TomSlick
TomSlick's JournalVeshi & Ruhle blew it on Occupational Licensing.
Velshi & Ruhle ran a story today attacking occupational licensing. In a very one sided story, Velshi & Ruhle gave coverage only to the ALEC spokesman to attack States' occupational licensing.
We have been fighting this battle for Arkansas for four years. Every session, one of the ALEC-purchased legislators introduces legislation to do away with almost all professional and occupational licensing - no licensing for accountants, engineers, architects, etc. The theory is that if an unlicensed electrician burns down a couple houses, the market will take care of it.
There is no question but that States like Arkansas have some licensing requirements that make little sense. The solution is to look at these individually and correct any problems. The solution is not to loose untrained and unqualified people on an unsuspecting public.
Veshi and Ruhle presented only one side of the issue without any examination into what is being attempted by ALEC.
I am a big MSNBC fan - but they blew it this time.
A Red Letter Night. Curling is back on TV.
I was raised in South Arkansas and live there now. I had never heard of Curling growing up.
Every four years, Curling comes back on TV and I love it. The skill, the strategy, grown people sweeping ice. . . .
Watching the US Olympic trials. I do love it so.
Brian Williams Reprising the Trump election.
There I was, minding my own business. Watching Brian Williams while I got my nightly DU fix.
Then, suddenly, and for no apparent reason, Brian Williams starts showing greatest hits from the MSNBC coverage from a year ago late on election night 2016.
Why in the name of Franklin Roosevelt, would anyone at MSNBC think we wanted to relive that moment?
General Kelly and Marine Values
I have been listening to the discussion of General Kelly's statement today and have been distressed. I am a retired Army officer and know that that General Kelly's statement was inconsistent with Army values so I decided to check for what the Marine Corps holds as its core values. The following is from the USMC website: http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/hrom/New-Employees/About-the-Marine-Corps/Values/
HONOR. This is the bedrock of our character. It is the quality that empowers Marines to exemplify the ultimate in ethical and moral behavior: to never lie, cheat, or steal; to abide by an uncompromising code of integrity; to respect human dignity; and to have respect and concern for each other. It represents the maturity, dedication, trust, and dependability that commit Marines to act responsibly, be accountable for their actions, fulfill their obligations, and hold others accountable for their actions.
COURAGE. The heart of our Core Values, courage is the mental, moral, and physical strength ingrained in Marines that sees them through the challenges of combat and the mastery of fear, and to do what is right, to adhere to a higher standard of personal conduct, to lead by example, and to make tough decisions under stress and pressure. It is the inner strength that enables a Marine to take that extra step.
COMMITMENT. This is the spirit of determination and dedication within members of a force of arms that leads to professionalism and mastery of the art of war. It promotes the highest order of discipline for unit and self and is the ingredient that instills dedication to Corps and country 24 hours a day, pride, concern for others, and an unrelenting determination to achieve a standard of excellence in every endeavor. Commitment is the value that establishes the Marine as the warrior and citizen others strive to emulate.
I am left to conclude that General Kelly has abandoned his personal honor. He does not have any regard for others. He does not hold others, in this case President Trump, accountable. He does not lead by example. He does not make the tough decisions under stress and pressure.
I am sure that he once held to Marine core values or else he would not have risen to the rank he did. I am profoundly disappointed that he did not hold to those values when it mattered.
He was not "always faithful."
I'm missing something about Puerto Rico.
I know that there is an ongoing humanitarian disaster among US citizens in Puerto Rico. I know people are dying in hospitals for want of fuel. I know there are serious shortages of basic supplies like food and water. I know that if something isn't done, this could make Katrina look like a governmental success story.
I know that the US military has an extraordinary heavy lift capacity. I know that there are units in the reserves whose expertise is in managing logistics. I know that if the military logistics resources had been activated when the scope of the problem became clear, the island should be sinking under supplies by now.
So, what am I missing?
Does Ali Velshi have a life outside MSNBC?
He's covering The Eleventh Hour tonight. He has a show of his own but he seems to be covering for someone every day - day and night.
I really like Velshi and worry about him. Is he ever allowed to go home? Does he have a home or just cot at the MSNBC studios? Does he have a family and, if so, when last did he see them?
This is hillarious
Lawrence is doing a live time commentary of Trumps campaign speech.
Did Trumpster just say he was waiving the laws of war in Afghanistan?
I think when he said he was going to correct the Rules of Engagement, that's what he meant.
I wonder if he has heard of General Yamashita.
It's worth talking to people with whom we disagree.
I have been arguing for some time in replies to other posts that it is worthwhile to discuss issues with people with whom we disagree - to change the world one person at a time. Today, I had a small victory - very small - but a victory.
At Sunday lunch today, my mother-in-law started asking questions about the movement to remove confederate memorials in the south. She is a product of public education in Arkansas and was taught that the Civil War was the result of Yankee manufacturers riding rough-shod over southern farmers - with slavery as only a pretext.
Over the course of several conversations, she has come to accept that the south seceded because of slavery - that slavery was the cause of the Civil War. In today's conversation, she accepted that the confederate memorials (like the one on the local courthouse grounds) were erected during the height of Jim Crow for the purpose of making the local African-Americans know who was in charge.
Her basic good nature made her realize that the confederate memorials are a reminder to her African-American neighbors of all of this hateful history. At that point, the Golden Rule took over and she agreed the memorials must come down.
I appreciate that all of these conversations started from a good starting point. (She wouldn't have dreamed of voting for Trump.) She is also a soundly moral and intelligent person. Nevertheless, she has come a long way on her understanding of the Civil War and what society should do concerning the history of the south. I am confirmed in my opinion that those of us who can stand to do so, should continue to talk to our family and friends and bring them to the right side of history.
My Trumpster friends are next. I understand that not everyone can stand the conversations - but hell - I'm a lawyer. I live to argue.
How did Elaine Chao stand by Trump?
I've had many disagreements with Elaine Chao through the years but she always seemed intelligent and generally aware of the world - but - how in the name if basic decency did she manage to stand beside Trump during his "remarks" without walking out? How can she continue to serve a self-avowed racist?
For that matter, how can any self-respecting person remain in the cabinet or White House staff?
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Gender: MaleHometown: Arkansas
Home country: USA
Current location: Arkansas, USA
Member since: Mon May 15, 2017, 08:46 PM
Number of posts: 12,132