Cinn Daz Blog

Chat Noir Socks

January 2011- A Month to Remember

Once again a crazed gunman has killed innocent people and the US politicians did nothing. Why?  This is because they completely fear the gun lobby.  The American habit of worshipng guns comes from the second amendment in the US Constitution, which reads as follows “[A] well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”  Substitute the word “State” for “people “and this amendment becomes quite clear. The member States of the United States can each maintain their own militia. However, the word “people” was used instead. Hence the current confusion about what the Second Amendment actually allows. Almost, unlimited gun ownership the gun lobby says. Merely the right for States to have a militia, gun control opponents claim.

What did the Founders of the United States government actually intend in the Second Amendment? The Founders were all white men who owned a lot of property and often many slaves. Nothing unusual about this in 1789. It was a time when the wealthy unquestionably ruled society. Everyone else either worked for, or were owned by them.  If the young Arizona man who killed six people and seriously injured a Congresswoman had done this in 1789, he probably would have been tried, convicted, and hanged within a month. That’s how justice worked back then.

The Founders preferred a stable society above all else. That’s why they replaced the ineffective Articles of Confederation with the US Constitution. The Articles gave each State almost sovereign power. They could tax goods brought in from another State for example. National unity and, more importantly, national commerce were jeopardized under this chaotic system.  The US Constitution created a strong Federal government, but gave the States many powers also. Allowing them to keep their own militia was a strong incentive to keep the Federal government in check.

I have a hard time believing that the wealthy Founders supported almost unlimited gun ownership by all private citizens. These guns could too easily be turned again the wealthy by unruly mobs with grievances. Instead, I think they wanted the States to have a wide latitude in organizing their militias. One State might have a small full-time professional militia. Another might use citizen soldiers, who trained part of the year and lived as civilians the rest of the time. That is the model for today’s National Guard, the modern descendant of the militia.  Allowing all responsible citizens to keep guns at home and rally whenever a threat appeared could be another option. The State would determine which of its citizens could own a gun.

Guns were common in 1789 America. They were used in hunting food, protecting livestock, self-defense and also against the yet unconquered Native Americans.  Today in our increasingly urban society, guns are used primarily for sport hunting and self-defense. The sheer number of guns owned by private citizens makes it easy for criminals and curious kids to obtain one.  It is my opinion that the Founders would not have tolerated all the problems our lax gun laws have brought upon us. In the future, more crazy people will use their easily obtained guns to kill again. And the politicians again will probably do little.

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Siamese Cat Pennant

Predictions for 2011

Making predictions is always dangerous. No matter how many of your predictions turn out true, you will be remembered for those predictions that were dead wrong. So, in spite of that knowledge, here are some predictions from me.

The Economy

The economy will continue to improve. No surprise here. The majority of the US population that is regularly employed with decent health benefits may actually think that the good times have returned.  For the 10% to 20% who are either unemployed or under employed, it will be another year of recession. This latter segment is easily forgotten, because they do not have lawyers, lobbyists or representatives in Congress to demand services, jobs, or even a glimmer of hope. My specific prediction is that the recession will be declared over, even though millions are still unemployed or underemployed without benefits.

What Congress Will Actually Do

I was amazed at how much the lame duck Congress accomplished, when they were under a severe deadline. You can debate, whether or not the extension of the tax cuts to all Americans (including all billionaires) was a victory for the Republicans or Democrats. The latter got unemployment benefits extended & a few other goodies.  Gays clearly won a long term goal with repeal of “Don’t ask, don’t tell” in the military. 9/11 responders will get new benefits. So much happened in such a short time, because a number of Republicans voted along with the Democrats on each of these issues.  

I predict that the new Congress will return to the era of partisan warfare with Democrats on the left and Republicans on the right refusing to yield an inch. No major legislation, neither progressive nor reactionary will pass Congress. The health care reform, passed in the last Congress, will be severely challenged, but will survive. The more people become familiar with its specific provisions, the more they will like it.

Budget cutting will be symbolic rather than substantive.  Few members of Congress will actually want to cut social security, and other popular social programs. The elderly vote and will remember those who tried to screw them.

2012

2012 is a presidential election year, plus all members of the House of Representatives and one-third of the US Senate will be up for re-election. Every politician has one goal. That is to get re-elected.  Assuming the economy continues to improve, Obama will be in good shape to get re-elected.  The Democrats will make gains in the house of Representative, but will not win a majority. The Senate will remain Democratic and more moderate than either the Republicans or Democrats in the House.

It will take a billion or more dollars in campaign spending to produce this relatively static result.  At the end of 2012, it will still be the same old divided politics.

