The Credit Crisis - A Primer - Well Worth Watching

Good job Jonathon Jarvis!


The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

Lost - "The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham"

Does this mean Charles Widmore is good and Ben is bad? That's my outstanding question.

Otherwise, everyone is making choices based on their anguished gut rather than an understanding of what's going on. Why didn't Locke ask Abbadon, "Hey - what the heck is going on here? Tell me everything you know or I won't continue."

The only reason this story has a plot is because the characters who don't know anything trust people they don't know and get themselves into circumstances they don't understand on the HOPE that they're about to learn something that will explain everything. And yet they never do.

I understand the show itself is treating viewers the same way the island is treating the main characters. The difference is our lives aren't on the line. I can afford to spend some time waiting for the answer and being manipulated. Locke is dead for goodness sake, and he's trusting, somehow, that it doesn't mean his life is over!

If I were in this situation, I would not be a main character. A long, long time ago I would have said "Screw you - I'm not going to be manipulated anymore. If you want me to do something you better give me satisfactory answers or you won't get what you want."

Today's comment to Obama should have gone to Timothy Geithner

Dear President Obama,
I would have written directly to Timothy Geithner but the Treasury Department website doesn't have a comments section like this.

I watched Secretary Geithner on the Newshour with Jim Lehrer this evening. I was concerned to hear him say that the course you are following is definitely the right course and it definitely will work.

While I support you 100%, I've heard a lot of reputable economists with all kinds of ideas from one end of the spectrum to the other.

I think its irresponsible to presume to know exactly which program is going to work with certainty, especially when we're in an unprecedented crisis and the Republicans are determined to stick with their 'no/low' tax mantra. .

I'm happy to support every effort I know you're making because we can't know what will really work until we try something.

But, I'd like to feel confident that if things aren't working, your team has the mindset that we can change direction and try something else.

Given that, I don't think you or Secretary Geithner should imply that you know the exact right solution. People will appreciate knowing you're trying what you think is the BEST solution.

By the way, I think you did a smashing job in last night's speech. As I always say when I write a comment here, I'm very proud of you!!

All the best to you and your family

Thank you tippy toes!

I can attest to the fact that for us short-statured people, every inch counts...thank you to our tippy toes!

Obama speaks to the nation...

See and hear Obama's 02/24/2009 Presidential Address to a Joint Session of Congress on C-SPAN, here)
Don't miss the Republican response from Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal, here

My reaction:
1. Positive. I appreciate the tightrope Obama's trying to walk; solve immediate problems without forgetting long term problems.
2. He speaks truth. He's not afraid to tell the American people we were part of the problem as well. I appreciate his forthrightness.
3. He was clear about his focus - stimulus and bank stabilization, along with health care, education, and energy independence.
4. I wish he didn't feel beholden to save old institutions. Sometimes old institutions need to be replaced by new ones. Our current political climate wouldn't allow it, though. Big institutions = big money people. Big money people wouldn't stand for drastic change in our economic system.
5. I can't think of any complaints I have. What are the details? Even if I know details, will I know that to be a correct or incorrect solution? No - nobody does. Economists with good reputations on both sides can't agree on what will work. I can only wait and see and keep positive and not panic.

