What the Heck Is Social Justice, Anyway?

Lately, I hear and see the term "social justice" on at least a daily basis. In all honesty, I have no idea what it means.

In looking at the words, I would surmise that it means that those who contribute the most to society should get the biggest reward, those who contribute little should reap little and those who impact society negatively should be penalized. In other words, those who contribute heavily to economic growth should get a huge finacial windfall, while those who are able, but choose not to work should get absolutely nothing. Societal recompense should be expected of those who choose to live irresponsibly and in a way that negatively impacts society such as choosing to drop out of school or to damage themselves and their family through drug use.

My confusion is that in the context it is used, the term often sounds as if it means the opposite.

I guess I just don't get it. And, from what I can tell, I think that's to my credit.

Recommended Website - The People's Cube

I'm in the mood for humor today. I haven't been to the People's Cube in a while. It was just what I needed today...

The People's Cube

Check it out.

Clinton Linked to Chinese Hanky Panky

From the you can't make this up department, Sky News brings us this story...

The ex-US president and the woman he had a fling with, Monica Lewinsky, have found their surnames being used on a new brand of condoms.

The Guangzhou Haokian Bio-science company has registered their names as trademarks for the contraceptives. They will be given the Chinese spellings of their names - Kelitun and Laiwensiji.

Befitting his former status as the world's most powerful man a pack of 12 Clintons will be the more expensive of the brands, costing the equivalent of just over £2. Enjoying the use of a dozen Lewinskys will cost around £1.20.

If you remember Jennifer Flower's comments, Bill Clinton and Chinese condoms may be a perfect fit...

Slow It Down

Not only am I approching another birthday, but I just got hit with a double whammy of age reality. Young Master Nordeaster is attending the college fair on Thursday. Dang! in two years I'll be the parent of a college student and probably a serviceman as well. I, like many parents, use milestones in my child's life to mark the passage of time. This year they've flown by like the stars buzzing past the Enterprise's view screen at warp 9 -- driver's license, first car, first formal, first job, his first Keegan's trivia night.

As the saying goes, getting older stinks, but it sure beats the alternative...

Senator Dayton Introduces Department of Unicorns, Fairies and Rainbow Gumdrop Mountains

Senator Dayton enhanced his standing as the most irrelevant Senator with the introduction of this bill:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In what peace activists call a milestone, Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., introduced legislation Thursday supporting a long-shot citizen lobbying effort to create a U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence.

He is the first and, so far, only member of the U.S. Senate to publicly endorse the plan.

Almost half of Minnesota's congressional delegation -- all the Democrats but one -- have lined up in support of the campaign, which calls for a cabinet-level secretary to develop an array of policies from international conflict-resolution to reducing domestic abuse and violence against animals.

Detractors say that a new peace bureaucracy, along with its proposed $8 billion-a-year price tag -- pegged at 2 percent of the Pentagon budget -- is just another big government idea that will never happen. But Minnesota voters are likely to hear more about it in the coming election year.

What do unicorns, fairies and gumdrop mountains have to do with peace? Simple. None of them have ever existed. EVER. Throughout history, from Cain to Kim Jong Il, conflict is nearly as constant as reproduction itself. History repeats, in this case all too often. There is nothing in the history of man that indicates this will change.

Don't get me wrong, peace is still a goal worth striving for like eliminating all teenage pregnancy, ending all crime (peace at a micro level), or eliminating all disease. And, it is equally unlikely. The utopian by belief that real peace is possible will accomplish nothing other than enable those who wish to do harm. History has shown that, too.

In Senator Dayton's world Kim Jong Il just needs a hug, anger management will bring Abu Musab Al Zarqawi around, and Sadaam Hussein was just a misunderstood father struggling to raise two boys. I wonder who Senator Dayton has in mind to head the Department of Peace and Non-violence? Jimmy Carter? Dr. Phil? Or my dark horse pick - Richard Simmons?

Senator Dayton, Colleen Rowley and their supporters have come down from their gumdrop mountains to sprinkle humanity with magic pixie peace dust that will change the bad guys to rainbow-maned unicorns. They bring you the Department of Peace and Non-violence in our time.

