March 23, 2011

Topics from the agenda committee:

1. Handouts with new motorist laws that took effect in Calif. on Jan, 1 2011.  Ref: AAA Westways..Jan/Feb 2011 see pg 14 of print magazine.
2. Should the gov't extend "Green Credits" as subsidies for U.S. industries?  Ref: WSJ Pg 14.  March 3,  2011..Tax Reform Exhibit A.
3. Should one have the option to either "privatize" a 401(K) or keep their social security contributions within gov't control?  Ref: "The Utah Pension Model"...WSJ... Jan, 19 2011.
4. Should we expedite Deep Water Oil Drilling in the Gulf of Mexico?  Ref: "Path clears for Deep Water Oil Drilling..WSJ...Pg3...Jan, 4 2011.

Meeting update:
We covered items 1 and 2, but also Libya and Japan.
My personal thoughts:
1. The President should not have interfered in the recent developments in the Arab world.  Especially, he should not have pushed military action in Libya.  Daily Show: America at Not-War - Obama's Communication Gap.  May 19 update - The President's speech re. the 'Arab Spring':

we must proceed with a sense of humility.  It’s not America that put people into the streets of Tunis or Cairo -– it was the people themselves who launched these movements, and it’s the people themselves that must ultimately determine their outcome. 

2. Despite all the safeguards, we see that nuclear energy, though much needed, is not risk-free, whether in Japan or the U.S. Why 'Plan B' often works out badly

March 9, 2011

We usually start our meetings with discussion of community matters, then cover some topics sent from the agenda committee, like these for this meeting:

1. Should English be the Official Language of the USA?  Reference: LA Times, 2/9/11. Page A-14 “English Only? Press NO”
2. Should Municipal and State employees have the right to strike for benefits or wages?  Reference: WSJ 2/15/11 “Illinois Union Ally Turns Critic.” WSJ 2/28/11 “Union Power for Thee But Not For Me.”
3. What can U.S. do to stop the pirating of ships and people in the seas off Somalia and the Persian Gulf?
4. Should National Public Radio continue to be government subsidized?  Reference: American Legion Magazine, March 2011 Page 10, “Defund National Public Radio?”

Regarding item #2, see: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, NY Times graphic
Regarding item #4, see: PBS message


I ask, what are the topics that we are reluctant to talk about, the proverbial elephants in the living room?

Art by Banksy

Newsweek 2/27/11: on information overload - I Can't Think