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Monthly Archives: February 2018

Revised Line 3 Final EIS Commentary

26 Monday Feb 2018

Posted by JamiG4 in Climate Change, Saving the Earth

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Line 3, Pipeline


Because the Pipeline fight here in Minnesota continues, and final Public Comments are due tomorrow, this week’s blog is my submitted commentary.  I encourage you to send a comment.  Feel free to plagiarize from my message below.  You can send them to Scott Ek at  publicadvisor.puc@state.mn.us.  Deadline is 4:30 PM on Tuesday, February 27th.

wellstone button B

Dear Mr. Ek,

Thank you for all you do.  It has been good to have your support in understanding the Enbridge Line 3 Proposal process and I thank you for your hard hours of work with the PUC in this effort.

This letter is in support of finding that the FEIS continues to be Inadequate.

Having watched (some parts many times over) the December 7th PUC Meeting, I have gained some understandings from those proceedings.  I will admit that, with all the legalese, the proceedings were often difficult for this everyday citizen to follow.  However, these ideas seemed clear to me.

  • Scott Strand, from the Environmental Law and Policy Center and representing the Friends of the Headwaters, noted that, sending the EIS back so we can do better is good. However, the information in the EIS is required for the public engagement process.  This is not simply a document for the Commission to perform a review of the environmental concerns in order to make their decisions.  It is a document that allows for the public to engage in the process.  It matters that we limit the ability of the public to be engaged in this process.  We cannot defer aspects to the permitting stage.  The information must be in the EIS for the public to be able to review what is happening and how it will affect citizens, including the citizens of the future.
  • Paul Blackburn, Attorney for Honor The Earth, noted that the way Enbridge has managed the approval process, along with the Army Corps of Engineers – who have been quite silent about their part in the process, has allowed for the concerns on the Cultural Resources issues to “slip through the cracks”… even though they were brought up as concerns by Indigenous People as long ago as 2014.  Without including Cultural Survey information earlier than “before construction begins”, there is no possibility for public comment or review with regard to any Cultural Survey information, let alone for the parties to be able to file briefs on this topic. The Commissioners seemed to indicate that THEIR review of any of this information would be sufficient and the public’s view was irrelevant.  Based on statements and actions, it would seem that the PUC may often feel that the public’s input is not necessary.  This was notably demonstrated by the cancelled and un-rescheduled St. Cloud Public Meeting on the original FEIS.
  • When Commissioner Lipshultz mentioned that there were possible missing elements or things that could be moved or expanded to make the FEIS as reasonable as possible to absorb, Ms. Miltich of the DOC-EERA said they would bring together the information that is in different areas, they would bring them together for the PUC. Commissioner Lipshultz indicated that “more clarity” for the PUC and the parties would be appreciated.  He later said, when proposing his motion, the information should be “not misleading and as clear as possible to minimize risk of misleading the PUC as decision makers”.
  • Finally, Commissioner Katie Sieben closed the day saying that the testimony showed evidence of the variations on how the data was interpreted with respect to the existing Line 3 corridor and she looked forward to the information being filed as it would help them make a better decision.

In reviewing the Final EIS Revision and associated documents, I found still some things are not in place to allow full public transparency.  One example:

I reported to Daniel Wolf on 12/8/2017, that the Part 2 video for the 12/7/17 meeting was not linked on the calendar page for access, yet this situation has not been remedied.  This again makes it appear that the PUC does NOT want to assure the public can easily stay involved in these proceedings.  This link: https://minnesotapuc.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=575165&GUID=CFC7D38F-3BED-45D1-8D68-DEA2F45ABCCC&Options=info&Search only has access to the Part 1 portion of the video, not the Part 2 portion where the decisions were finalized.  Call me nit-picky but I believe full public access should be accommodated and, when brought to the attention of the PUC that it is not, that it should be rectified immediately.  Else, the impression is that only those who pay to play are truly invited to be included and those of us outside those circles are left to scrap together what we can with extra efforts.  This is a downfall of our Democracy, not giving more full access to the proceedings of our government.  While this is a bigger topic for another forum, it is a part of why this Line 3 decision-making process is inherently unfair to the average public citizen.

