Pretty much recovered here from the jet-lag after a decidedly gruelling non-stop dash from the SF Bay area, all the way to India and straight to the Penukonda ashram. (It was thought not to be so wise to hang in Bangalore for now.)
I know I haven’t really posted much in the way of meaningful monologue, and still intend to get to it ASAP. In lieu of that though, I thought I’d at least comment on whatever shiny bits attract the attention of my rabid little brain hamster:
First, okay, yes, security over here in India is noticeably up and things are more tense. When we changed our hired car booking to take us directly to Penukonda rather than to Bangalore for our usual stay, there was no surprise on their end of things. On the other hand, the Indian people here are pretty much as they always are–whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jain or something else–they continue to be among the most friendly, personable, and solicitous people I’ve ever known.
Secondly, about the Cali Prop 8 mess: My partner and I were gonna get married during our last trip (we’ve been domestically partnered for as long as that provision existed…about five years? Not sure. been together for 11 years). But we chose not to wed (again) because we didn’t like the idea of being pushed into it for electoral reasons. We also said at the time we didn’t want our status then being called into question. I even commented, “The Prop 8 people will not be satisfied with just stopping ongoing marriages. They will challenge the validity of all those performed.” Well, guess what? I could get very, very wealthy betting on the craven mendacity of some. One of the three cases before the CA Supreme Court specifically seeks to invalidate the 18,000 marriages that were certified during this past summer. There was one ad running where two young men intended to portray Latter Day Saint missionary types invaded the home of two women (married), took their wedding rings and tore up their marriage certificate. Much uproar at how unfair that accusation was. Turns out that’s almost exactly what they had in mind. Just my opinion, but given the stated legal basis for the original CA Supreme Court decision, I don’t see how they’ll allow a simple majority vote strip a protected minority of their civil rights. However, if the restrictionists (I just made up that word) win, look for them to go after the domestic partnerships very soon after. If that works, they’ll go after same-sex couple adoptions, living wills, and anything else ‘purporting to convey marriage-like legal rights’. Anyway, this is going to sound crazy, but in a way I’m glad Prop 8 passed, so that it could be put to the ultimate judicial/constitutional test. Why? Because if it had not passed, the restrictionists would have tried again at the next special or general election. And again and again. Remember, they didn’t need an actual majority, but just a majority of voters in a given election. I’ve also said that if this sort of thing stands, look for more civil rights outrages to appear as ballot props. No minority group would be safe from majority mob persecution. Thus, it’s essential this practice be put before the Supremes, and I’m more hopeful than not that they’ll do the right thing.
Third up, the auto company loans. $700 billion (and more) thrown at banks, insurance brokers, and investment firms — no questions asked, no repayment required. The auto companies? Asking for about $25b in loans. The first props up a grotesque system of enriching the already obscenely wealthy, the kind of people who are pitching a fit because they won’t get their now-customary multi-million+ year end bonuses and ‘golden parachutes’. The second proposal keeps millions of Americans employed, and gives hope for decent, yet modest wages and benefits. My IronyMeter broke, so instead I’ve had to substitute the old Hypocrisy Scale SlideRule, which is reading 10e67, whatever that means.
Fourth: Having lived mostly abroad for most of the last three years, I know for a fact that the health care system in America is fracked up beyond redemption. You people have NO idea how bad off you all are — well, except for those who’ve been driven into bankruptcy or denied essential life-saving treatment or had to decide between food or insurance premiums… Want to really fix the auto industry? Transfer the healthcare for all of its workers and pensioners into an expanded Medicare. Want to give a huge boost to the entire economy (excepting for the bloated parasite of for-profit medicine)? Stop saddling employers with mandated or expected health insurance. I’m not saying employer-provided health benefits should be eliminated — but it shouldn’t be the only option for the average citizen.
Fifth: The US Presidential Inauguration really does need to be moved up about 3 weeks, to the beginning of January. That’s plenty of time to deal with any electoral and/or transition planning issues. A post-election lame duck president is about the most useless thing there is–plus it invites way too much potential mischief.
Sixth: It’s really nice to see rational adults coming back into charge in the US. The only caution I have is they really, really need to assure us all that those crimes which were committed will be prosecuted. There is plenty of evidence of war crimes, including violations of US criminal law, the Constitution, and ratified treaties such as the Geneva Conventions. If this all is swept under the rug, it’ll fester and one day poison us all. (Sorry for the mixed metaphor.)
