mpohl

Our Shooting of the Day: this time near Portland, Or. Gunman at Oregon's Reynolds High School shot and killed a student, police chief says. Gunman also is dead, he says. Just two dead. Almost not news-worthy anymore... It doesn't take a degree in rocket science to figure out that you don't get rid of something (i.e., gun violence) by adding more to it (i.e., guns).

"Thank you FOX News for enabling these people. Thank you Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity and all the other Hate Talk Radio stars for feeding their paranoia. Thank you for helping the NRA turn America into a country filled with guns and people prepared to use them out of the fears you've encouraged for political and personal gain. Thank you Republican Party for allowing these people to drive your anti-government agenda. Thank you for repeatedly giving them aid and political cover. As ye sow, so shall ye reap."

"These murderers have proven what a total folly the NRA's claim that guns are useful for self defense really is. The two police officers who died were armed and trained. If you think you need a gun for self defense, 99 times out of 100, you should not be allowed to buy it."

What the fuck is Obama doing in Afghanistan? Maybe he should have visited Guantanamo?? A US territory where one can torture to one's heart content. Including water boarding. Anything goes... Truth is. That's how the world perceives the US. And 300M will never outdo the other 4B. EOS.

Fuck you!!! Lives wasted. Not only your own life. But every one of your victims. P.S.: Learn from Russia. And Crimea. How many people died? Now compare that to US-efforts.

Seems that they are not oppressed enough. If anyone, mentally stable or not, can get his hands on guns. You can slice it, you can dice it whichever way you want. But more guns, mean more killings. Fuck the second amendment!!! That's what the seven dead victims would say. I am sure! My guess is that they are so oppressed in California, it is so Hugely inconvenient for them to exercise their 2nd amendment rights as the founding fathers meant them to, they decided to let the anti-gun people fend for them selves.

So where were all the right-to-carry, NRA advocates??? When it comes to defend us from the gun crazies, they are nowhere to be found. Seems to me, that handing out guns to everyone in the name of the second amendment is not such a great idea. I can tell you, that those killed in the name of freedom and the second amendment, would have wished nothing more than to live another day!!!

Here in the ATL area, Publix supermarkets are being kept closed on Easter Sunday. To allow their employees to spend time with family. Contrast that with Kroger or Walmart. Open in the name of business and profit. I, for one, support Publix, and will not shop at any of their competitors that day. And probably not thereafter either. P.S.: I believe Costco, is closed, too. But Costco is beyond reproach as it stands.

I am jumping into this thread cold-turkey. But LR. What is more important to a civilized society? Maintaing the highest profits possible for companies (which are now people, per USSC) or providing adequate health-care for its citizens regardless of personal circumstances. Much of the world has figured it out already. Why does the US insist on being exceptionally uncivilized and abducting responsibility to its own citizenry?

Also. Look at the Albrecht brothers in Germany. They are worth a combined $50B. Ok, Koch brothers are at $80B. But what is a $30B difference among friends?:) They don't drive any ridiculous self-serving agenda, like the Koch terrorists. P.S.: That's how I like my oligarchs. "During World War II, Theodor was conscripted into the Wehrmacht where Theodor served with Rommel’s Afrika Korps in an army division.[13] During WWII Theodor was captured by the Americans in Tunisia as a prisoner of war, but in 1946 he returned to Germany.[14] It was said that his humble and harsh childhood formed Theodor’s early appreciation for the value of money. Theodor’s kidnapping in 1971 partially gives reason for his and the family’s hermit-like manner of existence. The kidnapping left an impact on Theodor’s private concerns, causing him to drive to work using a different route every day in an armored automobile. Little is known about Theodor Albrecht and the Albrecht family’s personal life. The Albrecht family are known to be very reclusive and described by Forbes as ‘more reclusive than the yeti’.[15] Characterized by their privacy, Theodor has rarely been pictured by photographers and he has never made a public statement. He was also claimed to be a devout Roman Catholic.[16] Theodor and his brother Karl were once said to own an island located in the North Sea where they would indulge in their hobbies such as golf and pastimes including the collecting of antique typewriters.[17] Theodor and the Albrecht family, keeping out of the public spotlight are known to own highly secured estates overlooking the Ruhr valley. Claimed as being obsessed with frugality, it was said that Theodor collected and used pencil stubs frequently. He was also known to wear cheaper, poorly fitted suits and preferred plain meals with many potatoes.[18] When he was asked to approve the plans for a new store in Holland, he stated that the design was good but the paper it was drawn on was too thick: "If you use thinner paper we will save money." [19] Both Albrecht brothers have been reported by journalists to be highly reclusive; very little is known about their personal lives. The last published photo of Theo Albrecht dates to 1971, one day after his kidnapping. Another photo of the two Albrecht brothers together was taken in 1987 by journalist Franz Ruch.[20]" Didn't "Roller Ball" come out about that time.... I think they want that future for America since it fits their mindset. Choose your corporation colors to wear now... it will be all the rage.

