While announcing Sonia Sotomayor as his nominee to the Supreme Court, President Barack Obama praised her as a judge who combined a mastery of the law with "a common touch, a sense of compassion, and an understanding of how the world works and how ordinary people live." This is in keeping with his earlier statement that he wanted to appoint a justice who possessed the "quality of empathy, of understanding and identifying with people's hopes and struggles."
Without casting aspersions on Judge Sotomayor, we may ask whether these are really the characteristics we want in a judge.
Clearly, a good judge must have "an understanding of how the world works and how ordinary people live." Judicial decision-making involves the application of abstract rules to concrete facts; it is impossible to render a proper judicial decision without understanding its practical effect on both the litigants and the wider community.
But what about compassion and empathy? Compassion is defined as a feeling of deep sympathy for those stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering; empathy is the ability to share in another's emotions, thoughts and feelings. Hence, a compassionate judge would tend to base his or her decisions on sympathy for the unfortunate; an empathetic judge on how the people directly affected by the decision would think and feel. What could be wrong with that?
Frederic Bastiat answered that question in his famous 1850 essay, "What is Seen and What is Not Seen." There the economist and member of the French parliament pointed out that law "produces not only one effect, but a series of effects. Of these effects, the first alone is immediate; it appears simultaneously with its cause; it is seen. The other effects emerge only subsequently; they are not seen; we are fortunate if we foresee them." Bastiat further noted that "[t]here is only one difference between a bad economist and a good one: The bad economist confines himself to the visible effect; the good economist takes into account both the effect that can be seen and those effects that must be foreseen."
This observation is just as true for judges as it is for economists. As important as compassion and empathy are, one can have these feelings only for people that exist and that one knows about -- that is, for those who are "seen."
One can have compassion for workers who lose their jobs when a plant closes. They can be seen. One cannot have compassion for unknown persons in other industries who do not receive job offers when a compassionate government subsidizes an unprofitable plant. The potential employees not hired are unseen.
One can empathize with innocent children born with birth defects. Such children and the adversity they face can be seen. One cannot empathize with as-yet-unborn children in rural communities who may not have access to pediatricians if a judicial decision based on compassion raises the cost of medical malpractice insurance. These children are unseen.
One can feel for unfortunate homeowners about to lose their homes through foreclosure. One cannot feel for unknown individuals who may not be able to afford a home in the future if the compassionate and empathetic protection of current homeowners increases the cost of a mortgage.
In general, one can feel compassion for and empathize with individual plaintiffs in a lawsuit who are facing hardship. They are visible. One cannot feel compassion for or empathize with impersonal corporate defendants, who, should they incur liability, will pass the costs on to consumers, reduce their output, or cut employment. Those who must pay more for products, or are unable to obtain needed goods or services, or cannot find a job are invisible.
The law consists of abstract rules because we know that, as human beings, judges are unable to foresee all of the long-term consequences of their decisions and may be unduly influenced by the immediate, visible effects of these decisions. The rules of law are designed in part to strike the proper balance between the interests of those who are seen and those who are not seen. The purpose of the rules is to enable judges to resist the emotionally engaging temptation to relieve the plight of those they can see and empathize with, even when doing so would be unfair to those they cannot see.
Calling on judges to be compassionate or empathetic is in effect to ask them to undo this balance and favor the seen over the unseen. Paraphrasing Bastiat, if the difference between the bad judge and the good judge is that the bad judge focuses on the visible effects of his or her decisions while the good judge takes into account both the effects that can be seen and those that are unseen, then the compassionate, empathetic judge is very likely to be a bad judge. For this reason, let us hope that Judge Sotomayor proves to be a disappointment to her sponsor.
By John Hasnas
John Hasnas is a visiting professor at Duke University School of Law.
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www.Politicalpotluck.com
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Showing posts with label barack obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label barack obama. Show all posts
Monday, June 1, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Open Letter to President Obama on Assisting Young Men of Color Make a Better Life
/PRNewswire / -- The following is a letter written by Dr. Henrie M. Treadwell, director of Morehouse School of Medicine's Community Voices:
I applaud your recent creation of the White House Council on Women and Girls to help ensure we are treated equally in public policies, by employers and in every other aspect of American society. I must also urge, however, that you place a similar emphasis on men and boys, particularly young men of color, who face some of the steepest hurdles in American society.
The reasons cited in forming the new council are just -- throughout our nation's history women have often been treated as second-class citizens when it comes to earning a livelihood, climbing the corporate ladder and even exercising the delayed right to vote. Let us not forget that the Equal Rights Amendment was first drafted in 1923 -- and has yet to be ratified.
To be sure, the new council will focus attention on continuing the progress that has been made through the decades as women have crashed through the glass ceiling.
But I would argue that young men of color face even more daunting circumstances. Young men of color face challenges ranging from a justice system that disproportionately incarcerates them to media and entertainment industries quick to portray them as worthless, violent and criminal. Even before the recession, our young men of color faced a bleak job market where discrimination, globalization and structural change made it difficult for them to find good jobs and succeed in life. With the nation's economy in a tailspin, the unemployment of young men of color has been spiraling out of control.
Consider this sampling of data:
-- High school graduation rates for males of color -- African Americans
(42.8 percent), Native American/Alaska Natives (47 percent) and
Hispanics (48 percent) -- are far lower than for whites (70.8
percent).
