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Florida Jail Fires Officer Wayne Kerschner For Being KKK Member
Commented Dec 31, 2009 at 19:01:09 in Home
“They could well. It depends on how well the employment policy defines "terrorist organization". The Ku Klux Klan doesn't really exist anymore as a single organization--it fell apart in the late 40s. There are a bunch of racist societies calling themselves the KKK. This one, the "Southern Knights of the Ku Klux Klan", is just one of many. I've never heard of it in particular before. It would probably depend on if the state followed some sort of due process in determining it's a terrorist organizati
Government employers are bound by the 1st amendment right of freedom of association. To deny it requires some sort concrete process.”
Government employers are bound by the 1st amendment right of freedom of association. To deny it requires some sort concrete process.”
Colorado's Minimum Wage Becomes 1st In US To Drop
Commented Dec 31, 2009 at 16:05:29 in Denver
“So, they have a minimum wage indexed to inflation, like 9 other states. Consumer prices drop, so the wage drops as well, automatically. At least when prices go up, their wages will increase, unlike the other FORTY states and the federal government.”
Russia May Send Spacecraft To Knock Away Asteroid That Could Hit Earth
Commented Dec 31, 2009 at 02:06:17 in World
“Though the astronomers say there's little to no chance of it hitting us, and it'd probably be a waste of tens of millions of dollars, I prefer to err on the side of blowing crap up.”
2010 Laws Will Target Vices As States Face Budget Gaps
Commented Dec 30, 2009 at 21:47:06 in Politics
“"The sale of "novelty" lighters – devices designed to look like cartoon characters, toys or guns or that play musical notes or have flashing lights – are banned in Nevada and Louisiana.
"They're cute, they're little, but they can be deadly," said the Nevada bill's co-sponsor, Assembly Majority Floor Leader John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas."
Deadly? Is a lighter that looks like Hello Kitty more deadly than a normal lighter?”
"They're cute, they're little, but they can be deadly," said the Nevada bill's co-sponsor, Assembly Majority Floor Leader John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas."
Deadly? Is a lighter that looks like Hello Kitty more deadly than a normal lighter?”
ThePhilosopher replied on Dec 30, 2009 at 21:52:53
“I think the idea is that they look like toys and are more likely to attract that attention of small children.”
oliv0128 replied on Dec 30, 2009 at 21:48:34
“I think the point is so that children won't confuse them with toys.”
California Food Banks Aggressively Seek Slow-Grown, Nutritious Food
Commented Dec 29, 2009 at 03:32:34 in Impact
“Eat olestra?”
Former Guantanamo Prisoners Apparently Behind Flight 253 Christmas Attack Over Detroit
Commented Dec 29, 2009 at 03:23:13 in World
“A majority of the Guantanamo Bay prisoners weren't even captured on a battlefield. They were handed over to us by governments like Pakistan and Yemen who claimed they were terrorists (read: they didn't want to be bothered with trying or imprisoning them themselves). We're not officially at war with the countries where the majority of prisoners were "captured". The geneva convention doesn't cover the type of illegal prison the US has created.”
Texas County To Name Drunk Drivers On Twitter
Commented Dec 28, 2009 at 22:36:23 in Technology
“Of course, defendants are always presumed innocent in a court of law, until proven guilty, but arrest records are a matter of PUBLIC RECORD. No one ever has a right to keep private the fact that they've been charged with a crime. Does it matter that it gets published on the internet, rather than just printed in a local newspaper?”
Flight 253 Incident Touches Off New Round Of Religious Profiling Promotion
Commented Dec 28, 2009 at 22:27:15 in Media
“Wasn't McVeigh an agnostic and Kaczynski an atheist?”
NJmikeV replied on Dec 28, 2009 at 23:25:09
“...and Scott Roeder ? What about Eric Rudolph ?
Maybe a separate line for fundamentalists of all faiths would be in order.”
