The Problem With Politics

The health-care reform effort has not gone smoothly, and liberals aren't happy. With Democratic majorities in the White House, the House, and the Senate, what could possibly be going on? Matt Taibbi seems to capture the liberal mood when he writes that Obama's waffling on the public plan amounts to a "pre-emptive surrender," which he calls "disgusting."

Indeed, many on the left seem sickened by the show: Congressional liberals are threatening revolt if reform doesn't include a government-administered plan. Eugene Robinson is not pleased with Obama's politically-driven decisions: "Giving up on the public option might be expedient. But we didn't elect Obama to be an expedient president. We elected him to be a great one." Even Jon Stewart is ribbing Obama for not doing enough to maintain order and push the complete liberal reform agenda through.

Is all the chaos the result of a failure of leadership? Perhaps, but Obama's hands-off approach is a direct response to Clinton's aggressive tactics in 1994. That didn't work so well either.

No, I don't think this is a failure of leadership so much as a feature of democratic politics—and a reminder of how unpleasant and unsatisfying to nearly everyone the business of politics can be.

Democratic politics is a messy business. It's disorganized and frantic and unpredictable and frustrating. Politics is a matter of shouting, and dissent, and deal-making, and strategy, and slippery rhetoric, and compromise. It is not a matter of deciding on the "right" policy and then making it so—even when your party controls the White House, the House, and the Senate.

This is especially true when making substantial changes in the operations of a sixth of the economy—a sector that potentially affects not only people's daily lives, but their very survival.

It's not that people enjoy this; in fact, it seems to turn a lot of people off. As Robert Putnam wrote, “Most men are not political animals. The world of public affairs is not their world. It is alien to them—possibly benevolent, more probably threatening, but nearly always alien." But to a large extent, the spasms and outbursts and irritations that come with the political process are inevitable—no matter who's in charge, no matter what the polls and pundits and politicians say.

Taking Winston Churchill's notion that democracy is the worst form of government except all others that have been tried as axiomatic, it seems to me that there are a number of potential responses: Engage earnestly with the system, sit things out, or, as H.L. Mencken suggests, lean back and chuckle grimly as the farce replays itself over and over again.

I'd also add a final thought: The way to avoid the maddening convulsions of politics isn't to change them, or rise above them, or move past them, or transform them, or whatever the trendy term of art is on any given day. It's to avoid them—and reduce their power to hold sway over how we live. And the more decisions about our lives and welfare we put in the hands of politicians, the harder that will be to do.

New info in AMBER Alert for missing Boise boy, 7

BOISE (AP) - Boise police are searching for a 7-year-old boy taken from an apartment Wednesday and say the boy's mother might be involved in his abduction.

Police say the boy's name is Luca, he is 4 feet tall and weighs 60 pounds. He is described as having brown eyes and brown, shoulder length hair. Police say he was last seen wearing a black "Star Wars" T-shirt with an image of Darth Vader and camouflage print shorts.

Police say the boy was taken from his east Boise apartment and the suspect is a bearded man with light brown hair.

Authorities believe the suspect was acting in cooperation with Luca's non-custodial mother who does not live in Idaho.

Authorities say the boy may be in a Chrysler Minivan with California license plates.

Anyone with information on the boy's whereabouts is urged to call 911.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Luca Principali

Boise PD is looking for Luca Principali.
The event occured at 463 Ave H, #213, Boise ID on Wednesday, August 19th at 3:45PM.
A male suspect knocked on the apartment door and asked to see Luca because his mother wanted to see him. The victims sister heard a scream and when she looked out the victim was gone. Possible parental kidnaping

Victim 1, Luca Principali is described as being a 7 year old White male, Brown hair, Brown eyes, 4'0 60lbs Shoulder length bowl style haircut Wearing: Last seen wearing Black Star Wars T-shirt with a picture of Darth Vader and the Emperor on it, camoflauge knee length shorts, and was barefoot. Goes by the nickname of Goober

Suspect 1, Unknown. is described as being a 45 year old male, White with Brown hair, Weighing (Aprox): 190lbs.
Full beard with a short hairstyle that is thinning on top.
Wearing: Red/white/purple/green horizontal striped short sleeve t-shirt, blue jeans and unknown style shoes.

Vehicle 1, Silver 2009 Chrysler Town & Country Mini Van CA license plate. Plate number 6GQC981. Vehicle description: Suspects were possibly driving this vehicle when the abduction occurred. Person of interest Ekatrina Principali aka Moryakova.