Other examples are the way much of the documentation for the case is written in legalese and not commonly understood language and the inability of citizens to access the transcripts for some proceedings.  I am grateful that we have many groups in opposition to this effort by Enbridge; groups that do have legal counsel and scientists.  But the public is also made up of scientists and lawyers and we are also concerned for our environment, our children, and our grandchildren’s grandchildren.  We should be given every opportunity to access and understand the information that can affect our future as residents of Minnesota.

According to the PUC, the requirements of remedying Inadequacy must have addressed the following (referred to as items 1a-1d in most PUC documents):

PUC 1a-d

In a letter dated 2/12/18 to Daniel Wolf from John Wachtler, DOC-EERA Director, the EERA readily admits that, after review with MNDNR and MNPCA, “No viable routes were identified that entirely avoid karst”.  He does concede, with regard to item 1a that there ARE routes that totally avoid karst but that the “technical staff” did not deem them worthy of further consideration.  It doesn’t appear to me that the people doing this analysis are very good at looking outside the box.  There are an infinite number of possible routes that could be considered to avoid karst.  While some may consider the presented information to be a best effort, by the EERA’s own words they FAILED to fully address the request of the PUC.  But perhaps this is as good as the PUC will require.

[I will note that the quality of the figures presented in Appendix U did not allow zooming in to clearly see details, another deterrent to the general public to be able to accurately evaluate the EIS information.  Finally, all the data presented in Appendix U appeared to me to be a bunch of random numbers on a page.  Without verbiage associated with each table, it is impossible to clearly understand not only what is being presented, but what the ramifications of this information might be.]

Items 1b & 1c were so complex and massive that it is impossible for this average citizen to fully evaluate in full the information in the EIS, especially in light of the fact that the flash drive I received arrived on February 22nd, just days before comments were due.   There was verbiage in the Revised FEIS which denoted that the issues are complex and all text and tables should be used to comprehend the issue.  However, I do not see evidence of specific “here is the current scenario” and “here is how the addition of a NEW Line 3 will impact with data”… as seemed to be requested at the 12/7/17 meeting.

Here is an example of a paragraph (from page 5-114):

No single one of the datasets listed above provides a complete indication of all relevant impacts to wetlands. Together, though, these datasets provide a reasonably comprehensive indication of the potential impacts. For example, counts of NWI wetland acres impacted do not consider the unique sensitivities of certain wetland communities. However, data from the calcareous fen database can aid the reader in understanding the extent of potential impacts on these unique and highly sensitive areas.

Furthermore, the quantitative information from the analysis of these datasets should be coupled the qualitative descriptions of impacts that are contained in the text. Tables in this section provide counts, for example, of acres of wetland within the ROI and a general assessment of the duration and magnitude of potential impacts; however, a more complete discussion of the qualitative nature of impacts that could occur to different types of wetlands is contained in the text of this section.

What this seems to be is a re-iteration of Ms. Miltich’s words during the 12/7/17 meeting, namely that all the information is in the report, you just have to search for it.  Thus, rather than making clear the data, as Commissioner Lipschultz requested and Commissioner Sieban was anticipating, it seems that the DOC-EERA has simply taken an easy route of re-saying what was indicated during the meeting, that finding and comprehending the information was not easy but was possible.  Their Revised FEIS shows that there wasn’t much more they would do other than say, again, that this is so.

It is not until over 175 pages into the section, when I come across Table 5.2.2.4. that there was some minimal additional clarification verbiage that seems to show an effort to provide additional input to help “minimize risk of misleading the PUC as decision makers” as Commissioner Lipschultz requested in his 12/7/17 motion regarding Inadequacy.  However, I also noted that these few comments appear to be mainly a result of the additions necessary for item 1a of the same PUC request for revision due to FEIS Inadequacy.

Item 1d was the simplest correction that could be made of the four requested of the DOC-EERA by the PUC.  And, indeed, there are clear statements in 5.4.1.2 and 6.4.1.2 denoting that a Cultural Survey will be done prior to construction.  Check and mark.  However, as was made clear many times during the 12/7/17 meeting, though subsequently disparaged and disregarded by the Commissioners of the PUC, this is a violation of the Rights of the Indigenous to have their concerns considered with regard to the determination in the Certificate of Need.  And it is a disregard of the need for the public to be informed of this information and to provide their input on the issues.

I watched as Dakota Access moved forward with their work in North Dakota showing no regard for Cultural Heritage.  I don’t wish that kind of trauma on anyone.  And regardless of this verbiage being included in the EIS, I don’t quite trust that Enbridge will hold to the requirement.  It seems their standard protocol is “it’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission.”  It is not a stretch to imagine Enbridge moving forward and afterward blaming it on an administrative error.

“Oops!  Sorry! But since we already have this work done, we’ll just leave it in place.”

There have already been disturbances in Minnesota of cultural sites.  Enbridge and the State of Minnesota have already ignored requirements for the permitting for pipeline staging yards.  And Enbridge has already built the Canada and Wisconsin legs of the pipeline path they are pursuing in Minnesota, indicating that this WILL be done, regardless of what Minnesota’s PUC decides.  These are among the many reasons the public has reason to doubt the integrity of the process and the promises.

As I continued to read the EIS to comb through all the data, I continued to find what seem to be shortcuts in the EIS that prevent full evaluation of the proposal, things that, given time and a geologist’s background, I might be able to better unravel.  For example, this line from page 5-30:

“Temporary and minor impacts on groundwater quality could occur from small leaks and spills, as discussed above for the Applicant’s proposed project. If any contaminated soils or groundwater are encountered during construction they would be handled and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations; the Environmental Protection Plan; and a Contaminated Soils Management Plan, which the Applicant would develop prior to construction. The plan would describe site assessment and response actions that would be implemented to manage contaminated soils and groundwater (Enbridge 2016a).”

It would seem to be that a full environmental impact analysis would include having details on the Enbridge’s Contaminated Soils Management Plan, which does not currently exist and thus cannot be evaluated by the public.

While I comprehend that this specific commentary is outside the scope of what the PUC is currently seeking, I believe it provides evidence of the enormity of the data and how it undermines the ability of the average citizen to evaluate it for comprehension, let alone to use it to provide a thorough response.

There has been no evidence to date showing that Minnesota refiners, or any refiners in the region, have been unable to secure enough crude oil to meet their demand without a new Line 3 pipeline.  The forecasts are for a steadily decreasing need for crude oil, not the steady increases Enbridge would like us to believe.  If we are to meet the agreements for mitigating climate change, most sensible humans comprehend that this demands less, not more, fossil fuel usage.  We have seen no evidence for a net economic benefit that this new Line 3 pipeline will bring but ample evidence of the cost to Minnesotans should failure occur.  In addition, we have had no commitment to assure that, should failure occur, Enbridge will be held accountable for the physical and financial liabilities.  Enbridge already holds the record for largest inland oil spill in the U.S. and it was right here in Minnesota.  We have no insurance policy that Minnesota tax payers will not be left holding the bag when this new Line 3 pipeline fails, which all pipelines do eventually. The Tar Sands pipeline in our neighboring state took just 7 years to have a massive failure of 210,000 barrels spilled.

The PUC must determine that this project is a No-Win for Minnesota.

The need for both endless fossil fuels and military-style assault rifles, are rapidly being revealed as the fallacies they have been for some time.  As our children will be the most affected by a possibility of a Tar Sands pipeline in their midst, I believe we must consider their best interests as a top priority.  And as they become more outspoken, like those teens at Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Minnesota may realize that they too are on the wrong end of history if a Certificate of Need and Permit are issued for this New Line 3 pipeline. It is NOT in the best interest of our children to put a Tar Sands pipeline through Minnesota’s watersheds.

Thank you for your consideration.

Jami Gaither

 

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Can We Stop School Shootings in America?

19 Monday Feb 2018

Posted by JamiG4 in Community, Insanity, Politics

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

common sense, guns


Once again, it is the talk of the Nation: Another horrendous mass shooting in a public school.  If a country cannot assure its children are safe in public schools, I don’t think it deserves to call itself civilized.  And if continued outcry for solutions doesn’t lead to improvement, then it’s a pretty piss-poor democracy.  It’s been almost 20 years since Columbine – the school shooting that brought this issue to our attention April 20, 1999.  But that was far from the first school shooting.  School massacres are older than our democracy but have taken a seeming exponential rise over time.  And in 2018, we’ve had 18 shootings already this year.  Or have we?  We cannot even agree on the statistics.

Snopes has a pretty thorough analysis of 2018 school shootings but I was disturbed by this sentence in their analysis – which seemed to downplay the statistics.

