The New York Times > Week in Review > Fear Factor: In an Age of Terror, Safety Is Relative:
Continue profiling people and doing random checks. Profiling works as a legitimate tool of law enforcement. Keep doing it, security people.
"Maybe there's a way to avoid subway passenger screening. Starting in July, Boston transit police will hand-search the packages of travelers on the storied T subway system. Riders will continue to board unscreened. Officers, some with explosives-sniffing dogs, will wander through cars and demand that passengers open packages, briefcases or backpacks. Already there is an excruciating legal dispute about whether the officers should be scanning for those who fit terrorist profiles, or making random searches: that is, ordering grandma to show what's in her purse while ignoring the Middle Eastern-looking young man with the backpack."
June 27, 2004
The New York Times > Opinion > Op-Ed Columnist: Timeout for Imagination
The New York Times > Opinion > Op-Ed Columnist: Timeout for Imagination:
Thomas has climbed into his ivory tower and his wishful thinking is truly wonderful. The war on terrorism must be pursued and won at all costs. Our freedom is at stake and these people must be eliminated. Of course we want America to be the bastion of hope and not a fortress, but the fight has been brought to us and we must take it to them fiercely and without compromise. Anything else is wishful thinking.
However, I will read the new book, Tom. I do value your insights, thinking and access to people around the world.
"Bush Administration Calls an End to the 'War on Terrorism.' No, I haven't taken leave of my senses on the way out the door. I realize that we have enemies and they need to be confronted. But I do not want this to be all that America is about in the world anymore, and that is what has happened under this administration. I don't want the rest of my career to be about an America that exports fear, not hope, and ends up importing everyone else's fears as a result. I don't want it to be about explaining to young Chinese why my government can't give them student visas anymore. I don't want it to be about visiting U.S. Embassies around the world and finding them so isolated behind barbed wire, they might as well not be there at all. Defeating 'them' has begun to define 'us' in too many ways.
America is so much more than just 'Anti-Al-Qaeda Inc.' � but our whole identity in the world, and too many aspects of our way of life, are getting contorted around that mission. If we're really having a relevant presidential campaign, I'll come back and find the candidates debating, not who is the 'toughest' guy � the jungle is full of them � but who can be the toughest guy while preserving the best of what we had and the best of who we are. "
Thomas has climbed into his ivory tower and his wishful thinking is truly wonderful. The war on terrorism must be pursued and won at all costs. Our freedom is at stake and these people must be eliminated. Of course we want America to be the bastion of hope and not a fortress, but the fight has been brought to us and we must take it to them fiercely and without compromise. Anything else is wishful thinking.
However, I will read the new book, Tom. I do value your insights, thinking and access to people around the world.
"Bush Administration Calls an End to the 'War on Terrorism.' No, I haven't taken leave of my senses on the way out the door. I realize that we have enemies and they need to be confronted. But I do not want this to be all that America is about in the world anymore, and that is what has happened under this administration. I don't want the rest of my career to be about an America that exports fear, not hope, and ends up importing everyone else's fears as a result. I don't want it to be about explaining to young Chinese why my government can't give them student visas anymore. I don't want it to be about visiting U.S. Embassies around the world and finding them so isolated behind barbed wire, they might as well not be there at all. Defeating 'them' has begun to define 'us' in too many ways.
America is so much more than just 'Anti-Al-Qaeda Inc.' � but our whole identity in the world, and too many aspects of our way of life, are getting contorted around that mission. If we're really having a relevant presidential campaign, I'll come back and find the candidates debating, not who is the 'toughest' guy � the jungle is full of them � but who can be the toughest guy while preserving the best of what we had and the best of who we are. "
The New York Times > International > Middle East > Aides Say Memo Backed Coercion for Qaeda Cases
Please define the rule of law pertaining to terrorists who crash planes into buildings to kill as many people as possible. And how does it apply to those who take innocent hostages and behead them in the name of Allah and their belief in their cause? The rule of law in a free society was crafted to deal with criminals not terrorists. There is a BIG difference.
Most of the media, especially the NYTImes, seems intent on shining as much light as possible on the misdeeds of our leaders in fighting terror. The role of the media is to inform us about what our nation's leaders do, but we must decide if the actions are proper in relation to the threats againstt us.
I believe we should use all feasible tactics to get information from terrorist leaders. Of course there's a risk that our intelligence and military will abuse that power in other circumstances, so we must be watchful for that.
Most of the media, especially the NYTImes, seems intent on shining as much light as possible on the misdeeds of our leaders in fighting terror. The role of the media is to inform us about what our nation's leaders do, but we must decide if the actions are proper in relation to the threats againstt us.