If you have any information on this incident, please call 911 or contact the Boise PD at (208) 570-6457.
For additional information about the victim(s), suspect(s) or vehicle(s) visit http://www.idahoamberalert.com/

Mooresville Police Announce Reward For Info In Deadly Shooting

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Mooresville investigators hope an additional $10,000 in reward money will entice someone to come forward with new information in the slaying of a man during a home invasion.On June 9, Matthew Stewart was gunned down inside his home on Shepherd Hill Drive as he lay in bed with his wife and young son.On Thursday, Mooresville police, Stewart's family and the governor's office announced they’re offering a combined $11,000 reward for information that leads to the killer.“Hopefully this will kind of re-energize people in the community who may have information,” said Mooresville police Chief Carl Robbins.Investigators are not revealing many details about the investigation, but autopsy results show Stewart was beaten, stabbed and shot at least five times with two different guns.The violence is still unsettling to Stewart’s neighbors, who said they hope the reward money will convince someone to come forward."The fact that they are upping the reward, I think they think there is somebody that knows something," said neighbor and family friend Danielle Allen.“I want to see that person caught as soon as possible so we can feel safe again in our community,” neighbor Tim Gudhsall said.Stewart's wife, Angela, was also shot in the arm during the attack but survived. Eyewitness News asked investigators if she's been ruled out as a suspect, but police would only say she's been very cooperative.Anyone with information is asked to call the Mooresville Police Department at 704-664-3311.

Dems to insurers

Leading Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have told more than 50 top health insurance companies to provide information on executive compensation, financial performance and operations.

Recipients of the letters, from the Energy & Commerce Committee chairmen Henry Waxman (D-Cal.) and Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), include Blue Shield of California, Health Net of California and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan. A response is requested by Sept. 4.

The requests comes as Democrats and Republicans in the House of Representatives and Senate battle over possible health-care reform, leading to charges from Republicans and others that the letters are politically motivated and intended to intimidate insurers from opposing plans backed by Democrats and President Barack Obama. Those plans would place restrictions on some insurance company practices and might include a public-owned alternative that would compete with them.

Through their trade organization, America's Health Insurance Plans, insurance companies have opposed some parts of the plan, particularly the creation of a public competitor.

A spokesman for the AHIP called the letter "politically driven" and "a fishing expedition."

Waxman has been a consistent critic of insurance industry practices and launched an investigation into them last year. His committee passed a health-care reform measure in June.

Alignment in Design

The alignment of elements in a web page is a very important aspect of a good web design. In this info-comic, The Brads illustrate important concepts and best practices for alignment.

The Bads - Alignment in Design

Links mentioned in the webcomic

• 5pieces
• Elliot Jay Stocks
• Jason Santa Maria

Other info-comics by Brad Colbow

• The Brads – Learning About Contrast in Design
• Misunderstanding Markup: XHTML 2/HTML 5 Comic Strip

Can I save money and buy the best, safest backpack for my child?

Is an overweight backpack an injury waiting to happen?

Children suffer from back pain much earlier than previous generations and overweight backpacks is a contributing factor, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). A study by the American Physical Therapy Association found that 55 percent of the children surveyed carried backpack loads heavier than 15 percent of their body weight. Before purchasing your child’s next backpack, take precautionary measures to protect your child’s back and your pocketbook.

Nine tips to prevent back injuries caused by heavy backpacks

1. Make sure your child’s backpack weighs no more than 5 to 10 percent of his or her body weight. A heavier backpack will cause your child to lean forward in an attempt to support the weight on his or her back, rather than on the shoulders.

2. The backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing your child to lean forward when walking.

3. A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively. Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on your child’s back.

4. Bigger is not necessarily better. The more room there is in a backpack, the more your child will carry-and the heavier the backpack will be.

5. Urge your child to wear both shoulder straps. Lugging the backpack around by one strap can cause the disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and muscle spasms, as well as low-back pain.

6. Wide, padded straps are very important. Non-padded straps are uncomfortable, and can dig into your child’s shoulders.

7. The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to your child’s body. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably and cause spinal misalignment and pain.

8. If the backpack is still too heavy, talk to your child’s teacher. Ask if your child could leave the heaviest books at school, and bring home only lighter hand-out materials or workbooks.

9. Try a roller backpack to prevent carrying the weight of the books on the shoulders and back.

For safety and durability, check for these backpack features:

• Lightweight, sturdy material

• Two straps to distribute the weight of the bag evenly, placing less stress on the shoulders and upper back.

• Backpacks with wheels reduce stress on the back. Check to see if your school allows wheeled backpacks.

• Wide double pads with adjustable two-inch shoulder straps

• Padded shoulder straps and back

• Waist belt and sternum straps to distribute weight

• Ergonomic-design

• Sturdy zippers, straps and bottoms

• Lifetime guarantee with no conditions

• Well-designed to hold books and supplies

• Reflective trim for walking safety

Ways to save money

• Before buying a new backpack this year, check to see if last year’s backpack is still in good condition.

• Wait until after school begins and shop sales.

• Buy backpacks with lifetime warranties. If the backpack does not hold up, it is replaced.

