Croc

More evidence that the "Wars on Terror, Drugs, etc." (others, TBA) are simply wars on ordinary citizens. Soma anyone? "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

You make a good point, but I think what many Americans here are objecting to is the nearly constant US bashing that goes on around here from certain folks from other countries. Every nation can be made to look bad if only the worst things about it are emphasized, just as any individual can be made to look like a fool by highlighting his worst moments. America has many faults; some of them are the world's business. A shooting in Idaho is not. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Schadenfreude: enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Don't worry; when you get to be my age you won't be able to remember that you ever had a good memory. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

One could argue that religion serves those who have an innate fear of going to hell. Is that true? "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

That's like claiming that an organization that defends free speech is responsible for pornography. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

"Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

And if you don't believe Bill, just ask Dick Cheny! "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

+1 "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Absolutely, we both agree on that. And we agree that it is not reasonable to expect people to make the correct decision (which is to say, the same decision we would come to if we had all the facts and none of the stress) all the time. I would even concede that the majority of the incidents that raise controversy are not the result of overt racism, though I do think more subtle forms of racism influence police reactions by increasing stress. I think a lot of the problems we have been seeing are due to a police culture that increasingly prizes aggressive action, and puts officers into situations where split-second decisions have to be made. The case of the 12-year-old kid is a good example. We can also look at the increasing frequency of SWAT team tactics, where SWAT teams are even being used against suspected office pools where friends place small bets on sports games, and on parties where police suspect underage drinking. Link: http://www.salon.com/2013/07/07/%E2%80%9Cwhy_did_you_shoot_me_i_was_reading_a_book_the_new_warrior_cop_is_out_of_control/ [sorry I had to paste the link like this, but when I embed it, when you click on it it just goes to a generic Salon Magazine page not the actual article for some reason]. I think we have a problem when people in general fear the police, even people who are doing nothing wrong. I think we have a problem when it frequently seems that law enforcement has come to believe that the end justifies the means and that the constitution (particularly the 4th amendment) is just an impediment to be ignored when possible. [see the Salon article I linked for many examples, such as where police forces deliberately avoid the need to get a warrant by pretending to be enforcing business license regulations as a pretext to send SWAT teams to raid barber shops and nightclubs]. I think we have a problem when dead people, whose lethal crime was to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, or a failure to react quickly enough to a command, are regarded as "justifiable" and "unfortunate collateral damage". I think we have a problem when the police are almost never held to account for anything they do, no matter how egregious. At worst a lawsuit may result in money paid to families of victims of police excesses, but that money is paid by taxpayers (=us) and never impacts the wallets of police departments or individual police officers. I think we have a problem when at least some police no longer regard themselves as part of the community, but rather as the lords and masters, the "sheep-dogs" whose role it is to keep the "sheep" in line (to reference an earlier thread). Not only does this attitude breed contempt for our basic civil rights, it encourages police departments to do things such as become a kleptocracy, using sketchy civil forfeiture laws to help themselves to the lawful property of innocent citizens. I think these things, and I'm a well educated upper middle class white guy. I can well imagine that people who are less advantaged are even more skeptical of the "good intentions" of the police. Don Well said "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

If we lower ourselves to the level of torture, what is it exactly we say that we are fighting for? American values? Are we to abandon what were once noble values for the sake of revenge? How then are we different from our enemies? The ends never justify the means. Those Americans who support torture, however sugar coated, are the real enemy who, if left unchecked, will ultimately destroy our nation. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Your Bible. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Another low point in the quickly declining moral values of our once great nation. Nothing good can ever come from torture. The ends never justify the means. Evil will flourish as long as "good" men and women allow it. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

I just bought a Contour roam2 camera and I can view the vids on our computer at home but not on my phone, a motorola razr M (Android) while using an OTG adaptor. (The roam2 does not have Bluetooth.) What is the cheapest tablet I can get to view the videos? Why can't I use my phone, even with the Contour app? Why did I buy this camera? "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

A Congressman with balls? Never happen, but I appreciate your wishful thinking. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

This thread proves that people will argue about anything. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Sick. Sick as a cake decorated to look like a baby. Can't find it now, but way sick. (for those interested, Google "cake, baby") Couldn't watch it. The tailgate doesn't quite sink to that level but probably it is the same type of "humor". "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Thanks! "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Thanks. That's what I've been hearing. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

I have a BH REvolve helmet and I want to get a camera. Is there a good side mount out there, or should I get another helmet and stick a GoPro on it? "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Instrument glove. I've worn them for years; won't jump without one. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

+1 "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

I'm not sure what question you are referring to. You said that you experienced love and yet love does not exist as an entity. How else can anything exist except as an entity? How can you experience something that does not exist? The analogy is correct. An organ that can support consciousness is not meat in the same way that a great poem is not the paper that it is printed on. If you asked the woman who cleans your house if love existed she would laugh out loud. She knows that love exists because she can feel it. You are over thinking it. You feel it too, and therefore you know it exists. Why would you deny this simple fact? "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Li Po feels great love and writes a poem. Centuries later Ezra Pound translates it into English. Fifty years later Croc reads it and feels great love. You are correct; this can be entirely explained by biology. Some biology causes Li Po to write and it gets onto the paper which then gets into Ezra Pound and then gets onto the paper he writes which then gets into Croc when he reads it. Did I get it right? "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

My apologies; in fact I did not mean to say that your personal experience of love was infatuation. I meant that in the context of this thread infatuation is not what is meant here. And, yes, I should have referenced "emotion" instead of biology, which you did not mention. We will have to agree to disagree whether love is an emotion or not. And the brain is to meat as a great poem is to ink and paper. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy