Day: July 30, 2009

Former CBS News Anchor Dan Rather has come out in favor of the US government bailing out news media in trouble,  in order to promote an independent, vibrant news media for the future.  His argument is that the loss of much of the news media, particularly newspapers and magazines dealing with public affairs, would be a tremendous loss for the nation at large over the long run.

While I certainly do not want government interfering in any way with the news media independence and ability to expose evil and corruption in government,  it is obvious that print media in particular is facing dire straits financially, and this could lead to many cities losing a newspaper, as in the case of  newspapers in Denver and Seattle.  The Boston Globe recently faced the threat of a shutdown, and even major newspapers such as the Chicago Tribune, LA Times and the NY Times have had financial difficulties.

If we allow our newspapers and magazines to go out of business, the country will suffer dearly, and the field of journalism as a career will dry up, a development which would be detrimental to the free flow of information and the promotion of educating the American people on public affairs.  To have only electronic journalism, and fewer sources overall reporting the news, would not be a good situation.

So therefore,  I agree with Dan Rather.  If we can help banks, insurance companies,  and the auto industry,  then we need also to assist the survival of newspapers and magazines in a difficult financial environment, as otherwise, the American people will be the ultimate losers.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City is in the process of shipping homeless people elsewhere to take the burden off of New York City taxpayers, with most of them being sent on a one way paid trip by plane, bus or train to Puerto Rico, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, but some overseas and far away.

His argument is that it is cheaper to give one way tickets than house the homeless in shelters, which indeed it is, without a doubt.  But all he is doing is shifting the burden to other states and territories, and demonstrating that the value of human life is less important than that of animals.

Why is it that the homeless, the majority unfortunate victims of the economic recession,  are being treated so shabbily by a government usually known for its compassion as compared to much of the country?   While certainly no one likes seeing homeless people, and no one in theory wants to pay for them,  the fact is they exist and have the right to expect some human compassion by those of us more fortunate. 

When there is more concern for pets and animals in general than for people, it indicates what a sick society we live in,  in these times.  People are willing to spend tons of money on pets, but not on fellow human beings who are down on their luck, in  most cases through no fault of their own,  and including large numbers of children.

I guess what it comes down to is the following:  There but for the grace of God go I!  That has always been my way of looking at it.  As President Franklin D Roosevelt expressed seventy five years ago,  a society is measured more by the way it treats those less fortunate than by its material wealth and success.

Apparently, Michael Bloomberg has forgotten this, and the fact that he, himself,  has been very lucky, acquiring immense wealth in the billions of dollars, and yet has no compassion for those who are down and out is to be condemned!  With his vast wealth, he could easily, with tax advantages as well,  offer to contribute a portion of his endless riches to help the poor, rather than set out to dispose of them.  With his amazing good fortune, and as a Jew, he should wish to pay back in thanks for his success in life, but I guess that is too much to expect from a man not known for more than his interest in his self aggrandizement.

Michael Bloomberg should be ashamed of himself!

Research has now shown that people text messaging while driving are four times more dangerous than a drunk driver, so the legislation just introduced in the Senate to make texting while driving illegal on a national basis is extremely urgent.

It is demonstrated that a driver takes his eyes off the road for about five seconds when texting, and puts himself, his passengers and other drivers in dire danger.  This is unacceptable,  and there is also the record of trainmen, bus drivers and others who operate transit systems  causing major accidents and loss of life,  specifically in Los Angeles and Boston within the past year.

I know there will be people who say this is an issue of states rights and individual freedom, but I vehemently disagree.  If you want to take part in behavior that is detrimental to your health and safety but affects no one else, fine.  But if it affects others in a negative way including death, it MUST be outlawed with heavy penalties for those who break the law, including banning them from their jobs in transportation,  and taking away drivers licenses from  those who cause death or injury to others.

If one wants to be stupid and reckless for himself, we cannot regulate that.  When it affects society, we certainly can and MUST!

Just as we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of Americans landing on the moon in 1969, the news comes that any expectation of returning to the moon, which President Bush had as a goal for the year 2020, was being pushed back to no earlier than 2028.

This  is unacceptable,  and Senator Bill Nelson of Florida has meanwhile suggested an extension of the space shuttle beyond 2010 so that American astronauts don’t have to go on Russian space missions to reach the international space station.

It is amazing to me the shortsightedness that exists in this country toward the exploration of space, and I hope President Obama will address this issue soon in a positive way.