Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
THE DALAI LAMA ON THE CHARLIE ROSE SHOW
The world is a better place thanks to people like the Dalai Lama and his message of peace and compassion.
For him, we are thankful. -I•P
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
WHY AREN'T WE ALL GOOD SAMARITANS? A TED Talk by Daniel Goleman
"The simple fact is, if we are focused on ourselves, if we're preoccupied as we so often are, throughout the day, we don't really fully notice the other." -Daniel Goleman
• • •
While giving thanks, check out this poignant TED talk by Daniel Goleman who wonders "why aren't we all good samaritans" and explores different ways that people can practice "consumer compassion."
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA CONTINUES TO ROLL OUT TEAM, PLEDGES FISCAL DISCIPLINE
O
RELATED LINKS:
Obama pledges to cut wasteful spending by going through the Federal Budget "page by page, line by line."
"This isn't about big government, or small government. It's about building a smarter government that focuses on what works." -President-Elect Barack Obama
• • •
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
THE U.S. CONSTITUTION IS FAILING US...
Despite the need for the occasional amendment, the U.S. Constitution has served us well, generally speaking, for 221 years.
However, the Constitution is now preventing the newly elected U.S. leadership, specifically, the President-Elect, from acting swiftly and boldly to help remedy today's unrelenting and accelerating economic crisis.
The reason? The Constitution provides for a temporal transfer of power. It is based on a time schedule, as opposed to a Parliamentary system, which is more based on levels of power. The Parliamentary system provides for a vote and power is transferred, immediately.
Under a Parliamentary system, Americans would have had the opportunity to throw out the Bush administration long ago. Barack Obama would have been able to take power and get his team to work on the dire financial issues of the day, ASAP.
Power. Time Schedule. Power. Time Schedule.
Of course, the INKSPOT•PROJECT is not advocating a new system or even a Parliamentary system. We're simply illustrating the point that the U.S. Constitution, with all its wisdom and brilliance, is failing all of us, by not providing for immediate leadership change.
In the midst of the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, Americans' confidence and trust in government is deeply sagging. New leadership energy is desperately needed in the United States, right now.
Candidate Obama liked to say, "We can't wait." The Constitution says we must.
The current administration is squarely in the way of new ideas and solutions. Bush, Paulson and Bernanke continue to bungle their way through this meltdown and nothing of significance will be done before they get out of the way. A monstrosity of a "lame duck" is now caught in the gears of progress and has effectively ground them to a halt, preventing the solutions from getting to the problems.
Even if the current administration were competent and capable, the constitutional transfer-of-power-time-schedule would still make it difficult, if not impossible, to implement new helpful policies.
The Constitution needs a new amendment. One that provides for a significantly shortened "lame duck" term and a much quicker transition to power should be considered.
So, until 1.20.09, we wait...
• • •
RELATED LINKS:
Saturday, November 22, 2008
PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA'S WEEKLY ADDRESS: NOVEMBER 22
"What is not negotiable, is the need for immediate action... it is time to act." -Barack Obama
Friday, November 21, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
RADIOHEAD: "HOUSE OF CARDS" VIDEO
No, it's not a new song. But here's a brilliant video from the best band on Earth.
Enjoy.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
"THE WILD WORDSMITH OF WASILLA" by Dick Cavatt
What a nice way to wrap up a painful (but entertaining!) moment in American politics.
(See you in '12? [You Betcha!])
ALL IS NOT LOST (yet)...
The drumbeat of pessimism, doom and gloom seems mid-crescendo. Nobody knows where this economic downward spiral stops or who'll be caught under the rubble when it does.
But if you listen carefully, the message is clear: It's gonna get tough... There will be carnage.
And accompanying the drumbeat is a growing chorus, singing, "all is not lost, yet. there is still time to prepare..."
And all the noise is caught in the echo-chamber known as the 24/7/365 news-cycle.
It is pervasive and (perhaps) persuasive.
Are you listening?
• • •
Related Links:
Monday, November 17, 2008
MELAMINE IS NOT JUST CHINA'S PROBLEM ANYMORE
• Melamine already in global food chain: experts - Boston.com
• OP-ED: "Our Home-Grown Melamine Problem," by James E. McWilliams
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
FAR-OUT: FOMALHAUT b
No, it's not the evil eye.
It's a newly discovered "extrasolar planet."
The red elliptical shape you see is essentially a dust ring created by the planet "Fomalhaut b" as it orbits its star. It takes Fomalhaut b a mere 872 earth-years for it to make one complete orbit around its parent star.
Let's allow the experts explain the rest...
- Check out the images at HUBBLESITE.org: "Hubble Directly Observes Planet Orbiting Fomalhaut b"
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
(Um) "AS GM GOES, SO GOES THE NATION"
That's a famous, old saying from another time. Right?
