22 December 2006
Best of 2006: Camila Segura
Back from an extended break (caused by the day job, no less), Cicero Jones returns. We resume with Camila Segura's Best of 2006. Be sure to visit her great blog Vuelta por el universo, which contains a lot of her original photography. Camila's "Best of" post focuses on the website PostSecret, which "is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard." Take it away, Camila:
These are some of my favorites secret postcards (beautiful and terrible at the same time, some might say sublime).
j
Here is the link for one of my best discoveries this year: Nouvelle Vague
I could also add One Ring Zero to the list.
Eisbar from Nouvelle Vague:
These are some of my favorites secret postcards (beautiful and terrible at the same time, some might say sublime).
j
Here is the link for one of my best discoveries this year: Nouvelle Vague
I could also add One Ring Zero to the list.
Eisbar from Nouvelle Vague:
12 December 2006
Pause
Because of the hustle and bustle of work in the pre-holiday runup, things have been slow around here. Please bear with us for a few more days. We have some new, interesting, insightful, and entirely free content on the way.
In the meantime, I urge you to check out some of the archives (under "the wisdom lives") or the links (particularly McSweeney's) over in the right-hand column.
And if you are looking for a perfect stocking stuffer, check these out: Mint Tea Tree Toothpicks. They get me through the day. In fact, they have inspired me to write this haiku:
the tingle of tea
with menthol and noontime smile
make for work relief
-- ¶ 10:05 PM 4 comments
In the meantime, I urge you to check out some of the archives (under "the wisdom lives") or the links (particularly McSweeney's) over in the right-hand column.
And if you are looking for a perfect stocking stuffer, check these out: Mint Tea Tree Toothpicks. They get me through the day. In fact, they have inspired me to write this haiku:
the tingle of tea
with menthol and noontime smile
make for work relief
-- ¶ 10:05 PM 4 comments
10 December 2006
The damned dictator (updated)
"ya va a caer, y va a caer, la dictadura va a caer"
Augusto Pinochet is dead. The brutality and hate he unleashed upon Chile, and in fact much of South America, will never be forgotten. Maybe he never did pay fully for his crimes (if it is even possible), but he has certainly died a disgraced man.
Consider that since Pinochet fell from power in 1988 and democratic government was restored fully in 1990, a center-left coalition has governed the country. Though authoritarian-conservatives are still a presence in Chilean society, they have been largely marginalized by a government that has instituted far-reaching environmental reforms, outlawed the death penalty, given universal, state-funded access to birth control, been a leading voice in the U.N against the Iraq War and been a regional leader in responding to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti.
Last year, Michelle Bachelet was elected president. Not only the first democratically elected woman to lead a South American country, she is also a survivor of a Pinochet torture center. Her own father was killed by Pinochet shortly after the 1973 coup. She is an agnostic single mother with a background in healthcare. Rumor has it Pinochet rolled over in his grave even though he wasn't dead.
Pinochet and his family have given a variety of half-apologies over the years. The judicial branch has not done a good job of prosecuting Pinochet and his regime for the human rights abuses that everyone knows they are guilty of, but they do have a few high-profile convictions under their collective belt. Last year, the head of the military even issued a very public and conciliatory admission of guilt and apology on behalf of all of the armed forces to the people of Chile. Last year also saw the discovery of a vast series of secret (and deep) bank accounts tied to the Pinochet clan, further destroying any remainder of credibility he might have had.
The point is, the man is now dead, but the name and history will live on, in infamy.
The Santiago Times has more on the ensuing chaos:
"ya va a caer, y va a caer, la dictadura va a caer"
Augusto Pinochet is dead. The brutality and hate he unleashed upon Chile, and in fact much of South America, will never be forgotten. Maybe he never did pay fully for his crimes (if it is even possible), but he has certainly died a disgraced man.
Consider that since Pinochet fell from power in 1988 and democratic government was restored fully in 1990, a center-left coalition has governed the country. Though authoritarian-conservatives are still a presence in Chilean society, they have been largely marginalized by a government that has instituted far-reaching environmental reforms, outlawed the death penalty, given universal, state-funded access to birth control, been a leading voice in the U.N against the Iraq War and been a regional leader in responding to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti.
