It’s been repeated over and over, and by several well-known liberals--inaction is not an option.
When the healthcare bill passed the House on Saturday, I was excited; at last, I thought, finally, these Democrats managed to pass something, and the healthcare bill, no less. Now, I’ve seen the original bill and I agree wholeheartedly with it, but since I last read it, it’s been abused, and abused, and so badly changed, that I no longer know what it is.
Let me specify, I, for the most part, agree with the current healthcare bill, but I do disagree with this arrogant belief that we should allow some very important reforms go away in the name of the public option. I know that the provision in this bill that say’s insurance companies will no longer be allowed to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions, could help a lot of families. And removing the health insurance industry’s exemption from anti-trust laws would help to bring prices down. Along with several other really important reforms.
But for some in the senate as well as the house, the public option is a do or die provision. And this is true for both sides. For Lieberman, that clear attempt at maintaining the healthcare revenue stream that flows so well from his home state insurers is of the utmost importance, and as such, he is poised to insure it remains that way. And he has a great deal of power right now; with a single deviation on a procedural vote, he can bring this reform to a complete stop, all because of the public option. So, what we can have is nothing, and the insurance industry keeps on abusing customers.
Now, if we dump the public option, Lieberman has no real reason to complain, and any complaints will be clear cut greed.. Not that his objection to the public option can’t be supposed greed, but at least it is defendable, and with the nation so evenly split, it is defendable. But, none of the other major provisions can be deemed overly controversial; I would love to see him defend the insurance industries exemption from the anti-trust laws, or see him defend pre-existing conditions.
Now, if we do dump the public option, it would behoove us to also remove the mandate, not the employer mandate, but the personal mandate. I can understand the frustration, people run to the emergency room because of a lack preventative healthcare, and we the tax payers are forced to subsidize, but mandating that we get insurance is at best laughable. Perhaps a better solution would be enforcing hospital pay the same way we mandate federal loan repayment, by force.
Now, the republicans have been touting this portable insurance idea, allowing all insurance companies to cross state lines, and I agree, but only if we agree on a federal standard that must be met, and allow states to keep whatever standards they have, which any insurer doing business in that state must abide by.
This is hardly a cure-all, but at least it gets us moving in the right direction, and until we get a more liberal senate, it’s as good as it gets. And at the very least, it’s action.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Ghetto WordSmiths-Hip-Hop as Modern Poetry
Poetry is defined by the Merriam Webster dictionary as being “A metrical writing…that is arranged to create a specific emotional response.” Unsatisfying as it may be, that is roughly what all dictionaries agree upon as a definition. I would prefer Mark Flanagan’s definition, that Poetry defies definition. He likens defining poetry to “grasping at the wind.” Although his definition is a lack of definition, it seems surprisingly fit to its task. Robert Frost wrote in his notebooks that “a poem is an idea caught fresh in the act of dawning.” and that “poetry is the renewal of words.” Perhaps the New Englander’s loose definition is a bit too abstract, but then so is Poetry.
Following suit, Hip-Hop, or rap, is equally definable. Merriam Webster defines Hip-Hop as “a subculture especially of inner city youths who are devotees of Rap music.” And then rap music is defined as “a rhythmic chanting often in unison of usually rhymed couplets to a musical accompaniment.” What a sexy way to describe a social movement, perhaps Merriam Webster would claim Dorian Gray was a little too into his looks, or that Gregor Samsa had a bad hair day.
To a degree, some words redefine themselves over time, so the fault cannot lay in Merriam‘s hands entirely. The definition of these words grow like vines, increasing their reach, and blending into other vines in odd Gordian knots. Rap, and Poetry have grown like vines, and to an extent, are no longer truly indistinguishable from one another. We can see where they both started, but which stem belongs to which vine?
Like any proper craft, Poetry has its tools. Aside from the obvious knowledge of words, other tools in the poets tool box are metaphors, analogies, similes, as well as the ability to apply them. The range these simple tools provide though is staggering. Poetry itself has grown with the age of the poets who compose it. From Homer to Dante, from Hugo to Poe, Frost to Hughes, Angelou to…well, I suppose Nas and Necro now, Poetry is constantly evolving.
Opponents of Rap music will lay claim that because of the vulgar language often employed, and the way rappers use slang terminology in their lyrics, that rap can not be considered poetry. I oppose this view. In my opinion, Poetic Rap is a reflection of society, and in some cases it raises the consciousness of its fans. Oscar Wilde, in the manifesto to Dorian Gray wrote that the realism movement in literature created the “Rage of Caliban at seeing his own image in the mirror.” Or, simply put, society hates to view itself in a negative light. Rap suffers from this view, and the Poets who create it suffer a lack of artistic respect.
