tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784155881252300802011-07-07T17:15:47.540-10:00Politics, Policy, Civic ParticipationChris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.comBlogger221100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-59971883026156274282010-01-27T17:59:00.002-10:002010-01-27T18:01:46.567-10:00

This will serve as my last post on Civitas for awhile. I have been pruning my digital garden and Civitas had to go. But fear not, if there is something worth posting it will be at ChannelGrubb.com.Until next time.

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-66355921502760058212009-10-23T20:24:00.002-10:002009-10-23T21:00:12.851-10:00

I wrote my first post on health-care nearly 2 years ago. The fact is that I was just beginning to understand the complexity of the United States' health-care problem. Just when I think I have my opinion, there is a new facet of the problem exposed.For example, the insurance industry has taken a beating as a major villain contributing to our current health-care problem. Though I never thought that

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-64787879263249847222009-08-26T23:03:00.004-10:002009-08-27T21:59:22.247-10:00

Just when I thought I wouldn't have the opportunity to attend a town hall "discussion" on health care, one was held on my Facebook page.My previous Civitas post was centered on FoxNews misrepresentation the VA's pamphlet "Your Life/Your Choice." I was literally thinking while writing it, "Anyone not ensconced in partisan vitriol will appreciate this video."Well, the following exchange took place:

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-70423911191900980192009-08-25T21:29:00.007-10:002009-08-26T23:03:05.297-10:00

Civitas has been slumbering for sometime, but was roused from its inactivity by this FoxNews video, as shared on Facebook (as part of some vague call to action to oppose Obama's health care project). The video is a "report" on the Veterans Affairs (VA) living will/end-of-life counseling workbook that is intended to provide vets with some tools and points of consideration when putting together an

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-80006886293912476142009-05-20T21:15:00.006-10:002009-05-21T22:19:22.654-10:00

If there is more illustrative recent example of the importance of language than the choice between "enhanced interrogation techniques" or "torture," it eludes me.Some among us are inclined to say the questionable "techniques" employed against our prisoners are mere scare tactics; others claim the techniques are harsh (even torture), but justified given the evil of those to whom they are applied;

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-35875576490996501652008-11-08T04:00:00.000-10:002008-11-08T04:19:12.703-10:00

The normally silver tongued Obama came out of the gates with a stumble. Though not major, the misstep was embarrassing due to its poor taste. Here are some good rules to follow if you intend to be a bipartisan statesman:1. Never make a joke at the expense of someone's spouse.2. Make fun of seances.3. Don't make fun of Nancy Reagan if you want to make conservative friends. You may as well say you

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-11492457777605691602008-11-07T06:57:00.000-10:002008-11-07T11:07:58.319-10:00

Though those who know me well would quickly acknowledge that I am pragmatic centrist, some have mistakenly taken me as a raving liberal (mostly for my defense of socially liberal policies). I am not alone as a pragmatic centrist, I firmly believe I am typical of most of America."Pragmatic centrist" was one way to describe Sen. John McCain prior to his 2008 Presidential bid, or at least a viable

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-84925974563782774002008-11-05T11:25:00.000-10:002008-11-06T09:26:07.955-10:00

Two events are sometimes sufficient to draw an arc through history. For me, prior to November 4th, the death of Dr. M. L. King marked a point of despair and hopelessness in American history. It marked the end of the organized, non-violent struggle for social and civic justice. The attached picture, just moments before Dr. King's death, shows hope, leadership, and promise in the faces of Dr. King

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-26620998336892579612008-10-27T22:53:00.000-10:002008-10-27T23:26:49.058-10:00

With smear-mail clogging the great arteries of the information circulatory system in a last gasp effort to sway the illusive "undecided voter," it seems wise to pause and take inventory of this election.In this election cycle we have seen a woman run for the Democratic Party's nomination, and nearly win it.We have seen a woman nominated as the Republican Party's choice for Vice President.We have

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-67500535825841224832008-06-28T00:41:00.000-10:002008-06-28T02:14:37.765-10:00

In coming days, many of us will start to hear increasing clamor about the so-called Fairness Doctrine.Opponents say that the 1940's era rule that was repealed by the FCC in the 1980's will abridge free speech by forcing broadcasters to include competing assessments to balance their coverage of any given topic. Specifically, they claim and fear that the doctrine will compel broadcasters,

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-20765649195249532832008-06-20T20:40:00.000-10:002008-06-20T21:04:07.120-10:00

My previous post may have been too generous to our government's treatment of detainees at Gitmo and elsewhere. In testimony this week before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil Rights, Col. Lawrence Wilkerson testified that over 100 detainees have died while in U.S. custody, more than 25 of those have been identified as murder.The McClatchy news service released a report detailing detainee