The average "Joe" cannot be entrusted w/ LHC, climate science, or even taking care of his own healthcare needs, let alone, retirement needs. And I agree!!!! Because the average "Joe" does not have a PhD in Nuclear Physics, an MD, or an MBA. But he has all of those working against him. So, where does that leave the average "Joe"? I don't know the answer. But it ain't pretty.

Unfortunately, I think you are right on track. In the future, at least in America, wars will be among corporations. And that's why I am thankful for Russia, China, India, the EU. And any other country which offers a different, if ever so slightly, outlook.

So, every Tom, Jack, and Harry is expected to form an opinion on Advanced Nuclear Physics and offer their valued insights? See how well that works for 401(k)'s where everybody is now expected to be their own financial advisor. Versus a simple, defined pension plan.

You are very benevolent in your interpretation of their motives. But even if I were to agree with your interpretation, which I do not, their proposed actions would bring diminished opportunities, suffering, and death to countless individuals. All in the name of profit!

And all the other proposals (abolishing public education, social programs, etc. etc.) are to create an un-informed proletariat, and thus "slave race", to work for pennies a day at their factories. Those guys should have been run out-of-town a long time ago.

In 1980, David Koch ran as the Libertarian Party’s vice-presidential candidate in 1980. Let’s take a look at the 1980 Libertarian Party platform. Here are just a few excerpts of the Libertarian Party platform that David Koch ran on in 1980: “We urge the repeal of federal campaign finance laws, and the immediate abolition of the despotic Federal Election Commission.” “We favor the abolition of Medicare and Medicaid programs.” “We oppose any compulsory insurance or tax-supported plan to provide health services, including those which finance abortion services.” “We also favor the deregulation of the medical insurance industry.” “We favor the repeal of the fraudulent, virtually bankrupt, and increasingly oppressive Social Security system. Pending that repeal, participation in Social Security should be made voluntary.” “We propose the abolition of the governmental Postal Service. The present system, in addition to being inefficient, encourages governmental surveillance of private correspondence. Pending abolition, we call for an end to the monopoly system and for allowing free competition in all aspects of postal service.” “We oppose all personal and corporate income taxation, including capital gains taxes.” “We support the eventual repeal of all taxation.” “As an interim measure, all criminal and civil sanctions against tax evasion should be terminated immediately.” “We support repeal of all law which impede the ability of any person to find employment, such as minimum wage laws.” “We advocate the complete separation of education and State. Government schools lead to the indoctrination of children and interfere with the free choice of individuals. Government ownership, operation, regulation, and subsidy of schools and colleges should be ended.” “We condemn compulsory education laws … and we call for the immediate repeal of such laws.” “We support the repeal of all taxes on the income or property of private schools, whether profit or non-profit.” “We support the abolition of the Environmental Protection Agency.” “We support abolition of the Department of Energy.” “We call for the dissolution of all government agencies concerned with transportation, including the Department of Transportation.” “We demand the return of America's railroad system to private ownership. We call for the privatization of the public roads and national highway system.” “We specifically oppose laws requiring an individual to buy or use so-called "self-protection" equipment such as safety belts, air bags, or crash helmets.” “We advocate the abolition of the Federal Aviation Administration.” “We advocate the abolition of the Food and Drug Administration.” “We support an end to all subsidies for child-bearing built into our present laws, including all welfare plans and the provision of tax-supported services for children.” “We oppose all government welfare, relief projects, and ‘aid to the poor’ programs. All these government programs are privacy-invading, paternalistic, demeaning, and inefficient. The proper source of help for such persons is the voluntary efforts of private groups and individuals.” “We call for the privatization of the inland waterways, and of the distribution system that brings water to industry, agriculture and households.” “We call for the repeal of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.” “We call for the abolition of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.” “We support the repeal of all state usury laws.” In other words, the agenda of the Koch brothers is not only to defund Obamacare. The agenda of the Koch brothers is to repeal every major piece of legislation that has been signed into law over the past 80 years that has protected the middle class, the elderly, the children, the sick, and the most vulnerable in this country.

