by Art Smith
The Supreme Court (Winter v. Natural Resources Defense Council) voted 5-4 to rescind bans on sonar use in training exercises off the California coast. Those bans were implemented by lower federal courts. The ruling states that the lower courts exceeded their authority in those actions.
The bans were in place presumably to protect sea life from the negative effects of sonar use... effects that have been researched by organizations like the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC). I can not speak directly to the integrity of the research, but it seems the concerns bear consideration. Perhaps not a knee-jerk response, since sonar has been in regular use for decades now, but enough careful consideration that if sea life is truly being impacted, specifically by excessive noise (and sonar is not the only source of noise that is produced by human activities in the ocean), then we can look at appropriate legal imperatives to provide adequate protection without hog-tying the Navy from being adequately prepared for real battles.
The Court was not, in this case, judging [...]
by Art Smith
Thank goodness we have today, Veterans Day, to remind us of the sacrifice given by so many millions of men and women over the past 233 years (really more, when you think about it). The day today is specifically designated for those that are living, but their sacrifice is no less than those who have died in action (factoid: November 11 was designated due it being the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice of World War I in 1918) .
Although it should not be constrained to this day, we all know someone, who has served our country as a member of the military. Find as many of those people as possible and thank them. You don't have to overdo it... just a simple thank you is enough. So many of these folks walk through life having given everything they can, putting their lives on the line and on hold, making a mess of their family, so that you and I can can live in a country where we don't have to worry about losing our freedoms. Serving is a sacrifice, and family members of those serving share in that sacrifice.
Most of us live with little of a care in life, our biggest challenge [...]
by Art Smith
When James Madison and friends put together the Constitution, one of the key things they endeavoured to do was ensure that the Chief Administrator (President) did not have the power of a king. After all, we had just fought our tails off for the right to not have to be subjugated by King George, and as such provide sovereignty to the people and not the President.
I say this in preparation for something that Valerie Jarrett, co-chair of Obama's transition team, said on Meet The Press yesterday:
"Given the daunting challenges that we face, it is important that President-elect Obama's prepared to really take power and begin to rule day one."
DavidL at BitsBlog takes this at face value, which is not in the least unfair. He characterizes this [...]
by Art Smith
Conservatives have lost our political credibility. We have totally squandered opportunity after opportunity over the years because self-interest and ambition have eroded the integrity of Conservative politicians along with Liberal ones. And blind political stupidity in the Republican Party created a mess of alienated constituencies, including African Americans. P.J. O'Rourke wrote in The Weekly Standard (aptly titled "We Blew It"):
An entire generation has been born, grown up, and had families of its own since Ronald Reagan was elected. And where is the world we promised these children of the Conservative Age? Where is this land of freedom and responsibility, knowledge, opportunity, accomplishment, honor, truth, trust, and one boring hour each week spent in itchy clothes at church, synagogue, or mosque? It lies in ruins at our feet, as well it might, since we ourselves kicked the shining city upon a hill into dust and rubble.
O'Rourke goes on to[...]
by Art Smith
From the Washington Post:
Transition advisers to President-elect Barack Obama have compiled a list of about 200 Bush administration actions and executive orders that could be swiftly undone to reverse White House policies on climate change, stem cell research, reproductive rights and other issues, according to congressional Democrats, campaign aides and experts working with the transition team.
All of you that were taken completely off-guard by this news, please raise your right hands. Now smack yourself on the back of the head.
Any turmoil and angst over this should[...]
