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Harry is an embarassing man who should be kicked from the Democratic party for hisrepeated failures in fixing the fillibuster problem. Not just for presidential appointees, but for all legislation. Senate is a joke, different from the joke the House is, but still a joke. His actions has likely turned many supporters and activists to folks who will never even vote again. Just like with Travon Martin, the FIX is already in before the votes are even counted.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, NOW!!!
Well I suppose that depends on the bribe doesn't it. If the price is right Senator Reid will make it happen just like any other successful whore.
For the entire Article:
http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/12498-where-does-harry-reid%E2%80%99s-wealth-come-from
Very true! Sometimes I think the whole congress and Senate play the game of politics by looking like they are resisting for their constituents when they just want to pay the game to stay in office like they are lords and we are the peasants and as long as they look like they are doing things in our name and actually are just playing the push back game to share the pig that government is and republicans and democrats alike loot us taxpayers equally.
Talk shows don't help. All they do is stall action .
Harry was duped again and needs to go Nuclear on everything. 51 votes and get everything passed.He can Ditch Mitch while he's at it.
How do you tell the difference between a democRAT and a republiCON?
Reid and the "president" are simply following orders. Our government was hijacked on 11/22/1963 and we are all being played like fish. Thats why we have a "president" forcing the failed "republiCON" for profit health care policy on us and reid and his sissy theatrics.
Both "parties" are BAD for America and they all need a good coat of tar and feathers.
RAINYB...About 10 years ago I was living on the south end of San Pedro California, a lower to middle income blue collar community made up of Mexicans, Koreans, Slavics, and Whites. When I first arrived my friend cautioned me regarding "wondering" the neighborhood without someone local. I heeded his warning, but there were a few occassions where I had to go somewhere and no one was around to go with me. Now I am a man of large stature, I've been told I sometimes am intimmadating, but in an unframmilar surroundings where people don't recognize me and I don't "fit in" I do not rely on such nonsense, instead I walk with a purpose and not mull around aimlessly. One afternoon 3 mexican teens started following me and begain slurring insults, which I noticed started to draw negative attention...I could have easily whipped their asses, but I didn't know them, nor was I aclimated with others in the area...So instead I high tailed it and went back home. At first two of the three continued to follow me but as soon as I turned the corner they stopped "stalking me".
Now I understand not every situation is the same...But one thing that I did not do was try to fuel the fire. And I am happy to say that after a few months I was able to roam around quite freely.
Point being we are all responsable for our own well being...If Trayvon felt threatened to the point of confronting his aggressor instead of fleeing...It is what it is!!! Now Rainman don't blow a circuit I am not saying that Trayvon pulled the trigger but he certainly didn't help his situation, against some "creepy-ass-cracker" and for that I am sorry.
MMmmNACHOS ~ You took the words right out of my mouth! Hopefully today's topic will be about something more pressing than a stupid fight over nothing. Talk about sensationalizing the trivial. See ya on the flip side buddy.
TYTYTY -- some argue "with automation people work less - no need to pay them more" - better argument " with automation workers produce double, triple, quadruple PROFITS!!!" -- thank you for your consideration -- MM
Yeah that's it, lets allow some bullshit sensasionalized story pit people against one another. Lets get irrate and start slurring insults back and forth because someone doesn't agree with mass opinion, which in no way that jury of women represented. Maybe someone will get shot! Or a bomb will go off at some event with masses of people!!
To bad other more socially imporatnt issues don't get the masses riled up out and protesting against government corruption, i.e. Dismantleing the first and fourth ammendment, Spying on Americans, Drone Strikes, low unliveable wages, bank bailouts, Wall St. Fraud, etc.! Well at least D.O.M.A. was over turned!!!
Your absolutley right...Martin in NO WAY had a role in this incident. To bad you were not on the jury...Then maybe justice would be served! And the world would be just peachy! :) Hurray!!!
1. From what I've heard, McDonald's is not exactly a moonlighting-friendly business, as in, they tend to jerk one around on short notice, schedule-wise.
