A journal intending to publish political commentary that
would be consistent with the Populist viewpoint.
The Populists were supporters of the Peoples' Party, which was a third party movement formed in the 1890s. The term "populist" supposedly was coined by a Mr. Overmyer, a Democratic leader, from his recollection of a Latin term, when someone complained he could call people Republicans and Democrats but he couldn't use such easy terms in referring to members of the People's Party. The first nominating convention of the People's Party was held on July 4th, 1892 at Omaha, Nebraska. It had 1776 delegates and nominated General James B. Weaver of Iowa as presidential candidate and General James G. Field of Virginia as vice-presidential candidate. The party thus had an ex-Union and an ex-Confederate general on the same ticket. The runner-up in the presidential balloting was Sen. James Kyle of South Dakota.
The history at a state level however begins earlier when states like Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota had local meetings of mainly Farmer's Alliance members but also others interested in forming third parties. Kansas is the most documented and used the name People's party, but South Dakota "Independents" held their first convention in Huron on the seventh day of June, 1890 which beat the comparable convention in Kansas by a few days. Thus the claim, sometimes made, that South Dakota, not Kansas, was the true birthplace of Populism (P157 John D. Hicks' The Populist Revolt). Sioux Falls S.D. in 1900 was the site of the fusionist populist convention. Fusionists were those willing to vote for the democrat Bryan for president. South Dakota was also the first state in the Union to adopt the initiative and the referendum, which was a populist proposed reform.
An interesting note is that
some have thought the Wizard of Oz, written by onetime South Dakota resident
L. Frank Baum, has some symbolism in it about the Populist movement. The
yellow brick road symbolized the gold monetary system then under attack
by the Populists. The Land of Oz was the land of gold or of ounce (oz).
The strawman represents the farmer and the tinman the laborer. The cowardly
lion represents William Jennings Bryan, a Democratic politician who supported
the free silver cause. Cowardly, probably because he joined the movement
late and because he was reportedly a pacifist. A lion because he was a
great orator of whom there was this verse: Prairie avenger, mountain lion
Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan. Although the book in some ways doesn't seem
to sympathetic to the Populists, numerous accounts have said Baum himself
was a supporter of Bryan, consistently voted Democratic, and was a supporter
of Populist causes. A more recent and probably better researched book,
Our Landlady by Koupal says that Baum considered himself a traditional
Republican. The book compiles Baum's Our Landlady columns, which he wrote
as editor of a Republican paper in Aberdeen and also talks of some of his
editorials. It is very interesting reading and it is obvious from the writings
he was critical of the new independent party although one remark in his
column implies that when it comes to politics its smart to know where your
bread is buttered (He had taken over a traditionally Republican paper).
The book also says that after losing a retail business Baum applied for
work at the local Democratic paper (ironically called the Aberdeen Evening
Republican) but settled on running the Aberdeen Saturday Pioneer (unclear
on ownership). He also sang in a quartet that included James Kyle, soon
to be one of the first Populist US Senators. I believe that regardless
of the meaning and intent of the story it almost had to draw characters
and perhaps a skeleton outline from the political events of that era and
is interesting for that reason alone. The end of this section contains
some links with different interpretations of the story. Here are some other
representations according to Hugh Rockoff from "The 'wizard of Oz' as a
Monetary Allegory":
| Dorothy | America generally but possibly Mary Elizabeth Lease a populist orator in a specific sense |
| Toto | short for teetotaler, represents the Prohibition Party |
| Wicked Witch of the East | generally business and financial interests but specifically President Cleveland who repealed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, his forces defeated in 1896 convention where "cyclone" of populism hit |
| Silver slippers | ruby slippers in the film version, represent the "magic" of free silver |
| Good Witch of North | possibly Bryan's running mate from Maine, businessman Arthur Sewall |
| Munchkins | American laborers |
| Emerald City | Washington D.C., green color represents concern with money and the gold standard |
| Kalidahs | Lion fights these in book, possibly newspaper reporters, most who opposed Bryan and the Populists |
| Deadly Poppy Field | represents side issues that most Populists didn't want Bryan to "fall asleep in", issues like anti-imperialism, in book mice or little people and their issues rescue him |
| Emerald Palace | White House, seven passages and three flights of stairs represent "crime of 73" elimination of coinage of silver dollar |
| Wizard | changing face of political power controlled by special interests, represents here mostly President McKinley |
| Man behind Wizard | Marcus Hanna, chairman of the Republican National Committee who raised a lot of money from giant corporations |
| Wicked Witch of the West | again McKinley, Hanna advised people to visit McKinley at his Midwestern home in Ohio |
| Winged Monkeys | plains Indians, free spirits brought to earth by the relentless western march of the frontier, evil under the witches evil influence |
| Yellow Winkies | Philippines, Witches enslavement represented McKinley's refusal to grant immediate independence to, might also represent plight of Asian immigrants in California, despite tone Baum was sympathetic to minorities |
| Dainty China Country | China, damage accidentally done by Dorothy tied to Boxer Rebellion, which was a sort of terrorist response in China to a flood of missionaries which they thought were destroying Chinese culture. McKinley sent in troops to protect American citizens. |
| Hot Air Balloon | promises of politicians such as Hanna |
| Good Witch of South | called Glinda in book, unidentified, red theme color probably represents red soil of the South |
The True Story Behind the Wizard of Oz by Peter Drier
Jim's Wizard of Oz critics page
Dan Jacob's Cornell Paper on Oz
The income tax was first tried as an emergency revenue measure during the Civil War. After that, the political pressure to lower taxes resulted in its repeal in 1872. The birth of the Populist movement in the early nineties revived interest in the tax however, as it became a cornerstone of Populist litany. In 1894, a Democratic and Populist-dominated congress attached an income tax amendment to the tariff bill. A vituperative attack began against the measure, an attack made more intense in that the tax was purposely designed to apply to only approximately 5 percent of the nation's taxpayers. Cries of "confiscation" were echoed throughout the land, to which Populist orators usually replied that these huge incomes were "stolen" anyway.
The following year, in one of its most celebrated cases, the Supreme Court struck down the law as unconstitutional. The income tax, the court reasoned, levied a tax on rents, which were received because of landownership. The landowning origins of the base of the tax made it a tax on land. According to the Court's view of history, the Founding Fathers had equated a land tax with a direct tax. On this matter, the Constitution specified that any direct tax levied by the national government had to be apportioned among the states on the basis of population. Therefore, since the income tax was not so apportioned, it was unconstitutional.
