liberty · equality · eternity

And one hour more for me, gt.  By the way, the new season of “The Closer” begins next Monday, 8 June on TNT.

So much for the telly. Congress passed a so-called Consumer Credit Protection Act.  I’d comment if I could learn what it does, having complained about credit card abuses many times.  All of the articles select one or two features, so I looked at Congress’s MySpace for the bill’s text.  I found the House bill, not the combined House-Senate bill that Obama signed.

The big news story is that it allows carrying firearms into national parks, which may have nothing to do with credit.  Think so?

What is important is that, “This bill is a landmark bill and I’m proud to support it,” according to Chuck Schumer, (DSNY), adding “We cannot allow people to continue to be taken advantage of.”  I am sure what he meant is “taken advantage of by anyone other than the government.”

A cool provision in the House bill states there most be a postmark date cutoff for on-time payments.  If you’ve ever mailed a payment ten days in advance and been informed that it’s when they claim to have received it that counts, you’ll love that.  If you pay bills on the Internet, and who doesn’t, I saw nothing about weird charges or considering today’s payments as being made next week.  I guess Congress is unaware of the Internet, unless it involves porn or gambling.

The real question is whether Congress should be “regulating” credit cards.  They regulate banks, doing a helluva job, but this is different.  Whatever the bill requires, banks will find work-arounds.  A better solution would be for Americans to stop using credit cards, or at least reduce their dependence on them.  And pay off their bills faster.

Once their best source for usurious interest is reduced, companies will compete for customers with better rates and service, instead of competing with each other to see who can squeeze the most out of suckers.

If Congress want to be helpful, make UPN renew “Reaper.”
 
 

My sleepy seaside town of Pacifica is often quite quiet. The only thing that disturbs the silence, besides jets buzzing us, noisy cars. Guys who race their engines to compensate for their tiny genitalia and, of course, the beeping backup of larger vehicles. Lately, electric and hybrid cars are under attack for being smaller, and thus less safe, than gas-guzzling vehicles. At least they are quiet. 

So imagine my chagrin at reading in The Economist newspaper, 9 May 2009, about the growing concern over their lack of noise, which “many now believe” should require installation of external sound systems to make them noisier.  Seriously.  I couldn’t make up such idiocy.

Haven’t they heard of noise pollution?  A study conducted at UC Riverside using subjects listening to recordings of automobiles through headphones found that they heard loud cars sooner than quiet cars. Aside from the ease with which money can be wasted on proving the obvious, I’m not sure of the significance.  In a car park (or parking lot), there are noises and distractions.  That’s why you look for cars and pedestrians, when walking or driving.  Dr Lawrence Rosenblum, who led the groundbreaking study, said “People want cars to sound like cars.”  A Prius sounds like a car — a Prius.  If someone invents a quiet trash collection lorrie, will there be complaints from persons no longer disturbed by noise?

Electric buses are far quieter than diesel coaches, unless they haven’t been maintained. Should they be made noisier? No. Quiet is good.

Quiet trains, good.  Quiet children, good.  Quiet politicians, great.

Adding a sound-generating device will raise hybrid and electric vehicle prices.  Who will want to pay more to theoretically, possibly, perhaps save some stumblebum who can’t be bothered to watch where he’s going from getting slammed at seven miles-per-hour?  How will that protect pedestrians blasting music through headphones or so involved in cellular phone conversations that they are oblivious to the world? 

The sub-headline of the story: “Sound generators will make electric and hybrid cards safer.” 

Safer? Doubtful. It will make them louder.

For one thing, won a case against the Social Security Disability jackals.  It was a total victory, the judge agreeing that the government agency wronged us. The process took a long time but, eventually, we won.

Then there was this past week’s Special Election, where the voters told Arnold and the Legislators to kiss our collective ass.  The first time I can recall when everyone except the politicians were in agreement.  I did not vote for one measure that passed, which prevents the Sacramento bumblers from voting themselves a raise when the budget is not balanced.  That seemed petty to me.  They need to be dumped, not slapped on the wrist.