I don't know too many people who have a net worth of 1M+. And they certainly don't represent my interests. P.S.: Don't overvalue your trailer.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/10/us/politics/more-than-half-the-members-of-congress-are-millionaires-analysis-finds.html?hp&hp Hope you all feel represented by your millionaire buddies!

We are investing trillions upon trillions of dollars to streamline production, and basically make less and less use of human labor. Be it manufacturing, service, etc. etc. Unemployment will not be the exception, it will be the new normal!

Give the guy a break! You never made a spur-of-the-moment decision? Like talking on the cell phone while driving a car. Running a red-light? Thus, endangering other people's life? Folks! Get a life and move on!!!

American armchair warriors! Just pathetic. Hope you and your family are next in the killing. Maybe a good mall assault will do. We will just count it as a small dent in our "coming out" ahead.

So, let me ask you. Why are we a "people?" A society. Supposedly a United society. IF everybody takes care of him/herself...who needs a helpful neighbor? I just hope that YOU are a skilled auto mechanic, heart surgeon, gifted pharmaceutical researcher, poet, film director, and, and, and... We all need each other, and we all need to take care of each other. That's a society I want to live in. P.S.: What's this fixation on money? You don't have any? Send a letter to the Koch brothers. They have plenty to warp the whole political system. How could it fail if the feds pay the premiums or train the guy living under the bridge how to use a computer. We're going to hear people getting free computers so they can sign up. We pay twice: we pay for the treatment, and for the insurance so how could O-care be cheaper? Where prior to O-care we just footed the bill for the medical treatment. If docs would get off the hipocratic oath, many people would live better. They'd take better care of themselves knowing if they don't have the money to pay for medical service they wouldn't get treated.

So, what's different in Iraq before and after? Care to elaborate! Other than: "Wow, we have killed a hundred-thousand civilians, including women and children.", "Bombed countless wedding parties into oblivion." WHAT IS BETTER NOW??????? For you, me. Or the average Iraqi? Anything? Is your personal life now enriched? More meaningful? though it's obvious this is some trolling, I think you hurt your claim invoking Iraq. Iran spent most of the 80s fighting Iraq to a statemate, and they live on the border. Just a few years later the US sent its forces halfway around the globe and bombed Iraq into submission in 100 days, followed by a cute 100 hours of ground invasion, leading to a surrender. The only reason it ended then was a fear of another Vietnam. 10 years later, that fear was erased (9/11) and the US made quick work of taking the entire country. for nation v nation fighting, no one matches the US. China can try to come close by sacrificing millions of soldiers. Colonialism, otoh, died by the end of WW2. No one has been success with occupation.

While I do not agree with you that ACA will be a failure. I agree with your "prescription"; let the law of the land play out.

In my opinion, and I am not a political scientist, the problem is the direct election of representatives. For example, as far as the House goes, they have to answer every two years to their electorate. But they never have to answer to the country as a whole to get re-elected. Same for the Senate. They answer to their state electorate but not to the country as a whole. So what you end up with is everybody looking about for himself (and his/her voters), but nobody caring about the greater good. P.S.: As a colorary. High-tech R&D start-up. Funded to the ring of $100M. Everybody met his individual performance objectives. But the company was ultimately unsuccessful. Think about it! Eh... the majority of the House is in theory what represents the majority of the people. That's the basic problem with the American set-up in my opinion. With the offset between presidential and congressional elections, there is a continual fight between which "office" represents the will of the people.