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There should be an Amentment to the U.S. Constitution such that Congress shall pass no Appropriatiation Act unless it contains a provision to pay for the said Appropriayons by increasing the receipts to the Treasury. Additionally: When the Appropriation Bill expires or is repealed the represented tax shall expire. Additionally: Repeal Amendment 27 anr restore yhe original wprding of the Constitution with the following: Wher the Coinstitution states that "members of Congress shall be paid by the U.S Reasury." the period at the end of the sentence should be replaced by a comma and further: "but nenbers of Congress shall not be paid out of indebetedness, in cases of an emergency when salaries are noit paid by the U.S Treasury, the members of Copmgress shall be provided with lodging and food at trhe same rate as the lowest paid memnber of the Armed Forces."
Cases of solicitation and receiving of bribery or other benefits, current or future, should be handled as capital crimes og the first ordrt.
The Lone liberal Rumble
The guy in the background, David on the monitor, says where is the leadership, he needs to be re-evolved, or revived. With a laugh and giggle.
Thom a person like that needs your infamous saying; tag, your it! He must be a Republican at heart because they all run around saying where is the leadership with the President? It is so funny. Whereas we the people are the leadership to be of sound mind and realize that it is self-evident we all should have a right to free speech and submit our American dream, assemble without getting beaten, and be received by our representatives instead of being cornered bludgeoned with pepper spray.
Please a bubble is the Gaussian calculus taken to the limit. The average America that does not know how or what techniques the skilled banksters swindle through the sweet spot to profits. The no sweat Romney system was designed for the rich, domestic and international back in 1913 at Jekyll island a hundred years ago. It’s high time we change this, especially with the stock market stuff, and the federal reserve concept, free money at that one percent end for over a century is simply lining up in a real cockeyed way. Making all of main street a wall street is likely to happen in the future. Especially with no closing bells and much regulated with buying selling for anyone who wants to. No more back seats on the stock exchange America needs a “Rosa Parks” to help reform the system. Hint that Elizabeth girl.
My suggestion is reform through the Post Office connected by fiber optic all Americans must be connected just like a physical mail box now an electronic mail box for everyone as directed by the Constitution. Big deal, you bet, big jobs, you bet, high technology, you bet, and not just for stock market stuff. America could have education through graduate or doctorate studies online save gas. Medical home treatment done via fiber applications diagnostics in your sleep. Citizens connected for better government participation, and a citizen’s national security network for safety. Someday Americans will understand and believe communications can more important than owning a gun.
Alan Blinder, former Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ,Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research , Professor of Economics and Public Affairs in the Economics Department at Princeton Univ. author of After the Music Stopped, published by Penguin in January 2013 .
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/310622-1
Sure we can! But if - and ONLY if - we get those black-robed Supreme Court douchebags and the puppets in Congress out of the way. That's a mighty big "if", but that's what it would take.
I can dream, can't I? - Alice I.W.
The thought of another round of Clinton - or Bush - is enough to make me lose my lunch.
Well said. I would add that a lot of what we call overregulation is actually lobbying by big money to complicate the matter more and make it more difficult for thecompetition. I also know a lot of smart well meaning people who believe that the problem is regulation, not crooks and hortsightedness
To answer Thom's question - NO. Not here, not anywhere. Murder at the click of a mouse is cowardly, it is obscene, and this is what fascism looks like in the 21st Century!
"dianhow" says: "WE would all scream bloody murder if we have another 9-11. If drones prevent that horror... so be it."
Really! So then, why do you suppose 9-11 happened in the first place?! Had we not been in the habit of attacking foreign soverign nations without provocation and murdering their citizens, do you think there would have been a 9-11? But of course, that horror gave Baby Bush the perfect excuse to lie his way into another war at our (and Iran's) expense. (Never mind that most of the 9-11 perpetrators were Saudi, not Iraqi.) So this deadly cycle of tit-for-tat drags on ad nauseam. It's already been more than a decade since 9-11... Feeling safe yet, "dianhow"?
How would YOU like to be that "collateral damage", caught in the crossfire of this War for Almighty Oil? But of course, it isn't you or your nearest & dearest being massacred, so... let's just keep doing it! Long as YOU feel safe, it's worth it; right?
Beam me up... - Aliceinwonderland
Score another one for the piggies and cockroaches!
It's utterly simple (though I hate to over-simplify); the best systems require freedom for entrepreneurs and individuals to innovate, while working within a sufficiently regulated environment, ensuring overall predictability and responsibility to the overall common good. Is that too tough to comprehend or manage?
Good managers understand the benefits of predictability and responsibility; while scoundrels and charlatains, prefer the chaos of less and less regulation.
By the time ' Obama took time to get approval from this blocking do nothing Congress American Lives would be lost Commander in Chief gives him tha power to decide Bagger led GOP / Dems can not agree on anything
Drones on US soil NO IN enemy territory ? Yes Obama is Commander in Chief ! Its his duty to keep US safe . If he truly believes drones are helping us do so.. then do it. as carefully as possible. There IS collateral damage in any war / conflict. Al Quada has sworn to kill our women / children anywhere . WE would all scream bloody murder if we have another 9 / 11 If drones prevent that horror..so be it. .
