Interesting study in the NY Times today about the most corrupt states. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/weekinreview/14marsh.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=most%20corrupt%20states&st=cse

It seems that of the states (not counting DC and the territories) that top the list, the top seven all voted for McCain and it is not until number 8 of the states, that you get to Delaware and number 9, that you get to Florida.

Three is more than regional pride in this, there is regional distinction.

I pose a question. If you were a well qualified senior in high school (and not a star jock strap) and you had your choice of which college to attend, which from among these ten would you choose?

1. LSU

2. Alabama

3. Auburn

4. South Carolina

5. Northwestern

6. Michigan

7. Oberlin (Ohio).

8. Rugters

9. UC, Berkeley

10. Boston College

(I left out the Ivy League on purpose)

Is it happenstance that the most corrupt states have the least regarded higher education; voted against Obama; and produce union busting Senators?

I am the son of a man who in the thirties was a charter member of a newly organized machinist local (AFL). I was fortunate enough to plow through college and law school on scholarships. But in my family, magazine bibles included Colliers, the Reader's Digest and the American Federationist. One of my uncles was a charter member of Steelworker's local (CIO). Another was employed by a non-union tool and die company. Made for interesting, and loud, arguments at family gatherings.

Shebly, Corker, Demint et al are a dying breed. They are going to destroy the GOP as a national force in Congress. If the next GOP candidate for President doesn't distance himself from these clowns, he will make Alf Landon look like a political genius. Ironically, the bad times may produce the one thing these clowns fear most: a rebirth of the union movement. And its spread to the white collars.

The driving force behind American prosperity has been the ability of the American middle class to both save and spend. Henry Ford discovered that. Pay good wages and you can sell your product.

The GOP clowns have no vision except exploitation and ultimately they will fail. The GOP will become a regional party and that region will ultimately lose until it too sheds them, like a rattle snake sheds its skin. The US is shedding them now. And like the dried skin of the rattle snake, all they will be able to make is noise.

Or maybe the proper analogy is a death rattle.

http://johnklotz.blogspot.com

It's only an educated guess, but I think Obama's secret "scandal" is his campaign's cooperation with the prosecutors to nail the MF Blagol

http://johnklotz.blogspot.com

There is an old axiom that we are government of laws not men, which should be updated to not men and women.

The point is that we ought not to make ad hoc determinations addressed to individual cases but apply evenly the rule of law to all. Provided the laws are right, that's the way it's supposed to work. If the law is wrong, we change the law.

In this case, the law comes down on Burris's side. Sure, we all detest Blago. But unless Burris is guilty of buying his office, and he does not appear to be, then he should be seated because it appears his appointment is lawful.

To deny Burris his seat because we detest the man who appointed him would be a dreadful precedent. It would create a real tyranny of the majority which could filter out opposition at its will.

Better one, possibly mediocre man, take his seat in the Senate then create a precedent for ad hoc pruning of those we disagree with.

Letting the rule of law decide this is the only way.

And besides, when you look at some of the numb skulls in the Senate, Burris won't be the worst by a long shot. Take the Democratic cowards on the Intelligence Committee who silently acquiesced in the worst excesses of the W administration. Betcha some of them are a lot smarter and more sophisticated than Burris. They are also a lot more dangerous and incompetent, no matter how intelligent they may be.

johnklotz,blogspot.com

Class is a funny word. It has many meanings and even when it's the same, it's a matter of perspective.

Is there anyone who doesn't doubt that Barak Obama, who is half-black, abandoned by his father, raised by his middle American grand parents but who went to Columbia and Harvard has class? To call him a classy guy is not a pejorative. In his case, class is merit. And it has nothing to do with Harvard, but how he deals with people.

In sports, Lou Gerhig was the ultimately classy guy, and he went to Fordham. Rudy Giuliani qwent to Foordham too, but hardly classy, IMVHO.

Then again, Bill Bradley went to Princeton and he was also a classy guy, but Princeton had nothing to do with it.

Then there is the masculine vernacular: "That's one classy chick." Also not exactly a pejorative either - and certainly not a reference to social status. It's a guy thing.

I attended my high school class reunion. That's not an insult (I don't think.)

In New York State politics, Eliot Spitzer, wealthy and well bred, never had any class (that was my opinion the first time I met him, and the second and last time too).

I betcha anyone who thinks that Caroline has gotten a free ride doesn't read the papers except maybe the NY Times.

Oops.

johnklotz.blogspot.com