I have defended New York Governor David Paterson in the past, and I stand by my defense of him. Today, however, I cannot defend Paterson.
When President Obama called Paterson to persuade him to pick the highly inexperienced -- yet very privileged -- Caroline Kennedy to replace Senator Hillary Clinton, I defended Paterson's option not to comply with the White House. Ironically, most New York residents did not prefer Kennedy until after Paterson rejected her, and this decision contributed to a plunge in his approval ratings.
Furthermore, when Obama publicly and awkwardly tried to convince Paterson not to run for office, I defended him -- and the vast majority of New York residents agreed. The issue was one of democracy. New York voters, not the White House, should determine Paterson's fate.
Finally, when rumors recently emerged implying that the New York Times was poised to run stories regarding infidelity by Paterson, I defended him against what would have constituted tabloid journalism. The NYT ran two stories on Paterson that did not raise an eyebrow and which convinced many observers that the paper was simply running in the direction of muck. The final NYT "bombshell," however, prevents me from defending Paterson.
It appears that Paterson directed state officials to contact a woman who had filed an abuse claim against David Johnson -- an aide to the governor. Paterson's conduct is reprehensible. Rather than conducting an investigation and suspending Johnson, he apparently sought to "silence" the matter. According to the latest news, he may have even directed the woman to lie about the situation. This behavior by Paterson could, in fact, violate the law. At the least, it is highly unethical, which is why Paterson is now no longer seeking office and why I cannot defend him this time.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Warren Buffet: Scrap the Senate Health Bill
Liberal billionaire Warren Buffet says that the Democrats should scrap the Senate healthcare reform bill. Buffet complains that the current proposal, which served as the template for President Obama's "compromise" position, will not do enough to contain costs.
Although Buffet says that reforming healthcare will require some "tough things," it is unclear what he has in mind. Buffet also criticizes several handouts that states (e.g., Nebraska) would receive from the Senate proposal. Obama's proposal, however, would eliminate this special treatment -- but make those handouts general to all states.
Although Buffet says that reforming healthcare will require some "tough things," it is unclear what he has in mind. Buffet also criticizes several handouts that states (e.g., Nebraska) would receive from the Senate proposal. Obama's proposal, however, would eliminate this special treatment -- but make those handouts general to all states.
Bill Clinton and Barack Obama Tell Tiger Woods to Hang in There!
According to several sources, Bill Clinton and President Obama have both called Tiger Woods to offer words of encouragement. Clinton clearly knows what it feels like to have his sexuality on the evening news. The Obama call is a little less expected.
Query: Why can't presidents and former presidents call people who are not rich and famous in order to lift their spirits? They probably need it more than Woods. Plus, they face even more daunting issues with fewer resources.
Update: Golf Digest has printed a correction which says that Obama did not call Woods, but that he offered encouragement. The article does not state how Obama conveyed his encouragement.
Query: Why can't presidents and former presidents call people who are not rich and famous in order to lift their spirits? They probably need it more than Woods. Plus, they face even more daunting issues with fewer resources.
Update: Golf Digest has printed a correction which says that Obama did not call Woods, but that he offered encouragement. The article does not state how Obama conveyed his encouragement.
Bunning's Filibuster Causes 2000 Workers to Lose Pay; Furloughed
Senator Jim Bunning -- a Republican from Kentucky -- has filibustered a bill to extend unemployment and health benefits and to pay for transportation bills. Bunning's actions could result in the expiration of unemployment benefits. It has, however, already impacted the jobs of 2000 federal workers. According to ABC News, the Department of Transportation has furloughed 2000 workers, and this number could grow as the week progresses:
So, the Department of Transportation as of Monday morning, furloughed 2,000 federal workers. DOT says that number could climb if this stalemate over funding drags on. Employees affected include federal inspectors overseeing highway projects on federal lands. If the inspectors aren't there, the projects must shut down. DOT says that will affect 41 critical construction projects from Alaska to the U.S. Virgin Islands. . . .Source: ABC News
Without the highway trust fund dollars, the federal government also cannot reimburse states for any ongoing construction projects. There is usually a federal-state match and the states get reimbursed on a real-time basis. States are scheduled to get some $768 million dollars from the feds this week. They will get the money eventually, but will have to figure out how to make do without, for now.
Women in Combat? Rules Under Reconsideration
In addition to Don't Ask, Don't Tell, another longstanding discriminatory military policy excludes women from combat positions. That policy is now under reconsideration.
Historically, the military has offered the same excuses for keeping women out of combat as it has for excluding persons of color in the past and gays and lesbians today. Women are viewed as incapable of serving in combat. Military officials have also argued that male troops would be destracted by the presence of women in combat zones. Also, the miliatary has said that the nation could not withstand the emotional trauma of women being held as captives or subjected to sexual assault or other forms of violence.
These arguments strike me as rubbish. They are, in fact, contradictory because they treat men as superior to women, but also as expendable. According to the logic of the military, men are superior to women, but women's lives matter much more to society than men. How much longer can this illogic last? According to some experts, the tide is turning.
Over the years the military has accommodated women by redefining positions that were previously "combat" roles into non-combat positions. Now, women are doing things in the military that bring them into the combat zone, but these jobs are not designated as combat roles. Serving in combat, however, is the basis for advancement in the military; thus, women are excluded from the highest rung of military leadership.
Army General George Casey, who recently voiced his fear of allowing out gays and lesbians in the military, says that it is time to reconsider the rules excluding women from combat. I agree.
Historically, the military has offered the same excuses for keeping women out of combat as it has for excluding persons of color in the past and gays and lesbians today. Women are viewed as incapable of serving in combat. Military officials have also argued that male troops would be destracted by the presence of women in combat zones. Also, the miliatary has said that the nation could not withstand the emotional trauma of women being held as captives or subjected to sexual assault or other forms of violence.
These arguments strike me as rubbish. They are, in fact, contradictory because they treat men as superior to women, but also as expendable. According to the logic of the military, men are superior to women, but women's lives matter much more to society than men. How much longer can this illogic last? According to some experts, the tide is turning.
Over the years the military has accommodated women by redefining positions that were previously "combat" roles into non-combat positions. Now, women are doing things in the military that bring them into the combat zone, but these jobs are not designated as combat roles. Serving in combat, however, is the basis for advancement in the military; thus, women are excluded from the highest rung of military leadership.
Army General George Casey, who recently voiced his fear of allowing out gays and lesbians in the military, says that it is time to reconsider the rules excluding women from combat. I agree.
Permanent Home for the Olympics? A Proposal
Charles Banks-Altekruse, a former Olympic rower, has published an op-ed in the New York Times that makes a provocative proposal. Banks-Altekruse argues that the Olympic Games should meet at a permanent location and abandon the rotating structure that has been in place since the advent of the modern Olympics.
Banks-Altekruse argues that the Olympics have been unprofitable in recent years, but he does not do a good job linking the financial performance of the games to the roving structure. Banks-Altekruse also argues that a stationary site would prevent political disruptions that sometimes prevent athletes from competing (e.g., in Moscow and Beijing). Banks-Altekruse was prevented from going to Moscow in 1980 due to the US boycott.
Even at a very young age, I believed that the boycott was absolutely unfair. But this is not a common occurrence, and the solution could also mean that athletes and others should place political demands on their nations -- rather than create a fixed site for the games.
Banks-Altekruse proposes Switzerland as a venue, but I believe that the cultural significance of the rotating structure is too rich to abandon -- especially in the absence of solid evidence that it makes the games unprofitable. What do you think?
Banks-Altekruse argues that the Olympics have been unprofitable in recent years, but he does not do a good job linking the financial performance of the games to the roving structure. Banks-Altekruse also argues that a stationary site would prevent political disruptions that sometimes prevent athletes from competing (e.g., in Moscow and Beijing). Banks-Altekruse was prevented from going to Moscow in 1980 due to the US boycott.
Even at a very young age, I believed that the boycott was absolutely unfair. But this is not a common occurrence, and the solution could also mean that athletes and others should place political demands on their nations -- rather than create a fixed site for the games.
Banks-Altekruse proposes Switzerland as a venue, but I believe that the cultural significance of the rotating structure is too rich to abandon -- especially in the absence of solid evidence that it makes the games unprofitable. What do you think?
Shockingly, Tim Tebow Is Impressive
As a Gator sports fan and as a thinking person, I am absolutely annoyed by all of the scrutiny surrounding Tim Tebow's prospects in the NFL. Many critical commentators say that he will need to improve his game in order to excel in professional football. But I was under the impression that anyone who wanted a prestigious career beyond the age of 22 would have to improve his or her game -- but what do I know (having only gone from grade school to tenured law professor).
Tebow just completed an impressive athletic display at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. His athleticism ranks well among quarterbacks, and he even tied a record in the vertical jump. Here are the details (courtesy of the Gainesville Sun):
Tebow just completed an impressive athletic display at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. His athleticism ranks well among quarterbacks, and he even tied a record in the vertical jump. Here are the details (courtesy of the Gainesville Sun):
Tebow ran an impressive 4.72, the fourth fastest time among the quarterbacks at the Combine. His 38.5-inch vertical jump tied the all-time Combine record for quarterbacks and was a half-inch better than Michael Vick's in 2000. And his 9'7” broad jump was the second best for the quarterbacks on Sunday.Shockingly, Tebow has done well so far (yes -- sarcasm).
Tebow did not bench press or throw but will in Gainesville on March 17.
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