Several rappers could serve as examples of the poetic nature in rap, but Nas has gained the most respect in terms of accolades, so I will use him. One song in particular serves to showcase his wide range of topics. In “Last words” he takes on the persona of a prison cell. He starts off by telling you that he’s a prison cell, then he explains that he is alive, giving the eerie warning that “Convicts think they alone/but if they listen close/They can hear me groan/touch the wall feel my pulse”. In the dark nights, when you think that nobody is listening, he can hear you crying. He taunts you by making it hotter in the summer, and colder in the winter. He hides your weapons for you. He watches you sleeping, and he makes you dream of freedom, but when you wake up, you wake up to him. He warns you that he can turn the toughest man into a beast, and should you ever be freed, he will go with you wherever you go as a constant reminder to live legally.
In this one song, he personifies a prison cell, warns of the hell a prison can inflict, and serves as a warning to live the legal life. All of this captured in eight bars, or to put it in poetic terms, about five stanzas of pentameter.
To capture that much emotion, and reflect it efficiently in a matter of a few stanzas showcases his ability as true wordsmith. To deny him the right to be called a Poet is simply injustice.
Works Cited available upon request
Following suit, Hip-Hop, or rap, is equally definable. Merriam Webster defines Hip-Hop as “a subculture especially of inner city youths who are devotees of Rap music.” And then rap music is defined as “a rhythmic chanting often in unison of usually rhymed couplets to a musical accompaniment.” What a sexy way to describe a social movement, perhaps Merriam Webster would claim Dorian Gray was a little too into his looks, or that Gregor Samsa had a bad hair day.
To a degree, some words redefine themselves over time, so the fault cannot lay in Merriam‘s hands entirely. The definition of these words grow like vines, increasing their reach, and blending into other vines in odd Gordian knots. Rap, and Poetry have grown like vines, and to an extent, are no longer truly indistinguishable from one another. We can see where they both started, but which stem belongs to which vine?
Like any proper craft, Poetry has its tools. Aside from the obvious knowledge of words, other tools in the poets tool box are metaphors, analogies, similes, as well as the ability to apply them. The range these simple tools provide though is staggering. Poetry itself has grown with the age of the poets who compose it. From Homer to Dante, from Hugo to Poe, Frost to Hughes, Angelou to…well, I suppose Nas and Necro now, Poetry is constantly evolving.
Opponents of Rap music will lay claim that because of the vulgar language often employed, and the way rappers use slang terminology in their lyrics, that rap can not be considered poetry. I oppose this view. In my opinion, Poetic Rap is a reflection of society, and in some cases it raises the consciousness of its fans. Oscar Wilde, in the manifesto to Dorian Gray wrote that the realism movement in literature created the “Rage of Caliban at seeing his own image in the mirror.” Or, simply put, society hates to view itself in a negative light. Rap suffers from this view, and the Poets who create it suffer a lack of artistic respect.
Several rappers could serve as examples of the poetic nature in rap, but Nas has gained the most respect in terms of accolades, so I will use him. One song in particular serves to showcase his wide range of topics. In “Last words” he takes on the persona of a prison cell. He starts off by telling you that he’s a prison cell, then he explains that he is alive, giving the eerie warning that “Convicts think they alone/but if they listen close/They can hear me groan/touch the wall feel my pulse”. In the dark nights, when you think that nobody is listening, he can hear you crying. He taunts you by making it hotter in the summer, and colder in the winter. He hides your weapons for you. He watches you sleeping, and he makes you dream of freedom, but when you wake up, you wake up to him. He warns you that he can turn the toughest man into a beast, and should you ever be freed, he will go with you wherever you go as a constant reminder to live legally.
In this one song, he personifies a prison cell, warns of the hell a prison can inflict, and serves as a warning to live the legal life. All of this captured in eight bars, or to put it in poetic terms, about five stanzas of pentameter.
To capture that much emotion, and reflect it efficiently in a matter of a few stanzas showcases his ability as true wordsmith. To deny him the right to be called a Poet is simply injustice.
Works Cited available upon request
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, Bloody Tuesday
The belief in the political world right now is that yesterdays elections were some sort of teaser of the 2010 election cycle, as well as 2012’s. This is a dangerous perceptive primarily because these elections--an off-year--typically have a low voter turnout. That, in itself, should lessen the actual results impact on the national scale, but thanks to a sharp divide across this nation, democrats and republicans are willing to take the slightest win(such as minor house shifts, and somewhat benign Gubernatorial races) as a sign that a part of the “other” side is weakening. The arbitrary signs become beacons to energize the base voters for each party, and the end result is a further divide. But to that end, I would have to browbeat, and I’m not in the mood; what I will do is look over the numbers and see if we extract a little more then divisible rhetoric.