Last year, Michelle Bachelet was elected president. Not only the first democratically elected woman to lead a South American country, she is also a survivor of a Pinochet torture center. Her own father was killed by Pinochet shortly after the 1973 coup. She is an agnostic single mother with a background in healthcare. Rumor has it Pinochet rolled over in his grave even though he wasn't dead.
Pinochet and his family have given a variety of half-apologies over the years. The judicial branch has not done a good job of prosecuting Pinochet and his regime for the human rights abuses that everyone knows they are guilty of, but they do have a few high-profile convictions under their collective belt. Last year, the head of the military even issued a very public and conciliatory admission of guilt and apology on behalf of all of the armed forces to the people of Chile. Last year also saw the discovery of a vast series of secret (and deep) bank accounts tied to the Pinochet clan, further destroying any remainder of credibility he might have had.
The point is, the man is now dead, but the name and history will live on, in infamy.
The Santiago Times has more on the ensuing chaos:
CHAOS ERUPTS IN CHILE AFTER PINOCHET DEATH
The Santiago Times reports that large demonstrations have erupted outside of the hospital where Gen. Augusto Pinochet died earlier in the day.Update:
Several journalists were attacked by Pinochet supporters.
The Chilean government has not yet made a statement on Pinochet's death.
Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet died Sunday after suffering a severe heart attack a week earlier.
The 91-year-old general's death has generated mixed reactions in Chile, scores of people clapped and cheered outside the military hospital, while others cried.
By 6pm, thousands of people were marching towards the La Moneda Presidential Palace, many drinking champagne in the streets, causing all champagne in every liquor store in Santiago to sell out.Denied a state funeral:
At 7:30pm, police cleared the streets with tear-gas, sending both protestors and Santiago Times journalists running for cover. The use of water-cannons and tear gas by police is not uncommon, and is frequently used to clear protesting crowds.
President Michelle Bachelet has remained silent on the issue, although she was informed of Pinochet’s death by her advisers early in the day. Government spokesperson Ricardo Lagos Webber said that Pinochet would not be given a state funeral, but that he would receive honors from the Chilean Armed Forces as a former military leader, a decision that has riled many conservative Chilean politicians.
Labels: politics
¶ 3:12 PM 0 comments
09 December 2006
seasonal haiku
leaves are subzero
on the pavement on sunday
christmas stay away
photo via fuzzyb ¶ 7:00 PM 0 comments
leaves are subzero
on the pavement on sunday
christmas stay away
photo via fuzzyb ¶ 7:00 PM 0 comments
Respira
Breathing Earth: an impressive realtime mapping of global carbon monoxide emissions, birth rates, and death rates.
(via Vuelta por el universo) ¶ 6:55 PM 0 comments
(via Vuelta por el universo) ¶ 6:55 PM 0 comments
08 December 2006
Email address
I mistakenly listed my email address on some earlier posts as cicerojonesblog@blogspot.com. That is wrong. It is cicerojonesblog@gmail.com . Sorry for the confusion.
¶ 6:58 AM 0 comments
¶ 6:58 AM 0 comments
07 December 2006
ZoeWo Op-ed: Outlaw the outlaws
From reader ZoeWo, thoughts on the ethics of celebrity:
Apparently we now live in a time when it has officially become appropriate and acceptable to award people for breaking laws and endangering the lives of others. Paris Hilton was awarded "Biggest Outlaw of 06" at VH1's "Big in 06" awards. In the running against Hilton for the title were: of course, actor Mel Gibson for his drunk driving and verbal antics; Willie Nelson, for getting busted with weed; and political figure, Dick Cheney, for accidentally shooting his friend on a hunting trip. Ultimately, Paris was named Biggest Outlaw for getting arrested for DUI. The ultimate absurdity of it all was that when Paris accepted the award, and made her thank-you speech, even SHE seemed a little confused about the merit of the award! "I'm getting this award for drunk driving... That's hot, I guess..." Paris said somewhat reticently. When Miss Hilton starts beginning to question the ethics of something, it's pure insanity for it to not seriously cross our minds.
