Corporatophilia

Why not coin a new word for the Republicans excessive love of corporations.  It’s really pretty ridiculous.  It’s from a while back, but Kevin Drum has a nice summary of some of the ridiculous statements made in support of BP (and it’s not just Joe Barton).  When one considers just how irresponsible BP has been, the Republican fealty to their corporate overlords is unreal (and ultimately, I think should hurt them).  Here’s a nice post from ThinkProgress on Oklahoma’s Republican gubernatorial candidate on this:

Instead of placing blame on BP for the massive environmental and economic disaster that it has caused in the Gulf of Mexico, Brogdon claimed that government is “the problem” and that the spill is a “perfect example of why government should never be involved in the private sector”…

Of course, BP’s oil disaster may have resulted from too little — not too much — government involvement. Although the exact cause of the disaster is still unknown, there is a growing mountain of evidence that suggests BP’s own corporate negligence, combined with Bush-era regulators turning a blind eye to safety violations, are what created the environment that led to the oil spill.

It would be interesting to know exactly what Brogdon means by saying the oil disaster proves that the government should “never” be involved in the private sector. Does Brodgon believe, for example, that BP’s malfeasance should end government regulation of child labor, the minimum wage, food and drug safety, and airline travel?

In truth, the Republican opposition to cap and trade actually fits this theme.  Cap and Trade is a market-based solution.  But, the Republican party has shown itself time and time again, not to be pro- free market, but pro-corporation/pro- big business.  There’s a big difference.  Here’s Jonathan Chait on their latest intellectual incoherence:

The Democratic position in this debate is to establish a price on carbon and let the market find the most efficient way to provide clean energy alternatives. The Republican position is to have the government determine which technologies and industries should provide clean energy, and subsidize them. It can’t stand up to any economic scrutiny. But it suits GOP needs by avoiding a direct tax, and allowing the party to directly subsidize favored industries like nuclear power that would otherwise have to compete on even terms.

There’s a lot to be said for being pro-market.  I truly wish the Republicans were, because I think that’s a very useful counterpoint in American politics.  Alas, I don’t think there’s a lot to be said for being pro-big business.

Cocaine memories

Shuffling through my Ipod yesterday, I hit upon the Eric Clapton classic, “Cocaine” which I had not heard in a long time.  Brought back fond memories of my mom’s laissez faire parenting.  Back in 1989 or so, I went to see Eric Clapton back in the Journeyman days at the since bulldozed Capital Centre.   My mom pretty much had complete trust in me– and for the most part, rightly so, as she realized that I am by nature a conservative and cautious person.  Not at all a rock music fan, she figured she’d at least read the review of the Clapton show in the paper the next day since I had been there.  It was quite amusing as she wanted to discuss with me the fact that the article mentioned the crowd singing along with “Cocaine.”  Now my mom knew that me taking cocaine was pretty much the last thing she had to worry about, but I could tell that she felt like she would be failing parental due diligence if she didn’t at least discuss the matter with me.  This was back in the day before one could easily get lyrics for anything on-line, and my buddy Brian Phillips convinced her (and me), that the song was actually anti-cocaine because the lyrics were “she [i.e., cocaine] tells lies.”  I’ve actually believed that all these years.  Yesterday, I actually paid attention to the lyrics– it’s Brian Phillips who tells lies.  The actual lyrics are “She don’t lie.”  Well, at least my mom tried to steer me down the right path.

It’s a great song:

Chart of the day (torture version)

Via Kevin Drum on how the media cover waterboarding.  When the US does it, it’s “harsh interrogation.”  When other countries do it, it’s “torture.”  They weren’t so bad on this until 2002.  Some “liberal media bias” eh.   Pathetic.  Chart form below: