Edit Preferences
Logout
billkarwin's Comments (472)
View Comments:
Sort:
1 - 25 of 472
Astroturf Group Tries to Flip Bloggers on Net Neutrality
Commented Dec 11, 2009 at 01:08:57 in Technology
“I'm surprised the internet industry is so hot to oppose Net Neutrality. I would think given the risks of carrying potentially illicit content on their networks, they'd be eager to establish themselves as Common Carriers.
The telephone companies have for decades avoided legal culpability for what happens on their phone networks because of their status as Common Carriers. Bernie Madoff probably used telephones to plan his fraud schemes, but no one thinks to sue AT&T for aiding and abetting those crimes.
Likewise the US Postal Service is not responsible for illegal or fraudulent content in letters.
The internet industry is so eager to have powers to give preferential service (or block service) to customers based on the content they put on the networks. But does the industry want to accept the legal responsibilities that should go along with those powers?”
The telephone companies have for decades avoided legal culpability for what happens on their phone networks because of their status as Common Carriers. Bernie Madoff probably used telephones to plan his fraud schemes, but no one thinks to sue AT&T for aiding and abetting those crimes.
Likewise the US Postal Service is not responsible for illegal or fraudulent content in letters.
The internet industry is so eager to have powers to give preferential service (or block service) to customers based on the content they put on the networks. But does the industry want to accept the legal responsibilities that should go along with those powers?”
What It Takes to Make a Republican Mad
Commented Dec 09, 2009 at 02:26:34 in Politics
“Mr. Elisberg, you mentioned in this blog that Sen. John McCain both opposed the Stimulus and supported the Stimulus. In fact both are true, but some readers might be confused.
McCain voted 'aye' on Feb 7 2008 with 31 other Republican Senators on H.R. 5140, the Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008. This was the $152 billion stimulus signed into law by President Bush.
McCain voted 'no' along with all but three Republican Senators on the $787 billion stimulus bill H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 which passed nevertheless on Feb 10 2009 and was signed into law by President Obama.”
McCain voted 'aye' on Feb 7 2008 with 31 other Republican Senators on H.R. 5140, the Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008. This was the $152 billion stimulus signed into law by President Bush.
McCain voted 'no' along with all but three Republican Senators on the $787 billion stimulus bill H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 which passed nevertheless on Feb 10 2009 and was signed into law by President Obama.”
Jimboy17 replied on Dec 09, 2009 at 10:21:07
“Isn't there some famous quote "I was agin' it before I was for it"...or something like that?”
Richard Cohen: Gay-To-Straight 'Therapist' Spars With Rachel Maddow (VIDEO)
Commented Dec 09, 2009 at 00:51:04 in Media
“Sweden appears to be announcing that they're cutting some of the $50 million in development aid they give to Uganda in response to their "appalling" anti-homosexuality bill.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper have also called the bill unacceptable, and many human rights organizations are calling for boycotts.
Write your representative in Congress to voice your opposition to Ugandan human rights abuses.”
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper have also called the bill unacceptable, and many human rights organizations are calling for boycotts.
Write your representative in Congress to voice your opposition to Ugandan human rights abuses.”
Obama Silent On Public Option In Speech To Senators
Commented Dec 07, 2009 at 11:59:29 in Politics
“It's true that anyone can write a bill including the US President -- or anyone really. But only a member of Congress can introduce that bill, sponsor it, and usher it through the legislative process. In addition to your examples, the Civil Rights Act of 1957 was written by President Eisenhower's Attorney General.
Still, it's a better management practice to set goals and let the experts create the solution for those goals. It's appropriate for Obama Administration representatives to be in the room as the bill is being crafted, so they can speak to whether the bill satisfies Obama's goals.
In other words, the goal is to create public policy that helps all Americans get medical care. If a public option is the best way to achieve that, then let's do that. But in this case, it's the Executive Branch who is setting the goal, and Congress who is debating the best way to achieve it.
In a matter as contentious as health care, one also wants to get genuine support from legislators who represent their states. If too much arm-twisting is done, then there's a risk that a future Congress may try to overturn the program, or at least hamstring it so it fails and they can say "I told you so."