-- Minority youths are disproportionately in the juvenile justice system:
African Americans (1,004 per 100,000), American Indians (632 per
100,000) and Latinos (485 per 100,000) compared with whites (212 per
100,000).
-- More than 29 percent of African-American boys who are 15-years-old
today are likely to go to prison at some point in their lives,
compared with 4.4 percent of white boys the same age.
-- The mortality rate from homicide for African-American boys ages 15-17
is 34.4 per 100,000, compared with 2.4 per 100,000 for non-Hispanic
white boys.
Let's face the reality. It can be a gritty and dangerous world on the streets of urban America, on the impoverished Native American reservations and in the camps of migrant workers. In many cases, government and much of our society turn their back to these conditions and ignore their existence--rather than seek to allocate resources and develop policies to redress the conditions that threaten the survival of young men of color.
An array of public policies enforced by the schools, police and courts has helped put young men of color at such a disadvantage. These policies range from mandatory-minimum sentences to zero tolerance of behavioral offenses in schools to minimum wages that do not afford a young adult an opportunity to support himself, let alone a family. These public policies have often been popular with the public, but collectively have built many of the barriers to young men of color leading productive lives.
Moreover, the media and entertainment industries have also contributed greatly to raising these hurdles.
Clearly, a disproportionate number of young men of color have dropped out of school, been arrested and been left jobless. Still, there are countless others who go to college, succeed in their jobs, are good fathers and make outstanding accomplishments in their lives. Unfortunately, however, very little information is shared about their achievements or successes. Rarely are young men of color projected or viewed as positive role models.
While there has been a growing angst over the misdeeds of some, there has been little attention paid to what public policies or social determinants have contributed to the plight of young men of color.
Certainly, some of the responsibility lies with the child or teenager who made wrong decisions, as well as with family members who failed to help youngsters overcome critical obstacles and to guide them to a more productive course. But we cannot underestimate the powerful negative impact of the stereotypical portrayals, the glorification of criminal and violent behavior in movies and television, and the lack of good news stories about young men of color on the airwaves.
Mr. President, what you can do is create a council that looks into how public policies can be amended and how portrayals of this demographic can be changed. As others have stated, the women and girls that you want to help prosper need male counterparts to build strong families.
You can take a huge step by creating a council that helps men, particularly young men of color, be successful in American society. Right now, they often face insurmountable challenges.
Men need your help, too.
Sincerely,
Dr. Henrie M. Treadwell
Director of Community Voices of Morehouse School of Medicine
I applaud your recent creation of the White House Council on Women and Girls to help ensure we are treated equally in public policies, by employers and in every other aspect of American society. I must also urge, however, that you place a similar emphasis on men and boys, particularly young men of color, who face some of the steepest hurdles in American society.
The reasons cited in forming the new council are just -- throughout our nation's history women have often been treated as second-class citizens when it comes to earning a livelihood, climbing the corporate ladder and even exercising the delayed right to vote. Let us not forget that the Equal Rights Amendment was first drafted in 1923 -- and has yet to be ratified.
To be sure, the new council will focus attention on continuing the progress that has been made through the decades as women have crashed through the glass ceiling.
But I would argue that young men of color face even more daunting circumstances. Young men of color face challenges ranging from a justice system that disproportionately incarcerates them to media and entertainment industries quick to portray them as worthless, violent and criminal. Even before the recession, our young men of color faced a bleak job market where discrimination, globalization and structural change made it difficult for them to find good jobs and succeed in life. With the nation's economy in a tailspin, the unemployment of young men of color has been spiraling out of control.
Consider this sampling of data:
-- High school graduation rates for males of color -- African Americans
(42.8 percent), Native American/Alaska Natives (47 percent) and
Hispanics (48 percent) -- are far lower than for whites (70.8
percent).
-- Minority youths are disproportionately in the juvenile justice system:
African Americans (1,004 per 100,000), American Indians (632 per
100,000) and Latinos (485 per 100,000) compared with whites (212 per
100,000).
-- More than 29 percent of African-American boys who are 15-years-old
today are likely to go to prison at some point in their lives,
compared with 4.4 percent of white boys the same age.
-- The mortality rate from homicide for African-American boys ages 15-17
is 34.4 per 100,000, compared with 2.4 per 100,000 for non-Hispanic
white boys.
Let's face the reality. It can be a gritty and dangerous world on the streets of urban America, on the impoverished Native American reservations and in the camps of migrant workers. In many cases, government and much of our society turn their back to these conditions and ignore their existence--rather than seek to allocate resources and develop policies to redress the conditions that threaten the survival of young men of color.
An array of public policies enforced by the schools, police and courts has helped put young men of color at such a disadvantage. These policies range from mandatory-minimum sentences to zero tolerance of behavioral offenses in schools to minimum wages that do not afford a young adult an opportunity to support himself, let alone a family. These public policies have often been popular with the public, but collectively have built many of the barriers to young men of color leading productive lives.
Moreover, the media and entertainment industries have also contributed greatly to raising these hurdles.
