Expanded Use Of Drones Will Lead To Abuses Of Power

It is wrong for the President to have the power to use drones to kill American citizens without accountability to Congress and without judicial review. President Obama is asserting that he has this right.

It will be just a matter of time until the range of Americans we target with drones will expand. We will widen the definition of who poses a threat to American interests.

At the same time here at home, surveillance drones will watch and follow domestic political dissenters and evermore militarized police will be called upon to intimidate and repress lawful protests. Large defense contractors will gain from these actions abroad, and corporate interests will play a big part in defining our domestic “security” objectives.

These things will happen with the support of elected Republicans & Democrats.

These things will happen–as they are already starting to happen— unless we realize and understand the fact that the work of freedom is up to each of us.

Mo Cowan Of Massachusetts Is 6th Post-Reconstruction Black U.S. Senator

(Blogger’s Note 1/31/13—I update this post each time there is a new Black Senator. Today is such a time.)

There have been six Black United States Senators in post-reconstruction America.

Just six.

( Here is a post on the three black post-reconstruction Governors.)

Here are the five Black Senators to date—

Ed Brooke (above) was a Republican elected from Massachusetts in 1966 and 1972.  He was defeated in 1978 by Paul Tsongas who went on to a notable career himself. Mr. Brooke was part of the moderate to liberal wing of the Republican party that does not so much exist anymore. The decline of moderate Republicanism is a big reason why Democrats are so strong in New England and New York state today.

Here is a Time Magazine article from 1971 pondering if President Richard Nixon would consider replacing Vice President Spiro Agnew on the ticket with Senator Brooke.

Carol Moseley Braun (Above) is the only Black woman to have served in the Senate. She represented Illinois. Ms. Moseley Braun defeated an incumbent Democrat Senator in a primary in 1992 and went on to win the General Election.

People had hopes for Carol Moseley Braun. For a variety of reasons, some maybe relating to her own mistakes and some maybe a product of unreasonable expectations, Ms. Moseley Braun lasted only one term.  This New York Times story from Ms. Moseley Braun’s 2004 run for President offers some perspective.

If Ms. Moseley Braun had been able to hold on, Barack Obama would most likely not have been elected to the Senate as the third post- Reconstruction black senator.   Mr. Obama won the seat once occupied by Ms. Moseley Braun. The Republican who defeated her in 1998, Peter Fitzgerald, did not run for reelection in 2004 against Mr. Obama in strongly Democratic Illinois.

Barack Obama of Illinois was elected to the Senate in 2004. He then went on to even bigger things.

The fourth Black U.S. Senator was Roland Burris (Above) of Illinois.  Mr. Burris was appointed by the Governor of Illinois to replace Barack Obama. His appointment was made under controversial circumstances as Governor Rod Blagojevich made the nomination while under indictment for a range of offenses including trying to sell the Obama Senate seat.

Mr. Burris was the first statewide elected Black in Illinois. He was elected as Comptroller of Illinois in 1979 and served in that post until 1991. In 1990 he was elected Attorney General of Illinois. He has also run unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate, Governor of Illinois, and Mayor of Chicago.

Here is a comprehensive profile of Mr. Burris.

Mr. Burris did not run for reelection in 2010.

The fifth post-Reconstruction Black Senator was Tim Scott (Above) of South Carolina. Mr. Scott was designated in December, 2012 to replace Senator Jim DeMint who resigned his office.

Here is profile of Mr. Scott from the PBS News Hour.

Mr. Scott is the fIrst Black Republican Senator since Ed Brooke. He is expected to run to fill the seat on a permanent basis.

The sixth post-reconstruction Black Senator is Mo Cowan (Above) of Massachusetts.

Mr. Cowan was appointed to the Senate by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to fill the vacancy caused by John Kerry being appointed Secretary of State.

Mr. Cowan is a well-connected attorney who has served as Governor Patrick’s Chief of Staff. Here is a profile of Mr. Cowan from the Boston Globe. 

Mr. Cowan will serve in the Senate until an election takes place on June 25. Mr. Cowan is not a candidate for the June election.

Why only six black senators in post-Reconstruction America?