Any project is most successful when it's the baby of the people who are responsible for its success. Making Congress design the legislation is the best way to ensure they own it, and fight for it.”
Still, it's a better management practice to set goals and let the experts create the solution for those goals. It's appropriate for Obama Administration representatives to be in the room as the bill is being crafted, so they can speak to whether the bill satisfies Obama's goals.
In other words, the goal is to create public policy that helps all Americans get medical care. If a public option is the best way to achieve that, then let's do that. But in this case, it's the Executive Branch who is setting the goal, and Congress who is debating the best way to achieve it.
In a matter as contentious as health care, one also wants to get genuine support from legislators who represent their states. If too much arm-twisting is done, then there's a risk that a future Congress may try to overturn the program, or at least hamstring it so it fails and they can say "I told you so."
Any project is most successful when it's the baby of the people who are responsible for its success. Making Congress design the legislation is the best way to ensure they own it, and fight for it.”
Jackie Ramos, Bank Of America Employee, Fired After Helping Customers (VIDEO)
Commented Dec 07, 2009 at 11:25:57 in Business
“Well done. This is the latest shot in a trend toward a popular debtors' revolt. I hope more people move their money to local Credit Unions instead of banks. I haven't held an account with any bank in over ten years.
I suppose BofA deserves some credit for at least starting the Customer Assistance Program to adjust debt rates for "1.2 to 1.5 million people in 2009." But it's sad that their own past policies have put so many people in a position of unaffordable debt that even this number leaves a lot of people out.
BofA has also announced a goal to invest $1.5 trillion in Community Development initiatives.
http://www.bankofamerica.com/community/index.cfm?template=cdb_threefiftybillion
That sounds nice, but BofA has earned so much ill will recently that one assumes this program is designed to enrich BofA, even though it's being sold as a big philanthropy project. The trust is gone. Anyone who thinks that being a "loyal customer" counts for anything to a modern bank is living by the values of a bygone era.
Your banker is not George Baily (Jimmy Stewart's character in "It's a Wonderful Life") -- it's Mr. Potter.”
I suppose BofA deserves some credit for at least starting the Customer Assistance Program to adjust debt rates for "1.2 to 1.5 million people in 2009." But it's sad that their own past policies have put so many people in a position of unaffordable debt that even this number leaves a lot of people out.
BofA has also announced a goal to invest $1.5 trillion in Community Development initiatives.
http://www.bankofamerica.com/community/index.cfm?template=cdb_threefiftybillion
That sounds nice, but BofA has earned so much ill will recently that one assumes this program is designed to enrich BofA, even though it's being sold as a big philanthropy project. The trust is gone. Anyone who thinks that being a "loyal customer" counts for anything to a modern bank is living by the values of a bygone era.
Your banker is not George Baily (Jimmy Stewart's character in "It's a Wonderful Life") -- it's Mr. Potter.”
Obama Silent On Public Option In Speech To Senators
Commented Dec 06, 2009 at 19:50:01 in Politics
“Obama is right to avoid speaking to specific implementation details of the health care reform bill. He's now the President, not a legislator. As President, Obama gets to describe goals of the Executive branch, like reducing the cost curve of health care. But he restrains himself from dictating specifically *how* to achieve those goals. That's supposed to be the job of the Legislative branch.
The Constitution is the Constitution, even though the modern Congress are a bunch of lily-livered do-nothings, more concerned with politics and political donors than they are with leading true reform and saving thousands of American lives per year.”
The Constitution is the Constitution, even though the modern Congress are a bunch of lily-livered do-nothings, more concerned with politics and political donors than they are with leading true reform and saving thousands of American lives per year.”
UnknownSolider replied on Dec 06, 2009 at 19:55:09
“Gotta Fan you for being knowledgeable about American Civics”
notonegativity replied on Dec 06, 2009 at 19:54:05
“Yes! Another voice of reason.”
Marcospinelli replied on Dec 06, 2009 at 19:53:38
“I don't know where the abzurd notion that a president doesn't write legislation got started on these threads -- Perhaps it's due to the simplistic perspective given in high school civics classes of 3 distinctly separate branches of government. But there is overlap, & presidential administrations write legislation all the time & walk it over to the Hill for some senator to sponsor.
