SWGA Politics

The Edge of Chaos[ February 28, 2010 – 10:04 am]by Jeff Posted in » 2010 Campaigns

Of the self organizing behaviors, two are of particular interest to the study of evolution. One is adaptation. We see it everywhere. Corporations adapt to the marketplace, brain cells adapt to signal traffic, the immune system adapts to infection, animals adapt to their food supply. We have come to think that the ability to adapt is characteristic of complex systems – and may be one reason why evolution seems to lead toward more complex organisms.

But even more important is the way complex systems seem to strike a balance between the need for order and the imperative to change. Complex systems tend to locate themselves at a place we call ‘the edge of chaos’. We imagine the edge of chaos as a place where there is enough innovation to keep a living system vibrant, and enough stability to keep it from collapsing into anarchy. It is a zone of conflict and upheaval, where the old and the new are constantly at war. Finding the balance point must be a delicate matter – if a living system drifts too close, it risks falling over into incoherence and dissolution; but if the system moves too far away from the edge, it becomes rigid, frozen, totalitarian. Both conditions lead to extinction. Too much change is as destructive as too little. Only at the edge of chaos can complex systems flourish.

And, by implication, extinction is the inevitable result of one or the other strategy – too much change, or too little.

Wait a second! Science on a political blog? Yes, once again I intend to use science to make a point about politics, much as I did a couple of months ago with a more basic concept (pendulums).

Where am I going with this? Find out below the fold.
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Tea Party, Meet the Coffee Party[ February 27, 2010 – 4:51 pm]by Jeff Posted in » National

One central belief of Tom and I is that by and large, when a movement springs up on one end of the political spectrum another corresponding movement will spring up on the other side.

Fascism and Communism are examples. Liberals and Conservatives are another. Democrats and Republicans. Greens and Constitutionals. You get the idea.

Is it therefore any surprise that the Tea Party has a similar opponent forming as we speak, with chapters across the US – including here in Georgia?

This opponent is the Coffee Party.
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You can’t have your cake and eat it too.[ February 26, 2010 – 8:00 am]by Tom Posted in » Editorial

Any economy, no matter how far it falls, will eventually improve. Yes, even with Keansian ideas being put into play. Even an economic collapse will eventually improve, with the possible exception of the one that formed in Ayn Rand’s mind as she was writing Atlas Shrugged. Government shortfalls will eventually end as well. But unless something is clear to taxpayers, they will return.

Basically, you can’t have your cake and eat it too. Read More …

School Board to release names[ February 25, 2010 – 8:00 am]by Tom Posted in » Albany Dougherty County

Despite some of the members’ best efforts, the names of all finalists for the Dougherty County School Superintendent post being vacanted by Dr. Sally Whatley will be released as a result of reaching an agreement with local media outlets.  The board agrees to release the names of three finalists, of a possible six. 

Now, was that so hard? Read More …

School Board reaches deal[ February 24, 2010 – 3:15 pm]by Tom Posted in » Albany Dougherty County

WALB is reporting that the Dougherty County School Board has reached an agreement with the three media outlets who filed suit over a failure to release the names of all finalists.  The deal will apparently release the names of the additional finalists.

More to come as more information is available.

Freedom. What is it good for?[ February 24, 2010 – 8:00 am]by Tom Posted in » Editorial

The Land of the Free.

It’s been beaten into our heads since childhood that our nation is free, that we can do what we want.  But let’s be honest, it’s all bull.  There’s a lot we can do, and there’s more we can do here than pretty much anywhere else on Earth.  But are we really free?  Not hardly. Read More …

Thoughts On Lee County Board of Commissioners Feb 23 2010 Meeting[ February 23, 2010 – 10:22 pm]by Jeff Posted in » Lee County

First, I want to say thanks to Kevin Hogencamp of the Albany Journal. I’m not sure where in the paper he will place it, but he has told me that he will run my first ever actual newspaper report (rather than column, and complete with byline!) in tomorrow’s Albany Journal. This report concerns a five minute encounter near the end of the meeting between Commission Chairman Ed Duffy and Ralph Jackson – but I’ll get to that (complete with video) in a moment.

Overall, the meeting went fairly smoothly, though it got very bogged down in discussion of the proposed new probation service. Before the meeting, I had a chance to talk to Southwestern Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Rucker Smith, who is the primary agency head responsible for the proposed new service. He appeared to be very open before, during, and after the meeting, and I look forward to examining the issues of this service with him in the near future.
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Lee County Board of Commissioners Meeting Feb 11, 2010[ February 23, 2010 – 5:20 pm]by Jeff Posted in » Lee County

Just before I head out for their Feb 23 meeting, I give you the video from the Feb 11 meeting. For my thoughts on some of the presentations, see this morning’s post.

Agenda
Agenda Packet

Part 1

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Investigate criminals, not guns[ February 23, 2010 – 8:00 am]by Tom Posted in » Editorial, General

Gun owners can sure be a paranoid lot.  It’s not like there’s no reason for them to be either.  Their Constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms is constantly under attack by someone.  There’s always someone who seems to think that rights are pliable and should be restricted because of a perception of danger. 

However, law enforcement doesn’t help when they investigate people who’s only crime is buying more than one gun at a time. Read More …

[UPDATED] Lee County Government Events Tonight[ February 23, 2010 – 7:02 am]by Jeff Posted in » Lee County

If I’ve read these signs in Leesburg correctly (I’ve been driving down the road when I passed them), there will be a public forum regarding the enhancements to the Robert B Lee/Lovers Lane Rd project from 4p – 6p. I’ll call Bob Alexander in County Planning today and update this if necessary.

[UPDATE] This event is actually THURSDAY afternoon, not this afternoon. Time is correct though.

Also tonight, at 6p in the Courthouse Annex is the regularly scheduled meeting of the Lee County Board of Commissioners.

The agenda can be found here, and the agenda packet is here.

I’m working on finishing the video uploads from the Feb 11 meeting right now, but based on those discussions here are my own recommendations for votes on the items on the Agenda:

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