Ms. Smarty Pants Know It All

I recognize the need to make some really tough decisions these days. Congress, however, has determined that federal funding for public broadcasting, the Arts, and the library system is something that should be eliminated.

I understand the rationale behind this decision, but I think many of us are being short sighted.

The House has already passed the bill to zero out public broadcasting monies. The Senate is up next. I hope enough people can give voice to the importance of this service to prevent many of these outlets from going out of existence.

My family immigrated to this country when I was very young. Although both my parents were teachers in our original country, they did not have the language skills and credentials to get similar jobs after the move. They decided to give my brother and I a chance at the American education system and worked multiple jobs so we can live in a good school district.

As a family on a limited budget, the library and other free services were godsends. They allowed me access to high-quality, intellectually-stimulating, and FREE information and materials.

One of the responsibilities of government, especially our government, is to provide an equal opportunity to succeed. By removing many of these free access points, the gulf between the Haves and the Have-Nots can only grow. Where are the poor going to find the discretionary funds necessary to purchase the books, computers, Internet connectivity, and the range of CDs and DVDs available at their local library? or the science, nature, and children’s programming available from PBS? or the intelligent discussion and non-top-40 music going on at public radio?

We cannot expect to take away avenues that develop opportunity and ability and expect that we’ll continue to function as leaders of innovation and progress.

170 Million Americans

Tags: Governance by Ms. SP
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As the protests continue in the Middle East, I can’t help but smile at a reason beyond the awesome positiveness of people demonstrating their displeasure at their government and demanding responsiveness and change from their leaders.

President George W Bush left office a very unpopular man. He, however, believes that History will temper his reputation and allow him the credit that we, his contemporaries, deny him. I’ve always hated this assumption and believed it to be false. For one, he made his decisions with a huge lack of understanding about basic historical principles. For two, there is too much relevant documentation and analysis to do much legitimate spinning of primary documents in the future.

He, his cabinet, and his supporters are on record thousands of ways about their goals and motivations. And those have always been wrong.

Ok, so now, with the people of these countries raising their voices, it shows that successful revolutions must be carried out by those who are hurt by the tyrant and/or corrupt government. Iraq posed no immediate threat to the United States, and the US has never (as far as I can remember) been able to set up a valid interim “puppet” government.

The country in question has always had to kick us out before they can finally get down to the business of governing themselves.

President Obama has received a lot of criticism about his handling of recent events, but I fail to see the problem. These countries’ internal governance are out of our control and should not be determined by United States policy. Beyond giving appropriate words of support and condemnation, just what is a president supposed to do?

This is my perspective and based on that, I think History says “HA!” to George W Bush. “HA!”

Tags: Governance, History by Ms. SP
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One hundred and fifty years ago today, Mr. Abraham Lincoln boarded a train to begin his journey to Washington and the presidency. I feel so fortunate to be a history nerd right now. I am in the middle of this very train trip in the book Lincoln President-Elect.

The New York Times’s Disunion series is so great and also hitting this train journey right now. The National Park Service is sponsoring anniversary events all along the original route.

Tomorrow, our nation celebrates the birthday of a most remarkable man. I post his 1861 extemporaneous farewell at that Springfield, Illinois, station in commemoration.

“Friends, no one who has never been placed in a like position can understand my feelings at this hour, nor the oppressive sadness I feel at this parting. For more than a quarter of a century I have lived among you, and during all that time I have received nothing but kindness at your hands. Here I have lived from my youth until now I am an old man. Here the most cherished ties of earth were assumed. Here all my children were born and here one of them lies buried. To you, dear friends, I owe all that I have, all that I am. All the strange checkered past seems to crowd now upon my mind.

Today I leave you. I go to assume a task more difficult than that which devolved upon Washington. Unless the great God who assisted him shall be with and aid me I must fail; but if the same omniscient mind and mighty arm that directed and protected him shall guide and support me I shall not fail — I shall succeed. Let us all pray that the God of our fathers may not forsake us now. To Him I commend you all. Permit me to ask that with equal sincerity and faith you will invoke His wisdom and guidance for me. With these words I must leave you — for how long I know not. Friends, one and all, I must now bid you an affectionate farewell.”

Tags: History by Ms. SP
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