Fox and Hounds Daily Says Goodbye
With this article, we end publication of Fox and Hounds Daily. It has been a satisfying 12½ year run. When we opened in May 2008, our site was designed to offer an opportunity to those who wished to engage in public debate on many issues, especially in politics and business, but found it difficult to get placed in newspaper op-ed pages.
Co-publishers Tom Ross, Bryan Merica and I have kept F&H going over this time investing our own time, funding, and staff help. Last year at this time we considered closing the site, however with an election on the horizon we decided to keep F&H going through the election year. With the election come and gone, and with no sense of additional resources, we have decided to close the site down.
Fox and Hounds will live on, at least, with my articles collected in the California State Library.
On a personal note, I have spent over 40 years in California policy and politics. There have been some incredible high moments and some difficult low points. It pains me that politics too often is a blood sport, frequently demonizing the motives of opponents and using the legal system as a weapon in public discourse. At Fox & Hounds, we tried to adhere to the practice of giving all a voice in the debate, yet keep the commentaries civil and avoided personal attacks.
F&H offered the opportunity to publish different perspectives (even ones that criticized my writings!). We had success as indicated by the Washington Post twice citing Fox and Hounds Daily one of the best California political websites and many other positive affirmations and comments received over the years.
Tom, Bryan and I want to thank our many readers and writers for being part of our journey. The publishers of Fox and Hounds Daily believe that we added value to California and its people. We hope you agree.
Are We Ready For Driverless Cars?
It is not always easy to say good things about California’s Department of Motor Vehicles which specializes in long waiting lines and often insensitive window agents who are doing you a favor by taking your money.
But the agency showed some signs of common sense. It has ordered at least a temporary moratorium on the stampede to set free driverless cars on the state’s roadways.
While the idea of taking the driver out of the driving experience has been gathering momentum especially at places such as Google—the currently dominant player—with Tesla soon to join it. Other formidable candidates include Apple and Volkswagen. (more…)
The New Masters of the Universe
Every age produces its own brand of oligarchs – feudal lords, banking gnomes, captains of industry. Our age has its own incipient ruling class, the tech oligarchs.
The ascendency of these new hegemons is barely complete, and could conceivably be slowed or even reversed. But the tidal wave of new wealth, and even greater influence, will not be easily turned back. Six of the world’s 20 richest people are from tech or related industries like media and entertainment. In America, the media-tech sector in 2014 accounted for five of the top wealthiest people. Not surprisingly, most self-made billionaires are either quite old (the Koch Brothers, the Waltons, Warren Buffett) or got rich the traditional way: they inherited it. In contrast, virtually all self-made billionaires under 40 are techies. (more…)
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year
Fox and Hounds will resume publishing on Monday, January 4, 2016. Have a great holiday season.
2015 Black Bart Award Winner: Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom
I once invited Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom to speak to a class I teach at Pepperdine University with the admittedly too flippant remark, “What else do you have to do, you’re lieutenant governor.” He graciously agreed to come despite my weak attempt at humor, but more to the point Newsom has managed to keep relevant on the California political scene despite occupying a position he himself once suggested be done away with.
As John Wildermuth pointed out in nominating Newsom for this year’s Black Bart Award as the California political figure of the year, Newsom manages to get in front of major issues. “Love him or hate him – and there are plenty of folks on each side – Gavin Newsom hasn’t been afraid to take public stands on some of the most controversial issues facing California,” Wildermuth wrote. (more…)
Black Bart Nominee: Newsom Out Front On Tough Issues
Last June, when a divided U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage was a right and that “No longer may this liberty be denied,” the decision’s roots stretched back to 2004, when a newly elected San Francisco mayor decided on his own to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry.
In 2013, the state’s lieutenant governor made himself the face of an effort that is expected to put a measure to legalize recreational use of marijuana on California’s November 2016 ballot.
In October, that same lieutenant governor helped write a proposed ballot measure to strengthen California’s already tough gun control laws, arguing that the National Rifle Association “can intimidate politicians, but you can’t intimidate the public.” (more…)
Watch Out for the Polling Issue Trap
The world is watching Paris as world leaders and other interested parties (including a delegation from California) gather in France’s capital to negotiate collective (but voluntary) actions to address global climate change.
To policy leaders and advocates who are particularly concerned about climate change, the general lack of action both in the United States and elsewhere has been very frustrating. And it is easy to see why. In poll after poll, majorities say they are concerned about global climate change. Yet, policymakers just collectively shrug.
This is one of those examples of what I like to call the “polling issue trap.” While asking respondents about a singular issue (for example, “in your view, is global climate change a very serious problem, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not a problem?”) does reveal issue concern, it doesn’t reflect voting saliency, i.e. whether this a motivating issue when it comes to determining how one will vote. (more…)