Clearly, a disproportionate number of young men of color have dropped out of school, been arrested and been left jobless. Still, there are countless others who go to college, succeed in their jobs, are good fathers and make outstanding accomplishments in their lives. Unfortunately, however, very little information is shared about their achievements or successes. Rarely are young men of color projected or viewed as positive role models.
While there has been a growing angst over the misdeeds of some, there has been little attention paid to what public policies or social determinants have contributed to the plight of young men of color.
Certainly, some of the responsibility lies with the child or teenager who made wrong decisions, as well as with family members who failed to help youngsters overcome critical obstacles and to guide them to a more productive course. But we cannot underestimate the powerful negative impact of the stereotypical portrayals, the glorification of criminal and violent behavior in movies and television, and the lack of good news stories about young men of color on the airwaves.
Mr. President, what you can do is create a council that looks into how public policies can be amended and how portrayals of this demographic can be changed. As others have stated, the women and girls that you want to help prosper need male counterparts to build strong families.
You can take a huge step by creating a council that helps men, particularly young men of color, be successful in American society. Right now, they often face insurmountable challenges.
Men need your help, too.
Sincerely,
Dr. Henrie M. Treadwell
Director of Community Voices of Morehouse School of Medicine
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Obama gets list of top Muslim Americans
PP Note: Now, ain't this just a kick in the ole pants. Now, doesn't this make the alleged statement by Obama that he would always stand by his Muslim brothers first more real? Unbelievable.
Obama gets list of top Muslim Americans
In a bid to get more Muslim Americans working in the Obama administration, a book with resumes of 45 of the nation’s most qualified — Ivy League grads, Fortune 500 executives and public servants, all carefully vetted — has been submitted to the White House......http://www.stevesimon.us/blog/?p=902
HT to all the folks who are reporting on this issue. This particular HT goes to Steve Simon.
Obama gets list of top Muslim Americans
In a bid to get more Muslim Americans working in the Obama administration, a book with resumes of 45 of the nation’s most qualified — Ivy League grads, Fortune 500 executives and public servants, all carefully vetted — has been submitted to the White House......http://www.stevesimon.us/blog/?p=902
HT to all the folks who are reporting on this issue. This particular HT goes to Steve Simon.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Obama's Choice for Justice Doesn't Stand Up for Family Values
Just another example of our leader stating one thing during his campaign and offering another 180 in office. Was he just crossing his fingers behind him? Does he stand for family or not? Will the Senate stand for family and not let Ogden's views on pornography be the new and improved version of moral values?
----
Morality in Media: President Obama's Choice for Deputy Attorney General Would Likely Weaken Justice Department Efforts to Curb Sexual Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Calls Into Question Whether the New President Will in Fact 'Stand Up for Policies That Value Families'
The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled hearings tomorrow to examine the nomination of David Ogden, President Obama's choice for Deputy Attorney General. Mr. Ogden has a long history of making "ACLU-minded" arguments in court cases involving obscene materials, harmful-to-minors materials, and child pornography. During the 2008 Presidential campaign, then candidate Obama said (Saddleback Presidential Forum, 08/16/08) that curbing human trafficking must be "a top priority" and also said ("The Candidates on Faith," Time, 08/07/08) that there are a "range of moral-values issues that must be addressed in our families, our communities...But we can't just talk about 'family values.' We actually have to stand up for policies that value families." As a U.S. Senator, he also co-sponsored the "Combating Child Exploitation Act of 2007.".....
http://statenationalpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/02/obamas-pick-for-deputy-attorney-general.html
----
Morality in Media: President Obama's Choice for Deputy Attorney General Would Likely Weaken Justice Department Efforts to Curb Sexual Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Calls Into Question Whether the New President Will in Fact 'Stand Up for Policies That Value Families'
The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled hearings tomorrow to examine the nomination of David Ogden, President Obama's choice for Deputy Attorney General. Mr. Ogden has a long history of making "ACLU-minded" arguments in court cases involving obscene materials, harmful-to-minors materials, and child pornography. During the 2008 Presidential campaign, then candidate Obama said (Saddleback Presidential Forum, 08/16/08) that curbing human trafficking must be "a top priority" and also said ("The Candidates on Faith," Time, 08/07/08) that there are a "range of moral-values issues that must be addressed in our families, our communities...But we can't just talk about 'family values.' We actually have to stand up for policies that value families." As a U.S. Senator, he also co-sponsored the "Combating Child Exploitation Act of 2007.".....
http://statenationalpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/02/obamas-pick-for-deputy-attorney-general.html
So Make it Transparent for the Public
All this nonstop chatter from the Obama Administration has just got to stop. If the differences in his plan are really so minor as he keeps insisting on the main stream media interviews, then why doesn't he compromise? Or is it because it's not his package, but rather that of Pelosi and company?
Here's a thought. Make any federal money going out really transparent and allow the public to track it.
New National Poll Finds Strong, Bipartisan Demand for Transparency in Economic Recovery Package
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An overwhelming majority of voters want full and open reporting on how Recovery Act funds are spent at federal and state levels, according to a nationwide survey conducted last week on behalf of the Coalition for an Accountable Recovery. Further, roughly eight in ten voters say that making the U.S. government more accountable and more open to average citizens should be a high priority for the new administration; four out of ten said it is "one of the most important priorities.".....
http://statenationalpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/02/new-national-poll-finds-strong.html
Here's a thought. Make any federal money going out really transparent and allow the public to track it.
