In These Times

"We’ve just destroyed the country, and it may never recover. " Well to be fair, one might wish to recall that the country was pretty dysfunctional before the invasion. "If we apply the same principle to ourselves, if the surge succeeds, it’s just a worse crime." Well now, if a cop breaks into a house and stops a rape, then is that a worse crime too? Iraqi's were essentially being held hostage in their own country. Our failure was that we did not improve their situation. One can point at specific errors that were made, but success - via freedom - …

Posted to Gunning for the Prize

"Further, Obama has embraced the mantra of personal responsibility." Yea! Hopefully we all can embrace this!

Posted to Holding Barack Accountable

I think the Venusians are behind this scandalous conspiracy. They want to take over the earth, having already ruined their planet by allowing the republicans to cause global warming there. . . . Watch the skies and BEWARE!!! :)

Posted to The Great Election Robbery of 2008?

Unfortunately it probably requires sacrificing a virgin and there are so few left." You neglect the Dungeons and Dragons game rooms. Lots and lots of virgins, but mostly male -- surely in this age of gender neutrality they would do?

Posted to The Great Election Robbery of 2008?

Surely we don't want to discriminate and just kill the bad guys. Shame on those who seek to understand for practical purposes! After all, in anthropology aren't we taught that all cultures are equally valid? So lets stop discriminating against such "equal" cultures like Burma, North Korea and Zimbabwe (not to mention the Taliban), they are merely different, not better or worse.

Posted to Anthropologists At War

"argue that Iran may seek nukes because one of its major adversaries is bristling with nuclear weapons. . . This is a reasonable argument" Yeah, and ir al-Qaeda wants nukes for the same reason, the argument is just as cogent! Nukes all around! While i would prefer no country possess these dangerous weapons, i really don't want the crazies to have them. Iran is clearly a crazy nation, Israel not so much (France is more worrisome, especially if it becomes the first western democracy to fail, as internal demographics begin to assert themselves). (But congrats to Salim, who has *finally* written …

Posted to Israel's Openly Secret Nukes

To the extent that some feminists want to make women man hating humorless people (the all sex is rape crowd, for instance), one cannot really feel much sympathy. Of course, these are the fringes, but some of their philosophy sadly bleeds into the mainstream (just as some fringe elements of radical Christianity bleed into that mainstream). I think women should delight in their femininity, just as men should delight in their masculinity. Both are wonderful things, and when the come together just right - well then, that is one of the many things that make life worth living. And just as …

Posted to Damned If Feminine, Damned If Feminist

You asked: "Hillary may not have been the ideal candidate because of her baggage, but how does Obama, with no baggage, or resume, or history, suddenly spring from nowhere?" Lots of charisma, a well built political machine and lots and lots of very small donors. Hell, as an outsider he is just fulfilling the national dream that anyone (anyone smart, personable and with loads of charisma anyway) can become president. Also due to the current administration, a desire for an outsider is at peak levels (certainly the current occupant is the worst since Carter, and arguably even worse than him). His …

Posted to Damned If Feminine, Damned If Feminist

"An examination of uncounted ballots throughout Florida found enough where **voter intent** was clear to give Gore the narrowest of margins." Even the article quoted relies on **discerning voter intent**. It is far from clear that "Bush did not win in 2000". And that Bush did in fact win. But given how close the contest was, it is even more clear that it was a statistical tie, and either side would have complained if they ended up on the wrong side of the tie. What is clear is that if Gore had held his home state he would have won the …

Posted to The Right's New Attack on Voters

One does wonder how and why spacetime came into being. How did it have such low entropy (what "wound up the spring")? Does free will exist, or are we all merely beads on a wire (i vote for the latter)? From a merely physical point of view, spacetime seems to have been created all at once, despite our belief in past, present and future. Nowhere in the sciences can we find a "specialness" about the present, it is just a moment, just as the chair i sit in now is just a location (really, to separate space from time is wholly …

Posted to Atheism’s Unholy Trinity

"Why not say don’t believe in geometry?" Fascinating example. Geometry is decidedly *not* real, rather it is an abstraction. It relies on five postulates that can only be assumed, not proven. The common form of geometry is Euclidean, which is applicable to surfaces that can be assumed to be "flat". It has concepts like points (a no dimensional abstraction!), lines (one dimensional, but no width or height0 and planes (read Flatland for an interesting discussion). There was a time when most physicists believed space was Euclidean (and separable from time), but now most of us tend to believe space-time is curved …

Posted to Atheism’s Unholy Trinity

mlwmohawk - The point is not that "science is wrong", rather it is by its very nature, it is incomplete. Furthermore it does not address many of the most interesting phenomena we as humans experience. Those who seek alternative explanations and methodologies are simply exploring in different manners that can be quite fruitful. I am not, of course, talking about Fundamentalists (of any religion, or science in some cases) who seek to close their minds; rather i am referring to others who use spirituality to enhance and open their minds to new possibilities. The Dali Lama comes to mind as a …

Posted to Atheism’s Unholy Trinity

Hi mlwmohawk - "because we probably are simply the sum of our parts" Well. at least you show *some* flexibility. It seems to me that your faith in science rivals the faith others have in various religions. Which makes me curious (after all, i am a scientist myself, mostly due to my own innate curiosity); Do you pretty much only believe in what you personally completely understand? Or do you believe in science, more or less, as a whole? How do you pick and choose between what to believe from science and what to doubt? Do you believe that one day, …

Posted to Atheism’s Unholy Trinity

Hi mlwmohawk - The "faith" that it seems to me you have in science is in its ability to explain (successfully research?) everything. From my point of view, it misses a great deal. This is not to say that it will not eventually get around to some of the interesting stuff (the current MRI scans of the brain in action are fascinating!) , perhaps it will. Or perhaps it will simply find that its methodology is limited and of no use in what are perceived to be some of the most important issues in human lives. Which is to say that …

Posted to Atheism’s Unholy Trinity

Jon B - Very nicely stated. Perhaps not unrelated, i agree with much of what you have written and process information in a somewhat similar way as to what you describe. On the subject of God, i would say that i place the probability of the idea of a "narrow" (anthropomorphic) God (like many Christians and Muslims seem to believe in) to be essentially zero. However, i would say that i place a much greater probability on the interconnection of all life, perhaps some sort of spiritual force that entangles us all together. While i am unable to provide a numerical …

Posted to Atheism’s Unholy Trinity

mlwmohawk - Thanks for the interchange. I think the difference between you and i is perhaps that you seem to exist in a "pure" state (things have been proven or not), while i exist in a 'mixed" state (that is i exist in multiple states simultaneously, leaving me open to possibilities that are neither proven/provable nor unproven/unprovable). From my experience, our differences are very stereotypical of engineers vs physicists. Jon B - I find Brian Greene to be an excellent author and have enjoyed a few of of his books (i am about 3/4 of the way through The Fabric of …

Posted to Atheism’s Unholy Trinity

I support Obama and hope he wins. However, i doubt that this will change racial politics in any substantial way. Some black folk will still feel persecuted, others will thrive and point out the obvious such as Cosby has and continues to do. The rich will continue to enjoy the benefits of being rich (isn't that why so many wish to be rich), the poor will continue to get the short end of the stick for a variety of reasons, many self induced (not finishing school, getting pregnant out of wedlock or at a very early age, using destructive drugs, etc) …

Posted to The Vendetta Against Black Men

"In states with large black populations, race is a major political force, but the African-American vote is big enough to offset a racially motivated white vote." Why is it just assumed that blacks that vote for blacks are NOT racially motivated (or females voting for females), whereas whites voting for whites IS racially motivated (or males voting for males)? "The news industry and politicians, on the other hand, are happy to discuss and exploit race, whether by manufacturing controversy (think Jeremiah Wright)" Wright has done this himself, surely one cannot think him un-newsworthy? So what is the fraction of blacks who …

Posted to Acknowledging the Race Chasm

"school officials have come up with an integration strategy that uses household income, adult education levels and race " Why include race at all? If we are to help disadvantaged people, the use of socioeconomic class as a metric makes much more sense than race.

Posted to Louisville Schools Class-ify Brown

If only she had kept to simply making cookies. . . (Anthony - not me! I like Obama, but detest HRC. And even more, detest family dynasties, including the current one.)

Posted to Hillary for Class President

Nice to see an article about a country that has really taken some huge missteps, that is not the US. Makes one glad to live here, instead of in a politically repressive regime like Russia (once the darling of the left). Or Venezuela for that matter. It would be nice of our ballets had a vote against all option. I would use if if the contest somehow becomes between Clinton and McCain.

Posted to Putin Is Gone! Long Rule Putin!

Yeah, notice how many people struggle to get to our exact mirror! Not to mention the "enhanced" life expectancy for Russian males. just like us in every way. . . Now if we could only convince the illegals, that problem would solve itself. I nominate NoWhiteShoes as the US ambassador to the 3rd world!