Sometimes it's formal, and sometimes it general (like with Obama's list of requirements for what must be in his healthcare reform policy). But even then, Obama has been pulling Baucus's strings, and Rahm Emanuel will be in the conference committee dictating the language in the final bill.
Oftentimes the executive branch is really the only branch that can write the legislation because of the overlap in executive branch agencies. Many laws that have multiple jurisdictional questions require that they be coordinated by the executive branch before being introduced. An environmental law, for example not only needs input from the EPA but also from the DoD. Military bases are even more restricted than other areas on maintaining environmental law and need to be consulted on every issue. Camp Pendleton, for example, employs hundreds of biologists to maintain compliance.
PresidentialAdministrations work with, dictate, lead, demand legislation, especially when their party controls both houses of Congress. TheKennedy Administration/CivilRightsAct & Nixon/EPA, 2 of the more famous examples.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964
http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/epa/15c.htm”
Sometimes it's formal, and sometimes it general (like with Obama's list of requirements for what must be in his healthcare reform policy). But even then, Obama has been pulling Baucus's strings, and Rahm Emanuel will be in the conference committee dictating the language in the final bill.
Oftentimes the executive branch is really the only branch that can write the legislation because of the overlap in executive branch agencies. Many laws that have multiple jurisdictional questions require that they be coordinated by the executive branch before being introduced. An environmental law, for example not only needs input from the EPA but also from the DoD. Military bases are even more restricted than other areas on maintaining environmental law and need to be consulted on every issue. Camp Pendleton, for example, employs hundreds of biologists to maintain compliance.
PresidentialAdministrations work with, dictate, lead, demand legislation, especially when their party controls both houses of Congress. TheKennedy Administration/CivilRightsAct & Nixon/EPA, 2 of the more famous examples.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964
http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/epa/15c.htm”
SimplyPrecious replied on Dec 06, 2009 at 19:51:04
“Another voice of sanity. Thank you, Bill.”
ladynaga replied on Dec 06, 2009 at 19:50:26
“Good point”
Palin's Father: She Left Hawaii Because Asians Made Her Uncomfortable
Commented Dec 06, 2009 at 14:06:02 in Politics
“Interesting read. It's dripping with bias of course (what would you expect from a publication called the LA Progressive?). But if only 10% of it is accurate, then it's actually reassuring. Because if Palin tries to run a national campaign in 2012, it's kind of inevitable that it'll implode.”
Andrew Sullivan: I'm Breaking From The Right
Commented Dec 04, 2009 at 14:17:20 in Politics
“I applaud Andrew Sullivan and Charles Johnson for their courage in calling out the destructive ideas from fringe elements.
I would urge them to reclaim and redefine the moniker of "right-wing" instead of fleeing from it. That is, reject and jettison the crazies and let those people form their own party. Don't cede a powerful brand like the Republican Party to a bunch of ignorant whackjobs.
I'll be more impressed if elected GOP leaders show the same courage. I believe their tacit and sometimes explicit support for conspiracy theories and bigotry shows that their desire for votes and money outweighs the strength of their convictions. Or else they share genuine feelings of cynicism and hate. Either way they are not fit to be leaders in America.”
I would urge them to reclaim and redefine the moniker of "right-wing" instead of fleeing from it. That is, reject and jettison the crazies and let those people form their own party. Don't cede a powerful brand like the Republican Party to a bunch of ignorant whackjobs.
I'll be more impressed if elected GOP leaders show the same courage. I believe their tacit and sometimes explicit support for conspiracy theories and bigotry shows that their desire for votes and money outweighs the strength of their convictions. Or else they share genuine feelings of cynicism and hate. Either way they are not fit to be leaders in America.”
10,000 Albinos In Hiding After Killings In East Africa
Commented Nov 30, 2009 at 14:52:07 in World
“According to one reference, 1 in 17,000 people have the albinism condition. So statistically, 10,000 albinos could be found in a population of about 170 million.
