Month: November 2014

My country and yours, the United States of America, is becoming a pariah to the rest of the world. It’s not just our continued wars in the Middle East, or that our government sanctioned committed torture (and for all we know may still sanction the use of torture, by American intelligence operatives or their foreign proxies. It’s not just our continued use of the death penalty, a practice abolished in many countries, or the fact that our nation imprison more people than any other nation, twenty-five percent of all prisoners held worldwide despite having only 5% of the world’s total population. It’s not just the wave of gun related incidents – shootings, murders, suicides, accidents – because of our national obsession with guns and gun culture.

Of late, the international community has taken note of what far too many people of color already know, that police and other law enforcement agencies in every corner of this country resort to violence and excessive force to brutalize communities, and to effectively dismantle political movements, such as Occupy Wall Street, as a first resort. Amnesty International has long condemned the use of brutal force by law enforcement in the US, and most recently labeled the the actions the Ferguson Police Department against protestors as human rights violations. Amnesty International, however, is a private organization, and its calls for justice in the US are routinely ignored.

However, now an independent body of the United Nations, its Committee against Torture, which monitors “implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment” (a treaty of which the United States is a signatory, has also spoken out against our ever increasing militarized police departments, and their history of violence against civilians, in the Committee’s report on US compliance with the terms of the Convention, its first since 2006, and in particular the rash of fatal shootings of young black men:

(Reuters) – The U.N. Committee against Torture urged the United States on Friday to fully investigate and prosecute police brutality and shootings of unarmed black youth and ensure that taser weapons are used only in life-threatening situations. […]

The committee decried “excruciating pain and prolonged suffering” endured by prisoners during “botched executions” as well as frequent rapes of inmates, shackling of pregnant women in some prisons, and extensive use of solitary confinement.

The review cited deep concern about “numerous reports” of police brutality and excessive use of force against people from minority groups, immigrants and homosexuals as well as racial profiling and militarization of policing work.

It referred to the “frequent and recurrent police shootings or fatal purusits [sic] of unarmed black individuals.”

(cont.)
Many Americans, particularly political conservatives, will dismiss this report out of hand, but it fairly represents how the rest of the world now views America. Not as the land of freedom and liberty, but as a land where police act with impunity on a regular basis to quash dissent and maintain the status quo, particularly when it comes to abusive and excessive force used against minority populations. The Committee’s report expressed not only concerns about the abuse of police power in America, but also listed specific policy recommendations:

In its 16-page report, the U.N. committee expressed concern about numerous reports of police brutality and excessive use of force by law enforcement, in particular “against persons belonging to certain racial and ethnic groups, immigrants and LGBTI individuals, racial profiling by police and immigration offices and growing militarization of police activities.”

• Ensure that all instances of police brutality and excessive use of force by law enforcement officers are investigated promptly, effectively and impartially by an independent mechanism with no institutional of hierarchical connection between the investigators and the alleged perpetrators.

• Prosecute persons suspected of torture or ill-treatment and, if found guilty, ensure that they are punished in accordance with the gravity of their acts.

• Provide effective remedies and rehabilitation to the victims.

Sadly, I do not foresee that any of the Committee’s action points will be acceptable to the policy makers in our local, state and federal governments. More’s the pity.

But it is clear that, in the eyes of the rest of the world, the United States is now viewed as a rogue nation, one which commits human rights violations both abroad and at home. In plain language, our county is in violation of international law (i.e. the Torture Convention) as determined by the very people who have been assigned the task of determining whether we are in compliance with our treaty obligations. This may not mean much to many Americans, but it is one more sign of the decline in our position in the world.

Ronald Reagan, in his farewell address, once famously claimed that America was a “shining city on a hill,” a reference to Jesus parable of the salt and the light in the Gospel of Matthew, a phrase that has long been popular among American politicians to describe our nation’s special place in the world.

…I’ve spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I don’t know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it. But in my mind it was a tall proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace, a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity, and if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here. That’s how I saw it and see it still…

For millions of Americans, and millions more people around the world, nothing could be farther from the truth. Someday, perhaps sooner than many think, our country will no longer be the first among nations, or be able to exert the political, economic, military and diplomatic power we have for much of the last century. What will happen to us then, when our power is diminished and other countries no longer accept America’s “special place” in the world? I am no prophet, but I fear a potential spiral into chaos and the rise to political power of those on the right who would terminate with extreme prejudice whatever remaining rights we still possess. Many people of color already live in that unjust and faithless America, one where their lives are sold cheap, their future is blighted and they awake everyday to despair, knowing that this country’s pledge of liberty and justice for all is a lie.

Ferguson is just the latest in a series of incidents that have exposed the foul rot in our society for all who have eyes to see. There will be more to come, that I do know.

