snseattle's Comments (36)

“You believe in Norse mythology? I bet not. Blaming a rise in temperature over just the last 15 years - one that has usually taken 1500 years - on a collection of gods from ancient stories would be silly. But it makes total sense to credit a single, almighty god from a different book. That's who holds the keys, isn't it. Yes! I presume you are wearing sack cloth and sitting in ashes to repent for your sins? That's what must do now or we will be taught a real lesson by the Almighty! He will continue to raise the temperature. He will flood our coast line and kill the forests and use his lightening to burn the dead trees. You must appease your god or you will surely pay. And dress your children in sack cloth and sit them in ashes. Teach them the truth about who is responsible for our planet and how to handle it the right way. Humans are not responsible for affecting any change at all. Thinking so is arrogant and preposterous. Blaming a god from a story makes total sense. Right?”

“During my years living in MA I was very proud to have you as my Senator. I am thankful for your life of service and I am glad that I had the chance to tell you personally when we met in 2006. We are a better country in a better world for the work you did....tha­nk you.”

“NO question it is a beautiful. But, and I may be wrong here, don't they need some environment to hide in and swim around? Even a small fish tank has rocks and coral for the fish...”

“Oooo. The possibilities with that metaphor are...uh..­.nevermind­.”

“Oh yeah? Well my dad's also an economist!”

“Ok. So he attracts attention. Your point makes lukianoff's case even more so, I think. This is a McCarthyistic attempt to target those whose views are unpopular. That is a violation of the law.”

“You can't be serious. The earmarks wind up in nearly every district in the country in one form or another. All those bonuses wind up in the off-shore bank accounts and hedge funds of .01% of single individuals and the money is then used to buy the types of investments that do nothing to grow the economy. Obama want's to push their taxes up to 39.5% - I say 50% is a better place to start.”

“I thought Meghan's interview on Maddow was terrific. She is genuine and does not seem to share the same combat approach to politics, a self-riteous certainty, that others in her party continue to use - I would probably enjoy a conversation with her about the substance of her views over a cup of coffee. And, since we were on the subject, I would notice as we talked, as I did in the Maddow interview, that she is adorable - too young for me, but in no need of changing anything about herself to fit anyone's idea of who she is supposed to be. Now, if she could just talk her dad back down to where he was in 2000...tha­t would be very helpful.”

“To the points on the weak press: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. spoke at the Built Green 2009 Conference in Seattle on Friday that I attended. Here are a few quotes I wrote down. Referring to the changes that have occurred since Reagan eliminated the Fairness Doctrine in 1988, Kennedy said "We have a negligent and indolent press - they don't inform people...t­he have no obligation to report [evenhandedly] since the Fairness Doctrine was eliminated­...there in no longer a diversity and multiplicity of control...­" "We know more about Katie and Tom Cruise than we do about Global Warming." "We are the best entertained and worst informed country in the world."”

“Absolutely a great opportunity to save ourselves and our future from continued suicide on a carbon economy. To make it happen, Obama needs to pull all of the government subsidies to oil and coal companies and let a free market of a new energy economy replace them immediately. The government allows these companies to get away with killing our air and water and us - they are stealing our money by being allowed to pollute and lay waste to our habitat - screw the shrews and owls, this is about me and my kids. "We can continue to take carbon energy from hell or we can take the unlimited free energy [wind and solar] that we get from heaven every day" (quoting Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. at Built Green 2009 Conference, March 6, 2009, Seattle, WA). Why do Sweden, Iceland, Brazil, Costa Rica, Israel and others get to live better than we do? Because they have the commitment to a carbon-free economy and our government is full of corrupt, weak politicians. You want opportunity? Get big oil and coal out of the picture now.”

“People seem to assume that anyone who wants to end his life is merely depressed and needs help. In many cases that is very true. My father took his life when I was 15 after a lifetime of depression. It was a traumatic experience, of course. However, I voted for the right to die in Washington. It is a very different decision to take one's live in the face of the body's immenent physiological demise. When one can make a clear-minded choice with the input of others (doctors, family) as in our law, it is an act of compassion that they be allowed to choose when they peacefully stop their body from functioning. Our death is just as precious as our life.”