Posted to Putin Is Gone! Long Rule Putin!

While what was done to the distant ancestors of some of the black folk living in the Americas today was reprehensible (i.e., being captured by their fellow Africans, sold into slavery and brought against their will, often dying in transit, to the Americas), their descendants have benefited mightily from this atrocity. Nowhere in Africa is the standard of living near even the lower classes in the US. While no justice can be done to those who have long since departed this earth, their descendants can take advantage of their good fortune in living in this land of opportunity. Many Africans would …

Posted to A Speech Even Condi Could Love

"Why be afraid of the ugly truth?" In fact, we should seek to know both our good and bad sides. An article i read recently said that the solution to the illegal immigration issue is actually quite straightforward: simply give subscriptions to those that want to come to the US free lefty periodicals. That will convince them that the US is not a desirable place to come to. . . :) The lesson being that we should not only see the bad, but the good as well (as you allude to quite nicely above). It seems to me that the far …

Posted to A Speech Even Condi Could Love

"All British, French and U.S. (etc.) colonialists, around the world, viewed nonwhite indigenous people as less than human, perhaps more like monkeys. To think that people should consider themselves lucky to be the descendents of slaves is ignorant." Perhaps ignorant, but nonetheless undoubtedly true. Odd that you mention the above 3 nations by name, but leave off a supposedly "civilized" nation that actually committed genocide in **modern times**. Also odd that you ignored the role of Africans in the capture of the slaves (along with the genocides currently taking place on that unfortunate continent). You certainly have the right to express …

Posted to A Speech Even Condi Could Love

Natalie - Another article from Salim about race. From the same very limited pov. I guess your challenge has been answered. . . :( I guess there is an upside. There is something to say about job security.

Posted to A Speech Even Condi Could Love

While i would not have a problem with anti-alcohol ads, to single out a particular product seems way over the top to me. Plus the idea that alcohol is harmful in and of itself - when used in moderation - is just silly. Perhaps we should try to bring back prohibition? The generic postcard against milk is better, but neglects to mention soys negative effect on hormones. I guess adman are adman, even when they attempt to be "on the other side" (ala the anti-adman postcard). All in all, the site seems pretty dumb. But dumb people should have access to …

Posted to Adbusters' Ads Busted

One wonders what would happen if Israel allowed Arabs to freely immigrate into it at the rate they might desire. No, actually we know what would happen. Never mind.

Posted to Secular Jews and the 'Jewish State'

The only way that Israel and Palestine can live in peace in harmony is for Palestine to end its ongoing war with Israel. Given that many Palestinian embrace a religion of intolerance (Hamas being an excellent example of this expressed politically) and (justifiably) feel victimized, this seems unlikely. Perhaps a great Palestinian will rise up and teach that the path to their success is through non-violent means, but this seems unlikely, especially given their religious proclivities. Meanwhile Israel will continue to protect itself, just as any other nation would. Even if Israel were to embrace non-violence, the violence would still continue. …

Posted to Secular Jews and the 'Jewish State'

One might wonder if black voters are racist for voting - almost exclusively - for Obama. One also might wonder if there is sexism going on. That said, i would NEVER vote for Hillary, but hope to vote for Obama in November.My vote has NOTHING to do with his race, rather that he is an apparent outsider with integrity (but then again, so was Carter, who turned out to be a horrible president, although a good man).

Posted to The Clinton Firewall

"My horseback estimate is that the superdelegates will come down on MagicAl " Surely you jest? I put the odds at less than 100-1 that Gore will be the D candidate this year. Perhaps 20-1 he will ever again be the a candidate for national office. The election is the D's to lose. If Hillary bowed out, i think they would almost certainly win. The odds of Hillary bowing out are about the same as Gore stepping in, sadly for the D's.

Posted to The Clinton Firewall

One wonders if the message above is that if one is anti-Hillary does that automatically make them anti-woman in general? Perhaps we should rejudge Marie Antoinette or Andrea Yates as merely the victims of a sexist society? I suppose this then implies that D's will have to decide if they are anti-black or anti-woman. Since obviously one can only be against Obama if one is anti-black. . . Falsely playing the "sexist" card is just as stupid and despicable as playing the race card (and sadly, perhaps just as effective). One thing seems obvious, at least to me: Hillary is fully …

Posted to The Clinton Firewall

Imran - I know some about the middle east. Saudi Arabia for instance. Total pit, due to the intolerance of Muslims. The Taliban, Iran, etc. The religion is stuck solidly in the middle ages. But it is no worse than Christianity was back then, perhaps it will evolve? I hope so. (BTW, i am pretty sure that the IRA or Christianity had/has nothing to do with beastiality! :) SASboy - No. *Any* images of the Prophet is forbidden, even ones that are not funny. And many many crazies of Islam believe it is a *death* offense. Sadly.

Posted to Caricaturing Danish Muslims

"Muhammad depicted a man with a bomb under his turban" Given the events of the day, this seems to be a pretty appropriate cartoon. Furthermore, one has to question the morality of a group of people who would *kill* others for such an "insult". Perhaps some of you remember PissChrist )(a Maplethrope work of "art"). If conservative Christians had gone on a rampage killing over it, i doubt there would be any sympathy here or elsewhere for their response (and there should be none). "The biggest challenge for Danish Muslims" - ought to be to reign in their crazy segments! Such …

Posted to Caricaturing Danish Muslims

Wright is nutty, but he is not running for anything (i fact, i believe he just retired). He lived through bad times that most blacks under 40 can barely imagine. So what? He's just a kook, like Falwell, Robertson, et al. Let him fade to obscurity with little fanfare as did the KKK and other racist organizations. (In this country, playing with religion can burn you. Anyone remember Sinéad O'Connor tearing up a photo of the Pope on Saturday Night Live? Never saw her again. . . )

Posted to Is Wright Right About Racism?

from http://www.reference.com/search?r=13&q=Beasttiality "A separate term, bestiality (more common in mainstream usage and frequently but incorrectly seen as a synonym; often misspelled as "beasttiality"), refers to human/animal sexual activity." (addted extra t due to blacklisting of actual term) Imran - I wish you were right in your claims, but sadly they seem to be more what could be than what is. But to you and to any "moderate" Muslims (of which i have a few friendships with), i wish you only peace and happiness. (Incidentally, even most of my moderate Islamic friends believe in polygamy, which i find to be unfortunate.) opeluboy …

Posted to Caricaturing Danish Muslims

opeluboy - Just out of curiosity, are you for are against Obama? Even he found much of what Wright said despicable (as did i). I give him a pass for the same reason i might give any racist a pass. Times have changed and their experiences differ from mine in a huge variety of ways. But i hope each generation improves on the last. . ..

Posted to Is Wright Right About Racism?

Hi WTH - Does McCain's pandering to the religious right (Falwell, et al) bother you? I think part of the problem with the Bush presidency is due to either/both of his religious convictions and/or religious influences from the RR. That said, i agree with you on Hillary. If she runs, i will waste my vote on a third party candidate (which one matters not, it will simply be a vote of no confidence in the major parties).

Posted to Is Wright Right About Racism?

theloneous - interesting post. To some of us, there are "multiple truths" and they even conflict with each other. It is sort of like the truth that an elephant is like a tree (if you feel only his leg). This truth conflicts with the truth that an elephant is like a snake (if you feel only his trunk). Both conflict with the truth that an elephant is like a rope (if you feel only his tail). While Wright may have spoken "the truth" in similar terms as your childhood paster, it seems to me that his truth was/is incomplete. To speak …

Posted to Is Wright Right About Racism?

Kuya - very thoughtful post. I think you have laid out the issues very well. I particularly appreciate your final paragraph. countdown wrote - "The caricatures were never about “free speech” but part of this clearly orchestrated campaign to trash a despised minority and bolster political suport for the status quo. Which is always a popular strategy in Denmark.". Perhaps. But the worldwide response to them tells us a great deal about Muslims and tolerance (not to mention some were funny and all too appropriate).

Posted to Caricaturing Danish Muslims

theloneous - good points and nice post. An important aspect of tolerance is understanding, thanks for providing light here.

Posted to Is Wright Right About Racism?

Perhaps Wright is cathartic to some black folks, who am i to judge? I prefer the Dali Lama - his message is one that i can embrace, at least in theory (and attempt to embrace in practice as well). But to each their own. (I imagine a candidate who claimed the Dali Lama as their spiritual leader would be essentially unelectable, though in many important ways Christ had a very similar message.)

Posted to Is Wright Right About Racism?

Natalie - i know your question is rhetorical, but we all have freedom of speech, which allows (i.e., gives us the right) by its very nature speech that some find objectionable. While i find the snippets of hate spewed forth by Wright to be both objectionable and *counterproductive*, i could say the same about many on the conservative right (Falwell, Robertson, etc). As WTH points out, McCain is not a "true believer" or these sort of religious folks (to his credit), but then again, Obama has disavowed the hate spewed from Wright, even though he still respects Wright as a pastor …

Posted to Is Wright Right About Racism?

