http://milescity.com/forums/posts/?fid=28 Posts from the MilesCity.com National/World News & Issues Discussion Forum en-us Copyright © 1998-2010 MilesCity.com. All Rights Reserved. webmaster@milescity.com Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:02:19 UTC 10 Hand-coded goodness http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306882Okay, so it is offensive to spell offensive "ofensive". Spelling, however, was not one of the choices. :p Hannah brilliantly articulated my thoughts on the matter. Well done! :beer: :beer: :beer: Richard Bonine, Jr.Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:53:47 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306882http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306876Shelley and I were just discussing how much we miss Robin last night.Amorette AllisonTue, 18 Jun 2013 01:43:02 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306876http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/304245/#306853http://whatwouldjackdo.net/images/and012713blog.jpgGunnar EmilssonMon, 17 Jun 2013 21:57:34 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/304245/#306853http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306850Thank you Hanna for finding the words I was trying to come up with. Trying to control someone's thoughts by controlling what knowledge they have access to, is a crime the flag was stood against from the country's founding.Steve AllisonMon, 17 Jun 2013 21:40:33 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306850http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306838Burning of the American flag in protest of the government or its policies is protected by law (consistently reaffirmed by SCOTUS). It is a statement of protest that citizens in other countries are forbidden from expressing. Symbolically, I do not find it offensive as a sign of protest. I would hope that I never have cause to participate in a flag burning to protest my country; but I appreciate having the Constitutionally-protected right to do so if the need arises. Offensive rating: low. The symbolism of book burning is to silence knowledge or written words or the author. To prevent others from opening and experiencing the books and the words/ideas they contain. You are preventing ME or some other citizen from accessing them by destroying them. The late, great Robin Gerber lectured wonderfully on how book burning was the ultimate destruction of a culture: a country was invaded, its libraries destroyed, so that the conquering nation can rebuild in THEIR image (and completely eradicate the old culture). Offensive rating: high. Flag burning is a protest, but does not harm or deny/prevent/rob others. Book burning is a crime preventing access/denying people knowledge. [This message has been edited by Hannah Nash (6/17/2013)]Hannah NashMon, 17 Jun 2013 19:38:40 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306838http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306833Books contain actual knowledge or at, the worst, crappy sparkly vampires. Flags are pieces of fabric that this country gets a little over attached to.Amorette F. AllisonMon, 17 Jun 2013 19:12:13 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306833http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306825Are we talking about a pile of science books filled with the devil's "theory of evolution" or are we talking a pile of Bibles (KJV)?Buck ShowalterMon, 17 Jun 2013 18:17:15 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306825http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306811Different circumstances...would have to agree:-) Darn.Jeri DalbecMon, 17 Jun 2013 16:36:35 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306811http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306809Come on, now....if it were the American flag or a stack of those Twilight vampire books burning, the torching of Old Glory is far more "ofensive".Gunnar EmilssonMon, 17 Jun 2013 16:09:04 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306809http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306800Since there is a "Dignified Disposal of Unserviceable Flags" Ceremony to dispense with ragged and worn out flags....and, I have not heard of a dignified way of disposing of old books...where even some pages are valuable to hang onto...I would have to say books would be the most offensive. IMO!!!Jeri DalbecMon, 17 Jun 2013 15:02:06 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306800http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306799If we didn't have the flag we wouldn't have most of the books. To do either is absolutely wrong.KaceyMon, 17 Jun 2013 14:55:25 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306799http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306798Definitely spelling.Gunnar EmilssonMon, 17 Jun 2013 14:55:18 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306798http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306796Books.Wendy WilsonMon, 17 Jun 2013 14:52:19 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306796http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306791spelling :martini:Barb HolcombMon, 17 Jun 2013 13:53:53 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/#306791http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/Burning the flag or burning books? Discuss...Richard Bonine, Jr.Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:46:48 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/306786/http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/#305754Somali has no functioning central government. Nobody pays taxes. No department of education or similar evils. I have often thought the Paul family should move there and enjoy their libertarian paradise.Amorette AllisonThu, 6 Jun 2013 02:10:40 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/#305754http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/#305745Some lord and masters starve serfs. Selfish buggers! FHFrank HardyThu, 6 Jun 2013 01:24:40 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/#305745http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/#305732Feudalism might be what Libertarians are after. And they think they'll all end up Lord and Master when they're more likely to end up starving serfs.Bob Netherton IIThu, 6 Jun 2013 00:24:41 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/#305732http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/#305674Yeah, a person could introduce tribal-type societies into the discussion. But given that tribal societies are not nation states, that doesn’t really address the question. But if we are going to drift, it might be worth asking the Celts (or the Lakota for that matter) what happens when tribal-type libertarianism societies encounter nation states. History does not show that the Tribes hold up well. The closest I can come to naming a 20th/21st century libertarian nation state is Somali. But I think a strong argument can be made that it isn’t truly a nation state. I’m thinking it’s more a tribal confederation confined inside borders that are a Post-Colonial, artificial construct. I find much to like in the idea / ideal of a libertarian state. But I’ve yet to see how it would prove functional on any scale much beyond that of a small county. If citizens have to travel longer than a day or on horseback or three or four days on foot to reach the seat of government, it likely won’t work. Once the governmental unit grows larger than that, simply keeping things running requires centralized, state-like organization. In terms of small government, there’s always Feudalism. It has actually proven fairly efficient and endured over many millennia. But, it really doesn’t hold much appeal for me . . . well, maybe if I was guaranteed the slot as “lord of the manor” ; -)Hal NeumannWed, 5 Jun 2013 16:34:35 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/#305674http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305654/#305673Cool.Wendy WilsonWed, 5 Jun 2013 16:19:22 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305654/#305673http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305654/[youtube]TzBInt4zljQ[/youtube]MilesCity.com WebmasterWed, 5 Jun 2013 12:04:44 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305654/http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/#305639Okay, I totally cheated and forwarded to page 79 to read about the Irish. Yep...there it is...the Irish libertarian society survived for so long because it was very difficult to lasso in the tribes to a common nation that could be steered to the will of whoever could conglomerate the most power. Like I was saying before, none of the -isms is fit to govern nations of millions. "The libertarian society of Ireland, which lasted for a thousand years—and which will be described further below—was able to resist English conquest for hundreds of years because of the absence of a State which could be conquered easily and then used by the conquerors to rule over the native population." I saved the .pdf because this looks like a very good read.ShaneFWed, 5 Jun 2013 04:29:47 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/#305639http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/#305635There are several example in the history of Ireland. http://mises.org/books/newliberty.pdfRichard Bonine, Jr.Wed, 5 Jun 2013 04:12:53 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/#305635http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/#305632Libertarianism, while it has its merits, will never come to being as it completely disregards the social contract that all societies have in protecting the less weak. You will never see a true Libertarian society, despite the wishes of a small minority of right wing nut jobs. When I try to think of historical Libertarian societies, I come up with Sparta? The Comanches? Poor examples, I would think. Anyone else?Gunnar EmilssonWed, 5 Jun 2013 04:01:07 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/#305632http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/#305624The way I figure, all the -isms of the world are great in theory. In reality, they all fall short. Many would work on a small population, but none are appropriate to lead nations of millions.ShaneFWed, 5 Jun 2013 03:07:23 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/#305624http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/The Question Libertarians Just Can’t Answer By Michael Lind SALON June 4, 2013 http://www.salon.com/2013/06/04/the_question_libertarians_just_cant_answer/singleton/?google_editors_picks=trueHal NeumannWed, 5 Jun 2013 01:42:47 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305609/http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305497I don't think it was written by a marine to begin with.Bob Netherton IITue, 4 Jun 2013 03:53:01 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305497http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/303723/#305489This article is an excellent read. I was an early