Somehow, Brian Beutler has convinced himself that there are some substantial upsides to having the Republican Party in total control of Congress.

I’m not arguing that a fully Republican Congress will produce better policy than a divided Congress, or that Democrats should feel relieved to have lost the midterms so badly. All I’m suggesting is that a Republican Senate is the best outcome for me, personally, and for the growth interests of my employer. And also, maybe—in the longer term—for the country’s fragile, wheezing political system.

Basically, Beutler’s premise is that the status quo was boring as hell (true) and that watching the Republicans try to govern will be more interesting (true) because they’ll be constantly fighting among themselves (true) and will be more accountable for their actions (true) and that they needed to stop hiding behind Harry Reid (true) and that the Democrats needed a wake-up call (true).

I am optimistic kind of guy who prefers to look at the glass as half full, but I still can’t agree that getting our asses kicked in the midterms was the better result. But, yeah, it will be better for internet traffic, and that counts for something.

Senator Chuck Schumer of New York’s recent efforts to make himself look good by making the administration look bad hasn’t been universally well-received.

Former Obama aides dismissed Schumer’s comments as playing politics.

“Funny, I don’t remember Chuck Schumer giving that advice when he was privately and publicly championing the Affordable Care Act in 2010,” said Jon Favreau, a former White House speechwriter, on Twitter.

“So what exactly does Chuck Schumer believe was the error? Does he believe that the goal of winning office is winning office?” said Jon Lovett, another former Obama aide.

Top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi also rebuked Schumer, saying in a statement, “We come here to do a job, not keep a job.”

Obviously, it’s preferable to do a good job and then keep your job as a reward. But if you have to choose between giving millions of people access to health care and keeping your job, it’s better to give millions of people access to health care.

Also, you should take credit for the good things you do rather than make excuses for doing good things.

It remains a stretch for all Americans to “get along,” but maybe we should all just eat cake because there does seem to be agreement on supporting Natalie Dubose and her bakery.  Natalie’s Cakes and More was opened last summer.

A single mother with two children, she finally saved enough money to open a bakery in June.
“I did that because this is the dream that I wanted to achieve. So I’ve invested everything. You can’t walk away from that much of an investment,” Dubose said.
Her location in historic Ferguson has led to challenges she never imaged.
Dubose relies on foot traffic for business. After Michael Brown’s death in August, she said she had no customers for two weeks. …

Business improved and Natalie had a lot of Thanksgiving orders, but then:

Like many other small businesses, her bakery Natalie’s Cakes and More was vandalized Monday night in the wake of the grand jury decision not to charge Officer Darren Wilson with killing Michael Brown.

As they say, when the going gets tough, the tough get going, and Natalie is one tough cookie:

I’m baking today,” Dubose told CNNMoney, as the sound of broken glass being swept up can be heard over the phone.

And she’s getting a lot of help from friends.  From those in familiar quarters that set up a GoFundMe page for her, kindred spirits like Grub Street, and the black-hearted (clicking that link is not recommended)

RUSH:  Okay, I’m gonna go ahead and give the link.  If you would like to donate to Natalie Dubose, it’s …

The response in the past few days has been phenomenal.  Everybody loves Natalie!  Nothing but positives and goodwill in the gofundme comments.  And one offer from a retired baker to share recipes.

The one thing small businesses, particularly new small businesses, are always short of is capital.  It’s the primary reason why most fail and fail quickly.  Natalie Dubose may now just have the capital base that her business really needed.  To remain a fixture in the Ferguson business community.

Let’s call for a “Cake Summit.”

Happy Thanksgiving, Tribbers! If you’re anywhere near a computer today, why not post some thankful tunes, recipes, what you’re up to, etc. And while you’re at it, give this a read and be thankful you’re not incarcerated.

I’m picking up a sixtel of homebrewed barleywine and heading over for dinner with friends. Besides the brew, I’m contributing cornbread and kale salad.

Pardoning turkeys is stupid. So, why not have fun with it?

President Obama joked Wednesday about his executive actions giving legal status to as many as five million undocumented immigrants, saying his Thanksgiving pardon of a turkey would doubtlessly be criticized as “amnesty.”

Obama said the pardon of a turkey named Cheese would be the “most talked about executive action this month” and one that’s “fully within my legal authority.”

“I know some will call this amnesty, but don’t worry, there is plenty of turkey to go around,” he said.

Maybe Trey Gowdy can form a investigative committee to subpoena everyone involved in this blatant power grab.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren is making trouble for the administration by opposing Anthony Weiss, their nominee to be Undersecretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance.

National Review editor Rich “Starbursts” Lowry wants Congress to prevent President Obama from delivering the State of the Union address.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg had a stent installed after feeling discomfort while exercising today.