Here are some reasons for the low number —

1. Jim Crow and racism long denied Black people the right to vote and to run for office.

2. Even given the (not always uncontested) right of Blacks to vote today, a large proportion of Blacks in America live in the South where whites are not always inclined to vote for Blacks. This is how George W. Bush or Mitt Romney easily carries Mississippi even though 30% of people in Mississippi are Black.

3. Many states have very few Black people and so Black candidates are less likely to emerge from these places. Though it must also be said there were not so many Black folks in Massachusetts to help elect Ed Brooke.

4. The overwhelming majority of Blacks are Democrats. As many Senators are Republicans, this limits the options for Black Republican Senators.

5. Since most Blacks are going to vote for Democrats no matter what, Democrats use this fact and do not push Blacks to run for the highest offices. If someone is going to do something for you anyway, why not take advantage of them?

6.  Since many Black office holders have safe majority-minority districts or serve in majority-Black cities, why take a chance on a tough statewide race?

7. Black politicians often have a terrible record of cultivating new people and young people for the tough battles ahead. It’s easy to sit in a safe seat and accumulate power . It is more difficult to help people and fight for people in a more constructive way.

(There have been a full total of seven black U.S. Senators in our history. The other two, from the Reconstruction Era were Hiram Revels a Republican from Mississippi who served in 1870 and 1871, and another Mississippi Republican, Blanche Bruce, who served from 1875 until 1881. Both of these men were appointed by the state legislature as was done for much of American history. Here is information about the 17th Amendment, ratified in 1913, that provided for direct election of Senators.

Stan Musial—Progressive & Decent

I regret the death a few days ago of Hall of Fame baseball player Stan Musial at age 92.

(Above–Stan Musial.)

Mr. Musial was loyal to his wife, loyal to the Midwestern river city of St. Louis and welcoming to Jackie Robinson when he broke into the Major Leagues in 1947.

Mr. Musial campaigned for John Kennedy in ’60, was appointed to LBJ’ s President’s Council on Physical Fitness and supported Barack Obama.

Mr. Musial was active in the Polish-American community.

Mr. Musial had a basic decent progressive conservatism that I have a lot of regard for as an outlook of life. Mr. Musial was not a radical in any sense, but if more folks had his day-to-day commitments and values this would be a better society.

Here is the Associated Press obituary for Stan Musial.

Here is Stan Musial’s lifetime baseball record from Baseball Reference.com.

How Many Black U.S. Senators Have There Been?

There have been six Black United States Senators in post-reconstruction America.

Just six.

( Here is a post on the three black post-reconstruction Governors.)

Here are the five Black Senators to date—

Ed Brooke (above) was a Republican elected from Massachusetts in 1966 and 1972.  He was defeated in 1978 by Paul Tsongas who went on to a notable career himself. Mr. Brooke was part of the moderate to liberal wing of the Republican party that does not so much exist anymore. The decline of moderate Republicanism is a big reason why Democrats are so strong in New England and New York state today.

Here is a Time Magazine article from 1971 pondering if President Richard Nixon would consider replacing Vice President Spiro Agnew on the ticket with Senator Brooke.

Carol Moseley Braun (Above) is the only Black woman to have served in the Senate. She represented Illinois. Ms. Moseley Braun defeated an incumbent Democrat Senator in a primary in 1992 and went on to win the General Election.

People had hopes for Carol Moseley Braun. For a variety of reasons, some maybe relating to her own mistakes and some maybe a product of unreasonable expectations, Ms. Moseley Braun lasted only one term.  This New York Times story from Ms. Moseley Braun’s 2004 run for President offers some perspective.

If Ms. Moseley Braun had been able to hold on, Barack Obama would most likely not have been elected to the Senate as the third post- Reconstruction black senator.   Mr. Obama won the seat once occupied by Ms. Moseley Braun. The Republican who defeated her in 1998, Peter Fitzgerald, did not run for reelection in 2004 against Mr. Obama in strongly Democratic Illinois.

Barack Obama of Illinois was elected to the Senate in 2004. He then went on to even bigger things.

The fourth Black U.S. Senator was Roland Burris (Above) of Illinois.  Mr. Burris was appointed by the Governor of Illinois to replace Barack Obama. His appointment was made under controversial circumstances as Governor Rod Blagojevich made the nomination while under indictment for a range of offenses including trying to sell the Obama Senate seat.