New National Poll Finds Strong, Bipartisan Demand for Transparency in Economic Recovery Package
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An overwhelming majority of voters want full and open reporting on how Recovery Act funds are spent at federal and state levels, according to a nationwide survey conducted last week on behalf of the Coalition for an Accountable Recovery. Further, roughly eight in ten voters say that making the U.S. government more accountable and more open to average citizens should be a high priority for the new administration; four out of ten said it is "one of the most important priorities.".....
http://statenationalpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/02/new-national-poll-finds-strong.html
Friday, January 23, 2009
Obama Friends Not Neccessarily Welcome in Canada
Seems like being so very friendly with the President over the last few decades doesn't matter to Canada. They treat 'em like they see 'em. This is a few days old, but it is interesting.
Ayers Turned Away From Canada By Immigration Officials
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/19/ayers-turned-away-canada-immigration-officials/
Ayers Turned Away From Canada By Immigration Officials
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/19/ayers-turned-away-canada-immigration-officials/
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sea of Obama Love and Voice of Patriotic Resistance
Just in case you are interested:
In a Sea of Obama Love, There's a Voice of Patriotic Resistance
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the $150 million inauguration only days away, Grassfire.org is announcing that a record 350,000 grassroots conservatives have pledged a patriotic, resilient and determined resistance-against an Obama ideology that could have devastating consequences on our nation.......
http://potluckpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/01/in-sea-of-obama-love-theres-voice-of.html
In a Sea of Obama Love, There's a Voice of Patriotic Resistance
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the $150 million inauguration only days away, Grassfire.org is announcing that a record 350,000 grassroots conservatives have pledged a patriotic, resilient and determined resistance-against an Obama ideology that could have devastating consequences on our nation.......
http://potluckpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/01/in-sea-of-obama-love-theres-voice-of.html
Monday, January 12, 2009
Shrink the Economy, Mr. Obama?
According to a story in the Washington Times today, Obama's pick for climate czar has been part of the leadership of a socialist group who calls for shrinking our economy. Wouldn't that be in direct conflict to stimulating the American economy?
Obama climate czar has socialist ties
By Stephen Dinan
Until last week, Carol M. Browner, President-elect Barack Obama's pick as global warming czar, was listed as one of 14 leaders of a socialist group's Commission for a Sustainable World Society, which calls for "global governance" and says rich countries must shrink their economies to address climate change. ......
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/12/obama-climate-czar-has-socialist-ties/
Obama climate czar has socialist ties
By Stephen Dinan
Until last week, Carol M. Browner, President-elect Barack Obama's pick as global warming czar, was listed as one of 14 leaders of a socialist group's Commission for a Sustainable World Society, which calls for "global governance" and says rich countries must shrink their economies to address climate change. ......
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/12/obama-climate-czar-has-socialist-ties/
Friday, January 9, 2009
Pelosi Comments on Support for Israel's Rights to Defend Itself
Glad to see Congress Supports Israel in its Rights to Defend Itself. Wonder what Obama will do?
Pelosi Statement on House Resolution on Gaza
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor this morning in support of H.Res 34, which recognizes Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirms the United States' strong support for Israel, and supports the Israeli-Palestinian peace process......
http://threatreport.blogspot.com/2009/01/pelosi-statement-on-house-resolution-on.html
Pelosi Statement on House Resolution on Gaza
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor this morning in support of H.Res 34, which recognizes Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirms the United States' strong support for Israel, and supports the Israeli-Palestinian peace process......
http://threatreport.blogspot.com/2009/01/pelosi-statement-on-house-resolution-on.html
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Obama Knows Best, Ignores Economic Experts
Obama and the Democratic Congress appear to have closed minds on listening to the experts who could really provide sound advice in stimulating the economy. Small business is the backbone of this country and any stimulus plan should focus on helping small business owners.
Will Obama listen? Will Congress?
Obama Ignores Economic Experts on Stimulus Plan
President-elect Barack Obama and the new 111th Congress will soon be rolling-out an economic stimulus plan. The stimulus package will no doubt cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars, and there is no guarantee it will achieve its goal of rescuing most Americans from the failing economy.....
http://statenationalpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/01/obama-ignores-economic-experts-on.html
Will Obama listen? Will Congress?
Obama Ignores Economic Experts on Stimulus Plan
President-elect Barack Obama and the new 111th Congress will soon be rolling-out an economic stimulus plan. The stimulus package will no doubt cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars, and there is no guarantee it will achieve its goal of rescuing most Americans from the failing economy.....
http://statenationalpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/01/obama-ignores-economic-experts-on.html
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Illicit Financial Woes
An interesting study on illegal cash flowing out of developing regions like the Middle East and Northern Africa has been released. Crime, corruption and tax evasion seem to rule the day.
Obama plans to tackle global poverty. Will he begin by stopping crime and corruption in the Middle East? Or will he stop the crime and corruption in Washington? But wait, he's never been known as a fighter of crime. Just look at his American home state and his record there.
....."Illicit financial flows siphon revenue out of poor countries, robbing them of much-needed assets and forestalling economic development," said GFI director Raymond Baker. "These new figures reveal that illicit financial flows outpace ODA by a ratio of nearly 10 to 1. This is critical to understanding global poverty and developing effective poverty alleviation and economic development strategies," Baker said......