“Bing: Thanks for the post. As one of the laid off employees from the January round, I felt I had little choice to sign my severance agreement which I can not describe for that would be a violation of that and my employment agreement. Suffice to say that it is standard fare around both its value and indemnification clauses. However, it is far less, I believe, than a company with multi-billion dollar profits could afford to provide, IMO. They are hardly hurting for cash and have plenty of recently re-purchased stock that could be a resource for making people whole on some portion of previously earned rewards. Nevertheless, I have to say that I felt the HR people handled my departure in a way that was compassionate and dignified. I don't know if the executive you cite is Lisa Brummel, but the situation you describe was ultimately her call. I don't know her personally but have always felt she is a caring leader who listens to the employees. Members of her team seem in general to be equally considerate in my experience. I find it consistent with her previous behavior that she approved the policy to accept the mistake and not pursue return of the money. It woud be very nice, if everyone received the same "mistaken" addition to their payment. I know I coud really use it.”

“The "Buy American" clause is a red herring. It is already in US Code for any governent project. Putting it in would only invite a gazillion lawsuits of people (read Republiicans) suing for companies to prove that every last item was "American.­" "Was your asphalt mad with US oil?" It is a nonsense argument. The people who are paid to build the roads will be in this country. Same with those retrofitting homes, selling and buying homes, autoworkers for US and foreign-owned companies, solar panel manufacturers, and on and on.

We all have to acknowledge that we are humans and we don't know what will work, regardless of political or personal desires. This bill is not the single answer to our problems. Focus on bank oversight, the energy bill, the education bill, getting out of Iraq, minimizing the cost of Afghanistan, and other problems that have to be addressed. Move on already.”

“the humanity..­.where is the care for the children who are being traumatized, injured and killed? Who will speak for them? Who will give them care? We are supposed to be the ones we have been waiting for...they are counting on us.”

“Outstanding letter. Should also be published in NYT, Washington Post or other prominent locations. Thank you for the guidance and historical perspective.
I believe the spirit you discuss is also embodied in the first three words of the US Constitution - We the people. There is no mention of which people matter more, and certainly no mention of economic and business needs as above those of each and every person. It is that same "We" that I believe Obama believes in when he says "we can," "we did" and "we are the ones we have been waiting for." Now, together, we must treat ourselves and each other kindly and respectfully, and invest in our community so that we can continue to become what a democratic society alone can offer, our better selves in a better world.”

“We're ready to go, Mr. P-E. Let's get busy!”

“Welcome, Counselor Troy.”

“Chickens coming home to roost. Welcome home.”

“That s*** is funny, BO...like the smile, too”

“We, the American people, are not STUPID.. We have had ENOUGH.
Committed McCain Voters are TROLLS - do not engage them - they sap your time - focus on getting people to VOTE!
Enough lies.
Enough war. Enough job losses. Enough killing the environment. Enough lobbyists supporting the mega-wealthy and the largest corporations in every industry. Enough George Bush.
NO More.
it is critical that we stand up for ourselves and show some BACKBONE! Don't get distracted by their bs - what McCain calls "noise and static" - that is all they are.
They are not attacking Barack Obama. They are attacking US. They insult us by acting as though we are ignorant, as though we will let them get away with it again.
We need one thing: VOTERS.
I am talking to you.
Get up and get out the vote.. Don't try to persuade any one. Thare are many Democrats and we need them to VOTE. Go to BarackObama.com and GET INVOLVED. Or go to MoveOn.org.
Warning: Committed McCain Voters are TROLLS - do not engage them - they sap your time - focus on getting people to VOTE - Focus on the Goal
THIS IS NOT A DRILL!”

“I went cold reading that. I had the same thought earlier today. Yes. Serious trouble.”

“There is so much to say but why bother. John McCain has proven he is incapable of being president because he can not manage anything close to a government. His campaign has gone through so many leadership changes that it makes your head spin. It is not a coincidence therefore that either (a) he did not manage his VP Vetting Team, (b) The team he assembled was poorly selected by McCain, or (c) he actually did manage the team. Failure in any of these cases is further evidence of his inabilities.

Who, incidentally is not yet nominated.

So, in the midst of a hurricane-­influenced­, politicall­y-opportun­ely-shorte­ned Republican National Convention, who, exactly will the party nominate? If any of the logic above holds, it can't be John McCain. Who will it be?

I am, however, amazed. And shocked. And embarrassed for my country. Again.”

“Great reporting. Thanks.”

“Ms. Couric did not drive hard on ANY issue. She let Senator McCain deliver non-answers repeatedly. She should be ashamed of her performance.”

“perfect option: See Hustler Magazine v. Falwell, 1988. I hate it too, but the reference was right on (the Supreme Court decision that protects this type of free speech).”