Thursday, May 15, 2008
And F The Ballot Measure That Attempts To Say Otherwise
State Supreme Court says same-sex couples have right to marry
About bloody time.
So long as the state defines a legal union between two people as "marriage," there can be no other outcome without violently torturing the law and the basis on which we view individual rights. If the state has a problem, or has one vis-a-vis the church (any church), then rename all state sanctioned contractual relationships "civil unions," regardless of the sex of the participants, and leave "marriage" to the churches.
And make this an at-fault state for divorce again. If you really want to protect marriage.
Read the opinion here.
About bloody time.
So long as the state defines a legal union between two people as "marriage," there can be no other outcome without violently torturing the law and the basis on which we view individual rights. If the state has a problem, or has one vis-a-vis the church (any church), then rename all state sanctioned contractual relationships "civil unions," regardless of the sex of the participants, and leave "marriage" to the churches.
And make this an at-fault state for divorce again. If you really want to protect marriage.
Read the opinion here.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Can I . . . .
Comment on Don Perata calling off his recall efforts again Jeff Denham because he just realized he might need some Republican votes to make it through the summer? 'Cause I realllllly want to comment. Big time. Huge. Argh.
I'll let you guess what I'd say.
I'll let you guess what I'd say.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Good Cause, Bad Company
Nuñez denounces ICE raids on businesses, but he did so with execs of American Apparel - a company that gets way more credit than it's due for fashion forward designs like . . . tube socks.
Nevermind the founder's highly sketchy relationships with young employees. Nevermind their alternating heroine-chic or kiddy porn-chic advertising campaign. They demand credit for not exploiting their employees - something no one should be doing to begin with, but hey, go you.
Nevermind the founder's highly sketchy relationships with young employees. Nevermind their alternating heroine-chic or kiddy porn-chic advertising campaign. They demand credit for not exploiting their employees - something no one should be doing to begin with, but hey, go you.
Haven't We Met Before?
The year was 2002. Then-Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson was talking about a stagering deficit of $21 billion-with-a-b. So today's news of a $20 billion budget deficit is neither surprising, nor does it seem insurmountable.
It makes me wonder why in the hell we recalled Gray Davis, but then again, most things in Sacramento make me wonder about that.
I think my favorite anecdote from the 2002 deficit was: even if the state closed the University of California (no, all of it, every campus) AND Corrections (no, all of it, every prison), that would still recoup only about $9 billion. I'm sure you'd get more now, adjusted for inflation, but you can see the problem.
What happened between 2002 and today to help us end up back where we started? Then, dot-coms had busted, now, the housing market has busted. Then, we struggled and sweated through a nasty Sacramento budget season bargaining with the almighty [voter] that if they just let us make it through this, we'd do something to change the budgeting structure and our way of handling money.
And then . . . I guess we just got busy.
(but p.s. don't worry anyway, the Governor was just speaking rhetorically. It's not so bad - yet.)
It makes me wonder why in the hell we recalled Gray Davis, but then again, most things in Sacramento make me wonder about that.
I think my favorite anecdote from the 2002 deficit was: even if the state closed the University of California (no, all of it, every campus) AND Corrections (no, all of it, every prison), that would still recoup only about $9 billion. I'm sure you'd get more now, adjusted for inflation, but you can see the problem.
What happened between 2002 and today to help us end up back where we started? Then, dot-coms had busted, now, the housing market has busted. Then, we struggled and sweated through a nasty Sacramento budget season bargaining with the almighty [voter] that if they just let us make it through this, we'd do something to change the budgeting structure and our way of handling money.
And then . . . I guess we just got busy.
(but p.s. don't worry anyway, the Governor was just speaking rhetorically. It's not so bad - yet.)
Friday, April 25, 2008
How Stimulating
Bush says rebates going out Monday will boost economy
Will they?
Most people's check: $600
If gas is $3.89/gal, that's about 154 gallons of gas.
If you have a 20 gallon tank (a high estimate for non-SUVs, a fair to low estimate for SUVs), that's 7.7 tanks of gas.
If you commute the googled-it-up American average of 16 miles, one way to work, or 32 miles round trip, that's 12.5 days of commute, per tank, if you get 20 mpg (a generous estimate for SUV drivers).
