I Pledge Video: Does it Serve the Purpose?

I find this poster strangely compelling. Propaganda or pop culture?

I know I said I'd talk more about Metropolis today. I had this really great post in mind, about the underlying themes of corporate control and class structure, tying into my fruitless efforts to get my daughter to work at cleaning her room. But that's going to have to wait.

I received an email from one of my parent's friends, a dear lady who is astoundingly conservative. I'd never realized her political leanings when I was an innocent child, assuming that Aunt* Zelda held middle of the road views similar to my parents'. (*Aunt is her honorary title, name changed to protect her privacy, and protect me from her wrath if she ever found my blog) Since we connected via email, though, I've been sent a variety of right wing goodies. She knows I don't share her views, but she's felt compelled to share them anyway. Sometimes I read and delete, sometimes I take a moment to respond, sometimes I take a long time to do some research and share it with her. I doubt I've ever changed her mind, though, and I know she hasn't changed mine.

She sent me a brief note:

Another example of political crap about Obama.

Then she provided a link to a video supporting President Obama featuring a number of celebrities pledging to do certain things, ranging from .....well, here, watch it yourself. And tell me what you think. I really want to know. I'll share my own thoughts in a day or two.

Victory Garden Idea Victorious

I'd intended to post about this fabulous campaign, Eat the View, designed to get the Obamas to promote organic gardening.

But instead, I'm very pleased to report that the dream came true. The NYT reports that the Obama family will be planting a vegetable garden at the White House.

Hooray!




What do you think about leaders who lead by example?

I think they ROCK.

And I think I'm going to send them a thank you note. I especially liked the final part of the NYT piece:

But the first lady emphasized that she did not want people to feel guilty if they did not have the time for a garden: there are still many changes they can make.

“You can begin in your own cupboard,” she said, “by eliminating processed food, trying to cook a meal a little more often, trying to incorporate more fruits and vegetables.”

Good message, indeed. Even conservative mommies should agree with that advocacy.

Economic Situation Painfully Funny

A friend sent me this little goodie today.



As yet another of my friends' husbands loses his job, I'm trying to laugh, but it's sort of feeling like gallows humour. When do we storm the castles of the executive's mansions, people? Now before you haul me off to jail, I'm not advocating violence against the corporate and investment top dogs who have preserved their gazillions while the middle class is struggling to retain their homes. But I think some careful scrutiny of who's made out while others have been damaged is in order. And I think - GASP! - maybe the fatcats need to give back some of their money to the businesses that are endangered so that they can pay workers and suppliers and not just keep going to the government asking for a bailout.

Last month, the NYT ran an article which began:

In announcing executive pay limits on Wednesday, President Obama is trying to hold the financial industry accountable to taxpayers while aiming to change an entrenched corporate culture that endorses outsize bonuses and perks that often bear little relationship to corporate performance.

I like what this guy has to say about it all:

“There is absolutely no reason why hard-working American taxpayers should be financing, directly or indirectly, excessive compensation for corporate executives whose decisions, in many cases, have crippled their firms and weakened the broader economy,” said Senator Christopher J. Dodd, the Connecticut Democrat who heads the Senate banking committee.

Government stepping up to the plate like this make me feel better. I'm not sure what's happening right now on it all, but if you agree with me, please talk to your representative and senators to show support. If you don't agree with me, please tell me why on earth you don't. Unless you're a corporate executive with a nice fat bank account. In which case, I understand. But I sure don't sympathize.

In the Midnight Hour

Billy Idol's iconic "Rebel Yell lyrics" inspired me this morning.


In the midnight hour she cried- "more, more, more"
With a rebel yell she cried- "more, more, more"
In the midnight hour babe- "more, more, more"
With a rebel yell she cried "more, more, more"
More, more, more.

Damn, they just don't write them like that anymore.

Billy's expression in this photo pretty much sums up my attitude about the regulations being reviewed by the Obama administration.

There's a lot in the news recently about the Bush administration's so-called "midnight hour" regulations. I've read some great pieces at The New Yorker, The Washington Post, and The Guardian, among others.

Let's be clear: these types of "midnight hour" actions didn't begin with George W. Bush, and they probably won't end with him. They're not inherently bad. The federal government is in business to regulate myriad issues and it's inevitable that there will be some loose ends to tie up at the end. (Cliche spotters, give yourself a point!) But the evil in some of these particular regulations is significant, and I'm awfully relieved that our new President is scrutinizing them closely. He's not the first to do so. Previous leaders have blocked the implementation of their predecessor's regulations.

I find it telling that the groups seeking the defeat of most of these rules are public interest groups. And I wasn't joking when I categorized the regulations as evil. When you damage the environment, health and safety, you're a villain.

The Center for American Progress identifies some rules here:
There are rules

• that relaxes enforcement against factory-farm runoff
• that permits more waste from mountaintop mining to be dumped into waterways
• seemingly designed to protect pharmaceutical companies from being held liable for marketing products they know are unsafe
• that makes it more difficult for workers to take advantage of the Family and Medical Leave Act
• that reduces access of Medicaid beneficiaries to services such as dental and vision care
• that could limit women’s access to reproductive health services.

Not scared yet? I discovered a thoughtful analysis of several of the regulations at The Gavel. I'd encourage you to check out the link to learn more.

1. INCREASED POLLUTION FROM POWER PLANTS The Bush EPA wants to allow increased emissions from older power plants while also rolling back existing air quality regulations for national parks and wilderness areas. The result: more pollution and decreased air quality and visibility.

2. UNDERMINING THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT Proposed regulatory changes to the Endangered Species Act would "undo more than 30 years of progress," according to experts.

3. JEOPARDIZING AMERICANS’ CIVIL LIBERTIES Americans’ privacy rights could be severely undermined by a Department of Justice proposed rule that would empower state and local police to collect, share, and retain sensitive information about Americans, even when no underlying crime is suspected.

4. REDUCING RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES The Department of Justice’s proposed rule would make dramatic changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act - weakening accessibility standards and reducing enforcement efforts.

5. RESTRICTING ACCESS TO CRITICAL CARE FOR MEDICAID PATIENTS The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed a rule that would restrict outpatient hospital services Medicaid would cover for our nation’s most vulnerable Americans.

6. INCREASING ROAD HAZARDS BY WEAKENING TRUCK DRIVER LIMITS The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is again planning to expand by 10 percent the number of hours a truck driver can drive without adequate rest, threatening the safety of all drivers.

7. FAMILY PLANNING UNDER FIRE
Millions of women can see their health threatened under the Bush Administration plan.

8. EXPOSING CHILDREN TO MORE WORKPLACE HAZARDS 14- and 15-year-olds who would be allowed to work under a Department of Labor rule could face life- and health-threatening dangers.

9. "SECRET RULE" UNDERMINES HEALTH PROTECTIONS FOR WORKERS 80 noted scientists have questioned a Department of Labor rule - developed in virtual secrecy - because it could potentially damage workers’ health.

10. FINANCIAL ADVISERS ALLOWED TO PROVIDE INVESTMENT ADVICE - REGARDLESS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST This Department of Labor proposed rule would jeopardize the retirement security of millions of American workers because it would allow investment consultants to conceal their conflicts of interest.

11. UNDERCUTTING THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT Fifteen years after the enactment of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), this Department of Labor proposed rule would make it more difficult for workers to exercise their leave rights.

I don't know about you, but I'm sure glad that we don't have to expect any more, more, more of this kind of rule-making.

We're embarking on a much better time. A happier midnight hour that puts a sparkle in a whole lot of eyes. Enjoy this little groove with Wilson Pickett to celebrate with me!