Readers who are interested in contributing an op-ed should contact me via email.
¶ 10:58 PM 0 comments
Apparently we now live in a time when it has officially become appropriate and acceptable to award people for breaking laws and endangering the lives of others. Paris Hilton was awarded "Biggest Outlaw of 06" at VH1's "Big in 06" awards. In the running against Hilton for the title were: of course, actor Mel Gibson for his drunk driving and verbal antics; Willie Nelson, for getting busted with weed; and political figure, Dick Cheney, for accidentally shooting his friend on a hunting trip. Ultimately, Paris was named Biggest Outlaw for getting arrested for DUI. The ultimate absurdity of it all was that when Paris accepted the award, and made her thank-you speech, even SHE seemed a little confused about the merit of the award! "I'm getting this award for drunk driving... That's hot, I guess..." Paris said somewhat reticently. When Miss Hilton starts beginning to question the ethics of something, it's pure insanity for it to not seriously cross our minds.
Readers who are interested in contributing an op-ed should contact me via email.
¶ 10:58 PM 0 comments
scattered links
The blog has been a bit slow lately, I know. So here are some links to keep you occupied:
Today is Pearl Harbor Day. Awesome coverage from the NY Times, which has a special section, Pearl Harbor Revisited. The focus is on some previously unpublished material that details the reconstruction of the Pacific Fleet after the Japanese attack (good to read if you think your job is hard)
A photoessay that follows the path of a diamond from the mines of Africa to the Western jewelry store. "In Angola, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, miners work for food but receive no wages" and "last year, grooms spent nearly $4.5 billion on engagement rings". See also the interview with Edward Zwick, director of Blood Diamond. "By putting your credit card down, you're essentially endorsing the practices that are involved in getting a resource. This place and that place are, in fact, interconnected."
Ever wondered how they create illustrations of extinct animals? Good read here.
McSweeney's: A WEB LOGOR "BLOG" STARTEDIN AN ATTEMPT FOR ME, GARY KIMBALL, TO GET CLOSER TO MY 15-YEAR- OLD SON, MARCUS, WHO'S LIVING WITH HIS MOM AND HER NEW HUSBAND,
RICK ¶ 7:36 PM 0 comments
Today is Pearl Harbor Day. Awesome coverage from the NY Times, which has a special section, Pearl Harbor Revisited. The focus is on some previously unpublished material that details the reconstruction of the Pacific Fleet after the Japanese attack (good to read if you think your job is hard)
A photoessay that follows the path of a diamond from the mines of Africa to the Western jewelry store. "In Angola, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, miners work for food but receive no wages" and "last year, grooms spent nearly $4.5 billion on engagement rings". See also the interview with Edward Zwick, director of Blood Diamond. "By putting your credit card down, you're essentially endorsing the practices that are involved in getting a resource. This place and that place are, in fact, interconnected."
Ever wondered how they create illustrations of extinct animals? Good read here.
McSweeney's: A WEB LOGOR "BLOG" STARTEDIN AN ATTEMPT FOR ME, GARY KIMBALL, TO GET CLOSER TO MY 15-YEAR- OLD SON, MARCUS, WHO'S LIVING WITH HIS MOM AND HER NEW HUSBAND,
RICK ¶ 7:36 PM 0 comments
Best of 2006: J-Lo
Book - This is a tie between Gaviotas: A Village to Reinvent the World, and Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates. If you are an idealist awaiting something on the scale of utopia then I recommend Gaviotas and for those who are fans of Tom Robbins - there is no better choice then Fierce Invalids.
Album - Annuals and Black Angels. The Annuals took diversity and experimentation to the next level in their odyssey through creativity, on the other hand the Black Angels take us back a few decades to the days of drone and psych-rock - a perfect blend of the Velvet Underground and Jim Morrison.