HI WTH - The two points that you quote above do not seem to be contradictory to me. To say African or African American *people* are not superior (or inferior) to European people does not imply that the *cultures* are on an equal footing. That said, i think that both African-American-centered thought, and European-centered thought both think that they are superior to the other (and probably in general as well). Furthermore, just to play devils advocate, if technology causes a serious and deleterious global cataclysm (nuclear war, global warming, who knows what?), then perhaps western culture was a net loss to …

Posted to Is Wright Right About Racism?

Hi WTH - I enjoyed the discussion as well. Thanks.

Posted to Is Wright Right About Racism?

Natalie - i agree with your post above. What the black community (really any community) could really use is a leader who speaks a message emphasizing personal responsibility, even (especially!) in the face of adversity (who amongst us has not encountered adversity?). Life is not fair for a variety of reasons. Rather then complain or riot or give up, one needs to deal the hand they are given to their best advantage. I note in passing that we collectively have not managed to elect political representatives who are able or willing to deal with such huge known uncontested upcoming catastrophes such …

Posted to Is Wright Right About Racism?

"unidentified, 61-year-old homeless man" This i s a minor point, bow can we know his age if we do not know who he is? More to the point, the problem of homelessness is a serious one. One approach might be to round them up and "take care" of them in facilities. What should society do with those who do not and typically *cannot* take care of themselves? I dare say no one wants them in their own neighborhood, for many very good and valid reasons.

Posted to Seattle Battles the Homeless

"In 2008, however, analysts are struggling to account for white America’s apparent willingness to hand the nation’s reins to a black man" The answer is so very simple, but you and your type will not understand. White America does not care about race. We aren't voting for Obama because he is black. **Race has nothing to do with it.** Again, this is undoubtedly inconceivable to you and yours, since apparently all you can see is race. But perhaps if you talk to your children or their generation, you may get a glimmer of what America is really like.

Posted to The Man or the Movement

Natalie - thanks for the link, fascinating. When i had more time, the CS Monitor was one of my favorite reads. I do not recall seeing Salim ever write anything that was not centered on racial issues (and those from an extremely limited point of view), so i very much doubt he will even consider your challenge seriously. I am sure he has had his own unique history to shape his viewpoint, but from mine he looks to be a dinosaur. MLK had it right - "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a …

Posted to The Man or the Movement

"Africa the richest and most productive continent on Earth" Huh? Perhaps you can expand on what you mean by this statement?

Posted to The Man or the Movement

"Nader’s insistence on hogging the electoral limelight in 2000 siphoned off crucial support from Democratic nominee Al Gore and helped sweep in our most disastrous president ever." I am withTheoPapathanasis granduncle : Gore lost the election due to his own stupidity. If he had simply carried his home state (Tennessee) Bush would be unknown to most of us. (Whether the world would be better or worse is unknowable to us mortals, however.) I would be nice to have a real alternative to the pathetic two party system we currently endure.

Posted to The Nadir of Nader

"“But the part that made my ears perk up was when he casually said, ‘Alex, if, when you are out in the field, should you encounter any Venezuelans or Cubans like field workers or doctors,’ that I should report to the U.S. embassy with their names and where they live,” van Schaick explains." This is unreasonable, as a *request*? Really? "The affair’s legal gravity is indubitable. According to the Bolivian penal code, Cooper could be given up to 30 years in prison without the possibility of parole for espionage—Bolivia’s most severe sentence." This is unreasonable! To sentence someone to 30 years …

Posted to Recruiting Spies in the Peace Corps

FranLast seems to make the assertion that if a foreign national were to provide *open* and freely available information back to their country of origin, the US would charge them with terrorism (or there were be an ":outcry", whatever that means). I wonder, are there any facts (or even anecdotal stories) to back up this odd assertion? Say a foreign national provided a US municipal phone book back to their embassy with a few names circled - would that really upset anyone? If so, why? Usually "spying", when used in a negative sense, involves the collection of some sort of sensitive, …

Posted to Recruiting Spies in the Peace Corps

Marshalldoc - thanks for the sympathy, very thoughtful of you. Still, i wonder if you read the same article as i did. What actions were the students asked to do that you find objectionable, in particular? If we found that other nations did the same sorts of things with their students, would you be equally appalled (its not like they are being asked to fly planes into populated buildings, now that would be crazy!). And it is not like they even have to comply with the requests. If you are able, please explain what the problem is, from your pov. Perhaps …

Posted to Recruiting Spies in the Peace Corps

Marshalldoc - Good second post. Seems you are truly an American, if not understood just repeat louder. I am surprised you did not change your original post to all caps. PS - "Further, when at a loss for cogent argument there’s a reflexive knee-jerk for some justification for otherwise intolerable behavior (not infrequently an oblique reference to the 9/11 atrocity) that usually is unrelated to the issue at hand". Such as: "U.S. drove the Native Americans off their land (or killed them)" or perhaps "Fomented war with Mexico to obtain Texas" or even "Conquered the Philippines, Puerto Rico, & Cuba to …

Posted to Recruiting Spies in the Peace Corps

Yeah, pee in a can or get raped or die of dehydration - the choice is oh so hard to make! Need a rocket scientist to help? Especially since everyone is asleep! Do you really think that most men would even allow this to happen to their friends and comrades? Or do you believe that pretty much all men rape, it is only a few that don't and would intervene? The story as presented is simply not credible. This is not to say that no one ever got raped going to the latrine (maybe some men did too?), only that if …

Posted to Silenced in the Barracks

"Commission of Inquiry for Crimes against Humanity Committed by the Bush Administration" Glad you gave the source. It clarifies matters. If it were true that women were being raped as claimed, why not bring guns to the latrine or go in groups or both? Or simply pee in a container near your bed? Surely no one is stupid enough to die from dehydration due to this sort of thing, when it is so very easy to work around it. While some men very well might prey on women, many more would happily prey on those who did. But hey, to those …

Posted to Silenced in the Barracks

I heard that rape was actually required of all military men, in order to prove that they could preform in 150 degree heat at night. In fact, for a woman to even use a bathroom she would have to submit to this and pretend to enjoy it. Note that over 99% or all men are evil (some are too disabled to qualify), whereas each and every woman is good, but victimized, unless she is scapegoated instead. (To the crazies who participated in the thread above, feel free to quote the paragraph above. After all, if is it written down on the …

Posted to Silenced in the Barracks

I have a long list of individuals that should be tried as war criminals." Bets are that none of them currently reside in Gitmo. Kinda funny, when/if you think about it! :)

Posted to The Hippocratic Oath Dies in Gitmo

Giving the money to individuals would only create more pain and suffering. The last thing that helps people is gobs of free money (but this would be good for the liquor industry and perhaps the addition recovery business eventually). It would be much better to somehow invest this windfall money into some sort of social infrastructure. Build schools, wells, etc and teach the people how to become gainfully employed and self sufficient. But even that seems to be unlikely. At least they are not lobbing missiles into our lands and trying to drive us into the sea.

Posted to Challenging Indian Land Trusts

Lakotaidaho - i agree with you in the sense that some of the money discussed "belongs" to individuals. It is "free" in the sense that any inheritance is free - it is due to an accident of birth. That said, just as lottery winners often destroy their own lives, large windfalls of such money given to individuals typically destroy lives rather than help (made even worse when coupled with addiction tendencies). Jimmy - From what i read here, many ITT readers would think that they would indeed be justified (well, unless it affected them directly, naturally). After all, we stole their …

Posted to Challenging Indian Land Trusts

This article is so very silly in such a wide variety of ways, where to begin? First one should note that white slavery also existed in the US. Might as well attempt to be somewhat accurate. Second, it must be just a tad insulting to tell black folks that they are not *really* black, unless they have slavery in their past. One might have also added in that the black folks kidnapped from Africa were largely kidnapped by other black folks. Perhaps this is not so relavant to the discussion, given that black folks here are doing so much better than …

Posted to How Black is Obama?

While not really germane to the discussion, it is amusing to note that we all descended from Africans. By the "one drop" rule, we are all black. Perhaps more to the point, we are all one big family, with all the benefits and detriments of being such.

Posted to How Black is Obama?

Nicely said, aaaa.

Posted to How Black is Obama?

"At this point, drug violations and property offenses account for a majority (59 percent) of females in state prison. By comparison, men in both of these offense categories add up to just 39.5 percent. Meanwhile, in federal prison, women and men convicted of drug offenses constitute nearly 60 percent of inmates." What a huge waste of resources, both financial and human. Guess we learned even less than nothing from Prohibition.

Posted to Women Behind Bars

How silly! Don Imus makes a comment that is not even particularly racist and he is vilified. Using the work niggardly has caused commotion, even though it is not racist in the least. Now you have some bozo spreading around the word "nigger" to make the big bucks. Fine with me. But i hope those who support this nonsense are not easily upset when they or their kids are labeled with such words.