Click to read the story.
Obama plans to tackle global poverty. Will he begin by stopping crime and corruption in the Middle East? Or will he stop the crime and corruption in Washington? But wait, he's never been known as a fighter of crime. Just look at his American home state and his record there.
....."Illicit financial flows siphon revenue out of poor countries, robbing them of much-needed assets and forestalling economic development," said GFI director Raymond Baker. "These new figures reveal that illicit financial flows outpace ODA by a ratio of nearly 10 to 1. This is critical to understanding global poverty and developing effective poverty alleviation and economic development strategies," Baker said......
Click to read the story.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
What a Surprise- Obama's Team Wants to Investigate Bush
It's another one of those rainy mornings and, according to Obama's website, one of the top issues for his administration could be to investigate the Bush Administration for crimes. I find this interesting as it has already been reported Obama's website selects the questions and actively practices censorship. In addition, with Obama and his staff's recent Blago encounters, along with allegations of Emanuel's shortcomings in following laws, this proposed investigation of Bush is a smokescreen. The question is for what.
Here is the story:
Bush Special Prosecutor is Top Question on Obama's Change.gov, Notes After Downing Street
/PRNewswire/ -- For the second time now, President-elect Obama has asked his new constituents, the whole of the American people, to come to his web site at Change.gov to ask and vote for questions, to help set the priorities for his administration.
After five days of citizen voting more than 60,000 questions have been submitted this time in eight categories ... and the current top vote-getter across all topic categories is this one, under the topic "Additional Issues":
"Will you appoint a Special Prosecutor - ideally Patrick Fitzgerald - to independently investigate the gravest crimes of the Bush Administration, including torture and warrantless wiretapping?"
-- Bob Fertik, New York City
As noted by Ari Melber, of The Nation magazine, the same question also ranked high in the first round of voting at the Obama site. But Melber writes, "Now that Vice President Cheney confessed his support for waterboarding on national television, flouting the rule of law, the issue is even more urgent."
http://tinyurl.com/7ylmmn
According to Bob Fertik of Democrats.com, "Besides Vice President Cheney's admissions of torture, President Bush himself has admitted to illegal spying. If these actions are not prosecuted we will be sanctioning open criminality. Moreover, the Geneva Conventions require the United States to prosecute war crimes. We can stand for the rule of law or against it; the choice cannot be avoided and the question must not be."
President-Elect Obama has promised to answer the top questions on his site. In this case it would be the first time since the Pennsylvania primary, and only the second time ever, he has had to address the issue of prosecuting the crimes of the Bush-Cheney administration. On April 14 he said, "if I found out that there were high officials who knowingly, consciously broke existing laws, engaged in cover-ups of those crimes with knowledge forefront, then I think a basic principle of our Constitution is nobody above the law."
At the same time, there has been increasing speculation that President Bush, who has been relatively stingy about granting other pardons, will pardon not only Vice President Cheney, but perhaps even himself in the final minutes of his term. "If George Bush pardons Dick Cheney and himself for their crimes, the American people will be outraged," Fertik said. "Under our Constitution, Presidents swear to uphold the Constitution, not to subvert it. If a President can deliberately authorize crimes and then abuse his pardon power to protect those who commit them, we live in a dictatorship - not a democracy."
Melber believes citizen engagement is key. "With so few journalists directly asking the President-Elect about these issues, however, it is up to the rest of us to put accountability and the rule of law on the agenda."
Here is the story:
Bush Special Prosecutor is Top Question on Obama's Change.gov, Notes After Downing Street
/PRNewswire/ -- For the second time now, President-elect Obama has asked his new constituents, the whole of the American people, to come to his web site at Change.gov to ask and vote for questions, to help set the priorities for his administration.
After five days of citizen voting more than 60,000 questions have been submitted this time in eight categories ... and the current top vote-getter across all topic categories is this one, under the topic "Additional Issues":
"Will you appoint a Special Prosecutor - ideally Patrick Fitzgerald - to independently investigate the gravest crimes of the Bush Administration, including torture and warrantless wiretapping?"
-- Bob Fertik, New York City
As noted by Ari Melber, of The Nation magazine, the same question also ranked high in the first round of voting at the Obama site. But Melber writes, "Now that Vice President Cheney confessed his support for waterboarding on national television, flouting the rule of law, the issue is even more urgent."
http://tinyurl.com/7ylmmn
According to Bob Fertik of Democrats.com, "Besides Vice President Cheney's admissions of torture, President Bush himself has admitted to illegal spying. If these actions are not prosecuted we will be sanctioning open criminality. Moreover, the Geneva Conventions require the United States to prosecute war crimes. We can stand for the rule of law or against it; the choice cannot be avoided and the question must not be."
President-Elect Obama has promised to answer the top questions on his site. In this case it would be the first time since the Pennsylvania primary, and only the second time ever, he has had to address the issue of prosecuting the crimes of the Bush-Cheney administration. On April 14 he said, "if I found out that there were high officials who knowingly, consciously broke existing laws, engaged in cover-ups of those crimes with knowledge forefront, then I think a basic principle of our Constitution is nobody above the law."