• Avoid fads.

• Do not take your kids shopping.

• Sew patches on a generic-looking backpack to make it unique.

Ten popular backpacks

Columbia Umatilla Cyberpack Features:

• Full length closed cell foam padded back with wicking knit polyester

• Padded laptop compartment

• S curve laminated shoulder straps with EVA foam

• 1 tubular haul loop filled with EPDM rubber

• Full-sized thumb loops

• Taped seams

• Abrasion resistant zippers

• Nickel-plated zipper sliders

• MP3 pocket with rubber cord port

• Acetal and nylon hardware

• Dual industrial mesh expandable water bottle pockets accommodate quart-sized bottles

• Hypalon reinforced daisy chain

• Two external zippered slash pockets

• Reflective safety accents

• Organizer panel

• Key clip

• Dimensions: 18.5 x 12.25 x 9

• Fabric: 600D polyester

• Full length padded back and EVA foam laminated straps for ergonomic comfort and support.

Four Peas School Backpacks and Toddler Backpacks

• Extra-sturdy

• 100% PVC free

• Main compartment with ample room for books, gym clothes and more

• Additional pockets ideal for smaller cargo such as cell phones, water bottles and other essentials.

• Cool designs from fairies to monkeys to motorcycles and more.

• For extra individuality, monogram your kids' backpacks for only $10 each.

• Size: 16" x 13" x 7.5" for the School Backpack

• Size: 12.5" x 10.5" x 5.5" for the Toddler Backpack

Ful J.T. Backpack Features

• Suspension contoured back straps aid in weight distribution making the bag comfortable when carrying heavy books and laptops.

• CD/MP3 pocket with headphone wire audio port

• Detachable cell phone holder on the back strap

• Laptop compartment with EVA foam padding

• Dimensions: 19" x 12" x 9"

High Sierra Metra Features:

• Size: h 18.75" x w 6.75" x l 14"

• Padded crossover shoulder strap with cell phone pocket

• One main compartment holds books, clothing or accessories

• Portable CD player pocket with molded headphone port

• Two side mesh water bottle pockets

• Adjustable bottom straps hold extra gear

• Organizer with zippered mesh pocket, pen pockets and removable key fob

• Padded back and grab handle

• Adjustable bottom straps

• Cell phone pocket

JanSport Air Juice Daypack Features:

• Includes an organizer compartment and a larger compartment holds all of your books, lunch, and other goodies

• Comes in lovely colors

• Airlift'® s-curved, ergonomic shoulder straps have shock absorbing technology

• One large main compartment and a front utility pocket with organizer keep your essentials handy

• liquid 2 go hydration system customizes any bottle for easy access to fluids

• bungee cord gear stash

JanSport SuperBreak

• #1 selling school pack for students around the world for nearly 35 years

• 30 or more patterns and colors

• Size: 16.75" x 13" x 8.5"

• Weight: 12 oz

• Warranty: Lifetime

• Padded straps as well as a padded back for superior comfort when toting tons of books, gym clothes and other important gear

JanSport Wasabi Features:

• Ergonomic AirCore shoulder straps with one large main compartment

• Front utility compartment with organizer keeps essentials handy with front zippered stash pocket

• Easy access V-Loft pocket and mesh water bottle pocket

• 2/3 padded back panel for cushioning comfort and Web haul loop

• Ergonomic S-curved shoulder pads

• One main compartment and a half compartment with an organizer

• V-Loft security pocket for quick access to your CD player and valuable items, and a cord port for easy access to your audio player

• Front stash pocket

• Side mesh water bottle pocket

• Web ergo handle with reinforced hold on the top of the pack

• Weight: 1 pound

• Dimensions: 19 x 13.25 x 7 inches

• Fabric: 600D Poly, 420D Velocity

Lands' End FeatherLight Backpack Features:

• Sized for kids ages 5-14

• FeatherLight backpack is lighter than any other full-size pack we sell

• Exterior bungee perfect for stashing a jacket

• Padded back for added comfort

• Padded c-shaped shoulder straps sit just right

• Sternum strap keeps shoulder straps in place

• Mesh side pockets hold water bottles

• D-ring lets them clip on a lunch box

• Reflective trim

• Super-strong ripstop nylon

• External bungee system to attach a jacket

• Side compression straps keep the load stable

• Sternum strap keeps the shoulder straps in place

• 100% ripstop nylon with 600-denier polyester base for added strength

• Size: 18" x 12" x 7"

• Warranty: Lifetime guarantee is unconditional.