The population of East Africa (including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda) is about 124 million.
I'd guess the number of albinos reported in this story (10,000) is a rough estimate, probably on the high side.”
The population of East Africa (including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda) is about 124 million.
I'd guess the number of albinos reported in this story (10,000) is a rough estimate, probably on the high side.”
'Decade From Hell': Time Mag Trashes The '00s
Commented Nov 27, 2009 at 15:30:55 in Media
“I admit that I'm jousting at windmills. Popular culture loves to celebrate its own ignorance.”
'Decade From Hell': Time Mag Trashes The '00s
Commented Nov 27, 2009 at 14:18:50 in Media
“There is no 33 year gap as you describe.
Many people assume because "BC" is an abbreviation for "Before Christ" (in English) that "AD" must also be in English, and they suppose it's an abbreviation for "After Death" which accounts for the 33 year gap, as if the lifespan of Jesus is in neither era.
In fact, "AD" stands for the Latin phrase "Anno Domini" which means "the year of our Lord." It counts years from the birth of Jesus, not his death.
I welcome alternative points of view in most discussion, but in this case we're just talking about well-documented historical facts that are not subject to alternative interpretation.”
Many people assume because "BC" is an abbreviation for "Before Christ" (in English) that "AD" must also be in English, and they suppose it's an abbreviation for "After Death" which accounts for the 33 year gap, as if the lifespan of Jesus is in neither era.
In fact, "AD" stands for the Latin phrase "Anno Domini" which means "the year of our Lord." It counts years from the birth of Jesus, not his death.
I welcome alternative points of view in most discussion, but in this case we're just talking about well-documented historical facts that are not subject to alternative interpretation.”
'Decade From Hell': Time Mag Trashes The '00s
Commented Nov 26, 2009 at 15:53:55 in Media
“Yes, I understand why the 21st century includes 99 years that are less than 2100. It's because the 1st century included 99 years less than 100. There was no "zero year" in the Gregorian or Julian calendars. 1BC was followed by 1AD.
This means the 20th century (and the millenium) ended on Dec 31 2000, and the 21st century runs from Jan 1 2001 to Dec 31 2100.
Likewise, the end of the current decade is ten years after it began: Dec 31 2010 -- not Dec 31 2009. Since we are in Nov 2009, we are about thirteen months from the end of the current decade. So it's premature to say the decade is "almost over."
I think we might be saying the same thing.”
This means the 20th century (and the millenium) ended on Dec 31 2000, and the 21st century runs from Jan 1 2001 to Dec 31 2100.
Likewise, the end of the current decade is ten years after it began: Dec 31 2010 -- not Dec 31 2009. Since we are in Nov 2009, we are about thirteen months from the end of the current decade. So it's premature to say the decade is "almost over."
I think we might be saying the same thing.”
Palemoon replied on Nov 26, 2009 at 17:12:19
“You know, that brings up another problem. When I was going to Church as a young person and plus reading alot of history dealing with BC/AD stuff.... one thing kept creeping into the conversation.
Biblicists contend that in order for the BC/AD to make sense, there has to be that corresponding 33 year gap in the Gregorian calendar. In other words, from 1 BC to 1 AD was actually 34 years long.
Now, I don't know if what I said is true about the starting at 0 or 1 in my previous posts, nor the Biblical 33 year gap, lol. I'm just giving out this information as an alternative point of view.
But also, consider this. Say you have 20 glasses of water. All of them have an equal amount except for one which is half full. Do you say "I have 20 glasses of water" or do you say "I have 19 and a half glasses of water"??
That being a key to the mystery as I see it since 1 is a whole amount. Anything less than a whole is not. You can't have 1 of something if it's less than one. Course, that plays right back into the point of view that you gave. That you have something, regardless of how much and that it should count as 1 of something. ;o)”
Biblicists contend that in order for the BC/AD to make sense, there has to be that corresponding 33 year gap in the Gregorian calendar. In other words, from 1 BC to 1 AD was actually 34 years long.
Now, I don't know if what I said is true about the starting at 0 or 1 in my previous posts, nor the Biblical 33 year gap, lol. I'm just giving out this information as an alternative point of view.