At the same time, there has been increasing speculation that President Bush, who has been relatively stingy about granting other pardons, will pardon not only Vice President Cheney, but perhaps even himself in the final minutes of his term. "If George Bush pardons Dick Cheney and himself for their crimes, the American people will be outraged," Fertik said. "Under our Constitution, Presidents swear to uphold the Constitution, not to subvert it. If a President can deliberately authorize crimes and then abuse his pardon power to protect those who commit them, we live in a dictatorship - not a democracy."
Melber believes citizen engagement is key. "With so few journalists directly asking the President-Elect about these issues, however, it is up to the rest of us to put accountability and the rule of law on the agenda."
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
American Small Business League: Obama to Create Loopholes for Venture Capitalists
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the American Small Business League:
President-elect Barack Obama is preparing to create significant changes in federal contracting law that will allow some of the nation's wealthiest investors to receive federal contracts earmarked for small businesses. Under the banner of "increasing access to capital" for small businesses, the policies will allow firms controlled by individual venture capitalist and even large venture capital firms to participate in federal small business contracting programs.
The Obama Administration's new pro-venture capital policy could virtually repeal the Small Business Act for legitimate American small businesses by modifying the longstanding federal definition of a small business as "independently owned."
Under the proposed Obama Administration policy, "independently owned" will be changed to include firms that are not independently owned, but are actually controlled by wealthy investors and possibly some of the nation's largest venture capital firms.
Opponents of the new policy say it appears to be designed more to increase wealthy venture capitalist access to billions of dollars in federal small business contracts as opposed to "increasing access to capital" for legitimate small businesses.
If the policy is successfully implemented it could force the average American small business to compete head-to-head with firms controlled by wealthy investors for even the smallest government orders for goods and services. Thousands of middle class jobs could be lost as billions of dollars in federal small business contracts are diverted to a small number of venture capitalist controlled firms.
The plan will likely include a provision that would exempt the venture capitalist owned firms from capital gains taxes. The Obama-Biden Transition Team website, www.change.gov mentions such a proposal.
The appointment of multi-millionaire venture capitalist Karen Mills to head the Small Business Administration (SBA) is the latest indication that President-elect Obama is moving forward with his plans to divert government small business contracts to venture capital controlled firms.
The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) and its members have been lobbying for the new loophole in federal contracting law for more than two years. The NVCA and its members have contributed millions of dollars to Obama and key Democratic leaders in Congress such as Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, Joe Lieberman and Hillary Clinton. (http://www.maplight.org/map/us/interest/F2500)
"The easiest and quickest way to stimulate our nation's failing economy is for the government to spend infrastructure funds with America's 27 million small businesses that create all the new jobs and employ most Americans," American Small Business League President Lloyd Chapman said. "This new Obama policy will do just the opposite and will push our economy closer to a depression by diverting billions of dollars in federal funds away from middle class America and into the hands of small number of wealthy investors that backed Obama."
President-elect Barack Obama is preparing to create significant changes in federal contracting law that will allow some of the nation's wealthiest investors to receive federal contracts earmarked for small businesses. Under the banner of "increasing access to capital" for small businesses, the policies will allow firms controlled by individual venture capitalist and even large venture capital firms to participate in federal small business contracting programs.
The Obama Administration's new pro-venture capital policy could virtually repeal the Small Business Act for legitimate American small businesses by modifying the longstanding federal definition of a small business as "independently owned."
Under the proposed Obama Administration policy, "independently owned" will be changed to include firms that are not independently owned, but are actually controlled by wealthy investors and possibly some of the nation's largest venture capital firms.
Opponents of the new policy say it appears to be designed more to increase wealthy venture capitalist access to billions of dollars in federal small business contracts as opposed to "increasing access to capital" for legitimate small businesses.
If the policy is successfully implemented it could force the average American small business to compete head-to-head with firms controlled by wealthy investors for even the smallest government orders for goods and services. Thousands of middle class jobs could be lost as billions of dollars in federal small business contracts are diverted to a small number of venture capitalist controlled firms.
The plan will likely include a provision that would exempt the venture capitalist owned firms from capital gains taxes. The Obama-Biden Transition Team website, www.change.gov mentions such a proposal.
The appointment of multi-millionaire venture capitalist Karen Mills to head the Small Business Administration (SBA) is the latest indication that President-elect Obama is moving forward with his plans to divert government small business contracts to venture capital controlled firms.
The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) and its members have been lobbying for the new loophole in federal contracting law for more than two years. The NVCA and its members have contributed millions of dollars to Obama and key Democratic leaders in Congress such as Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, Joe Lieberman and Hillary Clinton. (http://www.maplight.org/map/us/interest/F2500)
"The easiest and quickest way to stimulate our nation's failing economy is for the government to spend infrastructure funds with America's 27 million small businesses that create all the new jobs and employ most Americans," American Small Business League President Lloyd Chapman said. "This new Obama policy will do just the opposite and will push our economy closer to a depression by diverting billions of dollars in federal funds away from middle class America and into the hands of small number of wealthy investors that backed Obama."
Monday, December 22, 2008
Libertarians Accuse Obama of "Hawkish" Foreign Policy
America's largest third-party is accusing Barack Obama of pursuing the same "hawkish" foreign policy of his predecessor George Bush. "What we hoped to see with the incoming Obama administration were plans for a total withdrawal from Afghanistan and Iraq," says William Redpath, national chairman of the Libertarian Party. "Instead, we're seeing the same missteps of the Bush administration that have kept our troops in the Middle East since 2001."
This past September, the Libertarian National Committee passed a resolution calling for the withdraw of U.S. troops from Afghanistan "without undue delay." However, current Pentagon plans call for potentially doubling the size of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan to 60,000 troops.
"Shifting troops from one front to another is not 'bringing them home,' as Democrats promised to do in 2006," says Redpath. "Obama is pursuing a hawkish foreign policy that should worry any advocates of non-intervention. He'll keep us in that region for his entire presidency."
"The United States should both abandon its attempts to act as policeman for the world and avoid entangling alliances," reads the Libertarian Party's platform. "American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world and its defense against attack from abroad. We would end the current U.S. government policy of foreign intervention, including military and economic aid."
This past September, the Libertarian National Committee passed a resolution calling for the withdraw of U.S. troops from Afghanistan "without undue delay." However, current Pentagon plans call for potentially doubling the size of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan to 60,000 troops.
"Shifting troops from one front to another is not 'bringing them home,' as Democrats promised to do in 2006," says Redpath. "Obama is pursuing a hawkish foreign policy that should worry any advocates of non-intervention. He'll keep us in that region for his entire presidency."
"The United States should both abandon its attempts to act as policeman for the world and avoid entangling alliances," reads the Libertarian Party's platform. "American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world and its defense against attack from abroad. We would end the current U.S. government policy of foreign intervention, including military and economic aid."
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Corruption Watchdog Blasts Obama Labor Secretary Nominee; Hilda Solis Supports Coercive Card Check and Says Illegal Aliens are Americans
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dr. Carl Horowitz, director of the Organized Labor Accountability Project of the National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC), today reacted to Barack Obama's nomination of Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA) for Labor Secretary. He said:
This is a terrible nomination. Solis is a total flack for the union bosses. I predict an explosion of union corruption, especially with infrastructure stimulus funds flowing to unions like the Laborers and Teamsters, which still have not freed themselves from the influence of organized crime.
Solis is a co-sponsor of the misnamed Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), the unions' top legislative priority. EFCA would force private-sector employers to recognize a particular union as the sole bargaining agent if its organizers can get at least 50 percent of affected workers to sign a card indicating their desire to join, ending secret elections.
This "card check" is inherently coercive. There have been many documented instances of union organizers giving reluctant employees a choice between signing a card and facing potential retaliation should the union become the collective bargaining agent. I guess that's what the unions mean by 'free choice.'
Solis also has made controversial statements about citizenship. In 1996, while serving as a California state senator, she said, 'We are all Americans whether you are legalized or not.' As Labor Secretary, Solis would be in charge of issuing labor certifications.
Solis recently introduced legislation to explore the possibility of naming a national park after United Farm Workers founder Cesar Chavez.
This is a terrible nomination. Solis is a total flack for the union bosses. I predict an explosion of union corruption, especially with infrastructure stimulus funds flowing to unions like the Laborers and Teamsters, which still have not freed themselves from the influence of organized crime.
Solis is a co-sponsor of the misnamed Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), the unions' top legislative priority. EFCA would force private-sector employers to recognize a particular union as the sole bargaining agent if its organizers can get at least 50 percent of affected workers to sign a card indicating their desire to join, ending secret elections.
This "card check" is inherently coercive. There have been many documented instances of union organizers giving reluctant employees a choice between signing a card and facing potential retaliation should the union become the collective bargaining agent. I guess that's what the unions mean by 'free choice.'
Solis also has made controversial statements about citizenship. In 1996, while serving as a California state senator, she said, 'We are all Americans whether you are legalized or not.' As Labor Secretary, Solis would be in charge of issuing labor certifications.
Solis recently introduced legislation to explore the possibility of naming a national park after United Farm Workers founder Cesar Chavez.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder: 'UN Anti-Racism Conference Must Not Become Another Platform for Spreading Anti-Semitism'
PP Note: Guess the real question is what stance Barack Obama will take? Will this conference be a repeat of the last one where the U.S. walked out? Or will Hillary be happy to sit there with a smile on her face courtesy of her new boss?
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The president of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), Ronald S. Lauder, has praised the minister of foreign affairs of the Netherlands, Maxime Verhagen, for making a clear statement regarding an upcoming United Nations conference on combating racism.
In an interview with Dutch radio, Verhagen had said that his government might boycott a United Nations anti-racism conference in Geneva in April 2009 unless anti-Israel statements are removed from official draft documents. "It seems like the sole intention is to criticize Israel and condemn the West for slavery and its colonial history," Minister Verhagen had said, warning of a repeat of the first UN anti-racism conference in Durban, South Africa, in 2001, which degenerated into an anti-Semitic and anti-Israel debacle.
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said: "We appreciate the Dutch government's principled stance, and we hope that other democratic countries will take this as an example and make their voice heard as well. The United Nations anti-racism conference must not become yet another platform for spreading anti-Semitism and unfairly singling out Israel for criticism. Sixty years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is high time that the UN live up to its own founding principles!"
