My position on the death penalty is unique. I am not opposed to killing convicted felons who do not deny their guilt. But I am firmly against taking the life of any individual who proclaims innocence. I am sure future stories will provide the opportunity for me to delve further into this viewpoint. But, for now, I would like to change the focus of this post to what prompted me to start this thread.
On every news site I have visited this morning, I have found the same thing: a headline proclaiming Anneliese MacPhail's desire to see the execution of Troy Davis take place because of the peace his death will bring her. I think this logic is twisted, and Ms. MacPhail is going to be sorely disappointed. How can the death of another human being be enough to compensate for her son? Mr. Davis's death isn't going to bring her child back. Instead, his death is only going to inflict more suffering on Mr. Davis's family, also innocent bystanders in this nightmare. Instead of peace, I am afraid Ms. MacPhail will be filled with guilt, remorse, and the same seemingly endless emptiness that only forgiveness can alleviate.
Me
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Abortion
I am 100% pro-choice. The purpose of this post isn't to identify the already-well-known arguments people of my persuasion put forth to defend a woman's right to choose. It is to catalog interesting articles I find on the subject. Like this one, from Time.com: The U.K.'s Conservative Government Defends Abortion. This quote in particular caught my eye:
"Why isn't abortion more of an issue in a country that is 40% Catholic? Diane Abbott, the Shadow Health Minister explained to cheers: “The absence of a Fox News pumping out social propaganda 24 hours a day and British common sense.”
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Say No to Unions
The United States Postal Service may stop delivering mail by the end of this year. If it cannot find a way to balance its bursting budget, employees will not be paid, and fuel tanks on delivery trucks will not get filled.
The reasons why USPS is in so much trouble are twofold. The first culprit is the ridiculous requirements of the postal workers union's contract, which prevents cutting labor regardless of the financial consequences. To comprehend how devastating to a business this can be, one must only look at the following comparison:
"Labor represents 80 percent of the agency’s expenses, compared with 53 percent at United Parcel Service and 32 percent at FedEx, its two biggest private competitors."
This calculation is startling. Especially given the reality of the internet age. More transactions are occurring online everyday. In fact, postal deliveries are down 22% over the past 5 years, and are projected to continue declining.
Given these statistics, any semi-intelligent business person would recommend cutting labor costs. But, because of the postal workers union's "no lay-offs" clause, it is impossible to rectify the situation. What irritates me the most about this scenario is that the people in these unions would rather see their entire enterprise fail, then any of their coworkers laid off. Do they not get that if the post offices all close, everyone will be jobless?
Archaic laws limiting the ability of the post master general to implement cost controls is also partly to blame. Without the ability to raise stamp prices, alter delivery schedules, or add other services to the failing offices, his or her hands are tied. It would take an act of Congress to change the law, and we all know how likely that is in this divided political climate.
(Source of stats: NYT: Postal Service on Verge of going broke, shutting down, by Steven Greenhouse, 9/5/2011)
___
The situation at USPS reminds me of the drama that unfolded in Wisconsin recently. Teachers went to bat for the benefits promised in their ancient contracts, without taking into account today's dire economic reality. Private sector employers cut the kind of benefits promised to many union members over a decade ago. By refusing to cooperate, and modify clauses that would hurt everyone a little, union members are making choices that have the potential to hurt everyone a lot.
The reasons why USPS is in so much trouble are twofold. The first culprit is the ridiculous requirements of the postal workers union's contract, which prevents cutting labor regardless of the financial consequences. To comprehend how devastating to a business this can be, one must only look at the following comparison:
"Labor represents 80 percent of the agency’s expenses, compared with 53 percent at United Parcel Service and 32 percent at FedEx, its two biggest private competitors."
This calculation is startling. Especially given the reality of the internet age. More transactions are occurring online everyday. In fact, postal deliveries are down 22% over the past 5 years, and are projected to continue declining.
Given these statistics, any semi-intelligent business person would recommend cutting labor costs. But, because of the postal workers union's "no lay-offs" clause, it is impossible to rectify the situation. What irritates me the most about this scenario is that the people in these unions would rather see their entire enterprise fail, then any of their coworkers laid off. Do they not get that if the post offices all close, everyone will be jobless?
Archaic laws limiting the ability of the post master general to implement cost controls is also partly to blame. Without the ability to raise stamp prices, alter delivery schedules, or add other services to the failing offices, his or her hands are tied. It would take an act of Congress to change the law, and we all know how likely that is in this divided political climate.
(Source of stats: NYT: Postal Service on Verge of going broke, shutting down, by Steven Greenhouse, 9/5/2011)
___
The situation at USPS reminds me of the drama that unfolded in Wisconsin recently. Teachers went to bat for the benefits promised in their ancient contracts, without taking into account today's dire economic reality. Private sector employers cut the kind of benefits promised to many union members over a decade ago. By refusing to cooperate, and modify clauses that would hurt everyone a little, union members are making choices that have the potential to hurt everyone a lot.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Watch what you Tweet!
Having just read the story of a man accused of terrorism for tweeting misinformation about a school shootings in Mexico, I must say my mind is reeling. Though I believe the charge is far too trumped up, I also believe he should be held accountable for spreading mass panic. Regardless of whether he initiated the rumors or simply spread them, he did so without any first hand knowledge of the events. Furthermore, he didn't even bother to clarify his suspicions by simply turning on the television or radio.
I do not think jail time is warranted. Calling him a terrorist only serves to nullify the horribleness associated with the term. And I do not think Mr. Vera acted alone. I believe he was simply one of many spreading the lie that resulted in 26 car crashes.
The right punishment should involve a modest fine, and possibly a permanent label on Twitter revealing Mr. Vera's, and his fellow accomplices, willingness to propagate false information. Maybe a "Cry Wolf" or "Sky is Falling" icon.
In the end, as viewers of the internet's vast stores of information, it is up to us as consumers to always remember to take everything we read with a grain of salt.
I do not think jail time is warranted. Calling him a terrorist only serves to nullify the horribleness associated with the term. And I do not think Mr. Vera acted alone. I believe he was simply one of many spreading the lie that resulted in 26 car crashes.
The right punishment should involve a modest fine, and possibly a permanent label on Twitter revealing Mr. Vera's, and his fellow accomplices, willingness to propagate false information. Maybe a "Cry Wolf" or "Sky is Falling" icon.
In the end, as viewers of the internet's vast stores of information, it is up to us as consumers to always remember to take everything we read with a grain of salt.
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