The New Beginning

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Fox: New Microbe Discovered Eating Gulf Oil Spill

If true, we should be thanking God. Are we going to be let off that easily?

Energy Bulletin:
A crisis of democracy: Real solutions to the BP oil spill

Brooke Jarvis, Yes! Magazine

A review of "Local Money"

Joanne Poyourow, Transition US

While North gives a good overview of the most sophisticated portions of the local-finance spectrum, he is writing about local money, not community finances in general. The scope of his book does not include the low-hanging-fruit -- the easy to set up, free to establish vehicles which hold enormous community-building potential. Group purchasing, garden sharing, carpooling, tool libraries, seed swaps, barter fairs and more – these fill in the most intimate, colorful portion of the spectrum in the vision of a multifaceted local financial infrastructure.

The Andy Griffith Show

Last month I posted a video featuring the opening theme song for The Andy Griffith Show. Today from Rebellion: Andy Griffith show is turning 50, which links to this article in the Charlotte Observer.When I was a child visiting my grandmother in Arizona, the TV would usually be on, and one of the shows that was broadcast on the local channels was The Andy Griffith Show (along with I Love Lucy, I Dream of Jeannie, and Hogan's Heroes). While the theme song was catchy, I was too young to understand the humor or to sit through the show. I think I'd view it differently now. Hardly any of these shows are seen in syndication now, though the "classics" may be broadcast on cable. I believe you can watch some episodes online at TVLand.

a fansite

Gareth Porter on the US presence in Iraq

An Army of Contractors by Gareth Porter

Replacing combat non-combat troops with contractors in order to satisfy his anti-war supporters?

Obama referred to what he called "a transitional force" in his speech on Aug. 2, pledging that it would remain "until we remove all our troops from Iraq by the end of the next year".

He also declared an end to the U.S. "combat mission" in Iraq as of Aug. 31. But an official acknowledged told IPS that combat would continue and would not necessarily be confined to defending against attacks on U.S. personnel.

The administration decided on the transition from military to civilian responsibility for security at an interagency meeting the week of Jul. 19. It made the broad outlines of the plan public at an Aug. 16 State Department news briefing and another briefing the following day, even though crucial details had not been worked out.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Middle Eastern Affairs Colin Kahl and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Michael Corbin presented the administration plan for what they called a "transition from a military to civilian relationship" with Iraq.

The plan involves replacing the official U.S. military presence in Iraq with a much smaller State Department-run force of private security contractors. Press reports have indicated that the force will number several thousand, and that it is seeking 29 helicopters, 60 IED-proof personnel carriers and a fleet of 1,320 armored cars.

The contractor force would also operate radars so it can call in airstrikes and fly reconnaissance drones, according to the New York Times Aug. 21.

Kahl argued that the transition is justified by security trends in Iraq. He said al Qaeda is "weaker than it's ever been", that Moqtada al Sadr's Mahdi Army has been "largely disbanded", and that there is no strategic threat to the regime.

I'm waiting for him to eat his words. But if a blow-up occurs where will Mr. Kahl be? On his way to a nice job as a lobbyist?

WSJ: Text of Obama’s Speech on Iraq
White House

Ralph Nader on Bell, CA

The Political Microcosm of Bell, CA

More from Counterpunch:
A Culture of Corruption by Anthony DiMaggio
Lessons in Illinois Politics From the Blago Trial

Stile Antico on the BBC The Chant Café

Inside the Secret World of Trader Joe's

Fortune (via EL)

Unfortunately, last time I checked none of the local stores were hiring.

My North article on Russell Kirk

Russell Kirk Shaped Conservative Thought from a Northern Michigan Farm (h/t RJS)

Links:
Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal

Some concrete recommendations, please?

Zenit: US Bishops Call for Good Jobs, Wages for All
Address New Social Contract in Labor Day Message

The prelate acknowledged that "it is not the role of the Church to propose a concrete economic blueprint for the future," but he added that "the words of Pope Benedict should remind us that a key, perhaps the key, to overcoming the current economic situation is to unleash the creative forces of men and women."

Is our corporatist National government really going to heed the words of the US bishops? Can anyone explain to me what Bishop Murphy expects to result from this statement? Laying out general principles is insufficient--if one is to be effective one must also point to concrete violations of those principles. How about the off-shoring of industry and jobs, the easy mobility of capital, and so on?

The chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development offered six criteria "to evaluate policies and institutions" and to move forward "at a time of economic distress and uncertainty."

These criteria included: respect for human life and dignity, subsidiarity and solidarity, respect for marriage and family life, priority for the poor and vulnerable, recognition of cultural diversity, and the right to economic initiative and productive work.