The specious character of the court's logic and its curious fund of historical knowledge were thoroughly discussed and dissected, and the court ended up with a reputation as a protector of the privileged. Yet, given the political passions surrounding the issue and the backgrounds of the justices, the result is not entirely surprising. Faced with a self-styled attack on wealth and property, they reacted in like manner.
The Progressive movement came to endorse the idea of an income tax and served to keep it alive. Foreign countries continued their income taxes, feeling few of the ill effects the wealthy had claimed would certainly befall the nation with its adoption. Professional economists continued to talk about the tax and to support its adoption. In short, the idea would not die.
In 1909, an unusual situation developed which opened the door to national taxation of American incomes. Because of a disagreement in the Republican party about the tariff, an income tax amendment was tacked on to a tariff bill and had a fair chance of passing with Democratic and "insurgent" Republican support. Taft, who feared for the Supreme Court's reputation if it had to rule again on the income tax, together with a Representative Aldrich, concocted an unusual strategy to defeat the measure: They would sponsor a constitutional amendment to allow Congress to levy an income tax, hoping such a move would take some of the steam out of the Democratic-Insurgent strength. The ploy worked. The amendment glided through Congress, sponsored by the income tax's opponents, and the income tax bill, backed by its friends, died. In common with many other best-laid plans, this one went awry. One state after another ratified the amendment, and four years later it had received the number of assents necessary to become the Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution. By this time Woodrow Wilson was in the White House and the Democrats in control of Congress. While opponents in and out of Congress still flailed away at the tax, it was easily attached to the new tariff bill and became law. The unique events that led to the passage of an income tax show it to be almost a predetermined fate. Ratification had to be by three-fourths of the states. This it did plus some with the Eastern states being the big opponents. I was unable to find a specific reference to South Dakota's stance but given the mood in South Dakota at the time it likely approved of the measure.
The IMF made another billion-dollar loan to Russia even though they have defaulted on the last bunch. I believe the amount was 4.5 billion. American farmers could use a bit of that. July 29, 1999
In the midst of China's crackdown and suppression of the Falun Gong religious group and despite escalating trade deficits with them the US House voted today for favored trade status with China. This kind of stupidity is baffling. Some farm group's leadership hold up the population of China as some sort of huge potential market, but China has the infamous one child rule, and most likely a declining population. On top of that they are using better techniques in their farming and have actually been net exporters of corn since 98. The idea that there is going to be some huge market there for American farmers is a pipe dream. Some 60 years of trade data has shown that there is little connection between high American tariffs and lower farm income from trade. The slight correlation that is there actually points in the opposite direction. Part of the real drive for this favored trade status is, I believe, the very fact that it generates trade deficits. This money comes back to the US as investments in the bond and stock markets and this industry has excessive clout in our nation's congress. July 27, 1999
A judge Kornmann of Aberdeen ruled against some provisions of price reporting today. I found it interesting that he heard the case late last week and knew he would have a decision today, Monday. It seems to me he went beyond an interpretation of the constitutionality and veered into judicial activism. There were some questionable provisions regarding interstate commerce in SB95, but the judge, according to news reports, ruled that the law couldn't treat large producers differently than small ones. I would like to see how this part of the ruling is unconstitutional. I believe this is the same judge who ruled that the mega-hog complex on the reservation could continue construction. July 27, 1999
A judge in Alabama has rejected a union-backed lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of NAFTA. He issued a 113-page ruling in which he remarked that it was remarkable the Supreme Court had not ruled on the issue. Plaintiffs vowed to appeal the case to the Supreme Court. July 25, 1999
The NAACP has announced a lawsuit against the television industry for its lack of minority content and the lack of lead characters that are minorities. -- Former presidents Carter and Ford along with some 50 other prominent people have circulated a letter calling for the television and entertainment industries to stop marketing violence and sexual content in their products. July 22, 1999
A teenage girl in a reform camp in SD died as a result of a seizure. She had refused to participate in group exercise as I understand and was examined and left by camp personnel. An investigation is under way. -- A baby was found in a trash dump in Box Elder two days ago. An investigation there also. -- Immigrant man indited for abuse as he whipped boy so hard with belt buckle he had to go to hospital. Some said he should have been cut some slack because of cultural differences. July 22, 1999
In what has to be seen as a kind of joke by most farmers the Ag department has been interviewing farmers, in closed-door sessions, about packer discrimination. If the discrimination isn't apparent in the no-cash purchase policy, what are these sessions going to produce? It is obviously another lip service propaganda ploy by the Clinton administration. News reports are actually using the low turnout as some sort of evidence of little problem in packer behavior. No, the farmers just no its a farce. July 22, 1999
What is being called a "quasi-religious" cult is being rounded up and expelled from city centers, detained in stadiums and put in jail in China. The "falun gong" are being treated with suspicion since their leader is an American resident. July 22, 1999
In a transparent effort to win fair trader support the Clinton administration has imposed 100% tariffs on a number of European products in retaliation for European bans on certain types of US beef. Again, this doesn't pass the fair trade test but does give the appearance of looking tough on trade. I begrudge no nation if it tries to maintain it's own standards for product safety. This diversity makes the world a better place. 100% tariffs are just a publicity stunt in the US and are meant to undermine business support in Europe for environmental standards. July 20, 1999
Sanborn County won lawsuit filed against it by Coyote Flats. Coyote Flats was a large scale hog farm which wasn't given permission to build in the county. A lower level judge had said the county was wrong in its denial but the county won when brought before the SD Supreme Court. Meirhenry and Abourezk were the attorneys. July 16, 1999
Smith, a presidential candidate from New Hampshire, announced he will quit the republican party and implied he will run as a third party candidate. Republican establishment members from New Hampshire said it would be the ruin of his career. Smith is an ultraconservative candidate and is unlikely to win even Reform Party nomination. July 10, 1999