Only seven were intentional shootings that occurred during normal school hours.

Only seven!  In the first six weeks of the year.  Well, cheer up, everyone!!

While I agree that suicide at a school which has been closed for several months would not be a public school shooting, I would not classify incidents where no injuries occur as non-relevant.  Snopes gives a thorough breakdown of each incident with details.  In all, 22 deaths and 36 injuries.  Just this year.  Just in our schools.

And the laws are fucked up.  In Florida, you have to wait 3 days to buy a handgun but an AR-15 style rifle?  You can clear a background check and walk out with one in minutes.  “Under federal law, you also must be 21 to buy a handgun from a firearms dealer. But 18-year-olds can buy semiautomatic rifles.” But there is some good news from the election of 45.  “The publicly traded gun makers Sturm, Ruger & Company and American Outdoor Brands both lost about a quarter of their market value in the days after Mr. Trump’s victory.  Earlier this week the Remington Outdoor Company, one of the country’s biggest and oldest gun manufacturers, said it would seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection amid plunging sales and mounting losses.”

Ironically, the fear mongering of the NRA is quite successful when “gun-control” Dems are elected, but their purchase of “pro-gun” GOP leaders has resulted in losses for the businesses that should find their efforts the most helpful.

So where can we look for answers?

I’d first like to direct you to a recent blog of someone I have newly discovered. Guns She said so much so succinctly and so well that I have left much of it to her.  Please check her out as she has much wisdom on this and many other topics.  Here’s an excerpt from her Engineering, Parenthood, and a Solid Attempt at Adult Status blog Fuck you, I like guns.  (Note – the title is a quote and accounts for a third of the f-bombs in the piece.  She does a nice job of making solid points with excellent analogies and minimal cursing.) :

“This (AR-15) rifle is so deadly and so easy to use that no civilian should be able to get their hands on one. We simply don’t need these things in society at large. I always find it interesting that when I was in the Army, and part of my job was to be incredibly proficient with this exact weapon, I never carried one at any point in garrison other than at the range. Our rifles lived in the arms room, cleaned and oiled, ready for the next range day or deployment. We didn’t carry them around just because we liked them. We didn’t bluster on about barracks defense and our second amendment rights. We tucked our rifles away in the arms room until the next time we needed them, just as it had been done since the Army’s inception. The military police protected us from threats in garrison. They had 9 mm Berettas to carry. They were the only soldiers who carry weapons in garrison. We trusted them to protect us, and they delivered. With notably rare exceptions, this system has worked well. There are fewer shootings on Army posts than in society in general, probably because soldiers are actively discouraged from walking around with rifles, despite being impeccably well trained with them. Perchance, we could have the largely untrained civilian population take a page from that book?” ~ Fuck you.  I like guns. 2/15/18

Weapons meant for quick people-killing are NOT the type of gun you want anywhere… except maybe the front lines of a war.  This blogger makes an amazing argument and I’m hopeful her voice will make an impact on this issue.

Australia has figured it out.  After a mass shooting in 1996 by a gunman who killed 35 and wounded 23 more – notably NOT in a school – Australia implemented a massive buyback of semi-automatic weapons and implemented “new gun laws (which) prohibited private sales, required that all weapons be individually registered to their owners, and required that gun buyers present a “genuine reason” for needing each weapon at the time of the purchase. (Self-defense did not count.)” While that may not be feasible in America “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave”, it has been successful in Australia: “In the decade before the Port Arthur massacre, there had been 11 mass shootings in the country. There hasn’t been a single one in Australia since.”

Switzerland has a pretty good system too where men ages 20-30 (34 for officers) are issued guns (for militia training) which they can keep at home.  However, there are strict controls on ammunition.  Every round is accounted for in regular checks.  In recent years, only the gun is kept at home and ammo is retrieved from nearby in case of a need for militia (with the exception of a few designated people).

Danny often argues that we don’t have to worry about guns if we should make ammo EXTREMELY expensive.  If it cost $100/round or even $25/round, you’d be thinking hard about each time you shot.  At shooting ranges, you could purchase all the ammo you want really inexpensively. But you’d have to shoot it all there. We could even subsidize this ammo with the “home” ammo purchases.  And what about those who make their own ammunition?  In the time spent making bullets, they’d have time to think about where those bullets were going to be used.  And, if they used them in the wrong place, pre-meditation would be easy to prove.