So you get about 3 months of gas out of your stimulus. That's not awful, but it doesn't stimulate the economy either. Someone check my math though . . .
I would think it wouldn't go far on groceries either, with food prices rising. And again, it won't really stimulate much if people are only spending to live. We have built this country on living to spend, dammit!
Will they?
"The money is going to help Americans offset the high prices we're seeing at the gas pump, the grocery store, and also give our economy a boost to help us pull out of this economic slowdown," Bush said.Let's do some math.
Most people's check: $600
If gas is $3.89/gal, that's about 154 gallons of gas.
If you have a 20 gallon tank (a high estimate for non-SUVs, a fair to low estimate for SUVs), that's 7.7 tanks of gas.
If you commute the googled-it-up American average of 16 miles, one way to work, or 32 miles round trip, that's 12.5 days of commute, per tank, if you get 20 mpg (a generous estimate for SUV drivers).
So you get about 3 months of gas out of your stimulus. That's not awful, but it doesn't stimulate the economy either. Someone check my math though . . .
I would think it wouldn't go far on groceries either, with food prices rising. And again, it won't really stimulate much if people are only spending to live. We have built this country on living to spend, dammit!
Mmm, Math And The Electoral Process. Tasty!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Money?
One of the MSNBC commentators, Rachel? I should know her name by now, anyway, she claims the important number out of tonight won't be the margin, it will be the fundraising bounce. To which Pat Robertson said, rightly, money? What good was money to Barack Obama? He's sitting on $40 million and change - he tried to bleed HRC to death in PA and failed. So what good is all that money. To which Rachel replied she'd rather be Obama sitting on that warchest having lost PA.
To which I say - are you crazy?
The monied candidate usually loses. They can win, but they don't always.
See, eg: Checchi, Al; Harman, Jane; Romney, Mitt . . .
No?
To which I say - are you crazy?
The monied candidate usually loses. They can win, but they don't always.
See, eg: Checchi, Al; Harman, Jane; Romney, Mitt . . .
No?
You Look Like A Candidate From Abercrombie & Fitch
Anyone notice the 3 dudes directly behind Obama as he gave his speech were wearing A&F gear? One with a giant FITCH down his shirt. And they kept looking at each other and laughing. This is especially noticeable if you watch the speech in double time courtesy of your DVR or Tivo. ANd they keep talking. And making phone calls.
Who did his advance and why didn't they catch these dudes. 'Cause Jon Stewart will - I guarantee it.
That cannot be a coincidence, can it? If so, these dudes need to pay attention to their wardrobe choices when they go out.
Who did his advance and why didn't they catch these dudes. 'Cause Jon Stewart will - I guarantee it.
That cannot be a coincidence, can it? If so, these dudes need to pay attention to their wardrobe choices when they go out.
Changing The Metric
Ah, swap the data set - classic.
The Clinton camp, according to Harold Ford, Jr. (who would have been a great candidate, btw and must be, like Bill Richardson, looking around and going, wait, how did I end up not-there?), has changed the metric tonight from delegate counts to popular vote count. Of course - either camp would do that. Play to the ignorance of the public on the issue of how we really select candidates - it isn't really important - and look at the electability question as you attempt to campaign at national level (rather than the party level).
Both candidates certainly DO need to start campaigning against McCain rather than each other. It would work on both levels anyway. They won't though. I kinda see HRC as the most guilty party on that front.
(I like Harold Ford, Jr. Always have. As the youngest elected MOC, he spoke to a group I was with in DC way-back-when. He was great. Memorable.)
The Clinton camp, according to Harold Ford, Jr. (who would have been a great candidate, btw and must be, like Bill Richardson, looking around and going, wait, how did I end up not-there?), has changed the metric tonight from delegate counts to popular vote count. Of course - either camp would do that. Play to the ignorance of the public on the issue of how we really select candidates - it isn't really important - and look at the electability question as you attempt to campaign at national level (rather than the party level).
Both candidates certainly DO need to start campaigning against McCain rather than each other. It would work on both levels anyway. They won't though. I kinda see HRC as the most guilty party on that front.