Movie - Little Miss Sunshine. A brilliant screenplay and an actor playing a self proclaimed Nietzsche adoring mute
Food/Drink - Since coming down to Tejas I would recommend a cold glass of Shiner Blonde.
Geographical Location - Atop the magical dwarf forests of Honduras with Kevo or under the clear blue waves of Utila.
Event - The collapse of the GOP and the Democratic take over of the House and Senate. Beautiful!
Album - Annuals and Black Angels. The Annuals took diversity and experimentation to the next level in their odyssey through creativity, on the other hand the Black Angels take us back a few decades to the days of drone and psych-rock - a perfect blend of the Velvet Underground and Jim Morrison.
Movie - Little Miss Sunshine. A brilliant screenplay and an actor playing a self proclaimed Nietzsche adoring mute
Food/Drink - Since coming down to Tejas I would recommend a cold glass of Shiner Blonde.
Geographical Location - Atop the magical dwarf forests of Honduras with Kevo or under the clear blue waves of Utila.
Event - The collapse of the GOP and the Democratic take over of the House and Senate. Beautiful!
Labels: best of 2006
¶ 7:35 PM 1 comments
06 December 2006
Best of 2006: Midnight Shows at Tonic
by Cicero Jones and Kevo, fans
tonic nyc
It is upon entering the world of the show that many our age find freedom from all else. They feel the power of the music, move in ways not normally comfortable when in less forgiving space, and find peace in their souls. Sometimes it's just good music; other times, the confluence of friends beats and time of day creates something else entirely. What we're trying to say - it's not always about the music. Sometimes it's about the place, other times it's the people. Sometimes it's the memory of a place that once was, can, should, or will be. Music for the atheist is his connection to the spiritual world that doesn't exist otherwise. All can agree that music is a language that can bring people of disparate experience together. The combination of different musical experiences has become the norm, and at Tonic they move it to the next step.
The midnight Tonic show is the Cicero Jones choice for Best of 2006.
Why? It starts: You see the listing for 'x' band playing 'Esoteric Urban Noise.' Or you read: 'instrumental saxophone-guitar-bass-drums power rock,' and you say 'What the fuck does that mean?' and think about it. Then, 'Do the band members even know what that means?' As your compatriot responds honestly, 'probably not' you find yourself gravitating towards the Lower East Side through the pizzabeer haze around 11:55 or so (rarely does the midnight show keep its word, so tardiness is seldom an issue). You're not so sure what you're going to see, but then again, it doesn't matter all that much. You're on your way to Tonic, for the midnight show, and it's always a good time. Room to dance if you want, bar to buy a beer (redstripe rules for some, bass ale others). Chances are that, standing there, in the truly barren landscape that is its interior, you won't have the deepest philosophical conversation of your life. Such discussion comes later, after the show. The journey of the music is a mental exercise. The midnight show is not the best because it always has the hottest, newest acts. It's the best because it reaches. Sometimes there are 5 people in the place 20 minutes into the show, with musicians marching on to the different drummer of their own sound, which might or might not involve eastern chants, household appliances, and a brass section. Other times, you've got new-age flamenco-funk moving the ceiling and walls with a house that's been packed since 11. Music is and should be experimentation. It should be new. The old and battered Tonic always is.
tonic nyc
It is upon entering the world of the show that many our age find freedom from all else. They feel the power of the music, move in ways not normally comfortable when in less forgiving space, and find peace in their souls. Sometimes it's just good music; other times, the confluence of friends beats and time of day creates something else entirely. What we're trying to say - it's not always about the music. Sometimes it's about the place, other times it's the people. Sometimes it's the memory of a place that once was, can, should, or will be. Music for the atheist is his connection to the spiritual world that doesn't exist otherwise. All can agree that music is a language that can bring people of disparate experience together. The combination of different musical experiences has become the norm, and at Tonic they move it to the next step.
The midnight Tonic show is the Cicero Jones choice for Best of 2006.