One “major” race was the Governors race in New Jersey-typically seen as a Democrat stronghold, where the Democratic incumbent, Jon Corzine lost by a fairly large margin. Republican Chris Christie will now have “-elect” attached to his name. The final numbers in the race are 50% for Christie, 44% for Corzine. Now this matched up with exit polling, as well as polling results just prior to the vote, but it should be noted that this might not be a sign for Obama, it could very well be that Corzine was the face in power when the financial crisis struck, and unemployment began to rise. This was simply a vote on whether or not the people of Jersey thought Corzine was doing good--in fact, NBC polling shows that 60% of the voters in New Jersey said that the President played no role in their vote.
Over in Virginia, a typically Republican stronghold, but which Obama managed to win last November--results were expected, but still a bit shocking. The final tally was 59% for Bob McDonnell, making him the first Republican to hold that seat since 1997. McDonnell defeated Democrat Creigh Deeds, who only took home a mere 41%
Now in true Republican fashion, Michael Steele-Republican National Committee chairman-quickly took to the Virginia election results, and added his own twist, saying in a statement that, “The Republican Party’s overwhelming victory in Virginia is a blow to President Obama and the Democrat Party…It sends a clear signal that voters have had enough of the president’s liberal agenda.” Now, that this is strictly opinion, and baseless--roughly 58% of voters in Virginia exit polls said that the president played no role in their decision--only 2% less then voters in New Jersey--seems lost on Republicans grasping at straws.
But it does energize the Republican base. Oddly enough, the Republican party, which is currently dying--only 20% identify themselves as republicans according to Washington post poll--it can’t be denied that that twenty percent is really quite loud.
Now, how much does the Mayors office cost in New York? Well, if the reports are correct, just over one hundred million dollars. That much money though should have given the incumbent Mayor Bloomberg a large margin, but he won with only 51% Sadly, for the Republicans at least, the incumbent is technically an Independent.
Now for some even sadder news, over in Maine, the belief in equal rights and equal protection under the law, has been defeated. This is terrible since New England has for a longtime been considered the most progressive region in the U.S.. Unfortunately, and for obvious reason, gay marriage is consistently defeated when placed to a popular vote, but this is a civil right, which should not be up for a popular vote. I’ve got an idea, put to a popular vote the no bid contracts with Blackwater, Halliburton, and all the other psychopathic private pseudo-military contractors. If we can vote on a civil right, we can vote on defense spending, right? Let’s just hope that the Supreme Court can overturn this idiotic proposition.
As it stands, another somewhat important election(to the 23rd congressional district at least) was decided just after midnight when Doug Hoffman, the independent by virtue of republican leaders having ignored him, conceded the election to Democrat Bill Owens. The Republican candidate, Deirdre Scozzafava, had pulled out from the race over the weekend, but still managed to steal 6% of the votes. At last count, it was 49% to 45%.
Essentially, liberals had a bad day, even the 23rd’s congressional district win will be short lived--the district will be lost in redistricting after the 2010 census--which makes this off-year election a bloody loss for those who believe this to be a referendum on President Obama. I just hope this energizes the left, I know it mobilized, and reinvigorated the right.
One “major” race was the Governors race in New Jersey-typically seen as a Democrat stronghold, where the Democratic incumbent, Jon Corzine lost by a fairly large margin. Republican Chris Christie will now have “-elect” attached to his name. The final numbers in the race are 50% for Christie, 44% for Corzine. Now this matched up with exit polling, as well as polling results just prior to the vote, but it should be noted that this might not be a sign for Obama, it could very well be that Corzine was the face in power when the financial crisis struck, and unemployment began to rise. This was simply a vote on whether or not the people of Jersey thought Corzine was doing good--in fact, NBC polling shows that 60% of the voters in New Jersey said that the President played no role in their vote.
Over in Virginia, a typically Republican stronghold, but which Obama managed to win last November--results were expected, but still a bit shocking. The final tally was 59% for Bob McDonnell, making him the first Republican to hold that seat since 1997. McDonnell defeated Democrat Creigh Deeds, who only took home a mere 41%
Now in true Republican fashion, Michael Steele-Republican National Committee chairman-quickly took to the Virginia election results, and added his own twist, saying in a statement that, “The Republican Party’s overwhelming victory in Virginia is a blow to President Obama and the Democrat Party…It sends a clear signal that voters have had enough of the president’s liberal agenda.” Now, that this is strictly opinion, and baseless--roughly 58% of voters in Virginia exit polls said that the president played no role in their decision--only 2% less then voters in New Jersey--seems lost on Republicans grasping at straws.