I believe we should use all feasible tactics to get information from terrorist leaders. Of course there's a risk that our intelligence and military will abuse that power in other circumstances, so we must be watchful for that.
June 26, 2004
The New York Times > Business > Snow Denies Any Pressure Over United
Ho Ho! Believe this and Christmas will come in July.
Yahoo! News - Greens Reject Endorsement for Ralph Nader
More splintering of the fringe left. Does anyone really care? The Dems do because they want these voters. The Republicans would never get them.
Burlington's McNeil Wood-fired Power Generating Station
The numerous community and state benefits recounted by John Irving in his history of the McNeil Wood-Chip Generating Station (BFP June 26, 2004) are certainly indicators of success . I have been a supporter of wood-fired electrical generation for Vermont since the plan was conceived.
However, a key fact missing is the cost of that power generation. The history of the plant, and any decision about future wood fired plants or other renewable sources, is incomplete without costs compared to power supply alternatives during McNeil's 20-year operation.
However, a key fact missing is the cost of that power generation. The history of the plant, and any decision about future wood fired plants or other renewable sources, is incomplete without costs compared to power supply alternatives during McNeil's 20-year operation.
The New York Times > International > Middle East > Army Used Speed and Might, Plus Cash, Against Shiite Rebel
Good to see, for a change, some in depth NYT reporting of how we conduct ourselves to get something good done in Iraq.
June 24, 2004
Cisco pushes wireless kit for city services | CNET News.com
This Cisco offering, if widely adopted by municipalities, seems to argue against the obsolescence of Wi-Fi as embodied in the 802.11 a/b/g standards.
Forbes.com: Wi-Fi's Wobbly Future
George Gilder is back this time predicting Wi-Fi is a flash in the pan. I agree that it's an interim technology only if the biggies like Verizon, Cingular, AT&T and Sprint can get the spectrum and the technology in place for geographically continuous coverage for high speed broadband access to the Internet in place at a reasonable price. Verizon's $80/month price in Washington and San Diego is too high for consumers. Nevertheless, the 'community' aspect of Wi-Fi will keep it going for a long while.
The New York Times > Business > Media & Advertising > Senate Votes to Repeal Media Rules
I'm really torn on this issue.
On one hand I think that companies should be able to buy and sell in a free enterprise capitalistic system. My view on this side of the question is bolstered by the continued proliferation of the Internet into the lives of individuals and the commensurate growth of information, news and opinion sources that are Internet-based.
On the other side of the question, I know that the mainstream media remains the opinion shaper in our American culture and that agglomeration potentially (not certain this is always the case) reduces the number of voices. Nevertheless, new sources continue to spring up representing many diverse, frequently opposing, philosophies. This is a good thing.
I think, on balance, I come sown on the side of allowing media consolidation, but with some reasonable 'rules of the road.'
The quotes below reasonably sum up the different viewpoints. At this point, I tend to favor the Powell view.
++++++++++++++++++++++=
"The architect of the new rules, Michael K. Powell, the
chairman of the F.C.C., has said they are vital in light of
a series of court opinions questioning the old rules and a
marketplace where consumers can subscribe to cable and
satellite television services with hundreds of channels and
delve into the limitless offerings of the Internet.
But critics have said that a small handful of companies
dominate the programming on the airwaves and that
consolidation in the industry has led to a decline in the
diversity of voices and coverage of local news and
community events."
On one hand I think that companies should be able to buy and sell in a free enterprise capitalistic system. My view on this side of the question is bolstered by the continued proliferation of the Internet into the lives of individuals and the commensurate growth of information, news and opinion sources that are Internet-based.
On the other side of the question, I know that the mainstream media remains the opinion shaper in our American culture and that agglomeration potentially (not certain this is always the case) reduces the number of voices. Nevertheless, new sources continue to spring up representing many diverse, frequently opposing, philosophies. This is a good thing.
I think, on balance, I come sown on the side of allowing media consolidation, but with some reasonable 'rules of the road.'
The quotes below reasonably sum up the different viewpoints. At this point, I tend to favor the Powell view.
++++++++++++++++++++++=
"The architect of the new rules, Michael K. Powell, the
chairman of the F.C.C., has said they are vital in light of
a series of court opinions questioning the old rules and a
marketplace where consumers can subscribe to cable and
satellite television services with hundreds of channels and
delve into the limitless offerings of the Internet.
But critics have said that a small handful of companies
dominate the programming on the airwaves and that
consolidation in the industry has led to a decline in the
diversity of voices and coverage of local news and
community events."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)