April 30, 2005
Arbor Day~the 50/50 Solution
We Are Experiencing the Rebirth of the American Chestnut . . .
and if you're looking for something good about genetic engineering, look no further than the rebirth of the American chestnut, a tree considered critical to our U.S. ecosystem. Its power of sustainability in our environment has been well documented—producing a thick woodland as habitat for living diversity, generating a food source for a wide range of animals, including a harvest crop of nuts for humans, and offering a source of straight-grained lumber both rot-resistant and lightweight. CLICK TO READ ON
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April 29, 2005
Chemistry of Talk Radio
I love the work of this new columnist. He's young and energetic. He's a producer at WGOW Talk Radio. His new column is called Matt on Media. Here's an excerpt from his column today:
Examining all facets of America's big culture of media, I'd have to say that arguably the "all talk all the time" format on your radio is certainly the most compelling. We're attracted to those news anchors that push past the boundaries of the old reporting rules and form a hard opinion, just like you sometimes do. You like it that someone's on your side, so you keep listening. But suddenly you're bothered when the voice on the other end speaks against your belief system, so you keep listening because you're a little pissed. You probably laughed at the banter and chemistry between the talk personalities, and you still continue to listen. Talk Radio's mission should be to provide an audience with entertaining information and informative entertainment, entertainment being the bottom line before the information. Is Talk Radio a credible medium? CLICK TO READ ON
Is this talk radio host credible?
Posted by wjbailes at 06:18 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 28, 2005
Political rumors abound . . .
1. Jesse Register will resign to spare the county school district its fight with the county commissioners. This one is an increasing whisper rumor circulated by loyal-to-Jesse parents in the county.
2. If Register resigns, groups will organize to demand resignations from Adams and Skillern. See number one above.
3. County Commissioner Curtis Adams is suffering from mini-strokes or early dementia. Ditto numbers one and two.
4. Investigations into the election commission may reveal vote tampering. This one has been circulating since Saturday, far and wide.
5. Ann Coulter will stay in the city and pursue a leadership role in the private/public sector only after a long cooling off period. Wish I could tell you my source, but trust me.
Posted by wjbailes at 12:19 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Drugs and Sustainability
Here's a piece by The Generalist on "Drugs and Sustainability":
[Source: Pew Research Center]
Every year 100,000 people die from improperly prescribed drugs in the United States. In that same time period, no one died from smoking marijuana.
Posted by wjbailes at 07:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 27, 2005
Tyranny of a Majority
Here's a Madisonian view by Paul Von Ward
Our 4th President, Father of the Constitution and architect of the Bill of Rights, may have foreseen the current push by a religious minority to use majoritarian devices in Congress to tyrannize the rest of the country. He must have feared it when he wrote Thomas Jefferson in France from the Continental Congress on October 24, 1787. After recognizing the need for a majority in routine votes, he asked when "a majority... united by a common interest or a passion cannot be constrained from oppressing the minority, what remedy can be found...?"
Click below for other engaging opinions by Paul Von Ward:
Popes, Titles, Deference, and Power
Religion as Dogma, or Self-Renewing Beliefs?
Dealing with Religious Terrorism
Posted by wjbailes at 06:06 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 26, 2005
How Many Children Do Teachers Have?
. . . it became very apparent to me that what Norman was looking for was a kind of father figure, and I had unwittingly provided it. I have kept in touch with Norman over the years. He is still writing and lately has produced a couple of short films for the Sundance Film Festival. Sometimes I wonder how many other Normans I have out there.
[Father and son are finally reunited. But father has been gone for over twenty years! Athena, representing instruction and wisdom, has been the boy's guide. At last father and son meet. In this illustration, which captures a scene near the end of the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer, the hero Odysseus finally sees his grown-up son Telemachus after twenty years away at war. Odysseus realizes his son has been in good hands with Athena.]
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April 25, 2005
Enraptured by Water and Spirit
The Epiphany
Dr. Olin Ivey, associate minister at Pilgrim Congregational Church, posted this at The Daily Bailout:
Sunday broke with a chilling temperature for April 24, 2005. Brisk winds out of the north evoked the near freezing temperature, but they also brought beautiful blue skies pillowed with scattered clouds. This day of worship held special significance for the family of John Bailes, the founder and editor of The Daily Bailout. Jackson, ten-year-old son of John and Dinah, was to celebrate his confirmation at Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church in St. Elmo. CLICK TO READ ON
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April 22, 2005
Breaking traditions--Conservative or Radical?
