The Commentariat -- April 15, 2013
Jennifer Steinhauer & Jonathan Weisman of the New York Times: "In spite of a vote last Thursday in favor of debating new gun measures, some Democrats who are facing re-election next year in conservative states have already said they will not vote for the background check measure offered by Senators Patrick J. Toomey, Republican of Pennsylvania, and Joe Manchin III, Democrat of West Virginia, forcing Democrats to look desperately across the aisle to fill the gaps. Republicans, in the meantime, are bitterly torn between moderates who feel pressure to respond to polls showing a majority of Americans in support of some new gun regulations and conservatives who are deeply opposed to them. Further, an impending immigration bill may force Republicans to choose between softening their stance on either immigration or guns, but not both." ...
... Meghashyam Mali of the Hill: "Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) on Sunday defended his bipartisan proposal with Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) to expand background checks, saying that lawful gun owners had nothing to fear. 'If you are a law-abiding gun-owner, you're gonna like this bill,' said Manchin, appearing with Toomey, on CBS's 'Face the Nation.' ... But the two senators acknowledged that their bill still faced an uphill climb to passage. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) has publicly backed the bill and reports said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) would be the second Republican to support expanding background checks." ...
... Kelly O'Donnell of NBC News: "Speaking exclusively to NBC News, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is the first GOP senator to say publicly she will vote for the bipartisan compromise on expanded background checks for the sale of guns online and at gun shows."...
... Kevin Liptak of CNN: "Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, said he was 'very favorably disposed' to the compromise measure that could come up for a vote as early as this week." ...
... Tom Hamburger & Ed O'Keefe of the Washington Post: "In anticipation of Senate votes this week on a proposed expansion of criminal background checks for firearms sales, one gun rights organization broke with the powerful National Rifle Association on Sunday to urge support for a compromise drafted by Sens. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) and Patrick J. Toomey (R-Pa.). The endorsement by the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms -- which calls itself the second-largest gun rights organization in the country, behind the NRA, claiming 650,000 members and supporters -- is one of several moves over the past few days that have provided a boost to the hopes of proponents of background checks." ...
... E. J. Dionne: "Because the accounts from the Sandy Hook families have been so moving and so wrenching, it is common to say that a gun bill is being carried along 'on a wave of emotion.' ... This has it exactly backward. The truth is that the Newtown slaughter has finally moved the gun debate away from irrational emotions, ridiculous assumptions, manipulative rhetoric -- and, on the part of politicians, debilitating terror at the alleged electoral reach of those who see any new gun regulations as a step into totalitarianism. These bills are being taken seriously precisely because we are finally putting emotion aside. We are riding a wave of reason.... Consider this gem from the NRA's Wayne LaPierre: 'Hurricanes. Tornadoes. Riots. Terrorists. Gangs. Lone criminals. These are perils we are sure to face -- not just maybe. It's not paranoia to buy a gun. It's survival.' The only thing the gun lobby has to sell is fear itself."
Brian Bennett & Lisa Mascaro of the Los Angeles Times: "The U.S. admits about 1 million legal immigrants per year, more than any other country. That number could jump by more than 50% over the next decade under the terms of the immigration reform bill that a bipartisan group of senators expects to unveil as early as Tuesday.... The immigration package includes at least four major provisions that would increase the number of legal immigrants, according to people familiar with it."
Zeke Miller of Time: "The Republican National Committee voted unanimously Friday to reaffirm the party's commitment to upholding the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, upending party efforts to grow support among younger voters. A resolution introduced Wednesday by Michigan committeeman Dave Agema, who came under fire last month for posting an article describing gays as 'filthy' on his Facebook page, passed the full RNC by a voice vote and without debate. A second resolution reaffirming 'core values' of the party -- including opposition to same-sex marriage -- was also passed." CW: never mind that Dave, IMHO, is fighting his essential gayness.
Larry Summers, in a Washington Post op-ed, looks at Washington gridlock through rose-colored glasses.
"Gitmo Is Killing Me." Samir Naji al Hasan Moqbel, in a New York Times op-ed: "I've been on a hunger strike since Feb. 10 and have lost well over 30 pounds. I will not eat until they restore my dignity. I've been detained at Guantánamo for 11 years and three months. I have never been charged with any crime. I have never received a trial."
Bill Keller: "... by turning [the CIA] into a killing machine, we may have paid a price in national vigilance."
Paul Krugman doesn't like bitcoin. I don't understand bitcoin. Krugman links to this explanation in the Economist, but I still don't understand bitcoin.
... Today is tax day, & I owe the fed. Maybe I can pay in bitcoins. ...
... Andre Tartar of New York highlights some great state tax exemptions, and a few from other countries, like the Netherlands, where you can deduct the cost of training to become a witch. ...
