Prison companies are preparing for a wave of new business as the economic downturn makes it increasingly difficult for federal and state government officials to build and operate their own jails.
Disturbing to me, because at a time when our left of center community is focused on Gitmo, we tend to forget the inmates who are warehoused in our nations prisons, whose numbers are growing at alarming rates.
The United States already has this dubious distinction:
The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world at 737 persons imprisoned per 100,000 (as of 2005). A report released Feb. 28, 2008 indicates that in the United States more than 1 in 100 adults is now confined in an American jail or prison. The United States has 5% of the world's population and 25% of the world's incarcerated population
Al-Qaeda's #2, Ayman Zawahiri, released a video today blasting President Elect Obama and calling him "dishonorable" and refering to him with racial epithets.
Wait, I thought they would be dancing in the streets? (a sincere Fuck You, you miserable traitorous bastard, Congressman King - ed).
This is partly a diary to celebrate the survival of the Moose over the dangerous last few months while Sarah Palin was circling in a helicopter with her telescopic rifle, and also a summary of a talk I will be doing on Thursday November 20th, at a plenary session that will start at about 10 a.m EST and last for an hour and a half.
For my fellow Moosers, the title (suggested by the organisers) is self explanatory, and some of you will be familiar with basic argument from my Flaming for Obama piece in Prospect Magazine last month, which drew an unexpectedly benign response from the proprietor of MYDD.
But here I'm inviting you all to show how the liberal blogosphere works, and respond in real time, or whatever time you choose, to the basic points with critiques, thoughts, flames or fail cartoons.
The hottest news out of the transition game is the possibility of Hillary Clinton receiving the nod as Secretary of State. It is so hot that it has overshadowed the appointment of Eric Holder as Attorney General. The SoS is considered the most prestigious and influential post on any Presidential cabinet. The appointment would surely please most Clinton backers. She could play a much more active and influential role as SoS than she could as VP.
Is the rumor of the appointment overblown, as the rumor of her being picked as VP turned out to be, or is this the real deal? From everything I read, I think the offer has been made contingent on the results of the vetting process.
Marc Ambinder reports today, that the vetting has been, "ongoing, delicate, sensitive and private." He also reports that Bill Clinton has gone out of his way to help the process. This is great news for those who think she would make an outstanding SoS.
It wasn't that long ago when I was just crying in my bedroom, not knowing what I could do next. Prop 8 had passed in California, and it felt like I was completely stripped of my human rights. Why did everything go so wrong when it seemed like the worst had just ended with Barack Obama's victory?
But in the next few days, hope returned. Lawsuits were filed to protect people's rights. People soon took to the streets to protest the temporary "win" for hate. And most importantly, a new civil rights movement was born as people began organizing to show the state, the nation, and the world that love conquers all.
So how has a temporary defeat resulted in a sudden push for victory?
In case anyone was jonesing for a some homophobia and well, douchiness in general should be sure to check out last Thursday's O'Reilly Factor. In it, O'Reilly does a segment on the protests in California over Prop. 8 and really does not disappoint in reaffirming that he is a number one ignoramus.
O'REILLY: So you can see the debate over gay marriage is now a full fledged national battle. As talking points said last night the election of Barack Obama has emboldened secular progressives who feel it is their time. Gay marriage is just the beginning. Other cultural war issues will also be in display very shortly. These include limiting gun possession, legalizing narcotics, unrestricted abortion and the revocation of the Patriot Act.
The television program "Boston Legal" tackled the issue of abortion and achieved a more balanced and nuanced discussion of this incredibly complex issue than any I have heard on the topic in quite some time. It was the kind of complex presentation of the information on an issue that is necessary if we are going to make progress in considering the difficult and multifaceted issues that require our attention.
I would like to believe that the blogosphere can provide forums to treat issues as contentious as abortion with the thoughtfulness needed.
I suppose it had to happen eventually. All the interest groups that think they had a hand in Obama's win, no matter how significant, are lining up to get the post-election handouts- and aren't going to be subtle about going after 'em. I mean, I expect it from people like Karl Rove, who today credited himself with Obama's win. But NOW- the National Organization for Women?
"There's definitely been a reaction to the few groups that have been named so far," said Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women. "I agree with those who are concerned that it would have been nice to see more women."
And:
"I have been struck by how few women have been mentioned for high-level positions," said former Vermont Gov. Madeleine Kunin, who worked on the Clinton transition. "It's still very early, so I don't want to reach conclusions yet. But the rumors are a flashing yellow light."
For God's sake, there've been, what? Two appointments to cabinet positions in the Obama administration, and already we're bellyaching and firing up the manufactured outrage machine?
No point trying to avoid the obvious. Several of the most recent diaries here have actually become intense and fascinating debates about the legacy of sexism after the election.
Above is a word cloud of the debate so far - around 4pm EST 15th Nov.
One of the most delightful memories I have of my time spent in Washington DC during Jimmy Carter's tenure, was his support for jazz while he lived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
My most prized momento from that period is my invitation to a jazz concert on the White House lawn on June 18, 1978, held in honor of the 25th Anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival.