In an apparent effort to squelch yet another industry questioning free trade policies, the Clinton administration has imposed some tariffs on sheep imports. As I understand it though it only kicks in after a certain amount of animals are already imported. This quota type device fails the fair trade test but is handy in that it allows the administration to look tough on trade while still allowing the dumping. It's a band-aid approach that still keeps the free trade campaign money flowing in but stifles some opposition. July 10, 1999
Despite the fact that this merger will allow the company to even further dominate grain buying, the justice department's anti-trust section apparently approved the merger. They did impose what sounded like some fairly minor requirements that some parts of the business should be sold off. July 10, 1999
The journal Political Research Quarterly of June has a paper that studies the prevalence of misinformation as a result of the influence of talk radio. They found some correlation in that area although that part of the study seemed biased to me. As a kind of control, however, researchers also did a survey of governmental knowledge on the part of listeners. Talk radio listeners were more likely to answer questions, but also more likely to get them wrong. Researchers found, "frequency of exposure to conservative talk radio displays a significant negative correlation with political information", this even though listeners are more interested in politics, read newspapers more often, and are more likely to vote. They also found Democrats, as a group, just don't listen to a lot of talk radio. 58% of those surveyed weren't listeners, 2% call. July 6, 1999
Heard today that some packers are requiring an animal to be butchered and measured before allowing payment. Their excuse is they may be sued if they don't because of SB95. This is clearly retaliation. The new process has to be more costly to the packer and clearly an inconvenience to the seller. July 2, 1999 Tim Johnson is looking into weather the packers' action violates federal law. July 10, 1999 Pat Haley of Huron said the SD administration should pass emergency rules on SB95 since it has been dragging its feet on regular enforcement rules. July 13, 1999
Brost finally came through with his promise to challenge the constitutionality of amendment E. After months of analysis the only new argument I heard was that it might violate the Americans with disabilities Act. (They supposedly couldn't farm as a family farm corporation) This is a pretty pathetic effort. Interstate commerce is the main clause cited and the suit is obviously not well thought out as the law does not treat in and out of state corporations differently. This approach was rejected against Nebraska's law for its obvious unsuitability. The 95 lawsuit has some national organizations behind it probably reflecting the interests of the packers. It's interesting to note that the Farm Bureau was apparently unwilling to have its name on the SB95 lawsuit. SB95 was very popular among west river ranchers. June 27, 1999
The Senate voted down even a chance to fully debate trade relief for the steel industry today. This shows you just how out of touch the US Congress is with the will of the people. They are so puffed up with their role in the global economy they have forgotten their role in tempering it. The tired old horse of trade retaliation against farmers was trotted out. Alan Giebert has repeatedly shot this down but Congressmen are like old dogs and don't learn very well. Ironically in today's Argus was a story of a factory in DeSmet closing down mainly due to a lost contract from a firm that "went global". Next to it was an article on yet another politician, Vilsack of Iowa, flying around the world with business reps to get us great trade deals. Haven't we seen this before. June 22, 1999
Heard on a radio show, possibly Michael Reagan's, that there is now ethnic cleansing of Serbs. The News Hour interviewed soldier who said Gypsies are also leaving because they supported Serbs. Michael Reagan show had guy who said British are now urging their companies get a share of rebuilding business. June 22, 1999
Trying to find some legislative answer to teen violence, the House is voting on various proposals. Voted down was a measure that would make it illegal to sell extremely violent material to children under 17. Instead of trying to find a way to make it work, members moaned that it would restrict access to "Saving Private Ryan", "Schindler's List" or even "Batman" (yeah, so??). What they did approve is setting more mandatory sentences and treating violent juveniles as adults. More of the same stupidity. June18, 1999
Heard today that some Russian troops went into Pristina, which is in Kosovo. NATO doesn't seem too concerned about it, but it does seem to be an outright provocation. Russian officials said they didn't even know about it. -- Saw on news that Clinton spoke at a college graduation and some students refused to shake his hand. Some were reportedly mad about Kosovo, others had pins protesting trade policies. June 12, 1999
The pundits are saying we won and opponents should be more gracious about it. Was there ever any doubt? Of course we won, militarily. But what were the consequences? I think we accelerated if not outright caused the ethnic cleansing. Troops facing apparent doom are likely to carry out their anger at weaker targets. NATO estimates it killed 7000, Serbia estimates 500. Even the lower number is more than the casualties of the seven years prior to the bombing according to some accounts, including a Gannet paper insert. And now we settle down for years of policing. -- The Russians rushed into Serbia today as if to take control of their own sector of Kosovo and they have said they won't accept NATO leadership, it will remain interesting. -- An old Beatle's song came to my mind the other day, "Hey Bungalow Bill, What did you kill, Bungalow Bill". June 11, 1999
In Whitewood SD the mayor, a Mr. Whitelock, was defeated in a recall election. I wonder if this wasn't the area or reason for stiffening of recall initiation requirements in a past legislative session. If so looks like the tightening didn't work. Good, its nice to see some of these politicians chased out once in a while. June 9, 1999
Heard that some movie theaters are going to start requiring photo IDs for access to certain movies. I think it is about time, we hear a lot about selling alcohol and cigarettes to minors but not about allowing them in R or PG-13 rated movies. One owner interviewed said he would do whatever NATO wanted him to do. NATO hear apparently being a movie oversight board or group.
Apparently a peace agreement was reached today between the Serb army and NATO forces. The deal was signed by a Gen. Michael Jackson, "Sir" Michael Jackson, who will command the boys in Kosovo. So what started out as an arrogant blunder ends in a joke. And really doesn't end at that. June 9, 1999
A federal judge threw out a lawsuit against the president that alleged he violated the war powers act. His reasoning was that the Congress didn't send a strong enough message either way on its position on the war, although it failed to support it in a number of votes. June 9, 1999
KELO TV spotlighted Matt Wasmund, a 26 yr.-old chiropractor who owns a sprint car. Painted on the wing is a picture of Jesse Ventura and I think they said the car is sponsored by the Reform party. What a unique way to advertise the cause. June 7, 1999
Forbes made a speech at a Republican gathering in Sioux Falls today. I was surprised to hear this former advocate for the gold standard say that he though the Federal Reserve was too tight on monetary policy. This is in direct conflict with a tight gold money standard. Still advocating a flat tax though. June 3, 1999