... Apropos of Krugman's column -- Clara Denina of Reuters: "Gold dropped as much as 6.3 percent on Monday to below $1,400 per ounce for the first time since March 2011 as the market's downward momentum gained speed after more than four months of investor selling. Investors ditched gold along with other commodities from oil to copper after a less-than-forecast growth in China's gross domestic product in the first quarter stoked doubts about the health of the global economy. This added to last week's fears of central bank sales from Europe, prompted by a proposed sale of Cyprus bullion holdings, and concerns about a reduction in monetary stimulus. Adding to selling pressure, exchange-traded funds hit their lowest in more than a year on Friday." ...
... James Surowiecki of the New Yorker critiques the David Stockman School of Economics, which apparently is a division of the Harvard Divinity School. CW: short piece, good read.
"Look How Quickly the U.S. Got Fat." Via James Hamblin of the Atlantic:
Right Wing World *
If babies had guns they wouldn't be aborted. -- Texas Rep. Steve Stockman's campaign bumper sticker
* Where you can't make up this stuff.
News Ledes
President Obama speaks about the explosions in Boston:
Video via Boston Globe:
AP: "Police say at least three people have been killed in the explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Police commissioner Ed Davis confirmed the three deaths but provided no details." ...
... Boston Globe: "Two people were killed and at least 125 others were injured this afternoon as two powerful explosions detonated in quick succession near the Boston Marathon finish line in Boston's Back Bay section, transforming a scene of athletic celebration into bloody chaos." ...
... AP: "Police in Los Angeles, New York City, London and other cities worldwide stepped up security Monday following explosions at the Boston Marathon." ...
... NBC News: "Two explosions went off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday as runners completed the race and thousands of people cheered them on. Witnesses told NBC News that there were widespread injuries, some severe. Video from the finish line showed screams and an enormous cloud of white smoke, and about 20 seconds between the blasts. The Associated Press reported that bloody spectators were being carried to a medical tent that had been set up to care for tired runners. Jackie Bruno, a reporter for New England Cable News, said on Twitter that she saw people's legs blown off." The AP story is here. The Boston Globe is liveblogging developments. ...
... The New York Times has a map showing where the explosions occurred. ...
... The Times has updates on its blog the Lede.
Atlantic: "The winners of this year's Pulitzer Prizes were announced this afternoon, in all 21 categories.... Here's the list via Pulitzer's website, where you can also see the finalists.
CBS News 11 Dallas-Fort Worth: "Sources tell CBS 11 that Former Justice of the Peace Eric Williams will be charged with capital murder in the deaths of Mike and Cynthia McLelland, and Mark Hasse. Williams was booked into Kaufman County Jail early Saturday morning for making terroristic threats and 'insufficient bond.' He's being held on a $3 million bond.... Williams had a history with both Mike McLelland and Mark Hasse. The two prosecuted and secured a conviction against him back in 2012 for Burglary and Theft By A Public Servant. Surveillance cameras caught Williams taking computer equipment from a county building." ...
... AP: "A medical examiner says a man who died in the infield during the NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway shot himself in the head. The Tarrant County (Texas) medical examiner's office on Sunday said the death of 42-year-old Kirk Franklin of Saginaw, Texas, was a suicide. Fort Worth police have said a man who was camping in the infield died of a 'self-inflicted injury' after getting into an argument with other campers. The incident happened late in the Sprint Cup race."
AP: "Hugo Chavez's hand-picked successor, Nicolas Maduro, has won Venezuela's presidential election by a stunningly narrow margin that highlights rising discontent over problems ranging from crime to power blackouts. His rival demanded a recount, portending more headaches for a country shaken by the death of its dominating leader."
Reuters: "Dish Network Corp on Monday offered to buy Sprint Nextel Corp for $25.5 billion in cash and stock.... Sprint shares jumped about 13 percent before the U.S. market open on Monday."
AP: "Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has been increasing for a third year in a row and is heading for a record high, the U.N. said in a report released Monday. The boom in poppy cultivation is at its most pronounced in the Taliban's heartland in the south, the report showed, especially in regions where troops of the U.S.-led coalition have been withdrawn or are in the process of departing. The report suggests that ... international efforts ... to wean local farmers off the crop ... are having little success."
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Reader Comments (12)
Don't understand bitcoin, either. But it seems to me to be an attempt to create a universal Euro. Which means, of course, that what ever "central bank" controls its value, it also usurps the authority of a country's control of its own monetary policy. But as I said, I don't understand it.
I think a "bitcoin" is a coin that has been severely abused by the banks, and has zero, (I mean no, nada) self esteem. Therefore, I think we should send bitcoins to therapy--with an emphasis on assertiveness training. Professor Krugman understand this. And so much more.
Bet "Lil Ran" LOVES bitcoin. Also Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz. You gotta be stupid and greedy to love it! I think Sarah Palin invented it. Yes, I do!
Here's what I understand about bitcoins:
You're in trouble if you ignore the twins behind the curtain.
Re: OK; I'll bite; what's a bitcoin? It's a bit like a buck, but makes change without sense. No cents? Nonsense. It's an IO CPU. See? Phew.
I have my supercomputer working overtime filling the till;
using up all my bitcoin to pay the electric bill.