Maybe the Youth in America will finally resolve the issue.  The #MeNext and #NeverAgain movements, along with the planned walkout on 4/20, the anniversary of Columbine, may give the wake-up call we need.  I’m hopeful we won’t have to wait until these young people are all old enough to replace the bought-and-paid-for NRA politicians we have in place now.  But fear runs strong in America and many just can’t see any cure for guns except… more guns.   I think the real cure is to work on getting rid of the fear.  But the rich and powerful love it when we’re afraid… especially of each other.

And how might this affect the race for Governor in Minnesota?  No telling. But what we do know is that Walz has an A+ rating from the NRA… on which Erin Murphy has said, “That means he’s done their work plus the extra credit to get the plus.”  Love it.  Note: Erin has an F rating from the NRA, supports “limits on sales of certain ammunition, expanded background checks and a ban on sales of AR-15 rifles in Minnesota,” which puts her toward the top in my ratings.  While Rebecca Otto appears to be our most Progressive candidate, with the data indicating she will beat out the competition, I’m guessing the DFL will weakly decide to run with DINO candidate Walz and end up losing anyway.  They’ve maybe learned nothing from the Bernie Sanders / Hillary Clinton fiasco from last cycle.  Or the continued horror happening in our schools.

Photo Credit:  Please go here for MANY MORE well-written memes…

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Storyteller Michael Venske

12 Monday Feb 2018

Posted by JamiG4 in Community, Happiness in Life, Local Reporting

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

fun, storytelling


I knew I’d likely be going to see Storyteller Michael Venske in the Farm by the Lake Storyteller series and, after reading the report on his event in the Farmers Independent and on FB, I definitely knew I wanted to meet this guy.

Michael… spends his (time) on projects that help the greater good.  ~ Michael Venske Event Promotion

From recordings for Hazelden, teachings on de-escalation techniques for individuals in mental health crises, HIV awareness videos, performing environmental comedy shows, and working with First Witness Child Advocacy Center teaching law enforcement how to conduct forensic interviews with victims of childhood sexual abuse… this guy has spent a lot of time working on the greater good.

And he spent three years in China teaching English.  I was anxious to hear his reporting as compared with what Tom had shared with us years ago after his trip to China.  Michael seemed the kind of guy who’d be up for adventure. So what did I do?  I reached out to him!

I sent him a message and, as I expected, he immediately responded.  He ended up calling the house and we chatted about the possibilities of meeting, deciding that he’d come for a meal with us during his visit to Clearwater County.

Michael came by our place for lunch prior to the Library gig and we chatted for a while and then had a nice local food lunch including pork roast from Split Oak Farms along with pickles and green beans from Merry Gardens Farm that Connie and I canned this past fall.  We ended with some warm tapioca with a bit of coconut added – this is becoming a great go-to dessert for me of late.

We shared a bit of our story with him and Michael noted, after being introduced to our Rocket Mass Heater, that his story today would include a fireplace aspect.  I was impressed when he mentioned his “Rumford” fireplace.  Ah, a kindred spirit…  We told stories all through lunch and then Michael and I headed to his gig while Dan wrapped up at the Harn.  It was endless back and forth during our ride to Bagley.

We had a good crowd at the Bagley Library where Dawn Loeffler and Marty Cobenais from Farm by the Lake had prepared a wonderful place for him that included a fake fireplace!  The story went up and down, from dramatic and compelling to hilarious (yes, I was laughing out loud – a lot!).  It pulled us all forward and then circled back and then wrapped up with a warm and comforting close.  The crowd was very happy with his performance.  Lots of laughs and a few good things to ponder.  We had a lovely Q&A session at the end and I was surprised by several questions – these people knew a few things about Michael’s work – what a prepared audience!!

20180211_162400

A really fun day of meeting a new friend.  I was thrilled to learn more about this amazing guy.  He’s worked on some wonderful projects, one of my favorites of which is training police officers on de-escalation practices for interacting with people with mental illness.  I had some ideas on how we could really use this training to help improve our law enforcement in Minnesota.  But I’m most looking forward to sharing more with him on one of my favorite subjects, which as he was wrapping up the day I found also interests him, Death.