Posted to Nas: Whose Word Is This?

Ha. Major major you must be psychic! Guess you really got me this time! Now if you could divine which stocks i should buy. . . :)

Posted to Nas: Whose Word Is This?

Hell, i am not only 110% white (definitely not pink or peach!), but a current slave holder. Not to mention i eat children for snacks, repress women for fun, and even worse, occasionally respond to idiotic posts with sarcasm! Cool to have a whole thread about the most important issue of all - me! :)

Posted to Nas: Whose Word Is This?

"I think Nas is seeking the spotlight and some ink to sell his CD" I agree, but seems that DonCorleone thinks that makes us stupid. But everyone has a right to opine however they please, however foolish they may be. . . :) Of course, as a father i teach that the word nigger is like the work fuck - it has little place in civil society. And no place in public discourse (barring my use of it as an example, for example). Sure, i really love the major - i suppose that makes me coprophiliac, for example?

Posted to Nas: Whose Word Is This?

The real problem is that the foolish Gazians have elected and apparently support a terrorist government. The fact that this travesty brings them great suffering is sad, but easily predictable. The solution is for them to declare peace, even if it means that Israel will not be driven into the sea.

Posted to The Experiment in Gaza

Yeah the Nazi party was legitimately picked by the Germans and offered a number of peace deals as well. The biggest difference was that the Nazis actually were powerful whereas Hamas is at best impotent and unable to control its own population. Until a government is established in Gaza that can control its home grown crazies, the violence will continue. For laughs, imagine how kindly the US would act if Mexicans began lobbing bombs into Texas, with the "legitimate" claim that Texas really belongs to Mexico. Even without this craziness walls are being built. . .

Posted to The Experiment in Gaza

If all else fails, perhaps Germany can implement a final solution to the problem.

Posted to The Experiment in Gaza

"the victim would “present a grave risk of injury to national security”. One wonders what should happen if the "victim" does present a grave risk to national security (e.g., the waterboarding "victims'). "So if you are the unfortunate innocent victim, what is your recourse against the perpetrators?" One might wonder if there are any "innocent victims". I somehow feel little empathy for September 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or senior al Qaeda leaders Abu Zubaydah and Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri. They got less than they deserve and are lucky we are NOT like them!

Posted to Extraordinary Rendition on Trial

Sadly the Congo is a nightmare. Arguably the very worst place on the planet. Sadly, the only place where Bonobo's live in the wild. They are being hunted down and killed (for food). When they are gone, which seems inevitable, the only peaceful primates will have left the planet. Sigh. (Too bad man does not behave more like Bonobo's, but our natures seem to be that of the Chimpanzee's. We, like the Chimps, evidently prefer making war over making love. Pity.)

Posted to In Search of Lumumba

The credit card companies suck, but in the same way as McDonald's (really fast food in general). They give us what we want, then when we get fat (or broke) we blame it on them. Sure, they add lots of fat and salt (or interest and penalties), but it is us who shove the food down our gullets (or apply for more and more credit that we cannot afford). The best solution would be self discipline and taking responsibility for our own actions. But hey, we are all just victims, with no choice but to do what the tube tells us …

Posted to Killer Credit

Tasers are a great improvement over lethal weapons. While they can cause death, they are far less likely to do real damage than guns or other weapons (knives, etc). They are also easy to use by the most vulnerable of us. The fact that they are abused (rarely) merely means that they are operated by humans. The lame attempt to categorize their use as torture is silly (hey, mace in the eyes is torture too, don't ya think?)! Banning tasers makes almost as much sense as banning knives. Stabbing, now that is torture and the effects last much longer than tasing …

Posted to Tupperware and Tasers

"After all, most people have been hurting for quite a while. " Most? Really? Maybe some, but not most or even close! "And with word that there are now 195,000 homeless veterans nationwide" One might wonder why the vets are homeless. I doubt it is very strongly correlated with economic opportunity. Much more likely it is due to: 1) the same reasons other people are homeless (drug abuse, alcoholism, etc); 2) mental problems directly associated with their service to the country (which would include some of 1 above, but only a fraction). We certainly should attempt to help, but there is …

Posted to The Stimulus Swindle

wth - While it may be true that incomes have declined in the last ~3 decades, it sure seems that the amount of material stuff that we (US citizens) have has skyrocketed. We all seem to "need" cable tv, dvd players, home computers, internet access, cell phones, etc etc. Surely we are already far beyond the point where this type of lifestyle can be maintained (or worse, promulgated to other less developed countries). One thought - instead of giving free money to everyone (ok, so it is "our" taxes, but still), perhaps we could use that money to build up a …

Posted to The Stimulus Swindle

wth - Great idea! A truly integrated mass transit system would be a real boon to the US. I love flying into WDC national, i get off the pLane and onto a subway. But travel by train (or bus!) and its hard to even get a rental car, much less a subway. . . we can do better - and should.

Posted to The Stimulus Swindle

One reference is Jeremy Siegel's A Random Walk Down Wall Street (he also wrote Stocks for the Long-Run), both excellent books. In the first, he goes back over the stock market since its inception (and markets in general back over several hundred years). The historical average for stocks (before inflation) is about 11.7% (inflation is about 3-4% as best i recall, yielding inflation adjusted returns at a bit over 7%). He gives the data in sliding 10, 20 and 30 years periods. When using 30 year periods, the stock returns are always quite good, but as you know, over shorter terms …

Posted to The Stimulus Swindle

The destruction of Brittney is due in large part to the massive wealth she has earned. Give any 20 year old (or almost anyone of any age) $100 million+ and they will become nuts. Excess wealth is a curse!

Posted to The Jamie Lynn Effect

For those who think the poor serve as cannon fodder (however misguided that view may be), the use of robots as soldiers should be welcome indeed. Still, making war too clean and sanitary does not make me more comfortable., but then again neither does the crazy Islamic nuts who place no value on human life.

Posted to RoboCop in Iraq

On the other hand, a robot soldier need not panic or even protect its own "life". It could, in principle, reduce civilian causalities. But if the Islamic crazies get them, they could become mobile IEDs. And these crazies have no compunction about killing and maiming anyone, children included (hell, they happily kill other Islamic crazies too!).

Posted to RoboCop in Iraq

One might say that the real point is that when our guys commit atrocities, they try to hide them because they *know* that they will be held accountable. When their guys commit atrocities, they are proud of their work. Mostly due to crazy Islamic thought patterns. . . But much of the fault does lie with us. We should never have allowed middle age people access to modern technology, especially weapons. Best fix - massively fund solar energy in order to make the Middle East irrelevant. Let them remain in the Middle Ages until they evolve further.

Posted to RoboCop in Iraq

The real way that Iraqi women can oppose the war is by taking a cue from Lysistrata. In fact, everyone should shun those who purposely kill and maim civilians. Safe to say, most of us who live in the US are shocked by the senseless violence perpetrated on innocent Iraqi civilians by the crazies there. A very sad commentary on the sick state of dysfunctional Islam indeed.

Posted to Resister in Exile

Kinda reminds me of some of the older Charlie Bronson movies here in the US. Tough guy takes out the bad guys, much to the delight of the audience. It seems pretty clear that the popularity is due to a need to establish order. . . Is it really surprising that threats of violence and torture are effective? I sure as hell would cooperate with someone rather than be tortured, i would think that most everyone would, with the small exception of the really crazy crazies. However, this is not to say that torture is moral or ethical, simply that is …

Posted to Bad Cop, Badder Cop in Brazil

"Although there is a diagnosis, pill or surgical treatment for each of their ills" Or they could just eat right and exercise. But i guess society somehow prohibits this (hmmm, even for people with "white privilege? shocking!). . . "enticed by sexually fulfilled couples" There is no reason most couples should not be sexually fulfilled. Again, the above prescription *eat right, exercise regularly) could benefit millions (even black folks, perhaps), if only the big drug companies and the government allowed it. . . "Or a definition of normality that diagnoses 15 percent of 16-year-old boys with attention deficit hyper-activity disorder (ADHD)" …

Posted to Warning: Drug Ads Can Make You Sick

Yeah this article nails it. The problem is not with blacks as individuals, but rather the systematic discrimination against all non-whites in the US. Having babies out of wedlock, dropping out of school, doing drugs, etc are not really bad, it is merely the white racism that continues to hold the black man down. Cosby is just an Uncle Tom who made it big and refuses to see that personal responsibility has nothing to do with how a black mans life turns out, since the white racists will hold him down anyway, most likely due to "bigger penis" envy. The only …

Posted to Come on Cosby, Stop Hatin'

"although he thinks waterboarding Zubaydah “probably saved lives,” he is now convinced the technique is a form of torture and that “Americans are better than that.” " Apparently there are a few people that are still alive who might be glad that Americans were NOT better than that. Perhaps under some circumstances, inflicting discomfort and extreme fear might be worth it. Especially on the likes of someone like Zubaydah.

