Injustice

Accountability?

Socialism for the rich, capitalist discipline for the rest of us. This is what happens when you promote greed and capitalism then make exceptions for natural victims of market failures. They learn nothing and go back to their ways.

More Bush Policy Reversal

Yup, west syyyyyyde

So, in another reversal of America's 8 years in the desert under Bush, Obama intends on letting states set their own emission standards, something that California has been pushing for for a long time. This is seen, of course, as a blow to the automakers who are whining about how this is a bad time given current economic conditions.

You automakers had plenty of time to change in the past, now its time to owe up to the greater good and take a bite out of your stfummich. Too long has this country sacrificed the greater good and long term success for short term gains. Bush, being the slack that he is, was a master at that. It is refreshing to have a president with the guts to make the tough choices, to sacrifice short term comforts for long term prosperity. And if the car manufactures don't survive, well, you can thank the capitalism that Bush has been praising all these years.

Week One

Ignorance is bliss?

I just watched Will.i.am's CNN tribute to President Obama, and frankly, it really annoyed me. It paints this rosey picture of change and hope that is inconsistent with how the world really is. The fact that we have elected an African American into the White House is a historical sign of progression that we need to celebrate, but come on, let's face it, the world is really no different today than it was on Tuesday than it was on Monday. Just read the headlines.

What people fail to realize is that Obama is still an individual politician who is powerless to change the institutional culture that is the U.S. government. Sure the executive order to strengthen ethical behavior between the Executive Office of the President of the United States and lobbyist is a great start - but it rings hallow when we look at Robert Gates who was a well known lobbyist for Raytheon. When the results don't match the intentions and hypocritical exceptions are made, what we have left is not change - it's just empty symbolism.

And that's what I am concerned about - that this entire rose image of change is just a scripted symbolism of change that won't really happen. Yes it is early and yes I am hopeful that President Obama will succeed in bringing change to the country. But we must do so in an objective manner by staying informed on the issue first and not be pampered into submission by empty symbols.

5 Minutes in and I am Already Complaining

Looks pretty unseparated to me

I was severely disturbed by the images I saw with the invocation by Rick Warren, and you should be too. People infusing their feelings of a magical being into politics has always been a dangerous combination for the progression of humanity. Watching the many faces in the crowds having quiet time with their imaginary friends reminded me that America is still dangerously caught up on religion as compared to the rest of the developed world. The inauguration reminded me that as much as there ought to be, there is no separation of church and state in America.

It Has Begun

POTUS, sworn in and ready for Mortal Kombat

I took a bit of a break with good reason. I have expressed in the past my reservation and skepticism over the hype of any individual elected to office. To me, words are just words until action is taken. Once action has been taken, those words will naturally be revealed as truth or fallacy on its own. Barack Obama has said a lot. Now that he's POTUS, we shall soon see what conclusions his actions will draw on his rhetoric. It seems like an appropriate grace period, but now we start once again.

Congratulations, Mr. President. Your inauguration speech reminded me of both the hope that drives us and the perils ahead. The next four years will be a daunting period for American history and I wish you the best of luck.

Good, now get to work and don't ever forget that we, the American people, are your bosses.