But also, consider this. Say you have 20 glasses of water. All of them have an equal amount except for one which is half full. Do you say "I have 20 glasses of water" or do you say "I have 19 and a half glasses of water"??
That being a key to the mystery as I see it since 1 is a whole amount. Anything less than a whole is not. You can't have 1 of something if it's less than one. Course, that plays right back into the point of view that you gave. That you have something, regardless of how much and that it should count as 1 of something. ;o)”
'Decade From Hell': Time Mag Trashes The '00s
Commented Nov 26, 2009 at 14:30:19 in Media
“Thanks for that post! Well said.
I see the American exceptionalism as the modern form of the idea of "Manifest destiny" which dates back to the 1840's. It has been used by leaders like Reagan and Bush and Cheney to justify their actions that operate outside of domestic and international law.
Don't give up hope. Remember the words of Martin Luther King Jr.: "Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice."”
I see the American exceptionalism as the modern form of the idea of "Manifest destiny" which dates back to the 1840's. It has been used by leaders like Reagan and Bush and Cheney to justify their actions that operate outside of domestic and international law.
Don't give up hope. Remember the words of Martin Luther King Jr.: "Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice."”
'Decade From Hell': Time Mag Trashes The '00s
Commented Nov 26, 2009 at 14:19:23 in Media
“The decade is nearly over? It's true we're not far from the end, but we still have thirteen months to go.
When will people get it that our calendar system begins with year 1? A decade ends at the *end* of the tenth year, not at the beginning of the tenth year.”
When will people get it that our calendar system begins with year 1? A decade ends at the *end* of the tenth year, not at the beginning of the tenth year.”
Amalek replied on Nov 26, 2009 at 23:55:13
“You nerds drive me nuts. How many people made a big deal out of January 1, 2001. You? and one of your nerd enablers?
You think those people celebrating the first decade waited until 11 to do it? No way. They did not even know what year it was. We didn't know what year it was until Pope Gregory explained it to us in 1582, the same time he announced the big party for December 31, 1600.”
You think those people celebrating the first decade waited until 11 to do it? No way. They did not even know what year it was. We didn't know what year it was until Pope Gregory explained it to us in 1582, the same time he announced the big party for December 31, 1600.”
st33ves replied on Nov 26, 2009 at 16:17:23
“are you a moron? so you're saying that for example, the 90's ended at the end of the year 2000? no.... 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. count them, there's 10...”
Palemoon replied on Nov 26, 2009 at 14:38:44
“I think it's only in math that you start with 1 since you gotta have something in order to add/subtract. In calendars and real world time, there has to be a starting point and that is 0.
That's why the first century started at less than 1. For example, the 1st century contained such famous people as Queen Boudica who lived from the years 30-62 AD/CE. That's the first century, the 1 isn't tallied til the end of it. Only when it was over did you start the 2nd century. Now, if you do the calendar math, you'll realize that we have been using this calendar system some 2109 years now. Also look at the turn of the century, or millennium, like the years 2000 and 2010. Are they really "10's" or are they simply "0's"?? I think of them as 0's since a digit counted up somewhere else. In 2010, the 1 moves over to the left while the primary digit resets back to 0. Get it?
Think of it like this, even in mathematics you have to have something for it to "count." The first year in calendar existance would have been the year stretching from 0 to 1. It's not tallied til the end since you gotta have that full first year to count at 1. ;o)”
That's why the first century started at less than 1. For example, the 1st century contained such famous people as Queen Boudica who lived from the years 30-62 AD/CE. That's the first century, the 1 isn't tallied til the end of it. Only when it was over did you start the 2nd century. Now, if you do the calendar math, you'll realize that we have been using this calendar system some 2109 years now. Also look at the turn of the century, or millennium, like the years 2000 and 2010. Are they really "10's" or are they simply "0's"?? I think of them as 0's since a digit counted up somewhere else. In 2010, the 1 moves over to the left while the primary digit resets back to 0. Get it?