Maybe a separate line for fundamentalists of all faiths would be in order.”
Turukano replied on Dec 28, 2009 at 22:52:22
“Na, Mcveigh just wanted to start a racial war like the Turner diaries.”
Mark Foley Slams Max Baucus, Compares Scandals: 'They Had Me Run Out Of Town'
Commented Dec 28, 2009 at 14:23:11 in Media
“Actually, Foley had a pretty good gay-rights voting record. He was endorsed by Log Cabin Republicans several times. Apart from just being a Republican, there's little evidence he was a hypocrite, unlike Larry Craig; also, no one ever accused him of having sex with anyone under age 18. He just sent creepy messages to them.”
Patriot86 replied on Dec 28, 2009 at 14:28:06
“It's against the law to send explicit messages to underage boys...of course Foley had to go.”
Jobless Decade May Loom
Commented Dec 28, 2009 at 14:08:49 in Business
“Those trillions do not exist. To create them would instantly cause a vast inflation, on the scale of the early Weimar Republic, Zimbabwe in the last few years, or Hungary after WWII. We have a fiat currency that depends on those in charge being at least somewhat responsible with the supply of money.”
![Tom Harkin May Reintroduce Legislation To Kill Filibuster [UPDATED]](http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gen/126202/thumbs/s-TRANSACTION-TAX-small.jpg)
Tom Harkin May Reintroduce Legislation To Kill Filibuster [UPDATED]
Commented Dec 28, 2009 at 14:04:46 in Politics
“For over 30 years, Congress exempted itself from the discrimination provisions of the 1964 civil rights act, and the courts never got involved--they couldn't get involve because of the constitutional separation of powers.
In 1892, the supreme court wrote in a decision: "The power to make rules is not one which once exercised is exhausted. It is a continuous power, always subject to be exercised by the house, and, within the limitations suggested, absolute and beyond the challenge of any other body or tribunal."
The court was saying they had no authority to rule on an assertion by a plaintiff that a bill had been improperly passed according to the house rules.
Of course, no senate is going to arbitrarily block women or minorities from the senate, but on paper, they have that authority, and the supreme court has no power to stop them.”
In 1892, the supreme court wrote in a decision: "The power to make rules is not one which once exercised is exhausted. It is a continuous power, always subject to be exercised by the house, and, within the limitations suggested, absolute and beyond the challenge of any other body or tribunal."
The court was saying they had no authority to rule on an assertion by a plaintiff that a bill had been improperly passed according to the house rules.
Of course, no senate is going to arbitrarily block women or minorities from the senate, but on paper, they have that authority, and the supreme court has no power to stop them.”
Tom Harkin May Reintroduce Legislation To Kill Filibuster [UPDATED]
Commented Dec 28, 2009 at 13:44:13 in Politics
“An interesting theory, but rule V says the rules carry over from one session to the next:
"The rules of the Senate shall continue from one Congress to the next Congress unless they are changed as provided in these rules."
This follows the tradition that there is never any break in the Senate. Every two years, an entire new House gets seated, according to senate thought, but the senate is continuous because the terms are staggered.
In many state senates, though, terms are also staggered, but the rules are voted in, or set anew, at the start of each term, or each session (like in Texas).”
"The rules of the Senate shall continue from one Congress to the next Congress unless they are changed as provided in these rules."
This follows the tradition that there is never any break in the Senate. Every two years, an entire new House gets seated, according to senate thought, but the senate is continuous because the terms are staggered.
In many state senates, though, terms are also staggered, but the rules are voted in, or set anew, at the start of each term, or each session (like in Texas).”
Jobless Decade May Loom
Commented Dec 28, 2009 at 12:30:17 in Business
“It took over a decade to fix the problems of Republican misrule during the 20s. Not surprising that 8 years of Bush can't be fixed overnight.”
