kieferf

kieferf

26p

19 comments posted · 1 followers · following 0

14 years ago @ CSMonitor: Commentary - Admiral Mike M... · 0 replies · +5 points

Thanks for that explanation, and you speak from experience. It's such a tricky issue, though, because the nation's gratitude to retired service members does play a role. At the same time, defined benefits are going the way of the horse and buggy in the private sector. It's a tension that's highlighted by the federal deficit/debt. I'm not even sure the military would really be having this conversation if the nation's finances didn't look so bad.

14 years ago @ CSMonitor: Commentary - How to rebuild checks ... · 0 replies · +3 points

Yes, Ataturk was authoritarian, but he was also a leader. An inclusive, unifying figure is what's needed now in Turkey. That could be Erdogan, if he can create more trust with secularists. Or, it could be a new CHP. That position is up for grabs.

14 years ago @ CSMonitor: Commentary - How to rebuild checks ... · 0 replies · +2 points

Europe is certainly pushing Turkey away, isn't it!

14 years ago @ CSMonitor: Commentary - Hard to be sympathetic... · 0 replies · 0 points

my hunch is that trumka is well aware of the disconnect between the benefits that public employees get and what non union workers/employees get...but he chose to talk about the disconnect between unions and CEOs because that's where he is on firm ground. the problem is, the ground of general public support is shifting underneath unions as the general public sacrifices while public employee unions are only now starting to feel the pain.

14 years ago @ CSMonitor: Commentary - Gulf oil spill: a good... · 0 replies · 0 points

we've gotten a start on rail with the $8 billion from the recovery act. i look forward to someday riding the "bullet" train from San Francisco to LA.

14 years ago @ CSMonitor: Commentary - Gulf oil spill... · 1 reply · +1 points

this entry makes me wonder what's happened to the "simplicity" movement in america.

14 years ago @ CSMonitor: Commentary - Did Israel\'s ... · 0 replies · +3 points

they also had the option to hand their aid to the egyptians for delivery to gaza.

14 years ago @ CSMonitor: Commentary - Bringing up baby in Ge... · 0 replies · +1 points

That's a good point, about a crowded country and people feeling they need their privacy. But other countries are also crowded...and still have a more friendly attitude toward children. Perhaps it's more the public/private arena. My husband and I noticed that after five years of living in Germany, that the home circle and the public persona were two very different things. Germans could appear cool on the outside (yes, a stereotype, I know, and not true across the board), but effusive, sentimental, humorous, incredibly generous, and doting on their children in the home sphere.

14 years ago @ CSMonitor: Commentary - Why violent crime in t... · 0 replies · +1 points

surveillance is just one explanation, including better policing and better juvenile policies.

14 years ago @ CSMonitor: Commentary - Bike to Work D... · 0 replies · +1 points

hey begoodman! there can only be one begoodman.