Fitna - the movie!

Wow - I just saw this film - it is disturbing. While on vacation I saw Horton Hears a Who twice last week - I would reccomend Horton over Fitna any day of the week.

But I am interested to hear everyone's thoughts on Fitna - the Koranic verses juxtaposed in video with scenes of terror ..... 9-11, beheadings etc.

Is this a fair representation of Islam? Is this thought and discussion provoking? Or is it a transparent attempt to paint all Islam as extreme and to further incite violence?

Flippity Flop

The Republican race is really heating up now that there are just two nationally viable candidates left going into SupertTue. I should have posted this prior to the Florida primary, but its a moot point since McCain won despite being outspent here by Romney by a factor of 10 to 1. Besides, Ico and Mrs Clast will be voting for whoever the eventual Republican candidate turns out to be, but I nonetheless have some serious misgivings about Romney's slick chameleonesque political persona.

Now, I am not implying that this guy changes positions as often as he changes his secret Mormon underwear*....no, I am coming right out and stating it loud and clear. This guy makes John Kerry look more obstinate than Bush! From Romneyfacts.com:

Minimum wage:
>"I think the minimum wage ought to keep pace with inflation. I think the minimum wage is a good thing to have in our economy and I think it ought to be updated." Boston Globe, 10/17/94 >"[T]he challenge with raising the minimum wage excessively is it is a hurt to those that are entering the work force, the very poor, those that are trying to get early jobs, get those first jobs." Associated Press, 7/25/06

Abortion rights:
>"I will preserve and protect a woman's right to choose and am devoted and dedicated to honoring my word in that regard." Boston Herald Debate, 10/29/02
>"Roe v. Wade continues to work its destructive logic throughout our society This can't continue." Speech to the Massachusetts Citizens For Life Mother's Day Pioneer Valley Dinner, 5/10/07

Immigration reform:
>"With these 11 million people [here illegally], let's have them registered, know who they are....those that are here paying taxes and not taking government benefits should begin a process towards application for citizenship." Lowell Sun, 3/30/06
>"One simple rule: no amnesty.If that [Kennedy-McCain bill] is not a form of amnesty, I don't know what is." New York Times, 6/4/07

Gun laws:
>"We do have tough gun laws in Massachusetts; I support them. I won't chip away at them; I believe they protect us and provide for our safety." Romney in 2002 gov. debate, Boston Globe, 1/14/07
>"I have a gun of my own. I go hunting myself. I'm a member of the NRA and believe firmly in the right to bear arms." Boston Globe, 1/14/07

Amendment to ban gay marriage:
>"Mitt does not support it...As far as Mitt is concerned, it goes farther than current law, and therefore it's unnecessary." Romney spokesman, Boston Globe, 3/22/02
>"When I was Governor, we took every conceivable step within the law to stop, block or slow down this unprecedented court decision." Speech to National Right to Life Convention, 6/15/07

The "No new taxes" pledge:
>"I'm not intending to, at this stage, sign a document which would prevent me from being able to look specifically at the revenue needs of the commonwealth" Associated Press, 3/27/02
>"Signing the pledge now sends a very clear message to those in Washington who have voted against tax relief and for tax hikes that such actions will never grow our regional and national economies." Romney spokesman, Boston Globe, 1/5/07

Cutting Social Security:
>"I don't think you go back and rewrite the contract the government has with people who've retired." Boston Globe, 10/17/94
>"Personal accounts would be a big plus."... [Romney]also said changing the retirement age could be considered, as well as basing the Social Security cost of living adjustment on a different inflation gauge. Union Leader, 6/7/07

Adoption non-discrimination:
>Governor Mitt Romney and a legislative leader yesterday delivered unwelcome news to the Catholic bishops of Massachusetts, who plan to seek permission from the state to exclude gay and lesbian parents from adopting children through its social service agencies. The governor said he was not authorized to give such an exemption... Boston Globe, 2/17/06
>"And then another slide along the slippery slope. The Catholic Church was forced to end its adoption service, which was crucial in helping the state find homes for some of our most difficult to place children... Now, even religious freedom was being trumped by the new-found 'right' of gay marriage." Speech to National Right to Life Convention, 6/15/07

Stem cell research:
>[Romney]endorsed embryonic stem cell research, saying the controversial science might one day help treat his wife's multiple sclerosis...."I am in favor of stem cell research. I will work and fight for stem cell research. I'd be happy to talk to [President Bush] about this, though I don't know if I could budge him an inch." Boston Globe, 6/14/02
>"FACT: Governor Romney Opposes Using Taxpayer Money to Fund Embryo-Destructive Research." MittRomney.com A Record of Protecting Life

Bush tax cuts:
>Governor Mitt Romney refused yesterday to endorse tax cuts at the heart of President Bush's economic program...In addition to refusing to endorse the president's tax cut, the governor surprised several people at the meeting by saying he is open to a federal increase in gas taxes. Boston Globe, 4/11/03
>[Romney] said it was "absolutely critical" to renew tax cuts proposed by President George W. Bush. Letting them expire would result in a "massive tax increase" that would retard economic growth, Romney said. Detroit Free Press, 2/8/07