News today that a peace deal has been offered that may satisfy NATO and Yugoslavia. NATO hasn't promised yet to stop bombing until Yugoslav forces show signs of pulling out. Also heard up to 5000 Serb troops killed in the bombing. War criminal status of Milosevic ignored. June 3, 1999
The city of Brooking's voted overwhelmingly to change their form of government to city manager form. This probably reflects dissatisfaction with the present form but I bet it won't cure it. If they put another change on the ballot in 3 years, I bet it will pass. June 2, 1999
The Hague has decided to indite Milosevic as a war criminal according to radio reports today. Some might say the final outcome of this confrontation will now be decided between a war criminal and a rapist. I doubt if the outcome will be in anyone' s interest. May 26, 1999
The May 24th issue of The New Republic has article on the media's lovefest with McCain. Rush Limbaugh has also talked about this phenomenon. The New Republic says it all started with a puff-piece done by 60 minutes. Then followed the National Journal with 5,000 word article it actually called "The Lone Ranger". Esquire had article entitled "John McCain Walks on Water". Ironically enough the New Republic article itself glosses over McCain's involvement as one of the "Keating five"; Senators who helped the savings and loan crook get as far as he did. Also ironic is the fact that this adoration of McCain shows a weakness in the campaign finance reform ideas he has supposedly championed. It shows that without private money the media's biases alone will be left to determine publicity and perhaps outcomes. I don't know what the answer is for campaign finance reform but it seems to me it needs to begin at the local level. May 25, 1999
Janklow wrote a letter responding to a fellow republican's assertion that college should be considered work for welfare purposes. Janklow disagreed and went on at some length about the work ethic. It is always popular (and somewhat ironic) for a politician to talk about the work ethic. It is somewhat akin to Rush Limbaugh extolling the benefits of work. I wonder if Janklow considers the studying he did in college to be work. Or if he thinks he actually held down the equivalent of a full time job in college moonlighting and summer work Also, does he think moms work raising children? May 22, 1999
Heard bits of a story that action is being brought against a few companies who conspired to fix the cost of vitamins and vitamin supplements. I wonder if this will affect the overpriced cereal area. It shows that yet again collusion does exist among those who glamorize the competitive model. May 20, 1999
Gore had to break a tie over gun control in the Senate today. He voted for mandatory background checks at gun shows and pawnshops. It's hard to see how this would have stopped the events in Columbine or Georgia just recently. I'm also skeptical of ties. It's almost as if they wanted Gore on record. He took it and ran with it though, with Daschle by his side saying it's the end of NRA domination in the Senate. May 20, 1999
News today about a genetically altered corn called BT corn that has a "natural" pesticide against corn borer. Scientists are now worried because it appears to kill the monarch butterfly and may be harming other insects, which might affect the whole food chain. May 20, 1999
Ehud Barak, a war hero, won over Netanyahu in Israel's Prime Minister elections with the help of James Carville. If I heard right he has promised to pull troops out of Lebanon. May 19, 1999
Heard that Gary Hanson the Mayor of Sioux Falls is apparently trying to give a big windfall to his supporters and political cronies at the County Country Club through some road scheme. He is proposing to build a road through the current club, pay the members a "fair market value" (numbers you can bet are inflated) and maybe even buy the clubbers another location for a course, with all the development windfalls that may give. If he were smart and were actually working for the people, Hanson would work to repeal a property tax exemption I believe clubbers get for their land and tax them based on what they're whining the thing is worth. May 14, 1999
Yet another erratic policy action by Yeltsin. Steve Cohen, Russian expert, said Russian papers will say that the IMF and US forced out the popular Primakov, which is akin to saying Yeltsin is a puppet of the west. This will destabilize Russia and may actually force an impeachment of Yeltsin, talks of which begin in the parliament tomorrow. Also does not bode well for Russian agreement on Kosovo. May 12, 1999
Robert Rubin resigned today from the Treasurers office. Larry Sommers, who has an academic background rather than a Wall Street background, will replace him. Hopefully this moderates somewhat the IMF bailouts and bank welfare we saw from Rubin. May 12, 1999
NATO accidentally hit the Chinese Embassy the news reported today. They said they were just about ready to get China's support regarding Kosovo. Good luck now. NPR said a while back that reports about the NATO action in China were heavily in favor of the Serbs. I think they said government television was actually calling Clinton a nazi. Hard to believe China was going to come around on Kosovo given that information. May 8, 1999 -- Rush Limbaugh is saying the old map excuse is lame because old maps showed a vacant lot where the Embassy was according to some report he read. This report says the action and the excuse are bizarre in that they are so readily disproven. May 11, 1999
Dr. James Dobson was the subject of an article in the Argus the other day by a Greg Barret. If you want to see evidence of bias in the media, read the article. It was laced with sarcasm and put-downs and with what I saw as a kind of threat about Dobson's tax exempt status. No web address was given for Dobson, which I believe is www.family.org He has a great article about gambling and lotteries at the site. May 8, 1999
I'm not sure if appeal is the right word but State Treasurer Butler filed a protest with the state Supreme Court over Janklow's deal with Citibank over unclaimed property. From yesterday's paper it seemed pretty tamely written, asking to rule on all other situations and conceding loss on the Citibank issue, but from today's paper it seems Butler filed two motions. One as outlined above to have the court rule on other situations if the deal is accepted, and another one denying Janklow's authority to do the deal in the first place. May 6, 1999
NATO forces used an apparently upgraded weapon technology over Serbia called a soft bomb. The Bomb apparently takes out power grids by dropping carbon/silk filaments that short-circuit the power grid. An earlier version was used in the Gulf War. Critics are asking why it wasn't used earlier to take out air defenses. -- Another helicopter accident in Albania with two servicemen dying this time. May 5, 1999
So far we have heard that two Buses have been hit one with approximately 37, another with approximately 20 civilians killed. I think two residential areas hit with one taking 40 homes out and I think approximately 20 lives. Two convoys of civilians hit with approximately 75 killed. I've even heard the wrong country was hit, with Bulgaria taking a few missiles. Another month and we may be up to the Serbs prewar levels. May 4, 1999 Eleven to fifteen more civilians to add to tally in residential area accidentally hit. May 7, 1999 NATO hits Chinese Embassy killing at least 3. May 8, 1999 Serbs claiming 100 lives lost in cluster bombing, NATO says unlikely. May 14, 1999-- NATO hit a bridge on Sunday and killed 11 civilians. June 1, 1999
