I must strongly protest Maureen Dowd's advice to the President (Visceral Has Its Value, New York Times Week in Review, November 22, 2009: 11). The suggests that the President tell his general(s) "Your pie holes you will shut, or rise higher you will not."
That, essentially was what President Bush told the top echelons of the military when General Shinseki was sidelined when he spoke the truth about the number of boots on the ground needed to pacify Iraq.
We need Generals, Administrators, and lawyers who will speak truth to power. Without them, as was very much the case during the Bush Presidency, we are lost.
Democracies thrive on informed debate.
Sent to New York Times
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Adding insult to infamy
It is absurd that the families of those killed in the Beirut bombings of 1983 are still waiting for restitution.
There is a simple remedy. If the US government wishes to avoid upsetting delicate negotiations between itself and a foreign government, then it should pay the costs incurred by that government through judicial decisions.
It is unconscionable that this cost is being born by the families who lost loved ones 26 years ago.
There is a simple remedy. If the US government wishes to avoid upsetting delicate negotiations between itself and a foreign government, then it should pay the costs incurred by that government through judicial decisions.
It is unconscionable that this cost is being born by the families who lost loved ones 26 years ago.
Finance: Softer Approach, NYT 11.13.2009: B2
Mr Feineberg seems to be living in the same dream world as Wall Street Executives (Finance: Softer Approach, New York Times, November 13, 2009: B2).
He is arguing that pay cuts would make it difficult for Wall Street firms to retain talent. He seems unaware that there is an enormous pool of talent in the job market with similar skills, alumni of Bear Stearns and Lehman, who would be delighted to fill the shoes of any executive foolish enough to depart his or her current job.
We, as shareholders and owners of these companies, must keep up the pressure against excessive compensation.
Sent to New York Times
He is arguing that pay cuts would make it difficult for Wall Street firms to retain talent. He seems unaware that there is an enormous pool of talent in the job market with similar skills, alumni of Bear Stearns and Lehman, who would be delighted to fill the shoes of any executive foolish enough to depart his or her current job.
We, as shareholders and owners of these companies, must keep up the pressure against excessive compensation.
Sent to New York Times
Job Market in Finance
Mr Fineman seems to be living in the same dream world as Wall Street Executives (Finance: Softer Aproach, New York Times, November 13, 2009: B2).
He is arguing that pay cuts would make it difficult for Wall Street firms to retain talent. He seems unaware that there is an enormous pool of talent in the job market with similar skills, alumni of Bear Stearns and Lehman, who would be delighted to fill the shoes of any executive foolish enough to depart his or her current job.
We, as shareholders and owners of these companies, must keep up the pressure against excessive compensation.
Sent to New York Times
He is arguing that pay cuts would make it difficult for Wall Street firms to retain talent. He seems unaware that there is an enormous pool of talent in the job market with similar skills, alumni of Bear Stearns and Lehman, who would be delighted to fill the shoes of any executive foolish enough to depart his or her current job.
We, as shareholders and owners of these companies, must keep up the pressure against excessive compensation.
Sent to New York Times
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Obama Meets his Anzio
Paul Krugman (New York Times, Oct. 6, 2009) claims that progressives have lost faith in the President because of his soft treatment of Wall Street.
Alas, the betrayal is much more profound and includes his endorsement of the outrageous States Secrets privilege, the failure to bring the innocent Uighurs to the United States as refugees, and his failure to prosecute those responsible for the torture memorandums.
He might not have succeeded, but at least he could have fought for each of these.
Sent to New York Times
Alas, the betrayal is much more profound and includes his endorsement of the outrageous States Secrets privilege, the failure to bring the innocent Uighurs to the United States as refugees, and his failure to prosecute those responsible for the torture memorandums.
He might not have succeeded, but at least he could have fought for each of these.
Sent to New York Times
The Fleet is in
It seems that the Times is in the business of exploiting labor.
In the advertisement, The Fleet Is In (November 5, 2009: C1), the New York Times store boasts that each of the hand made ship models featured takes more than 100 hours to craft.
The average price of these models is about $540 which means that if all the money went to the craftsmen, they would be making under $6.00 per hour. But, if, as I was once taught, "Materials is half your business," then they are receiving under $3.00 an hour and this still leaves nothing for shipping or profit.
The Times is always extolling fair trade; does it (or the New York Times Store) practice it?
Sent to the New York Times
In the advertisement, The Fleet Is In (November 5, 2009: C1), the New York Times store boasts that each of the hand made ship models featured takes more than 100 hours to craft.
The average price of these models is about $540 which means that if all the money went to the craftsmen, they would be making under $6.00 per hour. But, if, as I was once taught, "Materials is half your business," then they are receiving under $3.00 an hour and this still leaves nothing for shipping or profit.
The Times is always extolling fair trade; does it (or the New York Times Store) practice it?
Sent to the New York Times
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