Bobby Jindal's speech on the other hand...wowza. Not a good night for Mr. Jindal. He reminded me of both Mister Rogers and Kenneth from 30 Rock.
He first point was that its great to see the first black president addressing a joint session of congress (as if he had anything to do with it; did he vote for Obama? I think not.) The Republicans need to stop sounding that horn. We're over it. I mean, its still a great and a wonderful accomplishment, but the point is that he's more than a black president, he'a a good president. He's been in office one month and we've seen and heard from him more than any president in memory. He's taking action, he's talking to the people, he's having summits, and sending his secreatary of state out into the world - he's making things happen. So, thank you for the gratuitous recognition of his skin color Mr. Jindal, but move on. Or are you going to comment on it for the next four years? 'Cause, everything Obama does as president will be as the first black president, you know.
The next thing that stands out for me in my recollection of Bobby Jindal's speech is his story about Katrina and the boats. Because a bureaucrat said they needed proof of insurance, etc to rescue people THAT'S the reason government is bad? Are you kidding me? The leap of logic is so fantastic I can't even muster a coherent argument against it. The one-dimensional argument that government is bad and should step out of the way of the hard working industrious Americans is so old and tired, I can't believe the Republicans still think they can use it. Why is it laughable? Because we're living through the results of government 'stepping out of the way'. The reality I see is that given a chance, a percentage of Americans will cheat their fellow Americans; they'll take what they can and walk away without a care in the world because, as Gordon Gekko said, 'Greed is good'. That's their world view and who cares about anyone else. Government out of the way means rich people take what they can and poor people be damned. That's the way I see it. And I don't mean to generalize because some poor people are cheaters and some rich people are philanthropic. Small-minded people come in all economic classes.
I also felt that although Jindal said the Republicans had a responsibility to support the president when they agreed and speak candidly and offer new solutions when they don't, he offered nothing new. He said the schools in New Orleans were rebuilt after Katrina because of charter schools and choice (or something), which, as I recall is also what Obama said. So, I'm not clear what choice the Republicans are offering. So, far all I hear them saying (over and over and over) is to cut taxes - that's their only known government philosophy.
(With a caveat that the religious right have added which makes the Republican motto "get government out of my way unless other people are offending my conservative Christian religious beliefs in which case government has a responsibility to intervene.")
Jindal's speech was a pale attempt to reflect the themes of Obama's speech - he spoke about the same things and essenially in the same order. Kind of stupid and a waste of time.

I see its much easier to rant about the negative than it is the positive. Negative emotion arouses more energy in me than positive, I guess. Sad. I'll work on it.

UPDATE 1: I didn't realize it, but apparently I'm far from the only one who heard Kenneth from 30 Rock. See Andrew Sullivan's blog here

UPDATE 2: Apprently Jindal "misspoke" when he described his Katrina story.

81st Annual Academy Awards

Before I'm swayed by the opinions of others, I want to document what I thought...
1. Hugh Jackman is fantastic. He had enough enthusiasm and charisma to make me forget the awkward moments.
2. The way the acting awards were presented was charming, heartwarming, and disarming. The women honored the other women with more warmth than the men, I thought. The women, for the most part, spoke directly to the women, which is what brought it so much heart. It was quite spectacular.
3. There were several awkward moments for me...Bill Maher and Ben Stiller come to mind. I want to forget them and just feel positive about the event.
4. The musical number with Beyonce felt uncomfortable to me. I wonder if there were some sound problems that came through in general? I liked Beyonce and of course Hugh Jackman, but I didn't get how each song was melding into another - it felt disjointed. It could have been a stunning number with the talent presented, but for some reason it didn't come off for me.
5. I liked Sean Penn's speech. Except I didn't understand the reference to Mickey Rourke especially.
6. The over-abundance of one-shouldered dresses was obvious and therefore BORE-ING. I can't say I liked any of the dresses more than another because they were the same, same, same. That's my recollection anyway.

I don't normally watch the Oscars; I got out of the habit some time ago. It was a bloated, boring mess that didn't affect my life one way or the other. But, this year, the circumstances were right (finishing laundry and nothing else on TV) so I watched it all. I'm glad I did.

UPDATE I: I looked at pictures and decided I like the look of:
Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway, and Penelope Cruz. Also, Kate Winslet, Alicia Keys, and of course, Hugh Jackman. Lots of couples dressed in black.

UPDATE II: I've read some commenters on the TV Guide website who complained about everything, particularly Sean Penn's acceptance speech. It occurs to me that if Sean Penn's political opinions are unwanted in a movie award event, then the opinion of those commenters about the movie awards event is also unwanted. Why don't those negative commenters see how hypocritical they are when they complain about everyone else?

UPDATE III: I forgot that Tina Fey and Steve Martin were so funny. They were.

Stock Market as economic indicator for the masses????

Today, I watched a bit of John King's "State of the Union" on CNN.
He was speaking to Shaun Donovan, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development about Obama's new housing plan.
John King asked him why, if these programs are so good, is the stock market registering such steep drops every time a new program is announced?

I can't believe how stupid that question is. And it bothers me that no one stops him, and his compatriots who ask similarly silly questions.

Why do I think it wasn't a good question? The stock market doesn't move up and down because smart, altruistic economic thinkers are making their opinions known. The stock market shifts when the financial security of wealthy people is threatened. Wealthy people (and the money managers on Wall Street who wield enough monetary power to move the market up and down) invest for their own benefit, not the benefit of the whole country.

