Sad Stampede

This is what we've come to. This is our 'recovery'. There are so many people wanting to sign up for Section 8 housing assistance in Dallas, that they stampede in an effort to get into line to fill out a form.



Well, it was 'the Jesse Owens Memorial Complex' they were trying to get to.

The obvious reaction is to wonder if there was this kind of race to fill out job applications anywhere in Dallas. But then, this bullshit recover has been a jobless wonder, so I have to doubt it. I find it sad on so many counts. Sad that so many people in just that one area are in need. Sad for the injuries the ill-managed event resulted in. Sad for the desperation of it all.

And yeah- I'll make it political. Is all the public spending saving these people? No doubt, to some, it's proof we haven't spent enough. For me, it's proof that people aren't being equipped for self-sufficiency. Blame schools, blame parents, blame the individuals themselves- but that kind of mad rush to fill out a form for assistance looks like the kind of thing we might have seen on a news report of the third world, say 10-15 years ago.

Oh, Do I Love NPR's Bias

I had seen a CNN article that said 42% of Americans were opposed to raising the debt ceiling. I didn't know if that meant that 58% were opposed, but since it referenced a Gallup Poll, I was thinking it there were probably at least two other categories- in favor, and unsure, at the very least.

So, I did a Google search for 'gallup poll debt ceiling'. The top result was an NPR article with the headline, "Gallup: Majority of Americans Still Oppose Raising Debt Ceiling". The article had today's date, so I clicked it. I need look no further than the first paragraph to see the bias like a kick in the crotch.

It may say more about the state of economic education in the nation than anything else but a majority of Americans remain opposed raising the federal debt ceiling according to a new Gallup poll.

And that's despite dire warnings by policymakers and experts that a default by the U.S. government could be calamitous. It would likely cause higher interest rates not just for the federal government but throughout the economy.

I'd like to think I have a pretty good understanding of economics. I fancy myself as having a fair idea about government, and how it's supposed to work, too.

Despite this, I'm opposed to raising the debt ceiling. I am of the opinion that much of what the government does would be better done by individuals, or not at all. For instance, the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya. I am of the opinion that government spending should be cut dramatically. Let's start with cutting the military in half. That would put a nice dent in things, as a starting position, without weakening our ability to defend our country.

So, am I an uneducated rube? Am I even desiring a default?

Hell, no. But I guess that's the kind of discourse we can expect anymore. You don't have a policy solution, Mr. Kole. You're an idiot.

I so often get to the point where there seems little point in making my points. I can't out-noise NPR, that devourer of community radio stations from sea to shining sea. But this bias of author Frank James seems typical of the discourse anymore. It isn't that he has a perspective. He has it, and you're flat out ignorant if you disagree. I just find it unworthy of response, for the most part... although I just spent 8 minutes doing just that.

Maybe I am an idiot.

Right On, Michael Irvin

I had never thought much about anything former Dallas Cowboy star receiver Michael Irvin had to say, prior to today. He seemed like one of a multitude of look-at-me-me-me athletes. But he's done something to completely change my mind about him. He is on the cover of Out Magazine, and discusses his coming to acceptance of his gay brother. One quote stands out like a cool breeze on this sweltering summer day:

Irvin now believes the African-American community should support marriage equality.

"I don't see how any African-American, with any inkling of history, can say that you don't have the right to live your life how you want to live your life," he said, according to the magazine. "No one should be telling you who you should love, no one should be telling you who you should be spending the rest of your life with. When we start talking about equality, and everybody being treated equally, I don't want to know an African-American who will say everybody doesn't deserve equality."

I have been repeatedly shocked at how one oppressed minority group can routinely oppress another minority group. This is an excellent statement by Irvin- one that comes at a time where 'gay' has repeatedly been used as a put-down by athletes in recent days.