Titanic Post

Ken Nicholson

Almost two years after this was first published there is still no new library in sight. The city of Alamogordo has decided that a new bond would not pass and they are probably right. The small, but noisy group of anti-library, anti-social, anti-tax, Eagle-nuts have almost convinced the rest of us that it is futile to want something that could help the minds , but not the bank accounts, of the noisy ones.

First published here on February 22, 2005
Our City of Alamogordo needs a new library. The old one is bursting at the seams with not enough space for new bookshelves, archives, meeting rooms, and public computers. The Alamogordo Public Library is one of the most used public spaces in the county. Recently, a water line break under the building caused a corner of the building to sink. The foundation, a wall, and several roof structural supports cracked and portions of the library had to be closed off until they could be supported. (more…)

Progressive Taxation: Some Hidden Truths

By George Lakoff and Bruce Budner, AlterNet
Printed on April 16, 2007

At this time of year it seems there are only two things certain in life, taxes and anxiety about taxes. Instead of the perennial talk of a simplified tax form, how about a simplified understanding of the progressive values that underlie our tradition of progressive taxation?

Such an understanding won’t move the tax deadline. But it might eliminate some of the anxiety. Understanding the hidden truths behind progressive taxation might also lead to more coherent — and more just — tax policies.

(more…)

Published on Thursday, March 22, 2007 by CommonDreams.org
A Time For Anger, A Call To Action
by Bill Moyers

The following is a transcript of a speech given on February 7, 2007 at Occidental College in Los Angeles.

I am grateful to you for this opportunity and to President Prager for the hospitality of this evening, to Diana Akiyama, Director of the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life, whose idea it was to invite me and with whom you can have an accounting after I’ve left. And to the Lilly Endowment for funding the Values and Vocations project to encourage students at Occidental to explore how their beliefs and values shape their choices in life, how to make choices for meaningful work and how to make a contribution to the common good. It’s a recognition of a unique venture: to demonstrate that the life of the mind and the longing of the spirit are mirror images of the human organism. I’m grateful to be here under their auspices.

I have come across the continent to talk to you about two subjects close to my heart. I care about them as a journalist, a citizen and a grandfather who looks at the pictures next to my computer of my five young grandchildren who do not have a vote, a lobbyist in Washington, or the means to contribute to a presidential candidate. If I don’t act in their behalf, who will? (more…)

I am relieved that civil rights have been incorporated into our legal system, at least in regard to race. Women’s rights and gay rights also show promise of becoming a part of our legal system. Blacks, women, and gays have always been acutely aware of their status because the culture of elitism never let them forget their place, or lack of place, in society. Everyone assumes that we live in a (white) man’s world. Even poor white men believe they are a privileged part of that world.

If you are a working man or woman (or child) and if you are on the receiving end of work orders and have little or no say about your work, chances are you’re a member of the lower working class of humans. We are most commonly known by the middle and upper classes as rednecks, trailer trash, hillbilly, the great unwashed. We are who the middle-class liberals mean when they talk about violence and racism. They also have us in mind when on the rare occasions they talk about poverty. Of course, we are the source of our own poverty. It is our violent nature plus ignorance and laziness, not to mention our complete lack of morals, that has kept us from climbing the ladder to the exalted middle-class. (more…)

Dear Desert Person,
I have just learned that the new Democratic congress wants to reinstate the draft. I think this is a horrible idea. If this hair-brained scheme comes about, soldiers who want to serve will have to serve with soldiers who don’t want to serve. The draft would be unfair to some people and morale would drop, causing people to resent the government even more than they do now. We will never win in Iraq, if the draft is reinstated.
Worried in Dartmouth

Dear Worried in Dartmouth,
I have personally experienced the devastation and havoc caused by the draft. I had the honor of serving in the Army from 1961 to 1964 in Germany and I found that the most insidious aspect of the draft was in the mixing of classes and cultures. I can only shudder at my memories of being exposed to jazz musicians, country/blues singers, educated people, people who had traveled, atheist people, and people of other religions and political backgrounds. I was never the same after that experience and to this day, I have not recovered my old prejudices.

However, there is no need to worry now. Most members of Congress will vote against this radical idea. Many of them have, or soon will have, children of draftable age, as do many of the influential people who pay for their elections and own their allegiance. They also do not want their friends and neighbors to be subjected to activities that are beneath their social status, such as sweating, eating out of cans, sleeping in tents, or having to actually see the people they destroy.
Sincerely,
Desert Person

This should be taught in all our schools, but isn’t.

The advantages of having a democracy:

• Effective participation
• Equality in voting
• Gaining enlightened understanding
• Exercising final control over agenda
• Inclusion of all adults

What democracy provides:

• Avoiding tyranny
• Essential rights
• General freedom
• Self determination
• Moral autonomy
• Human development
• Protecting essential personal interests
• Political equality
• Peace-seeking
• Prosperity

Requirements of a large scale democracy:

• Elected Officials
• Free, fair, and frequent elections
• Freedom of expression
• Alternative sources of information (a free press)
• Associational autonomy
• Inclusive citizenship

Items lifted from Robert A. Dahl’s “On Democracy”