tweenager when this was going down, so I remember large parts of SDI and the tumult that surrounded it. This is also the first time I've read an article about Kazakhstan that didn't include Borat or a butchered national anthem in it as well. I mean, Borat's funny and all...but in this country forgotten by Western geography classes, they were building the stone that could have brought our own Goliath down, had SDI ever come to fruition. Assuming it never did, that is. Hmmm.... :beer:ShaneFTue, 4 Jun 2013 02:47:59 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/303723/#305489http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305469Seems to me that ANY US Marine Officer is a real man Mathew. Perhaps a trip to a VFW or two mouthing off like you did above about Marines might learn you up a lesson you got acomin.Al BordenMon, 3 Jun 2013 23:08:49 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305469http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305412http://www.sdbeachlife.com/JER/benghazi.htmlGunnar EmilssonMon, 3 Jun 2013 15:17:47 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305412http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305392/Switzerland’s economy expanded more than forecast in the first quarter, with consumer spending helping it perform better than the neighboring euro area. Gross domestic product rose 0.6 percent from the fourth quarter, when it advanced by a revised 0.3 percent, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs in Bern said in a statement today. Economists predicted a rise of 0.2 quarter-on-quarter, the median of 19 estimates in a Bloomberg News survey showed. “We expected half that growth,” said Cornelia Luchsinger, an economist at Zuercher Kantonalbank. “It’s a positive surprise.” The Swiss National Bank (SNBN) set a cap of 1.20 per euro on the franc in 2011 to ward off deflation and a recession. Along with consumer demand, that ceiling has helped shield Switzerland from the six quarters of recession that have afflicted the euro area, the destination for nearly half its exports. Germany, the bloc’s largest economy, expanded only 0.1 percent in the first quarter. An easing of tensions in the euro area caused the euro to rise 0.8 percent in the first quarter against the franc, which investors tend to buy when they seek safe assets. The Swiss currency was little changed at 1.2433 at 9:05 a.m. in Zurich. Against the dollar it climbed 0.3 percent at 95.94 centimes. Falling Prices While Switzerland has managed to escape an economic slump, consumer prices are still falling. In April, they recorded their 19th straight month of annual declines, and last week SNB President Thomas Jordan said there was no risk of inflation for the foreseeable future. “It’s nice that we have this print, but the SNB has a mandate for price stability,” Luchsinger said. “So long as we don’t see a change in inflation these figures today won’t raise the pressure on the SNB.” Domestic demand is the biggest driver of Swiss economic growth, accounting for about 57 percent of output last year, while net exports made up 10 percent. In the first quarter of 2013, household consumption increased 0.6 percent from the end of December and construction investment climbed 0.3 percent, according to the statement. According to the SNB’s most recent prognosis, given in March, GDP is expected to expand between 1 percent and 1.5 percent this year. It will update that forecast at its next policy review on June 20. A adjustment of the franc cap and negative interest rates are among steps the central bank could take to prevent a tightening of monetary conditions,Jordan said last week. The central bank stands ready to take further steps, should it deem them necessary, Jordan also said, reiterating previous comments.earlmorrisonMon, 3 Jun 2013 08:08:07 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305392/http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305374I was "calling out" the marine officer. He doesn't have the courage to sign his "work". That will always piss me off. Seems like he has plenty of " anonymous internet courage". Of course what happened in Benghazi was horrible. Not gonna deny that. But for a marine officer to "call out" his commander in chief is very much against the rules. And being an officer, he should know better.Mathew SchmitzMon, 3 Jun 2013 03:33:07 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305374http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305366Bobby 2, In this case the old saw, "birds of a feather flock together" seems to hold true. As for a "politically Charged item" the facts are verifiable. Like them or not. I post under my real name and assumed that "calling him out" was for the Marine Officer, if not that is a horse of a different color. The "political route" is offensive to me and was not intended. Should your skin be so thin you may not be sure of your leanings and you have my sympathy. Ike Eichlerike eichlerMon, 3 Jun 2013 03:01:12 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305366http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305355Say what you will, liberal do-gooders. I, myself, as a taxpayer, have no interest in seeing my tax dollars spent on 44 oz. sugary sodas.Gunnar EmilssonMon, 3 Jun 2013 02:15:00 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305355http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305348I find the notion of "creating a culture of dependency" ironic and hypocritical. The main reason people become dependent on programs like SNAP is because the other methods of reaping economic resources have become UNDEPENDABLE. And that undependability is the direct result of the polices of the people and party upset about "creating a culture of dependency". Go figure.Richard Bonine, Jr.Mon, 3 Jun 2013 00:57:21 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305348http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305334"If you watched any news you would know that the sequestration had nothing to do with it". If YOU watched the news you'd know the cuts to embassy security were made before the sequestration went into effect. While the handling of this issue, especially news-wise, has been poor at best by the Obama Administration, this is only an issue now because the GOP think they've got a scandal that can pay politically. Nothing more. And it was Ike who chose to post a politically-charged item on Memorial Day. "Herr" Schmitz was just calling him out, as he should. Ike could have chosen to honor our soldiers still in action, those lost in numerous wars throughout the years, or many others. Instead HE chose the political route.Bob Netherton IISun, 2 Jun 2013 18:10:08 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305334http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305323Yes you do have to be careful of ALL news. That is why it is important to research and dig deaper. I will again state that it was not as stated by Hillary herself a lack of funding. We dont have the answers yet on why support was not given and we dont have answers yet on why the facility was so inadequet. All we have asked of this Administration that is supposedly so transparent that they answer the questions honnestly and factually. If not for the American people then for the families of those that died. We owe them that. Instead all we get is deception, half truths, lies and no accountablility. What angers me and I think quite a lot of other people is the fact that no one not only wont take responsibility, but no one is being held accountable. They are all to busy covering their own rear ends, trying to protect their political careers, and their pocketbooks. They are not there for the citizens but rather for their own gains. The fact is this administration for several weeks kept saying it was due to the video. Did you know they arrested the man who did the video and he is still in jail. It does not matter what he did do prior to the video, he was arrested for the video. In the old America that was simply wrong. The point being is we want the truth, it does not matter if it was democrat or republican, what does matter is the truth and we all deserve that. Maybe when someone has time they could explain to me why some liberals have to spout such hate, name calling ect. Maybe someone can explain to me why they as they are hurling the vicious speach they make no factual sense. I am not saying the post by Jeri Dalbec was nasty it was not but the one by Mathew Schmitz was. A very closed minded individual. I guess I dont understand why people just cannot have a decent calm debate on their views, or thoughts. Again why is it so difficult for some to take a moment especially on Memorial Day and show respect, just once for heavens sake. I for one would like to say thank you for posting the poem. [This message has been edited by DebC (6/2/2013)]DebCSun, 2 Jun 2013 15:50:47 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305323http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305322Yes Sir Herr Schmitz, Your post was clear enough for everyone to read, if you can't dispute the content, dazzle 'em with brilliance and BS, a ploy of defense attorneys and politicians et al. Not that it is relevant, but as I recall the author was Marine Major Mathew Schitzenlecker. Not sure where, "Shut The Eff Up" has to do with it. My post was a belated Memorial tribute to dead Men and women of the military, but as always, depending on your leaning, politics raises it's ugly head, and the partisan defense, and blame games begin. Sad :cryike eichlerSun, 2 Jun 2013 15:48:28 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305322http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305310I think you have to be careful of the news. First it was discovered that emails were dummied up to place blame...and, when the real emails surfaced..obviously a vendetta. Then, only yesterday, Rep. Gohmert said it was Sen. McCain's failures that caused it..and, Sen. McCain is in his own party...so..it all looks like mass confusion. I also saw a chart of the Embassy murders over the past couple of decades and luckily, not so many killed. At any rate..it is sad...just like the stupid wars. The attempt to bring down the Pres. seems to have collapsed. And...yes...the funding was cut because any accomplishment that is helpful just might make the President look successful and boy...that would be terrible. Just not in the plan.Jeri DalbecSun, 2 Jun 2013 15:06:27 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305310http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305304If you watched any news you would know that the sequestration had nothing to do with it, that is according to Hillary when she testified in front of the congressional hearing. It is so amazing to me the amount of people who have an opinion without knowing facts. By the way "what difference does it make" if the author of the poem did not sign it. Cant you just appreciate the service these men and women not only do for our country, but take a moment to show