Following up on Cheerios and the FDA, a gallon of milk I bought had an advertisement stating that the cereal lowers your cholesterol.  I wonder how the government will get the milkmen.  Maybe practising medicine without a license.  Where there’s a bureaucrat, there’s a way.

Duh squared.

Okay, not seen clearly.  Didn’t have my camera with me, and didn’t feel like going out when I got home, so I took it out the dirty window.  As my way of apologising, here are two snaps of Smokey. 

See the relationship?  Smokey was curious enough to contort himself, so he could see down from the neighbor’s roof [bottom].

Smokey is a cat.
 

I have been critical of the so-called Bailouts and other Federal responses to the question: “We can’t just do nothing.”  Yes you can. 

So here’s something different that could work, will probably work. 
Hold a money sale. 

Any citizen (no foreign visitors, please) can visit a Treasury office and for every $100 in cash presented, receive two crisp hundred-dollar bills.  Will the currency be worth less as a result?  Sure, if you want to get technical, but it won’t be worthless, as it will be after all of the bailouts kick in. Even better, more money will line the pockets of consumers, who will spend it on fuel-efficient accoutrements and repaying debts, like tax bills.

No one supports bailouts for the rich and for giant corporations other than wealthy screw-ups.  Everyone would support a money sale. And considering how difficult it is to carry cash, it would be far less costly than trillion-dollar bailouts and uncured pork.

This inspired idea is my birthday present to you.  Enjoy it.

Feel free to click on the picture.

Also, many pleasant developments over the past few days may be posted later.  Right now, I’ve got better things to do.  If you know the model’s name or if you are the gorgeous model, e-mail me please.  Thanks.
 

Drove to Merced, the newest and possibly hottest University of California campus.  Temperatures reached 98°, factoring in the wind, 153°F.  There was no breeze, no trees at the former golf course where the commencement ceremony was held.  Thousands of bottles of water were handed out (48,000 bottles purchased or donated).  Despite that, eight people were sent to hospital with reactions to the heat.  Nearly 80 went to the first aid tents with problems or perhaps a burning desire to escape the sun for a minute.

You’re probably wondering what possessed me to attend a college graduation when I didn’t attend mine.  First Lady Michelle Obama was speaking, so a bunch of us drove up from the Bay Area.  About 145 students were graduating, in the first official ceremony held at the new campus, with an estimated 12,000 in attendance.  I don’t recall who my graduation speaker was, probably someone forgettable.

UC claim they have no money to pay workers.  They are raising student fees next year by more than 9%, yet the budget for this graduation was estimated to be about $700,000. The rationale is that it will provide publicity worldwide, so students will learn that fame is fleeting.  Merced is not well-known.  I’ve heard of it and I keep forgetting the name.  Many current students say they didn’t know where it was when they applied, so apparently you don’t need basic map skills to be accepted. Had they known, they might have reconsidered. Yesterday was not atypical. In fact, it was predicted to be hotter today. Imagine trying to study in the heat and dryness of the San Joaquin Valley.  I suppose students could sit under a shady tree to read, if there was a tree.  A stagnant lake was constructed that probably breeds mosquitoes.  Other than that, not much to the campus but a few sterile buildings.

My eyes felt like they were popping out during the dusty drive.  Then we had trouble entering the facility.  It wasn’t full, but we were informed by state troopers that the campus was “on lockdown.”  Seems we were supposed to have tickets, which were free, but only available in advance.  We managed to get to the metal detectors and passed through, figuring we were home free.  There were more problems, I’m told with Secret Service.  I respect what they do, and kept telling myself how fortunate I didn’t have to wear a dark suit and a tie.  On the other hand, we weren’t planning to be disruptive and, even if we were, the heat would have prevented that.  Finally, the Chief of Police for UC Merced, Rita Spaur, interceded and said we could stay. We would have been disappointed if we were ordered to return home, another 150-mile drive in sweltering heat without seeing anything, so we were most grateful.

A digital camera has no film, but I’m pretty sure direct sunlight could be harmful, even if not as harmful as it was to me.  I was sweating and kept wondering why they hadn’t provided some kind of shade over the area.  Wind wouldn’t have been a problem.  When I was taking pictures, it was too bright to see the screen, so I hoped for the best and got what I got.  We had to view the festivities on the big screen, although Mrs Obama waved as she entered the field.



It was about as exciting as any college graduation ceremony, I guess.  Yudof quoted Gary Trudeau, a cartoonist: “Commencement speeches were invented largely in the belief that outgoing college students should never be released into the world until they have been properly sedated.”  That is what they do for four years. 

The Merced Chancellor, Sung Mo “Steve” Kang [really!], delivered an address by the numbers, calling the day “historic.”  The Gettysburg Address was historic, partly because Lincoln said “the world will little note nor long remember” it.  Steve read some comments by Ghandi, adding his own remarks. The rule is if you quote someone, you don’t add to their wisdom. Even if you’re a dinky chancellor.

Mark Yudof, UC’s president (and Dick Blum’s flack), said “to the faculty and staff… I want to thank you.  Your work matters.  These graduates would not be here today without you.”  Not enough to pay them decent wages, but enough to pay them lip service.

There were two highlights amid the boredom.  A short video sent to Mrs Obama as part of the graduates’ campaign to get her to speak there.  And an amazing rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” by Brooklynn Edwards, a senior.  It’s difficult to sing, but she performed it with skill and panache.

Balance that against part of the “Pomp & Circumstance March No. 1″ by Edward Alba, as it was announced.  I’m sure Sir Elgar would enjoy the possibility of being related to Jessica Alba, just as I’m sure he would have rejected the recording on a loop, as if it was for a switchboard.  The music accompanied the obligatory stroll of the graduates, luckily not that many.  There were probably other speeches, since I may have gone into a heat trance.  Some meaningless awards were bestowed upon persons including Mrs Obama.  I recall the dignitaries being introduced, if you consider politicians and their ilk to be dignified.  You know my view.

Michelle Obama was introduced by Blum, the Dick who chairs the Regents.  Imagine Walter Brennan, without imagination, talent or makeup, and you’ve got his delivery of the most vapid, boring speech of the day, which says a lot.  He referred to his wife, DieFie, saying “I’m certainly a better person for having her in my life.”  Hard to imagine anyone being better off knowing the senator.  Then again, he has benefited financially from their association.    

I’m linking to the First Lady’s address [below].  Make of it what you will.  She read her first commencement speech confidently, most impressively.  I suspect she had little part in writing it, but seemed familiar with the text.  It was a feel-good speech, neither great nor poor.  Mrs Obama was pleased to be so revered by the students, that came through.  She stressed inclusiveness, noting that their education resulted from the “hard work of people of all races.”  There is only one race, but acknowledging that would destroy the racial politics Democrats purvey.

She went on at length about the students’ obligation to “give back.”  I never understand that.  If you are successful, you must give back.  What if you aren’t?  What if you can’t afford to repay your student loans?  For every Michelle Obama who works hard, studies and gets some breaks, there are probably hundreds who do the same and get nowhere.  [Bill Maher was closer to the mark on “Real Time,” saying what they have to look forward to: working at Starbucks.  Adding, “I’m joking of course, Starbucks isn’t hiring.”

There were a few plugs for the Administration, which are to be expected.  The First Lady also said you may experience setbacks and disappointments on the road to success.  (Unfortunately, you have them on the road to failure as well.)

She had a great closing sentence.  “We believe in you.”  Would that the rest of the speech had been that adroit.

One thing I’ve learned from years of rabble-rousing is that nastiness gets you only so far. Look at Carole Migden.

Beauty-pageant contestant Carrie Prejean recently fielded a question about her view of gay marriage.  She answered the way a majority of Americans would have, unless they were more terrified than truthful.  She was very accommodating to homosexuals, just short of supporting a new right to marry.  Being unnerved by the crazed blogger who asked, she said she favoured “opposite marriage.”

Many public figures share her position: civil unions are okay, marriage not if you’re gay.

That was not controversial, until this young woman fell victim to a firestorm of hate.  On “The Factor” one Friday, with Laura Ingraham hosting, a person named Gloria Feldt said that maybe instead of breast enlargement, Carrie should have received a heart transplant.  And she’s not a real blond.  Feldt would not acknowledge that she was being anti-feminist, or even that Laura had a point.

Sometimes I agree with Ingraham and sometimes I don’t, but Laura was dead on and, by the way, she had breast cancer.  How insensitive can one woman be?  About as insensitive as Gloria Feldt, who kept repeating the mantra that this is an equality issue.  She evaded fair questions like “don’t a vast majority of Americans disapprove of gay marriage, while supporting civil unions?”  Laura’s demeanor was exceptionally tolerant, as Feldt hung herself.  Shock at Feldt’s lack of tolerance, decency and rationality could not have attracted new supporters, but could have driven away otherwise sympathetic viewers.

Media attacks on Ms Prejean were personal, not logical, and most reporters did not object.  They attacked her physical attributes and called her a bigot.  A headline in TimesOnline calls her anti-gay.

Don’t ax, don’t toil
Solving Gay Marriage Once and For All

Supporters frame it as a human rights issue because most humans support human rights, except in Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and several other nations.  I voted NO on Proposition 8, a referendum on marriage in the Golden State, but a majority of Californians opposed it.  They aren’t anti-gay.  Homosexuals (and supposedly heterosexuals) can form civil unions giving them the same great benefits married couples enjoy, except the name “marriage,” making the battle a name game. 

When it was legal, most gays did not get hitched.  If most gays do not want marriage, this squabble is about semantics and theoretical rights, if you consider getting married a right.  Is it the legal compact or the religious ceremony and, actually, many straight couples buy a city hall permit.

Calling something a human right does not make it one.  A human right is not being a slave, able to vote and to maintain your own beliefs, even if they are against new marriage rights.  When African-Americans faced racism in the USA, they wanted to vote, eat in the same establishment as European-Americans, not be raped or murdered.  Marriage was not one of their demands.

Now this homo-marriage non-issue has been kicked around more than George W Bush at a Move-On meeting.  Naturally, since I think outside the box, I have the perfect solution.

So-called gays can marry legally, like Michael Huffington and Jim McGreevey.  Therefore, a gay man can marry a lesbian, so those who crave this confining institution can marry.  All they need is a web site to match lesbian couples who seek marriage with gay men who seek the same.  They both marry someone of the opposite sex, have their cake and eat it. 

Not only would this allow them to say ‘I do,’ as activists claim they do, it would piss off homophobes, who would find some way to view this legal work-around as sleazy.  As if poking into others’sex lives is not.

Marrriage, humph!

Then there was Drugs.  Evil drugs.  Professional anti-drug crusaders like Joseph Califano, jr. open their mouths so often birds fly in and defecate on their arguments.  On “The Factor” Thursday (14 May), Califano said “we have two legal drugs — tobacco and alcohol.”  Really?  I’ve been in stores that sell alcohol and tobacco, but pharmacies and other stores peddle about $300 billion a year in legal drugs.  So his point that we have been ineffective in keeping alcohol and tobacco away from minors is pointless. Minors get all sorts of drugs, even have them administered by physicians (for their own good).  And they always find ways of getting high with new substances, like glue.



Considering Federal regulation of alcohol and firearms, both of which wind up in the hands of minors and are arguably more dangerous than pot, it’s more of a comment on the ineffectiveness of the government than the need for more arbitrary, unconstitutional laws.

“We know more about marijuana than we did thirty years ago,” claimed Califano, a lawyer.  “It’s stronger today.”  What is this guy smoking?  How would we have known in 1979 the strength of pot in 2009?  And since when is potency bad?  Many consider coffee a drug, and it is stronger than it was back then.  Should we outlaw Starbucks because children might get hooked on espresso?  The government should restrict itself to the manageable, like regulating Cheerios.

Califano grows rich pushing opposite drugs, with the support of the drug industry, who prefer no competition from lower-cost alternatives to their products.  He was 78 yesterday.  Happy birthday, Weasel.