JOCELYN FRANK
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Federal Triangle

1/21/2010

 

The President of the United States released this statement today:

"With its ruling today, the Supreme Court has given a green light to a new stampede of special interest money in our politics.  It is a major victory for big oil, Wall Street banks, health insurance companies and the other powerful interests that marshal their power every day in Washington to drown out the voices of everyday Americans.  This ruling gives the special interests and their lobbyists even more power in Washington--while undermining the influence of average Americans who make small contributions to support their preferred candidates.  That's why I am instructing my Administration to get to work immediately with Congress on this issue.  We are going to talk with bipartisan Congressional leaders to develop a forceful response to this decision.  The public interest requires nothing less." 

The case President Obama refers to is Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. The Supreme Court ruled that the government can't ban corporations' spending during federal election campaigns.

The Judicial Branch is meant to serve as a check and balance to the powers of the President and the Executive office and the Legislative branch t. President Obama appears to be aiming to get the Legislative branch on the side of the Executive branch and give the (intended) equilateral triangle of our government a hefty shove. It remains to be seen when checks and counter-checks will settle into a balance.

Picture

American Gang Tourism

1/18/2010

 
Picture
(photo credit Michael Czerwonka for The New York Times).


This Article from the New York Times caught my attention and it wasn't just the  brightly colored design for LA Gang Tours. Here is an excerpt.

----------------------------------------------
The New York Times
By RANDAL C. ARCHIBOLD
Published: January 15, 2010
LOS ANGELES — The tour organizer received assurances, he says, from four gangs that they would not harass the bus when it passed through their turf. Paying customers must sign releases warning of potential danger. And after careful consideration, it was decided not to have residents shoot water guns at the bus and sell “I Got Shot in South Central” T-shirts. READ MORE
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What do you think ? Digging into the gritty side of history? Glorifying violence? Does it serve the community, private business or both? Could this business model be replicated? Should it be?

 I'm interested in your thoughts.

 

    Jocelyn Frank is a award-winning independent journalist based in Washington DC. Some thoughts, observations and reflections are posted here.

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