Perhaps Senator Dayton has been hanging out too much at the Maharishi Peace Palace (as the ad in the Strib said today, "coming to Minneapolis, St. Paul soon.").

A.N.S.W.E.R. Is Not The Answer

I didn't catch much of the "All the problems in the world are caused by America rally", but in the few moments I did see, I realized the crux of the argument could be distilled to this...

The anti-war left wants an immediate withdrawal from Iraq because they think it will be as "successful" as it was in Viet Nam.

Conservatives and the majority of rational Americans oppose an immediate withdrawal because they know it will be as disastrous as it was in Viet Nam.

Morons... put down your signs, take a shower and read some history. The killing in SE Asia didn't stop when we left, it ramped up tremendously. The same will happen in Iraq.
I see two drivers behind the irrationality of these people. Anti-Americanism -- killing is only bad when American is doing it (true for some of these boobs, especially the organizing groups), or narcissism -- killing is only bad if I have to hear about it and see it on the news or can somehow can be associated with the country doing it (true for most of the followers).

Fortunately the majority of Americans aren't buying the crap this time. Yes, support for the war is slowly waning, but the majority still knows that a rapid pullout would be the only action that would, with certainty, doom us and the Iraqis to "another Viet Nam".

His First Entrepreneurial Adventure

Young Master Nordeaster just made his first foray into the world of capitalism. He's completely bored with all the "Vote For Pedro" paraphanalia from the movie Napoleon Dynamite. He figured there must be others who feel the same and would be willing to buy one of these handsome "Anyone but Pedro" counter-protest designs.

I admire my son's initiative. He came up with a creative idea and took a risk investing in a small pre-order. If you are interested in helping an enterprising teen make his first business venture a successful one, shoot me an email or leave a post (specify size, price $15).

All proceeds go to the Young Master Nordeaster Scholarship Fund.

The Last Buffalo Soldier

The last hero of an era passes...

Mark Matthews, the oldest Buffalo Soldier, has died at the age of 111. He'll be buried Monday at Arlington National Cemetery.

Matthews joined the legendary unit of black cavalry troops in 1910 at the age of 16. He soon found himself serving under Gen. John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing in the Army's pursuit of Pancho Villa, the revolutionary from Mexico who was considered a bandit.

Matthews later served in the South Pacific during World War II, rising to the rank of 1st sergeant.

The Buffalo Soldiers were the first black military units assembled by the US government in peacetime. The name "Buffalo Soldier" was given to these units by the Indians they encountered. The exact reason is unclear, but it is thought that the nickname was given either because the soldiers' hair resembled a buffalo's mane or as a term of respect for their ruggedness in the wilderness and their fierce and brave fighting style.

In the western frontier, the Buffalo Soldiers fought in many battles against various Indian nations, protected mail routes, built roads, and scouted tens of thousands of miles of uncharted land. They served bravely in the Spanish-American War and were part of the famed taking of San Juan hill. They also served in actions against Mexico, which Mr. Matthews participated in, and in the Phillipine-American conflict.

The bravery of the Buffalo Soldiers blazed the trail for the many thousands of black Americans who served their country with honor and distinction. The Buffalo Soldier memorial in Leavenworth, KS was commemorated in 1992 by Gen. Colin Powell, then of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Author T. J. Stiles said of the dedication, "It was a fitting tribute, from a military that hesitated to accept African-Americans, learned to depend on them and, finally, under the leadership of a modern black soldier — has come to honor their memory."

Below is a listing of Buffalo Soldiers who received the Congressional Medal of Honor, 20 in total:
For more information visit The Buffalo Soldier National Museum.

9th Cavalry Regiment
Lieutenant George Burnett, First Sergeant Moses Williams, Sergeant Thomas Boyne, Sergeant John Denny, Sergeant George Jordan, Sergeant Henry Johnson, Sergeant Thomas Shaw, Sergeant Emanuel Stance, Sergeant Brent Woods, Corporal William Wilson, Corporal Clinton Greaves, Private Augusus Walley

10th Cavalry Regiment
Captain Louis Carpenter, Lieutenant Powhattan Clarke, Sergeant Major Edward Baker, Sergeant William McBryar, Private Dennis Bell, Private Lee Fitz, Private William Thompkins, Private George Wanton.