Think of it like this, even in mathematics you have to have something for it to "count." The first year in calendar existance would have been the year stretching from 0 to 1. It's not tallied til the end since you gotta have that full first year to count at 1. ;o)”
Joe Lieberman's Anti-Public Option Rationale Keeps Shifting
Commented Nov 23, 2009 at 19:38:04 in Politics
“Thanks! Yeah, I think it's clear Joe L.'s rhetoric has been red herring after red herring. A whole school of red herrings! Actually, according to wikipedia, a "glean" of red herrings would be the proper collective noun. :-)”
Joe Lieberman's Anti-Public Option Rationale Keeps Shifting
Commented Nov 23, 2009 at 17:09:20 in Politics
“Humans are allergic to change. They love to say, 'We've always done it this way.' I try to fight that. That's why I have a clock on my wall that runs counter-clockwise.
- Adm. Grace Murray Hopper, computer scientist (1906-1992)”
- Adm. Grace Murray Hopper, computer scientist (1906-1992)”
old lady replied on Nov 23, 2009 at 17:26:39
“Good post. Fanned . EXCEPT in context of Yoyo_Joe's remarks, we have done it before. He either failed to learn it, or chooses to ignore TR and FDR examples.”
Sarah Palin Meets Her Double On Book Tour (PHOTO)
Commented Nov 23, 2009 at 13:46:08 in Comedy
“Maybe they can go rogue together? That makes me think of the line from the classic holiday animation Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer:
"Let's be independent -- together!"”
"Let's be independent -- together!"”
The Third Annual Huffington Post "Tell Us What You're Cooking For Thanksgiving This Year That You Didn't Cook Last Year"
Commented Nov 22, 2009 at 18:14:14 in Style
“Correction: sugar pumpkins aren't necessarily white in color. My wife happened to buy a white one, but that variety of pumpkin comes in orange too.”
The Third Annual Huffington Post "Tell Us What You're Cooking For Thanksgiving This Year That You Didn't Cook Last Year"
Commented Nov 22, 2009 at 13:36:35 in Style
“We're going to bake a pumpkin, in lieu of the traditional squash. It's super easy:
1. Slice a small sugar pumpkin (the kind with the white skin, not orange) like you would an orange, into eight wedges.
2. Scrape out the seeds and pulp. Much easier than scraping out a jack-o-lantern!
3. Place wedges in a baking pan and drizzle with maple syrup. Add a layer of water at the bottom of the pan.
4. Bake at 350 F for one to two hours. Longer makes the pumpkin more tender. The tips should be browned but not burned.
Even without any sugar or spices, it tastes like eating pumpkin pie. You can eat the whole rind, but there's a papery skin on the very exterior that I peel off.
This does occupy your oven, so I recommend cooking it a day in advance.”
1. Slice a small sugar pumpkin (the kind with the white skin, not orange) like you would an orange, into eight wedges.
2. Scrape out the seeds and pulp. Much easier than scraping out a jack-o-lantern!
3. Place wedges in a baking pan and drizzle with maple syrup. Add a layer of water at the bottom of the pan.
4. Bake at 350 F for one to two hours. Longer makes the pumpkin more tender. The tips should be browned but not burned.
Even without any sugar or spices, it tastes like eating pumpkin pie. You can eat the whole rind, but there's a papery skin on the very exterior that I peel off.
This does occupy your oven, so I recommend cooking it a day in advance.”
billkarwin replied on Nov 22, 2009 at 18:14:14
“Correction: sugar pumpkins aren't necessarily white in color. My wife happened to buy a white one, but that variety of pumpkin comes in orange too.”
Victoria's Secret Fashion Show PHOTOS: Boobs, Lace, And Balloons (POLL)
Commented Nov 21, 2009 at 00:04:02 in Style
“Yeah, makes me want to go Chanel-hopping!
(um, I actually have no idea what I mean by that... :-)”
(um, I actually have no idea what I mean by that... :-)”
Palin Booed By Book Tour Crowd
Commented Nov 20, 2009 at 19:37:34 in Media
“So the supposed Sarah Palin fans who angrily say they'll return their unsigned books aren't interested in reading the book -- they just want it signed, probably to increase its value as a collectible for resale on eBay.