Mr. Burris was the first statewide elected Black in Illinois. He was elected as Comptroller of Illinois in 1979 and served in that post until 1991. In 1990 he was elected Attorney General of Illinois. He has also run unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate, Governor of Illinois, and Mayor of Chicago.

Here is a comprehensive profile of Mr. Burris.

Mr. Burris did not run for reelection in 2010.

The fifth post-Reconstruction Black Senator was Tim Scott (Above) of South Carolina. Mr. Scott was designated in December, 2012 to replace Senator Jim DeMint who resigned his office.

Here is profile of Mr. Scott from the PBS News Hour.

Mr. Scott is the fIrst Black Republican Senator since Ed Brooke. He is expected to run to fill the seat on a permanent basis.

The sixth post-reconstruction Black Senator is Mo Cowan (Above) of Massachusetts.

Mr. Cowan was appointed to the Senate by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to fill the vacancy caused by John Kerry being appointed Secretary of State.

Mr. Cowan is a well-connected attorney who has served as Governor Patrick’s Chief of Staff. Here is a profile of Mr. Cowan from the Boston Globe. 

Mr. Cowan will serve in the Senate until an election takes place on June 25. Mr. Cowan is not a candidate for the June election.

Why only six black senators in post-Reconstruction America?

Here are some reasons for the low number —

1. Jim Crow and racism long denied Black people the right to vote and to run for office.

2. Even given the (not always uncontested) right of Blacks to vote today, a large proportion of Blacks in America live in the South where whites are not always inclined to vote for Blacks. This is how George W. Bush or Mitt Romney easily carries Mississippi even though 30% of people in Mississippi are Black.

3. Many states have very few Black people and so Black candidates are less likely to emerge from these places. Though it must also be said there were not so many Black folks in Massachusetts to help elect Ed Brooke.

4. The overwhelming majority of Blacks are Democrats. As many Senators are Republicans, this limits the options for Black Republican Senators.

5. Since most Blacks are going to vote for Democrats no matter what, Democrats use this fact and do not push Blacks to run for the highest offices. If someone is going to do something for you anyway, why not take advantage of them?

6.  Since many Black office holders have safe majority-minority districts or serve in majority-Black cities, why take a chance on a tough statewide race?

7. Black politicians often have a terrible record of cultivating new people and young people for the tough battles ahead. It’s easy to sit in a safe seat and accumulate power . It is more difficult to help people and fight for people in a more constructive way.

(There have been a full total of seven black U.S. Senators in our history. The other two, from the Reconstruction Era were Hiram Revels a Republican from Mississippi who served in 1870 and 1871, and another Mississippi Republican, Blanche Bruce, who served from 1875 until 1881. Both of these men were appointed by the state legislature as was done for much of American history. Here is information about the 17th Amendment, ratified in 1913, that provided for direct election of Senators.

Taking It Easy—I’m Certain The Obama Second Term Will Be Nothing But Blue Skies And A Day At The Beach

I took it easy yesterday on the day after the election.

I spent the day walking along the beach at Galveston, Texas.

Was I able to do this because in a second Obama term many of us will be able to freeload and do nothing while the “wealth creators” and the “job creators” do all the work?

No.

I was able to take the day to drive to Galveston because I had the day off from work.

The conservative idea out there after this election that people voted for Mr. Obama because they wanted free stuff is just about the dumbest thing I have ever heard.

I guess this is what you get from folks who deny global warming, and who thought until the very end that Mr. Romney would win the election.

On Mr. Obama’s Reelection

The outcome of the election yesterday was hopeful enough.

When I reflect on the liberal leanings of many I know, and when I think about how these are hard-working, tax-paying folks who value longterm friendships and the virtues of honesty and inclusion—I’m mystified at the screaming and anger on the other side.

And I’m mystified by the anger at a moderate center-left President.

This is the 5th time in the last six Presidential elections that Republicans have lost the popular vote. I’m heartened that at the highest level of our politics, that anger, fear and exclusion do not carry the day.

