Monday, March 30, 2009

Crow's back

Crow here. I know I've been away for a while and I apologize but I really needed a break. An invitation to fly with the condors in Peru was a chance not to be missed because these guys are totally cool and almost the same size as me. You didn't think I was a normal looking garden crow, did you? Andean condors are massive birds, among the largest in the world that are able to fly and since I stand at 6.5 feet (without my boots on) we can give each other back slaps and high wings without having to worry about injuring each other. Also like me, they have enormous 10-foot wingspans so strong winds are a joy whether high up in the mountains or along the coasts gliding on the air currents and thermals. It was a joy only their eating habits could spoil. I understand it's all very helpful to the environment but a diet of carrion got old for me once I ran out of the picnic goodies susan had packed. So I'm back. I see things haven't changed much.

It appears to me that giving more money to the people who caused the current economic problems isn't what I'd call helpful. I mean if you were going to give millions, billions or, God forbid, trillions of dollars, wouldn't you prefer it went to people who know what they're doing? Wouldn't you give it to those who have a history of spending money wisely for the greater good? Why not give it to Heifer or Doctors Without Borders or Unicef for crying out loud?

Speaking of trillions, what is a trillion anyway? I remember my old friend Carl Sagan saying there were billions of stars in the galaxy and billions of galaxies in the universe and everyone listening would gasp in awe. Now a billion is just like pocket change: 'Oh well, a billion here and a billion there, what's it matter?' Are they crazy?

Throwing money at these people is like trying to get rid of an infestation of rats by throwing edible garbage at them. Oh no, that will never cause them to go into an eating and breeding frenzy.

I'm reminded of another President I used to chat with many years ago, Andrew Jackson, and what he had to say in a similar situation:

"Gentlemen, I have had men watching you for a long time and I am convinced that you have used the funds of the bank to speculate in the breadstuffs of the country. When you won you divided the profits amongst you, and when you lost, you charged it to the bank. You tell me that if I take the deposits from the bank and annul its charter, I shall ruin ten thousand families. That may be true, gentlemen, but that is your sin! Should I let you go on, you will ruin fifty thousand families, and that would be my sin! You are a den of vipers and thieves... I intend to rout you out, and by the eternal God I will rout you out!"

Does anyone know a Chief Executive with that kind of courage?

Okay, that's enough from me tonight. There's a nice glass of warm brandy waiting for me and that perch over on the other side of the room looks very comfortable. I'll drink to your health and say 'Good night and good flight'.

22 comments:

  1. One of the things that was very discouraging about Obama winning the democrat nomination is his tendency to invoke bipartisanship. That sounds good on the surface but what that really means is that he will capitulate to the crybaby republicans so that they will stop throwing their hissy fits. Only it doesn't work and they keep on whining and crying about not getting their way. The way I see it, the problem is they nearly ALWAYS get their way and it's to our detriment. Obama is showing this tendency of his yet again when he capitulates to the banks and CEOs. He talks a populist talk when he addresses the American public and he provides some window dressing too but that is as far as he will go. Saying all that, he is better than McCain of course. Still, these times call for heroic measures and a firmness I don't believe he has--unlike FDR.

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  2. Welcome home, Crow.

    We have one who might listen, especially if you were to whisper in his ear.

    Martha

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  3. Dear Crow,

    Crow, welcome back.

    I'm very impressed with your quote from Andrew Jackson. My I have your permission to lift it and post it at my place? I'm just starting to get my political brain back--I have been stuck in the personal for awhile, but now I can think of nothing else but the political, but my chops are not what they were. Please, let me know how you feel about the borrowing.

    Sincerely,
    The savage one in Utah

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  4. Crow, you are the smartest bird I know.

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  5. ohh crow, i'm a fan of yours!
    they say light reflects and dark colors absorb.
    i know how you got to be so wise.
    it's sad we cannot spend the "bailout" monies to clean the atmosphere or provide badly needed water and sewer resources.
    after all, 70% of the world is toiletless.
    soar with the condors!
    and welcome home.

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  6. If there was such a mad rush to save the planet as there is to save the scoundrels, we would all be in a better place indeed.

    I'm only 5' 6" but with a crow who is a foot taller, I could certainly go along the next time the condors invite you to join them! ;-)

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  7. Oh, since when has Unicef ever created a job, you communists!

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  8. I don't believe either that feeding wolfs will make sheep be safer.