This makes perfect sense. These people who feel affinity for Sarah Palin seem to view the world of public service as a marketplace, an opportunity for personal enrichment, rather than the place from which to create a more perfect union.
These people love Sarah Palin because she's just like them.”
This makes perfect sense. These people who feel affinity for Sarah Palin seem to view the world of public service as a marketplace, an opportunity for personal enrichment, rather than the place from which to create a more perfect union.
These people love Sarah Palin because she's just like them.”
topkatnc replied on Nov 20, 2009 at 19:40:16
“You got that right !!!!!”
SassySafrine replied on Nov 20, 2009 at 19:38:37
“Did you seriously think anyone was going to READ that book? Anyone who truly reads would not waste money or time with that type of nonsense.”
Palin Suggests Evolution Not Real In "Going Rogue"
Commented Nov 17, 2009 at 18:09:23 in Politics
“I don't think anyone is trying to eliminate the freedom of religion. That's still in the US Constitution, and no one has suggested changing it.
However, we also have a principle of separation between church and state. This is to *protect* each individual's right to worship as they choose, not to threaten it. We only place limitations on how government can push religion. This is as it should be -- restrict powers for government, promote freedoms for the individual.
Regarding currency:
The US national motto is "In God We Trust" and it appears on all US coins. The new Presidential $1 Coins that were approved in 2005 by President George W. Bush feature the motto "In God We Trust" inscribed on the edge of the coin, to allow for larger and more dramatic artwork on the face of the coin.
See http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/dollarcoin.asp”
However, we also have a principle of separation between church and state. This is to *protect* each individual's right to worship as they choose, not to threaten it. We only place limitations on how government can push religion. This is as it should be -- restrict powers for government, promote freedoms for the individual.
Regarding currency:
The US national motto is "In God We Trust" and it appears on all US coins. The new Presidential $1 Coins that were approved in 2005 by President George W. Bush feature the motto "In God We Trust" inscribed on the edge of the coin, to allow for larger and more dramatic artwork on the face of the coin.
See http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/dollarcoin.asp”
Palin Suggests Evolution Not Real In "Going Rogue"
Commented Nov 16, 2009 at 20:33:10 in Politics
“I have no quarrel with someone believing in a higher power. I don't share that faith, but that's her faith and I'm not going to question it. Disrespecting someone else's faith and then expecting them to respect mine would be hypocritical. Certainly it fails to follow the rule "do unto others as you would have them do unto you," which is a central principle in every world religion.”
Loveforlife replied on Nov 16, 2009 at 20:51:37
“Respectful post. I don't quarrel with others regarding their religion either. I for one agree with Sarah Palin on this. I believe that God created the earth in an aged form. As for others suggestions that Darwin was right. Even Darwinians admit his theory wasn't proven.”
Jon Stewart Catches Sean Hannity Falsifying Footage To Make GOP Protest Appear Bigger (VIDEO)
Commented Nov 13, 2009 at 20:59:18 in Comedy
“Thanks cbs2nd your response is the only one (so far) that took my question seriously and gave a reasoned reply.
Your distinction makes sense, that the photo on HuffPo is meant to draw the reader in, not to portray facts about the story. Especially since frequently the stock photo for a story appears on the front page, but not in the story after you click on it.
Whereas on the Fox News report, the video was a cutaway as Hannity describes the protest, clearly meant to show the actual event he was talking about.
I agree with you and the others on this thread that there's a qualitative difference, but it's worthwhile for us to be clear exactly what that difference is.”
Your distinction makes sense, that the photo on HuffPo is meant to draw the reader in, not to portray facts about the story. Especially since frequently the stock photo for a story appears on the front page, but not in the story after you click on it.
Whereas on the Fox News report, the video was a cutaway as Hannity describes the protest, clearly meant to show the actual event he was talking about.
I agree with you and the others on this thread that there's a qualitative difference, but it's worthwhile for us to be clear exactly what that difference is.”
Steve Lang replied on Nov 18, 2009 at 15:30:55
“Yeah, what made it worse is that Hannity was commenting on the video footage as if it was real footage from the protest, and then the comments about how large a crowd it was for a Thursday. So here they are explicitly referring to the footage as authentic footage of the event.