If your Facebook feed is filled with people saying racist crap about Michael Brown and Ferguson, you should do some personal housecleaning of your social networks.

Too bad this is satire.

Am I the only one who can successfully fill in a map of the United States?

When I see the name ‘King,’ something stupid, and a headline, I never know if it’s going to be Pete or Steve. This time it’s Pete.

At College Guide, Sarah Butrymowicz wants to know if Detroit can ever attract middle class people without improving its schools.

At Ten Miles Square, Keith Humphreys explains how to apply the lessons of poker to everyday life.

I still can’t believe that Tina Turner is 75 today.

What’s on your mind?

Cory Booker, 1992:

I’m a black man. I am 6 feet 3 inches tall and 230 pounds, just like King. Do I scare you? Am I a threat? Does your fear justify your actions? Twelve people believed it did.

Black male: Guilty until proven innocent.

Reactions to my kind are justified. Scrutiny is justified. Surveillance is justified. Search is justified. Fifty-six blows…Justified.

Justice? Dear God…

I graduated from Stanford last June–I was elated. I was one of four presidents of my class–I was proud. In the fall, I received a Rhodes Scholarship–I approached arrogance.

But late one night, as I walked the streets of Palo Alto, as the police car slowed down while passing me, as his steely glare met me, I realized that to him and to so many others I am and always may be a Nigger: guilty till proven innocent.

Cory Booker, 2014:

Engaging in a different strategy than some of his fellow New Jersey pols, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) today declined to criticize a grand jury that opted not to indict the white police officer who shot an unarmed black teen in Ferguson, Mo. in August.

Booker would say only that federal officials should continue to engage in a “fair and thorough” investigation of the Aug. 9 shooting, which left 18-year-old Michael Brown dead and created months of unrest in Missouri, as well as the “patterns and practices” of Ferguson police officers.

“The rule of law is something that we have to put our faith in,” said Booker, appearing in Jersey City with Mayor Steve Fulop. “There was a grand jury, they went through a process, evidence was presented for a jury and they came to that conclusion. I respect that conclusion.”

If what happened in Ferguson represents “rule of law” in any other sense than “one rule for law enforcement, another for everyone else especially young black males”, I’ll eat my hat.

Jonathan Chait makes an observation that is probably kind of obvious to political junkies but that is, nonetheless, the explanation for both why the Republicans haven’t been punished for their obstruction and why they’re floundering on the immigration issue.

“The GOP has withheld cooperation from every major element of President Obama’s agenda, beginning with the stimulus, through health-care reform, financial regulation, the environment, long-term debt reduction, and so on. That stance has worked extremely well as a political strategy. Most people pay little attention to politics and tend to hold the president responsible for outcomes. If Republicans turn every issue into an intractable partisan scrum, people get frustrated with the status quo and take out their frustration on the president’s party. It’s a formula, but it works.”

“The formula only fails to work if the president happens to have an easy and legal way to act on the issue in question without Congress. Obama can’t do that on infrastructure, or the grand bargain, and he couldn’t do it on health care. But he could do it on immigration. So Republicans were stuck carrying out a strategy whose endgame would normally be ‘bill fails, public blames Obama’ that instead wound up ‘Obama acts unilaterally, claims credit, forces Republicans to take poisonous stance in opposition.’ They had grown so accustomed to holding all the legislative leverage, they couldn’t adapt to a circumstance where they had none.”

I’m not certain that the Republicans won’t wind up getting away with being wrong on immigration, too, but at least it doesn’t fit into the same old of making government suck in order to prove to the electorate that the government sucks and should be stripped down to its studs.

It appears that the White House and Senate Majority Leader (for now) Harry Reid are not at all on the same page regarding the tax deal that Reid is negotiating with House Republicans. Ever since yesterday afternoon, the White House has been sending one signal after another to indicate that they think that Reid has negotiated a horrible deal for the middle class and a giant giveaway to corporate America. Now they’ve explicitly promised to veto the compromise package of tax extenders.

Jennifer Friedman, a White House spokeswoman, said the deal being hashed out between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) gave far too much to business interests, and far too little to the middle-class.

“The president would veto the proposed deal because it would provide permanent tax breaks to help well-connected corporations while neglecting working families,” Friedman said, just hours after reports emerged that a $450 billion deal on the tax breaks was close at hand and that negotiators hoped to wrap it up by Tuesday.

It’s not clear that there is any way to get a better deal, and the Republicans will completely control Congress next year and will surely insist on an even rawer deal for the middle class in next year’s budget. But, at least this time around, the White House is willing to fight and must have some hope of extracting some further concessions.

What’s most interesting about this is the rift that has opened up between Reid and the administration.