Celtic Knotwork Trinket Box

A great gift

It’s old news that the Republicans won the US House of Representatives, while the Democrats kept control of the US Senate. The new Republican mantra is to cut, cut, taxes for everyone. And, also reduce the growing national debt by eliminating ‘wasteful’ practices such as Congressional earmarks.

Congressional earmarks are a long time practice, where individual members of Congress insert specific language in bills to fund specific projects in their districts or state. Once the bill is passed by Congress and signed by the President, the ‘earmarked’ project is funded and cannot be altered by the President, Congress or the bureaucrats who implement the passed bill. Common earmarks are for roads, sewer plants, airports and similar infrastructure projects.  Successful Congressional “earmarkers” such as the late Senator Robert Byrd used this process for all sorts of other projects. A USDA fruit experiment station is one example.  The ‘bridge to nowhere’ in Alaska is another commonly used example of why earmarks are bad.

In reality, earmarked projects account for only one percent of the Federal budget. Eliminating them will do little to balance the Federal budget. Only by raising taxes can that goal be achieved.  David Stockman, President Reagan’s budget director, has said as much. Eliminating some or all of the taxes cuts pushed through by the Bush administration is the easiest way to raise taxes. Doing nothing, which is easy for Congress, will allow all of our taxes to go up in January.

However, we are still in a deep recession and stimulating consumer spending is a major goal. Raising taxes will not help. President Obama & the Democrats want to raise taxes only on those earning more than $200,000 a year. A rather comfortable salary in my opinion. Republicans want their super rich friends to also keep their reduced tax rates, which are set to expire. They will probably prevail.

Budget cutting will be the game in the new Congress.  Programs unpopular with Republicans will be attacked. These include NPR, the new health insurance program (which is not yet implemented) , and other long term Republican targets such as social security and medicare.  Military spending, a major part of the Federal budget, will probably not be touched.

Back to earmarks. If Congress passes bills without earmarks, then someone else will get to decide who gets the new roads, etc. It could be done by the Obama administration, or specific projects could be inserted by Congressional committees, or the Congress as a whole.  All the politicking to get specific projects funded will just shift to a different level.  Back room deals & ‘horse trading’ will still go on. You support my road & I will support your sewer plant.

In the end, little will change. However, Republicans will claim credit for eliminating earmarks, while ignoring that the same earmarking actually continues at a different level. It may  be the committee chairmen who do the negotiating, rather than individual congressman. I doubt that congress will grant the Obama administration that power to decide who gets the roads, etc.

Dragonfly Top

Top made from a thick rayon sarong makes   a great autumn garment

Autumn Clothing.

We now have socks, arm & leg warmers online. More will soon be added.  Our New Mexico autumn is in full swing. Light frost this morning & more cold weather on the way. Scarves are also a seasonal favorite. Finally, we have the time to do a major webpage upgrade. Thanks to all of you for all you patience.

The Know Nothings Are Coming

Rather than whine about the expected Democratic Party losses  in the November 2 elections, I want to examine a perennial American movement called the know Nothing Movement.

Originally it began in the 1840s when native-born Protestants formed secret societies opposed to immigrants, Catholics, and Jews. They started riots & killed some of the immigrant Irish & German Catholics they so hated. Society members were told to say “I know nothing” when asked about their activities. Hence the term ‘Know Nothing’ was applied to all members of these nativist (anti-immigrant) groups. This amalgamation of Know Nothings peaked in 1856, when their presidential candidate, Millard Fillmore, carried one state - Maryland. They then declined as the US descended into the Civil War.

In the 1920s, white Protestants again turned to violence with their strong anti-immigrant feelings. This time it was  against those from south and eastern Europe - particularly the Italians & Polish- as well as Catholics, Jews & blacks. The major ‘Know Nothing’ organization at this time was the Ku Klux Klan. It enjoyed widespread popularity in both the North and South, but its influence rapidly waned after 1924.

Where am I going? Is the Tea Party Movement the modern heir to the Know Nothing movement? In some respects yes.  Those who fear today’s immigrants from Mexico are propelled by the same fears as the original Know Nothings. The are afraid of change and particularly those who appear different. This time it is illegal immigrants from Mexico, Central America & other Latin countries who are hated & blamed for our problems.

The proposal to change the 14th amendment so that the children of illegal immigrants born here are not automatically granted US citizenship is similar to the original Know Nothing proposal that immigrants had to live 21 years in the US (instead of five years) before they could become citizens.