Posted to Kiriakou and the Kite Runner

monomotapa post is amusing, but full of silliness. To dismiss those who like Cosby (and myself) believe that we are not helpless, that we can affect our own lives in a positive way, is both sad and typical of the old left. The attempt at personal assassination is quite telling, oftentimes when one cannot defend ones own beliefs, they take another tack and attack the *person* who expresses beliefs that are unpleasant to themselves. There really can be little doubt that *many* of the poor - regardless of race - are poor due to poor life choices. The big ones are: …

Posted to Come on Cosby, Stop Hatin'

So peace_out i assume that you are advocating that black people, especially teens, do not even play the game, since it is rigged? Or do you have concrete suggestions to help them do better in todays world? My suggestions are: 1) Do not have children at a young age (before you have a job that can pay for children, at least) 2) Do not have children until married 3) Finish high school 4) Avoid drug abuse All of the above can be done regardless of ones race. What are your suggestions? (Wait until society is "fair", perhaps? Or far worse, have …

Posted to Come on Cosby, Stop Hatin'

“whites are angry and uneasy.” Yeah, those white people are dangerous! Especially when they are "angry and uneasy"! Or perhaps there are a small amount of crazies out there who really do hate (and they come in all colors!) and they make for lots of press. Some even wear white hoods over their heads (talk about crazy). Note that these people are very very far from the mainstream and that all races/creeds etc are represented (in fact, one easily might believe that blacks are over represented in this lamentable group). At least no one here names their teddy bears Mohummed. :) …

Posted to Hanging Hate

Marshalldoc is exactly correct. When the US turns fascist and begins the systematic extermination of Jews, blacks, whites or whatever group it targets as ok to hate and kill, i would say “I never thought it would go that far". But since this is not going to happen (obviously, duh), it simply means i was correct. :)

Posted to Hanging Hate

Marshalldoc does bring up some interesting points, albeit accidentally. One really might wonder: which countries are "justest"? Which are the most corrupt? Which countries suffer from racism the most, which the least? While the US is not perfect (after all, it is a very diverse nation of imperfect people), it certainly *claims* to be a just country. Perhaps a fellow like Marshalldoc can identify a country in say Africa that might be "equitablest" compared to the US? Or in the middle east? Or even in Asia. . . The US seems to be firmly in the rarefied few countries that embraces …

Posted to Hanging Hate

"Hezbollah, the anti-Israeli group that the U.S. State Department has labeled a terrorist organization" Duh. Perhaps the continued violence by Hezbollah and Hamas is actually the current cause of much of the misery. If only they could wake up and embrace non-violence, the entire region - everyone - would benefit mightily. But i doubt the crazies running these terrorist organizations have any interest in peace, much less prosperity. Pity.

Posted to Youth Gone Wild

Hazballa and Hamas are labeled terrorist organizations at Israel’s behest." Yeah and all the missiles they send in are just meant to be peace offerings. Until the Palestinians realize that violence is not the answer, they will create their own little hell on earth, and share it as best they can with Israel.

Posted to Youth Gone Wild

IF this trend continues, next they will ask hard scientists (e.g., physicists, chemists, etc) to build *weapons* to defend our country. Surely a slippery slope, since science is meant (by university standards) to benefit all of mankind. Kinda funny when you think about it. But some of us have work to do.

Posted to Anthropologists on the Front Lines

Given the conditions of modern times, libraries are far less essential today. One can simply use the Internet to search and retrieve information, rather than waste time, energy and effort driving to a brick and mortar institution. That said, i love libraries! But economic realties will determine if they go the way of the horse and buggy.

Posted to Public Libraries For Profit

"Krugman compares U.S. per capita spending with Canada, France, Germany and Britain. Guess who spends the most? And guess who has the lowest life expectancy?" One has to wonder if the US poor health is self induced. Has anyone noticed all the fat people around in the US? While i am all for adequate health benefits for all, i think we should also be responsible for our own health. Eat right and exercise more. . . Calling the "rich" bloodsuckers" is not at all helpful. One wonders what the definition of "rich" actually is (someone with more money than me?)? Envy …

Posted to Tax and Spend? Hell, Yeah!

This article was very unexpected. And very nice. Well done.

Posted to Come on People! Bill Cosby is Right

isometruman, theblacksentinel and and others - OK, so what do you propose to make things better? If reparations is on your agenda, who pays and who gets paid? From my pov, race is just a non-issue. My own proposal would be to keep the estate tax (currently set to expire!) and increase taxes on those who are doing well economically (say those with family incomes of $100 K or more, with steeper rates as incomes rise into the millions and beyond). Use some of this money to benefit all low income citizens, regardless of race. This proposal avoids the problems associated …

Posted to Come on People! Bill Cosby is Right

Still complaining, but offering NO proposed solutions. Aviolding the issue altogether. Sad, but how typical. When will theblacksentinel learn that he is woefully unable to “see” the world from anything other than the chip on his shoulder sad vantage?

Posted to Come on People! Bill Cosby is Right

The US is NOT going to war with Iran, for better and for worse. We clearly do not have either the troop strength or the popular support for such an endeavor. Sanctions remain a possibility, however. .

Posted to The Accidental War

In These Times: Crazy left wing rag or Subversive Anti-American hate group? An analysis shows that ITT consistently either neglects the truth or engages in outright lies Seems i can write titles as well as ITT. Maybe i can get a job here? :)

Posted to Rudy Guiliani: Criminal or Liar?

Biofuels are not perfect but they are a tremendous improvement over oil Oil has serious drawbacks that are not associated with climate change. See Iraq and the entire middle east for examples. Most of the starvation in the world today is caused by strife, not lack of food or resources. See the entire continent of Africa for examples (sadly, they are overly abundant). That said, i continue to hope and lobby for solar power. It is truly carbon free and as Germany has demonstrated, it is feasible. Barring that, nuclear seems to be the only other viable alternative (and we all …

Posted to Biofuels Are No Cure for Climate Change

Perhaps one might be happier if they merely aborted the children (better dead than in El Norte?)?

Posted to Banana Republic to Baby Republic

The article does not say, but i assume that Alexis is a pre-op tranny (that is, he still has his penis, but may or may not have boobs). "I was raped, beat up, ridiculed,” says Key, who has been incarcerated seven times." While no one should have to suffer such abuse, one might wonder why s/he was arrested at least 7 times? "75 percent of transgender people in San Francisco are without full-time employment. " One might think that these individuals are desperately in need of counseling, and that their gender confusion is merely one of many symptoms. Bets are that …

Posted to Transgendered Behind Bars

HI Miss Doe -Yes you really have me pegged. In fact, i believe that the prison system should require rape, abuse and torture at the very minimum. Even if the person is innocent and only accused. In fact we should put all trannys to death, gays too and while we are at it, hetros as well. Needless to say, i am so very impressed with your *amazing* grasp of the English language, you must be a teacher (and thus should also be incarcerated and abused), Ha ha ha ho ha ho ho ho!!!!

Posted to Transgendered Behind Bars

Hi Kuya - I think that many of the guys who act the way you describe do so around *any* woman if they think they can get away with it. Generally that simply means that the women are in a defenseless position. The classic strong victimizing the weak paradigm. Ugh. I also think the sex trade is thriving pretty much everywhere. For a wide variety of reasons. Is it regulated in the Philippines? I think that is the best one can hope for.

Posted to Harassment Unchecked at Army Hotel

Hi Kuya - Glad to say they caught the pedophile. Still, as sick as he is, he is in fact sick. I pity him as well as his victims (and hope he is put somewhere where he can never ever harm a child again). I have ambiguous feelings about the sex trade. I think everyone should have the right to do as they wish, including trading sex (or "exotic" dancing) for money. However it is also clear that economic coercion (or much worse in some cases) is behind the "choice" to become a sex worker.

Posted to Harassment Unchecked at Army Hotel

Too bad Salim did not read your comments above before he submitted his article today. If he addressed the topics you brought up, he could have really had an interesting piece. But he went with the safe (here at least) and lazy race-based mantras. Pity.

Posted to A Mother's March For Justice

"most frequently used image to illustrate the movement was a woman learning karate; male editors actually insisted on this. " Did they have a meeting where all the male editors were given these rather odd marching orders? :) Can a woman be both a feminist and anti-abortion? Or do feminists themselves impose a rigid dogma on all other women? Seems to me the problem with feminism is that it is a victim of its own success. Equal opportunity and pay for equal dedication and work. Equal access to education. Goals that have been largely, if not entirely, met. PS - if …

Posted to The Times vs. Feminism

“Definitely not, I say: The flag stands for jingoism and vengeance and war.” Everyone has a right to their pov, no matter how narrow and shallow. (One might imagine the flag stands for a multitude of things to a multitude of people. . .) “I’m not the only older woman who can’t legally drive " Huh, does she live in Saudi? Or is she merely incompetent? “anyone with eyes in her head could see that mothers were still doing most of the work." Or not? Perhaps she needs to have her (rather older) eyes examined (too many gin and limes, which …

Posted to The Politics of Everyday

"Maybe it’s exactly because we have to work so much harder to get where we want to go." One would hope that this myth will die soon. . .