GenosseJoe replied on Dec 28, 2009 at 19:14:14
“You are funny. Let's blame Aztecs or Romans for the tireless Democratic efforts to debase our currency and to destroy our businesses (stimulus, cap-and-trade, health care, union power, and other democratic pet projects).”
Jobless Decade May Loom
Commented Dec 28, 2009 at 12:28:25 in Business
“Uh, sure, we could give every American a million dollars. That would be about 300 trillion dollars handed out, or 21 times the entire country's GDP. The value of a dollar would immediately fall by about 1 millionth. It'd wipe out our national debt, at least (except for holders of inflation-adjusted bonds), though no one would ever be willing to lend to us again.
Other than that, I love the idea. It'd certainly eliminate the penny, but it'd be great to buy a loaf of bread with a $100,000 bill.”
Other than that, I love the idea. It'd certainly eliminate the penny, but it'd be great to buy a loaf of bread with a $100,000 bill.”
silverstreet replied on Dec 28, 2009 at 13:26:44
“In other words, it's better to give those trillions to the banks to hoard”
Dawn Johnsen Nomination Sent Back To White House For 'Reconsideration'
Commented Dec 28, 2009 at 12:13:41 in Politics
“The article says they confirmed 30 nominees, along with several ambassadors and judges. 6 others were rejected. That sounds like how the Senate is supposed to work--straight up-or-down votes on the senate floor. An 80% confirmation rate isn't bad.
It certainly beats the endless anonymous holds, the filibusters, and other sneaky underhanded tools Republicans use to keep nominees in limbo for months or years.”
It certainly beats the endless anonymous holds, the filibusters, and other sneaky underhanded tools Republicans use to keep nominees in limbo for months or years.”
Smithn replied on Dec 28, 2009 at 13:05:02
“They can/and do put "holds" on a nominee for reasons totally unrelated to the confirmation of the nominee. NYT has a story about a buidling in Kansas City is holding up confirmations. It's a system of Bribery like Nelson & Landrieu & Lieberma used to get their votes on healthcare. We need to get rid of the Senate compaltely. The house is more democratic in its size & function. --- I see there's some talk going on about changing the cay things are done. Obviously, Gov't by bribery is not what was intended.”
Tom Harkin May Reintroduce Legislation To Kill Filibuster [UPDATED]
Commented Dec 28, 2009 at 11:49:08 in Politics
“They kept a few racists and incompetents off the court (sometimes, Bush went ahead and made recess appointments to bypass the Senate). There were some other filibusters here and there.”
Tom Harkin May Reintroduce Legislation To Kill Filibuster [UPDATED]
Commented Dec 28, 2009 at 11:46:23 in Politics
“The Supreme Court has never issued a ruling about senate rules. That would be an unconstitutional violation of separation of powers. Article I gives each chamber the right to set their own rules; an Article III court has no power to interpret them.
However, it is true that it only takes a simple majority to change the senate rules. However, the rules for precedence require debate to end first before the vote goes down, and to invoke cloture on a rules change requires two thirds, or 67 votes, an even stronger super-majority than required to break a normal filibuster.”
However, it is true that it only takes a simple majority to change the senate rules. However, the rules for precedence require debate to end first before the vote goes down, and to invoke cloture on a rules change requires two thirds, or 67 votes, an even stronger super-majority than required to break a normal filibuster.”
BushSmahers replied on Dec 29, 2009 at 01:28:06
“BLA BLA BLA. I read that at the beginning of any session the rules can be changed by the majority. No filibustering. MY POINT to the author and you experts, is that it seems there are different points of view on how you could change the rules/filibuster. Be nice to get into that since it's her JOB.”