This Is A Call....

There's something that's been gnawing at me. I've been trying to research this for a while and have come up blank. Perhaps someone with more savvy, time or resources would like to pick up the ball. What I think would be needed are transcripts from CNN 9/2 and 9/3, (specifically Aaron Brown's show) along with reporting from several other sources.

It was either Friday 9/2 or possibly Saturday 9/3. I was flipping through the various news channels watching the Hurricane Katrina coverage. Aaron Brown of CNN was in full race-baiting mode. One of the reports featured was a report by Dr. Sanjay Gupta. The report was supposedly a live update from Charity Hospital in New Orleans. There were visuals of exhausted doctors and cluttered conditions. The theme of the report was that doctors and patients were evacuated from private Tulane hospital, but not from the municipal Charity Hospital. The implication was that patients were still waiting. Aaron Brown kept emphasizing poor city hospital vs. Private Tulane. One got one treatment, the other a different treatment and then reflected "I can't imagine why that would be." When of course we know what he wanted everyone to imagine.

Later that night I caught a re-broadcast of Bill O'Reilly's show on Fox News. The show was originally broadcast earlier than Aaron Brown's show. O'Reilly was talking with some state or local government official who was in Baton Rouge. Mr. O'Reilly asked this person twice specifically about the patients at Charity Hospital. Both times the offical confirmed that the patients indeed had been evacuated earlier that day.

Perhaps the government official was mistaken. There were plenty of communication issues. Perhaps I misunderstood the reporting. Details on the CNN report weren't that intriguing until after I saw the O'Reilly re-broadcast. Or, perhaps the CNN broadcast was erroneous or intentionally misleading. I know there were timing differences between the two evacuations, but from what I have been able to determine, the issue had been resolved when the CNN report aired. Whatever the case, the timeline regarding the evacuation of Charity Hospital, Tulane Hospital and CNN's reporting of these events may be an issue worth looking into for some industrious blogger.

Man Breaks Record for Watching TV

I'm not sure about the new record, but I think I've beaten the previous record during either a holiday weekend Twilight Zone marathon or the 3-day Alfred Hitchcock weekend on AMC. The amazing part of this was that Joachim only watched ABC. Where's the gitmo torture crowd on this one?

Suresh Joachim broke the Guinness world record for the longest time spent watching TV. He finished Friday with 69 hours and 48 minutes.

After passing the previous record of 50 hours and 7 minutes Thursday, Joachim continued until shortly after 7 a.m. Friday morning (EDT).

Rules for the couch potato honor, as stipulated by Guinness, allow for a 5-minute break every hour and a 15-minute break every 8 hours. The viewer must otherwise be constantly looking at the screen.

Something to aspire to in the future...

Last I Saw The Plague Rats, Igor Was Playing With Them

Bubonic Plague Infected Mice Go Missing

NEWARK, New Jersey (AP) -- Three mice infected with the bacteria responsible for bubonic plague apparently disappeared from a laboratory about two weeks ago, and authorities launched a search though health experts said there was scant public risk.

Federal officials said the mice may never be accounted for. Among other things, the rodents may have been stolen, eaten by other lab animals or just misplaced in a paperwork error.

I didn't know this...

Health officials say 10 to 20 people in the United States contract plague each year, usually through infected fleas or rodents. It can be treated with antibiotics, but about one in seven U.S. cases is fatal. Bubonic plague is not contagious, but left untreated it can transform into pneumonic plague, which can be spread from person to person.

I'm sure the risk is minimal, however this story still makes me uncomfortable. Another problem - how do I get the image out of my head of a man pushig a cart and crying "bring out your f'n dead" in a Sopranos-like accent?