Mining's hard work, will I ever get ahead?
Stringing zeros and ones to get my daily bread.
Or; as Whimpy says;
"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today."
Waltwis,
Picture, if you will (or hear, to be more exact), the Winklyvoose twins saying the following in their best Star Trek Binar computer voice:
“We have elected (crackle, crackle, crackle) to put our money (wheeeet) and faith in a mathematical framework that is free (bzzzzz) of politics and human error.error.error.error.”
Any.thing.else.would.be.illogical. (runtime error. do.you.wish.to.debug?---exception handler.......danger, danger, humans in the area....abort...abort...take.the.bitcoins.and.run.)
What they really mean is that snarky kid stole our idea now he's billionaire and we're only measly millionaires so we're sailing off to a virtual island with virtual money to lord it over the virtual monkeys.
(program.not.responding--file system error B2C6EBC9-6FC9-45C0-AB69-193490449FBF.cancel. end run.)
[please deposit 750 bitcoins for the next three minutes]
I read the Larry Summers piece, which is not really rose-colored. The headline in the Post is misleading, alleging that "Sometimes, gridlock is good for America." Summers isn't saying that, rather he is observing that we have always been pulling and tugging and blocking and belaying ourselves, since the beginning. He's really talking about our history, not offering up any solutions or ascribing value to how we do business-by-gridlock.
And it really is history. I can't find the definitive quote, but I believe it was Lord North, around the time of our revolution, who wrote that "The Americans are a froward people." Yes we are. And that is all Summers is re-observing.
@Patrick. That's one interpretation. But Summers wrote, among other remarks,
"In American history, division and slow change has been the norm rather than the exception. While often frustrating, this has not always been a bad thing.... There were probably too few checks and balances as the United States entered the Vietnam and Iraq wars. There should have been more checks and balances in place before the huge tax cuts of 1981, 2001 and 2003, or to avert the many unfunded entitlement expansions of the past few decades. Most experts would agree that it is a good thing that politics thwarted the effort to establish a guaranteed annual income in the late 1960s and early 1970s, as well as the effort to establish a 'single-payer' health-care system during the 1970s.... Through all the fractiousness, enough change has taken place that, without further policy action, the ratio of debt to gross domestic product is expected to decline for the next five years.... Financial regulation is not in a fully satisfactory place but has received its most substantial overhaul in 75 years. For the first time, most schools and teachers are being evaluated on objective metrics of performance."
All this is, as I view it, a paean to GOP obstructionism, not to mention bad Republican ideas like "No Child Left Behind." Putting aside his remarks on the wars (and remember here that Republicans were generally cheering on these wars), if you recall the herculean efforts it took to make some of these baby steps forward, Summers' view comes across as a pretty conservative gloss. I have a feeling he misses politics & is looking for a job in the next Republican administration.
I think the headline is about right.
Marie
And speaking of No Child Left Behind and the vaunted metrics it generates which seem to make Larry Summers' withered little heart skip a beat (too many of those and he'd be dead), we've been seeing exactly how effective that terrible program has been.
Don't forget that this program was a Bush plan designed and pushed by his Education Secretary, Margaret Spellings who had no training as a teacher and had never spent a single second in a classroom. But she talked big and tough about getting rid of namby pamby attitudes about teaching and finding a way to fire teachers that didn't fit her master plan for education, a field in which she had no experience.
Today we see the fallout of NCLB: teachers afraid of their students not being able to make the cut, widespread cheating, students who spend the entire school year under the gun learning rote answers to a test forced on them by people who want to defund their schools and fire their teachers (no one questions the need to get rid of bad teachers, but NCLB is not the way to do that; its hallmark is stress, tension, regulating what good teachers can do, and depriving children of the joy of an actual, as opposed to robotic, education).
Sounds like the Republican Way. No wonder Summers loves it.
(A side benefit, for many conservatives, is that NCLB helps to make learning a stumbling block which can only help them. The stupider the populace, the better for right-wing political candidates.)
Re: Buy the book; AK; don't forget that the Bush family was vested in educational systems sold for NCLB.
At @ 3p.m. there were 2 explosions at finish line of Boston Marathon. Cause yet unknown. Severe injuries reported.
JJG,
Right you are. Wasn't Neil Bush involved in some kind of educational business designed to scam schools (especially ones pressured to buy his snake oil?). Neil, being no stranger to bilking the public (S&L scandal, anyone?) probably roped in a tidy sum for himself, comme d'habitude.
Pricks. All of them.
The demeanor of the Winklevoss twins demand a comparison to the chipmunks Chip and Dale. Their motives, not so much, as Chip and Dale were charming lovable guys. The thing that stuck with me about the bitcoin phenomena was the fact that the # of bitcoins that can be "mined" is finite (21M). I guess mining is based on some complicated computer algorithm devised by Chip and Dale. If the # of bitcoins is controlled and the manner of accumulating bitcoins is a method thought up by C&D, how is there an upside for anyone but them? Sounds like a virtual version of a Ponzi scheme.