A CONSERVATIVE~a preservative agent; a political representative of conservative values; one favoring traditional rules and values; one espousing social stability and gradual development rather than abrupt changes.
In an alarming number of cases, those calling themselves "CONSERVATIVES" have moved far away from convention or tradition and instead are radicalizing America from inside out. I am amazed that not more pundits or journalists are identifying and talking about this trend. Instead we hear more about Robert Byrd fighting the filibuster when it suited his causes [SEE BYRD DOG]. For my part, I have no real problem defining Byrd as a moderate with moments of liberalism, but what do we say about "conservatives" like Frist, Bush, and others? I have no problem calling Republicans radicals; however, friends of mine find that characterization too much. But why not call them radicals? Just look at the news today.
Today VP Dick Cheney stepped up pressure [SEE ABC], challenging Senators with the possibility of a tie-breaking vote on Frist's plan to ban judicial filibusters. Cheney, playing the bully, moved away from senatorial tradition and crossed the line of checks and balances to interfere with the Senate, as Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) put it in the ABC piece. And Majority leader Frist has been moving far away from a senate tradition held for over two centuries, the filibuster granting consent power to the minority in the senate--even though Frist voted against getting rid of the filibuster when it served him in 2000 [SEE ROLL CALL].
I'm sure someone has been writing on the radical approaches of these so-called "conservatives," and I have just not come across it. If you have let me know.
Posted by wjbailes at 06:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Media Monster
The Daily Bailout introduces its newest columnist today, Matt Estes. He is producer of some of the most popular talk shows in Chattanooga, including the Morning Press at WGOW. He will be the Daily Bailout media critic.
If you didn't happen to flip deep into the local newspaper, fallen heroes may never have been noticed. What a shame.
Posted by wjbailes at 06:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 21, 2005
Mr. Mom~Is it worth it? Absolutely!
[Jackson praying at St. Patrick's in New York City, with his mother watching.]
We had been living in Florida for one year, in Sarasota to be exact. And my wife, son and I were enjoying the beaches and sunny skies at least thrice a week. We'd moved to the Sunshine State from Sacramento, California, where I had a cushy tenured postion as an honors high school English teacher and was on a clear track to a fulltime position at a local community college. But all that changed when I agreed to support my wife's career move. To be honest with you, it was difficult not only because I walked away from a great job, tenured security, the beginnings of professional success, and of course California living, but also because I became Mr. Mom. For if there was anything in our society that others would suggest for a "man" to do, the least of these would be to become a Mr. Mom. But that's what I did. Click HERE to read the rest.
Posted by wjbailes at 12:59 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 20, 2005
Thinking: An Idea
Are you thinking yet?
This unique take on mass culture and independent thinking at the Daily Bailout today is written by The Generalist, Wade Swicord. Here's an excerpt:
Jesus was simply trying to save you from the hell of the unexamined life. If you need some insurance, call me.
Posted by wjbailes at 01:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 19, 2005
8th Annual Environmental City Gala
Thought you might want to know that you could . . .
Celebrate Earth Day at Audubon Acres
23 April 2005 ~ 6 p.m.
$10 a ticket ~ All you can eat & drink!
8th Annual Environmental City Gala
Celtic Performance by Olta
Environmental City Task Force will present
the 2005 Enviro-Hero Award
Johnny Kimmons . . .
and Carol Kimmons were last year's winners of the Enviro-Hero Award--a big stuffed bass!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
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April 18, 2005
At the Threshold
Here's an interesting take on preservation, tying it with sustainability:
"A Cornerstone of Preservation ~ Sustainability"
Dr. Olin Ivey on 18 April 2005 wrote:
Preservation is a cornerstone of sustainability. Though many people in their mind’s eye limit preservation to merely buildings, it includes buildings, land, and neighborhoods. These can be interconnected though sometimes one of them stands alone in being preserved. An example of the latter is the Courthouse in Dayton, Tennessee. As the PBS site, American Experience, describes it:
The Rhea County Courthouse, built in 1891 in Dayton, Tennessee, is where two legendary public figures, Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan, squared off over evolution. Much of the courthouse remains as it was in 1925, and the courtroom is still used today. The building, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977 [emphasis mine], also houses a museum dedicated to the famous trial.
