Politics « i-rant

Rewarding Obama (Nobel Peace) for saying the “correct” things.

Jim Charanis | No Comments » Posted on October 12, 2009

I had a FB post about Obama getting the prize for simply talking about issues rather then executing. Its just a little too political for me. He hasn’t done much yet – and by comparison, the scientists and other recipients all do so much to prove their work. Did Bush get an award for all the work his administration did to combat Aids in Africa? No, very little coverage. Interestingly enough, U2 did mention it in their recent speeches during concerts as they went on and on for 45 minutes mostly around social programs. I love that band thought I don’t always agree with their politics. Everybody is entitled to their opinion – I just prefer rational thinkers.

Anyway, giving this to Obama did piss me off; I don’t know who he was up against though. My post on FB read: "and the king of the world is anointed yet again, oh come let us adore him" It was meant as a joke. But what really amazed me was friends immediately commenting online and in person saying "you are blaming Obama for this?" or "Should he give it back?" – so damn defensive of the guy. He is a demagogue. And that is dangerous. And I’m really wondering if people are going to think I’m racist for thinking this way – some people go to the extreme of saying that any word against him or his plans is racist. That’s not fair. In fact, I’m really concerned for him, making him such a demagogue puts his life in danger – lets keep him human for God’s (the real God) sake.

My response of course was somewhat verbose; but for one I thought it was wrong that he would disrespect the Dali Lama in one week and get the prize in the next; this proved how political this is. And further, my point back to them was that I wasn’t blaming him, I’m blaming the Nobel committee and the "world" for thinking he walks on water - he is just a man but the socialist and anti-American world is using him to "reward" us for socialist moves or those that reduce our power.

Honestly, he is doing a lot of subtle things that really scare me. Refusing to meet with Israeli leaders when he meets with Palestinian and Saudi leaders. This move with China vs. Tibet. It’s not outwardly against our traditional friends, just ignoring them and reaching out to "everyone" seems to really be specific former enemies. I do think he is using his demagoguery to create inertia to get him more power – I do think he has privately even considered the chess moves to make him president of the world – or at least the UN (okay, now don’t call me a conspiracy guy – just thinking its gone to his head).

And what I worry about, that he might sell us out to get there "for the greater good" I can see the blind socialist bleeding hearts in this country saying – "that’s okay, we will give up some of our freedom for world peace" and then we have a big void with only Allah to fill it with another dark age. And the moderates sit by and watch – like the eastern Europeans did as Hitler walked through and slowly changed to more and more evil policies - watching the moderates to see if they would act. No – I am not calling him Hitler – I’m not at all, but this kind of blind faith is what eats away at democracy; I question everything, I fear complacency.

And that is the really scary part – are we a crumbling empire? Are our rivals chipping away at our economic power, our military strength, our will to stay united? The Greek Empire was a loosely held group of city states eventually led by Alexander, a strong leader bringing their democracy to the world (admittedly whether those he conquered liked it or not). And the Afghanistan people loved him (as he loved them), as did much of the world. It was the empires that followed, the Syrians, Romans and others that turned into true theocracies and dictatorships. The Christian and the Muslim religious movement grew from crumbling empires as methods for bringing central power to them again, and suppressing those who disagreed with them. These Bishops and Mullas were the power behind the kings and emperors. They still are today. I’m not saying religion is bad – its when you warp it to dictate power that pisses me off. Obama is at the point where he could become his own religion. The people who "love him" follow him blindly, look beyond his flaws and rationalize or compromise for "the greater good." Compromise is not good for long term – you need a shared vision and to have a shared vision you have to have rational thinking about all issues. We don’t have that today.

That’s my rant for today. For all our forefathers have done and strong young men and women have fought for, we don’t want to end up like Italy, Greece or Iran, shadows of great empires – some good, some bad but definitely gone. Yes, I admit we are a living empire – one that has brought great things to the world and one that has done some damage. But I see nothing better in the world. And I still see the possibilities it can continue to create.

Obama on Banking, the Economy and Fixing vs. Controlling

Jim Charanis | 1 Comment » Posted on February 25, 2009

Today’s rant – spurred on by a friend’s insightful rant on an email list I maintain. Jack made some very poignant comments about the economic state we are in and I wrote the following response – edited for clarity in this forum.