Why? It starts: You see the listing for 'x' band playing 'Esoteric Urban Noise.' Or you read: 'instrumental saxophone-guitar-bass-drums power rock,' and you say 'What the fuck does that mean?' and think about it. Then, 'Do the band members even know what that means?' As your compatriot responds honestly, 'probably not' you find yourself gravitating towards the Lower East Side through the pizzabeer haze around 11:55 or so (rarely does the midnight show keep its word, so tardiness is seldom an issue). You're not so sure what you're going to see, but then again, it doesn't matter all that much. You're on your way to Tonic, for the midnight show, and it's always a good time. Room to dance if you want, bar to buy a beer (redstripe rules for some, bass ale others). Chances are that, standing there, in the truly barren landscape that is its interior, you won't have the deepest philosophical conversation of your life. Such discussion comes later, after the show. The journey of the music is a mental exercise. The midnight show is not the best because it always has the hottest, newest acts. It's the best because it reaches. Sometimes there are 5 people in the place 20 minutes into the show, with musicians marching on to the different drummer of their own sound, which might or might not involve eastern chants, household appliances, and a brass section. Other times, you've got new-age flamenco-funk moving the ceiling and walls with a house that's been packed since 11. Music is and should be experimentation. It should be new. The old and battered Tonic always is.
Labels: best of 2006
¶ 10:22 PM 0 comments
05 December 2006
Best of 2006: Chosun
Chosun is the first go in Cicero Jones' Best of 2006:
Book: The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy - I forgot just how funny and completely ridiculous this book is.
Album: Either Black Sheep's new album "8WM/Novakane" or CL Smooth's new album, "American Me". It's kind of a tie between the two as I just picked up a copy of both of them and have been really getting into both of them.
Movie: Inside the Actor's Studio feat. Dave Chappelle (tv show on DVD). If that doesn't count, then I would say Harold and Kumar go to White Castle--that movie is totally hilarious.
Food/Drink: Pizza/Dos Equis - Now that I'm trying to get back into shape, it's kind of like the forbidden fruit.
Event: I would say that the New York-Tokyo Music Festival which I helped organize opened my eyes to some amazing artists, and I met so many amazing people.
ez.
-Chosun
Book: The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy - I forgot just how funny and completely ridiculous this book is.
Album: Either Black Sheep's new album "8WM/Novakane" or CL Smooth's new album, "American Me". It's kind of a tie between the two as I just picked up a copy of both of them and have been really getting into both of them.
Movie: Inside the Actor's Studio feat. Dave Chappelle (tv show on DVD). If that doesn't count, then I would say Harold and Kumar go to White Castle--that movie is totally hilarious.
Food/Drink: Pizza/Dos Equis - Now that I'm trying to get back into shape, it's kind of like the forbidden fruit.
Event: I would say that the New York-Tokyo Music Festival which I helped organize opened my eyes to some amazing artists, and I met so many amazing people.
ez.
-Chosun
Labels: best of 2006
¶ 9:58 PM 0 comments
J-lo Op-ed: Operation Luna-Libre
¶ 9:50 PM 0 comments
Courtesy long-time reader and commenter, J-lo, an update on Bush in Space:
In recent months, we have seen Bush’s presidency steadily decline from bad to atrocious, his future legacy labeled as Hoover-like, and the war in Iraq transition into something far worse than a civil war. In the hopes of truly “conquering” a foreign land and exploiting its resources, however, Bush and NASA have turned their attention to the moon.
The moon settlement would ultimately be a way station for space travelers headed onward, and would provide not only safe haven but also hydrogen and oxygen mined from the lunar surface to make water and rocket fuel.It looks like the U.S. government will continue its pursuit on spending resources and taxpayers money on sci-fi ideas like creating lunar outposts and exploiting the moon for helium-3. I speculate with Iraq lost, Bush needs to flex his muscles somewhere and that somewhere being a distant land where the possibility of an insurgent uprising is nil! On the other hand, maybe Bin Laden escaped Tora Bora and burrowed into the craters of the Lunar Poles.
Readers who are interested in contributing an op-ed should contact me via email.
04 December 2006
Well, at least the reconstruction is going wel...err...