Posted to A Campaign of Ones Own

Taxes on cigarettes will go up to a dollar a pack (if the legislation passes). This will primarily benefit the poor, who will be less able to afford their nasty habit. Not to mention the funds will be used to pay for children's health care. A winner all around.

Posted to Tobacco Stains

"Louisiana and South Carolina both passed unconstitutional laws requiring a husband’s consent for a married woman’s abortion" I would hope that husbands would have input into such an important decision as to whether or not *his* baby is going to be aborted! Funny they pro side calls the anti side a "war on women", given that many of the anti's are in fact women. . . Abortion is both avoidable and "wrong". Avoidable by using birth control (rather than using abortion as birth control, which is surely not in the best interests of any woman). Wrong in that it takes a …

Posted to An Unholy Alliance

"WTC was destroyed with directed energy weapons." Damn, i thought it was destroyed by Martians. . . Ha ha ha!!! Oh wait, no ti was the Jews! Ha ha ha!!! Or could it have been the Islamic crazies who flew airplanes (!!!) into it? As hard as it is to believe that people could stoop to such evil, the videos are very very compelling. . . .

Posted to Chain Stores, Picket Fences and Tanks

But history suggests that, one way or another, all people eventually die. Instead of trying to rein in their excesses, people need to work toward hastening that happy, inevitable outcome. Just a minor change that makes just as little sense as the original. Must be really easy to be a contributor to ITT, given they abysmally low standards.

Posted to Chain Stores, Picket Fences and Tanks

No one wants war. But the idea of a nuclear armed medieval state is very very scary. Sanctions are a good idea, particularly if they target all advanced technology. We should avoid letting Iran acquire any technology that was not available in 1950 or so, unless it is clear that such technology cannot be abused by the crazies who rule that country. Of course, no modern weapons should be allowed in as well. This is not only for our own good, but for the good of Iran as well. They simply are not ready for such disruptive technologies and clearly are …

Posted to Another War We Can't Afford

David - The US is (obviously) not a perfect country. As are all countries, it is composed of imperfect men. I see little danger of it becoming fascist, that is simply rhetoric with little substance (however, Saudi Arabia, Korea, China, Russia, etc etc while not being "fascist" per se have human rights records consistent with same, so there is lots of room to point fingers). Iran has made it clear they want nukes. Some here believe it is their *right* to acquire them as well. I suggest that we - the West - should not help them in this pursuit, which …

Posted to Another War We Can't Afford

Does anyone here really believe that Iran (or North Korea) really want to build nuclear power plants to generate electricity? Their agendas are not hidden and are stated clearly. If they really want power, we should help them generate it via solar cells. . . David - the US is obviously not heading toward fascism. In fact, if we use the "14 points" misapproach to defining same, we were more fascist in the past then we are now (does anyone think the US is **more** sexist today than previous eras? Really? How about the "stolen" election of 1960? The brutal justice …

Posted to Another War We Can't Afford

"people making as much as six figure incomes virtual indentured servants." Talk about being irresponsible. Surely you don't blame this on Bush or anyone other than those who so badly mismanage their incomes? The trick to not being a wage slave is simple. Save a minimum of 10% of your income, preferably 20%. Invest in a broad based mutual fund (401K or IRA are optimal) and wait a few decades. Then decide what to do with the rest of your life. As a bonus - find a job you like and work can be fulfilling and even enjoyable. We live our …

Posted to Another War We Can't Afford

"Peace be with you, while I continue hoping no more innocent blood is shed in the name of the empire, be it in Asia or in your land" Maria - your hopes are my hopes. The details of how to get from here to there vary, but nonetheless, we both hope for peace and harmony in the world at large.

Posted to Another War We Can't Afford

anarcho-liberation - i do not know where or how you live, but it sounds like an entirely different place (mindset?) than where i hail from. Here (the land of the free?) i am able to decide what profession i wish to pursue, how many children i want, what religion i wish to follow (if any), and how i wish to allocate my financial and other resources. My life is full of my choices, some good and some bad. In a wide variety of ways (antibiotics come immediately to mind!), these are the best of times, ever. (Disclaimer: No implication is made …

Posted to Another War We Can't Afford

mrraven has an interesting point that emphasizes my own. Even fundamentalist Texas is **far** more progressive than say, Saudi Arabia or anyplace in Africa. No forced FGM, no requirements to wear burkas, the ability for women to go to school (or the ice cream shop for that matter!) and choose their own careers/husbands/lives. Yep, compared to some western places, Texas may be a bit conservative, but compared to the middle east and Africa (and much of Asia) it is a wonderful place to be. I see little distinction between fundamentalist Christians versus fundamentalist atheists. Both have faith in the unknowable, they …

Posted to Another War We Can't Afford

mrraven - While i agree with you that Phelps is no good, i assert that he is quite far from the mainstream of US Christianity. He also has no control over the government, unlike the Mullahs. (Yea for the USA!) I would assert that the most important things in life are not scientific. Love comes immediately to mind, but you might also think of other things that are relevant to your own life as well. I am unaware of any proof that God does not exist (or that he does); thus i keep an open mind (what we do know is …

Posted to Another War We Can't Afford

Hi WTH - I agree that some fraction of Americans are unable to save due being employed in low paying jobs. Many of these same people are better off in later years, either through getting more job training or simply by advancing up the ladder. Some, of course, never advance and never do better. This is unfortunate, but has always been that way and is likely to continue into the foreseeable future. However, my assertion is that the vast majority of us (but not everyone) can save if we choose to. Many do not *choose* to, but buy nicer cars, electronic …

Posted to Another War We Can't Afford

"Well I say a pox on your house for an attitude of not caring that so many millions suffer both here in the U.S. and in the third world because of the policies you advocate." Yeah advocating savings for those who can and education in general is pretty darnright nasty of me (really, a pox?). Not to mention my persistent politeness, even when attacked with little or no provocation. Yep, i can really see where you are coming from - the question is can you? Anyway, i hope that you can work out your personal ssues and find a measure of …

Posted to Another War We Can't Afford

wth - You ask a lot of thoughtful questions in your post. While no one can answer them all for all people. there are solutions for many out there. For instance, when my wife's job disappeared, she retrained to be a nurse. It is a profession that we expect will be in high demand over our lifetimes and contributes nicely to society. Note that this "solution" works best for two income families and (in our case, at least) might involve getting student loans (which we found to be very accessible). In any case, those who can save should save. Hopefully for …

Posted to Another War We Can't Afford

"To believe that voting for Obama, or any other clown, democrat, republican, or otherwise, is going to seriuosly produce any real difference in this government is flat out stupid." So you believe that if Gore had won, there would have still been an Iraqi war? Seems dubious to me. From what i can tell, individuals can and do make significant differences in the life of a nation (and thus the world).

Posted to Obama's in the Eye of the Beholder

very system that is preventing the hungry from being fed and the homeless from finding shelter." Is this meant to imply that if i consume less, then somehow the "excess" consumption will get to the needy? Is there any sense of cause and effect here, or merely wishful thinking? "through a practice known as dumpster diving or, more euphemistically, urban foraging." Um, gross. According to Alf, some 35 percent of all food in the United Kingdom goes to waste. How many of the estimated 200 million children who go to bed each night starving would that help feed?" Bad logic. The …

Posted to A Freegan World

"to save the women of Afghanistan from their imprisonment under the Taliban. She invoked the familiar representations of the “oppressed Muslim woman” and the “civilized Western woman” who needs to intervene on her behalf." Ix this really the example you want to give? Under the Taliban women could not be doctors and since they were not allowed to be close to males, could not go to doctors. The brutality of the Taliban to women is well known - if the west had not rescued these women, they would still be ruthlessly subjugated. Of course, in much of the Middle East (Saudi …

Posted to Unveiling Muslim Feminism

"Black students constituted 50 percent of the student body, but more than 77 percent of arrests" If we add crap like the statement above, we should also add in how often the particular demographic causes problems. More than likely, the number of black arrests is too low statistically rather than too high. Of course, the real problem is not with the schools, but rather with parents who are absent, criminal, abusive, etc.

Posted to Restoring Classroom Justice

"Two years after Katrina, the richest country in the world leaves thousands of its climate refugees to live in poisoned trailers or camp in the kitchens of relatives far from their former homes." Given the nature of the low lying land, maybe these people need to learn to live somewhere else? It has been two years now, how many more before they can get on with new lives? The quote below seems silly in light of the quote above: "And what about the self-indulgent fools society continues to subsidize—with insurance premiums, taxes or extraordinary and repeated rescues—who insist on building beach …

Posted to Climate Change Refugees

Hey John - those effects have been going on for decades! And kudos to Germany for their aggressive development of solar power (if only the US had a real energy policy, sigh)!

