1dogs2's Comments (3998)

“Well said 1dogs.”

“The article misrepresents nothing.

The distinction between "persistent" and "non-persistent" landmines, made in the U.S. government press-release you point to with your first link (the second link appears to be broken), is in reality artificial, as anyone who knows about the largely dysfunctional "non-persistent" U.S.-manuf­actured landmines that were shipped to Israel for use in Lebanon in 2006, and which are still being dug up, can attest. The problem with these devices is that, always to some degree and sometimes to a huge degree--and particularly when they are dropped typically as "cluster bombs" in huge quantities--they cannot be made "non-persistent;" therefore they should be banned.

Even if the dubious claim made by the press-release's headline ("U.S. Land Mine Policy Surpasses Ottawa Treaty . . .") could be taken straight, which it can't, what would be the harm of signing this treaty, which would put the U.S. under further international and U.S. Constitutional obligation? The status quo policy simply allows the U.S. to claim that it's rules are "better" AND arbitrarily rescind their application, in particular with regard to its use of anti-personel mines.”

“In at least one state they have to arrest you for DUI before they can breathalyze you.”

“Is Sotomayor Catholic? If she is will the Church start pressuring her by refusing to give her communion if her Supreme Ct. decisions don't coincide with the doctrines of the Catholic Church?

If the Church wants to see their members elected to public officer perhaps they should think twice about the public influence they are trying to place on them. Personally, trying to blackmail a public official (which is essentially what they are doing) should result in the loss of their tax exempt status.

I know it is difficult to leave the Catholic Church when you are raised in it. It is just part of who you are. It took years for me to realize that I wasn't Catholic because I didn't believe in so many of their teachings (I've question the infallibility of the Pope since I first heard about it. Tell me, Catholics, where that is in the bible). As difficult as it might be for them, I would love to see the Kennedys unite together and leave the Church because of this. The Kennedys have done tremendous good over the decades (they aren't perfect, but who is). I guess the Church will just look the other way when and discount all the good done by them.”

“Too many religious folks are obsessed with controlling people vs. living their faith. They should show the love of Christ by living instead of this vindictive, judgmental attitude we see today. The bible says this about church leaders in Luke Chapter 11 - You Pharisees clean the outside of cups and dishes, but on the inside you are greedy and evil. You fools! Didn't God make both the outside and the inside? If you would only give what you have to the poor, everything you do would please God. You should be fair and kind to others. You love the front seats in the meeting places, and you like to be greeted with honor in the market. You are like unmarked graves that people walk on without even knowing it. A teacher of the Law of Moses spoke up, "Teacher, you said cruel things about us." Jesus replied: You teachers are also in for trouble! You load people down with heavy burdens, but you won't lift a finger to help them carry the loads. You build monuments to honor the prophets your own people murdered long ago. You must think that was the right thing for your people to do, or else you would not have built monuments for the prophets they murdered. You carry the keys to the door of knowledge about God. But you never go in, and you keep others from going in.”

“Bethin:

Are you saying that religious groups have fewer political rights than other groups?”

“idogs2, I am with ya. I am only 61 shortly to be 62 and will be getting early social security. I am lucky that my husband retired from the military after 21 yrs so we have Tricare for retired military. We both have had some really problems and have been lucky that our insurance has covered the majority except for our co-pay. When and if am lucky to reach 65 and get medicare and keep my Tricare I will be happy. I am very worried about the young people in the country. I am willing to pay alittle more to help the younger generation. After all like you said insurance was a whole lot cheaper in the early 60s. I don't know what happened. This shouldn't be this way. My son who is a cook for 10 yrs pays over $400 a month for himself and his daughter. He can't afford anything else. The insurance he does have is down right terrible. I was hoping that they would of made a Medicare for all and be done with it.”

“That's fine. Unfortunately, the insurance companies have decided that their bottom lines are more important than providing care.

The last ten years have seen Insurance company profits go way up while care has been restricted and policies rescinded and changed when care is needed. Its all about money now.

This wasn't the way when we were younger. It is going to take a big shift in priorities to change this business climate, which pervades every for-profit business except many small businesses.

The only hope fr younger people is to eventually get a single payer system, Medicare for all, that everyone pays into. That would not exclude private companies from providing their own services if they can provide them at a reasonable cost or to those who have a lot of money.”

“You may have misunderstood my comments. The old people now retiring have paid into Medicare their entire working lives. Now Medicare has run out of money. We simply need to double down with the young people and increase the benefits for old people so that the now old people can get what they are entitled to. When the kids get old, we can double down again. we will be able to show that Bernie Madoff was a piker.”

“And if you'll check with the history books, you will see that gay people were marching with MLK in places like Selma for other people's civil rights, Bayard Rustin -a gay man- was the main person responsible for MLK's march on Washington where he gave the "I Have A Dream" speech. But years laters our civil equality is still being denied.”

“But I don't see anyother community TODAY being told that they should give up ANY of thier rights, but the gay community is supposed to just accept 2nd class citizenship and be happy at the back of the bus.

YOU CAN FORGET THAT. Gay people have been waiting on equality since the FALL OF ROME. We have waited enough.

Have fun without our support in the next election. Obama's numbers are already tanking below 50%. Don't expect our help. Since no one wants to live up to their promises. The gayTM is CLOSED.”

“Along with the $30 billion dollar loan from China and the $600 billion dollar Medicare reform that was not paid for and the $700 billion dollar bailout money he gave away.”

“But that is what the Republican agenda has been since 1989!

Erode confidence in Government, cast aspersions at Democrats, feed that distrust, then claim to be trust worthy....­..

What they fail to grasp is that the internet has exposed them for what they are, and we no longer fall for the BS!”

“Your analysis of GWB is spot on. I hope you are right on President Obama. But I am fearing no human being on Earth can stand up to the Military Industrial Congressional Beltway Think Tank Banker Complex of the United States. They own us. So far it is endless war for war profits for the oligarchy while the little people do the dying. 40 years after Vietnam absolutely nothing whatsoever has changed. Make the money. Build a war memorial for the destroyed. Move on. That is still the play.”

“That's because both the left and right are trying to ignore Bush as hard as they can.

In any event, there is an end in sight for Iraq, the SoFA agreement was signed by Bush and Obama has stated his intention to comply with it.”