Lauder pointed out that any imbalanced conclusion of the UN conference would render the final declaration meaningless and reflect badly on the UN's ability to fulfill the purpose of the Geneva forum. "Avoiding a repeat of Durban I is a crucial litmus test for the UN and its member states," the WJC president said, adding that the World Jewish Congress would continue to lobby governments on this issue.
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The president of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), Ronald S. Lauder, has praised the minister of foreign affairs of the Netherlands, Maxime Verhagen, for making a clear statement regarding an upcoming United Nations conference on combating racism.
In an interview with Dutch radio, Verhagen had said that his government might boycott a United Nations anti-racism conference in Geneva in April 2009 unless anti-Israel statements are removed from official draft documents. "It seems like the sole intention is to criticize Israel and condemn the West for slavery and its colonial history," Minister Verhagen had said, warning of a repeat of the first UN anti-racism conference in Durban, South Africa, in 2001, which degenerated into an anti-Semitic and anti-Israel debacle.
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said: "We appreciate the Dutch government's principled stance, and we hope that other democratic countries will take this as an example and make their voice heard as well. The United Nations anti-racism conference must not become yet another platform for spreading anti-Semitism and unfairly singling out Israel for criticism. Sixty years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is high time that the UN live up to its own founding principles!"
Lauder pointed out that any imbalanced conclusion of the UN conference would render the final declaration meaningless and reflect badly on the UN's ability to fulfill the purpose of the Geneva forum. "Avoiding a repeat of Durban I is a crucial litmus test for the UN and its member states," the WJC president said, adding that the World Jewish Congress would continue to lobby governments on this issue.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Jesse Jackson Jr. on Video with Blagojevich in August 2008
Jesse Jackson Jr. “I haven’t Met With Rod Blagojevich in 4 years”… Problem is, this video shows otherwise…
Posted: 11 Dec 2008 02:30 PM CST
The cookie continues to crumble… Barack Obama has chosen to surround himself with crooks and liars.
It was just yesterday that Jesse Jackson Jr. soberly exclaimed that he had not met Rod Blagojevich in 4 years…
I mean, that sounds odd considering the fact that Jesse is a member of the Illiniois delegation to the House of Reps, and Rod is the State governor and both come from the same party…
Anyway, here’s a video taken in Denver (thanks Ace) during the Democratic National Convention in August which shows the two men not only being in the same vicinity, but also embracing each other…
Incidentally, it wasn’t just a random hug, but a hug fest which Jesse orchestrated:
An emotional U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. called on warring Democrats to unite Wednesday at their national convention and said he wouldn’t be satisfied unless Gov. Rod Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan hugged....
Posted: 11 Dec 2008 02:30 PM CST
The cookie continues to crumble… Barack Obama has chosen to surround himself with crooks and liars.
It was just yesterday that Jesse Jackson Jr. soberly exclaimed that he had not met Rod Blagojevich in 4 years…
I mean, that sounds odd considering the fact that Jesse is a member of the Illiniois delegation to the House of Reps, and Rod is the State governor and both come from the same party…
Anyway, here’s a video taken in Denver (thanks Ace) during the Democratic National Convention in August which shows the two men not only being in the same vicinity, but also embracing each other…
Incidentally, it wasn’t just a random hug, but a hug fest which Jesse orchestrated:
An emotional U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. called on warring Democrats to unite Wednesday at their national convention and said he wouldn’t be satisfied unless Gov. Rod Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan hugged....
Colin Powell Gives Advice to the Republican Party...
Yep, Colin Powell, who endorsed the Democratic candidate for President (Barack Obama in case you've forgotten his name) is giving us advice. He thinks Sarah Palin polarized the Party, doesn't like Rush Limbaugh either.
Gee. I am SHOCKED. Just SHOCKED.
After we get through twisting the Republican Party around like Powell would have us do, let's go check with the Huffington Post and MoveOn.org to see what else we should do.
The only people listening to Colin Powell these days are his liberal friends. At least Liberman is "technically" an Independent... although I gotta say I can't imagine why he stuck with the Democratic Party after they stabbed him in the back, but hey, what do I know, I'm just a stalwart Republican carrying the conservative banner.
Powell Blasts Palin for Polarizing, Endangering Republican Party (Video)
Sarah Palin helped push the Republican Party farther to the right this election – a polarization which could lead to the downfall of the party, insists Colin Powell.
Oh, and he also says Republicans should stop listening to conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh and we need to rethink the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
http://www.wowowow.com/post/powell-palin-helped-polarize-republican-party-video-155358
Gee. I am SHOCKED. Just SHOCKED.
After we get through twisting the Republican Party around like Powell would have us do, let's go check with the Huffington Post and MoveOn.org to see what else we should do.
The only people listening to Colin Powell these days are his liberal friends. At least Liberman is "technically" an Independent... although I gotta say I can't imagine why he stuck with the Democratic Party after they stabbed him in the back, but hey, what do I know, I'm just a stalwart Republican carrying the conservative banner.
Powell Blasts Palin for Polarizing, Endangering Republican Party (Video)
Sarah Palin helped push the Republican Party farther to the right this election – a polarization which could lead to the downfall of the party, insists Colin Powell.
Oh, and he also says Republicans should stop listening to conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh and we need to rethink the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
http://www.wowowow.com/post/powell-palin-helped-polarize-republican-party-video-155358
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