Politics

Politics, political discourse, rights and freedoms.

We interrupt this program

November 3, 2008

Truth be told there has been less program and more interruption happening here of late. I'd make a statement about that changing soon but the next couple of months are looking to be a little on the crazy side. In the meantime take a look at this video. Likely I'm not alone in musing that there are some folks who I wouldn't mind having them stay home on election day. The truth is, however, the system only works when we all vote. Sure the robo-callers and excessive punditry will be great to put behind us (and hey not everybody has a Nevada cell phone number mind you).

My question for the candidates

November 15, 2007

Doing some live blogging from the Watch Party for the Democratic Presidential Debate has me thinking about what question I would ask if I were in the audience in the debate hall. In the vein of actions speak louder than words I would ask this: Global warming is the greatest challenge facing our planet. Leadership is important in changing energy policy. More important is what the billions of people on the planet do in their daily lives. What are you doing personally and what is your campaign doing to reduce your impact on the planet.

Live blogging from the Democratic Presidential Debate Watch Party from UNLV

November 15, 2007

Doing a little live blogging from the Democratic Presidential Debate at UNLV tonight. Senator Biden is clearly coming out as the winner in the first half of the debate. Senator Clinton said at the opening of the debate that she was wearing an asbestos pant suit. That pant suit certainly got a workout in early sparing with Senator Edwards. Senator Biden was way ahead with charm and down to earth answers and staying on point about how we take the country and world forward instead of political sparing.

Effective communications with Congress (and others)

July 20, 2007

I've recently been doing some letter writing. Though I'm still far behind on my emails and correspondence with friends there are some issues that require the attention of our elected officials and government agencies. As a part of this process looking at how to be most effective has been important. Fortunately the Congressional Management Foundation has done research on this very topic and can help show us how to make letters more effective.

A few points jump out immediately:

  • Personalized letters have more impact than form letters
  • Shorter is better
  • Grassroots groups can gain from understanding the process

None of these should be barriers. It is far better to write a long windy letter than none at all. While understanding the process and getting the timing right is great perfect timing doesn't do anything if the message isn't delivered.

Keep 'em in the dark and feed 'em....

July 20, 2007

Launce Rake tried to get an estimate from the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) what they now estimate the water grab is going to cost. He points out that however many billions of tax dollars are going down this hole, er pipeline, it is certainly more than the 20-year-old $2 billion figure that is oft tossed about.

The SNWA plan seems to mirror the decades-old plan for the downwinders. The plan then suggested that if the government didn't collect data it couldn't ever be sued to release data under sunshine laws. Apparently SNWA would like us to believe the same of the water grab plans. A staff person for SNWA told Rake that they hope to have a number soon that they can share with the public.

Understanding that the number is a moving target that changes with time is easy. It is harder to understand why SNWA doesn't have a figure. Unlike the downwinder situation SNWA is dependent upon state and local funding for their project. The nominal blank-check of the defense industry is tucked away and not out on the table as it was for nuclear testing during the cold war. So the situation is either that SNWA's mis-management of this project is so great that they don't have a number or that they don't want to share it for fear it will awaken citizens of Nevada to what is going on here.

Getting Bush Out

January 17, 2007

The last few days make it clear that the United States has a president bent on his way. It does not matter how many better plans are laid out, how many brilliant people offer suggestions the power of the presidency has gone to his head. Dave Winer has a suggestion about how to get the president to go. There is really just one major problem with the idea.

Chancellor's resignation leaves gaps in Nevada higher education

January 14, 2007

James Rogers, Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education, resigned on Sunday. The resignation leaves the system of higher education looking for leadership at a time when leadership is critical for the system. The system's institutions and the system itself are in need of strong leadership. Rogers, never one to shy from controversy, has a reputation of saying what he believes needs to be said. The owner of several television stations was known to send firey memos to the media at the same time he sent them to the regents. One such memo recently asked why we continue to have college football at schools when nobody shows up.

Rogers memo says 'i quit'

Long story short it is a bad day for education in Nevada. Now we're left with quarreling regents and a Governor looking for water under the road.

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