Election Day Is Here—Jill Stein For President—The Work Of Freedom Is Up To Each Of Us

Tomorrow is Election Day in the United States.

(Above–The Bald Eagle is a symbol of our nation.)

I have already voted for Green Party nominee Jill Stein for President of the United States.

I believe that Ms. Stein is the only candidate for President speaking honestly about climate change, our economy that is rigged for the few at the expense of the many, and about the ongoing attacks in our nation against the right to dissent.

Here is the website for Ms. Stein.

If I lived in a contested state I would have voted for President Obama because I believe there are meaningful differences between the two parties.

Here is a list of Green Party candidates in Texas for 2012.

If there is no Democrat on the ballot where there is a Green–or if the Democrat is unlikely to win—please consider the Green and help build a strong voice for the left that will move the Democratic Party just as Libertarians have moved the Republican Party.

It is also possible the day will come that Greens win elections.

An important local election here in Harris County, Texas is for Texas House District 134. I live in this district.

Centrist Ann Johnson offers a hopeful voice against first-term Tea Party extremist Sarah Davis.

Here is the website for Ms. Johnson. 

Texas political blogger Perry Dorrell has compiled two excellent lists on who a liberal or progressive might consider in Harris County and in Texas for 2012.

Here is Perry’s post for federal and statewide offices.  

Here is Perry’s post for Harris County and state legislative races. 

No matter if Mr. Obama or Mr. Romney wins the Presidency tomorrow, big money will still call the shots.

The work of freedom is up to each of us.

Every Texan and every American has the ability to attend a public meeting, attend or organize a protest, write or call an elected official, talk to friends and family, start a blog, donate money, write a letter to the editor, volunteer for candidates and causes, engage in acts of civil disobedience, and to run for public office.

We can also seek to impact society by consistently acting in a way that reflects our best values. Or by working on an artistic or creative effort that expands the range of thought and imagination we have in our society.

It is after the votes are counted that the real work will begin.

Result Of 2nd Obama-Romney Debate Is The Awareness That The Work Of Freedom Is Up To Each Of Us

I can wrap up the results of the 2nd Presidential debate between Governor Romney and President Obama without having seen the debate.

(Above–Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford debate in 1976. Both of these men are long gone from public office. Yet we are each here today and in need of our own efforts and of the efforts of our fellow citizens.) 

I’m posting this on the blog an hour before the 2nd debate begins.

Rather than worrying about if Mr. Obama did well this evening, get active right now for the future you would like to see for our nation.

In the first 2012 Presidential debate President Obama did not take the time he needed to prepare.

Because President Obama lacked respect and care for the millions who support him, a race that seemed a likely Obama win has now become an even money deal.

Governor Romney lies all the time.  

The work of freedom is up to each us.

It is true that circumstance and luck count for a lot.

It is a core of liberal belief  that we should help each other when times are hard  for reasons beyond our control.

It is a core of liberal belief that we should be forgiving and that we must move ahead when somebody screws up.

At the same time—Every Texan and every American has the ability to attend a public meeting, attend or organize a protest, write or call an elected official, talk to friends and family, start a blog, donate money, write a letter to the editor, volunteer for candidates and causes, engage in acts of civil disobedience, and to run for public office.

We can also seek to impact society by consistently acting in a way that reflects our best values. Or by working on an artistic or creative effort that expands the range of thought and imagination we have in our society.

The work of freedom is up to each us.

This fact that the work of freedom is up to each of us is the bottom line of the debate this evening between Governor Romney and President Obama.

I’ve Got Both An Obama Sticker And A Green Party Jill Stein Sticker On My Car

I’ve got both an Obama sticker and a Jill Stein Green Party sticker on my car.

You might say that this could confuse people, but many people seem plenty confused regardless of my actions.

The Obama sticker is there in part to annoy mean-spirited folks.

The Stein sticker gives me some hope that things can really be better.

At core the work of freedom and a good society is up to each of us.

Context, a good society, and dumb luck matters—But the work of freedom and a good society  is up to each of us.

First Debate Goes To Romney—If That Makes You Nervous Then Do Something About It

My schedule did not allow me to watch the debate last night.

I get the clear sense that many folks feel Mr. Obama did poorly.

