destor23's Blog

destor23 Commented on The Role Of Muslim Faith In American Life by destor23

2009-11-08T00:05:35Z

FDRDog, no doubt that people around HERE are quite willing to condemn senseless violence no matter who the perpetrator. But our media largely treats Muslim acts of violence as acts of war while dismissing Christian acts of violence as acts of criminality or insanity. That's a problem.

destor23 Commented on The Role Of Muslim Faith In American Life by destor23

2009-11-07T21:28:23Z

Whoooooo!

destor23 recommended The Role Of Muslim Faith In American Life by destor23

2009-11-07T15:34:55Z

destor23 Commented on Holocaust and Health Care - Cut it Out or Else! by Ira N. Forman

2009-11-06T23:17:45Z

Of course I support you but you're wasting your time trying to appeal to the consciences of these people.

destor23 Commented on The Homebuyers Tax Credit and Free Market Fundamentalism by Dean Baker

2009-11-06T00:13:48Z

Sure. Let's just have a broader conversation. Another idea, don't recapitalize banks with $700 billion. Recapitalize people with $700 billion!

destor23 Commented on The Homebuyers Tax Credit and Free Market Fundamentalism by Dean Baker

2009-11-05T22:24:32Z

Well Erica, a better answer might be to offer something to the people who weren't part of this particular mess. So if we mandate refinancings for people who got caught in the bubble (which, like Ellen, I see a lot of good in) then we should offer something to people who never bought into real estate (a rental tax credit, or a tax credit for paying off outstanding credit cards bills without running up new debt). The recession has caused problems for all kinds of people, not just home buyers.

destor23 Commented on The Homebuyers Tax Credit and Free Market Fundamentalism by Dean Baker

2009-11-05T14:32:53Z

If some people can get 8 grand to buy a house, then why can't I get 8 grand to put towards my rent this year?

destor23 Commented on Nation-building at Home by Jon Taplin

2009-11-02T18:18:20Z

Mitt Romney is also not in line with the very mianstream Wall Street economists that firms like Bain Capital rely on.

Most are forecasting slower growth for 2010 as stimulus leaks out of the system. The Fed will slowly curtail some programs. Cash for Clunkers is already over. The first time homebuyer credit will expire. The inventory replenishment cycle will eventually end as companies realize there's plenty of inventory out there to meet reduced demand...

And lets not forget that 3.5% GDP growth is not good. It's not robust. It's not going to provide improving living standards.

The stimulus was okay but not enough.

destor23 recommended Health Care Reform is Critically Important, But Getting Americans Back to Work is More So by Robert Reich

2009-11-02T00:55:00Z

destor23 Commented on The Law Of Return: 'Oh Learned Judge!" by Bernard Avishai

2009-10-30T18:04:41Z

That would be a good discussion to have. I'd posit that you defend a language and a culture by winning out in the market place of ideas, not by using legal means.

I'm really not sure that a true democracy can have a religious character. It's offensive to say "The U.S. is a Christian nation," I think. But then, why isn't it offensive to say that "Israel is a Jewish nation?" Is there an exceptionalism here? Or something deeper. Shouldn't Israel just want to be the best democracy it can be and let the chips fall where they may? After all, a solid democracy will protect people of Jewish faith and heritage along with everyone else.

destor23 Commented on Itchy Fingers on the Iran Sanctions Trigger by David Shorr

2009-10-30T02:20:40Z

I'm also a little shocked by how little we seem to be able to identify with Iran when it comes to what should really be easy negotiations.

Of COURSE they want nuclear weapons. Israel has them and can strike Iran if it wants. If you were Iran, what would you do?

destor23 Commented on Where's the Pony? by TheraP

2009-10-30T00:50:13Z

Fantastic, both you and doxy.

destor23 recommended Where's the Pony? by TheraP

2009-10-29T14:45:43Z

destor23 recommended Itchy Fingers on the Iran Sanctions Trigger by David Shorr

2009-10-29T21:43:46Z

destor23 Commented on Itchy Fingers on the Iran Sanctions Trigger by David Shorr

2009-10-30T00:35:24Z

Oddly enough, I'm in favor of weaker sanctions here. While it's true that free traders often overstate the benefits of economic engagement I think we've been isolated from Iran for too long almost like Cuba. We could use the oil, frankly and might as well buy it might provide a bridge for diplomacy.

destor23 Commented on So Why Was It We Didn't Kick Joe Lieberman Out of The Caucus? by M.J. Rosenberg

2009-10-28T17:25:52Z

Now that's change we can prelieve in.

destor23 Commented on Obama's Civil Religion -- and Theirs by Jim Sleeper

2009-10-28T14:57:01Z

Excellent, so I can continue my pursuit of social libertinism and social justice without offending!

destor23 Commented on So Why Was It We Didn't Kick Joe Lieberman Out of The Caucus? by M.J. Rosenberg

2009-10-28T12:54:43Z

Definitely time to take the chairmanship from him. And really, is he the guy we should be trusting homeland security to anyway? Oh and we also need to punish Connecticut a bit. Lieberman needs to have to take a huge cut for his apostasy.

destor23 Commented on Obama's Civil Religion -- and Theirs by Jim Sleeper

2009-10-28T12:52:40Z

I loved the essay, professor Sleeper. I might quibble a little about whether the "today's liberal free-for-all" as you call it, even really exists but I'll leave that for another time and just say thanks for some wonderful morning reading.

destor23 Commented on Bring Out the Cots by Todd Gitlin

2009-10-28T00:37:36Z

Yeah, let's see some guts from Traitor Joe.