The Stark Post

Thoughts on hope and human nature

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:22:00 +0000

The main body is a note posted by a friend who was wondering about the state of the world included at the bottom is my response.

Here is a post from a friend and below it is my response:

What cause for hope?

On my way home from work today, there was a story on my local NPR station about a severely injured pit bull who was wrapped in plastic and tossed in a dumpster to die. "Trooper" was found, initially the prognosis was good, and how she is struggling again. I think about our rescue dog, Kelby, who has been such an incredible companion to my husband as he struggled with post-traumatic stress - and to me, and to my stepdaughter - and it makes me cry. How can people be so cruel to animals?

Next was a story about how all the coral reefs in the world may be gone in our children's lifetime. I couldn't listen, and got out of the car - this was not a "driveway moment" for me. Polar bears face extinction, coral reefs teeter on the brink, how many other species are endangered or lost forever? I believe that the diversity of species and amazing fecundity of life is inherently worth preserving. Of course, people don't have to agree with that. But I hope people can understand that in a closed system - which the planet is - letting things get significantly out of whack threatens the stability of the system. Rather than doubting climate change is happening as some falsely claim, reputable scientists say recent research shows it is happening faster than worst-case scenarios predicted. Even the Department of Defense - not exactly known as tree-hugging liberals - cites climate change as a coming threat to national security.

On my way in from the car, I picked up a gift from my sister-in-law: a book on the holocaust. A reminder that we are not only cruel to the animals that live with us and callous to the world that sustains us, but also we (meaning humans in general here, not each of us) are also willing to be viciously brutal to one another.

My husband often gently teases me for assuming (no, I'm not an economist, go figure) that people are rational actors - that if nothing else, humans will act in their own self-interest. So, logically, if you can just show them the facts, they will make good decisions. NO! In fact, my husband is right: this is totally false. People often don't act in their own self-interest, and they seem practically incapable of assessing information, weighing facts, and coming to logical conclusions.

We can't debate health insurance reform by weighing competing proposals in light of careful analysis of the risks, costs, and benefits. Rather, we scream and lie and threaten and hit.

And I'm forced to wonder: What cause is there for hope?

On good days, I recognize that over the course of human history, by and large things have gotten better: looking at measurable things, like lifespan, infant mortality, and so forth, people all around the world (with the sad exception of much of sub-Saharan Africa) are doing better today than fifty, a hundred, a thousand years ago. Follow that trajectory out, and things should continue to get better, and there is cause for hope.

On bad days, like today, I think there's no point at all. Humans are fatally flawed, there's no way out of the increasing consumption and growing poisoning of our planet. No hope for a moral or spiritual awakening. No way to in good conscience bring a child into this world of ugliness and cruelty and selfishness. No way that the Mother Theresas and Abdul Sattar Edhis of the world can balance out the Hitlers and Idi Amins and Saddam Husseins.

Convince me that I'm wrong. Give me a reason to believe

My Response:

The whole of humanity has gone wrong over this or that from time to time--Michael De Montaigne
There are always reasons to be down or sad but there are also reasons to keep going its what helps people endure the ugliness of which you speak. People are complicated and its better to resist the urge to say all people are bad or as some say all good(... Read Morefewer in this camp). Think of this they say that truth is stranger than fiction, which is true but I think it is because fiction is the result of someones imagination where as the truth is the product of millions of variables of acts big and small, good and bad. People are capable of these heinous acts but they are also capable of self sacrifice. Yes, there are too few Mother Theresas but there are plenty of people who are flawed, who try very hard to be better, that is the essence of human nature. There are those who try to be better and those who try to hold them back. This adversity is what gives triumphs its glory.

<i>WaPo</i>'s Cillizza Claims Sotomayor Gives GOP A Winning Election Issue

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:20:00 +0000

What a ridiculous claim. I can' t believe this passes for news and this jackass will be all over MSNBC repeating this nonsensical assertion. Unless she single-handedly outlaws Jesus no one will be any more riled up against President Obama than they already are. I am beging to suspect that going on TV is bad for columnists. Because they keep trying to think of thing that don't make sense or concided with reality just to be asked on to explain themselves. As mixing the types of banks turned out to be such a bad idea maybe the same is true for types of journalists.
About Sonia Sotomayor
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Memorial Day: Did you know Cavalry men get their own kind of Valhalla

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:32:00 +0000

This is an old poem that no one really knows the origin of, but I sort of like it. If you ain't Cav you ain't... I like the idea that my buddies are having a drink with all the Cavalry men who have gone before.

Halfway down the trail to Hell,
In a shady meadow green
Are the Souls of all dead troopers camped,
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddlers' Green.

Marching past, straight through to Hell
The Infantry are seen.
Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marines,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddlers' Green.

Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene.
No trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he's emptied his canteen.
And so rides back to drink again
With friends at Fiddlers' Green.

And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp,
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddlers' Green.
For PFC. Jeremiah Smith
Cpt Lief Knott
SSG Christopher Moudry
SFC Jason Bishop
SSG Chad Caldwell
SGT Joseph Blanco
SSG Roger Turner
1SG McGinni

Senate-Passed Bill Would Bring Sunlight To Fed

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:27:00 +0000

Man this is frustrating. Every time I get excited cause they did the right thing you scroll down and see that well it isn't in some other version so its got to go to another committee,dang it. How come the things that screw us up always breeze right on through? And the things that might make things a bit more right they flounder and get changed and compromised to no end until we get a bill or an amendment to a bill that is just a disappointment and can only be lauded on the basis of "better than nothing".If are going to own these damn things we need to get some type of benefits. The Banks should have to give something back to its taxpaying custormers such as better credit card terms or waive over draft or changing late fee payment rules. Something. Damn they are taking out money on both ends. And then when someone has the temerity to ask what they are doing or try to get some type of concession they say "what you've always let us run wild in the past." with a confused look on their overpaid faces. Then oh gosh an actual elected offical will try to do the right thing and its endless haming and hawing and worst case scenario well this might help a deadbeat or reward bad behavior yadda yadda. Hey we are rewarding bad behavior and helping deadbeats,the bankers.
About The Fed
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

In Support of EFCA

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Mon, 04 May 2009 15:16:00 +0000

I believe that everyone should have the choice to join a union let me tell you why. My grandfather can do many very practical things such as farming,raising animals and fixing lawn mower engines and is fluent in two languages there is one thing he can’t do however;he can’t read . Although he is illiterate he happens to enjoy a relatively well funded and comfortable retirement in a nice home free from want complete with good insurance that has seen my grandparents through Cancer and other illnesses that would wipe out the less fortunate. He owes his good retirement to two things my grandmother’s money management and the fact that he was able to join a union when he worked as a longshoreman (think Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront). The labor union to which he belong guaranteed him a decent wage and fair benefits for his very hard work. My father now belongs to the very same union. I once belonged to a different yet equally beneficial union.
The Employee Free Choice Act seeks to help more workers obtain the opportunity to be fairly compensated for their contributions. This bill has been fiercely opposed by business interests. Wal-mart not content with a large political action committee held meetings during the 2008 elections in which employees were encouraged to vote against democratic candidates because they would force them to unionize and thereby cost them their jobs.
These claims are patently false. The EFCA only provides more options for employees to choose to unionize and takes the decision away from the company and put it into the hands of the workers themselves, It does not “force” unionization nor does it do away with secret ballots another popular myth going around. Choice is really the operative word at play. Many of the arguments against unions in general and this proposal don’t hold much water. EFCA will close federal loopholes that employers exploit to thwart attempts to unionize. It will the first time every impose a fine on employers who break the laws pertaining to unions. Secret ballots are still an option.
Under the EFCA there would be two methods of organizing:
1. Majority sign-up: Under this method, workers sign valid forms indicating their preference for a union. EFCA would change existing law so that an employer must recognize its employees’ union when a majority of its workers has authorized union representation using majority sign-up.
2. Secret ballot elections: Under the Employee Free Choice Act, workers are still free to organize using “secret ballot” elections.
3. both majority sign-up and secret ballot elections have been in existence since 1935 but, under current law, employers can disregard the results of majority sign-up and force employees to use secret ballot elections. In fact, a company’s management can refuse to recognize a union even when 100% of its employers have signed authorization cards indicating that they want a union.
Companies argue that unions and higher wages will hurt the bottom line and force them to lay off workers. This is a scare tactic will Wal-mart decide to stop making money?Doubtful.Will better wages keep them from competing or force them to dramatically raise prices? Not necessarily take the example of Costco which competes directly with Wal-mart’s Sams club and pays on average 72% more than Sam’s but spends substantially less on hiring and training because people stay and they work harder. Costco turnover rate overall is 17% dropping to 6% after one year of employment with Wal-mart/Sam’s at 44% throughout. The total annual cost to Costco of employee churn is $244 million, whereas the total annual cost to Sam’s Club is $612 million. That’s $5,274 per Sam’s Club employee, versus $3,628 per Costco employee according to the Harvard Business Review. Costco also has one of the lowest rates of employee theft in the retail industry. People know instinctively when they are being treated fairly. The Employee Free Choice Act at its’ core is about fairness. Fair wages for a days work. I won’t even address the ridiculous claims about communism, people throwing that term around are beyond all reason. One could also argue that if companies like Wal-mart didn’t depress wages people wouldn’t depend on them to keep prices rock bottom. Its’ a top down vicious cycle. Costco stock regularly out-prices Wal-mart stock. Treating workers fairly and turning a profit can be done.
Opponents of unionized labor would have people believe that unions hurt the economy as a whole by adversely affecting businesses. A September 2008 study by the non-partisan Los Angeles Economic Roundtable would say different, it found what unions in Los Angeles with 17 percent (5 percent higher than national average)of the labor force – and their wage differential of 27 percent higher over non-unionized labor amounts to an additional $7.2 billion a year in wages. As these workers spend their wages their additional buying power creates 64,800 jobs and generates $11 billion in economic output in Los Angeles. Jim Sinegal co-founder of Costco is famous for saying “we've always been in favor of improved wages for workers. When you have a strong middle class, they want to buy more stuff at Costco.” It should be mentioned however that Mr. Sinegal willingly takes in compensation a fraction of what most people in his position “earn”.
Denying workers the ability to earn fair compensation and benefits for their work is antithetical to the core American value,that people who are willing to work deserve a chance to get ahead and lead a good life. The Employee Free Choice Act will give more Americans their fair shot at the American dream just like my family has had

Torture Advocates will Set the Military Back for Generations

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Sat, 02 May 2009 15:53:00 +0000

This is nearly point for point the argument I have been making to people who don't understand what the big deal is. For visual illustrations they should watch Band of Brothers and see thousands of Germans surrendering to a handful of our guys. It should also be mentioned that one of the reasons the Japanese fought down the last man and we felt as if we had to drop the A-Bomb is because they thought we would treat them the way they did their prisoners. Our behavior has been unconscionable. When my unit had prisoners we treated them by the letter of the law and with humanity.
About Germany
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

My Clean Energy ad for VoteVets

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:40:00 +0000

Boehner: Memos Outline "Torture Techniques"

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:00:00 +0000

This is good because it make it that much harder for him to stand in the way of getting justice. I also hope that picture on main page is him talking about it because he looks sad and disappointed in his former leaders. We can use that. It is a matter of law. The law was broken. This cannot be allowed to stand. If we prosecute in good faith its a blow to out enemies. Everything that makes it harder for them to recruit and carry out their hateful mission is a victory. A big victory is just a bunch of small ones put together over time. Think about all the hours and hours of practice and little league and junior varsity games that go into a split second clutch play in the Superbowl. It matters. We show the world that we are not what they were told it will be powerful. How much less violence might there be if the world's citizens knew that there would be justice in the end? Let's find out.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Cheney Slams Obama Again, Calls Overseas Trips "Disturbing" (VIDEO)

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:54:00 +0000

I tell you what is disturbing is that our fourth estate is so damned corrupt that not only are they no doing their jobs with investigations or following up in a thoughtful manner issues like US operatives committing crimes we hung people for after WWII. But they would allow this evil man to weigh and give him too much air time. If they should be interrogating him instead of kissing his rump asking questions that will make him stutter and squirm reminding him that the people rule this country not junior members of Ford administration who should have long ago rode off into the sunset. This is beyond sad.
About Dick Cheney
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Earth-Sized Planet Discovered By Scientists

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:49:00 +0000

I always get a kick out of finding these. How could we be the only ones? Even supposing that the start of intelligent(debatable) life is extremely long odds, look how many stars they are. I just hope it comes up in my life that we find another race. Maybe then we would treat one another better.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Sunday Morning Still Searching For Successor To Russert's Throne: Will It Be Stephanopoulos?

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:58:00 +0000

There will never be another like Tim Russert. My deep regret is that I did not watch Meet the Press every Sunday.
About Meet the Press
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Opposition Grows To Obama's Decision Not To Prosecute CIA Agents

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:49:00 +0000

Department of Justice. Not department of convenience. This crap cannot be allowed to stand. If it is then we cannot make demand of any other regime we must say well sorry china,korea et al you get a pass. Because we are in fact no better. We tried a long time ago but decided it was too much trouble.

Furthermore people should not live in fear of their case coming before the torture judge.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Jeff Zucker, Top NBC Brass Concerned About CNBC's "Conservative," "Anti-Obama" Image: Report

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:52:00 +0000

Hey here is a basic concept. Why do you report the news. Wow. Hey you can focus more on facts and less on opinions. Then you could say well we are just reporting the news instead of creating it. Really it used to be really popular with "news" outlets. You can even make it a slogan; "covering financial news old school with facts now with less questionable opinions."
About CNBC
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Fox News Reporter: Wake Up And Fight The Fascism In Our Country (VIDEO)

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:46:00 +0000

What is fascism? They are confusing me. Probably because they are confusing buzz words for ideas. Where is the big fascism in the stimulus package?Green energy so we can stop funding certain regimes in the middle east. Evil fascist bridges that won't fall down. Please point to one policy in this plan that meets any definition(by this i mean look it up first) of facisim. By all means if we are going in that direction explain it to me. The kids with the deficit signs that is some low blow stuff considering the same people did jack when 80% of said deficit was accumulated under Bushes and Regan. If they had been against it then i'd actually respect them. This is pure theater pulled by the real fascists, they are trying to thwart the will of the people. President Obama won by a significant margin. One of the biggest ever for a non-imcumbant. Get over it. Formulate real ideas or shut the hell up.
About Tax Day Tea Parties
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Homeland Security Report Warns Of Rising Right-Wing Extremism

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:48:00 +0000

For the record I am an Iraq Vet, combat arms 19D. If something goes down I am firmly on the side of the president and the Constitution to which I swore an oath. It wasn't to Glock or Fox news. Goddamn Glen Beck and crew are shouting fire in a crowded theater full of angry irritated people. This is not protected. You cannot make endless accusations that have no merit that can easily be used to stir up enmity and advocate raising up at the duly elected government of the United States. Where is all the tyranny of which you speak? Fairer taxes? Leaving Iraq? Exposing Bush terror memos? Closing gitmo and banning torture?Creating green jobs and investing in roads? Oh god with tax money. Hey dick that is what taxes are for. So that society can pool its resources and help out said society as a whole. Oh not whats the root word of society lead to oh my god noooo Socialism. I tell yall what why don't you opt out of taxes and if you house catches fire the Fire department will send you a bill. Or if you get robbed the police won't come out until they check to see if your account is in good standing.

The taxes under Obama will go down for most of these people. He has also championed and put into place greater transparency in spending even before he became president. Wow. All that nasty social spending is on things we need. But you know that. You have just tricked all these poor people many of whom should be at work or looking for same into doing your dirty work. So that you can keep more your money. Selfishness personified while pretending to do the right thing. Don't be fooled kids it is Socialism that they want in reality only for them they want society to subsidise their well off life style and bail out their contributors. They want capitalism(i.e.opportunties to fail) for you and you don't have the money or opportunity thanks to their buddies to take advantage of capitalism. That is what I would call a raw deal. Please don't fall for it. Thanks.

