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The GOP will ignore the deficite comming down....in the same way they have ignored the unemployment numbers falling.......they need to convince the American public that the "sky is falling"....to gin-up any interest in anything they have to say. I want to tell you that my respectable, hard working, Rebublican, friends....are refusing to engage in any discussions, and are citing...."I don't talk politics".....because they don't want to sound foolish, even as they proclaim to be a proud Republican....the poor darlings are suffering an identity crisis.....they no longer identify with the 'Republican platform', but are loathe to become a turncoat...disloyal....a Benidict Arnold....(a Democrat). and they cling to the Republican lable....waiting for the second comming of IKE,....
Article in the New Scientific American about the affects of oppression on the oppressed. Read it!
HUH! Lyncching used to be legal not it is not. We have lost respect for life?
Well looky what we have here...Mr Potato Head.
Listen GLOBAL, I'll make this quick. I support a persons right to human euthanasia (mercy), as well as a woman's right to govern her own body...In this case, the protected right to choose to have an abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Both are sound, saine, rational, responsable, and an act of compassion. True...difficult, not something to just do willie-nilllie on a rainy Sunday...No sir! To choose Not to have an abortion is a personal choice too.
You arguement that Roe v Wade destroyed marrage and blah blah blah...B-B-B-Bullshit!!! First of all the practice of "marrage" has nothing to do with ethics and morals. Secondly to place a "court ruleing" as the main reason for the "decline" of western civilization is completely ignorant, not to mention pretty arrogant on your part...What about sending our young men and women off to unnecessary wars, Bombing/killing millions of innocent children, women and men...Chalking it up to "collateral damage" all for the sake of greedy corporate profit. And lets not leave out how we treat our elderly, poor, and sick, by turning them away and marking them as a costly burdon...pariah; And if you want to talk about entitlement issues...We have fourty years of a entire generation that "grew up" on the American Dream being sold as an "thing" to buy on credit. You don't think our obedience to any of those actions and behaivours has an adverse impact on societies moral compass and ethical values...Especially our youths!?!? The Supreme Courts ruling on Roe v Wade is NOT the "cause" of Americas moral decline...For that answer all one must do is look in the mirror...There you will find; greed, pride, vanity, lust, wrath, sloth, envy, gluttony, and man's struggle to deny his own bigoted ways. C'mon guy!!!What direction does your moral compass point!?!?Oh now I remember...selfrighteous!!!
ciao
Global ~ I'm not cold, I'm practical. That stupid argument about when life begins was started by the Evangelical movement to disempower women. The truth about when life begins as stated in the Bible says that:
By their very own source of truth they are betrayed. Don't lecture me about the sanctity of life. That which does not breath is not alive. What about the dignity of life? What about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? What about freedom, equal opportunity, and personal responsibility?
No, I do not support the right to a free, publicly funded abortion or contraceptives in order to advance a selfish objective. What is selfish about planning to bring children into a world where they are cared for, loved, and nourished? Roe vs Wade had nothing to do with increases in out-of-wedlock births; in fact, it did everything to prevent them. Your logic is flawed and your faith is misplaced.
Having unprotected sex is the most irresponsible thing anyone who is not ready to become a parent can do. We, as a responsible society, must address this problem for our children because they are too ignorant to do it for themselves. Abortion is a horrible way to end an unwanted pregnancy; however, it is better than allowing the future of two lives to be destroyed.
Unwanted pregnancies are preventable burdens for a society that is already living far beyond it's means. It brings unnecessary suffering to all involved--first and foremost the unwanted children. Abortion should never be anything other than a last resort. The only way to insure that is through responsible education, pregnancy prevention , and planned parenthood taught in all of our high schools. Anything less is a recipe for disaster.
Wow DAnne you are one cold individual. So fliped and cold hearted about abortion. I think that is exactly the point that Kend was making about our society and the young girl with four babies with different fathers. Since Roe v Wade, we've given birth to a new materialistic culture of narcissism where reverence for life itself is gone. Having that baby was just too inconvenient. Life has become a commodity and people use each other as cavalierly as they destroy innocent young life.
As our reverence for life has diminished, so has our reverence for the institutions that surround and support it. Roe v Wade contributed to the collapse of marriage and the dramatic increase in out-of-wedlock births. The idea that children were part of a sacred institution called marriage started disappearing. The sense of honor, the sense of shame disappears in this culture of self.
Soon, as our resources diminish to care for our growing aging population, we will start dealing with our elderly as we do our unborn.
But if everything is meaningless, who cares?
Two issues, Kend, that I want to comment on.
First; "The best education the money can buy"???Money doesn't equate to the best of something. Your notion that it does defines a cultural mind set that knows the "price" of everything, but the "value" of nothing. A true education comes from experiencing life, and a certain amount of "unbias" History. Some of the most brilliant minds came from poverty; their connection with people, their communities, Life and their roots and not money, is where their education came from. To put it more simple; When a person "buys" an education, all they get is a piece of paper with some fancy writing; Hence the saying "Education is wasted on youth." However, when a person takes the time to watch, listen, observe, share, get their hands dirty, be a part of...they "earn" an education...one that is priceless.
Have you ever volunteered for something that helped those who are less fortunate and/or in dire straights?
I do understand your point about people taking "personal responsability" for their situation...I too get a little peeved when a person refuses to take responsability and help themselves...Rather they expect someone else to do it for them. But I don't let it jade my outlook on my fellow brothers and sisters...My commitiment to loving acts of kindness.
You see Kend...ALLLLL of us (you, me, and "those people" are all the same...Life is suffering...That is the First Noble Truth. It is because of this truth in life that all of us who breath in an out should be commited to the practice of kindness, forgiving, humility...always. To do so means one is compassionate of his fellow man who also suffers life.
Which leads me to commenting on you ideology that "[You] believe we all have a 'right' to be unequal"
"Unequal" is one thing...some people are more athletic, some people are taller, some people are better looking, some people are smarter, some people are financley privledge, some people are just plan ol lucky...But when you allow "unequal" to turn into Inequality and Injustice towards those less fortunate...and take the attitude that their "life" is less valuable; that their demise is their own doing and therefore their lives are disposable, then you are creating classism and enflicting pain on those who are already in social/economic dire straights.
Personally I don't care if you have more "things", or more "money"...My best friend of 18 years is a self made multi millionare...If you meet him you would never guess that this guy is worth 9 figures. I have known this guy since before he made his money and can truthfully say he is the same humble, and gracious person from 18 yrs ago...He still wears shorts and t shirts and flip flops practically everyday, plays drums in a thrash metal band, takes his familey camping several times a year, Still loves helping friends, family and his community...And he always has time to hang out and crack open a cold beer or two or three. When I was doing my time in prison...Every month he would send me underground punk and metal zines, and a letter with some funny pictures of people I knew that would ask about me. He did this not just because we were friends, but because growing up he had family and some friends that went off to prison...He understood...He was compassionate...He cared.
Though we are unequal in that he has more money and more "things"...
As an employer...Let me put it to you like this; I want to work for his company! He has 12 employees; 9 full time and 3 part time. His part time employees make $12/hr plus 2% on quarterly bonuses. All full time positions start at $18/hour plus; highest wage is 22/hr before going to salary, 5% quarterly bonuses, full medical, and 2 weeks paid vacation, and earned sick/personal days.
Kend ~ cont~ If you think I take this 'welfare mom' topic seriously, you are right! I don't know about the future of your granddaughters, but I do know that the future of my niece has been destroyed by the 'right to life' agenda. It happened to her in her Senior year in High School after earning a Scholarship. She was planning to become a Doctor. Then she got pregnant and insisted on having the baby. Her career ended before it got started. I certainly pray you won't experience that disappointment with your granddaughters. It's heartbreaking.
Absolutely Kend. That should be your right. However, first you overlook the fact that a single mother with four kids already has a 24 hour job; and, does work very hard. Obviously, someone raised your children for you--perhaps your wife, or a nanny? Shame! You may not realize just how hard it can be. Personally, I wouldn't trade my job for that single mothers life for any amount of money.
Secondly, if you truly believe we have a right to be unequal than you should also believe that we have a right to equal opportunity--otherwise being better than someone else isn't really that much of a challenge now is it? I have seen where people who call themselves "Conservatives" tend to embrace a certain opportunity destroying philosophy. They call themselves "Right to Lifers;" but, what they really should call themselves is "Your Parents Worse Nightmare." They have seen fit to strip our educational system of any ability to teach students responsible sex habits and planned parenthood. They have banned the teaching of birth control techniques, or distribution of contraceptives. They continuously persecute any responsible organization like Planned Parenthood for administering contraceptives and abortions. They have successfully denied young girls access to any resources they could use to avoid falling into the single mother welfare trap.