A very interesting detailed well thought out and developed proposal. However, such a fundamental change of this magnitude, needs robust rational discussion, pro's and con's, intended and unintended side-effects, long- and short-term implications. Who's gonna be for it, and who's gonna loose power, control and profits? What other countries do it this way, and how does it work -- in the current grand (financial) scheme of things?
No problem at all. Along with freedom comes responsibility - it's an age-old conservative tenet. It's a perfect opporutnity to amend with only one part - that the Fed and the Treasury are FORBIDDEN from bailing them out when their uber-deregulation brings home the bacon, as it soon will.
But that would still screw the real economy unless we separate the real economy from the bankster economy - easily enough done with Kucinich's H.R. 2990. Public money administration.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr2990/text
We're home free.
I agree with what Thom has been saying. The executive branch is the executioneer.
Congress being a representative of the people (I wish) should be the jury.
The judical branch should be the judge.
And the executive branch should be the law that finds the bad people.
If the executive branch finds someone that is going to do something against the defined laws of the land, then they should get representatives from the other two branchs and make their case, and if they make their case then they can put on their executioneer hat and do what is necessary.
Of course that being said, if President Obama brought proof to this congress and court that a thousand armed men were going to lay siege to the White House, they would probably say the people have the right, and it the presidents fault for stopping the White House tours.
Seems to me that they got the wrong buildings during 911...many of the billionaires live at 740 Park Avenue...including king koch-roach...David Kochroach. And also Stephen "cockroach" Swartzman (middle initial A. might stand for @$$hole). But then if you check out that building on google earth (street view) it makes one wonder what is so special about it. Just another New York 'roach motel'. Not much different than any other slummy building in New York. But I guess if you have a whole floor..or several floors to yourself at the penthouse level and have gold plated faucets in your bathroom it could be just a matter of deception when viewed from the outside. And I'm sure these billionaires have many other places they call 'home' as well...French villas on the Riviera..or like Swartzman's ocean side mansion at 1768 S. Ocean Boulevard, Palm Beach, Florida...check it out on Google Earth (street view).
The problem is that if someone were to do a massive "Raid" on these top billionaires, there would be many more cockroaches moving up the ladder as they inherit all that wealth from their dead predecessors. None of it will drip down to the rest of us.
http://www.businessinsider.com/740-park-avenue-new-york-residents-histor...
Thom, I'm very, very disappointed in how poorly you handled Douglas Feith. You allowed this man to reshape history. You have allowed this man to push out the lies and misinformation about GW's war. Shame on you. It would appear you did not do your homework in preparing to debate the Iraq War or you chose not to challange him. As you can see by my handle ThomHFan, I am a fan but am very disappointed in how this interview was handled. Please challenge the lies and misinformation by anyone trying to retell the lead up to the war - I lived through it and know how the weapon inspectors said nothing was found. I remember Saddam delivering black notebooks to the UN detailing what happened to his WMD's. And how the Bush administration dismissed these. I remember how Powell toted the line at the UN. I remember how the Bush cronies lied to get us into this war - yet not one Bushite is in jail. Again, DO NOT ALLOW MISINFORMATION TO BE BROADCAST ABOUT THE IRAQ WAR.
MMmmNACHOS Wrote: "Woe woe woe...Slow down DANNEMARC!!! Ken Ware DID NOT risk his life fighting to preserve the first ammendment, or our Independence."
No, No, No, Woe woe woe...you slow down MMmmNACHOS. Take a deep breath and go back and reread what I wrote. I'm not appealing to my belief of what Ken did in the war, nor your belief of what Ken did in the war, but rather Ken's belief of what Ken did in the war to support my position. It simple logic. In order for him to disagree with Mathboy, he has to overcome a personal conflict of his own interests. Why do you think he hasn't responded to my question in such a long time? Its Critical Thinking Aikido 101. Checkmate!
Besides, the truth isn't the same to everyone. Whatever an individual believes is the truth to them.
Palindromedary ~ Just finished looking at the last links. That story about Parastoo (a singing bird, like a stool pigeon I take it) was a bit disturbing. I don't trust Israel that much and if there's cause for concern about there nefarious nuclear activity that is a problem. I think Ken Ware would call Parastoo, 'a group of Nerds of highest order.' I wonder if their base is built in their mother's garage and if they've ever kissed a girl. I can't imagine the commitment it took for them to get as far as they did. Kudos Parastoo. Now, blow your whistle!
The rat brain research article was fun too. I personally have difficulty controlling myself with my own brain. I couldn't imagine using it to control a robot, mouse, insect, or even a small light bulb. Personally the entire research looks bogus to me. We will never fully understand the way the brain works. Besides, both those poor rat subjects were being reworded in the same way for doing the same thing. Those stupid wires attatched to their heads had nothing to do with it. That's animal abuse, not science. Probably funded by those same Pentagon Idiots that put the encryption-less drones in combat. Give me a break! If you want to impress me take a reading of the rat's brain when it confronts my cat, Xena, The Warrior Princess of cats. Now that would be some serious brain activity. Recreate those "thought patterns" in an enemy and you'll win any war! LOL
I have to disagree with you about the hypothetical use of drones to kill in the US. I think the AG is absolutely right that if someone is presenting an imminent threat AND can't be apprehended the use of a drone to kill cannot be ruled out. If a criminal kills some people, is threatening to kill others, refuses to be taken into custody and they are fugitives from justice, it is not uncommon for them to be killed in a shoot out with police when they are found. Right? Consider all such similar events that have happened in this country. Do you think the police should just walk away? What about the recent case of the ex cop? The point is that there may be some criminals who represent an imminent threat and can't be apprehended. The other point is that in this country it is hard to imagine that apprehension could not be at least tried. That's what makes use of drones here in US hypothetical.
In other countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Yemen capture was not feasible. That's why the use of drones there is not hypothetical. It is a law enforcement tool. I agree that there must be strict criteria applied, but you are arguing that we should not use them with any criteria at all, no matter how strict. If those countries truly didn't like the US use of drones, they are free to assist in the capture of terrorists-yet they don't, they harbor them. If terrorists don't want drones to kill them or their nearby friends and family, they are free to quit terrorist activities, turn themselves in-yet they don't, they purposely hide among the innocent.
You are using examples in the US that don't meet the AG criteria. You're talking about people who don't represent an imminent threat and could be apprehended. Everyone agrees drones should not be used in those cases.
And your use of the oath of office to imply that elected and appointed officials have no obligation to protect the persons in the US from imminent harm just can't be right,Thom. The police and the military are not for the purpose of protecting a document, but it's implementation, it's realization. Security is an important part of that.
Well put MEGALOMANIAC...Well put.
The name's Rat....James Rat...with a 'lice'-sense to kill. I am smarter than the usual rat because I've been trained in a secret U.S. government program where I can communicate with my human masters through ESP (Extra Sensory Perception). I can sneak into anyone's bedroom while they sleep and defecate bio-engineered plague-stuff on his bed. No one will ever suspect that intelligence operatives were responsible. Fa loves Pa! (from Day of the Dolphin)
DAnneMarc: ROTFLMAO about those cats! Heeeerrree Kitty, Kitty!
Woe woe woe...Slow down DANNEMARC!!! Ken Ware DID NOT risk his life fighting to preserve the first ammendment, or our Independence. In fact not one single war since the Revolutionary war - including WW II - has been fought because of a threat to our independence as a soverning nation.
Further more Vietnam was nothing but a BIG FAT lie congered up by fat cat corporatist who were worried that some one else could gain control of S.E. Asia and its rich resources...Hmmm how queer that Americans continue to ALLOW these corporatist slim bags to do the samething in the Middle East.
On another note I to took your encouragement to write the president...Your rant was inspireing and I did use some of it to strengthen my own thoughts.
Cheers!
" The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it comes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in essence, is fascism - ownership of government by an individual, by a group. " - FDR
Palindromedary ~ Thanks again! Once again, you are a virtual "arsenal" of facts. I haven't had a chance yet to check those new links; but, I did check out that AP released captured intelligence report you posted earlier. Sounds like the other side has plenty of contingency's for those nasty little drones. Simple ones at that. I had no idea these drones had no encryption. The technology was rushed so fast it wasn't perfected yet, eh? That's hilarious! So you're telling me their sitting ducks for anyone with a laptop, a transmitter, and a large umbrella? No wonder all those 4 star Generals resigned under President Bush. Who wants to be led by the incompetent. The Pentagon is being run by Schmucks. Only a desperate Schmuck would authorize the use of such flawed devices to keep an illegal war going--basically gambling that the "enemy's" are stupider than they are. Not a good bet!
I wouldn't be too concerned about the Pentagon killing us with robots or drones or mice. It's obvious that this technology has already been compromised by the "enemy." I'm sure that they are more capable, motivated, and committed to simply perfecting the encryption flaw and using the damn things against the "good guys." The troops numbers and loyalty is almost exhausted. There are no other resources for the War Criminals to resort to. Unless, of course, you know something I don't know, I think this war charade is coming to an abrupt, sloppy end. Our War Machine is running out of gas. How many imperialistic empires have survived in history very long after loosing the loyalty of their troops? Murdering your own citizens is the last straw. When the solders hate their own Government more than the "enemy" the party's over. Start shooting rockets into the home towns of the solders and you become the enemy. How many strikes can be made before the truth is revealed and gets back to the solders? Black ops, mysterious drug overdoses that happen quietly in the middle of the night are one thing; a rocket blast that obliterates an entire city block is quite another. Sure, you could blame it on a gas line explosion; but, how many gas lines explosions will it take before something is leaked to the public. (Pardon the pun)
BTW I told my cats about those dreadful robot mice. They said, "Bring them on, baby!" LOL