Sincerely,

Third Generation combat vet whose grandfather died in WWII.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

PETA: Obama Puppy Should Be Neutered (But He Already Is)

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:09:00 +0000

I am thinking of lots of curse words directed at peta. how is preventing animals from passing on their genes so ethical. To me that is just as worse as eating them. I can see if the doggies do their natural business one time have a little then snip but why just snipe right away. Then what happens eventually all the dogs will be horribly inbreed because fewer and fewer people will be breeding them. I think people sterliizing animals for their own convenience is unethical go to hell peta. You too Bob Barker.
About Bo Obama
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Obama Lifting Cuba Travel Restrictions

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:50:00 +0000

I am always happen when the president keeps a campaign promise esp one that is unpopular with some people but the right thing to do. That we would embargo Cuba while doing business with China is beyond unconscionable. I hope this is a step towards helping Cuba come out of wrenching poverty and normalizing relations.
About Cuba
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Glenn Beck Radio Show: Rick Sanchez Can't Say Beck Responsible For Murder Because Of DUI (AUDIO)

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 13:01:00 +0000

Well perhaps the proper rejoinder is for Sanchez to say something long the lines of that is why i am speaking out. I know how that feels and I took responsibility for my actions and you should be made to feel the pain you have caused. If someone shoots cops after spewing almost exactly what you have been saying about losing freedom and after you encourage people to raise up and stock up on things like weapons because of the approaching totalitarianism perhaps there is a correlation. At the very least you should try to tamp it down a bit at least or entertain the possiblity that someone took your words "the wrong way". Have a heart man.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Dry Cleaners Offer Free Services For Unemployed

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:04:00 +0000

Pretty cool. I love when people come together in their community to do unexpected things like this.

A simple gesture but an important one. If you've been unemployed for a big it can seem too costly to dry clean. Give people dignity and a little hope that maybe the human race isn't so bad afterall.
About The Giving Life
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

BINGHAMTON SHOOTING: Many Shot, Hostages Taken

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:09:00 +0000

I wonder who he watches on tv? I wonder if its Dobbs and Hannity. Sure its not their fault they just spent an hour a day giving desperate people something to blame their frustrations on. Nothing bad could happen.

Where are the conservatives on this one with their nazi references on this one. In this case it actually make sense. Jews were blamed for Germany's ills and what happened next?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Joe The Plumber Confronted By Union Workers, Gets Stumped On Policy (VIDEO)

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:01:00 +0000

I love seeing him look like a fool. Its even better when he is stumped on the issues he cares sooo much about. What a jackass. I wish he would just go the hell away. What are we coming to? All you have to do is get on tv while lying to a Senator to try and make him look bad then get your name mentioned by John McCain bam instant celebrity. Give me a damn break. Then he is going around "advising" conservatives. I hope anyone who got advice will just go opps he doesn't know jack i mean come on he couldn't even be bother to get his plumbing license. Doesn't he know about google read up on these issues man.
About Video
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Unemployment Olympics: Out-Of-Work Compete in Phone Toss, Boss Pinning (PHOTOS)

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:28:00 +0000

Its better laugh than cry. There is an article in this months Scientific American Mind that says humor is a coping mechanism that can affect your overall out look and ability to adapt.
About Photo Galleries
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Auto State Politicians Stunned By Obama's 'Tough Love' For Them And Not So Much For Wall Street

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:12:00 +0000

Where the hell is the tough love for wall street. GM's financial arm maybe exposed to subprime but not to the extent that it would effect their solvency. So why are they being treated as if they are the cause of the economic mess as opposed to one of many effects. Why are so many at AIG still well employed. They should be in the unemployment line with all the other people they put there.
About Auto Bailout
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Obama Imposes Strict New Rules For Stimulus Lobbyists

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:49:00 +0000

One giant leap in the right direction. I like that they have to put it in writing and it will subsequently be put in the public domain. People with legitimate concerns and interests can still have their say just not out of proportion and not in secret. Very nice.
About Obama's First 100 Days
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Obama Approval Rating Goes UP: CBS News Poll

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:18:00 +0000

Eat that fox news.
About AIG
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost