-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
According to a Wall Street Journal article, Richard Fisher, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, using Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, found that since June 2009 37% of all net new jobs in America were created in Texas. Even though Texas is an energy state benefitting from high oil and natural gas prices, Fisher touts Texas’ business friendly environment, its right-to-work laws, and its “tort reform”– a $250,000 cap on punitive damages.
The WSJ article even calls Texas “fiscally responsible.” That’s the same Texas with a $27 billion budget shortfall. The WSJ article also uncritically cites Texas’ statutory limits on mortgage borrowing, a regulation of the financial industry they would decry if Obama proposed it.
While the 37% figure is accurate, the details are what’s interesting. Texas has the highest percentage of minimum wage worker in the country. As the chart below shows, the level of minimum wage jobs has increased during Perry’s reign.
The median hourly earnings for all hourly-paid wage and salary workers in Texas stood at $11.20 per hour in 2010; nationally, the median was $12.50.
Texas also ranks number one in the percentage of residents without health insurance. Texas’ percentage is almost 28%. Massachusetts, with Romneycare, has the lowest at 4.7%.
According to The Economist, the state-level Gross Domestic Product of Texas grew by 2.6% last year, equal to the national average. New York grew by 5.1% and California by 1.8%.
Here is a listing of the Perry economic portfolio touted as a model for the whole country:
- Highest percentage of minimum wage jobs.
- Highest percentage of residents with no health insurance.
- A budget deficit of $27 billion.
- Lower than average wages.
- Average growth in GDP.
So, if you want a low paying job with no health insurance, Texas is your choice.
Mike Spindell et al.
Mike, I intended no slight whatsoever regarding any other the other guest bloggers except for Gene Howington. He is where the brilliance—of which Professor Turley wrote—faded into darkness. I think Gene H. was blatantly vindictive with his moderation. He stated that he was a friend of Prof. T. and was doing him a favor by posting during the France vacation. With friends like Gene, who needs enemies…
When Gene H. first posted, I assumed he was going to be another stellar guest blogger like the others because that post was well thought-out and interesting. Then instead of ignoring kderosa—as Professor Turley has always asked all of us to do when we encountered trolls or others with whom we simply could not agree, Howington violated Turley’s request. Please remember that one of the principle tenets of being as guest blogger was to avoid trolls.
From Professor Turley last November 11, 2010:
“ Moreover, posters will have to demonstrate that they will maintain civility — even in the face of trolls and instigators who seek to trigger personal or juvenile attacks. “
http://jonathanturley.org/2010/11/11/weekend-specials-at-the-turley-blog/
Gene H. did not do that; instead, he egged kderosa and others on. I plead
ed several times for the guest bloggers others simply to ignore kederosa, as I had done. I told him that I would not reply to him again and he stated that he was fine with that action.
What bothered me the most was that some of the guest bloggers and some of the regulars keep the bantering up while Professor Turley was on vacation, disrespecting his previous calls for civility, especially in his absence.
Therefore, to claim that the guest blogging team is brilliant is absurd. Take Gene Howington’s name off the list and the team did a very good job—as always—but not brilliant, because *some* did not follow Professor Turley’s edict for civility by guest bloggers, as quoted above. That is, they did not “demonstrate that they will maintain civility”. There is no point in posting the names of those who retorted with ad hominem attacks, you know who you are.
What I am waiting for now is the new moderation policy. I simply cannot trust Gene Howington if he is going to have the unfettered access to the personal data of all posters since this blawg began. Professor Turley gave him power and authority and Gene H. abused it.
I have been magnanimous in my praise and admiration for Professor Turley and I have lavished praise on the guest bloggers, prior to Gene H. I trust that Professor Turley will look at the facts and then make whatever decision he likes about Gene H. and what he did. One way or the other, I will abide by his decision because my profound respect for Professor Turley will never falter regardless of the times I have disagreed—and will disagree—with him.
Can we all say “Fred Thompson”?Remember his ride to the rescue and how that turned out? Just saying.
Five Questions for the Tea Party about Rick Perry’s Presidential Candidacy
By: Blue Texan Tuesday August 9, 2011 10:30 am
http://firedoglake.com/
BTW:Welcome Back Professor.
AY,
You have to watch out for my fragile ego.
Gyges,
My sincerest apologies…..You were here…I forgot about Wayne….he had numerous ID’s didn’t he….
Elaine M.,
If I recall correctly, you were always put in place and reminded that you were not one of the original Turleys….I forget how many times I heard statement….
Nal,
I can neither prove of disprove anyone assuming anyone else’s identity… I can suspect, but hey….they know who they are…so long as they do viciously/tactically attack me or anyone else then I am ok with it…..
FFLEO,
Your comments are always welcome and appreciated….You have learned me some blawg manners if I may say so….
Nal,
Here’s a comment that I made on that same thread:
“I’m not for banning anyone who comments on this blog unless their comments really go beyond the pale. Since only two individuals have been banned to date, I’d assume those two people had written something really terrible.”
http://jonathanturley.org/2011/08/03/tea-party-we-are-not-terrorists/#comment-255729
*****
mespo also said this:
“Personally, I have no problem with Gene moderating kderosa and Byron is Laughing. Their’s was the heckler’s veto full of incessant attack and disruptive influence. This blog is not a government,a democracy, nor anything other than a collection of minds coalescing to discuss topics of interest. When one proves their prime intent (over and over again) is to belligerently disrupt that purpose, it has to be dealt with as one would deal with a loud drunk at a dinner party. I believe in free discourse but I’m not an absolutist; I also believe it carries a responsibility, too. When there’s a disconnect between the principle and the responsibility, appropriate steps needs to occur. The phony Buddha is Laughing posting with avatar was the last straw and, In this instance and after unrelenting personal attack, I believe Gene took the proper course. I don’t think we have to suffer fools gladly to have a viable forum.”
http://jonathanturley.org/2011/08/03/tea-party-we-are-not-terrorists/#comment-256042
Elaine,
Some other posters have indeed implied that. Until the actual culprit has the courage to admit to it, I’m forced to reserve judgement.
I agree with mespo’s comment:
If the real culprit of the phony Buddha is Laughing posting is kderosa, then I support the moderation. However, there is no evidence of that, just suspicions.
rafflaw,
It is indeed a great affliction! One of the best things about my daughter’s pregnancy and the birth of my granddaughter is that it’s brought my daughter and me even closer than we were before.
*****
Although I started commenting at the Turley blog around August/September 2009–I didn’t know anything about the “Patty C. thing.”
Not sorry I missed it.
*****
“I do think that Prof. Turley should be the one who makes that call.”
Agreed.
Elaine,
That is a great affliction to have!
I am not a big fan of “banning” or restricting anyone’s access to the blog, but if someone is actually assuming or stealing someone’s identity, then some action might be warranted. I do think that Prof. Turley should be the one who makes that call.
In some respects, if Kderosa was trying to disrupt the blog, he/she succeeded prior to being put into moderation and even now.
AY,
Ahem. You forgot me.
Also, because it’s something that’s always rubbed me the wrong way. Patty had a great recipe archive. I have good recipes. They’re my own, not cut and pasted from some foodie magazines. Also, she seemed to favor the overly complicated “What’s the hip new ingredient” cooking that bugs me.
Thanks for the opportunity for the catharsis.
Blouise,
Personally, I think Patty lingers in conversations because she represented a betrayal. We’ve had much more contentious folks taking part in the discussion, but they weren’t part of us.
For instance, Zakimere (sp?), who posted repeatedly that Americans deserved violent deaths. Also there was some weird rants about how “The Jews” controlled the media. That was the first time I can remember JT having to step in and call for civility (back then everyone involved apologized and actually started playing nice again).Or Wayne (in his several incarnations), or BDAman’s threats and “Christ Killer” comments to Mike.
The difference is none of them were “regulars” (at the time) like Patty was, so the wounds ran deeper with her than with others. It’s the difference between getting mugged and finding out your brother’s been taking your money.
Nal,
Thanks. I guess I gathered that from what some posters had said. I’ve only been popping in and out lately. I guess I haven’t gotten the whole story. You’ll have to pardon me. I’m suffering from a lovely affliction known as New Grandma Syndrome!
There is zero evidence that the “poster had assumed the identity of another poster.” Just suspicions.
Mike S.,
Thanks for your comment. I haven’t been near the computer as much as usual in the past few days.
*****
FF LEO,
I’m sorry you feel as you do. I believe that the other guest bloggers–like me–did our best to fill in for Professor Turley when he was away in France. No one was banned from the blog. At first, I disagreed with Gene’s decision to put a certain poster’s comments into moderation. When I heard that the poster had assumed the identity of another poster, I thought it was the right thing to do. What was said individual’s reason for assuming another poster’s identity? To enliven the discussion in a positive way? I think not. While you may not question that individual’s motives for doing such a thing, I most certainly do.
I agree with Mike’s comment immediately above. I like and respect FFLEO, and suspect I have more in common with him than most here know. I do disagree with his assessment, deferring instead to the expert analysis by Mike.