A Personal Note

The Philadelphia area was a hot bed of Know Nothing activity in the 1840s. I grew up outside Philadelphia and as an adolescent belonged to the junior branch of a patriotic order that was part of the local 1840s  Know Nothing movement. The senior members ran what seemed to be a stuffy men’s club. I lost contact with them after I left the area to go to college. Today, they help preserve historic sites & even admit naturalized citizens. Still I would bet that more than a few of them are active in today’s Tea party movement.

Know Nothing organizations arise and fall, but their bad ideas remain.

  Madeleine and Jim at Mabon

End of Summer

We finished our outdoor vending for this year at a Mabon (Autumnal Equinox) celebration in the East Mountains about 20 miles from our house. Thanks to all of you for a great August and September. Our next vending event is on October 30 at the Sandia Courtyard Hotel at Amaya’s Dance Seminar and Performance.

Green Man Pennant
Bush Again?

George W Bush is not on the ballot , but his ideas may make a major comeback this November. It looks like a bad year for the Democrats. Usually  it is normal for the party in power to lose legislative seats in the election following a big win (2008). However the reasons that the Democrats will probably lose big are not rational.

Republicans  have offered nothing new to end our deep recession. Instead, they just want to repeal the Democratic successes on health care, and Wall Street reform. Stop the government spending that has kept some jobs and then maybe attack social security (a perennial favorite cause for them). Had social security been privatized in 2008 & 2009, a lot of us would have lost most of our investments and income in a private social security system.

The subprime mortgage meltdown is a perfect example of what unregulated capitalism can do to us. The rich always want to get richer. If lending money to unqualified buyers will make them richer, then so much the better. The  result of almost unregulated mortgage lending is that we are in a recession that may take 3 to 5 years for full recovery.

At one time the various financial institutions were limited in the types of lending they could do. Banks, credit unions, and mortgage  companies  were supposed to make prudent investments in their respective fields. Then along came Republican deregulation. The argument was that all these instiutions should be able to maximize their profits without governmental restrictions.

The financial institutions made record profits for a while by investing heavily in subprime mortgages. Now they are all stuck in the same recession, because they made the same type of bad  investments. Will Bush policies return to do more of the same damage? I hope not.

I could go on, but I will stop until the next time.

Dragon Socks

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We recently returned from our annual vending trip in the Colorado mountains. This year we set up our booth in a  beautiful valley. It rained about an hour a day (it always rains in August) but the rains kept the temperatures pleasantly cool.

This was the first time we offered socks including dragon, cat, bat & skull patterns. The response was great. Look for more decorative socks at our other shows and on the web in time.

Now time for my digressions.

Somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico a lot of oil is still lurking. The good news about the still capped well continues, but the oil already leaked and not yet picked up will continue to slowly poison this environment. I just hope that the American people will not too quickly forget. A complete cleanup  may take years and a lot of money. Do we have the will to stick to a long-term clean up program?

Religious freedom.

The controversy about allowing a mosque and Islamic center to be built two blocks away from the 9-11 site  shows just how prejudiced and ignorant many people are. We brag about religious freedom, but when it comes to practicing it with an unpopular minority, too many politicians eagerly cave in to those who do not understand the issue. Either we practice religious freedom for all, or we change the US constitution.

The victims of 9-11 deserve our compassion and sympathy. However, we do not ease their pain by allowing them to torpedo our basic right to religious freedom. Too many people do not like any religion, except their own. Some don’t want Catholics, Jews,  Buddhists, Hindus or Pagans building churches or temples in their neighborhood. The issue is always the same. Either we allow religious freedom for all religions or we give up pretending to be better than other nations and cultures. Too many people have already died in religious wars. Wars fought for empire and wealth make more sense. Avoiding wars, whenever possible, make the most sense.

        Green Man Pennant

We are getting ready for a vending trip to Colorado. New merchandise has been ordered  & packing will seriously begin early next week. New items include tops & caftans from Karuna Arts, Celtic & Gothic jewelry from Alchemy, lots of dragon & Green Man trinket & jewelry boxes, plus many dragon, Green Man & other pennants, & banners. Of course, we will have a large selection of sarongs and  colorful, light-weight tops made from them.

Now that takes care of business, so I can digress into other subjects.  I along with many others anxiously watched the integrity tests BP performed on its “temporary”well  cap last weekend. Now they need to complete the relief well’s connection with the damaged well. Until the damaged well is plugged with with tons of heavy drilling mud, the leak will not be permanently stopped.

Then it will be time to pause and consider the damage that the Bush administration’s policy of unrestricted drilling has caused. Republicans say that Bush’s policies should no longer be blamed for major problems with the economy, oil leaks and the national deficit. In truth, you can not undo eight years of Bush with one & a half years of Obama. Maybe toward the end of Obama’s second term, blaming Bush for what’s wrong will  no longer apply.

