DanG

The whole government wanted to go to war because they were presented with faulty intelligence. They didn't all just get out of bed one day and say, "Let's go to war!" - Dan G

There are whole books written on the subject. - Dan G

The fact that intelligence was selected to support the push for war in Iraq is a simple fact. Perhaps it was a case of selction bias, and not done for nefarious purposes. I don't know. But it was clearly done. The VP made it clear that he wanted to go to war with Iraq. He wanted evidence to support that. It's not a conspiracy theory. It is history. - Dan G

Yeah, it did. I started writing a post comparing my level of intelligence and educational attainment to yours, but then I thought, "why be a dick?" So I decided to give you the same advice I gave myself. BTW, I've probably voted for Republicans as many times as I've voted for Democrats. - Dan G

Exactly. So why do some believe the WH would lie to the public in one instance, but couldn't possibly have lied in another? - Dan G

Read again. I didn't say I have no idea. I said many people believe, with pretty solid justification, that it rose to the level of the VPs office. Look at it another way. There are lots of people here who just know in their bones that the Benghazi incident did not go down like the WH said. They can't prove it, though. Does that mean that they have no idea what they are talking about? If you think so, I expect you'll encourage them to shut up about it. Well, I guess I should have said it is not in dispute among people without a reason to ignore the facts. - Dan G

Don't be a dick. - Dan G

The truth is that intelligence was manipulated at some level. Many reports put that level at the VPs office. Intelligence that supported the push for war was hyped, contradicting intelligence was downplayed. It's really, truly not in dispute, regardless of agenda. We fucked up. - Dan G

Whether or not Bush himself has personal responsibility is open for debate. Blaming the Bush Administration, however, with emphasis on certain members (Cheney especially) seems pretty well indisputable. - Dan G

Do you offer tandems at your DZ? - Dan G

Are you seriously saying that Obama being democratically elected upsets you as much as the murder of thousands of Americans on 9/11, and hundreds in Jonestown? You need to take a step back and look at the forest you keep claiming to be able to see. Edit to add: And even if Obama's election bothers you that much, why do you think bringing up a stupid issue that's been put to bed numerous times will change anything? - Dan G

In SkyDekkers defense, it's disingenuous to claim that only one person per year is accidentally shot. For your math to make sense, that would have to be the case. It's certainly not. Necessary gun thread disclaimer: I agree with your position, but disagree with your math. - Dan G

Does she have an opinion on the ACA? - Dan G

I'm all for people experiencing wildlife. I don't think watch wildlife through a glass wall is the same thing as experiencing it in person. Diving with sharks on a reef is not the same as going to a zoo. I went to my share of zoos and aquariums as a kid. I didn't really gain an appreciation for aquatic life until I started snorkling. Keep in mind, you ascribed "all zoos = evil" to me. I've never said anything of the sort. I've never seen that. Sounds awesome. Dolphins are clearly intelligent. They are also not fish. Are you sure the tuna and sharks are really coordinating with the dolphins, or are they just reacting to the presence of another predator? - Dan G

You didn't answer my question. Are you talking about shark dives at a zoo, or in open water? I'm aware that some aquariums let a very few people dive in their tanks, but I didn't know that the practice was widespread. If you're talking about open water, I fail to see how that is applicable to our discussion about zoos. And while not an experienced diver like you, I've swam with sharks in open water a number of times. I've snorkled with nurse sharks and reef sharks in the Bahamas and off Belize. Nothing I saw led me to believe they were intelligent to the level of a mammal, but I could certainly be wrong about that. - Dan G

I heard this morning that his discharge was "General". That's not the same as Honorable. The options for discharge are: Honorable Dishonorable Other Than Honorable General Bad Conduct I think there are some other, less common ones, but those are the usual ones. A General dischange indicates that he didn't finish out his committment, but his problems didn't rise to the level of Dishonorable or Bad Conduct. It's complicated, and I'm far from an expert. - Dan G

I disagree. There are no laws against discriminating against people based on their past bad behavior. This whole case is weird. I hold a Secret clearance, and one of the questions on the SF-86 is "Have you ever received a discharge that was other than honorable?" The shooter would have had to answer yes to that question. I'm suprised he was still able to receive a Secret clearance. - Dan G

All animals are not created equal. Ants do not get the same treatment as puppies. Please also keep in mind that humans are animals, too. We're just particularly smart. If you're going to argue that all animals are equal, then you need to include humans in that equation. Fish and insects are barely above plants on the intelligence scale. Reptile are just a little above fish. I do not believe, and there are at least some studies that confirm, that they don't really have what you or I would consider thoughts. I'm okay with treating them little better than plants. I don't go out of my way to kill them, and I would never harm them for enjoyment, but I don't have a problem eating them, or farming them. Mammals and birds are intelligent, and are capable of thought. They should be treated differently. Why I find it okay to own a dog or cat, but not a bird is because I've never run across a bird that looked like it enjoyed captivity. Dogs, cats, and humans have developed sybiotic relationships. Modern dogs can't survive in the wild except as scavengers of human trash. Cats can survive in the wild, but clearly thrive when in a human home. I can see how you think my views are hypocritical, but it all comes back to the fact that all animals are not created equal. - Dan G

How so? - Dan G

If you're going to assume kallen's hero is Obama, I'll just assume your hero is McCain. - Dan G

As opposed to your hero, who wants to do even more. - Dan G

Sharks dives at the zoo? - Dan G

I guess it depends on what you mean by "better". Sure, facilities that are providing rehab to injured animals, or trying to repopulate a dying species, or other noble goals can do great good. Those aren't the places we're talking about. I disagree. If you can stomach it, visit a primate house sometime. The kids teasing the gorillas through the glass are not learning to give a shit. - Dan G

I have no problem with aquariums. Fish, in my opinion, are not really sentient. Having a pet dog or cat is fine by me, too, provided you treat the animal with the respect it deserves. Having a dog on a chain in the yard is not ethical pet ownership. My dogs are companions, and treated like members of the family. I don't think people should own birds. That makes me sad, and I believe it makes the birds sad, too. Dolphins are sentient, intelligent creatures. Tuna are not. Killing mice is regrettable, but necessary for health reasons. I kill mice that invade my home. I don't go out of the way to kill them for no reason. I also try to kill them quickly and painlessly. I see no connection with that and removing a lion from the wild and putting it a cage. - Dan G

Wake up my lazy ass pitbull and send him downstairs - Dan G