Why would a journalist assume that the investment strategy of wealthy people is a good barometer of the economic health of an entire nation mostly comprised of less wealthy people?

My understanding of Pakistan.

This week, the government of Pakistan ceded a part of the Swat valley region of Pakistan to the Taliban.
When we originally went to Afghanistan, the Taliban were 'easily routed'. Oh good, we thought, we're still the mightiest army in the world. That must have given Rumsfeld and Cheney some kind of cockiness with regard to Iraq. While we focused on Iraq, Afghanistan fell apart - the Taliban came back; they'd been hiding in the mountains of Pakistan in what we now call The Tribal Region.
So, the Bush administration knows Pakistan is a problem - but at least they're kind of on our side and we can 'bribe' them with lots of money and weapons. While Musharaff, the leader of Pakistan, is sticking with the US, the people of Pakistan are against the US and support the Taliban or Osama bin Laden (generally anyway - I don't know how many). The leader of Pakistan is a military leader as well. So, he keeps order in his country by using some force, I think.
But, Americans don't like military leaders and they don't like dictators. So, there was pressure from the Bush Administration to Musharaff that he should not be a military leader and there should be elections or something. That was the beginning of him losing his grip on power. The whole house of cards fell. Now, Pakistan is a little out of control. Not only do they have nuclear weapons and an ongoing battle with India, but their economy is bad and the Taliban hide in their mountainous region. The talk from foreign policy expets I see on TV is that Pakistan is the problem spot; the place we need to focus on. Afghanistan is a symptom of the problems in Pakistan, not the cause.
The fact that the government ceded an area to the Taliban is an indication of how much trouble there is in Pakistan. The current leader of Pakistan is the husband of slain party leader Benazir Bhutto who used to be President of Pakistan and who's father was President (I believe) and who was voted out because of her administration's corruption. As I understand the corruption came mostly from her husband using her admiistration, but her father had corruption issues as well.
Anyway - they've got a leader most of the people don't trust, and a Taliban appealing to their fear and religious beliefs. Its not good.
It really matters to me when the United States has allies for the wrong reasons. We should have allies because they value the same things we say we do. I guess the problem is that I think the United States values something different than other people. To many people safety is the thing they value above all else and sometimes you have to make a deal with the devil to stay safe.
It seems clear that when the US makes a "deal with the devil" it always comes back to bite us in the butt!

In other news from around the world...

Around the world with the Editor's Choice photos at Reuters:
From Mumbai, India to the Oscars in Los Angeles, CA: Slumdog Millionaires - something interesting about the convergence of wealth and poverty in entertainment.
The Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) are committing massacres in Congo which have killed 900 civilians since December.
The Phillipine social welfare department estimates up to 200,000 children live in the streets of Manila. At least 20,000 of them were victims of human trafficking since 2001 and 7000 were victims of either physical or mental abuse in 2007. Pictured above is a youngster learning guitar as taught by Ramon Ramos specifically for the street children of Manila.
Benjamin Netanyahu is named Prime Minister of Israel (by? President Shamon Peres, after an election in Israel)

Two stories from the New York Times:
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez supported a referendum that amended the constitution so term limits for public officials have been overturned. The result was 54.4 percent for and 45.6 percent against.

"David Albright, a long-time expert on Iran's nuclear program, says that Iran will probably accumulate enough low-enriched uranium this year to "reach the first level of breakout capability, namely enough low-enriched uranium to make one nuclear weapon." And in an ironic twist, he says even though Iran's stated goal is to have a nuclear program for domestic power, it appears to be running out of uranium for such a plan. "It's one of the unfortunate ironies of the situation that while they don't have enough uranium for a civil nuclear energy program, they have plenty for a weapons program," Albright says. "Even if Iran runs out of uranium, they have more than enough to eventually produce tens of nuclear weapons." He urges the United States to seek tougher sanctions, but also to open wide-ranging negotiations with Iran."

