Midday August 1 2008

Some notes:

I went to get groceries. Today is payday and evidently the day that the Link Card (one way Illinois distributes food stamps) gets charged with money. One thing I noticed: Phil Gramm was actually right about something:

We’re the only nation in the world where all our poor people are fat.” — Gramm, 9/6/81

Every one of the adults using the cards was obese. Long gone are the days when obesity was a sign of wealth.

Once upon a time, poor people were thin and rich people were fat. Not any more.

The point was made during testimony on the genetics of body weight last fall, when members of Congress were treated to slides of President William Howard Taft, Socrates and King Henry VIII — all fat, prosperous men.

Emaciated men waiting in bread lines during the Great Depression no longer represent the face of poverty in the United States.

For the most part, “We don’t have starvation and we don’t have extreme malnutrition,” said Barry Popkin, professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

In recent decades, labor-saving devices, including washing machines and tractors, have virtually eliminated the calorie-burning manual labor jobs that were once the province of the poor, said Popkin.

In addition, government subsidies of corn and beef have put fatty, rich foods within reach of poor families, Popkin said.

“We have a lot of people with economic uncertainty and you buy the cheapest most filling foods when you’re in those circumstances,” he said.

Developing nations are now seeing the same trend, with increasing numbers of obese and overweight counted among poor women, according to a recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity.

But in nations with the lowest gross national products, it’s still uncommon for the poor to carry extra pounds, the study found.

In the above article there is a graph which points out that 21.8 percent of people living in households with incomes of 15,000 dollars are less are obese, whereas 14.6 percent of those living in households of income of 50,000 dollars are more are obese. These statistics are for King county, Washington state, and were from 2004.

Elections: Why isn’t Obama pulling away from McCain? Actually the economic numbers suggest a modest Obama victory, which is just fine.

Of course, some Republicans continue to use Obama as a positive for them! Note: this guy slams Bush too.

Of course, some people will always find something to complain about.

You see, Obama “isn’t focused enough” on Black issues.

But on Friday it was Barack Obama who found himself being yelled at — several times — by African-American attendees who argued that he ignores “black” issues.

In an appearance in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Illinois Democrat’s address was interrupted when several young black males stood up, hoisted a banner that read, “What about the black community, Obama?” and began peppering the Senator for not focusing on their concerns.

Obama told them they would have time to ask questions after the speech was over, and they did. They asked why he was not focusing on issues like the sub-prime mortgage crisis, Jena Six, Sean Bell and “the numerous attacks that are made against the African-American community.” Obama responded twofold: telling the hecklers that he had, in fact, been focused on these issues and explaining that there would never be 100% continuity between his agenda and that of the voters.

“Listen, I was a civil rights lawyer,” Obama said. “I passed the first racial profiling legislation in Illinois. I passed some of the toughest death penalty reform legislation in Illinois. That doesn’t mean I am always going to satisfy the way you want these issues framed… which gives you the option of voting for somebody else, it gives you the option of running for office yourself, those are all options. But the one thing I think is important is, that we are respectful towards each other.”

It is rare for Obama to be heckled in a political forum, but it’s not terribly surprising that the protest came from a fellow African-American. Moments after he took the man’s question, a nearby African-American woman yelled at Obama again. The Senator has trod a thin line on the racial components of this campaign. Witness the uproar over accusations — made by John McCain’s campaign manager Rick Davis — that he played the race card. And his posture as a post-racial candidate has struck some as discourteous (see: Jesse Jackson). Still, the idea that Obama will get anything short of an overwhelming portion of the black vote seems far-fetched.

Update: a report from someone who was there.

Note how easily Obama handled the situation. McCain’s staff would have gotten rattled and had the protesters arrested; remember the story of the 61 year old librarian who had the sign “McCain = Bush”? (that’s a good thing, right? )

(note: we are NOT like the Republicans at all!!! That is a good thing!)

No, I am not only picking on African Americans here; there are times when others on the left are just as bad. I’ve even had fights on this blog before.

You know, you just aren’t going to please everyone. This just comes with the territory if you want to be a politician. I admit that I sometimes chuckle a bit when a politician loses his/her temper and lets a remark slip out.

“Pontificating idiots” email
Clippings from articles about the email.
Clippings from articles about the email.

In June of 2005, Stephens sent an email to a discussion group, or “listserv” that focuses on the community of Brewster. He thought the message was going to Beth Coursen, an aide in his Assembly district office.[7] Instead he sent his reply to all subscribers, referring to them as pontificating idiots.[8]

The discussion group, called “Brewster10509″, has a web site describing what the list is for. Members are free to post anything that has to do with government, education, community organizations and a host of other things related to Brewster and the surrounding Town of Southeast.[9] After realizing his mistake, he issued an apology to the users of the message board to which he said, “In fact, now I most closely resemble the type of poster I described.”[10]

Text of Stephen’s Email[11]

Re: Comments on Stephens Campaign Website

more interesting crap.

I’m “on” 10509 to monitor what is going on in Brewster. I do not post anymore. Just watching the idiots pontificate. Keeping informed is important and it also gives me a window to what GB and some of his supporters are thinking.

Let me know how you think we should proceed with the website. I’d like to get it up and running before too long and don’t want to hurt Michele and Jay … I like them and they are talented. Maybe a collaboration of some sort? I’ll let you be my guide.

What’s the scuttlebutt on the election … is Hauser circulating a Conservative petition … are you going to do an opportunity to ballot on the “D” line? How about an independent line … like the Save Pawling Party or “Chicks with Balls Party” or some such thing?

If it is really hot tomorrow you are welcome to come for a swim (a suit would be appropriate :0 ) … I don’t think I’m around this weekend for Guinans … sounds like a blast though.

Got pozzi’s announcement in the AM and then its back to the Law Office …. I feel like I’ve been away for a month!

Later,
Will