Dan and I Michael-Venske-Pink-Robehave decided Michael can come visit us at the Harn any time, especially if he brings his pink robe!  And Athena.

Photo credit: http://michaelvenske.com/about/

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What Even Matters Anymore?

05 Monday Feb 2018

Posted by JamiG4 in Musings, Politics

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Tags

45


I was going to do a full-analysis blog on the State of the Union (SoTU), but I didn’t have the heart to really listen to it and report on the BS.  If you’re interested, you can check out the Politifact report on it.  Of course, there are those who claim Politifact is left-biased, which was disputed by a Media Bias/Fact Check report.  This group also did their own analysis of 45’s statements.  And they also provided a list of his statements by topic which was probably a much more efficient way to hear his address than actually watching it with all that crazy hand-clapping that’s always involved.  And surprisingly, it seems many approved of the speech, according to a CNN poll.  [Not so surprising in the end, as you’ll read later.]

So why am I so disheartened?

SNL did a skit recently called “What Even Matters Anymore” and it really got me thinking, “Does Anything Really Matter?”  I mean, we see so much for which we need action or redress but… mostly things just stay broken and more things seem to be broken all the time.  Nothing seems to be getting done.  And it seems like no one cares.  Here are the topics from the SNL skit, none of which truly ends up mattering:

  • 45 referring to Shithole Countries and all Haitians having AIDS – Nope!  Just another day in the news cycle.  A funnier than normal news day watching everyone say “s-hole” and tittering, but no real consequences for 45.
  • 45 has an affair with a porn star, just after his wife has a baby, and then pays said porn star a substantial amount of hush money – Nope!  Even his Evangelicals supporters have managed to justify this as a non-issue.
  • 45 fires Robert Mueller – ok, this one hasn’t happened yet, but when it does, will it really matter?

I asked Dan after this episode of SNL which also featured Mueller (played by Kate McKinnon) insinuating there really is something coming on 45… and it’s BIG, “Do you really think anything will ever come of all that?”  I mean, we’ve been hearing about this investigation for a LONG time.  We even had four people charged… months ago.  But nothing has really happened that has had much meaning for our government.

And I’m disheartened by the things that we do hear in the news, or don’t, that I believe should be raising our levels of concern.  Like what?

  • Our planet continues to see accelerating effects due to climate change and human impact.
  • 11 school shootings in the first 23 days of 2018 – that’s 16 school days.
  • US incarceration rates per capita, especially among our black citizens. 

    Black v white incarceration
    Incarceration 2014
  • An unusually rampant flu this season.
  • The entire state of Florida, and many large metropolitan areas, are within the zone where Border Control can stop any vehicle and freely question anyone… regardless of our 4th Amendment rights.
  • 45 can lie without apparent consequence.  [Too many examples to cite but here’s one… on his “biggest tax cuts in history” comment.]
  • Our government can barely manage to stay open for business.

And that’s just in the US.  What about craziness around the world?  I just can’t start listing on these lines… too depressing.

I did watch the Democrat response… because it was shorter, would have less hand clapping disruptions (though the first three or four lines in the speech almost had me giving up on that being true), and I heard there was actual speaking to Hispanics in their native tongue – something I always like to see.  The thing that most surprised me?  There was a topic bar on the left side of ABC’s screen letting you know what part of the speech we were in… “American Spirit”, “Year of Chaos”, “Disunity”, “Unity”… what I realized was a guide to know when the speech was going to be over.  Is this because the attention span of the average American is so short we need to let them know “it’s almost over”?  The good news was that this was a young Dem, albeit a Dynasty Dem, which perhaps cancels out his legitimacy.  Though I am not sure Dems have much hopes for this year, if they continue to not look in the mirror to see where they have gone wrong in the last couple decades.  Unless we get the money out of politics, We the People have little hope of being heard or  helped by the Powers that Be, regardless of their party affiliation.

So, can I give any input on the SoTU address?  Well…

I decided to go ahead and read 45’s speech.  I know, I know!  That means I missed all the times when he went off-script, and yes, those are often the funniest (or scariest) moments, though I hear he pretty much stayed to the Teleprompter this time.

Overall, it sounds pretty good.  There is much to like in the speech.  As long as you don’t think too hard about what he leaves unsaid, or what his word choices imply.  Oh, and if you excuse the exaggeration and outright lies.  Oh! And forget how many of his campaign promises remain unfulfilled.