But it does energize the Republican base. Oddly enough, the Republican party, which is currently dying--only 20% identify themselves as republicans according to Washington post poll--it can’t be denied that that twenty percent is really quite loud.
Now, how much does the Mayors office cost in New York? Well, if the reports are correct, just over one hundred million dollars. That much money though should have given the incumbent Mayor Bloomberg a large margin, but he won with only 51% Sadly, for the Republicans at least, the incumbent is technically an Independent.
Now for some even sadder news, over in Maine, the belief in equal rights and equal protection under the law, has been defeated. This is terrible since New England has for a longtime been considered the most progressive region in the U.S.. Unfortunately, and for obvious reason, gay marriage is consistently defeated when placed to a popular vote, but this is a civil right, which should not be up for a popular vote. I’ve got an idea, put to a popular vote the no bid contracts with Blackwater, Halliburton, and all the other psychopathic private pseudo-military contractors. If we can vote on a civil right, we can vote on defense spending, right? Let’s just hope that the Supreme Court can overturn this idiotic proposition.
As it stands, another somewhat important election(to the 23rd congressional district at least) was decided just after midnight when Doug Hoffman, the independent by virtue of republican leaders having ignored him, conceded the election to Democrat Bill Owens. The Republican candidate, Deirdre Scozzafava, had pulled out from the race over the weekend, but still managed to steal 6% of the votes. At last count, it was 49% to 45%.
Essentially, liberals had a bad day, even the 23rd’s congressional district win will be short lived--the district will be lost in redistricting after the 2010 census--which makes this off-year election a bloody loss for those who believe this to be a referendum on President Obama. I just hope this energizes the left, I know it mobilized, and reinvigorated the right.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Washington's Gay Marriage Debate
"Marriage is in a precarious position," says [Harry] Jackson, a leader of the opposition. "What we are facing is the possible extinction of an institution we all love. To redefine it may mean to destroy it."
Quoted from USA Today “D.C. latest marriage battlefield” by Marisol Bello
I would love to hear Darwin’s opinion on this matter; that if an animal is unable to adapt, does it deserve to become extinct? I should leave Darwin out of this, he leaves a bad taste in the mouth of most right-wingers, but he had a point; survival depends on ones ability to adapt.
Let me stop myself before this becomes a rant on the fundamental differences between the left and the right, and just make an argument that we can all appreciate, Gay Marriage must be legalized in order to maintain equality in law for all Americans. By our founders words, we have no choice;
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Quoted from the “Declaration of Independence”
There it is, we(mankind) are equal, and we have the right to “the pursuit of happiness”. Now, that should be enough, but it’s not, so I will clarify it.
Marriage was originally a religious matter, that the government stepped in and granted certain privileges to married couples changed that into a state matter and, by default, a matter that requires equality in its execution. That’s my argument, but what are my suggestions?
Well, we have two options; one, legalize gay marriage across the board or, two, get out of marriage and remove all benefits from it. Option two saves the right’s treasured institution, and option one saves our confidence in the government. You guys can choose one, I could careless, I’m never getting married anyway; for me, it’s simply a matter of what’s right.
Quoted from USA Today “D.C. latest marriage battlefield” by Marisol Bello
I would love to hear Darwin’s opinion on this matter; that if an animal is unable to adapt, does it deserve to become extinct? I should leave Darwin out of this, he leaves a bad taste in the mouth of most right-wingers, but he had a point; survival depends on ones ability to adapt.
Let me stop myself before this becomes a rant on the fundamental differences between the left and the right, and just make an argument that we can all appreciate, Gay Marriage must be legalized in order to maintain equality in law for all Americans. By our founders words, we have no choice;
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Quoted from the “Declaration of Independence”
There it is, we(mankind) are equal, and we have the right to “the pursuit of happiness”. Now, that should be enough, but it’s not, so I will clarify it.
Marriage was originally a religious matter, that the government stepped in and granted certain privileges to married couples changed that into a state matter and, by default, a matter that requires equality in its execution. That’s my argument, but what are my suggestions?
Well, we have two options; one, legalize gay marriage across the board or, two, get out of marriage and remove all benefits from it. Option two saves the right’s treasured institution, and option one saves our confidence in the government. You guys can choose one, I could careless, I’m never getting married anyway; for me, it’s simply a matter of what’s right.
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