Posted to Climate Change Refugees

"How about you all actually raise your damn kids with values other than self-indulgence and American-style feelgoodism." Hi Kuya - Thanks for being on the front line in the classrooms. I could not agree more with your quote above (as the father of 4).

Posted to Restoring Classroom Justice

Maria - I agree that the US should do more to cut carbon emissions. But if we cannot convince the Chinese to do the same, it will all be for naught. Coal mine fires alone in China produce more CO2 emissions that all of the cars in the uS. . . Still, i strongly advocate the transition to solar power. In the long run, i think it will be a very good investment, not just in the first world, but in the rest of the world as well. (Nuclear is my second choice, if we are serious about cutting CO2.) …

Posted to Climate Change Refugees

One might also wonder how Hilary slept at night (at least her husband was pre-satisfied!).

Posted to How Does Laura Bush Sleep at Night?

Perhaps the worst effect of the rich is that they inspire envy from the rest of us. It would be so refreshing to have a movement that espouses less consumption rather than more. Here we live in a nation of massive wealth. Even the poor have cable tv, color tv, washing machines, video game consoles, cars, etc and yet there is so much unhappiness associated with wealth or the perceived lack of same. Spend less, be happier. Live within your means. Old fashioned ideas that are out of time today. Pity. Pity.

Posted to The Secret Lives of Plutocrats

Guess it is a lousy time to be a terrorist. Poor guy.

Posted to Perverse Justice

Must be bad there Maria. If you ever have the chance, come to the US. Life is good here, as millions of illegals will testify! To be fair though, these are the best of times almost everywhere! But no worries to those who look for doom, it is and always will be looming. . .

Posted to Perverse Justice

Thanks Maria, but there is plenty of room for you too! Together we can all make "paradise" even better. . . Life is a journey, not a destination.

Posted to Perverse Justice

Wow. Utterly foolish. From start to finish. Wish i had back the few minutes i wasted reading this crap.

Posted to The Kids Aren't Alright

One does not have to be female to find themselves in a position similar to Flozelles's. In any case, i am glad she has been freed and hope she makes a life for herself. Hopefully she will make much better choices this time around.

Posted to Justice Denied

One does have to wonder: whose idea is it to lock up all of these non-violent drug users and why? One might have hoped we would have learned our lesson during prohibition. Whatever the reason(s), i would prefer not to have to pay the bills for this insane policy. . . On the other hand, by having this (foolish) war, we are are now tops in locking up our own citizens, even beating out China in this nasty statistic.

Posted to The Drug War's Collateral Damage

Nothing worth preserving? Man, you gotta get out more. This is arguably the greatest nation ever! But by composed of imperfect humans, it is of course flawed in many ways. . . Just be glad you were born here. In most of the world attitudes like yours would make you end up dead. (Gotta love freedom of expression!)

Posted to The Drug War's Collateral Damage

"“Bill Cosby card” (that is, focusing on individual behavior as the primary cause of racial disparity) in his latest speeches." Let's hope that he is saying it because he believes it. The hope of black americans is the same as the hope of white (or mexican or asian or etc) americans. To blame ones life on race is not only foolish, but more importantly counterproductive, you can't change your race. To make choices that allow one to move from the lower class to middle class is what we should be advocating. In this latter context, i have no problems with the …

Posted to The Squandering of Obama

Can you say crazy? I think you can. . . "Oh, by the way. Osama bin Laden is indeed near death at a US Military Hospital in Qatar and he really had NOTHING TO DO WITH 9/11!" "Euro-Americans" - why don't we just stick to Americans (drop the Euro, Afro, whatever)? "about the 10-12 MILLION UNDOCUMENTED Mexican-Americans" So what fraction ya think are going to join the military and go to war? "solves a BIG portion of the ‘Immigration Problem’! " Yeah, sending off a few thousand Mexicans to war will solve all our immigration problems! Sure it will. "even with …

Posted to Illegal Immigrants: Uncle Sam Wants You

What a sad story. "In 2004. What did it for me was Fahrenheit 9/11, which really gave me a new perspective." Particularly tragic to base one's perspective on such rot. "I tried to imagine what it would be like to be in the suburbs I was from in Indiana and have a foreign army patrolling our streets and kicking our doors in and killing innocent people" Again, very sad. And a horrible, inane metaphor. I wish the best for this young man. Perhaps with more time his perspective will change and grow.

Posted to The New Children's Crusade

loudturtle - interesting post. Perhaps i should provide some of the underlying reasons for my response. First, i think it is sad that a soldier in the field, actually in Iraq, found his pov in the very biased movie such as F911. As opposed to looking around (as i suppose most of the soldiers there actually do). Furthermore, it is clear that those who are in Iraq and paying attention can come to a variety of opinions, both "pro"-war and "anti"-war. Somehow this soldiers direct participation in the war apparently had less effect than a propaganda film. I find that very …

Posted to The New Children's Crusade

farmer - your post above is one of the best i have read here ( Posted by farmer on Jul 16, 2007 at 8:12 AM)! It is so very rare and delightful to have a voice of reason to pop up here. . .

Posted to Is Cheney Evil or Just a Weasel?

farmer - Perhaps one of the less discussed but more important issues of today is the lack of a rational energy policy in the US. Germany is actively developing photovoltaics, we should begin to do the same now. It would help to accomplish several goals, the three biggest being more US (and the West in general) energy independence, reduction of the revenues going to the middle east and lower carbon emissions. With only a very small downside (that is the federal/state money used to subsidize new energy sources). While i like your idea limiting campaign funds, i do not believe it …

Posted to Is Cheney Evil or Just a Weasel?

Do you object to paying for the education of K-12 children? Just curious. One might make the argument that educating the workforce to their natural capacity would be good for the economy.

Posted to Mainers Give Grads Debt Relief

Wow. I thought Sicko was an autobiography. . . :) “I don’t think Michael Moore set out to make a balanced movie" - Yeah, he usually is so very careful to be objective. . . hahahahahaha!!!! (Not that i think the US has perfect health care and that it cannot be improved. I merely think that a hack like Moore could make a similar movie about, say, the Canadian health care system (how many more women have to die of breast cancer before we do something!?!), given how he is so very willing to slant the stories he tells. But hey, …

Posted to Sicko's Critics and the Upside of Hitler

"continued arms sales to the Sudanese government, which is accused of genocide in the Darfur region" OK, accused? What part of the Sudanese genocide is in doubt?

Posted to China Plays Hardball with Soft Power

"I put Moore and Gore in the same class as Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh— opportunists who jump in front of a parade and know how to make big bucks by fanning the flames of fear." I agree, especially in regards to Moore (aka Sicko). I also find it just a bit amusing that partisans of both sides tend to be angered/dismayed by such (obvious) comparisons. Perhaps it is impossible for kettles and pots to see themselves, but they sure seem to be able to see each other. . . Since i am neither a left wing extremist or a right …

Posted to Sicko's Critics and the Upside of Hitler

wth - There used to be a saying "Feminists have no sense of humor". I think it applies to many (certainly not all) of the leftists who frequent this site. I typically do not respond to posters who make very little sense or to posters who quickly become overtly hostile. Why bother? It just riles them up and inspires them to post rants or attacks. Which really benefits no one (well, unless it serves as some sort of cathartic release for them). On the other hand, i have had some very nice "conversations" with people here, both those who think very …

Posted to Sicko's Critics and the Upside of Hitler

brian28 - Yeah, Moore has become a real money making machine. Making leftist propaganda films has been good to him. Give the people what they want and all that. . . In any case, i do agree that the US health care system can be improved. However, any fix to the system must NOT make working/middle class health care suffer. After all, we are the ones who actually support such things through our labors. And for many of us, the system is working fairly well. For an interesting review of this "documentary" see: http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1563758/story.jhtml (Excerpted from the above review: A 52-year-old …

Posted to Sicko's Critics and the Upside of Hitler

brian28 writes: "ann coulter, orielly, hannity, write books for the right wing propaganda neo-cons and make millions of dollars doing it, I don’t see wolf nit-picking the shit out of their books". A pity, i love to poke fun at them as well! I put them in the same category as Moore, successful entertainers that distort the issues to their - very profitable - advantages. I guess i don't remember any ITT articles that started out that if you are against ann coulter, orielly, or hannity you must be pro-cannibalism or pro-Hitler!