Today's message to Obama

I wrote another message to Obama today. The website allows up to 5000 words now. Eek! I thought 500 words was challenging and interesting. I was forced to think about what I really wanted to say. In any event...here is what I wrote:

Dear President Obama,
Please consider that the current fianncial system may be so degraded that using our limited resources to 'save' it could prolong fundamental problems affecting our democratic way of life. The wealthy have so much entrenched power in all arenas (including government and media) that those of us who don't seek power or wealth as a means of artificially deriving our self-worth are at the mercy of those who do. A democracy should equally protect the interests of people who choose to 'live' and people who choose to 'rule'.
I think you're open to the possibility that just because its been this way doesn't mean it has to stay this way. You should also know there are Americans who will support your efforts.
I think you're doing a wonderful job. I'm exhausted just reading about all the work you and your team are doing.
I support you 100%.
Thank you,
Vicky
P.S. I see I'm no longer limited to 500 words - I'll try not to abuse the privilege! :)

Busy at work for the last couple weeks and expect to continue for awhile.
Cah-ray-zee!
I'm grateful to have a job and lots of work to do.

Commenters

In all honesty, I think my idea that Obama should stop calling for bipartisanship and should instead call for coalescent or convergent politics is perfect. Its a bit naieve, but I believe it so much, that I wish I could somehow publicize it. I think I'd like to write about it as a comment on some of the mainstream blogs. But, when I go there, I'm so disgusted and saddened and apalled by the tone of other commenters I don't even want to participate. Why do the haters of the world make things so difficult for the rest of us? Because they're haters.

Celebrate President's Day!!

In honor of President's Day I have two options for memorizing all the Presidents of the United States of America. First, from Daniel Leary via YouTube...



And, second, from the White House Historical Society...The American Presidents.

I find it interesting that William Howard Taft, who was inaugurated just 100 years ago (March 4, 1909), is remembered by most mainstream Americans (if he's remembered at all) as the big President; he weighed in at 300 pounds. We don't know or remember the nuances of his Presidency or the character he presented. I think that's notable because its a comment on memory and history, historical perspective, and how we describe complex, multi-dimensional people in one dimensional ways.

To rememdy that for myself, I read about William Howard Taft on Wikipedia. It turns out he was 'a staunch advocate of World Peace bordering on pacifism'. So, celebrate this day by taking a moment to read about the multi-dimensionsal William Howard Taft via Wikipedia.

Finally, here's a link that delves a little deeper into Presidential information. In C-SPAN's 2009 Historian's Presidential Leadership Survey, William Howard Taft ranks 24th out of the 42 men who have been President in terms of leadership (Obama is not included yet, and remember, Cleveland was President twice).

Cool picture I did not take...

Footprints carved in wood, which locals believe were made by a worshipper who prayed at the same spot for decades, are seen at a monastery near Tongren, Qinghai province February 5, 2009. Local Tibetan monks and pilgrims gather to celebrate Monlam, or Great Prayer Festival, one of the most important festivals in Tibetan Buddhism. (REUTERS/Reinhard Krause)

The picture where I found it is on The Big Picture at Boston.com

To keep the best, you have to pay the best...

As justification for big salaries at failing financial institutions, its said the “best’ people won’t stay if they’re not highly compensated.
1. Experience tells us the ‘best’ people don’t automatically come from big money. They received big salaries before, and they didn’t use their big brain, why would they now?
2. People who have no loyalty except to their own bank account aren't the 'best'. Do we all agree what the criteria for 'best' is?
Until we do its a specious argument and people should be called out on it.

Another note to Obama

With the previous post in mind, I just sent this to President Obama:

Dear President Obama: I believe its time to reframe the argument. Your goal has been bipartisanhip, but a bipartisan environment is still two conflicting groups opposing each other rather than people coming together for a greater good.
Language matters. Frame the argument with a new term that nobody has a preconceived notion of. Describe and define it yourself. Take back the power.
Coalescent Politics? Convergent Politics? You'll think of something.
Keep up the good work.
Vicky

The Third Way

Partisan: an adherent or supporter of a person, group, party, or cause, esp. a person who shows a biased, emotional allegiance.
BiPartisan: representing, characterized by, or including members from two parties or factions

Maybe we should be trying for nonpartisanship rather than bipartisanship?
I believe Obama is looking for a Third Way; something that isn't Democratic and isn't Republican.
Republicans won't play ball unless we use their rules, and Democrats won't play ball if Republicans whine and complain (which they do).
Great.

Bipartisanship is not beneficial to American Democracy; NONpartisanhsip would serve us better.

UPDATE: It turns out there's a non-profit, non-partisan think tank in Washington DC called Third Way which advances a progressive agenda.
So, I guess somebody already took Third Way.

