Nothing in the methods or practices of science guarantees success. But we have a capacity to observe, theorize, measure, and test; and these abilities are crucial to our human ability to navigate an uncertain world. So we should look at the institutions and findings of science much as pragmatists like Israel Scheffler and WVO Quine did: as imperfect but valuable tools on the basis of which to learn some of the more important properties and dynamics of the world around us.
Author Archives: Chris
Thought for the Day: 15 June 2015
First Parish of Bedford, MA Sunday Service – May 31, 2015
A particularly good service the other week:
If you need cause to watch to the end, Bill McKibben was the last speaker. If you skip directly to McKibben however you’ll miss an a great opening song from the kids’ choir and excellent sermon from Rev. Gibbons.
Carrying on in the tradition of Emerson. No matter what your religious inclinations good for the mind and spirit. I’m not UU by nature but I’ve come to appreciate that the belief in free thought and inquiry can accommodate a wide range of personal philosophies.
Clintonism vs Rooseveltism
I did not listen to Hillary Clinton’s speech yesterday and have not yet digested the transcript. (That’s on tap for this week.) I have substantial reservations about Clinton. I don’t hate her but she generates no enthusiasm. My sense is that she represents a contemporary Rockefeller Republicanism – more socially-liberal than the original but still very Free Market friendly. With respect to the latter, she appreciates that government can sand down some of market capitalism sharp edges. Sure, but… “Meh.” If the overall mood of the country were along the lines of Rockefeller or Eisenhower Republicanism then decent odds I’d go along with it – “Meh.” but you could certainly do much worse. Unfortunately, the country has been infected by a virulent strain of JohnBircherism which has effectively killed off the nominally liberal Republicans within the party. The extinction of liberal Republicans leaves that niche to the Democrats and we don’t fill it very well.
Weekly Digest – June 14, 2015
Must Read
- driftglass, Lies, Damn Lies, and David Brooks
- Danielle Brian, Watchdogs Needed: Top Government Investigator Positions Left Unfilled for Years
- Rebecca Steinitz, What Went Wrong In McKinney [Ed.: “De-escalate”. Hold that thought.]
Should Read
- Mark Bittman (NYT), Let’s Help Create More Farmers
- Brian Schmidt, Tipping points for local land use policies
- Eli Rabett, [Global Circulation Models]: Explicative value is strong, predictive only in the long run
- Barton Paul Levenson, Are the Models Untestable?
TWIG Notes: Watering Guidelines, Thinning Fruit Trees
With apologies to This Week in Baseball, “This Week In Gardening”:
- Weston Nurseries, Watering Guidelines
- Stark Bro’s, 4 Benefits of Thinning Fruit Trees
Rep. Capuano on the Trade Adjustment Assistance and Trade Promotion Authority bills
The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) bill was voted down by the House yesterday. The Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) bill squeaked by. Here’s Rep. Mike Capuano‘s take from his June 12, 2015 e-mail newsletter to constituents, supporters, and other interested subscribers:
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
The trade bills this week were considered under a Rule that prohibited any amendments. Unlike the Senate, which at least had the opportunity to improve and amend the bill put forward, the House was not allowed to offer a single amendment. Under this Rule, the House considered a motion related to Title II of H.R. 1314 renewing Trade Adjustment Assistance Programs, which are intended to help workers who lose their employment as a result of increased trade. Some sectors of the economy are more significantly impacted than others. These programs have been providing education, training, and other assistance for years. Unfortunately, this legislation just doesn’t go far enough to assist impacted workers. Public sector employees, for example, whose jobs might be outsourced are not eligible to receive any assistance through these programs. Furthermore, in a cynical political maneuver, this proposal was tied to Fast Track (see below). If this passed, Fast Track would pass. In effect defeating TAA was the only way to stop Fast Track. I voted NO. The motion FAILED to pass. Under the Rule, because the House did not pass the motion, the overall bill, including Fast Track, fails unless the vote on TAA is reversed.
YEA |
NAY |
PRESENT |
NOT VOTING |
|
REPUBLICAN |
86 | 158 | 0 | 2 |
DEMOCRAT |
40 | 144 | 0 | 4 |
TOTAL |
126 | 302 | 0 | 6 |
MASSACHUSETTS |
0 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
Note: Immediately after TAA failed, the Speaker made a motion to reconsider the vote next week. His hope is to switch enough votes so TAA passes, thus allowing Fast Track to move forward to the President’s desk.
“Fast Track”/Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)
Even though the TAA portion failed, the House still voted on the TPA portion. As you may know, Congress will soon consider two trade agreements. Historically, Congress has had the authority to agree, reject, or amend any proposed trade agreements submitted for ratification. If amended, the President was then required to re-negotiate the agreements to incorporate the changes made.
The Obama Administration, like past Presidents, requested Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), more commonly known as “Fast Track”. I do not support TPA because it significantly limits the voice of the legislative branch. By approving TPA, Congress agrees to give up its right to amend the trade agreement and instead simply takes an up or down vote on it. In this case, the House voted to grant TPA before any trade agreement was even finalized.
I think it is unwise for any Member of Congress to surrender our constitutional responsibilities without knowing exactly why this step is necessary and what specifically Congress is agreeing to. I voted NO. The motion for TPA passed, though the overall bill failed, and the entire vote is recorded below:
YEA |
NAY |
PRESENT |
NOT VOTING |
|
REPUBLICAN |
191 | 54 | 0 | 1 |
DEMOCRAT |
28 | 157 | 0 | 3 |
TOTAL |
219 | 211 | 0 | 4 |
MASSACHUSETTS |
0 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
UPDATE 6/14/2015: Some additional background on the TAA and TPA bills and the votes from Robert Kuttner here.
Thought for the Day: 12 June 2015
There are many ways to speak falsehood and only one way to speak truth. It follows … that the truth is likely to become boring.
Read the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement!
Read the entire TPP agreement for yourself. The House is likely to vote this week on the “Fast Track” bill approved by the Senate. (If the Fast Track bill passes that sets things in motion for adopting the TPP.)
Thought for the Day: 11 June 2015
Talking about exports without considering imports is like keeping score in a baseball game by counting only the runs scored by the home team. It might make you feel good, but it won’t tell you who’s winning the game.