James Galbraith, in article in the Progressive Populist says being in Kosovo is not only illegal it is stupid. He talks of how Sherman seized civilian property and burned houses in the US Civil War and talks about Holbrooke's bluster and Albright's effort to gain glory in Rambouillet. An Israeli Professor, Tonya Reinhart, has written a piece where she talks of how the Bosnian conflict's Dayton accords were less about setting up a new government than a puppet government. She sees the US giving England and Germany support against Serbia in exchange for not challenging the US in Iraq. May 4, 1999
A restriction that kept some US grain out of China has been temporarily lifted. The zero tolerance for TCK, a wheat fungus was a result of Chinese concerns for their own crops. A US Dept. of Ag analysis found that the risk of Chinese establishment of the fungus because of wheat imports was "statistically insignificant". My own opinion is let them protect themselves and just counter with a compensating tariff. I begrudge no country trying to protect its own resources. May 3, 1999
In Sanborn County a hog farm was denied permits to build and the company Coyote Flats took the County to Court. Abourezk is on the Counties side and Meierhenry is on the Companies. I think this goes plainly and simply to the issue of local control. When the opponents of E were debating the issue they said E wasn't needed because these issues should be left to local control. Now some are telling us it wasn't up to local control, at least not if it wasn't in the zoning. Well zoning has not typically dealt with economic questions and that is what the corporate hog farm debate is largely about. I may not always agree with them but local commissioners can be as arbitrary and capricious, as they want. They are supposed to represent the people. May 3, 1999
Tom Farnsworth, executive director of the SD Pork Producers council in Madison, resigned from his job to take a radio job in his hometown. It comes on the heels of amendment E and Senate Bill 95 and almost concurrently with the formation of the Independent Pork Producers headed by Kent Frerichs and the successful petition drive to force a vote on the Pork checkoff. It's hard not to draw a connection. May 1, 1999
Newspaper and radio reports on state spending for political races I believe actually said spending was higher among democrats then republicans. Part of this was due to high spending by a Mike (?) Wilson from Rapid City, a democrat who won in a traditionally republican district. Mr. Wilson is a lawyer and not surprisingly most of his contributions came form lawyers. He is according to vote-smart rather uncommitted to if not downright hostile to a state income tax. April 28, 1999
In the April 9th New Statesman, Noam Chomsky talks pretty skeptically about so-called humanitarian interventions and also about America's recent history regarding them. Humanitarian intervention was Japan's excuse in Manchuria, Hitler's excuse in Czechoslovakia, and Italy's excuse in Ethiopia. (They were physically expansionist but America may be economically expansionist) He talks of how we recently made humanitarian conditions worse by arming repressive governments in Colombia and Turkey. He talked of how we knew it would make matters worse in Kosovo but went on because we want to carve up former Yugoslavia. I read some years back but can't remember the authors, a detailed academic study on civil wars and how intervention actually seems to make things worse. April 27, 1999
Looks like the parents might be fall guys for the shooting. Janet Reno and others alluded to this in the media. They should have noticed guns while cleaning room etc. Most are saying shouldn't blame gun availability. Some are talking about the violent culture, and I saw clips of the Basketball Diaries that showed Dicaprio walking in a black trench coat and shooting people. I think the Dicaprio connection is so prevalent that a multi-million dollar suit would easily win. I am annoyed at AOL for taking the shooter's web-site off the air. I have seen numerous references and sections of it in the media, why not let the public see the whole thing? Or does an elitist media have to pick and choose what we see. Perhaps bomb-making instructions should be taken off but the rest should be readily available. The most protected form of speech should be political speech and that is essentially what this is. A father who's son says he was harassed by one of the shooters said he downloaded the web site and gave it to police so it should have actually been used as a warning. In this case it was ignored and part of the blame for this has also to go to an inept police bureaucracy. Also I think we can distribute blame to teachers who ignore small but debilitating acts of violence against outcast kids. April 27, 1999
There was a shooting at a Colorado high school today. At least 18 were wounded and up to 25 killed including 2 shooters. They were said to be nerdy outcasts who were called the trench-coat mafia for their trench coats and sunglasses. It happened on a day some said had special significance to marijuana smokers, a kind of smokers holiday (KELO had a feature on this a few months ago), but Nightline brought up the fact that it was hitler's birthday which may have significance in nazi/occultic groups. The supposedly libertarian Bill Maher brought up gun control which he favors. I think if you look at history there is a lesser prevalence of guns today than in our forefathers' day. One thing that has changed is Hollywood and other entertainment glorification of violence, the culture wars that Pat Buchanan is so widely ridiculed for. I think also that teachers are less concerned about bullying and students isolating others which some of the shooters might have had a problem with. April 21, 1999
Heard report that part of our interest in Bosnia may have been oil leases for an American oil company. Recent reports have talked about resource rich Kosovo, I think coal or gold. While some might say this points at more of a pragmatic approach to war, it also may point to a two-faced use of moral issues to justify it. The cynical might say it explains an unwillingness to bargain with Milosevic because any land he might get, such as the ancient battlefield and other special sites, is also the land with the resources. -- The New York Times apparently had article where it tells that Kosovo is rich in both gold and coal, with 17 billion tons of coal reserves and a state-owned mining complex with an estimated $5 billion plus in gold and other metal wealth. May 4, 1999
A convoy of Kosovo refugees was hit by bombs the other day, killing approximately 75 people. The Serbs claimed it was Americans, the US claimed it was Serbs with a propaganda plot. Later NATO officials seemed to admit it was their aircraft and said pilots had pulled away when they realized people were civilians. -- Heard on radio that Albright can speak Serbian fluently, that she spent some time living in Belgrade as a child, and that some in Washington are calling this war Madeline's War.-- The Catholic church refused donations to UN children's fund because during Bosnian conflict the UN was handing out morning after pills to rape victims. They have written to the UN again because apparently the same is being done for the Kosovars. April 17, 1999
Yesterday was Election Day around the state for local offices. There were quite a few bond issues that passed. In Brookings past voters had approved a facility but the proposal apparently didn't include furnishings, so promoters came back, after the facility was built, asking for more. Promoters disserved to get it turned down but it passed.
