A Taste of the Will of the People

Jerry Brown pledged that he would not support any tax raises unless they are voted on by the electorate.  He has pledged as part of his deficit cutting budget plan to put special measures before voters.  However, under the goofy tax laws of this state even getting such a measure to the public requires approval of two-thirds of the legislature.

So far the Republicans are threatening to nix the measures, apparently afraid that two-thirds of the voters might go along with the proposal.  Doesn’t bode well, except that I suspect that Brown will be much more aggressive than Obama in facing down Republican nay-saying.  I hope so anyway.

The basis for Republican opposition is that the people don’t want it.  I guess they’re afraid that too many voters might accidentally vote yes when they mean to vote no?  It reminds me of the line in John Sayles’ “Anarchists Convention” in which the main character says as he and others are facing down authority as he invokes the memory of a deceased comrade:  “I wish Brickman was around.  He’d give these jerks a taste oft he will of the people!”

NASA’s best and worst science fiction movies

I came across this over the weekend.  Thought I’d post something light this morning.

I thought the criteria was scientific accuracy, which certainly accounts for the worst.  But I would have expected 2001 and Apollo 13 to be in the mix if that was the criteria.

These were my top 10 a few years ago, but I’ve seen a few since which might change the list.  One nearly slipped by my was entitled “Moon” which I thought was clever right up to the end.  I just happened to be a few hours in between appointments in Arcata when my family was out of town, and it was playing at the Minor.  A pleasant surprise, with a few twists and a bit of homage to 2001.