As for the Tea Party, I believe it is populated with many white racists. Part of the Tea Party popularity is its unstated (but implied) goal of taking back the country for the white people. I’ve lived in small mostly white towns for the  majority of my adult life and know what is too often said in private conversations. Every bad stereotype of minorities is accepted as fact without any  questions. Do any of these people actually look at objective academic  studies? No, they just remember a couple of examples supporting their racial stereotypes and endlessly repeat them.

The really is that the United States in the future will have a minority-majority population just as New Mexico has today. Life is still good here. Maybe this small poor  rural state can help teach the rest of the country to reject racism.

Enough said.

Jim Heyser

We are resting here in Albuquerque during July. Our next event is a large festival in Colorado in early August. We will increase our stock for this one, of course. Warm decorative socks are one item we hope to add.

Every day I feel that we are moving into new territory, as the Gulf oil spill just keeps chugging on. In time, the wind & currents will spread it far & wide. Will life, as we know it, cease? I don’t think so. Future weather forecasts may include tar ball counts on the once pristine beaches along with temperatures & hurricane warnings. We humans are so adaptable in accepting the problems we create.

Two things I believe are certain. First , some endangered species may go extinct in their natural environments. A few of their members may be kept alive in zoos & aquariums.

Second, BP will never pay the full costs of the damage caused by their oil spill. They would go broke, if they really tried. Instead, the US taxpayers will pay a portion of the true costs. A degraded environment may be a lasting legacy. Some beach communities may just let the tar balls accumulate, because they do not have the funds to shovel them off the beaches every day.

I just hope that we never get to the point where  stepping on tar balls does not bother us.

Sarongs and Tops Made from Sarongs

June 21 is  the summer solstice, when the sun is at its peak height and power in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a time to relax, avoid the heat, and enjoy life.

Cinnamon Dazzle has always been a seasonal business with most of our vending done outdoors from April to October. Sarongs (see above picture) have been a specialty with us for several years. They are so versatile - going from instant clothing (they can be wrapped and draped in over 100 ways) to curtains, wall hangings, and table cloths.

Sarongs are a perfect symbol of summer.

This summer is different. The Gulf of Mexico oil spill has not only damaged wetlands, turtles, pelicans, and the local fishing industry. It has also chased vacationers away from perfectly clean Gulf beaches, and ruined the economy is towns that depend on these summer tourists.

I find it ironic that many people, who say that they wish they could go and clean oil off of turtles and pelicans (if only they didn’t have to work) , are reluctant to spend their vacations on a Gulf beach.  Sure tar balls may wash ashore, but only an insane local community would  allow them to accumulate.

Live your lives without a fear of oil spills. Mean while, remember that it was the loose regulatory policies of the Bush administration allowed BP to recklessly drill. Obama inherited this mess and knows that only stricter drilling regulations (that are actually enforced) will prevent future major oil leaks.

 

  Isis Pennant

In a couple of days we will load our travel trailer and head for the  SCA’s Outlandish at Torrance County Park about 30 miles east of our home in Albuquerque. We will vend, of course, and socialize  too. I like this event because I have no responsibilities except as a vendor. The park is a flat piece of land with scattered pinons and junipers. These small trees offer little protection from the winds which often blow. In spite of this we should have sunny weather, and no snow (or rain??), I hope.

The Gulf of Mexico oil leak may soon qualify as America’s greatest environmental disaster. President Obama is likely to get blamed , because BP can not stop the oil leak. The risky deep water drilling, and lack of a credible BP plan to stop the leak are a direct result of the Bush administration’s policy of giving big oil whatever it wanted.

I don’t remember the risks of deep sea drilling being discussed in the 2004 presidental election. At that time, drilling in any location that a drop of oil might be found was the Republican mantra. It was called energy independence. Saying I told you so is not enough. People need to learn that big oil and big business have only one goal. That is to maximize profits.  IF BP goes bankrupt over this spill, I say that would be the best punishment. Still that fate will not stop the leak.

In fairness, other forms of energy production also involve environmental and safety risks.  Coal mine disasters are one consequence of our dependence on coal. Nuclear power plants can leak radioactive wastes, and beside, no one wants  such a plant in their neighborhood. Are wind and solar energy completely safe? Those who oppose these new technologies point out that birds are killed by spinning turbines The manufacture of photovoltaic cells uses harsh chemicals.

I think that proper placement of the wind turbines will cut down on the bird kill.  Solar power technologies are rapidly evolving and a proper disposal of the resulting manufacturing wastes is a reasonable solution.

Still oil and gas are likely to be a part of our energy production for a long time. We need to strictly control their production to make it safe for humans and the environment.