Monday, February 28, 2011
Moonlight and Magnolia Theory
From The New Republic Special Correspondent, Ed Kilgore, discussing Republicans who want Wisconsin to behave like the deep South:
Read the full article here.
The problem with this Southern theory of growth is that it won’t work: Economic development experts usually deride “Moonlight and Magnolias” approaches to job creation, noting that they track the outmoded first and second “waves” of basic economic development theory—which emphasized crude economic races to the bottom—as opposed to third and fourth “waves” that focus on worker skills, quality of life, public-private partnerships, innovation, and sustainability. If Wisconsin and other states—not to mention the country as a whole—end up adopting these atavistic economic ideals, they will simply begin to resemble the dysfunctional Old South societies that spawned them in the first place.
So what is at stake in Wisconsin, and across the country, is not just the pay and benefits of public employees, or their collective bargaining rights, or the specific programs facing the budgetary knife. We are contesting whether Americans who are not “job creators,” by virtue of wealth, should be considered anything more than cannon fodder in an endless war between states—and countries—over who can attract the most capital by slashing the most regulations. In this sense, standing up to Scott Walker is a truly worthy fight.
Read the full article here.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Victory or Death!
The Travis Letter
Commandancy of the The Alamo
Bejar, Feby. 24th. 1836
To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World—
Fellow Citizens & compatriots—
I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna —
I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man — The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken —
I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls — I shall never surrender or retreat.
Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch —
The enemy is receieving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country —
Victory or Death.
William Barrett Travis.
Lt. Col. comdt.
P. S. The Lord is on our side — When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn — We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.
Travis
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Rune, Ruin, Ruint
Whisky Prajer is always a prime number dude - his writing stands alone and above the blogging crowd, in my opinion. Occasionally, he and I are muy de una mente on subjects:
Ruin Nation: Detroit, Winnipeg, And Other Troubled States Of Mind
And to obey his command:
I submit my own photographic fascination with a Lone Star version of "Ruin Nation" (hey, we're BIG enough to be our own nation!):
Ruin Nation: Detroit, Winnipeg, And Other Troubled States Of Mind
And to obey his command:
I believe any photographer with a little sand in 'em could — and should — have a field day in every town in the atlas.
I submit my own photographic fascination with a Lone Star version of "Ruin Nation" (hey, we're BIG enough to be our own nation!):
...The biographical equivalent of 12 hour chili - Sticks to the ribs! -