Bumvertising - The Latest In Advertising Media

An entrepreneur can be described as "someone who perceives an opportunity and develops the means to pursue it." Ben Rogovy is doing just that. I caught Mr. Rogovy on the Michael Medved Show, yesterday. Rogovy is a 22 year old economics major living in the Seattle area who was looking for an inexpensive way to increase his web traffic. In Seattle, Mr. Rogovy noticed an ample untapped resource and decided to leverage that resource. The resource - panhandlers.

The idea was simple: Pay panhandlers a few dollars to let him attach a glossy, green PokerFaceBook ad to their own signs, and drivers scanning the beggars' rumpled, hand-lettered pleas would inevitably notice his.

Thus was born "Bumvertising," a name Rogovy has trademarked, and a concept that has suddenly won him national, even international, attention.

The idea has sparked both high praise and outrage. Supporters compliment Rogovy's ingenuity. They feel that giving panhandlers an opportunity to "earn a living" is much better than them simply letting them beg. Detractors claim the practice is demeaning and exploitative. Some take exception to the name saying it carries negative connotations. Rogovy acknowledges the possibility of that perception, but said he merely selected the name for it's marketability. Several "bums" state that beyond their advertising fee, they are able to earn more money because patrons are more receptive to them when they are "being productive".

Elaine Fischer, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Labor and Industries, called Rogovy's venture "interesting," but said it did not appear to violate any work rules, mostly because the vagrants aren't, technically, working. "It's certainly unique, but I don't think it rises to the level of employment," she reasoned. "Our sense is that these people are doing what they were doing anyway so the way we see it, there's no clear employer-employee relationship."

I too, admire the entrepreneurial ingenuity as well as the concept of panhandlers "holding a job." However, I don't see long-term viability. The real benefit comes not from the bumvertising itself, but the publicity generated by the unique and controversial nature of the idea.

Morally, I don't have an issue with this. The agreement and benefits are mutual. The principle is the same as Nike paying an athlete to wear their product. The only difference is the price.

Roberts Tips Hand on Torture

Yesterday, John Roberts may have unintentionally tipped his hand on his views regarding psychological torture. The revelation came not through his concise and well delivered statements, but through the fact that he allowed his son, Jack, to endure the painful bloviating of Ted Kennedy, Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer.

The honesty of a child's face...

Wake Me When You Actually Get to a Question

Ted Kennedy is "questioning" John Roberts...

For someone so anxious to ask John Roberts questions, Ted Kennedy is sure taking his time getting to one. Kennedy merely drifts from one point to the next, like a lazy rambling river, sinking deeper and deeper into the quagmire of a liberal diatribe that is completely awash in innuendo and hyperbole.

This is why I could never be a politician. About 30 seconds in I would either be asking, "Is there a question coming anytime soon, Senator?" or simply cough into my hand (ala Animal House) with a muffled "Chappaquiddick".

Photos of Katrina Devastation

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has amazing areial photos of Katrina devestation hereand here.

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2005/s2495.htm

http://ngs.woc.noaa.gov/katrina/

Come On Down (to NOLA)

Last week, CBS replayed a Dec. 7, 2004 episode of The Price is Right. The showcase prize...

A trip to New Orleans and a speed boat.

After being flooded by calls (pun intended), CBS ran a different episode in their West Coast time slot and apologized. The reasonable explanation was that showcase descriptions are not cataloged for individual shows.

Note: I couldn't find a concrete confirmation source for this on the internet, but it was reported by at least two local Minneapolis radio stations (KQRS and KFAN). If anyone knows if this is a hoax let me know.

A Good Time Had By All

I had a great time at the MOB party last night. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery had a nice beer selection and the weather couldn't have been beter for an evening on the patio. It was great seeing friends that I hadn't seen in a while like Pinkmonkeybird as well as meeting some new folks like Kathy from Cake Eater Chronicles and King Banaian as well as getting to know familar MOBsters better. All in all it was a great time. Maybe the next MOB meeting I'll get a chance to spend a few minutes at the big kids table with Lileks, Strom, Yost and company.