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  9. This post is mixture of what’s delightful but also what I think is a tad idealistic. Jackson’s legacy would not be remembered fondly if you were a member of one of the indigenous tribes hounded and dispossessed of their lands as a direct result of laws he enacted. Failings of one sort or another become evident in every organization, even the ones you mention. The Obama administration in my opinion has made relatively good progress so far.
    Best wishes

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  10. "Den of vipers..." I like that. And yes, a billion ain't what it used to be. Seems like everything's a billion bucks these days.

    New bridge? "Billion"
    New jet fighters? "Billion"
    New highway? "Billion"
    Week worth of auto bailout? "Billion"
    Healthcare for all kids? "Five bucks"

    Whoops!

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  11. lol - Yes.

    liberality - I have to agree with your view but, in general, I think politics has become nothing more than a distraction while a full-fledged oligarchy takes charge of the country. We have seen their faces and heard what they have to say to us; they are neither generous nor kind.

    the crow - It may yet happen that he hears a whole bunch of people shouting.

    utah savage - Nice to see you again and of course you can use it. Crow didn't write it. He copied it down in his notebook too.

    cdp - Crow says your the smartest Nekko wafer girl he knows :-)

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  12. sera - Crow sends you his fond regards from his perch across the room. He's all in favor of people having toilets and thinks a little more sitting and thinking would be a good idea for all of us.

    pagan sphinx - We both agree. Crow says he'll let you know the next time the condors call. Meanwhile he's making plans to buzz DC with the stormcrows.

    randal - Is it really all about money for you capitalists?

    zee - Exactly.. especially in view of the fact they're feeding them sheep. They've got a taste for them now.

    lindsay - We're glad you enjoyed the delightful part but we can't apologize for being idealistic. Crow wasn't talking about Andrew Jackson in his entirety as a president.. just that the bankers have tried this sort of mass robbery before. Obama is straddling a line that needs to be held.

    gary - It also seems that every time somebody gets a billion for one of those projects you mention somebody else gets a kickback of a million or two which, by then, is small change. There's no profit in taking care of children.

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  13. oh, most welcome crow! my heart beat a little bit faster when i saw you were home! ....and what a difference the trillions being given to trash and poison and exploitaiton mongers could make, if given to businesses that sincerley care about the planet and ALL of its creatures - not just a handful of Two-Legged Jaded Greedygullets

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  14. Yes, it does take a lot of courage, which is sadly needed today. Go Andrew Jackson! Now that was some oration!

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  15. i need to get a perch.
    what a sweet life.
    maybe somebody will feed me peanuts and sunflower seeds too.
    the only drawback i can think of: having to stick my head under my arm to sleep.

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  16. gfid - I think there are many of us wishing for such a real change of direction. Crow is cool because he reads the winds intuitively.

    mauigirl - Crow is so old he remembers much that shouldn't have been forgotten.

    sera - Crow says you can come share his perch anytime and he'll be happy to take you under his wing.

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  17. I just finished listening to the podcast of Bill Moyer's current show and William Black was on explaining in very clear language how the financial system that went to shit was one big Ponzi scheme with the bad guys making their big money at the front end of their investment instead of waiting for the longer term gains. This led to no end of desire to pull the fast one, grab as much money as they could, pump up the system with hokey liars loans, and then get out with lots of money or employ lawyers to write "ironclad" contracts making huge bonuses the custom, rather than a reward for going above and beyond.

    Headache! I think I will require grain alcohol shots before bed so I can sleep.

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  18. lisa - I'm glad you got to hear it. Jer and I watched the video this morning and found it to be one of the most clear explanations of the situation yet. Of course Bill Moyers could be described as the world's best listener. If only it were him who was most popular I think people would be out marching down Wall St. armed with leaf blowers and weed whackers (since it's hard to find a pitchfork nowadays).

    I loved the part when Geithner said he was never a 'regulator'. Jeez, I'm with you when it comes to shots of grain alcohol as a sleep aid.

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  19. This post reminds me of a song by The Who

    Wont Get Fooled Again

    The change, it had to come
    We knew it all along
    We were liberated from the fold, that's all
    And the world looks just the same
    And history ain't changed
    'Cause the banners, they are flown in the next war

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  20. spartacus - Good one to remember and it's true. Some people tell me I'm wrong to criticize Obama but I don't see him giving up any of the power Bush grabbed and that alone scares me.

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  21. Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

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