If it will fortify your spirits, the NY Times 538 blog upped Obama’s chances up to 86% last night despite talk in recent days that the race was tightening.

In this campaign I’ve donated $50 to Green Jill Stein–who I’m voting for in Republican Texas–and $50 to President Obama because there is a difference between him and Mr. Romney. I’ve also given $25 to my Dem. State Rep. candidate Ann Johnson.

I’ve blogged about issues impacting this year’s campaign and many times I’ve said that folks are going to have to get involved themselves and if they want change.

I’m doing what I’m able to do.

If you’re sweating the outcome of the Presidential race, then assess what you can do and take action. The work of freedom is up to each of us and nobody else.

The Big Issues In The 2012 Presidential Debates—Who Am I? Why Am I Here? What Is Reality?

The first debate between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama will be held this evening.

Voters merit discussion of the most important issues.

Above is a short clip of Vice Admiral James Stockdale asking the most essential questions of “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?’ in the 1992 Vice Presidential debate.

Admiral Stockdale—A Vietnam War hero—was the running mate of Ross Perot in 1992.

People made fun of Admiral Stockdale, but I’m not sure what questions are more central to how we should conduct ourselves in life. Admiral Stockdale spent seven years in a Vietnamese prison. For much of that time Admiral Stockdale was in solitary confinement.  I’m certain he had plenty of time to think in his years of confinement.  It is no surprise that a reflective leader such as Admiral Stockdale asked the most relevant questions I’ve ever heard in a politcal debate.

The excellent New Scientist  magazine has a series of articles in a recent edition that discuss the nature of reality. (You have to register with the website to read the articles.)

I think a discussion on the nature of reality would be a fine topic for the debate tonight.

In any case, after you hear the prepared answers to the predictable questions in the debate tonight—Be sure to recall that the work of freedom and creativity and of an open hopeful society is up to each of us.

Your conceptions of the work to be done will surely be informed by your ideas of who you are and what your purpose is in the world.

Everyday people are fully capable of figuring complex stuff for themselves. This is the case even though we so often seem to forget this fact in our often silly and mean-spirited society.

Everything we need to understand the world is around us and is accessible with discipline, imagination and some luck. 

Don’t let prepared answers to predictable questions define what you are going to do with your life.

If we allow our lives to be defined by prepared answers to predictable questions, we will end up cheating ourselves out of our abilities and out of our own understanding of the world.

I Sent $50 To Both Green Presidential Nominee Jill Stein And To The Obama Campaign—We Each Must Choose Our Own Course

Above are Barbara Jordan stamps I bought at the Barbara Jordan Post Office here in Houston.

Here are facts about the great Congresswoman Barbara Jordan of Houston.

The two missing stamps were used to send a $50 donation to the Obama campaign and $50 to the Green Presidential campaign of Jill Stein.

There is a big difference between Obama and Romney and the election is not close to over. Many very good and decent people are working hard to reelect President Obama and they merit support.

I don’t think half the country consists of freeloaders and people who think they are victims.

I’m voting for Stein in Republican Texas because she best represents my views on a fair economy, climate change and the freedom to dissent.

The work of freedom is up to each of us and nobody else.

We each have to figure out our own course. We each have many ways we can make an impact.

Every Texan and every American has the ability to attend a public meeting, attend or organize a protest, write or call an elected official, talk to friends and family, start a blog, donate money, write a letter to the editor, volunteer for candidates and causes, engage in acts of civil disobedience, and to run for public office.

With the race for President in Texas almost certainly decided in favor of Mitt Romney, I ask folks to please consider the Green campaign of Jill Stein.

Ten Observations On Mitt Romney’s Comments On 47% Not Paying Federal Taxes—These Are Many Of His Own Voters He Is Talking About

Mitt Romney believes that nearly half of Americans are moochers on the public dime.

(Above–Mitt Romney. Photo by Gage Skidmore.)

Here is what Mr. Romney said—

” There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that’s an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what…These are people who pay no income tax…[M]y job is is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.”

Here are my observations on Mr. Romney’s comments—

1. If 47% of the electorate was in the tank for President Obama before the election season began, he’d be ahead by a lot more right now since there clearly are also many tax paying people who support the President.

2. People who don’t pay federal taxes are still paying sales taxes and may well be paying property taxes.

3. Since nearly every Black voter in America is voting for President Obama, I guess taking all Black folks as freeloaders fits in with the Republican worldview.

4. As conservative commentator William Kristol points out, many of those who don’t pay federal taxes are people who will most likely vote for Mr. Romney.

5. It is states that are likely to support Mr. Romney where people get the most government money on a per-citizen basis.

6. Many don’t pay federal taxes because of Republican policies over the years.

7. Since he won’t release his tax returns, how can we know that Mr. Romney is paying any taxes?

8. Many hard-working people don’t pay federal taxes because many jobs in this country don’t pay very much money.

9. Many highly profitable corporations–and we all know that corporations are people—don’t pay any income taxes.

10. I don’t know a single person of working age who does not work or, if not working, who is not actively looking for work. Not one such person in my life comes to mind. And few people I know well are voting for Mr. Romney

Going back to point #4, here is what some of what Mr. Kristol wrote about Mr. Romney’s assertions—

“It’s worth recalling that a good chunk of the 47 percent who don’t pay income taxes are Romney supporters—especially of course seniors (who might well “believe they are entitled to heath care,” a position Romney agrees with), as well as many lower-income Americans (including men and women serving in the military) who think conservative policies are better for the country even if they’re not getting a tax cut under the Romney plan. So Romney seems to have contempt not just for the Democrats who oppose him, but for tens of millions who intend to vote for him.” 

Mr. Romney’s views are in many ways an indictment of Republican policies over the years and of millions of people who are likely to vote for him this fall.

His comments are meant to delegitimize Obama voters as lazy people who do not work when just a moment’s thought on the subject would suggest this not to be the case.

Mr. Romney has made it clear who he is and what he thinks of millions of decent Americans.

We are each free to interpret this information as we wish as Election Day approaches.

Joe Biden Knows Just What He Is Doing—I’d Not Bet Much On Paul Ryan Getting The Better Of Him

Above is a picture of Vice President Joe Biden campaigning in Ohio over the past weekend.

(A great resource to learn about the men who have served as Vice President can be found on the U.S. Senate Vice Presidential website.)

While this picture has attracted some national comment, it does not surprise me at all.

There is a popular conception that Vice President is a bumbler of a kind or prone to gaffes that hurt President Obama.

It is so that Mr. Biden sometimes says things that make news in a way that President Obama might regret. At least that may be the case if Mr. Biden’s comment about gay marriage earlier this year was a gaffe at all.

However, it also the case that Mr. Biden is a man who was elected to the U.S. Senate at age of 29 in 1972, and who was selected among all possible contenders to be on the ticket by Barack Obama in 2008.

Mr. Biden overcame the loss of his first wife and his daughter in a 1972 car accident.

I saw Vice President Biden speak at the Hamilton County, Ohio AFL-CIO Labor Day picnic in 2011. Beyond the fact he gave a rousing hard-hitting speech, Mr. Biden also worked the crowd with skill.

He connected with folks and spoke to people as equals. I watched Mr. Biden talk to folks for maybe 20 minutes because he had people skills that were off the charts.

Here is a link to a New York Times story that says supporters of Republican Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan are looking forward to Mr. Ryan getting the better of Mr. Biden when they debate on October 11.

(The Green Vice Presidential nominee is Cheri Honkala.)

Regardless of how you may feel about Mr. Biden or Mr. Ryan, I’d not bet much on the idea that Mr. Ryan will make Mr. Biden look silly or outclass him in some way.

Below are two pictures I took in Cincinnati last year of Mr. Biden talking to people at the Labor Day picnic.

Obama Socialism Sign In Public Space—All You Need Is Some Black Tape

Above is a anti-Obama sign I saw in Cincinnati on my recent trip to that city.

I enjoyed this sign a great deal.

It is on a busy Cincinnati street and I wager a number of motorists will see it is only a pro-Obama sign.

I guess using public space in what is likely an improper fashion is okay with people concerned about socialism taking over the nation.

Why don’t they do the capitalist thing and purchase billboard space?

If you see one of these signs, all you need to do is put some black tape over the socialism part and you will have a fine Obama sign.