(I like Harold Ford, Jr. Always have. As the youngest elected MOC, he spoke to a group I was with in DC way-back-when. He was great. Memorable.)
The Upside Of Continued Indecision
If - duh - PA doesn't give us The Answer, at least we'll have a chance to talk about West Virginia. And you know I'm all over that. I bet I can get guest bloggers on that one. Rad.
What Happened To Tim?
Anyone watching MSNBC this evening? Tim Russert's hair is all mussed. He looks like a pundit on fire - like he's finally be driven 'round the bend after being called upon to comment on the race after each additional percentage worth of precincts report. It's driving me crazy, and I'm not on television.
Poor barst is spun out.
Poor barst is spun out.
Whom Do Superdelegates Represent?
I'd say themselves. It's not my understanding that they achieve their posts to represent a given population. They may be representative OF, but they may not be representativeS of. Does that make sense?
Are they supposed to look at their district or demographics and go that way?
I may have turned in my thesis nearly - egads - seven years ago, but the inquiry never ends.
Are they supposed to look at their district or demographics and go that way?
I may have turned in my thesis nearly - egads - seven years ago, but the inquiry never ends.
1% to 3% - Shouldn't We Wait?
As just admitted on MSNBC, the margin is the story here, so why does MSNBC call it for Hillary now? With 1%, we had a 60/40 split and 2 seconds later, at 3%, we had a 55/45 split.
Chill, kids. And tell me which parts of the state are reporting.
Chill, kids. And tell me which parts of the state are reporting.
Because Probable Cause Is For Suckers
Laptops fair game for airport customs searches
Awesome.
Falls under the border searches exception - but does it apply at any airport? Just international airports? In all terminals? Or just international terminals?
Awesome.
Falls under the border searches exception - but does it apply at any airport? Just international airports? In all terminals? Or just international terminals?
Monday, April 21, 2008
Stupid News Article Quotations
From an article about Native American remains found under a Marin landmark:
"I think they really should have disclosed what they found," said Shawn McGhie, who lives about a half-mile from the Fireside.Really? Who are you? Why is your input important? I mean, you're probably a great person, but this is what I don't get about 9/10 of reporting these days. Disclosure of such finds aren't required under law. And things went down the way they should have. No one is really mad it seems. But let's find someone to represent the opposing view, not that it's very opposing.
Playing The Expectations Game In PA, And, The Importance Of GOTV
Obama predicts Clinton win in Pa. but says it will be close
Oh, does he? How Clintonian.
If tracking is true, Obama leads in vote-rich Philly, while Clinton leads pretty much everywhere else - from Pittsburgh through the red center.
GOTV is key. And I know Philly GOTV. With the right operation, you can win PA based on Philadelphia turn-out alone. The question is, does Obama have the field program to turn it out? I haven't heard much about either camp's field program since the very early days of the Iowa caucuses. My prediction: regardless of the outcome tomorrow, Wednesday's papers will contain analyses galore on who got whom to show up for whom.
This morning I had to rub the sleep from my eyes as I saw MSNBC/McClatchy's numbers on the margin for PA bowlers and beer drinkers. No really. We have cross-tabs for EVERYTHING these days. The guess was that, while Clinton leads in the redder ends of the state, Obama may succeed in keeping her people home by giving them enough negative information about her trustworthiness to make her less worth the effort.
Who has the most union support? Despite the demise of manufacturing in Pennsylvania, labor is still damn powerful in the Keystone State. Don't you question it and don't you forget it, my friends. With the unions seemingly split (there's a whole 'nother post there about the future of labor - but you probably won't see that post here), I'm not sure who I'd look to next for an indication of the group with the most organized program to devote to GOTV for either candidate on Tuesday. Ummm . . . yeah, no, I'm sorry - my head's too full of union boss anecdotes to recall who the next strongest walkers and callers were with. Well, MoveOn.org, but that's not really helpful in this context.
Oh, and us, dispatching the union volunteers, others, etc. So who from our group might still be there? There weren't that many native Pennsylvanians so I'm not sure. But there were many avowed Clinton supporters on post-election days in 2004. That was before Obama's rise.
I'll be interested to see the data on Wednesday . . . .