respect for these 4 individuals who died in Benghazi and should not of.DebCSun, 2 Jun 2013 14:47:58 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305304http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305285If that Marine officer was a real man, he'd put his name on it and suffer the consequences, whatever they may be. If you believe it and you're a man, you sign your name. If you're not willing to do that, you're a coward with a political agenda, and I am tired of paying your wages. Sign it, or shut the eff up. Was that clear enough?Mathew SchmitzSun, 2 Jun 2013 04:23:12 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305285http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305266Looks like Obama's fault, if you fudge it. But it was republicans, who cut our security budget. By me.Bob Netherton IISun, 2 Jun 2013 00:06:08 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/#305266http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/We're the battling boys of Benghazi no fame, no glory, no paparazzi. Just a fiery death in a blazing hell. Defending the country we loved so well. It wasen't our job, but we answered the call fought to the consulate, and scaled the wall. We pulled 20 countrymen from the jaws of fate led them to safety, and stood at the gate. Just the 2 of us, and foes by the score. But we stood fast to bar the door 3 calls for reinforcements, but all were denied So we fought, and we fought till we died. We gave our all for our Uncle Sam But Barack Obama didn't give a damn. Just 2 dead Seals, who carried the load. No thanks to us - We were just, "Bumps In The Road". A little late for Memorial day and to some like Hillary, "What difference does it make". Poem was written by a Marine officer.ike eichlerSat, 1 Jun 2013 23:22:49 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305261/http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305228The level of intellect is amazing. So...what about the jobs where they were going to do all the drug testing in some states? Maybe that would not deprive enough kids? Probably what happened. This way they will have an effect on more lives. The article was on my Facebook page and one theory was kind of interesting in that there is such an effort to fill the Private Prisons...and, knowing that people will not starve...they will find food, one way or another...deprivation of food stamps just might be an avenue for them to gain more felons. A bit of a stretch...but...who really knows? ALEC folks at work!Jeri DalbecSat, 1 Jun 2013 16:39:25 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305228http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305227The IR article says 47 million Americans receive some form of SNAP assistance... and that is almost exactly the same number (47 million) of Americans who are living in POVERTY. Coincidence? I think not. And the increase in participation happened during our recent economic downturn (Recession) starting in 2008. Shocking. Also, his assertion of SNAP "abuse" is misleading and wrong. US News & World Report article with excellent citation (May 16, 2013), easily debunks many of his "facts". http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/economic-intelligence/2013/05/16/facts-show-food-stamp-program-has-a-strong-record-of-efficienty At some point, we need to hold politicians (local, state, federal) accountable for making decisions that hurt and endanger our most vulnerable populations: CHILDREN, ELDERLY, DISABLED, VETERANS.Hannah NashSat, 1 Jun 2013 16:35:09 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305227http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305211They couldn't read it if they tried.Buck ShowalterSat, 1 Jun 2013 13:45:26 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305211http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305206Kacey said [quote]Thanks for posting this Richard. I had read it earlier today and it makes so much sense. Too bad the people who are causing this problem won't read it![/quote] Worse than the people who cause this not reading it. (The people who cause it already know all of the facts and are causing it anyway.) The sad part is the people who vote for those who cause it won't read it.Lorin DixsonSat, 1 Jun 2013 12:47:05 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305206http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305185So we can assume that 75% of the Food Stamp money is spent on nutritious food? Stands to reason if the other 25% is accounted for.Steve SullivanSat, 1 Jun 2013 04:09:17 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305185http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305161A Republican had an Op-Ed piece in the Helena Independent Record the other day, stating that the facts are, 25% of food stamp money is spent on sugared teeth rotting soda. Are you implying that these Republican gentlemen are WRONG???!!!???? http://helenair.com/news/opinion/readers_alley/farm-bill-bigger-more-bloated-than-ever-before/article_918be8b4-c4ce-11e2-b5f9-0019bb2963f4.html [This message has been edited by Gunnar Emilsson (5/31/2013)]Gunnar EmilssonSat, 1 Jun 2013 01:36:42 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305161http://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305145Thanks for posting this Richard. I had read it earlier today and it makes so much sense. Too bad the people who are causing this problem won't read it!KaceyFri, 31 May 2013 23:35:53 UTChttp://milescity.com/forums/posts/view/305141/#305145