Politics totally aside, this just really turns my stomach. I frankly barely trust any media sources anymore, left or right. When any group or organization decides they know what's best for the world, this sort of thing starts to happen.
It's possible that a mistake was made, tapes were swapped, and even more possible that Hannity was unaware of what was going on. But do you think such a mistake would have ever been made that showed footage of a sparsely attended rally instead? Nope.”
Politics totally aside, this just really turns my stomach. I frankly barely trust any media sources anymore, left or right. When any group or organization decides they know what's best for the world, this sort of thing starts to happen.
It's possible that a mistake was made, tapes were swapped, and even more possible that Hannity was unaware of what was going on. But do you think such a mistake would have ever been made that showed footage of a sparsely attended rally instead? Nope.”
Jon Stewart Catches Sean Hannity Falsifying Footage To Make GOP Protest Appear Bigger (VIDEO)
Commented Nov 13, 2009 at 15:48:15 in Comedy
“Doesn't HuffPo do something similar on a daily basis?
We hear a story about one of Obama's policy initiatives hitting a roadblock, and HuffPo adds a file photo of Obama looking sad. It isn't a photo of Obama reacting to that day's events, it's a file photo from weeks or months ago. I imagine HuffPo has a library of photos of many political leaders, indexed by approximate emotion.
When Fox News shows a video of a vastly larger crowd, this could be considered more deceptive, but I'm sure they would say it's just file footage, used to illustrate what a crowd on the National Mall looks like.
How can one distinguish these two practices objectively? How exactly is Fox News being deceptive in a damaging way, whereas HuffPo is not? I'm not condoning this behavior of Fox News, I'm just putting this out there as food for thought.”
We hear a story about one of Obama's policy initiatives hitting a roadblock, and HuffPo adds a file photo of Obama looking sad. It isn't a photo of Obama reacting to that day's events, it's a file photo from weeks or months ago. I imagine HuffPo has a library of photos of many political leaders, indexed by approximate emotion.
When Fox News shows a video of a vastly larger crowd, this could be considered more deceptive, but I'm sure they would say it's just file footage, used to illustrate what a crowd on the National Mall looks like.
How can one distinguish these two practices objectively? How exactly is Fox News being deceptive in a damaging way, whereas HuffPo is not? I'm not condoning this behavior of Fox News, I'm just putting this out there as food for thought.”
Megan97401 replied on Nov 13, 2009 at 20:27:39
“Apples and oranges. I could go on, but that about covers it.”
cbs2nd replied on Nov 13, 2009 at 17:21:04
“using a stock photo to represent the mood of the story is far different than using video from a different event while simultaneously inflating the numbers during discussion of the event in the story. The video is used to validate where you want the story to go, the photo is used to draw you to the story, not to misrepresent the story.”
ChristianEcon.com replied on Nov 13, 2009 at 17:15:37
“HP doesn't pretend to be "fair and balanced" at the same time.”
Vernon Brown replied on Nov 13, 2009 at 17:12:33
“you're starving me”
-swift replied on Nov 13, 2009 at 16:39:58
“The difference is that Huffington Post doesn't try to pass that photo off as an actual reaction to the news. It's a file photo. Hannity's show interspliced clips of two different events and talked about them like they were one. They said the image that appeared was not what it actually was.
If, in your example, Huffington Post put a caption under the sad picture of the President that said, "This was the Presiden'ts reaction to the story", then it would be the same.
Although, while we are on the topice, I do think Huffington Post overdramatizes their captions and choice of photos. If I wanted misleading sensasionalism, I know at least one cable news outlet that would provide it. Just give us the news straight.”
If, in your example, Huffington Post put a caption under the sad picture of the President that said, "This was the Presiden'ts reaction to the story", then it would be the same.
Although, while we are on the topice, I do think Huffington Post overdramatizes their captions and choice of photos. If I wanted misleading sensasionalism, I know at least one cable news outlet that would provide it. Just give us the news straight.”
1 - 25 of 472