Targus Sport Backpack Notebook Case Features:

• Fits notebooks up to 15.4” screens

• Padded slipcase provides added protection for transporting notebook

• Standard Warranty Lifetime Limited

• Exterior Material Nylon

• Weight 2.75 lb

• Compartment Height 14.2", Width 2", Depth 11.6"

• Removable mobile phone pouch on padded shoulder straps

• Protective PVC material on bottom of case repels water

• Increased storage options include: New top front pocket with padding & protective nyflex lining to protect PDA or sunglasses against scratching

• Headphone line out jack for use when carrying CD or MP3 players

• Larger side pockets

• Side mesh pockets for water bottle storage

• Improved front pocket now includes business card holder, pen loops and key clip

• Carry your notebook computer with this backpack

• Padded computer compartment to protect your notebook

• Multiple compartments for your files and accessories

• Padded shoulder straps

The North Face Yavapai Backpack Features:

• Angled bottom panel and compression straps move the load close to your back to reduce strain

• Padded laptop sleeve holds a 17-inch electronic brain

• Shoulder straps and the padded foam back make the Yavapai comfortable enough to wear all day

• Mesh side pockets

• Airmesh back panel

• BackSaver bottom panel

• Waist-belt, sternum strap and hip strap

• Pockets: 1 front with water-resistant zipper, 2 side water bottle, 1 mesh on shoulder strap

• Lifetime Unconditional 100% Guarantee: We guarantee complete satisfaction and an unlimited lifetime warranty. If at any time - now, next month, in 30 years - you're not 100% satisfied, send your gear back for a full refund. No questions asked.

For more information:

Back pack troubles from back-to-school backpacks

Is your child's backpack making the grade?

Finding the right size for her

School backpacks: choose a backpack that makes the grade. What you need to know about choosing, packing and wearing school backpacks.

Even home school children can use a good back-to-school backpack

Back to school: backpacks and backaches

Take a load off: back-to-school backpack safety

Blogsperiment

I like to try new stuff and gizmos. It’s just the way I am. So over the past couple of days, a few new blog experiments have been launched. As always, no promises that they’ll be permanently ensconced here.

First up, the Wibiya toolbar. Take note at the bottom of the screen:

This toolbar is the last thing to load, give it a couple of seconds if it’s not displaying. Also, it doesn’t work if you are using Internet Explorer 6. If you’re using IE6, you’re now two versions behind and either need to upgrade, or ditch IE altogether and get a better browser like Firefox or Chrome.

This is kind of a nifty thing. It’s got an area to search (either the blog or Google), recent posts window, a random button that will pull up a random post from the archives, a photo button (pulls from a Flickr photo set), RSS feed button, sharing sites, access to the TPREG Facebook Fan Page, a Facebook Community page (please join!), Facebook Connect implementation and even a Twitter client (that I can’t get to send Tweets. Yet.).

I could, if I were so inclined, also put up “notifier” messages to all visitors as well as send messages to the Facebook Community.

If the tool bar annoys you, you can minimize it by clicking the down arrow on the right of the tool bar.

Wibiya provides some usage statistics:

What’s the point? Theoretically this helps increase page views, time on site, etc. Who knows if that’s really the case, time will tell. I look at it as more of a service to the readers here. The search seems to work quite well. The post navigation page could prove useful for some. “Community building” is all the buzz now, and the Wibiya system may just facilitate that.

Local Market Explorer

Speaking of community, a new Wordpress plugin, Local Market Explorer (LME), was released this week that “mashes up” real estate and community info from Zillow, Education.com, Flickr, Walk Score and Yelp.

You can see a sample page here.

I’ve set up pages for several Phoenix area communities, which you can see on this page (the Local Market info pages are accessed via the “real estate info” links).

Of note: I disabled the option to display Flickr photos. I’m not too keen on random photos I have no control of being shown on the blog. Who knows what might pop up. I’d like to see an option to only display photos from Flickr sets I designate.

Also, the plugin requires a minor edit to work with the Thesis theme used here and on many other real estate blogs.

Here’s what has to be done to get LME to work in Thesis:

1) Open the plugin file lme-client.php in a text editor (NOT Microsoft Word)
2) Find this line (Line #36): include(TEMPLATEPATH . ‘/page.php’);
3) Replace it with this: include(TEMPLATEPATH . ‘/custom_tempate.php’);
4) save and upload the edited file to the LME plugin folder on your server

I’ve also noticed the plugin conflicts with plugins and widgets related to recent posts. If you have a recent posts plugins (or the Thesis Killer Recent Entries widget) installed, you’ll see an error in your sidebar (or where ever you have these plugins out-putting information).

This plugin dynamically generates some pretty useful information. It’s not going to help you in search engines, but if you run a real estate blog, you ought to be posting material for your readers, not Google. I’m pretty certain some will label it a Zillow link love fest. But I’m liking the compilation of a lot of city specific information all on one page. I’d like to see the ability to get even more specific – down to the zip code level or even subdivision level. Perhaps this will be available in a future release.

As always, thoughts – good, bad or indifferent – are welcome!