I listened to Obama last night – missed the first 15 minutes but I assume that was pretty much all about creating a frenzie of cheer and support for what he was about to say. We know you inherited all of this, I’m tired of hearing that – can we please move on… okay - he did eventually.

I don’t think the problems we have today are all about mortgages and greed. The money on Wall Street was greed driven, and we all know now that they think, "Greed is Good." While I do believe it started with the Clinton administration pushing home ownership (much like Obama is pushing college) for everyone – even those who shouldn’t in the state they are in. It didn’t end there – in fact it could have ended sooner – in 2001. As for homeownership – that’s not bad but most of these people should have considered something less then the homes they had – like maybe some people should consider Technology schools, not college)… but I digress I cannot, however, agree with many of my liberal friend’s panic in saying "I’m willing to let Obama do whatever he thinks is right, including takeover of the banks if need be." That’s as irrational as Bush letting Cheney wipe his ass.

Regarding Clinton starting this vs. Bush causing it… In the dot.com "Boom" Greenspan warned of "irrational exuberance" and we had a bubble burst – Yes, I think Clinton started it – to feed the mass of Baby Boomers who got him elected, but Bush restarted the engine in 2001 to bring us out of the "mental" depression that we were all in after those jealous fuckers bombed us. They are all politicians who live to be elected and these days – live for the 4-8 years they are in office. Clinton had the 60’s generation to support him, Bush had us, who wanted what our parents had – so he tried to give it to us. He just picked really bad people to help him do it – people that were politicians that use other people to get what they want – power and enough money to say fuck you to the rest of the world. I was fooled by them too because I believe in a Republican government….

CMOs (Collateralized Mortgage Obligations), the Gaussian copula function, etc. – Yes – I agree – that’s the Wall Street problem. There is an interesting cover story on Wired magazine this month and much easier to read then the Fortune article a few weeks ago. My feeling is that this is what took down our investments. But it’s not the only thing sick in the economy. I think that it’s the GREED – but not all that people are discussing is Greed driven.

Regarding capital gains cuts on home sales, stock sales, and dividends. I’m sorry for but not willing to support people flipping houses, getting caught in the housing boom. Builders developing against the demand is human nature – people want to better themselves and I don’t think greed drove most of us, it was more like PANIC that we wouldn’t have what generations before us had. That we missed the boat, and this might be our last chance to have that home, build wealth, etc. The people who sold the ARM’s and all-interest mortgages were greedy, feeding on this panic and desire. And the people who were flipping houses also got greedy – some weren’t smart enough to keep money in the bank when doing it. Like sales people – we know there will be lean years with no commission – that’s why we keep cash in the bank. But the people taking the chance to buy a home were just being human. They just forgot that its buyer beware in this country. (and honestly, I know this – I put a little too much of my "cash backup" in the market so I’m pretty much working till I die).

Or is it buyer beware in this century? – The fact is: our government did fall down on the job. While I don’t believe in heavy government "control" I do believe in "oversight" and we got lazy there – the Bush administration pulled too far back. I don’t want the government to run things or own things but I do expect to get my money’s worth on regulators. They let all kinds of devious shit get through from billion dollar ponzi schemes to ass holes like Stan O’Neil of Merrill making really short-sighted and bad decisions. I didn’t like Obama’s tone that all of wall street and banking is corrupt – you can’t lump them all into a bucket of rot – but there are some really bad apples in there and we need to catch them before they infest the rest.

Investment in infrastructure and the military always works. Bush chose to blow up another country to get rid of our old stuff to buy new stuff. A good arms race gave us the 50’s – not a bad time to be alive

– and this along with NASA lead to really cool technology. I’m a little worried that Obama may not buy new stuff (then we will get blown up and it doesn’t matter does it). If he spends money on bridges and power plants that is okay too. The one thing I like about France is their embracing nuclear power (well two things – I dig their women too, maybe three – their love of art.. but that’s it). We should do that. But we don’t need to prop up old industries that nobody wants to work at for the wages they pay. We don’t have a billion Chinese that are willing to work for peanuts to pay for our car companies (its complex – another rant). Further, I don’t think healthcare reform or investing in education will pump up the economy – that’s all feel good politics. Don’t mix the two

We can’t force innovation just like we couldn’t force a revolution in Iraq – it has to come from the people. What can we think of to replace the auto industry?

