Daily Topics - Wednesday February 6th, 2013

I just want to say this. Why do we not ask these people who believe being gay is a choice, when did they "CHOOSE" to be strait? At what age, or do they even remember making the choice to be phsically attracted to members of the other sex?  I just TRULY believe if they are honest people, who are honest with themself..... They should understand that question.

To Thom!!

Just a thought about gays and the scouts, I've been listening today — I'm among the most liberal in the country about gay-ness... my brother is gay, cousin is lesbian, etc. and I believe that it is inherited and genetic.... anyway, and it popped into my head that — wouldn't you be concerned, Thom, if boys and girls of age 10-12, or ANY age— went on overnight camping trips together, and slept in the same bunk room etc, wouldn't there be a tendency for them to experiment sexually? 

Likewise, a gay boyscout, wouldn't he be more likely to try to interest another boy in sexually acting out?  Knowing kids, and remembering my own childhood, I think they would be more likely to.

That's why boys and girls don't have sleep-overs together. And no one complains about that as being primitive, backwards etc. Because kids DO tend to fool around together. Mainly boys and girls are heterosexual, and most "fooling around" is heterosexual, right?  But whatever the kids' sexual preference is, that's whom they are gonna want to fool around with. A gay boy scout could very well be more likely to initiate a "circle jerk" or a one-on-one sexual fooling around situation with another boy... and the other boy might just be interested in it, because, as you know, everyone has a bit of homosexuality in them. Or do you not agree with that?

anyway hope you read this Thom!!!

Hi Thom!

I'd call in by my phone ran out of battery.  This discussion about the postal service reminds me about the debate over Obamacare.  Conservatives kept bringing up the postal service vs. private mail delivery companies as an example of how government run services don't work as well as private businesses.  BUT HERE'S THE POINT!  FedEx and UPS aren't required to deliver mail if it's not cost effective for them, but the postal service has to deliver EVERYWHERE!  Just like private health care won't cover the sickest among us. Private companies only look better because they have an easier job to do. It's a lot easier to make a profit if you don't have to care about the 'least of these.'  But If we get to a point where we think a service should be available to everyone in society, no matter what their situation is, then the government can do a great job, be it providing health care or delivering mail.

All the best,

-Andrew

I am lucky enough to live in a town in northern Oklahoma where wifi is free to everyone within the city limits.  I haven't paid for broadband internet access for over 4 years.  Now i must admit that this wouldn't be the best way for someone who streams large amounts of data or plays online games avidly, but for basic internet access, shopping, or checking emails.  I am, however, able to stream Netflix using this city wifi network.  Originally it was designed for the Police Dept, Fire Dept, and city service workers, but there was enough bandwith available to offer the wifi service to the community.  Best of all...it's free.  There isn't any "line item" on my utility bill for "Wifi service".  I know that I pay for it in other ways, but it is possible for a town to offer wifi to its citizens. 

"What if you have problems?", I have been asked.  That is something different than it would be for a paid service.  If the network goes down...no internet access until it is fixed.  However, the city technolgy department is available to ask if there is a problem and many of the local computer shops sell equipment that boost the signal in cases of houses in fringe areas. And if you live in a fringe area, and want to host a "node" and (want to pay for the equipment yourself) the city will install equipment in your neighborhood.  I don't think anyone has done this, but the city would do it if you got together with your neighborhood assoc or something like that and split the costs.  All that said, the manager of the department doesn't guarantee access to the network.  Lucky enough I haven't had many problems--other than the times storms have knocked out the power-- and I live close to one of the transmitters which are located on the streetlights at intersections and along the streets. Kudos to Ponca City, OK for installing the network and making internet free to those of us who use it all the time!!  Not bad for a town with a population of about 25,000 people!  check it out http://www.poncacityok.gov/index.aspx?NID=417

Let's ask our Libertarian friends if they would like to discuss all the places that their philosophy has shown itself to be successful. (Outside a work of literary fiction.) Then we can ask about places like Chile, Iraq and the good ol' US where they failed big time when they got a chance to bring about their paradise. I'm sure their ideas would work if there weren't so many psychopaths at the top. However, I'm guessing the perfect market can't actually exist until perfect humans are available to (not) run it.

To those that do not think the loss of Saturday delivery will effect them, consider the due dates on your bills.  It is not uncommon to see credit care statements list as being sent out on a Wednesday.   It goes to printing on Thursday and receive by you on Saturday.  That leaves 16 (instead of 20) days to pay it without penalty and interest.  If you like to pay your bills on Sunday it will be back in the mailbox and their hands with 13 days to spare. 

If that same bill arrives on Monday, you have 14 days left on your grace period.  Six days go by before Sunday arrives.  Another 3 days before they receive it.  You will make your grace period with 5 days left.  Just do not go out of town or get sick for a week