The "second" insurgency, as termed by the U.S. government office charged with oversight of Iraqi expenditures, is the rampant corruption and mismanagement of funds. Check it:
So, next time you see that paycheck, and all of the taxes withheld, you can at least smile and know the money is really going to the right place.
A recent audit by his inspectors found that more than 14,000 guns paid for out of US reconstruction funds for Iraqi government use could not be accounted for. Many could be in the hands of insurgents or sectarian death squads, but it will be almost impossible to prove because when the US military handed out the guns it noted the serial numbers of only about 10,000 out of a total of 370,000 US-funded weapons, contrary to defence department regulations.
[snip]
A culture of waste, incompetence and fraud may be one legacy the occupiers have passed on to Iraq's new rulers more or less intact. Mr Bowen's office found that nearly $9bn in Iraqi oil revenues could not be accounted for. The cash was flown into the country in shrink-wrapped bundles on military transport planes and handed over by the ton to Iraqi ministries by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) run by Paul Bremer, a veteran diplomat. The money was meant to demonstrate the invaders' good intentions and boost the Iraqi economy, which Mr Bremer later insisted had been "dead in the water". But it also fuelled a cycle of corruption left over from Saddam Hussein's rule.
So, next time you see that paycheck, and all of the taxes withheld, you can at least smile and know the money is really going to the right place.
Labels: politics
¶ 12:49 PM 0 comments
Google Talk
Like the little Google "chat" feature in your email, but sick of having to keep your email window open to remain online? Be like me and download Google Talk. Very clean, minimal interface and it sets up with your existing gmail account nicely.
¶ 12:48 PM 0 comments
More Obama Buzz
And Hillary Clinton's stock is slipping (thank god):
One thing though: how could would a Gore-Obama ticket be?
For all of Sen. Clinton's poll and money advantages, the fact remains that Obama is the candidate party insiders are excited about. It's the campaign everyone wants a part of. Nobody is saying the same for Clinton -- her campaign is looking like the most corporate, oldest and blandest since Mondale in '84. Great campaign team? Sure ... for the 1992 Presidential race. There are plenty of generals, but who wants to be a footsoldier for HRC? And speaking of wars, the longer the U.S. remains in Iraq, the better for Obama, who was aganst it from the start and has a plan to get us out.Obama is definitely in now. I am not sure I buy the arguemnt above though - there is more than enough time for more strong candidates to emerge. Chances are there that "surprise" candidate is still lurking out there.Can another candidate break through in this environment? I think it's unlikely. Bayh couldn't even outshine Edwards, never mind Obama. Clark's best shot was having the Clinton's on his side in '04. Gore is too happy hanging out with Leo and Will Ferrell to get in now. Kerry is the walking dead. Edwards seems even more lightweight today than he did four years ago. Within six months, it will become clear that Clinton vs. Obama is the only game in town ... and who wants to be on the side of the safe, corporate, vaguely pro war candidate in this party?
One thing though: how could would a Gore-Obama ticket be?
Labels: politics
¶ 12:17 PM 0 comments
Farecast
A while back, I wrote about a new website that was planning to forecast airline fares for specific routes in advance - thus letting the consumer in on whether to buy now or wait, etc. Well, several months ago that website finally went live. It's now up and running very well. It's called Farecast.com and I highly recommend it. It has now become my "first stop" in searching for tickets online.
Anyone have any other travel-related sites to suggest?
¶ 11:16 AM 0 comments
Anyone have any other travel-related sites to suggest?
¶ 11:16 AM 0 comments
Reader comment: On Buffett, taxes, and more
Last week, I wrote this post, regarding this article, which dealt with Warren Buffett's self-imposed tax policy of paying what he owes the IRS and not using any tax planning. Buffett surveyed his employees and found he was paying a far smaller percentage of his overall income in taxes than they were in theirs, a fact by which he is troubled greatly.
