Welcome to the are we there yet?, are we there yet? edition?

This past week continued to see the trickle down GOP policies take their toll on, oh, everything. If you read nothing else in this post read this piece on the recession.

Iraq

There was presentation over the legality of the Iraq War. Regardless where your belief in what an appropriate exit strategy looks like - all the reasons for going to war in Iraq didn’t pan out and frankly we have created a mess which is sapping the United States of lives, treasure and moral standing in the world.

Of course, National Democratic Candidates are working together and locally Massa, Powers and Maffei show why they are the start of a solution to Iraq as opposed to Randy Kuhl who is is happily superglued to George Bush.

There was also an intense discussion of the value and interpretation of “art” and “protest”. I call this out specifically because healthy discussion is important to growth and understanding of both sides.

Meanwhile, Tom Reynolds joins Jim Walsh and calls it quits. Apparently Tom stopped having fun. Here is a round up of who might replace Tom Reynolds in what has become a toss-up race. I think he stopped having fun when he slipped to the minority in 2006. Gee, Reynolds actually has to work now.

Economy

It’s the economy stupid.

Of course, with jobs staying in the US, a trade balance, less national debt, less consumer debt, and GDP growth we wouldn’t have to worry, but with the outflow of money to Iraq, wild west mentality in terms of regulation (can you say subprime?) and exporting jobs to anywhere, but here - we have have problems.

Monroe County taxpayers are about to feel the pinch because the County lost an appeal regarding the so called FAIR plan. This pinch is what they wold have felt anyway had the County actually addressed the $29 million dollar Budget gap last year. Maggie’s financial prowess is, well, not so much.

Exile wrote this piece that simply rocked on the recession and yet people somehow equate Iraq and expensive gas like this LTE

Environment

The same reckless abandon that has gone into Iraq has trickled down in to lack of environmental oversight. It could be an energy bill that still supports status quo tax breaks to fossil industry while raising food prices, increased arsenic in ground water, increased mercury levels, inability to join the world community to attempt to solve global warming.

Grievous Angel touched upon why the Great Lakes are important. Frankly, in my opinion - water is the next “oil”. I read a long time ago that we are sitting on 20% of the world’s fresh water supply (that is unsourced). Regardless of the amount in the Great Lakes basin - we need to protect it. Well - ratifying these treaties and compacts are a start. While you are at it, here are a couple things you can do to slow Global Warming

But who do you call when your world is on the brink? No, not underdog - tech support.

Three cheers for our ever under-appreciated local tech support. They deliver again.

See you next week.