It begs the question: are the wisdom and pertinence of this famous statement equally as antiquated?
No doubt, there will be some sort of auto-industry bailout in the near future. It may even be bumped into the 111th congress. But it will happen. It needs to happen. Like it or not.
Many are simmering because GM and other U.S. car makers largely brought this upon themselves: poor planning, prioritizing gas-guzzling SUV's instead of focusing on energy-efficient technologies and simply ignoring the writing on the wall. Now they're in line to have Uncle Sam bail them out, again.
Many more are chiding, "with all those smart people at the helm of these companies, how could they have gotten it so wrong? Building Escalades and Hummers instead of developing hybrids? Really?"
It seems there is very little that Americans won't collectively own by the end of this bail-out frenzy, for better or worse. Sure, it beats the prospect of millions of people out of a job and the too-big-to-fail companies going belly up. At least the Federal government can allow these industries to "work out" of the situation over time.
That's right, they call it a "work out."
This is the narrative that, at the very least, helps us swallow the many economically bitter pills that are piling up.
gulp.
• • •
Quotable Quotes (from the NYTimes.com article below: no we did not make up these names):
• “Even if they go bankrupt in a year, it is better than going bankrupt now,” given the state of the national economy, said Professor Helper. “From a social point of view, even if G.M. is not providing a return on investment, it is still providing a lot of good jobs.”• “Just let market forces play out, and if G.M. or one of the other companies files for bankruptcy, support the workers and the communities that would [be] affected by a bankruptcy filing." said Professor Slaughter. He added, "Why should the government treat G.M., Ford and Chrysler workers any differently?”
• • •
Here are a few articles regarding the auto-industry matter:
- "G.M.’s Troubles Stir Question of Bankruptcy vs. a Bailout," NYTimes.com
- "A $25 Billion Lifeline for GM, Ford, and Chrysler," U.S. News & World Report, September 24, 2008 (for info on the first 2008 auto-industry bailout)
- "Showdown Begins Over Lifeline to Automakers, White House Opposes Use Of Financial Rescue Funds" -washingtonpost.com
TED: JILL BOLTE TAYLOR
TED.com represents the best the internet has to offer.
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor's personal and triumphant story is the INKSPOT's favorite TED presentation for 2008. If you have a favorite TED talk, please share it with us.
Also, check out NPR's article and radio show interview with Jill Bolte Taylor:
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
HEARKEN BACK TO "A MORE PERFECT UNION"
People are understandably focusing on Obama's victory speech in Grant Park. And they should. It was quite a speech. And it was quite a night.
But it is well worth looking back to Obama's so-called "race speech," also known as "A More Perfect Union." Delivered on March 18th, 2008, the speech offers an early window into the overwhelming inspirational power of Barack Obama.
For Obama, it was a moment of personal and political struggle. His campaign was ailing due to the incessant airtime given to Reverend Wright's outrageous and polarizing pulpit ranting. Obama's character and judgment were called into question. Old racial and cultural divisions and fault-lines were heating up. The personal, the political, the spiritual and the religious all boiled in a caldron of uncertainty for Obama and his campaign. The moment demanded a response.
And respond he did.
The INKSPOT•PROJECT believes the "race speech" is the most important speech Barack Obama has ever given and, perhaps, will ever give in his political career. No doubt, there will be many important speeches to follow as he assumes the Oval Office.
But it is this speech that uniquely offers an early glimpse into how Obama will lead this nation through the challenging issues and moments of testing. It is this speech that allows Obama to show how he turns perceived weaknesses into strengths. It is this speech that demonstrates Obama's temperament by ameliorating and moving past the Wright controversy and going on to win the primary and general elections.
Obama's true gifts are his willingness to address complicated and impassioned matters head-on, his desire to bridge the seemingly unbridgeable, and his relentless hope and optimism for America's future.
The speech offers profound insight into the man, the leader, our next President.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
ICELAND
Iceland. It seems so isolated. So far away.
The current economic crisis is providing a fascinating display of the consequences of the interconnectedness between world economies. The economy of the remote island-nation of Iceland is in a deep-freeze after being pummeled throughout the U.S. "credit crunch."
The situation is dire for the small country with inflation and unemployment skyrocketing, seemingly overnight. Currently, Icelanders await badly needed assistance from the IMF, the UK, Poland and other world powers to keep their economy from altogether collapsing.
Not so long ago, Iceland's economy was gangbusters, sporting the fourth-highest gross domestic product per capita in the world.
Why do we even care about Iceland's economic woes?
Well, one can only wonder if Iceland finds itself playing the "canary-in-the-coal-mine" role on a much larger economic stage.
• • •
Articles of interest:
- Stunned Icelanders Struggle After Economy’s Fall -NYTimes.com, 11.8.08
- more about iceland -NYTimes.com
- Iceland Targets Debts And Awaits IMF Loan -Wall Street Journal, 11.7.08
- "Poland plans to help Iceland in financial crisis"-washingtonpost.com
- "Iceland, Mired in Debt, Blames Britain for Woes" -NYTimes, 11.1.08
Friday, November 7, 2008
THE DAILY SHOW: "INTERNATIONAL MALE"
"For one day it seemed as if the entire world had won the Super Bowl, as spontaneous demonstrations of joy filled the streets."
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: 6.5%, A 14-YEAR HIGH
clearly, the u.s. economy is seriously ailing. since august, the economy has lost 651,000 jobs, making it 1.2 million jobs lost this year. what's worse is the economy must produce 150,000 jobs per month, just to keep up with the new workers who naturally enter into the workforce.
the reality is, no matter what people expect from president obama in the coming months and years, these problems are here to stay for a good while. there is no quick fix.
but there is a way out: through smart, solid and well executed federal policies that will be provided by the soon-to-be-inaugurated obama administration. the u.s. will work through this.
patience.
there are still 74 days left before obama takes the helm.
• • •
WALL STREET JOURNAL quotes from economists:
"horrible in every way." –Ian Shepherdson, High Frequency Economics
Dear President-Elect Obama, the honeymoon is over and we await your economics transition team with great interest. –RDQ Economics
Thursday, November 6, 2008
JITTERY ON JOBS... WAITING FOR THE REPORT...
Photo: Yonhap/European Pressphoto Agency
jobs. jobs. jobs.
we are bracing for tomorrow's jobs report. we know it won't be good. "how bad" is the real question. some are expecting close to 8% unemployment, heading towards 10% over the next 6 months.
we'll soon find out.
above is a poignant photograph of a line of jobseekers in south korea. according to some reports, the long line may be a harbinger of things to come, world-wide.
let's hope not.
WWW.CHANGE.GOV
now that is change! the word is the domain name!
the INKSPOT•PROJECT is elated to see president-elect obama quickly transitioning to power - lightening fast. in fact, the website just went online hours ago and is currently being uploaded. rahm emanuel was just tapped as obama's "chief of staff" and it is less than 48 hours since vitcory.
understandably.
president obama will have plenty of work to do. anyone who saw the new president-elect barack obama's speech in grant park could sense the somber tone of a man who appreciates the enormity of the challenges that lay ahead. barack obama conveyed strength and confidence with humility and respect.
and he spoke eloquently about the dawning of a new day in america. "change has come to america," declared barack obama.
like so many people in the u.s., and around the world, here at the INKSPOT, we are inspired, excited and comforted by obama's victory. and we especially hope that candidate obama's plan to restore fiscal discipline becomes a priority during his first term.
given the current u.s. economic crisis, the issues of fiscal discipline and the national debt are currently not a high priority. however, between 2010-2012, president obama can make some progress towards fiscal discipline and reducing the u.s. reliance on deficit spending. this will go a long way towards his re-election chances in 2012.
but before we get way ahead of ourselves... president obama simply needs to move forward on his pledge to reinstate PAYGO rules, soon after the more-than-likely stimulus package is enacted.
"Obama and Biden believe that a critical step in restoring fiscal discipline is enforcing pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budgeting rules which require new spending commitments or tax changes to be paid for by cuts to other programs or new revenue."
the INKSPOT certainly hopes this pledge is not lost in the midst of the fray, as we are very concerned about the ongoing monumental shift of wealth from tomorrow's american tax payers to today's.
PLAN FOR RESTORING FISCAL DISCIPLINE
“The cost of our debt is one of the fastest growing expenses in the federal budget. This rising debt is a hidden domestic enemy, robbing our cities and states of critical investments in infrastructure like bridges, ports, and levees; robbing our families and our children of critical investments in education and health care reform; robbing our seniors of the retirement and health security they have counted on. . . . If Washington were serious about honest tax relief in this country, we'd see an effort to reduce our national debt by returning to responsible fiscal policies.”
— Barack Obama, Speech in the U.S. Senate, March 13, 2006
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA'S SPEECH IN GRANT PARK
the INKSPOT says, "history is made. bring the change."
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
"THERE IS NOTHING GOOD IN WAR..."
"There is no honorable way to kill, no gentle way to destroy. There is nothing good in war. Except its ending." -Abraham Lincoln
• • •
"When I am commander in chief, I will set a new goal on Day One: I will end this war, not because politics compels it. Not because our troops cannot bear the burden -- as heavy as it is. But because it is the right thing to do for our national security, and it will ultimately make us safer." -Barack Obama, March 20th, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
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