On Friday, the jury in the Anderson case delivered the death penalty. I'm no fan of the death penalty but if there is a case where it should be applied its for serial killers, they may be addicted to killing. There were things about reactions to the decision that bothered me though. I heard elsewhere, and Barnett said, that people didn't like his smirk. Barnett, who I think looks a lot like Anderson with that pouting bottom lip, also went on to say Anderson was e-ffeminate. That not only sounds homophobic, but it would seem to insult women too. I hope a kind of idiotic focus on the man's appearance and mannerisms didn't enter into the jury deliberations. April 11, 1999
A Hughes County jury decided the state should give the Lonetree investors approximately $10.1 million for the supposed taking of property rights and breaking interstate commerce clause with the statewide vote against the dump. For some reason it must have centered on the possible volume of business. This was a mistake. There should have been, at a maximum, only preparatory costs paid. Also, why was the case held in Hughes County, which I think includes one of the most anti-government group of government employees you could find. The vote was 11-1 so apparently they didn't need a unanimous decision. The state will appeal to the SD Supreme Court. April 8, 1999
Heard on radio that Clinton administration vetoed intervention in Rwanda where ethnic violence is higher. Heard that France is reluctant to take in any refugees. Read in Donald Kaul's column that the KLA has ties to Osama Bin Laden, the Arabic terrorist. Over weekend Milosevic must have offered a cease-fire which was turned down. Macedonia is thought to have bused a bunch of refugees back to Kosovo or to Albania. Two guests on PI, Michael Moore and an actress made sense on Kosovo saying why not give bombing a rest for Orthodox Easter weekend and asking what has bombing solved. April 7, 1999
Project Censored has compiled its list of most under-reported stories of 1998. Among them are; #1 Secret International Trade Agreement Undermines the Sovereignty of Nations (about MAI), #14 Political Contributions Compromise American Judicial System, #17 U.S. Media Promotes Biased Coverage on Bosnia (interesting given Kosovo situation), and #21 Global Oil Reserves Alarmingly Over Estimated. April 1, 1999
Heard on radio today that a Watertown company will lay off 12 employees due to transfer of operations to Mexico. This company has lain off around 50 employees so far. -- A jacket plant in Canton will lay off 106 workers due, it says, to a lack of demand for product. It will maintain four operations in Iowa though, which doesn't say much for South Dakota's no corporate income tax position. -- A recent story said South Dakota ranked number one in manufacturing job "creation". You can bet they didn't consider net job creation, just new jobs created (or more likely moved here form some other state). April 1, 1999
Five B-1s were called up from Ellsworth Air Base and I believe will operate out of Italy. A ret. colonel Pat MacKilgun (?) was on SD Public Radio. He has spent some time at Ellsworth and, contrary to what was reported in the mass media for their Gulf action, did say the B-1s can use satellite guided bombs and will progress further technically in the next five years. I also heard Ellsworth's bombers are more advanced then some other bases B-1s. March 30, 1999
Mara Liason, on Fox News Sunday, talked of how the administration is obviously trying to demonize Milosevic and that that is understandable to try and drum up support for this type of action. The Newshour today had guests that thought that acceleration of ethnic cleansing was definitely a result of the air war. -- A supposedly independent Yugoslavian radio station reported that the Serbs had shot down 7 aircraft, 3 helicopters, 30 cruise missiles, and 3 no-pilot aircraft. They also had story that the World Council of Churches had called for an immediate moratorium on the bombing. March 29,30 1999
A large slew of state legislators has officially come out in support of George Bush in the 2000 election. I wonder if half of them know his positions on the issues? It seems mighty early to be choosing your favorite candidate. Heard on radio that a video of Bush dancing naked on a bar has surfaced. -- Senators Daschle and Johnson have also already endorsed Gore. March 26,31 1999
Started bombing of Serbia yesterday. Three Soviet Migs shot down so far. Clinton talked about how the war could spread and how both World Wars started there. I don't think II started there. Anyway what started WWI was intervention of other world powers in something that really wasn't their business. Dangerous entanglements I believe is how one American president put it. In regard to ethnic cleansing, I heard there are currently over 90 places in the world were some sort of social unrest is happening, some undoubtedly involve ethnic conflict. March 25, 1999
According to The Washington Spectator, an AP interview with a professor Linder about newspaper carrier injuries was killed by an AP editor in New York. The AP called it "an editor/writer miscommunication". Mr. Linder has written that 99 newspaper vendors were killed on the job between 1992 and 1997, 11 of them under 18, and despite this less than 7% of newspaper carriers across the nation were covered by worker's compensation. This is because they are generally hired as "independent contractors". I have also heard of this in the temping workers industry, where people are hired through agencies and are considered "independent contractors" despite functioning as typical employees. March 23, 1999
Tony Snow in an interview for Fox News Sunday regarding Kosovo said something to the effect "so were in there to protect NATO?" George Will said, "NATO will intervene to protect -- NATO" Three countries recently joined NATO. I think they were Poland, Hungary, and Chekoslavakia. Dana Rohabacker (R-Calif.) was on TV saying he thought the mission of NATO was defunct and we shouldn't expand it, I agree. March 13,21 1999
Papers reported that a coalition has again sued to stop a mega-hog farm from becoming reality on the reservation. Despite their suit though, as I understand it, construction can go on. This is a tragedy. When was the public, the reservation members, ever given a chance to voice its opinion on this thing? The BIA apparently ramroded this thing through without adequate public input. This sounds typical for the BIA. March 18, 1999
A somewhat eccentric political activist who attempted to run as an independent for governor last November was hauled off by police for stalling the parade when she gave a political speech, news accounts said. She has had a few large ads in the newspapers most of which where difficult to understand. One I recall talked about the unfairness of different signature requirements for ballot access for different political positions and parties. I think she has a point, we have a tough time getting candidates for most races, why not lighten up on ballot access requirements and let the voters decide about credentials. -- A recent letter to the editor claimed Corbly, a 70 year old woman, was thrown to the ground and had her face pressed onto the hood of a car during the arrest. March 19,29 1999
Heard the other day that Israel will provide, I believe, less than 40% of the water that it promised to Jordan in a past treaty. This would seem to leave Jordan's new king with a major foreign policy problem right out of the chute. The Israelis say there is a drought, that they are cutting back themselves and that it is hopefully only a temporary problem. March 19, 1999
Governor Vilsack is apparently pushing in the Iowa legislature what passed as SB95 in South Dakota's. He also commented that he informed or promoted it to VP Gore on one of his pre-election tours of the state. I doubt if Gore will do anything about it. March 16, 1999
Adm. William Crowe testified to a congressional committee the other day and recommended spending approximately $1.4 billion dollars more a year on embassy security. The Clinton administration wasn't going to do that but they were going to spend more. Why do we have all these Embassies? It seems a lot of it is political patronage. I say we close about 50% of them and save ourselves some money. March 13, 1999
The vice-president recently announced some murky details about a program where factory hog growers who contract with farmers will share liability, similar to what was turned down in a past SD legislature. Seems Gore can now position himself as an environmentalist even though those groups are not satisfied with the measure and even though the companies would probably much rather have that then a bunch of amendment Es. He also recently quoted the Bible, saying "you will know them by their fruits". The fruits in the above example appear to be a smokescreen. March 10, 1999
Christopher Hitchens did an interview today on Fox news Sunday. In it he talked about his criticisms of the media, his own profession, saying they are fiscally conservative and socially liberal and thus tend to give like-minded Clinton a pass. Said he would like to see a poll asking whether people thought Clinton bombed the Sudan for his own benefit and whether they thought a rapist should serve in the White House. He went on to talk about the administrations selling out to the Chinese. He has a new book out critical of Clinton; it may be worth checking out although his last slammed Mother Teresa. March 7, 1999
