A diplomatic triumph

From Spiegel, NATO’s Eastward Expansion: Did the West Break Its Promise to Moscow?

Of course, we did.  We wanted the bear caged and no longer  threat to anything west of its post WWII borders.  A neat bit of work actually.

Of course, the Bear is now using natural gas suppto extend his reach so the constant vigilance is needed.

 

 

 

 

A curious silence in AL-03

Seems to be the case In the AL-03 race between Mike Rogers and challenger, Josh Segall.  While the nation argues over trivial matters should has health care, war and peace, climate change, Segall as not made any public pronouncement on these issues.  I realize fund raising has priority, however, why not take a stand, put on the net and let his willing helpers get the word out.

I fear this race will be about cheap shots and rim shots (like most Alabama races) instead of the vigorous exchange of ideas that helps the electorate make informed decisions.

 

 

Alabama shock jocks

From the Selma Times-Journal, “A white woman does not need to be in charge of the Selma School Board”. per local radio personality, Johnny Leashore, and former city councilman.

On step forward, half a step back, if it benefits the power structure, a full two steps back.

Doomed to fail

See where the SBOE is planning to fix long standing problems with shortfalls in funding for the teacher’s retirement system and health insurance.  The plan is increase retirement deductions and punt the issue of health insurance funding.

Since teachers are not assured of their routine election year pay raises because of a empty (hey this time we mean it folks) treasury, can imagine the reaction to what amounts to a 1% reduction in pay.  Oh well, the teacher s union will do it best to push it off to next year and maybe exact a little damage on its enemies.

Something to ponder as election season warms up

In Alamba’s governor’s race, one of the two democrats running has made legalizing gambling an important point.  It appears to be his belief, this would cure most of Alabama’s financial woes.

Yet this story from Stateline suggests maybe not.  It shows gambling (and construction) dependent Nevada as the only state “still deep in recession”.

The House has passed a health care bill – hurrah?

While trivial matters such a Senate passage, the inevitable conference committee, etc. await, it looks like the House has passed something.

Questions I still have.  Where is the chart that tells us simpletons what will be required when we buy health insurance?  Where is the chart that tells what the public option will (or will not cover)?  Fobbing the job off to a commission is a dereliction of duty.  It permits the Congress/President to say I delivered but also deny any responsibility (those darn independent commissions) for the results.

Why require mandatory health insurance purchase?  Why not default auto enrollment in the public option or one of the private plans chosen at random?  Why not simply adapt one of the working government health plans instead of a de novo approach?

Why do I think the end result of all this will be more lawyers on TV advertising their skill in securing your maximum health insurance coverage?

Over playing the hand

In the latest salvo in Alabama’s Bingo Wars, Milton McGregor, owner of the VictoryLand complex in Macon County said in a  Tuskegee News article:

McGregor was more blunt as it relates to Riley.

“The governor in this state doesn’t like to see minority counties prosper. He really opposes me and is scared of this man (Jesse Jackson) because Rev. Jesse Jackson stands up for people and causes of people who need help,” McGregor said.

A white plutocrat giving plantation politics a new twist is amusing.  However, can expect him to finance pushing this meme as has been done since the Yankee troops left.

A few random though fragments on BSD

Because of the unstable interaction betewwn the newer linux kernels and the intel video drivers, have been looking for an alternative OS.

NetBSD, works but tends to be laggy when playing video (though a/v sync does not drop).  FreeBSD 8.0RC worked but didn’t have the snap and whirl I like.  So that left OpenBSD 4.6, which for now does what what I want, (web, mail, usenet, video/audio transcoding) while keeping the bad guys out..

Each have their advantages though and should be considered.

 

A righteous rant

over at the World Around You, Being Knowledgeable Consumers of the News, Whatever the Source.  FWIW, I’ve found as much to ponder from reading trotskyites as libertarians.  Also, always entertaining reading the news from the country that is the subject of successful American reset button pressing diplomacy and how the foreign press reports on internal American issues.

When using this information to mock up the ole daily sit map, always shave it with Ockham’s razor, apply Sturgeon’s Law, touch up with Hanlon’s Razor and recall all is maya.

ARESA writes again

And once again, I am not a retired teacher, not enrolled in PEEHIP nor was I ever a member of AEA/ARESA, yet, they send me a “time to pay your retired membership” notice.  In a separate mailer, I am invited to join for $5 per month with an optional $2 monthly for their PAC.

Hmm no, working for COLA’s without working for tax increases to fund them is bad.  This causes the retirement fund to take more from the nest egg that is coming in.  Same also applies to increasing funding for retired educator’s health insurance without working for a corresponding tax increase.

So,  all filed in the appropriate spot.   Once again, shake head at the inability/unwillingess of Alabama’s public workers to grasp the implications of what they want.