2. Thom pointed out that the health insurance figure in their example budget was less than half of the employee contribution on the McDonald's employee plan (which I'm guessing is only for full-time).
Perhaps a new McDonald's slogan should be "My other job is a job with bennies." "And I set my own hours."
Raineyb ~ I can't speak for MMmmNACHOS but in my opinion you are way out of line. There is plenty of evidence that Trayvon attacked Zimmerman. There is physical evidence, an audio tape of the beating, sworn testimony from witnesses, family members, and experts. You call Zimmerman a proven liar yet experts who interviewed him, cross examined him, studied his written and verbal statements could find no discrepancies that would cast doubt on anything he said happened. They found no evidence that this man lied in anyway; yet somehow you know more than experts, witnesses, family members, and the evidence that was submitted. You also know exactly what Trayvon was doing and how he acted. Don't tell my you actually knew Trayvon? If you did that would change everything. But you didn't did you? Yet you seem to know more about what happened than anyone in the jury does. You know that withholding evidence is a felony. If you really know something and failed to provide it to the prosecution you could go to jail. If you don't have anything substantial that can change the verdict than you my friend are just blowing air around. If you are not Nostradamus, than you are a proven liar yourself. Please, if you can't back up your statements don't make them. At this point emotional theories and hateful speculation are meaningless. Blind revenge and empty accusations are not going to bring Trayvon back. However, rational thinking and analysis of what really went wrong here may prevent it from happening again.
It is far better to think without speaking than to speak without thinking!
My friend, the prosecution didn't mention this theory because it doesn't make any sense. Trayvon didn't have a gun. If Zimmerman had his gun out, and Trayvon saw it, his three options in the order of rationality and logic would be to surrender and put his hands up, run like hell and hope Zimmerman can't shoot, or attack Zimmerman trying to take the gun away. To attack a man pointing a gun at you without even trying to grab the gun has a name, it's called suicide.
The only reasonable explanation for Trayvon attacking Zimmermans head instead of the gun hand is that Trayvon didn't know the man had a gun and just wanted to attack him. A very bad choice even if he had very good reason. This tragedy was the result of mutual bad choices fueled by mutual racial tensions. I don't believe for a second that there was anything sinister or premeditated on the part of either of these individuals. They were both behaving equally irrational. They are both victims of their own worst fears and expectations.
One of the earlier posters said it best:
Well said ArizonaMike! Well said!
Harry Reid is always getting duped by the Republicans. Why after all that has happened would anyone believe anything the Republicans in the Senate say anymore? They lie.
Actually Trayvon was walking slowly in a neighborhood in which he DID belong. He died two doors from his father's home.
I remember the OJ Simpson trial and there sure was a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth that the jurors refused to accept evidence and testimony from a cop who was a known racist and blood evidence that was hinky. But then OJ Simpson had money and celebrity on his side so his ability to get off was higher.
The man in Long Island who had a boy on his doorstep trying to beat the crap out of his son with his friends didn't get off as easy as Zimmerman when he shot the boy who tried to attack him so let's not pretend that the injustices in the criminal justice system lands equally on both sides. They do not.
On edit:
I should point out that the concept of Trayvon Martin not "belonging" to the neighborhood and thus was open to whatever harassment Zimmerman thought to subject him to is offensive. It doesn't matter if Trayvon did or did not live in the neighborhood he had every right to walk in any neighborhood he was in and the idea that because someone didn't know him personally meant he was assumed to be up to no good is in and of itself a racsit notion.
I most certainly did NOT take what you said out of context. ANY blame on Trayvon for his own murder is malicious and disgusting. All Trayvon did was walk home from the store. Something that everyone has the right to do without being shot down by some asshat who thinks he's a cop. Trayvon wasn't under any obligation to do anything vis a vis Zimmerman and as there's no evidence that Trayvon touched Zimmerman I will NOT be taking the word of a proven liar as to what happened. Nothing Zimmerman says is backed up by evidence and I will NOT talk about Trayvon having attacked anyone when there's no evidence he had done so. To do so is to slander a dead child which as I said before is despicable. Your desire to try to make Trayvon out to be whatever the hell caricature that Zimmerman is trying to make of him says a hell of a lot about YOU. None of it good.
The Scene of the Crime
I have been distressed by the verdict in the George Zimmerman murder trial to the point of joining in with this comment:
I have never heard the theory: When George Zimmerman got out of his car, he already had the gun out of the holster or he took it out (when he said he was looking for his phone) when he first confronted Trayvon Martin. It doesn’t seem logical that this man who claimed that he was following who he felt was a criminal or “thug”, would pursue Mr. Martin without his gun being out of its holster and ready to shoot. I believe that he (Zimmerman) didn’t fight back because he didn’t want to drop the gun and he wanted to be ready to shoot it. I was shocked that a prosecution that was focused on winning a case would not even mention this as a theory. It makes perfect sense because Trayvon Martin’s DNA was not on the gun, only Zimmerman’s DNA was on the gun. When Trayvon Martin saw the gun, he fought instead of running because he was afraid of being shot in the back. Remember he didn’t know who this man was and why he was following him. He was screaming for help because he saw the gun and wanted help to stop this stranger from shooting. No one came to his rescue. It was after the shot that people came out of their houses. Zimmerman’s own words to the 911 and non-emergency operator clearly reflect what was in his mind at the time that he began this pursuit and ultimate murder. I have listened to the juror who is now giving interviews and a couple of things struck me as being about their state of mind while deliberating. She stated that they considered the stand your ground law and self defense law while deliberating even though stand your ground was never introduced in the trial. Also she said that the initial pursuit and stalking of an unarmed child was not included in their consideration and they looked at the outcome from the point of when Trayvon hit Zimmerman and started the fight in their opinion. Nothing was fair and impartial about the trial or the jury’s deliberation. I listen very carefully to what is said. Not only the big pieces but the little nuggets that people inadvertently give away in their conversations. Why isn’t anyone else picking up on the obvious. This was, in my opinion, a winnable case for the prosecution.
As far as race is concerned, it is a factor, but not the problem. Let me explain with an example. A while ago a neighbor of mine was robbed outside her home and had her purse snatched at gunpoint by two young black men. The police took her statement and I remember them giving the description over the radio to dispatch. I cringed. "Two young African American men wearing jeans and black hooded sweatshirts." I cringed because I realized that there are probably at least 30 such individuals walking around this area at any given moment that fit that description.
There is no greater feeling of violation or injustice than for an innocent young man to be accosted by the police and treated like a criminal for no reason. Yet, now, because of the lone actions of a couple of losers, 20-30 innocent young men were going to be accosted and treated like criminals for nothing. A true tragedy. Is this because of white people hating black people? No! That is an oversimplified lie perpetuated by the media. The real problem is the socio-economic system that motivated those two young men to commit a serious crime.
There are many practical and non-violent solutions to this problem. First, attack the educational and economic factors in the society that motivate crime. Such initiatives can take place on the Federal, State, and local level. Secondly, teach our children how to dress and how to respond in an emergency or when confronted by police. Kids are going to be confronted by police at one point or another in their lives no matter what color their skin is. If a young man dresses like a thug, they might find themselves be treated like a thug. If they dress like a student, they might be treated like a student. If they act innocent and cooperate when being confronted by a Policeman they might not get shot for resisting arrest. Of course there are also situations where there is nothing someone can do to protect themselves. In this case, traveling with a friend or two is a good idea. If Trayvon wasn't alone he might still be here.
Not to try to over simplify a very complex problem I only wish to point out that racism--though it does play a role in this problem--is not the cause or the solution of the problem. The hatred fostered by racism blinds us to the true causes of cases of mistaken identity and tends to feed upon itself creating newer and greater problems. The Zimmerman case is a fine example of the net results of such a feedback loop of hatred. In the end racist hatred and violence solves nothing and only ends in tragedy.
The only thing we have to hate is hatred itself.
2950-10K ~ Interesting argument; yet, all speculation. A jury is bound by the evidence presented. Although many nefarious scenarios can be woven into this story for lack of evidence they cannot be considered by a jury. I am not trying to defend either Zimmerman or Martin. All I am saying is we have to stick with our criminal justice system and due process in order to maintain the peace. It's not a perfect system; but, it is the best one possible to insure justice for all.
Look at the OJ Simpson trial. Like many people I too thought that he was guilty. Too much circumstantial evidence such as motive and fleeing the scene of the crime. Yet, after hearing the evidence I changed my mind. The verdict there didn't surprise me. Lack of substantial evidence again.
Murder is a serious crime with serious consequences. To convict anyone for that crime you need a preponderance of evidence to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The prosecutor at the Zimmerman trial failed to do so, plain and simple. These laws aren't on the books to protect guilty people, they are there to protect innocent people. Imagine compounding this tragedy by putting an innocent man behind bars for life, or executing him. Two wrongs don't make a right and if you are going to go that far you have to be certain of guilt.
The court has spoken. It is the highest source of justice in the land. Justice is blind. That is why our symbol of justice is blindfolded and holding a scale. We cannot second guess our criminal justice process no matter how badly it may look to us. Faith in the justice system is paramount in maintaining order in any society. It is our duty to respect that system even if it is wrong. It is far better for everyone, if, in any criminal case with substantial penalties, that the jury errs on the side of innocence then the side of guilt.
Kend ~ FYI John Kerry received 88% of the Black vote in 2004
http://www.ropercenter.uconn.edu/elections/how_groups_voted/voted_04.html
Al Gore received 90% of the Black vote in 2000.
http://www.ropercenter.uconn.edu/elections/how_groups_voted/voted_00.html
Remember that Bush destroyed the economy and left the country devistated in 2008. A black man was the only candidate running against Bush's party candidate. If you are trying to insinuate that 6%-8% increase in the black vote was bacause of racism and not because of the disasterous aftermath of the Bush years, and the division in political parties--you might be right. Big deal! I voted for Obama too, so did everyone I know.
Let he who never voted for a white man cast the first stone!
You obviously have taken what I said out of context...Typical of the angry mob looking for vengence and not justice.
Treyvon is dead because of two reasons; One Zimmermann over stepped his bounds in order to play cop, and second becasue Treyvon didn't kicked rocks and blaze a trail. Instead he turned and engaged Zimmermann his aggressor.
Sorry if you can't accept that.
cheers!
I hear ya GATOR GIRL. I too live in Florida, S.W.Fl. to be exact. Where Romney was elected for President! Aside from a few short stints in California, Indiana, and North Dakota, I have lived in Florida 36 out of 41 years. Like you I want out for good but my elderly parents and 90 yr old grandmother - as well as my financial situation - have me here indefinetly. My wife and I very much want to move to Australia, or Sweden. Both places we have family and friends and have had long visits to. Jobs, Healthcare, Education far superiour to that of the U.S. But I digress.
Yes I too have been witness to the social and political corruption here in Fl., a State that once produced billions of dollars annually in agriculture and where people came to thaw out during the harsh winters of the North...But try to buy and opperate large amounts land now for farming or green industries. Unless you are a developer with plans to clear cut and buld another 1k homes, and know the right politicians, you can't afford it. And if you have the money but only plan to use it for agriculture, you will be bombarded with so much red tape it won't be worth it.
And when it comes to equality, you are spot on...The poor and minorities are caste aside. Only the affluant whites have a voice that our elected officials listen to. And when the oppressed speak up they are typecaste in the media as being irrational, hostle, and selfish.
But don't you think that is Anywhere U.C.A. (United Corporations of America)???
It appalls me, but it doesn't really surprise me. Not given what Sanford, Florida is - a town steeped in institutional racism - and given who Zimmerman's family is and their attitudes.