Now who do you blame? A young girl who doesn't even understand how her own body works yet; or these wealthy, well educated, "Conservatives" who know exactly what the consequences of their actions will be. Then, like the true hypocrites that they are they turn around and blame the victims.
How is this young girl going to find a job like yours, Kend? Who is going to hire her? Who is going to train her? Who is going to take care of her kids when she goes to work? She can't feed her kids with even two minimum wage jobs; and, if she tries to work the Government cuts her benefits. She is stuck in a hole with no place to go thanks to the blessings of the "Conservative Agenda."
Glad to hear that Kend! I've never been so happy to be wrong before!
You're right about that Kend, we do encourage this behavior and it scares me too. My suggestion: Have a talk with your "Conservative" friends and tell them we need to all support teaching our children in school about responsible sexual behavior, contraceptive techniques, and planned parenthood. Make contraceptives easier for young men and women to get than Pepsi and cheese burgers. Demand that our Government sponsors these programs and provides free access to contraceptives and abortions to all low income students. This is a scary problem and it's only going to get worse until it is nipped in the bud. As one very wise high school teacher of mine once said when asked how he felt about abortion, "You can pay now, or you can pay later!" This problem is our responsibility. Let us handle it wisely.
Gun Control Advocates ~ Check out what just happened today in Damascus, VA. Elderly handicapped man in car sends 60 people to the hospital when he runs into a crowd in a parade.
http://news.yahoo.com/60-injured-car-drives-va-parade-212302227.html
No guns involved. Most likely it was a terrible. terrible accident. Very fortunate! Imagine the carnage if it was a severely mentally disturbed individual who intended to kill as many people as he could. You see, a gun isn't the only way to kill a lot of innocent people.
Stop the person, not the device they use. Do we ban cars now?
(Sorry for getting off topic)
DAnne I don't want anyone to starve in the street I would prefer that every one one would be responsible enough to only have children if they could care for them. I understand that isn't going to happen, so we all chip in and take care of them. I have no problem at all with that. i don't like it and I think we are starting to encourage it. That scares me.
no body has to worry about my granddaughters and soon to be grandson they are going to get the best education money can buy because their grandparents worked their asses off so they would have the money to pay for it.
I believe we have the right to be unequal, if you work hard you should have more than those who don't. . Don't you?
Thanks for clarifying that Kend. It's nice to know you only discriminate by class and not by race. Regardless, it changes nothing. The color of these people skin is really quite irrelevant.
You still implied that you would prefer 4 innocent children and their mother to starve in the street so that your granddaughters could afford the best education money can buy.
Please correct me if I'm wrong--and I certainly hope I am. That is what you said, right?
I am concerned about the remarkable similarities between Private military security contractors and the historical evolution of the pirate (originally called "Privateers"). My understanding is that Privateers were hired by the british government to protect the shipping lanes and given impunity. Using the imorality spawned by greed, they then became powerful enough to act on there own motivations and agendas without oversight or accountability to any government.
Blackwater (Xi) is now larger than the militaries of most countries and is not based in the United States, nor is it bound exclusively to support the ideals and interests of the U.S., but free to contract to the highest bidder.
MMmmNACHOS ~ Thanks for the compliment; but, truth be known I have flown off the handle on this blog before. Sometimes I lose it, sometimes I don't. I'm only human. Kend is a special case--a cat toy, if you will. He's used to taking punches. He requires a more subtle approach--not that it's going to do any good. However, if it makes him think, it's good enough.
namaste
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I’m referring to racism that is shown against President of the United States of America, Pres. Obama. Yes, it is true that you consider the less fortunate can also be considered as racism. Thom was referring to the fact that anything that Pres. Obama that he brings up is shot down, even if that same subject was first brought up by the Republicans. Sen. Mitch McConnell main goal was to make this president a one term president, by sacrificing the common American and his or her family. I’m referring to the racism that is in Congress, and don’t you believe that it’s not there, because it is.
HUH!?!?
Are you on the sauce again KEND???
An excerpt from an interview with Howard Zinn about how society has become obedient towards corporate greed and government corruption; you will appreciate this SHFABIAN, and DANNEMARC.
"You are saying our problem is civil disobedience, but that is not our problem...Our problem is 'civil obedience'.
Our problem is the number of people all over the world who have "obeyed" the dictates of the leaders of their government and have gone to war, and millions have been killed because of this "obedience".
Our problem is that the people are "obedient" all over the world, in the face of poverty and starvation and stupidity and war and cruelty.
Our problem is that people are "obedient" while the jails are full of petty theives, and all the while the "grand" theives are running the country.
That's what our problem is."
I find it interesting how this countries settlers and forefathers stood up to oppression and tyranny...For them Independence and Liberty was their main motivation.
Todays Americans (1900 to present) are all about profit and security, "by an any means necessary" including loss of Liberty and Independence.
The pot is a bubble'in and the frogs are cooked.
Oh DANNEMARC, thank you, thank you, thank you...I sincerley admire your intellagence and passive aggression. Your patience towards social ignorance and commitment to acts of loving kindness towards yourself and others IS a true testiment of W.W.J.D...Something we should all strive to be better at. I can't recall a single post on here where you have flown off the handle with hostle aggression, be it Kend, Global, Ken Ware, or even me, for being selfish, ignorant, or just down right dumb.
Your right though, as you mentioned in a previous post; Kend is mostly a "cat toy" to bat around and have fun with. I really can't take him serious...I mean the guy can barely string two ledgable sentences together, and when he does it's just so fucking thoughtless...But hey who am I to judge ;) I can barely spell!
Anyway, I was getting ready to comment on Kends thoughtless and selfrighteous comments against those on wellfare, and his grand daughters lack of education...Then I read what you wrote, and though it lacks the "left hook" that I would have delivered, I stopped and thought...perfect!
Again thank you.
namasté
Yes, you must be speaking very generally. What does racial prejudice have to do with this issue? The greatest prejudice of this generaton of Americans is against the poor, regardless of race (the majority of our poor are white and female). Americans of all races determine human worth on the basis of economic status. This is so deeply ingrained in this generation that even liberals avoid mentioning the poor and the realties of deep US poverty today. By international standards, per the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights, people have a fundamental right to food, shelter and medical care, even if they're unemployed/unemployable. America dsagrees.
We have to assume responsiblity for this mess. We still have the politics chosen by America's middle class, and the mddle class workers of this generaton have done much to take us backwards. Compare how this generatuon "fights back" wth how prevous generatons fought back. Today, we gather the proper people (middle class or better off), purchase a protest permit, stay within the designated protest zone (making it easy to ignore them), politely obeying all the rules (no protest signs, no beverages, no loudspeakers, keep the noise down, be good girls and boys...), comply with the curfew -- and we call it, "Rising up, fighting back!"
I think the right wing knows that labor of this generation won't/can't fight back. They can do whatever they want because no one wll stop them. This isn't the first time we've been in this stuation, where the richest few had a dangerous degree of power over politics and policies. In the past, the poor and middle class, workers and the unemployed, united to push back, to the beneft of all. Today, workers look at the jobless with contempt, and the middle class threw the poor off the cliff. We were deeply divided, presumably conquered. We blew it.
Republicans in Congress hate America. They do not like American citizens. They vote against the best interests of the people at every opportunity. They are not even trying to hide their allegiance to the sugar daddy's who pay for their campaigns. This refusal to approve the appointees to the NLRB is an insult to every working American. They are staking their position as being with corporations and against the working people. They do not want workers to have a fair opportunity to have their case heard. They are unhappy with President Obama's appointees not because they are unqualiflied, but because they are qualified. The Republicans are a disgrace. They behave as though they are a domestic terrorist organization whose sole purpose is to damage the United States economy and security. I heard someone refer to the Republicans as a version of al-Quaeda in America.
Any judge that claims allegeince to either party should be removed and all prior desicions disgarded. Any judge that takes money for ANY purpose should be executed. The bar association should be investigated and if found to be patrionizing either political party, should be disbarred and all members participating should lose their lisence and be prohibited from practicing law.
The bar association is a cover for the corrupt judicial system. The United States has one of the most corrupt judicial systems in the world. The President is a great example. An expert in Constitutional Law that obviously has never read it. No wonder our educational system is percieved as being 3rd rate.
Ried/Pelosi blocked every Bush appointment for his last 3 years!