In an article entitled The Fallacy of the Skills Gap in the March Progressive, James Galbraith refutes the commonly held idea that Clinton voiced in the State of the Union address, that 'Today's income gap is largely a skills gap' and that education can cure it. Galbraith talks of a number of misperceptions about the so-called computer revolution including the idea that it has led to an explosion in productivity growth and the idea that computer skills taught to children will lead to increased earnings. March 1, 1999
Recently heard story where they caught a guy believed to be responsible for over 50 church burnings. It appears his motives were a result of occult beliefs and a hatred of religion. The Jasper murder and the racism involved seem to be a result of prison "rehabilitation". March 1, 1999
The Wall Street Journal had on its editorial page lately a story of a Juanita Broderick, who says apparently that she was raped by then governor Clinton in 78?. I saw this story on Matt Drudge's page weeks ago. It seems a little suspicious that it came out in the established press only after the impeachment trial. February 22, 1999
A state commission in Vermont has endorsed the idea of preferential voting. This method allows voters multiple choices in a single race; first preference, second, and so on. If your first choice comes in last then a recount is made with a vote going to your second choice and so on. This helps third party runners as it helps negate the "wasted vote" theory. It eliminates also the need for run-offs where that practice is used. This is something that should be tried in South Dakota. February 19, 1999
Heard that a Deidrich has introduced a bill that would require that school bond issues require a 60% vote even if they get partial funding from another governmental source, which has been a loophole that has been used to allow a 50% vote requirement. Apparently each source would require its own vote. This seems like a good idea. We require super majorities for tax increases we should also for bond issues. It's too easy, it seems, for a government body to borrow money and push tax increases on to future, non-voting taxpayers. A bond issue commits them even though they didn't get to vote. February 16, 1999
The governor will fund, with $75,000 from a jobs program in his office, the legal efforts of R-CALF(Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Foundation) to stop unfair trade practices by Canada and Mexico. A bill with this same intent was going through the state legislature a few days ago and the governor's staff opposed it. The governor also said, according to the Argus Leader, that, "I probably single-handedly started a lot of this stuff when I banned Canadian trucks last year". This even though R-CALF obviously predates the governor's grandstanding blockade. February 14, 1999
Richard Gephart announced he will not run for president. This leaves on the democratic side only Bradley and Gore. Since they are both unrepentant free traders, it leaves a lot of democrats no place to go. I hope the Reform Party can find someone respectable to run. Only Buchanan on the Republican side, if he runs, is likely to be a fair-trader. February 4, 1999
Heard recently that the Supreme court I believe said that a site listing abortion providers and their families addresses and other info was libel because it was in effect threatening their lives. The site is to be penalized millions of dollars (107 million). Yet I heard that a pornography site didn't have to restrict access because that would be a violation of free speech. This is ironic as heck. At least find that the abortion site doesn't owe any money, just take it off the web. February 2, 1999
A citizen panelist on the show Politically Incorrect last night said that lawyers should be barred from the legislature. I didn't here all the arguments but Maher seemed to agree with her. I think with the states concern over conflict-of interest rules this may be an idea at the local level where the part-time nature of the legislature may compound conflict-of-interest concerns. Hard for me to believe that more lawyers didn't make the state's conflict list. They must have been some of the ones "overlooked". --The legislature is considering a bill that would permit judges, court staff, and lawyers to be jurors, apparently they had an exemption before. The Argus editorialized against this saying lawyers would have undo influence on jurors. This brings to mind all the cries of "unconstitutional" I've heard coming from the state legislature. January 22, March 1, 1999
Heard the other day on statehouse that state has something called an over-development? rule. That after 250 or 400 thousand, property is not taxed on its real value. I suppose the excuse is that it is economic development to build a house that big. Seems to fit in with the regressive tax system we have. -- Madison paper had editorial where they actually question the governor on his mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenders. They quote him as saying that people voted for him so they must like his ideas. Remember, his likely stance on ballot issues rejected 7 out of 9 times. People may like his supposed up-front style, I don't think they give a damn about his ideas. The governor also had the nerve, after the people voted in Butler and voted down the unclaimed property move, to say that he will negotiate with Citibank rather than go to court. This is in blatant opposition to the will of the people. I don't know if he even has the authority to do it. -- McIntyre actually won 36-33, I would like to see some of the ballots that were thrown out. I think "identifying marks" is no reason to throw out a ballot. Should try and determine will of the voter. January 15, 1999
Heard on Charlie Rose show, from George Soros, that he thinks we may need a new Breton Woods system or should change the system, etc. Isn't it funny that this was an idea advocated by Ron Wieczorek in his campaign for both the House and the governorship? His ideas were tied to Lyndon Larrauche who the media have significantly trashed as a nut. But hear we have a financial guru who has made billions and he agrees. Perhaps the ideas of so-called fanatics should not be glossed over so easily. December 23, 1998
In December 12th edition of the Argus Leader, there was a story about how a foe's departure as chairman from the water and power subcommittee in the Senate may help the Lewis and Clark water pipeline get federal funding. Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz. "didn't believe the bureau (of Reclamation) should be giving grants or be the funding agency for these projects and thought we should look for different funding." a spokesman for the project said. He supported shifting the financial requests to the DOA and the EPA. That position created major obstacles for the project because of the additional time it would take to 'educate' those agencies about the pipeline, Bonrud said, using a typically pompous way some have of describing their own propaganda. On public television some time back was a program about water projects and the damage they have done communities and the environment. I say if you want water, go to were it is, don't build these fantastically expensive projects to get it to you. December 22, 1998
There were eight constitutional amendments on the ballot and one referred law. Six of these issues were placed on the ballot by the legislature. Two were placed there as a result of inaction by the legislature, and one was placed in opposition to the majority in the legislature. Even though republicans actually gained seats in the state house, which would seem to be an endorsement of their positions, they lost overwhelmingly on the issues placed on the ballot. The people agreed with only two postitions they endorsed and one, on age requirements for legislators and governor, was of only minor importance. The other, amendment A, was portrayed as anti-children and irresponsible, and the propaganda prevailed. The republican viewpoint on amendment E, which had the most discussion, was rejected. Overall the legislature was rejected 7 of 9 times, although I believe amendment D lost by only 200 votes statewide. The only issue I would strongly disagree with the public about was on classification of ag property. This amendment may have helped with fairness of valuations near high demand areas. Some have noted that referred law one was not on the ballot. I believe it rejected a state law that would have nullified term limit labeling. Labeling for some reason was ruled unconstitutional thus taking the issue off the ballot.
Heard on Charlie Rose show that Mexico could pay back its loans to U.S. because they borrowed money cheaper from Japan. Isn't it ironic that the "experts" are now saying that Japan's banks are in terrible shape and need to be reformed? I'll bet the U.S. will end up bailing out Japan and thus along with it Mexico.
