snseattle's Comments (6)

“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?”

“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.”

“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."”

“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.”

“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.”