Reagan Republicanism:
>"I was an independent during the time of Reagan-Bush. I'm not trying to return to Reagan-Bush." Boston Herald, 10/27/94
>"Ronald Reagan is ... my hero. ... I believe that our party's ascendancy began with Ronald Reagan's brand of visionary and courageous leadership." Boston Globe, 1/19/07

Desire to serve in Vietnam:
>"I was not planning on signing up for the military. It was not my desire to go off and serve in Vietnam..." Boston Herald, 5/2/94
>"I longed in many respects to actually be in Vietnam and be representing our country there and in some ways it was frustrating not to feel like I was there as part of the troops that were fighting in Vietnam." Boston Globe, 6/24/07

All of the original positions he took came whilst he occupied the Massachusettes governor's mansion - one of the most liberal states in the union. The new revised Romney position comes now that he seeks the Republican nomination, a decidedly conservative proposition. Seems to me this guy will say whatever he thinks voters want to hear. That's the antithesis of John McCain who told Michigan voters that the auto industry jobs were not coming back - which is absolutely true but not a very smart political thing to utter on the stump. Still, very refreshing of the Iron Horse.

-Ico

*Not that there's anything wrong with secret Momon underwear. I mean, really, if that's your bag then more power to ya!

Property Tax Reform?

I am surprised that this has not been addressed on the blog yet so I thought I would start with my two cents. As a homeowner since 1999, I fall in the class of people that stands to benefit the most. I will get an extra 25k exemption and I can move and take the value of my SOH with me. It sounds like a win-win, but is it? I think it is not.

This state needs real tax reform not a last second take it or leave it attempt by the Senate. Remember they passed the bill and then left town before the House could pass an amended version. While I may get an extra couple hundred in my pocket, it will go right back out in payments for goods and services. Businesses have to pass the costs on to someone while their rents and taxes are going through the roof. Even worse is that the local governments can raise rates to offset any losses. I'm not sure I trust them to live within a smaller budget even though there are plenty of places to the trim the fat.

So, here I am, the alleged liberal of the group seemingly falling into a more conservative viewpoint. I want less taxes, fairly distributed to all and fiscal responsibility by our state and local representatives. They need to invest the time and effort in the next session to get this right. They can start by removing some of the ridiculous tax breaks to special interests that are on the books. I've seen some startling numbers on those, but I will not post them all here.

By the way, I am not siding with the unions on this one. I think they are flat wrong by suggesting that a yes to this amendment will result in cuts to education, fire, and police budgets. I submit to you that the budgets for those departments will not be affected. So what are your thoughts?

Fractal

Have you made up your mind?

Centerline and those in his family old enough to vote have reached a consensus.

We're voting for Hillary Rodham Clinton in the primaries (our state has closed primaries) and hoping that John McCain faces her in the General Election.

We believe that, if we have to have a Democrat as President, Hillary will be the least ideologically driven and most pragmatic, very much like her famous husband - and we would not have to renounce our citizenship.

Our choice for President is John McCain. These are the items which we perceive as his negatives, in descending order of relevance:

1. His attempts to impose restrictions on political speech through campaign finance reform.
2. His stance on the global-warming / climate change hysteria.
3. His stance against forceful interrogations based on his own personal experience.

His positives, which trump all negatives in our view, are (also in descending order of relevance):

1. His overriding pragmatism, which tempers ideology and will eventually drive him to see the error of his ways on 1 and 2 above.
2. His stance on national defense makes him the best candidate to achieve lasting peace and save American lives. Peace can only be achived, in our opinion, by being ethical and the strongest.
3. His position on restricting spending – the only real tax cuts that are possible – which often gets him in trouble with his colleagues.
4. His propensity to be a maverick – to stand against the tide on principle.

Of Genes and Genius

The rapidly evolving science of genetics and molecular biology offers great promise for improved quality of life and understanding about ourselves and the development of life on this planet. It is also presenting humanity with all sorts of moral and ethical dilemmas and testing our most cherished perceptions. Here's another quandary that the fields of genetics and psychology had been quietly keeping to themselves for years until Dr Watson let the cat out of the bag with his well publicized career killing faux pas in October:

http://www.slate.com/id/2178122/entry/2178123/nav/tap3/

I've seen a flurry of articles on this recently, but few that cover the basic arguments being waged over the data (and the social implications of accepting either view) as concisely as Saletan does here.

-Ico

Hillary vs Bush Redux

A companion piece to Spackler's previous posting on Hillary, this article discusses Giuliani's management style during his tenure as Hizzoner and what it portends for a potential Rudy presidency.

This piece comes across as more of a hatchet job than the Times piece on Clinton, but some of it strikes me as strangely, and frighteningly, believable, and the writer quotes numerous sources and examples to back up a disturbing picture of Rudy as egocentric and power hungry.

Nym, is this the guy your father in law has been warning us about?

http://www2.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2007/0711.morris.html

-Ico

Hillary vs. Who?

Check out this article on Hillary's management/leadership style in the NY Times today: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/26/us/politics/26clinton.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp

The frightening thing is that she sounds like a Democratic version of George W. Bush (not a good thing in my mind). That being said, I respect someone that can learn and grow in their career.

I think it's a done deal that she will be the Democratic candidate. Any differing opinions?

Who's the Republican? Giuliani? I still find it hard to believe he can win the nomination.