Loosely Speaking

By Ciel - About Me - E-mail this page - Add to My Favorites - Add to Blog List - See other blogs in Everything Else

Thursday, November 10, 2016

So, here's a thing... "Faithless Electors"

In most states, it's legal, the rest may exact a fine for doing it, but the fact is, the Electors in the Electoral College can vote as they see fit, regardless of the outcome of the election. It is allowed for in the Constitution, from the beginning, against such a time as this, such an election as this. As it happens, Clinton won the popular vote by nearly 200,000 votes at last count. In my opinion, there are plenty of other reasons to deny the power of the Presidency to one of the least fit... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Last thoughts before the Vote Is In

My son-in-law, the English one, has wondered why so many people seem to so dislike, even hate one of the best-qualified Presidential candidates in history. He is, himself, pretty astute and informed as he works in a global job and has a wider outlook on politics than most. This is what I told him: Hillary Clinton has been playing the game of politics for 30+ years, which is a separate thing from her fighting for women's and children's rights and for social justice. Her enemies have resented her... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Cultural Appropriation

It's a thing these days: people protesting the casual adoption of things of deep significance to certain other cultures, for fashions, for hair styles. But it is right in there with calling a sports team The Red Skins, Indians, Braves, etc. which are just about all based on non-Indian popular misperceptions and prejudices, where the fashion thing is more about simply trivializing. But when you think about it, it's also the transmission of local tradition and culture into a wider setting, much... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Civility vs Barbarism

Civility is the art of diverse peoples living close together, thriving through tolerance and appreciation of difference, comprehension and respect of personal boundaries, basic courtesies that are held in common. Patience, the ability to listen, the ability to expand one's limits and point of view are all qualities of civilization. Barbarity and tribal mindset are the antithesis of civilization. Carrying weaponry is an act of intimidation, of distrust and fear. "My way is the only Right Way" is... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

As long as it's "First Past the Post" elections...

The math means there will always be only two top parties. The way for a third party to have a viable chance is by that party becoming so strong that it unseats the weaker of the two currently at the top. We didn't quite achieve that this time, but the Sanders phenomenon has demonstrated that we could have the numbers, if only the numbers keep our dander up, and strengthen a new Independents Party--by whatever name--hold our own primaries/caucuses, get our own candidate on the debate stage and... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, September 30, 2016

Choices

As a formal resident in Washington State, where there is no income tax, my financial considerations are simpler than here in Colorado where I have actually lived for several years now. Simpler and less demanding. There is a part of me that always seeks my personal advantage, and this part has argued since I came out here that I should maintain legal residence in Washington. There is another part that wants to cast my vote where it will make the most difference, will benefit my causes and... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Politics is essentially an 'evil' game.

Whether we like it or not, good folk that we are, politics is and has always been a game: a dirty, rough, mean, evil game. There have always been the players who love the game, who embrace its inherent ugliness because they must play with the tools and rules of the game, or because they like those things, and relish playing with them. Our error is in confusing our leaders with our parents, a little psychological trap not only easy but even natural to fall into. We want to trust our parents as we... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, September 15, 2016

How to actually communicate with someone you think is dead wrong

http://qz.com/778767/to-tell-someone-theyre-wrong-first-tell-them-how-theyre-right/?utm_source=qzfb The headline glibly calls this a trick, but that doesn't do it justice. This is a rational, effective way to communicate with people who are making decisions without true or sufficient information. Everyone has some pieces of the truth. No one has all the pieces. It isn't about telling someone you see their point of view, it is about actually seeing it, accepting and acknowledging to them that you... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

further thoughts on sitting out the Anthem

Such a fuss! A football player sits out the Anthem, exercising his First Amendment right to express his opinion, and Many People, ironically reactionary to anyone asserting their legal and Constitutional rights, start screaming as if he is eating their babies. He is attacked over the fact that he is himself privileged because of opportunities afforded by living in this country that has paid him enormously to play a game for their entertainment. Therefore, how dare he complain about any aspect of... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, August 29, 2016

Bad Sportsmanship

So, we have this US football star, Colin something, who refused and refuses to stand up during the national anthem. He is protesting particularly the shooting by police of unarmed black men and boys which has become such a dominant and repetitive story in the news of late. Then we have the knee-jerkers using their right of free speech to deny him his right of free speech, telling him to stand or get out of the country. They resent his anger and what they see as his disrespect of the US which has... Sign in to see full entry.

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