Tom Harkin May Reintroduce Legislation To Kill Filibuster [UPDATED]
Commented Dec 28, 2009 at 11:39:04 in Politics
“Rule changes are subject to filibuster--in fact, the old filibuster rules of 2/3rds. From Rule XXII of the senate (link http://rul
"Is it the sense of the Senate that the debate shall be brought to a close?" And if that question shall be decided in the affirmative by three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn -- except on a measure or motion to amend the Senate rules, in which case the necessary affirmative vote shall be two-thirds of the Senators present and voting -- then said measure, motion, or other matter pending before the Senate, or the unfinished business, shall be the unfinished business to the exclusion of all other business until disposed of.”
"Is it the sense of the Senate that the debate shall be brought to a close?" And if that question shall be decided in the affirmative by three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn -- except on a measure or motion to amend the Senate rules, in which case the necessary affirmative vote shall be two-thirds of the Senators present and voting -- then said measure, motion, or other matter pending before the Senate, or the unfinished business, shall be the unfinished business to the exclusion of all other business until disposed of.”
Irmanator replied on Dec 28, 2009 at 13:01:15
“http://www
Mr. Creamer posits that only 51 votes are needed to change the senate rules at the beginning of the session.”
Mr. Creamer posits that only 51 votes are needed to change the senate rules at the beginning of the session.”
Tom Harkin May Reintroduce Legislation To Kill Filibuster [UPDATED]
Commented Dec 27, 2009 at 13:44:02 in Politics
“Actually, it would be constitutional, to exclude whoever they want. The constitution says: "Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members".”
oldngrumpy replied on Dec 28, 2009 at 00:25:55
“Let the Senate declare no more women, or no more blacks, allowed and watch how fast the SCOTUS gets involved. No body of government has, or may be granted, "permission" to violate any of the basic guarantees of rights.”
Tom Harkin May Reintroduce Legislation To Kill Filibuster [UPDATED]
Commented Dec 27, 2009 at 13:19:51 in Politics
“That was because Bill Frist wasn't the pushover Harry Reid is. Reid rarely plays hardball, and lets himself get rolled despite having the biggest party majority in decades.”
Truth Wins replied on Dec 27, 2009 at 13:45:24
“Considering the Blue Dogs it is just a majority - if all players align. Which they don't.
The Republicans used reconciliation to push their agenda through but this is not the best way to implement the many changes that have to be done now. Democrats got a mandate and a simple majority must be enough to pass the necessary legislation.”
The Republicans used reconciliation to push their agenda through but this is not the best way to implement the many changes that have to be done now. Democrats got a mandate and a simple majority must be enough to pass the necessary legislation.”
Tom Harkin May Reintroduce Legislation To Kill Filibuster [UPDATED]
Commented Dec 27, 2009 at 13:15:04 in Politics
“The Constitution also explicitly allows the Senate to set its own rules of debate and proceedings. The filibuster is a rule of debate. Therefore it's constitutional, unless you can provide some other constitutional provision that overrules it.”
The Year The Cubicle Died
Commented Dec 27, 2009 at 12:45:34 in World
“Egad, we tried this one year, open areas for people to "collaborate". It killed the productivity of our programmers. It means constant distractions, and once someone is distracted, it takes about an average of 15 minutes to get back on track. Fortunately, as a network administrator, I have a nice quiet office next to our data center. Nothing makes me more productive than being able to shut the door, set my IM as "unavailable", and forward all phone calls straight to voice mail.”
Savings Rate Increases: Americans Saving More In Weak Economy
Commented Dec 27, 2009 at 12:14:52 in Business
“Yes, the Paradox of Thrift. People afraid of being laid off save to give themselves a buffer--good behavior, normally, but on a macro scale, it hurts the economy further.”
Palin's Book Sparks Attacks On Vegetarian Critic
Commented Dec 27, 2009 at 12:08:44 in Politics
“Many of my best friends are made of meat!”
Texas County To Name Drunk Drivers On Twitter
Commented Dec 26, 2009 at 18:43:13 in Technology
“No one has ever had a right to keep the fact that they are charged with a crime private. It's always been a matter of public record. Does it matter if it's publicized by twitter or on a newspaper crime blot?”
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