Public radio had a segment on a survey done of the press and the public. Something like 65% of Journalists were for free trade such as NAFTA, the public only supported it at 8%. The journalists were blasé on taxes on the rich, the public favored. The press was only moderately for government health care of those who don't have health insurance and the public supported at two to one.(6/18/98) This info also in the Progressive Populist, survey of 141 journalists for FAIR by Professor David Croteau of Virginia Commonwealth University. On economic issues 64% of journalists said they were centrists, 19% right and 11% left.
It seems this Tuesday that the Republican voters of South Dakota went against their tradition of choosing young candidates when they chose Schmidt over Aker for the Senate race. They seemed to support the candidate with the most money whether by design or because he had the most ads I don't know. They obviously made the wrong choice. Aker was a fair-trader and may have got some Democratic votes that way. He was also a more able speaker and talked of how he could work with Democrats including Hunhoff. One almost gets the impression that the GOP was hoping to put up a poor candidate against Daschle.
On a show today it was shown how touchy Quebec is becoming when it comes to their French culture. They have language "police" who fine businesses if they don't have signs with the French language in letters twice as big as those in English. The show showed cartoons of the mayor as a nazi. I however agree with the mayor. If Quebec wants to maintain the French language then they have to make it convenient to use that language in everyday activity. I was sad to see they exempted big franchises like McDonalds's. (Apparently French doesn't have apostrophes so McDonalds would be forced to change its name.) These giant corporations are a major source of what the French call cultural imperialism. I think these companies would lose some of their power if forced to conform their companies to the French standard.
A Congresswoman McKinney of Georgia, a Democrat defended the non-intervention stance in a Newshour segment (2/10/98). She said an Israeli expert has said Iraq has no way of delivering weapons of mass destruction. Others defending a non-intervention stance are McLoughlin of PBS and Pat Buchannon. These people should be admired for their willingness to take an unpopular stance. On the Newshour a day after she was on, one of the interviewers told UN ambassador Richardson that McKinney had got a lot of favorable E-mail.
We have heard the saying, "no man is above the law" quite a lot lately with the impeachment situation and have also heard "We are a nation of laws not of men". The first saying can be credited to a Chesterfield Smith, the head of the American Bar Association at the time of Nixon's troubles, according to Tom Brokaw in his new book The Greatest Generation. The last saying is clearly ridiculous. We are a nation, like all nations, of men, governed by men. Without a popular basis of support the law means nothing. The constitution, the supreme law of the land is supposed to be based on the will of the people. Even those who argue about the rights of the minority must admit they are based in the will of the majority. The first statement should be turned around; " all men are above the law". In a religious sense the apostle Paul, I believe, is trying in part to get at this in his talks on the law. We should not hold the law to a higher value than people. The law merely points in a direction, it shows general wrongdoing. Ultimately God is the judge of us all. But even in our earthly system of justice the law was not meant to say everything. That is why we have trial by jury. It would always be a backstop against the tyranny of the law. In a letter to the Argus Leader, a Clint Grooms, apparently a member of the Fully Informed Jury Association, gives some court cases that talk about the idea of jury nullification. John Jay, 1st Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court said, "The jury has the right to judge both the law as well as the fact in controversy." The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said, "If the jury feels the law is unjust, we recognize the undisputed power of the jury to acquit, even if its verdict is contrary to the law as given by the judge and contrary to the evidence." Grooms tells of the fact that members of the Association were asked to identify themselves for possible exclusion from jury service. In a story about the jury selection for the Robert Anderson trial, a woman who was against the death penalty was rejected for service. She said she thinks that if Anderson is entitled to a jury of his peers then if one of his peers is against the death penalty then so be it. I agree. Although I could find nothing in the constitution about the much used phrase "a jury of his peers", it does talk about an impartial jury. I think the practice of jury selection has gone too far and designing a jury that is all one-sided on the question of capital punishment is basically unconstitutional. In this day and age of minimum sentences and 3rd or less "strikes" laws, the idea of jury nullification is more important than ever. February 6, 20, March 2, 1999
The word populist, with a small p, is very overused today. It seems to be a term made up by political writers. I could not find it in my slightly outdated dictionary, although I could find the word "Populist". The small "p" populist word is used to describe all manner of politicians whom apparently, "appeal" to the masses or the populace. As appealing to the masses is pretty much the general definition of a politician the word seems to have little meaning, and it should really have no meaning outside the context of the original Populists. The original Populists would turn over in their graves if they saw the kind of people who now bear the definition populist. The Argus leader has described both Gary Hanson and Janklow as "populists". And although less offensive, Tom Daschle has also been described as a "prairie populist." The Populists were less than popular. They espoused some generally unpopular ideas (some of which would later become popular partly because of their leadership). For example, they were generally for a progressive income tax. Something Janklow and Hanson would fight against. They were against corporate power. Janklow might say they had an "anti-corporate mentality". In their day being against corporate power meant generally being low-tariff supporters, as the corporations wanted protection. Today their attitude would be fair trade and higher tariff to protect workers from globalizing corporations. It is interesting to note that the word "demagogue" is also someone who appeals to the masses; the base meaning of which means simply, "popular leader". This word however has taken a negative connotation. The dictionary says it is someone who appeals to the emotions or prejudices of the people. In my mind then any politician who parades their family or friends around in emotion based ads is a demagogue. It is interesting to see how writers use these terms. If the writer perceives a politician to be a populist, they apparently see him as a rather benign, low-grade and harmless demagogue. If they use the term demagogue then they think he or she is a threat. A poll done last year says that the press has very different views than the general population on taxes on the rich, and trade. One gets the impression that if a candidate were for a progressive income tax and fair trade, the elitist press would actually brand he or she a demagogue rather then the Populist they would be.
Sorry, no letters so far. I may have to rename the site One Man's Populist (?) Opinion. To pre-anticipate some criticism though, the essay "All Men are Above the Law" was mainly a reaction to constantly hearing that no man is above the law. I was hoping to generate thought and comments on the law, minimum sentences, jury nullification and perhaps even the role of religion in politics. Contrary to the impression the title may give I was for Clinton's impeachment and removal. I think a part of the presidents job description is as figurehead and adultery should have been seen as a failure of that role. The Republicans didn't play their strong suit of family values. They apparently were afraid of appearing hypocritical or perhaps puritanical (The country was founded by puritans, some would argue its an American strength) They wound up appearing not only hypocritical and puritanical but overly legalistic too.