I don't think these six criteria, if they are laid out just like this, give sufficient guidance. They must be elaborated through political theology. Maybe this is what lay activists should be doing, but I think the U.S. bishops would be able to achieve more if they learned about sustainability. Then there would be an added impetus to focus on the evangelization of their own dioceses, as relocalization could become an important component of exercising charity towards one's neighbors.

the document

John Médaille, Neo-Feudalism and the Invisible Fist

I didn't charge for the classes, because the Talmud says "don't make of the Torah a pickaxe to dig with . . . " meaning don't make Jewish teaching a source of income if you can help it. Just one of the many Talmudic instructions in unethical action. . .

I tend to agree with the spirit of the above. I have heard that Confucians make the distinction between being paid to "teach" and receiving a stipend from one's students. St. Paul thought he should make tents to support himself. Similarly, priests and bishops do not charge for their services, but receive a stipend from the community to support them. But what of Catholic apologists? Receiving a commission to teach or work in some sort of lay ministry might be more legitimate. (Setting aside for the moment the question of whether the "professionalization" of service is actually desirable and a good trend.) Many receive donations to support them in their work (as opposed to receiving payment for specific services). But I still think there is something questionable about making a living off of being some sort of self-appointed authority on Catholic teaching. (Being qualified and appointed by the bishop to perform a specific work seems to be better.)

Monday, August 23, 2010

First Muslim College in the US opens

California school aims to be country's first accredited Muslim college

Nation’s first Muslim College opens today in Berkeley

It is in the process of being accredited. So, what's the school's position on Sharia, Islamic jurisprudence, and the ultimate bearer of teaching authority within Islam?

Zaytuna College (Youtube and FB)

Charles Fager on E. F. Schumacher

Small is Beautiful, and So is Rome

That’s right: E. F. Schumacher is really an apologetical preacher, one of the rare breed whose experience has made it possible for him to employ effectively the language and concepts of economics as a medium for communicating what is essentially a sermon, a call for readers to repent, believe the gospel and reorder their lives accordingly.

Schumacher himself insists that it is this “metaeconomic” foundation of his argument that is most important, rather than the specifics of, say, his attacks on nuclear power or the use of chemicals in agriculture. “Everywhere people ask,” he writes in the book’s final paragraph, “What can I actually do?” The answer is as simple as it is disconcerting: we can, each of us, work to put our own inner house in order.”

The key word here is “inner.” Skim over it, and one can easily imagine that, like some Earth Day orator, he’s only saying, “Ecology begins at home,” with recycling your bottles and flattening tin cans. He recommends these things, to be sure, but they aren’t the point.

Items of Interest, 23 August 2010

John Robb, THE WAR AGAINST WIKILEAKS
Brian Kaller, Tea

Korea Times: Singer Lee Su-young to marry office worker
8-month pregnant Ko So-young still looking stylish

Chosun Ilbo: N.Korea's Stealth Warfare Manual Revealed
Taiwanese Singer Reveals Underbelly of Korean Showbiz

Asia News:
Bushehr: Iran's strike against sanctions
Iran's uploading of nuclear fuel at the much-delayed Bushehr power plant is tantamount to a torpedo effect on the international sanctions regime. Achieving the goals of getting the plant operational after a 12-year delay and replenishing fuel for a Tehran reactor would represent nothing short of milestones and warrant fresh thinking on the thorny subject of dialogue with Washington. - Kaveh L Afrasiabi

The (propaganda) empire strikes in China
China has enlisted 50 home-grown celebrities to take part in a public relations charm offensive that is hoped to present an image of "prosperity, democracy, openness, peace and harmony" and counter negative perceptions of its rise. However, the worldwide campaign could be undermined by China's close support of other famous figures who lead states such as North Korea, Myanmar and Zimbabwe. - Kent Ewing

Reality check for Asian titans
India and China: The Battle between Soft and Hard Power by Prem Shankar Jha

Arguing that behind India and China's rapid modernization lie dark human costs that will inevitably manifest in economic and social instability, this book takes the shine off the Asian giants' supposed rise to global dominance. The author believes that while "cadre capitalism" in China has created corrupt, predatory authorities, in India the government's pandering to the newly empowered bourgeoisie has triggered a rural crisis. - Sreeram Chaulia

Energy Bulletin:
How will our decline & fall proceed? (original)

Dave Cohen, Decline of the Empire

I have recently written that we live according to the Law Of Civilization And Decay, which can be succinctly summarized: what goes up must come down. Just like balls thrown up into the air, civilizations ascend and then fall as though there were some kind of "historical gravity" at work. America is not (and will not be) an exception.

Local government and the Transition Movement (original)

Joanne Poyourow, Transition US

The 12 Ingredients for Transition encourage us to "build a bridge to local government." I used to think that "building bridges" was lovely British poetic language, but recently I'm learning how that pretty phrase brings with it some fairly serious guidance.

Waking up from the air-conditioned dream (original)

Stan Cox, Common Dreams

To suggest that we start reducing our dependence on air-conditioning is to invite dire forecasts of malaise, poor health, social turmoil, and economic collapse. But that need not be the case. Several lines of research indicate that reducing our dependence on chilled air could improve our quality of life.

Can we solve two problems at once - unemployment and preparing for power down? (original)

George Mobus, The Oil Drum: Campfire

The model is simple and has been done before. From 1933 to 1942 the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) provided jobs for younger workers conserving natural resources (e.g. our national parks) in the US. The program was part of a general jobs creation program proposed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression to provide a stimulus to the economy and, so to speak, kill two birds with one stone. There was a great deal of resource management work that needed to be done, things like building access roads in national parks, and there were millions of unemployed young men who, without meaningful work, would have likely run amuck. It was, in fact, a brilliant idea.

Remembering the remarkable Matthew R. Simmons

Steve Andrews, Sally Odland, John Theobald and Randy Udall and others, ASPO-USA

NPR: The Debate Over 'Anchor Babies' And Citizenship

audio and transcript

The Illusion of Freedom Separated from Moral Virtue by Raymond L. Dennehy

Ignatius Insight ( via Insight Scoop)

Allan Carlson on Marriage

Why Australia Needs a Renewed Culture of Natural Marriage

Sunday, August 22, 2010

G.I. Wilson and H. Thomas Hayden, Why a Marine Corps?

Fabius Maximus

Edit (August 24). Another perspective on the future of the Marine Corps

Scala & Kolacny Brothers - You Can't Always Get What You Want

Invincible Youth

Ever since I've started watching it with English subtitles a few months ago, one of my favorite shows has been Invincible Youth (청춘불패), I've enjoyed watching as some members of various Korean girl groups try their hand at farming. I don't think the show will entice younger Koreans to take up farming, but it's a start. The farming they engage in is mostly labor-intensive, though their mentors do use machines from time to time, so it can't be said to be sustainable. I don't know what is used for fertilizer, but I think the produce will be consumed locally? Unless their farm really becomes a tourist attraction. The other cause of entertainment is how the the women behave and interact with one another and with the hosts of the show. While a view should be suspicious of reality shows -- many of these singers have an image based on being young and cute, I do think they are, for the most part, acting like themselves. And so they seem to be rather immature, even the older membes, like Juhyeon of After School (who is 26) and Narsha of Brown Eyed Girls (who is 30!). Many of them do give the impression of being rather naive, despite having a "sexy" image.

Now if only someone could translate the previous episodes that I've missed for me...

Sean Scallon, Fox makes it official

Fox makes it official

It's a good thing I don't have cable TV; I would think it a waste of money every time I had to force myself to switch away from one of the cable news networks.

So, how much national news is really necessary?

The Day in SLO

I'm not in the mood to write a long post about yesterday; we woke up a little after 4 and reached SLO before 8. It was a mass baptism at the mission; there were lots of family members. As for the NO rite and music, there was at least one piece by Dan Schutte. I'll take Latin over American NO any day.

Brunch was at Creeky Tiki; the chips and salsa were good, but I don't think the black pepper on the chips was necessary. The breakfast burrito at the restaurant is decent, though I found the carnitas to be a bit too salty. (Of course KK's carnitas are better. If I find a wife I hope she makes decent carnitas.) I think there was a wedding at the mission; there was a Mariachi band, but the bridesmaiads looked like they were in high school. Very odd, but perhaps an older sister or cousin was getting married.

It was fun spending the day with the nieces and nephews. Niece #2 had a temper tantrum so she couldn't go to the park with her sister and nephew #1, but I told her I'd try to take her to the park next time I see her (which should be in 2 weeks).

Dinner was at Mo's Smokehouse BB -- po po's treat. I ordered the ribs, and they were good, much better than ribs at Armadillo Willy's. If there was a problem, the sauce was too sweet. My bro-in-law thought they were too moist, but I didn't mind that. I'd rather have ribs that were too moist than too dry. And I don't have the patience to try to improve my technique for making ribs.

Today the warning light for the brake was on. I don't think it is the parking brake -- it might be low brake fluid that is the problem. But I don't have anything to lift the car up, so I'll probably have to take it into the mechanic tomorrow. I hate cars.

JM links to this: Suburban Sprawl and the Decline of Social Capital.

Gary Wood, Even those who disagreed agreed on federalism

Tenth Amendment Center