Next time a European criticizes America

I love Europe. I love Europeans. However, what the heck is going on in Switzerland? I guess the Bradley effect applies to the Swiss more than Americans right now.

The problem in Europe is for all their talk of tolerance and liberalization there are major ethnic problems. A few Germans were rude to me because I am of Russian heritage. Gypsies are roundly persecuted throughout Europe. Nationalist, extreme-right wing parties are on the rise. These are problems the United States doesn't have to the same degree as Europe. Sure we have complicated ethnic histories. Japanese interment, slavery, genocide of Native Americans, anti-immigration against everyone from Germans to Irish to Asians to Slavs and now Latinos are all things that America has had problems with in the past (and present). Yet in America we don't ban Nazis or other groups just because they hate we seek justice for people who are violent or actively discriminate (Europe feels their people are so out of control they have make political expression in some cases illegal).

Still American, after 9/11 mind you, still allows head scarves, minarets, and American Muslims are far better assimilated than their European counterparts. The fact is the more tolerant a society is the better race relations you have and the better assimilated people are. Freedom, acceptance, free markets, and fairness are not western values they are universal. Everyone does better when they can practice their religion and celebrate together. We eat better food, learn knew things, experience different art and culture. In short, diversity is exciting.

Tell me were else can you have Chinese food, watch French movies, drink Corona, read Russian novels, and listen to jazz? America is not perfect but in some ways we are far ahead of our friends across the Atlantic.

Medicare Part E

Took Democrats long enough right? I mean I think Keith Olbermann is a smart guy who puts on an entertaining show (though I find many places of disagreement) but there are three big questions on my mind:

1) Is Keith Olbermann the next Rush Limbaugh? Can he claim to be the voice of the Democratic Party?
2) Why are the Democrats (and Republicans for that matter) so reluctant to support a public option that is so ridiculously popular?
3) What took everyone so long to call the public option Medicare Part E?

These are all process questions obviously but I tend to be a practically minded political person (say that three times fast).

If I were a member of congress I would vote for a public option if and only if all of John Mackey's reforms were included with health care reform.

Health care is quite an interesting subject for me because it seems to throw all of political perceptions out of wack. When I look at politics I first look first does it fit my libertarian-independent (small l) philosophy. Second, does it make economic sense? Third, can this idea become law politically and practically. Lastly, is it the morally right thing to do.

The libertarian hates health care reform.
The economist and the moral view sees the need for reform.
The political strategist is confused on what the hell everyone is doing. It seems everyone is acting irrationally.

In summary this is really exciting.

Arianna Huffington should calm down

She recently blogged that Biden should resign the vice presidency in protest of escalating the war in Afghanistan.

Are you kidding me? That would be so damaging to Obama's political credibility that he'll be a lame duck before his first year in office is finished.

I thought it was all about the team of rivals? Apparently, Adrianna should take back all the things she said about the singled-minded Bush administration. God forbid we an administration has internal disagreements.

A good look at the healthcare debate

My criticism is that it doesn't a talk about some of the good ideas Mackey has. Still I think it summarizes everything well.

TV prosecutors

I can't stand those former prosecutors how go on tv and screech all day long.

I want criminals to get the book thrown at them but for every Elizabeth Smart there's the Duke Lacrosse team. You know not all people accused of a crime are guilty. That's why you're innocent until proven guilty.

Or maybe your just anti-American who wants to put make everyone guilty in the court of public opinion. I admit it I'm strawmaning here.



Oh yeah she was rude to Elizabeth Smart. Some victims' rights advocate. Smart does the right thing by helping people without bringing attention to herself. Only if every person was as mature and put together as Smart.

Definitely some people screwed up out there in California but can we do it without the screeching and the holier-than-thou attitude?

Don't get your information from television. If you have to go to C-Span, PBS, or BBC.

Mayor of Milwaukee injured in attack

Former Congressmen and current Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett was injured defending a women at a fair.

What a great guy. Its nice to see a politician stand up for your average folks. Congressman and senators can't vote on anything without all their interests taken care of while this guy gets attacked. Good for him.

*Update* Apparently there is a lot of speculation that he may run for governor now that Gov. Jim Doyle is retiring . Not to diminish is act of good but it should help him politically especially considering the positive national coverage he's getting.

Birthers are not original

Apparently a lot of people think the our 21st president, Chester Arthur, was born in Canada.



Funny side note I did a school project on President Arthur in the fourth grade.

The Arthur story is way more plausible than the Obama. In fact, its totally been disproven. People can be really crazy sometimes butt least we now know this story won't die.

By the way, McCain was born in Panama. Though in my opinion the whole natural born thing is much to do about nothing. McCain and Obama are both eligible to become president.