Random Thoughts - Editorials & Politics

I’m somewhat hesitant to even “jump into” the area of politics. Not because I don’t have opinions on the subject, but because I don’t trust “big brother” and his “all seeing eyes.” I know my family will laugh at this statement, but some of the things our government has admitted to doing in recent history would have been viewed as the purest fantasy not that long ago....

Anyway, over the past couple of weeks several editorials in the Des Moines Register have caught my attention. One by a former editor named Doak outlines the poor (some would say pitiful) record of the current Bush administration in the area of economics. It makes me think back to the campaign slogan, “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?” If you are a millionaire, I’d guess your answer would be “yes”, for the rest of us, I’m not sure we’d give the same response. Kudos to Mr. Doak on an interesting and timely piece.

A second editorial was from a Democratic member of the Iowa legislature. He was bemoaning the cry for more open government (via the open meetings law and more and easier access to public records) by a body (the Iowa legislature) that regularly does much of it’s most important work in the dark - their own private, closed party caucuses. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! Part of this has risen because of a “concern” about actions taken in the Collins-Maxwell or Baxter school districts which didn’t meet someone’s definition of “openness.” I for one am a lot more worried about the potential “damage” that might be done by our own legislators than any school board....

Today’s DM paper (Friday, 3/28/08) had another pair of interesting editorials from regular contributors to the paper. The first from Beka bemoaned the fact that big corporations or management in general has been in a position of power so long that attempts to “level the playing field” in the area of union-management negotiations are seen as extreme. I would agree with her that as record and obscene profits are going to “big business” it’s easier to see the need for responsible counteraction for employees. BUT, the main point in question with the current legislation being discussed is for government employees, not the private sector. I think that invalidates a good part of her argument.

The final editorial is one by Charles Krauthammer. He is focusing on the lies (harshest terms) or misinformation (kindest terms) that Democrats are repeating concerning John McCain’s comments about the potential need to be in Iraq for “100 years.” One of Mr. Krauthammer’s points is that we have been in Japan for over 60 years and in Korea for 50 years. OK, but are we in Japan because of the results of WW II, as I think he is attempting to say we could be in Iraq as a result of this war, or to monitor other “hot spots” (China/North Korea) in the area? If it is the former, I have a major objection. Why should the U.S. government (with the final bill going to the U.S. public) pay for a “service” the Japanese government can well do and pay for themselves? Or are we obligated to remain in every country where we have been involved in a war forever? If it is the latter (“hot spots” theory), than the example comparing Japan and Iraq isn’t really valid or honest. (I know, I know - we need to keep tabs on Iran or some other Middle Eastern threat. But that wasn’t the “reason” we got ourselves in this situation (at least not the one given publicly).

Well, enough of my ramblings. At the most I hope they have given you something to think about, and at the least, I hope you’ve had a good laugh with a further look into a “warped” mind....

Enjoy the weekend and may spring eventually come to IOWA ...

Qman

Random Thoughts...March Madness

It's March Madness and the hoopla snares all of us. A couple of comments related to this phenomenon. Remember the adage "you only have one chance to make a first impression?" Somebody needs to make sure "The Well" (as in Wells Fargo) in Des Moines understands this. They hosted first round action in the NCAA Women' Basketball Tournament this past weekend. Upon entering the facility fans could only purchase a program by standing in horrendously long lines at the merchandising/marketing booths, which were woefully undermanned. What a poor first impression! I tried to give the facility the benefit of the doubt - maybe the NCAA mandated this type of arrangement - the location, not the lack of adequate help. But on Monday, programs were available from "vendors" standing just inside the door. I guess "better late than never" is the saying that fits this situation.
My second "beef" with this event - why start games at 9:30 p.m.? This is the Central Time Zone, if you need to fill late night TV, use games from the Mountain or Western Time Zones. People attending this game and living close to the location couldn't get home before midnight!
My last comment on March Madness is more general in nature. How often have we heard commentators and coaches bray "officials need to let the players decide the game" about action in the final, and often decisive moments of a contest? I just don't get this statement. Does that mean that if a player or his team get an unfair advantage by violating the rules of the game they should get a "free pass" because the clock is ticking to 0:00? Why penalize those players who play within the rules? While I can be highly critical of referees at times, I want to commend the officials this weekend for making two correct and because of the above "trend", courageous calls. One was a foul call on Ga Tech on an attempted steal in the final seconds of the Iowa State vs. Ga Tech W BB game and the other was a shooting foul on Florida State with less than 1 second remaining in their game against Oklahoma State in NCAA W BB action.
The "Madness" continues in another 24 hours. Enjoy the escape from your real life and may your teams advance in your brackets.

Qman