Oh, does he? How Clintonian.
If tracking is true, Obama leads in vote-rich Philly, while Clinton leads pretty much everywhere else - from Pittsburgh through the red center.
GOTV is key. And I know Philly GOTV. With the right operation, you can win PA based on Philadelphia turn-out alone. The question is, does Obama have the field program to turn it out? I haven't heard much about either camp's field program since the very early days of the Iowa caucuses. My prediction: regardless of the outcome tomorrow, Wednesday's papers will contain analyses galore on who got whom to show up for whom.
This morning I had to rub the sleep from my eyes as I saw MSNBC/McClatchy's numbers on the margin for PA bowlers and beer drinkers. No really. We have cross-tabs for EVERYTHING these days. The guess was that, while Clinton leads in the redder ends of the state, Obama may succeed in keeping her people home by giving them enough negative information about her trustworthiness to make her less worth the effort.
Who has the most union support? Despite the demise of manufacturing in Pennsylvania, labor is still damn powerful in the Keystone State. Don't you question it and don't you forget it, my friends. With the unions seemingly split (there's a whole 'nother post there about the future of labor - but you probably won't see that post here), I'm not sure who I'd look to next for an indication of the group with the most organized program to devote to GOTV for either candidate on Tuesday. Ummm . . . yeah, no, I'm sorry - my head's too full of union boss anecdotes to recall who the next strongest walkers and callers were with. Well, MoveOn.org, but that's not really helpful in this context.
Oh, and us, dispatching the union volunteers, others, etc. So who from our group might still be there? There weren't that many native Pennsylvanians so I'm not sure. But there were many avowed Clinton supporters on post-election days in 2004. That was before Obama's rise.
I'll be interested to see the data on Wednesday . . . .
Friday, April 18, 2008
Seatbelts!
Am I a total killjoy?
Check out this clip of fun, backstage interviewage from The Office:
Note the problem?
I'm pretty sure the gals are in the back of a limo (at least a towncar) heading South on the 405. Maybe north - but it looks like the Mullholland pass, either way.
Why isn't the pregnant lady wearing a seatbelt? Why aren't either of them.
And people give Brit sh*t.
Check out this clip of fun, backstage interviewage from The Office:
Note the problem?
I'm pretty sure the gals are in the back of a limo (at least a towncar) heading South on the 405. Maybe north - but it looks like the Mullholland pass, either way.
Why isn't the pregnant lady wearing a seatbelt? Why aren't either of them.
And people give Brit sh*t.
Sigh: Art Students
So, there's this Yalie who said she did some nasty stuff for her art project. Then the school says no, she didn't. Then she says, basically, well, I did stuff, but who knows if I did the stuff that would make people mad. Get the whole story here and make sure you read the linked Yale Daily News articles, especially the second, updated one. The Chron has the hoax part of the story up - but not the student's subsequent de-un-hoaxing talk.
Basically, this student is full of sh*t, but probably was never full of fetus.
I hate too-cool-for-school-ness.
Basically, this student is full of sh*t, but probably was never full of fetus.
I hate too-cool-for-school-ness.
Throwback Topic: Time For A Little Voting Rights Coverage
It's been awhile since we've had a post on voting rights or VRA litigation. Via Rick Hasen's site, this post on 'The Trivialization of Voting Rights?'
I think the facts of the case in Prawfsblawg post support the contention that knee-jerk opposition to modifying the VRA is misplaced and ignorant. Here, the VRA's Section 5 preclearance process is clearly not being used for its intended purpose, but rather for partisan obstacle course construction and obstruction generally. That's not cool. And, as Rick Hills says, this trivializes voting rights and voting rights litigation. An adverse ruling could kick out legs that might have been useful in cases of actual voting rights violations.
I think the facts of the case in Prawfsblawg post support the contention that knee-jerk opposition to modifying the VRA is misplaced and ignorant. Here, the VRA's Section 5 preclearance process is clearly not being used for its intended purpose, but rather for partisan obstacle course construction and obstruction generally. That's not cool. And, as Rick Hills says, this trivializes voting rights and voting rights litigation. An adverse ruling could kick out legs that might have been useful in cases of actual voting rights violations.