Such a landmark preservation can often become the anchor to a larger initiative to preserve, in this case, the old center of town with its buildings and layout preserved. Covington, Georgia, is an example of that, helped out by the filming there of In the Heat of the Night. CLICK TO READ ON
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April 17, 2005
First Step to Oil Addiction: Recognition of Addiction
Ed Park, local energy forecaster and fellow Democrat, has sent me links about growing urgency in energy markets, specifically about serious worries over rapid oil depletion as prices and consumption rise. Of course, you already knew that we were in trouble, but did you know that the guys who've been avoiding "apocalyptic" predictions because of profit-oriented hubris are now really worried? You know, the guys at the top of the corporate food chain? Well, they have a lot to worry about, as do we, since most of our economy is based on petro.
So here are a few critical links Ed Park sent me. They address new observations about peak production and other developments:
1. Staring down the barrel. This one will make your head spin with quotes from scientists and CEOs in the industry. And since Russia holds the cards on oil (it is now the largest oil producer in the world), how do we proceed?
2. International Energy Agency predicts acute oil shortage. Here's a disturbing or exciting excerpt (depending on how you view it): The measures, suggested by IEA, include the reduction of a working week, a ban on using privately owned vehicles, the introduction of a 90-kilometre speed limit, the reduction of public transport fare and the encouragement of staff members to work at home, using Internet.
3. A call for risk management. It probably doesn't help that Americans have about 210 million cars, SUVs, vans, and light trucks on the road every day. Okay, let's be honest. Yeah, it's insane. We're addicted to oil.
READ MORE ABOUT ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY AT THE DAILY BAILOUT
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April 16, 2005
TennCare Cuts Get Green Light from Fed
TennCare Patients, Now's a Good Time to Organize
Let's see--do I understand this right?
We're giving Iraqis universal health care coverage, yet we're sending our soldiers and support troops to Iraq to accomplish this goal and sacrificing our own sick and dying to massive cuts in Tennessee. Read more at TennCare
Diaries.
Posted by wjbailes at 07:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 15, 2005
Counting Democracy ~ April's the Cruelest Month
Another Daily Bailout Feature:
Tax Day 2005. Extensions will be mailed. Payments will be sent. Revenue will be lost. In this hazardous season in civics when procrastinators and evaders are made visible, it is disingenuous of my Republican friends to balk at paying their share, after listening to them cheer on the war in Iraq for two years, a war that has cost our taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars.
As if a prelude of things to come, Chattanooga voted in a populist mayor on tax week. With populism striking hot against a local plutocracy, Ron Littlefield generated such an earthquake in this quiet city that even I was astonished. I was there reporting on his victory at the Littlefield headquarters, a blue-collar warehouse on 11th. From where was this populist spirit rising?
Posted by wjbailes at 12:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 14, 2005
Riding the Caboose
Richard Dube boards a train to write
[An author, Richard Dube about to enter his caboose.]
Writers often have special places to write. These places become sacred to them. For Chattanooga’s Richard Dube (pronounced Dubay) there is a green caboose. And when Richard Dube climbs aboard he is fresh with ideas to write.
The 1940 vintage Southern Railroad caboose is parked akimbo in Dube’s backyard. And the backyard opens onto what was once a private airfield bordering a refuge managed by TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency). Railroad tracks parallel the field, marking the other side of Dubé’s vast retreat. It is a veritable Walden for a writer who sharpened his image in Chattanooga as the News Channel 9 Science Theater guy. CLICK FOR ENTIRE ARTICLE
Posted by wjbailes at 02:29 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 13, 2005
Brass Register & Time
Here's an excerpt from today's Daily Bailout article by THE GENERALIST. The article is called "Time and the Brass Register."
Posted by wjbailes at 03:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 12, 2005
Blogging the Mayoral Election
Join Aaron Mesh and myself as we blog the mayoral election tonight. Be ready to read, respond, comment, question--whatever. I'll be at the Littlefield headquarters and Aaron will be at the Coulter headquarters. Blogs should appear every fifteen minutes or so--and with images! Check out the Pulse Blog to know where to be watching.
Posted by wjbailes at 02:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Energy of Politics
Here's an excerpt of my column in the Chattanooga Pulse today:
In politics, energy often radiates inwardly from the margins while power is stored in the center. For instance, if the establishment is primarily Republican, as it is now, then core Democrats must re-energize themselves by looking away from Washington, D.C., or Nashville where power has grown for the GOP. But political margins will be polarizing—as they should be. That's the main reason for their energy. CLICK TO SEE ENTIRE COLUMN
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April 11, 2005
Love's A Man of War
Love's a man of war,
And can shoot,
And can hit from far.
Who can escape his bow?
~ George Herbert (1593-1692)
This metaphysical excerpt starts Dr. Olin Ivey's thoughtful essay on the required aggressiveness of love if it is to overcome the inaction of standing on the sidelines of war.
[From left: Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Israel's Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the end of Camp David talks in 1978. Courtesy of Congregation B'nai Jeshurun]
Posted by wjbailes at 04:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 10, 2005
Ouch Vouch: Why Coulter?
Most Chattanoogans I've spoken with say they can live with either Ron Littlefield or Ann Coulter as their next Chattanooga mayor. Given such a concession, I will offer these three "less talked about"—but important—reasons why some might want to vote Coulter on April 12. Before doing that, let me refer you to the Chattanooga Times-Free Press this morning. The Maxon-Dixon poll conducted last week with 625 likely voters shows Coulter with a slight lead over Littlefield, 46% to 42%. But with a margin of error of 4 points, the race is either a statistical dead heat, or it is Coulter's to lose. Here's where GOTV comes in.
Interestingly enough, and this will transition to the next first point, it is the women who remain undecided, not the men. But Littlefield is grabbing only 44% of the male vote while Coulter holds a two-point lead at 46%. CLICK HERE FOR MORE STORY
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April 09, 2005
"No man, no problem"
Stalin's full quote is "Death solves all problems: no man, no problem."
Quoting Stalin, lawyer-author Edwin Vieira told a Washington, D.C., gathering that Justice Kennedy should be impeached because his philosophy, evidenced in his opinion striking down an anti-sodomy statute, "upholds Marxist, Leninist, satanic principles drawn from foreign law." Other Religious Right conservatives roared in agreement.
Should I be delighted that the Right Wing is exposing itself so flagrantly, or saddened that these thugs are using religion and politics to destroy the country?
Posted by wjbailes at 07:38 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Can Faith and Science Get Along?
[Dr. Olin Ivey and Joyce Wilding talked about sustainability at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on April 3.]
Science & Religion--do they go together? For instance, what do we say to the science that demostrates global warming is increasing and will soon cause major plantetary crises? Or to the science that shows that gays and lesbians are born with a predisposition for that sexual orientation? CLICK TO READ ON
Posted by wjbailes at 07:27 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 08, 2005
Tennessee Preservation Trust 2005 Conference--Signs of Mayoral Race
Although I write for the Chattanooga Pulse, I showed up at this conference without a press badge. Fortunately, Patrick McIntyre, TPT's executive director, was kind enough to give me the green light. He asked one favor of me: Listen to the keynote speaker, Donovan Rypkema. So I did.
Since Rypkema had already spoken the keynote address, I attended one of his workshops. I learned right away that TPT's motto--Promoting Preservation in the 21st Century--might also be called Profitting from Preservation.
Donovan Rypkema, principal of Place Economics today, a Washington, D.C.-based real estate and economic development consulting firm, spoke on "Keeping it Local," a focus on economic benefits of downtown revitalization in cities. He was adamant that everyone would profit. So someone asked the million-dollar question (I won't name the person): How in the world can Chattanooga have downtown development with a "vested interest"?
Rypkema walked over and put a dollar bill in the man's hand (was he paying him off?). Then the visiting economist and developer responded. He said he was not religious, but was a capitalist, and that he had no problem with people making money. Ideologically free-market, Rypkema has no problem with Joe making $1 million and Sally making $1. And therein lies the problem with such a system of thought: It is radically pro-individual when it comes to money, but on the face of it promotes "community" and "history." And maybe this is the best marriage that most humans can muster.
What does this conference have to do with the mayoral race? Probably not as much as I think it does. But here's what I'm guessing. It is clear that the preservationists might be more likely to vote for a wealthy-leaning-upper-crust-preservationist-type-North-Shore candidate than a labor-leaning-middle-class-working-class-suburban candidate. Am I right? Depends on where you live and how you want to make money, I guess.
Posted by wjbailes at 05:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack