All about most people are running ‘round more concerned with the machinations of preparing for a “traditional” Thanksgiving Day gorging---at least those who still have jobs and can afford it---than in reflecting on the conditions in which it will be celebrated this time.
This time sedentary, overweight and about to become more so Americans confident in their oligarch-created, tax payer-purchased weapons of mass destruction and drones, tear off another piece of meat or grope for another pie as they sit to watch a few hours of mind-numbing, skull crushing violence in 3-D. It could well be today’s metaphorical equivalent of the anecdotal Nero fiddling as Rome burns to the ground.
Meanwhile, the fallout from another tradition of the season the autumn elections continues to usher in another pass time of “the Fall”; watching the colors turn. In this case, yes you guessed it—to Texas Red.
I’ve mentioned at least once (correct me if I’m mistaken) that Alexander Hamilton referred to the masses as “the Beast.” He truly feared where the votes of the average citizen armed mostly with emotion, prejudice and little else might take us. Given the results of election 2010 and the history of the South in general and Texas Red in particular Hamilton’s apprehensions may have been more than justified.
Meanwhile, across the “cratered landscape of prisons, deplorable apartheid public education, lack of healthcare and politicians and majority population intent on keeping it that way” that is Texas Red:
Veteran Democrat concedes Texas House race
(Reuters) - Veteran south Texas Congressman Solomon Ortiz conceded defeat overnight in the hotly contested 27th District race, giving another victory to Tea Party-backed Republicans.
Republicans gained at least 62 House seats in the November election and will have a majority when the new Congress convenes in January.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AM3EW20101123
Zedler to support Paxton, not Straus, in Texas House speaker's race
AUSTIN -- Incoming state Rep. Bill Zedler, R-Arlington, threw his support Monday behind Rep. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, in the three-way race for House speaker.
Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, who became speaker in 2009, is seeking re-election but has drawn opposition from Paxton and Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa.
House members will elect a speaker at the outset of the 82nd Legislature in January.
In another development in the increasingly bitter leadership contest, the House General Investigating and Ethics Committee will review allegations today from Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, who said he was told that lawmakers who do not support Straus would be punished through legislative redistricting.
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/11/22/2652411/zedler-to-support-paxton-not-straus.html#ixzz16BxlU8nl
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/11/22/2652411/zedler-to-support-paxton-not-straus.html#ixzz16BxlU8nl
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/11/22/2652411/zedler-to-support-paxton-not-straus.html
From day one there has been a scary, psychotic schism between left and right in his nation. And I know we are told that the center is what wins elections. There is cold comfort in that. Compromise is a condition in which no one gets what they would have liked.
Political divide between coasts and Midwest deepening, midterm election analysis shows
Results from November's midterm elections have exposed a deepening political divide between cities on the coasts and the less-dense areas in the middle of the country.
Schools Find Achievement Gap Tough To Close
Despite ongoing research and theorizing, the educational achievement of black boys and young black men continues to lag behind their white peers, nationwide. James Earl Davis of Temple University's College of Education and Pedro Noguera, author of The Trouble With Black Boys discuss.
http://www.npr.org/2010/11/23/131544567/schools-find-achievement-gap-tough-to-close
and then there is this style diatribe so familiar to me—it’s all I heard throughout the time I served the nation… well that and complete disrespect for the one Democratic president I served throughout my 30 years of service. It is apparent to me that I have much work to do the body and mind snatchers are hard at work.
Allen West, one of two black Republicans just elected to House, goes against grain
On the campaign trail, West found support among anti-establishment groups, including the tea party and motorcycle clubs. He briefly hired as his chief of staff Joyce Kaufman, a local conservative talk radio commentator. She resigned amid controversy over inflammatory comments she made, including disparaging illegal immigrants and referring to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) as "garbage."
West responded by saying he is "even more focused that this liberal, progressive, socialist agenda, this left-wing, vile, vicious, despicable machine that's out there is soundly brought to its knees."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/23/AR2010112307279.html?wpisrc=nl_headline
and for all the right-wing chamber of commerce types whining, bitching and ranting---things couldn’t be better for the oligarchs; for you and me not so much.
BUSINESS FURIOUS AT WHITE HOUSE FOR DOUBLING ITS WEALTH - Major corporations are dug in against the White House, furious at the size of their profit statements and bonus checks and angry that the Dow has nearly doubled on Obama's watch.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/23/corporate-profits-q3-2010-_n_787573.html?utm_source=Triggermail&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Hill+Brief&utm_campaign=HuffPost+Hill+%2811%2F23%2F10%29
then there’s the truly frightening. This is when you see why it is Hamilton feared “democracy” so much. Right-wingers must think the election is like DWTS.
Palin book fuels speculation of White House bid
Difference between left and right---in case you weren’t certain……
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1l3HzA/www.geekstir.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/leftvsright1.jpg
And in the real world…….
Thanksgiving need at area food pantries reaches record levels
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/21/AR2010112104067.html?wpisrc=nl_headline
Reversals by immigration officials are sowing mistrust
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/21/AR2010112103943.html?wpisrc=nl_fed
Marine whistleblower Franz Gayl: Security clearance removal is retaliation
Gayl and some former colleagues say that these charges were trumped up, the culmination of a three-year pattern of retaliation by the Corps' leadership for the embarrassment that he caused and his continued efforts to hold officials accountable for ignoring an urgent request for help by soldiers under fire. [this was decent in stark contrast to Rumy's calloused indifference]
Though I’ll be staying away from the “traditional” celebration of the season---just as always---I am grateful for small favors and tender mercies.
From Texas Red: a cratered landscape of prisons, deplorable apartheid public education, lack of healthcare and politicians and majority population intent on keeping it that way…
Hasta Siempre,
Hasta Siempre,
BILL MOYERS JOURNAL | Hunger in America | PBS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogdTXh4Z4cE&playnext=1&list=PLC052D4D9CA443B6A&index=45
The Conscience of a Liberal
Good Capitalism, Bad Capitalism, and the Economics of Growth and Prosperity
13 Bankers
Winner-Take-All Politics: How Washington Made the Rich Richer--and Turned Its Back on the Middle Class
Aftershock: The Next Economy and America's Future
Republicans map out their agenda of less
The Trouble With Black Boys: And Other Reflections on Race, Equity, and the Future of Public Education
http://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Black-Boys-Reflections-Education/dp/0470452080/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290602202&sr=1-1Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
http://www.amazon.com/Invasion-Body-Snatchers-Kevin-McCarthy/dp/0782009980/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1290602651&sr=1-1
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