Lost

I'm all caught up.
I'm a Locke fan. I think he's great.
Widmore and Ben - the mystery remains, which one is the good one and which one is the bad one? Or are they both bad? Or both good? I don't know yet.
I like Sawyer even though he's a bit of a loose cannon sometimes.
Hugo, Sun and Jin, Desmond and Penny...all great characters.
I keep thinking the Others are aliens, or Jacob is an alien, but I heard in a podcast last year that the producers say there are no aliens in the show.
Perhaps the mysterious Jacob is from the future?
I don't know. while this time travel stuff is happening, I'm enjoying the story.
This COULD be a DVD buying show, but it will depend on how it ends; what the final answer to all the mysteries are. If its satisfying, it could be a good purchase.

152 words/789 characters (with spaces)

My Top Ten list of the Days of the Week

HA HA - Just kidding.

This blog...

The appeal of this blog, for me, is that while I recognize its possible for someone to read it, generally nobody does! HA! I love it!
The possibility of someone seeing it (and I know who you are) motivates me to continue making the blog better - visually and in content.
But, normally I put so much pressure on myself knowing my attempts at creativity could be seen by someone other than my mother (who is required to like my stuff) that it takes the joy and experimentation out of the process. I become overwhelmed and paralyzed, so I don't grow.
So, thank you - this is the best scenario for me to gain confidence and recharge my creative battery!!

Be Here Now

From the Away Network...

My positive reinforcement for Barack Obama...

After Tom Daschle withdrew, I sent the following message to Obama. I want to reward him for choices I like by giving him positive reinforcement. HA! HA! (But, I'm serious).

"Thank you President Obama. I just saw a clip of your interview with Katie Couric where you acknowledged that while regular Americans continue to be tax-paying citizens, it doesn't look good for government officials be less than that..
I appreciate your honesty.
Thank you again. I'm proud of you and you haven't let me down!"

My less than 500 word message(s) to the President today...

I have great hope and realistic expectations.
Can someone else be Commerce Secretary?
I understand people make mistakes in their lives.
I try to have faith that people are honest and work with integrity.
But, this is getting way too cliche.
I accepted Geittner because I believe you know best.
But, shouldn't he be the exception, not the new rule?
We can do better.
Somebody paid all their taxes, right?
I did.
Are they held to a lower standard than I am?
Thank you -
Vicky

Addition to my previous remarks: I pay my taxes because I believe that's what people do when they want to live in an orderly society - they contribute to the common good. I don't always agree with how taxes are spent, but I believe everyone should pay fairly to maintain our country. That's why I'm getting tired of accepting all these people who don't pay their taxes properly. If its too hard for even the smartest among us to pay correctly, then change the tax laws.
Thank you,
Vicky

*****

UPDATE: I'm embarrassed. I was writing about Tom Daschle at the HHS, not Gregg at Commerce. Darn.
In any event - Daschle's name has been withdrawn. I'd like to think my e-mail had something to do with it - - - but since I couldn't even get my facts straight (sheesh!) I can't take any credit at all now. HA!

Obama Inauguration Picture - A Must See!

A stunning up close view of the Obama Inauguration. You must use the zoom buttons. I love this stuff.

Australian Open

Wow - this rivalry is intense. Nadal benefits from Federer's earlier domination; its easier to strive to be at the top than to stay at the top. Federer was so dominant he hasn't needed a coach (I hope he gets one now). Commentators talked about Federer like he was a winning machine. He always had another gear to shift into if he was in trouble.
Until Nadal came along. To me, the mind shift from indomitable tennis champion to focused competitor is taking some time and adjustment for Federer.
Nadal is a pleasure to watch. He's always improving.
The trophy presentation was touching. I'm glad both players are kind, generous, gracious, and warm. Its easy to like both of them.
This is my favorite tennis rivalry ever. I hope Roger Federer figures out what he needs to do to maintain the rivalry. Love it, love it, love it. This is life - - Focus, drive, awareness. Fantastic!

Update: From Patrick McEnroe about Roger Federer: "The problem for him is that he's never had to really adjust to anything. He's always been so good and so talented, he could just rely on his game and kind of figure it out when he gets out there. All of a sudden, he's playing a guy he can't do that against. … He doesn't get on top of the guy when he's down, and he thought he was going to go away physically."