One reader responded:
"Cicero:
this post is authored by one who may be among the oldest of your readers, and you can tell by this note. I have seen references by you not only to Buffett, but also to the huge and growing wealth gap between Americans. Recently, someone wrote an article on that growing gap and cited Buffett's charitable contributions as evidence of the "problem". The author was concerned that someone like Buffett could accumulate so much wealth while others go homeless, and did not seem to give Buffett any credit for his altruism.
Your post on his thoughts on taxes supports that he thinks like a real good citizen, concerned for the welfare of many.
I do not have much of a point, but want to mention a few personal thoughts. I have been extremely fortunate in life , with a great family and good health. I have been extremely lucky in a career that has paid me much more than I am worth in a great society, and am a living example that "life is not fair",perhaps balancing out your friend who was a near volunteer in TFA. I make a lot of money, more than i can spend and much more than I need. I give some to charities and a lot to the US Treasury, paying over 40% of my total income( not only taxable, but all of my income because I pay in several states). And the net paid in a single year is a big number, probably more than my father earned in his lifetime.
I am ok with that ...because my generation is eating up much of the future, not only environmentally, but in social security, tax breaks for the rich, white elephants for many congressman, and unaffordable defined benefit plans to many civil employees. Your generation will rarely or never see true pension plans, and social security will not be what we think it is today. You can hardly afford housing and many of you carry debt from college( which I and almost all of my friends did not) , but we have trained you to be good consumers and you have generated huge debt by buying perishable goods, most of which have already perished.
If it makes your readers feel any better, I will tell them I have concern and some guilt about what we are leaving your generation. of course I forgot to mention that I never served my country, as I had a student deferment because my parents saved for me to go to college while my disadvantaged contempararies served, died or were wounded in Viet Nam.
So I will continue to look for good causes to which I can contribute, write big checks to the Treasury . If you and your readers have any good ideas, such as how I and my other overpaid exec friends can donate my future social security checks to those men and women who have had parts of their lives ripped away by the on going atrocities in the Middle east, please let me know."
Thanks for the comment.
One reader responded:
"Cicero:
this post is authored by one who may be among the oldest of your readers, and you can tell by this note. I have seen references by you not only to Buffett, but also to the huge and growing wealth gap between Americans. Recently, someone wrote an article on that growing gap and cited Buffett's charitable contributions as evidence of the "problem". The author was concerned that someone like Buffett could accumulate so much wealth while others go homeless, and did not seem to give Buffett any credit for his altruism.
Your post on his thoughts on taxes supports that he thinks like a real good citizen, concerned for the welfare of many.
I do not have much of a point, but want to mention a few personal thoughts. I have been extremely fortunate in life , with a great family and good health. I have been extremely lucky in a career that has paid me much more than I am worth in a great society, and am a living example that "life is not fair",perhaps balancing out your friend who was a near volunteer in TFA. I make a lot of money, more than i can spend and much more than I need. I give some to charities and a lot to the US Treasury, paying over 40% of my total income( not only taxable, but all of my income because I pay in several states). And the net paid in a single year is a big number, probably more than my father earned in his lifetime.
I am ok with that ...because my generation is eating up much of the future, not only environmentally, but in social security, tax breaks for the rich, white elephants for many congressman, and unaffordable defined benefit plans to many civil employees. Your generation will rarely or never see true pension plans, and social security will not be what we think it is today. You can hardly afford housing and many of you carry debt from college( which I and almost all of my friends did not) , but we have trained you to be good consumers and you have generated huge debt by buying perishable goods, most of which have already perished.
If it makes your readers feel any better, I will tell them I have concern and some guilt about what we are leaving your generation. of course I forgot to mention that I never served my country, as I had a student deferment because my parents saved for me to go to college while my disadvantaged contempararies served, died or were wounded in Viet Nam.
So I will continue to look for good causes to which I can contribute, write big checks to the Treasury . If you and your readers have any good ideas, such as how I and my other overpaid exec friends can donate my future social security checks to those men and women who have had parts of their lives ripped away by the on going atrocities in the Middle east, please let me know."
Thanks for the comment.
Labels: politics
¶ 8:16 AM 0 comments