As for the post we discussed late on the patio. As much as I'd like to, I just can't do it. Maybe in a day or two.

Unique New Orleans / Unique New York

In New Orleans, we've witnessed looters run amok, thugs and addicts go on shooting sprees and multiple arson incidents. We've watched as large numbers of police abandoned their sworn duties (huge credit and appreciation to those Police who did not abandon their post). In general, we saw complete anarchy, societal break down and a total lack of local leadership.

For me, the events in New Orleans this week have highlighted how truly special the people of New York were during 9/11, how incredibly brave their first responders were, and how impressive Rudy Juliani's leadership was. My admiration was immense before. It's mega-immense now.

Speaking of Buses...

Speaking of buses and a gross lack of leadership, Pundit Guy asks the obvious question of Mayor Nagin...

Why weren't these 205 buses used to get people out of New Orleans before Katrina hit, instead of being left to become submersible vehicles?

That simple move would have left thousands fewer at risk and reduced the pressure on resources for those that remained Read the rest.

I will help with the math... Let's conservatively assume only 2 trips with 205 buses and 70 passengers per bus. That's 28,700 people that could have been evacuated before the storm hit. A third trip would have brought the total to over 43,000.

When Grand Theft Is a Very Good Thing

In grand tragedies the small stories are often the most interesting. Frequently these small stories also give us the best perspective on the big picture. That's exactly the case in the story of eighteen-year-old Jabbor Gibson, a young man I watched Greta Van Susteren interview last night.

Gibson was tired of waiting for help so he decided to do something about it. According to Gibson he went to a lot where he knew there were school buses, looked for the key to the vehicle, started it up and drove off. Gibson had heard that Astrodome was to be used as a re-location site, so that was to be his destination. However, before heading out of town, he made one very important stop -- to collect about 80 strangers in need to join in the 7 hour journey.

Gibson had never driven a bus before, but managed to make the trip safely. Gibson stated that three times they had to stop for gas, with everyone pitching in pocket change in order to add a few gallons. His was the first bus to arrive at the Astrodome.

Here is a young man who instead of relying on others, decided to take action to not only to help himself but 80 complete strangers. Mitch Berg created a stir with a picture of a man who was taking control of his security amidst the looting in New Orleans once it was clear that the police had lost all control of security. The lesson is both cases is that when society breaks down, you can choose to be a victim and sit idly by, or you can choose to take control and change your situation while doing something for the greater good.

If only the mayor of New Orleans had exhibited the leadership like that Jabbor Gibson showed. More on that in the next post.

Belated Congrats to Ewa Beach!

I lived in Ewa Beach for just over a year, so I had a special interest in the Little League World Series this year. I'm glad I did, because it was one of the most exciting sporting events I've had the pleasure of watching.

Eva Beach defeated the defending champions from Curacao. The lead changed hands a couple of times with Curacao taking a 6-3 lead in the top of the six. The Ewa Beach team would not give up. They showed tremendous spirit and determination, working back to a 6-6 tie in the bottom half of the inning to send the game into extra innings. The game ended in dramatic fashion when Michael Memea hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 7th.

Not only was this a determined team. It was a team that knew how to have fun along the way. They embodied the spirit of what the Little League World Series is all about. Congratulations and thank you, Ewa Beach, you represented Hawaii and America very well!

Traffic is Traffic

Within minutes of getting back to posting I receive this comment on one of my posts.

Anonymous said... Wisconsin Weekend PackageKENOSHA, Wis. - Rusty Bender wonders if you really can bet on anything in Vegas.Hey, you have a great blog here! I'm definitely going to bookmark you! I have a ##starting a business online## site. It pretty much covers ##starting a business online## related stuff.Come and check it out if you get time :-)
Dr. Jay

Most would probably complain, but the 4 messages like this that I've received since I started make up half the total comments on my site. They way I look at it, it just makes me look more popular.

Back From Exile

Work is back to a relatively normal pace, hence I'm back from my self-imposed blogging exile. I hope its a long time before I hit a spell like that again. Now, I'm going to have to work extra hard to get both my readers back.