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-42721782028252840262008-06-15T09:32:00.000-10:002008-06-15T21:19:50.865-10:00

Oh, what to do with Gitmo? The U.S. finds itself in the midst of true quagmire. On one hand we have apprehended, by many accounts, some pretty unsavory players on the world scene who have been shown to go back and inflict the kind of harm on American and other forces that we have feared they would. On the other hand, there are some truly dubious reasons put forth for keeping some of the detainees

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-2264192538377484492008-06-14T08:41:00.000-10:002008-06-14T09:04:46.715-10:00

I remember watching Tim on Meet the Press just as my political interests began to emerge as a senior in high school. As an adult, Meet the Press became the highlight of my week following politics, especially if there was an interview with a current newsmaker. There are only two shows on television that I set an alarm for and Meet the Press was one of them. My wife couldn't understand my interest,

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-30223854005229777212008-05-07T17:02:00.000-10:002008-05-11T14:02:06.938-10:00

The Indiana and North Carolina primaries are much worse for Hillary Clinton than their prima facie significance. First, Sen. Clinton was only able to eek out a small margin of victory in Indiana despite demographics similar to Ohio and Pennsylvania and despite Obama still fighting off the lingering Jeremiah Wright controversy. Those who say that Obama might benefit from some neighborly celebrity

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-68084803337002220992008-04-28T23:34:00.000-10:002008-05-01T16:58:22.187-10:00

Many have denounced Jeremiah Wright's comments as un-American, un-Christian, inappropriate for any sermon, racist, among many other criticisms. He did little to dissuade his detractors from declaring themselves justified and vindicated through his April 28th appearance at the National Press Club. The wake of the appearance brought the expectedly bland responses.George Will summarized the Wright

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-90022337450948686372008-03-27T00:23:00.000-10:002008-03-27T01:04:00.135-10:00

According to the Navy Times, Veterans Affairs decided to pay for medical treatment of a veteran who underwent waterboarding as a part of Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) training. The vet will receive counseling for PTSD and medication.When will people have the courage to denounce the use of torture? Advocates of its use have but one dubious utilitarian argument for its

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-11880998597707831222008-03-13T21:48:00.000-10:002008-03-13T21:58:27.232-10:00

For those of you who don't know, I have a new baby. Unfortunately, she seems alien to a natural talent for sleeping, so we have been trying to cultivate skills where those talents may have resided.Stop back periodically to check for updates.Hope to write to everyone soon.

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-79170479809146594972008-01-26T20:17:00.000-10:002008-01-26T23:40:00.593-10:00

After a win in SC that is as stunning in its margin as it is revelatory of the voting public's thinking (very bad news for Hillary), Obama moves on to Super Tuesday states. McCain is running hard in Florida to achieve a lead and some momentum going into Feb. 5th. But their fates are linked in so many ways. As one goes, so does the other. If McCain wins FL, then he quickly becomes the ostensible

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-82643677042911320592008-01-24T21:41:00.000-10:002008-01-25T11:27:53.943-10:00

By most estimates, at least 47 million Americans are without health-care coverage. Millions more are at risk of losing their coverage because, quite simply, they can barely afford it and losing it is better than losing their home. Thousands more will be severely financially impacted by a serious illness because their premiums and co-pays amount to more than they can pay or insurance companies

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-10932405487589032072008-01-19T22:00:00.000-10:002008-01-19T23:22:58.487-10:00

The war in Iraq has been costly in terms of life and money, that much is beyond dispute. The question that our nation is facing is what to do from this point. Unfortunately, the answer will not easily break down along political party lines because the road to whatever success we can derive from this experience will cost the country more time, more lives, and more commitment to Iraq.There are some

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-55840566966617736142008-01-16T22:59:00.000-10:002008-01-17T11:27:07.278-10:00

In a recent Money Magazine (Jan 2008) article, the financial standing of the leading presidential candidates are summarized. Here are some of the findings: Name Net Worth- Hillary Clinton: $34.9 million- John Edwards $54.7 million- Barack Obama

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2478415588125230080.post-73610217302370051032008-01-03T19:56:00.000-10:002008-01-04T10:28:11.745-10:00

After unbridled and unabashed attempts at political prognostication in Iowa, the results are in. For the first time in recent history of the United States an African-American has won a presidential caucus/primary, invoking Bobby Kennedy in a stirring victory speech that highlighted a vision of the future as much as it drew upon the spirits of 60's politics.On the Republican side, a preeminent

Chris Grubbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08107924419539858559noreply@blogger.com4