Posted to Sicko's Critics and the Upside of Hitler

wth - it appears that any criticism of Moore (peace be upon him) on this website is tantamount to walking into a mosque and declaring that Mohammad was not really right about lots of stuff. . . But at least (as far as i know, anyway) no fatwa has been issued for our deaths. :)

Posted to Sicko's Critics and the Upside of Hitler

wth - just out of curiosity, why do you even bother responding to LB? While he makes claims of being so very enlightened, at the same time he reacts in much the way a spoiled child might (his last few posts being excellent examples). I am sure that LB is a fine person, but his, um,*style* of communication makes it so very difficult to discuss anything meaningful with him (unless you happen to be in complete agreement, in which case he undoubtedly would imagine you to be very intelligent and perceptive).

Posted to Sicko's Critics and the Upside of Hitler

One word - photovoltaics. Let's end our reliance and exploitation of the crazies in the middle east. Let them live in the middle ages if they want, we need to extricate ourselves from them. It does not help that our "friends' (Saudi's) are among the worst of the bunch (it must really suck to be born female in that sad part of the world!).

Posted to Iraqi Unions Fight the New Oil Law

*In the school diversity cases from Louisville and Seattle, Roberts, Alito, Scalia, and Thomas again seemed to taunt the nation’s legacy of overcoming hate and division through effective state action. They all but insisted that public servants confronting segregation become complicit by ignoring racism altogether or pretending it doesn’t exist." This is actually a very good thing. This ruling will help end racial discrimination once and for all. The basis of helping others should not be centered on race, but rather on economic status. To provide extra help for rich blacks (or their children) is absurd. But to provide help to …

Posted to God--And Progressives--Save This Honorable Court!

Matt W on opines: "This argument assumes that racism no longer exists and does not operate in society on any level.". The argument he wishes to refute is that we should end racism by becoming less race conscious, really by becoming colorblind to race. Thus he seems to believe that only by racist policies can we fix the racism problem. Odd logic that has been tested for several decades yielding not only a lack of success, but dismal failure instead. I argue that race should be irrelevant to policy makers. Our efforts are much better focussed on providing help to people …

Posted to God--And Progressives--Save This Honorable Court!

“Until I saw your film, I didn’t know that black women could be raped.” If this is a real quote, then the person who uttered it is retarded. Or does not live anywhere on this planet. . .

Posted to Stories of Survival

Gender transforming surgery is, to me, fascinating. It certainly brings up a number of issues: If married, does the marriage become void (well, except in Mass)? Teaching your spouse to like your new genitals must be an interesting endeavor, to say the least. Does one lose the ability to orgasm as a result of such surgeries? Does it matter if it is male to female or vice versa? I suppose in cases like this (male to female) Bobby *really* might have two mommies. While i could not care less what gender a reporter (sports or otherwise) might be, i cannot imagine …

Posted to He Shoots, She Scores

Many if not all of the arguments presented in this article for Iran's "power" are based on its oil. If we really believe in global warming due to burning fossil fuels, their power should wane over the next decade or two. Of course, if the crazies (Ahmadinejad is a great example!) in Iran get nuclear weapons, we would be foolish to believe they would not use them (they are so crazy they even state this very clearly). So i would say that oil may be a source of influence for Iran, but only for a limited time (less than 20-30 years). …

Posted to Iran and America's Tug of War

kafs0 - The president of Iran makes it clear he would use nuclear weapons, if only he had them. While i am sure you are a nice enough fellow, i think i will listen to what the crazies say and be wary of them. If i were Iran (or the US or any other country), i would spend my resources on helping the population. While the west has done a fair job of this, the middle east remains pathetic. The problem there is not so much outside enemies, but rather a populace that is still living with a middle age mentality, …

Posted to Iran and America's Tug of War

kafs0 I don't think anything we do can possibly "fix" the middle east. Their problems are very severe and mostly unrelated to the US or West (the virtual enslavement of women is a good example). However, if we stopped giving them weapons (via the transfer of large sums of money for oil), i think it would calm the region down a bit. Germany has been investing in photovoltaics in a very serious way; the West in general should follow this example. Otherwise the pursuit of energy very well might become ever more violent. Our best strategy is to end any dependence …

Posted to Iran and America's Tug of War

"George Monbiot has a challenge for those concerned about global warming: Stop flying." How funny! One has to hearken back to those horrible days of September 12-14 2001 to know the real irony of this "challenge". We gained fascinating data due to all US flights being grounded on those sad days. And we learned something of great interest. Condensation trails in the upper atmosphere actually cause an effect called "global dimming'. They reflect a very significant amount of sunlight, causing temperatures to cool on a worldwide basis. Furthermore one has to wonder what the sun's role is on global warming. For …

Posted to Two Degrees From Devastation

LB - you clearly freely judge wth and find him lacking. Perhaps you should try understanding his pov (even if you disagree with it)? Of course, given that you are so very powerful and the rest of the populace (e.g., wth, me) which holds only normative/informed opinions are so very impotent, perhaps you should be more gentle? And you are so very polite, in sharp contast to other posters snarkiness. What a blessing you are to read! I bet you are just as kind in person, a truly noble citizen who sees all, knows all - not fooled by the media …

Posted to Two Degrees From Devastation

LB - you are welcome. I am happy to hear you have some knowledge of the cosmic ray effects on cloud formation. I suppose we disagree on the net effects, but that's ok. I also do forgive you, although not in regards to your bluntness (no harm, no foul there). Best of luck to you. WTH - One amusing aspect of the man made CO2 global warming crowd that is not overly discussed is that, even if we cut emissions by half tomorrow, the damage is already done. If you can get through the horrible movie Gore made (horrible because about …

Posted to Two Degrees From Devastation

"While the Center is on the city’s north side, where most “out” GLBTs live, its mission is to serve a wider constituency. " They why have a "special" GLBT center? A center that serves *everyone* would be, well, in everyone's interest. "Unlike its peers around the nation, the non-profit community center will offer a dizzying array of programs and amenities: youth and mental health counseling, violence intervention, an HIV/AIDS hotline, culinary training, mentoring, legal assistance, a cyber center, a 175-seat theater and a basketball court." Yeah, straights definitely don't need these services and entertainment. . . At least it is only …

Posted to A GLBT Center of Their Own

Yeah the US is awful. In fact, it is the worst country in the entire world (well, except for all the others). MediaFriend - do you really believe what you write? If so, have you ever considered finding a more hospitable place to live? But perhaps no place is better, so one has to make due as best as one can? Reagen may have been intellectually challenged (!!!), but he turned out to be a prophet. "Tear down this wall, Mr Gorbachov!" Sounded nuts when he said it - until the wall came down! Then voodoo economics produced very good results. …

Posted to The Enduring Lies of Ronald Reagan

MediaFriend - i feel for you. I hope you manage to build a life you are happy with. Having traveled rather extensively, i will assert you are far better off here than the vast majority of other places (but if you read the papers, you already know this). While one can not (typically) change the world, one can always change oneself and how they perceive the world. Again, best of luck to you. tabonsell - your class was wrong. Communism is alive and well in far too many places still. But ending it in the former USSR was clearly largely due …

Posted to The Enduring Lies of Ronald Reagan

"almost a third of military women reported being the victim of rape or attempted rape during their tenure in the military." This is an argument for Plan B? Really? Maybe we should focus on rape prevention. . . (of course, the statistic above may very well be hugely exaggerated). "they [military women] are only allowed to have abortions if they are the victims of sexual assault and are willing to report the assault." This is an apparently ridiculous claim. Is this somehow officially codified? Even if it is, how could it possibly be enforced? (It would be much easier to believe …

Posted to Democrats Shy Away From Emergency Contraception

"For the Kamunens, blood is thicker than oil." Or love of sleeping late and finding/banging a gf is more important that work of any sort. Lousy poster boys for the antiwar movement and sad excuses for proud Finns.

Posted to Thicker Than Oil

wth - Finland is also the only country that repaid its WWII debt fully. A proud and wonderful people and land (ok, i am biased, but proudly).

Posted to Thicker Than Oil

If we really think that DC should be treated as a state and given a representative (i do not), what is the justification for NOT also giving them a couple of senators? The taxation without representation claim rings quite hollow in the argument, given that DC is so very heavily subsidized by the US government (as a federal district should be, imho). At least the article pointed out that this is strictly a partisan issue, not one of any true significance. Which might make one think that maybe, just maybe, it would be better to address real issues if there are …

Posted to D.C. Fights For A Vote

The problem with abortion is that by its very nature, it terminates a life. While this may be a good trade in some eyes, since it frees the prospective mother to be, it is nonetheless a problem with the marketing of abortion. To equate abortion with a medical procedure like removing a tumor is too transparent for most people to really believe. The already big advantage the pro life groups have will only grow stronger as medical techniques get more sophisticated. As this happens, the humanness of the fetus will continue to grow and the time a fetus needs to become …

Posted to Not By Spin Alone

Jane writes" "Those who oppose access to legal, safe and free abortion are frauds of the highest order." Wow. Do you think there should be **any** limits to abortion at all? Or are you in favor of the absolute position that it is merely a woman'