For reasons of my own, I do suspect the party in question is either a paid troll or a willing and motivated volunteer who came here with the express purpose of disrupting threads critical of causes supported by the right wing in this country. After a time, that person seemed absolutely gleeful about getting others aggravated or upset, which was probably not part of the job description, but almost like a hobby. He dominated threads to the point the blog was becoming unreadable, which may have been the point.
It has been a lot more quiet and civil around here the past couple of days. A vast improvement.
FFLEO,
I agreed with you at the time of Patty C.’s banning and although she and I agreed on much, after awhile it became obvious that she was hostile to those new to the blog and one old-timer. Her anger, some of it justified I must say, overcame her brilliance and in the end was a disruption to the thread of conversation. Her language did become offensive and in the end she suffered the consequences of her own behavior.
I believe this current issue presents a similar case, but a very different individual. In every instance of that individuals initial posting on each thread, there was a successful attempt to turn the thread away from the initial discussion and into a personal and or vituperative argument. Being a highly intelligent individual he was quite successful in this tactic admittedly abetted by commenters, like myself I admit, who found him offensive. It is impossible for me to determine this person’s real motivations and/or integrity. Let me say though that if he was a paid troll (and we know this is happening), he couldn’t have been more successful.
Since he is intelligent and capable, it was necessary to make him understand that this tactic could not be allowed to disrupt us and drive people away. Unlike with Patty, he was not banned for a period, merely put into moderation for unseemly commentary. The result speaks for itself and his postings have since become to the point, agree with him or not, and therefore not disruptive. Gene’s decision was one I agreed with in retrospect and still do. However, I must point out to you though that this was solely Gene’s decision and one for which he takes full responsibility.
This was not the result of discussion before hand by the rest of us guest bloggers. Therefore I do feel slighted by your comments as to the quality of this blog in JT’s absence. I think everyone of the guest bloggers performed their tasks diligently and fully within the spirit of its founder and proprietor.
past = post
SWM,
I disagree…she did monopolize the thread…It was personal attacks…at specific folks… regardless of age, race or gender….NEW COMERS WERE NOT WELCOME…..
Blouise,
Patty C may have contributed some great stuff early on.., what she had to comment on I do not recall. I came on the scene about a year after this thing got started….mespo, buddha, jill, ffleo, mike spindell (still here), slarti, bob esq, canadian eh, empire cookie are who I recall as being here before I came along, there have been some others but they have reinvented themselves or no longer post…
I invited a few folks to take a look at the site as I had never blogged before…I had never taken the time…one or two of the folks are still here…..
Apparently, Patty C did have some good recipes….I recall mespo commenting on them…If I recall, mespo was getting a new kitchen….and Buddha was at some island resort….If I search the cavities of the head I am sure I could recall more…
I will say as many folks have said especially ffleo that all folks are welcome to past as much or as little as they wish….BUT, when you make it personal….or twist the other persons facts to suit your views and then subscribe those views as theirs….then I have a problem….
I may not agree with everything everyone has to say, they have the right to say it…and I have the right to skim over it or not read it at all….but they do not have the right to condemn one for a view that they disagree with……
The deal between slarti and bob….they keep it between them….what has happened is none of my business….it may or may not digress or progress the blawg…but it does not affect me…
The End…..
HenMan said, “My only beef with Illinois is that driving from South Beloit to the Quad Cities on I-39 and I-88 there are ZERO rest stops! Do you people in Illinois have giant bladders or what!!! ”
Bingo! When I travel south through northwest Indiana, I always exit the Illinois Toll Road at I-39 S and then take I-80 W into Indiana. It’s longer, but there’s less traffic. As you say, however, there are no gas stations, no restaurants, and no rest areas on that leg of the trip. We have to eat, top off, and void before turning south.
AY and SwM,
Wow … just invested a lot of time reading the exchange of insults … can’t imagine what was deleted. I also read some threads from earlier, before the insults started.
I must have started reading the blog during her month of being banned for I started posting shortly thereafter. Explains why people were so cautious in accepting a new poster.
I agree with your observation, SwM, she did not seem intent on monopolizing or hijacking entire threads. Other than that, I believe I have no comment.
Jobs, depends on what you do for a living.
If you’re a mechnic, in the oilfield you make great money, a machinist, a driller, a truck driver – for those things you get great wages, but if you’re a woman, any other kind of worker, forget it.
The big oil prices are like the extended wars in the Mideast, dependent on the economy not collapsing. Like the one economist said, we’re already bankrupt, we just don’t know it. The US is about to go belly up, no doubt about that, not one bit.
i’d hate to be the one person who showed up at that shindig in a toyoda prius