  • 45 boasted about his “biggest tax cuts and reforms in American history” (see above link) because, well, what else is there that’s been accomplished during his administration?  Yeah, that’s about it.
  • 45 speaks to “citizens”… implying those among us who are visiting or on VISAs, like students or migrant workers, are not included.
  • 45’s refers,  to “America first”, amazingly only once in this address.  What I wonder is, is it akin to the 1940’s isolationist attitudes or the KKK slogan? 

    seuss on American view of Hitler
    KKK America First
  • 45 speaks to the police and military (and veterans) deserving our “unwavering support”.  But many of these officials are used in the protection of corporate interests and not the interests of the people or the planet.
  • 45 speaks of “actions to protect religious liberty” that many read as a call to make laws that allow refusal of medical treatment for abortion and birth control along with rights to refuse a variety of services to LGBTQ people.
  • 45 boasts about eliminating regulations.  But what does he think keeps corporations in check with regard to our environment and worker rights?  Remember when we used to not have regulations on releases from manufacturing plants and our rivers were so polluted that they caught on fire?  Remember, before OSHA, when workers were regularly and fatally injured in workplace incidents because business as usual was cheaper than implementing safety programs?
  • 45 talks about “All Americans” deserving “accountability and respect” and then immediately calls on Congress to “reward good workers” and “remove Federal employees who undermine public trust or fail the American people”.  But who defines undermining public trust?  What about Edward Snowden, who has recently been in the news again)?  45 says he should be executed but he was one of the biggest patriots for the American People since Daniel Ellsberg.  Which reminds me, go see The Post and then check out the Oliver Stone’s Snowden (a docudrama with a lovely storyline, though partially fictionalized) or  Citizenfour, a true documentary on his final days of freedom and his heroic whistleblowing.  And again, “Americans” implies no allegiance to foreign visitors or immigrants not yet fully recognized as citizens.
  • 45 mentions FDA approval of “more new and generic drugs and medical devises than ever before in our history”.  How many of these things will later be proven dangerous or even fatal due to quick and incomplete study?
  • With regard to opioid concerns, 45 says we “must get much tougher on drug dealers and pushers”.  Are they going to start arresting more doctor’s?  Or pharmaceutical manufacturers?  Or just the people pushing these drugs on the streets?
  • And is anyone concerned that 45’s order of dealing with “terrorists” being 1) annihilate them and THEN, 2) when “necessary” detain and question them?

Yes he made many promises that sound good:

  • Expanding US Manufacturing
  • Cheaper prescription drugs
  • Infrastructure investment
  • Vocational schools
  • Paid family leave

But there has been some criticism.  Some pretty well stated.

I keep thinking, this is just performance art for the People – going through the motions of saying pretty things.  I keep wondering if this is what Democracy Dying looks like.  Nothing is getting done, at least nothing that is making life much better for the majority of people, especially the working class.  Nothing is being done to mitigate our effects on the environment.  Mostly just more and more wealth transfer to the already wealthy.  Less regulation to free up Corporations to save money by taking shortcuts with the environment and worker safety.  Little actions to help veterans, children, the working poor, the elderly, immigrants, disabled people.

America is an oligarchy.  Our “democracy” is basically up for sale.  Until we get the money out of politics, I suspect we will continue to see more of the same.

There are some good things…

  • Millions marched in the Women’s March this year, more than last year in many locations, including Bemidji. But are we really making a difference?  Watching part of the Grammy Awards seemed to be more exploiting of women than ever, though there were exceptional performances, specifically by P!nk.  Maybe the elections in 2018 will tell.  I’m hopeful to see many women candidates win seats in our government, at all levels.
  • Macklemore owning his White Privilege, again, and challenging us on ours.
  • We’ve declared Eastern Mountain Lions extinct.  Isn’t this bad news?  Well, maybe not as perhaps states will now, unencumbered by laws regarding Endangered species, re-introduce big cats from the West… to cull excessive population of deer, who have few natural predators.
  • And one more.  One word.  Logic.  Check this out – watch until the end.

OK.  I think I can keep going now.

Photo Credits:

  • Incarceration rates
  • Seuss Cartoon & KKK Coin – Google Images

 

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