looks like we will be at it for some time to come, unfortunatly.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 3:33 pm

KQ: Thanks for the reply and kind words. I’d really be interested in ‘hearing’ your thoughts on the change perspective you spoke about.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 3:27 pm

Abby:

You are welcome to use the post as far as I’m concerned. I do recall, however, that all posts are technically the property of Planet POV. I don’t think they will mind, however. 🙂

I’m honored that you find the post worthy of inclusion in your paper.

The thing about history is that it has a way of sneaking up on you. One almost never recognizes run-of-the-mill history when one sees it. Here I was, riding the school bus with the suspected descendants of Rachel and Newton Knight, people who would have books written about them — and their racism experience. And right there in my very own nondescript school bus, I got to see racism playing itself out right in front of me — live from Southern Mississippi. (I had not a clue at the time as to the significance of what I was witnessing.)

The fact that the Knight kids were, for all intents, white actually brought the prejudice to the surface in an even more intense and overt way. The other kids actually seemed to feel more free to show and verbalize their disdain.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 3:22 pm

KT: I think you’ve summed of the correct philosphy perfectly. Take each person as you find them on their merits.

Of course, I’d never thought of it in terms of young and “hot,” but that works. 🙂

Thanks for adding your story, and your brother’s as well, to the post.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 3:07 pm

Re: “I could be wrong, but those examples make me think that they would never consider themselves racist because of their basic kindness towards their workers”

Cher: Great point! Separation of the races was necessary to protect the purity of the white race (traditional Klan dogma) and to protect whites againt the decay-causing influences of an ‘inferior race.’

The biggest ‘cognitive dissonance’ for me was that ‘the scriptures’ — such an important element of Southern culture — did not seem to apply to all races. How could people express such fervent religious faith one moment and shift to hateful, violence-advocating rhetoric the next?

And, yes, I understand how you can relate to some of the things I described in the post. There has been more than one race in history designated as inferior.

May all your karmic experiences from here on be good ones.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 2:30 pm

Pepe: I don’t think any place is immune from prejudice. It exists everywhere. It easily fits in carry-on baggage, so need to check it at the gate. The thing that may be different about the Deep South than other places is how the prejudice was made such a formal part of the culture and the government.

Thanks for responding!

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 2:12 pm

Al: I’m sitting hear laughing so hard tears came to my eyes. (I can call you Al or Ally, right?) You see, I got a few dead people’s voices sounding in my head right now.

“Now, son, you can’t call her ‘bitch’ no way, no how. It don’t matter none that she done gone and named herself.”

“Daddy Pop’s right, son. You gotta talk to that nice lady and get her to change her name. It jus’ ain’t proper, you heah? You tell her I said so. ‘Specially if she’s livin’ in Texas. Lordy’s sakes! She ought to know better. Thems good southern folk down in Texas.”

And you know what, Al, my dead relatives are right. I can’t call you by your full name POV name. My southern roots just drag my fingers away from the keyboard jus’ as I’ma fixin’ to type sumthin’. Isn’t that funny? Even from the grave, my ‘elders’ are still raising me.

I loved your reply to my post. You have a gift of language that I hope you will share more of. I be thinkin’ you should take us all on a tour of the grocery store, the pharmacy, Court House and introduce us to your town characters. Or just invite for a glass of tea — with lemon, of course, and introduce us to your ‘friends.’

Since you can’t make it back to Sequim today, attached is a link for my eagle pics thus far this year. I’ve found three (maybe four) nests with birds in them thus far. Where there’s life, there’s hope!

http://bobbyc.smugmug.com/Animals/Birds/Sequim-Eagles-2011/16342685_G9JWm#1228515545_48eyN

Note the name, ‘BobbyC’ — is that southern, or what? It’s a law. A true ‘suthner’ mus’ have two first names.

Thanks for writing.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 1:19 pm

Kalima: “…I felt as if I was seeing it through your eyes. … The only thing I didn’t witness as a child was racism” Thank you very much. As an ‘old’ white guy, the discussion of race is best entered into with much humility, but I thought my eight-year-old self’s perspective was a respectful way to approach the subject.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

BTW, I liked your Sunday visuals above. Nicely done.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 12:42 pm

After signing the voting right bill, Lyndon Johnson famously declared, ‘We[Democrats] may have lost the southern vote for the next 50 years.’

It appears that, President Johnson underestimated.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 12:22 pm

Smitty: Thanks for joining the discussion. The article could certainly benefit from more of your perspective. I’m sorry to hear that the ‘color’ code is so slow to die.

As for the party of Lincoln, I presently see more resemblance to McCarthy than Lincoln.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 11:59 am

A little cicada… Buddy can bring the banjo he mentioned the other day. I think we can work with this. Southern music, nature style.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 11:50 am

Kesmarn: Marion took some heat for his post. I took away that he was reporting attitudes more than advocating them. In reading his post and the comments, I wanted to respectfully try and introduce a bit of the complexity and human context to part of the debate.

My eight-year-old self wrestled (or is that wrassled?)with the contradictions with what I heard in church and what I saw in real life. I tried to put in perspective my uncle’s guidance about citizenship while he made a partial living by breaking the law. “I decided all this ‘code’ stuff was pretty complicated.”

I think you have the right of it when you use the term ‘tribal mindset.’ That fits, I think.

Thanks for weighing in.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 11:48 am

“What mystifies me is the love of the Confederacy that was utterly abusive toward the men they sacrificed who had no interest in slavery…” Change is such a slow process. Sometimes it appears we take two steps back for each one forward. As for the other, perhaps most men aren’t fighting so much for principles or wealth — as they are for their buddies.

“…you still give a firm handshake …” I do. I hear my uncle’s voice everytime I greet someone. ‘Let them know there’s a MAN on the other end of that handshake.’ So many years ago and I still hear his voice. Conversation took place in a bowling alley. His voice, the crash of pins… they still echo.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 11:38 am

JK: Some don’t see it and cannot be reached. Others have an inkling that something is wrong… a tingling of the conscience, but they go along with the crowd. Peer pressure and the need to belong are powerful forces.

I did not know about Rachel and Newton Knight until after I was an adult. Can you imagine the courage it took for Newton and Rachel to wed in post Civil War Mississippi?
That their descendants were still shunned ninety years after the fact, I find amazing… and very revealing.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 11:29 am

Gransview: You’re welcome. But thanks go to Marion. His post is what set me on the path to the one I wrote. Connections and reactions.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 11:20 am

Questinia: Good question. I lived in the country on farms, more or less isolated from other kids. In the summers before I could drive, my mother would drive me to the library twice a week and I would check out four to five books during each visit. In short, I read. Reading took me to different places than where I lived. I ended up reading some very adult books at a young age. The books caused me to question my community’s social code.

The second factor is that I really didn’t pick-up a racial attitude from my parents. It was a wonderful gift I never knew I received.

» Posted By SequimBob2 On April 3, 2011 @ 11:17 am

The Crime of the Century

Pepe:

I really enjoyed your article. Do you think the tobacco hearings set the stage for future truth-but-no-consequence situations such as: (1) the Iraq War Part II (no WMD)and (2) recent Investment House and Bank Failures?

Were the tobacco trials one of the first major instances where legal liability trumped moral responsibility?

» Posted By SequimBob2 On March 29, 2011 @ 12:21 pm