On a concluding personal note: When I’m here in India, life over there in America seems like a half-remembered yet vivid dream. When we were in California and New Mexico this last trip, it seemed the opposite, where India was the dream. Strange…
General comments on current events…
Pretty much recovered here from the jet-lag after a decidedly gruelling non-stop dash from the SF Bay area, all the way to India and straight to the Penukonda ashram. (It was thought not to be so wise to hang in Bangalore for now.)
I know I haven’t really posted much in the way of meaningful monologue, and still intend to get to it ASAP. In lieu of that though, I thought I’d at least comment on whatever shiny bits attract the attention of my rabid little brain hamster:
First, okay, yes, security over here in India is noticeably up and things are more tense. When we changed our hired car booking to take us directly to Penukonda rather than to Bangalore for our usual stay, there was no surprise on their end of things. On the other hand, the Indian people here are pretty much as they always are–whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jain or something else–they continue to be among the most friendly, personable, and solicitous people I’ve ever known.
Secondly, about the Cali Prop 8 mess: My partner and I were gonna get married during our last trip (we’ve been domestically partnered for as long as that provision existed…about five years? Not sure. been together for 11 years). But we chose not to wed (again) because we didn’t like the idea of being pushed into it for electoral reasons. We also said at the time we didn’t want our status then being called into question. I even commented, “The Prop 8 people will not be satisfied with just stopping ongoing marriages. They will challenge the validity of all those performed.” Well, guess what? I could get very, very wealthy betting on the craven mendacity of some. One of the three cases before the CA Supreme Court specifically seeks to invalidate the 18,000 marriages that were certified during this past summer. There was one ad running where two young men intended to portray Latter Day Saint missionary types invaded the home of two women (married), took their wedding rings and tore up their marriage certificate. Much uproar at how unfair that accusation was. Turns out that’s almost exactly what they had in mind. Just my opinion, but given the stated legal basis for the original CA Supreme Court decision, I don’t see how they’ll allow a simple majority vote strip a protected minority of their civil rights. However, if the restrictionists (I just made up that word) win, look for them to go after the domestic partnerships very soon after. If that works, they’ll go after same-sex couple adoptions, living wills, and anything else ‘purporting to convey marriage-like legal rights’. Anyway, this is going to sound crazy, but in a way I’m glad Prop 8 passed, so that it could be put to the ultimate judicial/constitutional test. Why? Because if it had not passed, the restrictionists would have tried again at the next special or general election. And again and again. Remember, they didn’t need an actual majority, but just a majority of voters in a given election. I’ve also said that if this sort of thing stands, look for more civil rights outrages to appear as ballot props. No minority group would be safe from majority mob persecution. Thus, it’s essential this practice be put before the Supremes, and I’m more hopeful than not that they’ll do the right thing.
Third up, the auto company loans. $700 billion (and more) thrown at banks, insurance brokers, and investment firms — no questions asked, no repayment required. The auto companies? Asking for about $25b in loans. The first props up a grotesque system of enriching the already obscenely wealthy, the kind of people who are pitching a fit because they won’t get their now-customary multi-million+ year end bonuses and ‘golden parachutes’. The second proposal keeps millions of Americans employed, and gives hope for decent, yet modest wages and benefits. My IronyMeter broke, so instead I’ve had to substitute the old Hypocrisy Scale SlideRule, which is reading 10e67, whatever that means.
Fourth: Having lived mostly abroad for most of the last three years, I know for a fact that the health care system in America is fracked up beyond redemption. You people have NO idea how bad off you all are — well, except for those who’ve been driven into bankruptcy or denied essential life-saving treatment or had to decide between food or insurance premiums… Want to really fix the auto industry? Transfer the healthcare for all of its workers and pensioners into an expanded Medicare. Want to give a huge boost to the entire economy (excepting for the bloated parasite of for-profit medicine)? Stop saddling employers with mandated or expected health insurance. I’m not saying employer-provided health benefits should be eliminated — but it shouldn’t be the only option for the average citizen.
Fifth: The US Presidential Inauguration really does need to be moved up about 3 weeks, to the beginning of January. That’s plenty of time to deal with any electoral and/or transition planning issues. A post-election lame duck president is about the most useless thing there is–plus it invites way too much potential mischief.
Sixth: It’s really nice to see rational adults coming back into charge in the US. The only caution I have is they really, really need to assure us all that those crimes which were committed will be prosecuted. There is plenty of evidence of war crimes, including violations of US criminal law, the Constitution, and ratified treaties such as the Geneva Conventions. If this all is swept under the rug, it’ll fester and one day poison us all. (Sorry for the mixed metaphor.)
On a concluding personal note: When I’m here in India, life over there in America seems like a half-remembered yet vivid dream. When we were in California and New Mexico this last trip, it seemed the opposite, where India was the dream. Strange…
About Becca
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