We should "fix" healthcare and education things not "nationalize" them. Again, better regulation not controls. Better ideas not more money after bad ones. What can we do differently then Canada, Europe and China to help people but not create mediocrity and compliance?

Politics – sparring on VP’s again, isn’t this about the President?

Jim Charanis | No Comments » Posted on August 31, 2008

My bile is up – I have to post this here as I have in other people’s face-book (my mom and sister, oye)!

Vice in GoGo Boots was the article I commented on: That was a really stupid editorial. The Times continues to go down-hill. If you can’t look for good here you don’t get it. I’m disappointed you couldn’t find a better bit of writing to do your satire. How fun it is to degrade a woman for being a woman. How odd it is to compare a potential VP to a First Lady. How stupid it is to focus on shopping and a breast-pump then execution on the job. It may be satire but its just like the satire about Obama’s race – stupid and it lingers.

I know my mom and sis think this is an insult to women – that the republicans just picked her for the woman vote. The conspiracy theory people all think the religious right is forcing him to do things. Who the hell knows, its all crap anyway. Mom makes a point that Liz Dole would have been better, that Palin should focus on Alaska and her family. Okay, good point - I agree Alaska needs her. Sis believes Hillary is a brilliant, educated, dedicated, person who best represented her views. I guess I wouldn’t have voted for Clinton because she is nothing like me, I’m not brilliant, barely educated and she doesn’t represent my views. Neither does Obama. I’m not thrilled with McCain and I don’t know enough about Palin and Biden is not my kind of politician. What the hell am I going to to. I’ll tell you this…

I give up – you both win. I will only vote for ugly women who don’t love their children from now on. Never mind the the many women I come in to contact every day who’s husbands take care of their children while they help change the world. Case in point – I work with 5 women, 3 have children, they are loving mothers who’s husbands keep house or work as well, and they are better salespeople then me. Imagine that.

Had it been Hillary I would have thought twice, Obama scares me. He is a demagogue and a populist, he will make ignorant people follow blindly and intelligent people afraid to speak their mind out of guilt. Its all wrong. You know what really bothers me, people love to judge from a bias point of view with the Republican party. Perhaps Liz Dole didn’t want to be VP, maybe she is tired of all this crap? I’m sure he would have picked Colin Powel in a heart beat but he and his wife don’t want him in the race anymore. And every time the Republicans put an African American or a Woman or an African American woman in a position of power she is a "Token" or a Frumpy Old Woman. Bush has put more blacks and women in appointed roles then any other administration, including Clinton. He has silently done more for Africa and Aids then any other president. I’m a pragmatist more then a staunch conservative but I feel the pressure to be "conservative" as they are the only ones being practical these days.

The Democrats continue to shift so far to the left and destroy even keeled thinkers like Joe Liberman with ignorant policies based on guilt and condescension. I want my kids to think about the environment and to care about the poor; but I want them to do it by contributing to our economy, changing the way we do business, contributing jobs and helping others to stand up on their own. Its not about redistribution of wealth, its about expansion of wealth. Its not about feeling sorry for the poor black man, its about the idea that three of the top four executives in my company are woman and we are one of the best run companies that I’ve ever been exposed to let along a part of. I don’t know everything about her but I went out and read both sides (as you saw in my post) – good and bad if you didn’t like the Bush administration, this certainly won’t be business as usual:

New York Times: Governor Palin "Took Intense Criticism From Members Of Her Own Party For Turning The Spotlight On The Failures Of Alaska Republicans." "But Ms. Palin ran as a change agent when she was elected as governor of Alaska in 2006, and in a move that might have appealed to Mr. McCain, she took intense criticism from members of her own party for turning the spotlight on the failures of Alaska Republicans, some of whom had been beset by corruption scandals." (Michael Cooper And Mitchell L. Blumenthal, "McCain Chooses Palin As Running Mate," The New York Times, 8/29/08)

If you want change – there it is, from within. Obama should have picked Hillary, McCain should have picked Liberman or Romney. There is too much change in this race.

Obama’s always been a senator – debating and legislating. And only on the national stage since 2006. He has been in our US Senate for 2 years and campaigning for the last 8 months (or more). I "hope" if he becomes president that he will know how to run things, will pick a cabinet that helps him and that he doesn’t debate over things, defer to other countries, do the "right" thing all the time – at the expense of our country as a sovereign nation. He has power over our youth because he says things, he is handsome, he is a preacher. I don’t like that – I want kids to be thinking not following. Kennedy was a wonderful leader -but he became paralyzed in so many of his decisions and did some pretty stupid things along the way. I’m sorry his life was ended so soon as he might have had time to learn from those mistakes, and changed things with his actions rather then his death.

I’m not sure and I haven’t been sure from the start the McCain was the right man for the job. But I’m getting closer with these conversations. In the end I think Obama will win, we will become a part of the European union and pay a VAT and Income Tax – I won’t have any money for retirement but it won’t matter because the state will take care of everything for me and my kids.

Capital G

Jim Charanis | No Comments » Posted on August 21, 2008

Is this about giving in, giving up – making fun, being real-istic. What do you think?

ARE YOU GENERATION Y KIDS THAT ARE NOW MAKING MONEY IN THIS PLACE?

Capital G YOUTUBE AUDIO

Nine Inch Nails – Lyrics

I pushed the button and elected him to office and a
He pushed the button and he dropped the bomb
You pushed the button and could watch in on the television
Those motherf**kers didn’t last too long

I’m sick of hearing about the have and have not’s
Have some personal accountability
The biggest problem with the way that we are doing things is
The more we let you have the less that I’ll be keeping for me

Well I use to stand for something
Well I’m on my hands and knees
Turning in my god for this one
and he signs his name with a capital G

Don’t give a shit about the temperature in Guatemala
Don’t really see what all the fuss is about
Ain’t gonna worry about no future generations
And I’m sure somebody’s gonna figure it out

Don’t try to tell me that some power can corrupt a person
You hadn’t had enough to know what its like
Your only angry cause you wish you were in my position
Now nod your head cause you know that I’m right..alright!

Well I use to stand for something
But forgot what that could be
Theres a lot of me inside you
Maybe your afraid to see

Well I use to stand for something
Well I’m on my hands and knees
Turning in my god for this one
and he signs his name with a capital G

CIS, Macworld, AAPL – change is coming. Politics – change is coming too.

Jim Charanis | No Comments » Posted on January 09, 2008

Ahh- Macworld. The future is next week. CIS has some cool

In an article in today’s WSJ Business Tech blog:

Apple chose today to announce two new high end computers the week before Jobs takes the stage

I love my Mac Pro – wish I had one of these. Ahh, the processing power, but FinalCut is working for me now, enough power. But still – to upgrade to a new processor – maybe I’ll hack someday. Can’t wait to see what Steve has for us next week. The blog Wingfield @ the WSJ wrote about that too. The wafer thin powerbook – I’m not excited about it yet. When they come out with a multi-touch OSX mac I’ll start pressing IT for one.

As for today’s Stock Tank!!! "Oh Apple, if there’s been a fool around – its got to be me." As I watched you tickle $200/share and now back to the November number of $171 – This happened last time you made a big announcement – iPhone’s in Europe. We are heavy in this one, in the IRA so we won’t sell but its painful. Makes me think to buy more after we just cashed in a bit to buy some Citi which also tanked. I thought it was the bottom for the financial sector but it’s not there yet. Countrywide may "go away" and the rest are suffering. Looked at it like a strong Dividend play – may still be for the long run, but if they cut that dividend – I’m all wet. Time to shift to even more safe stuff like more into P&H where we are already heavy and Coke where we probably didn’t put enough.

A business associate of mine – Commercial Banker is retiring, had a nice conversation with him. He is one of quite a few I know in the past few years. At 42, its a leading indicator that I have to stay serious. So what happens when Steve Job’s retires – Bill’s on his way out, its only a matter of time.

And now to the politics. Can you believe this – all they talk about is change. Change CHANGE! even the republicans want change. The funny thing is, Bush can’t run again so there is going to be change regardless. So what I want to know is – change to what. I know we need it, I don’t like what the Dems are proposing, I don’t know what the Repls are proposing. Its all reteric now – I quite frankly don’t trust Hillary and Mit – they both have changed what they are saying so much – that thats all I can count on in regard to change from them. I fall back to McCain as that is about all I can do. I just wish I could get comfortable with a guy like Huckabee – but I’m Jewish and don’t know what that means to him. So we have some time – and time to change, my mind.