Ajita

Recent comments by this user

Obama Berlin Speech: See Video, Photos, Full Speech Transcript

You should learn to spell in English first. posted 07/24/2008 at 14:01:27

you know they're going to focus on the bit he said about America being not perfect....thats all they got. Fear not, we are not going to lose this time. posted 07/24/2008 at 13:57:46

yes it does...thanks again for the video c-span link... posted 07/24/2008 at 13:52:44

http://www.cspan.org/watch/cs_cspan3_wm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS3 posted 07/24/2008 at 13:42:45

THANKS posted 07/24/2008 at 13:42:32

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU posted 07/24/2008 at 13:33:01

No feed! Bandwidth's stretched thin........frack posted 07/24/2008 at 13:25:14

what the heck! I lost the feed posted 07/24/2008 at 13:20:46

I know! where is he!!! posted 07/24/2008 at 13:12:03

Rudy Giuliani's Son Sues Duke After Getting Kicked Off Golf Team

Good point but dont expect our comments to stay on here for long. I keep bringing this up each time huffpo reports on any pro-war politician's military age kids- like for McCains daughter and Romney's brood, but every time my comments are removed. In this country it is not polite to ask people of power to make the same sacrifices that us commoners have to. posted 07/24/2008 at 15:24:21

Obama Heckled At Western Wall

I signed up for mine yesterday...how long did yours take to get to you? posted 07/24/2008 at 11:10:53

Time Magazine: Berlin Awaits The "Next JFK"

You latte drinking, NPR listening elitist you....Grrr...you, with you facts posted 07/24/2008 at 01:43:01

Jindal Pulls Himself Out Of VP Race

He pulled himself out my a$$. More like McCain told him that he wasn't going to be picked. They had a private meeting a couple of days ago, remember? posted 07/23/2008 at 17:49:37

McCain Camp Attacks Obama's Holocaust Museum Statement

Touche. Its a bit inappropriate but funny to think of Obama rapping about visiting the museum. posted 07/23/2008 at 10:50:06

Obama Mobbed By Crowd Of GIs In Baghdad (VIDEO)

I was starting to become cynical again, after the primaries ended. But if you want to see hope that shimmers through all the BS that's thrown on top, just read the comments here. There is so much emotion in the words that the people left on this page. You have got to love it. posted 07/22/2008 at 17:19:38

Chris Matthews Jokes About "Thrill Up My Leg" Comment On Leno: "I Report All Senses...I'm A Frickin' American, I Do Have A Reaction To Things"

He supn it, but he spun it well. posted 07/22/2008 at 17:42:13

McCain Camp "Frustrated" With Obama's Trip: Reports

Oh I wish Mcsame would announce his VP pick. We can all ignore it and the media will keep the focus on Barack. Then when Barack returns, he can announce his VP pick and continue to dominate to media attention. Sweet posted 07/22/2008 at 12:47:30

An Outrageous Attempt by the Bush Administration to Undermine Women's Rights

Thank you Ms. Clinton. We hope that you will continue your work in this area under the Obama administration. I am waiting for the day when we kick this joke of a president out of the White House. posted 07/21/2008 at 13:02:57

Rice Told Embassies Not To Aid Candidates On Eve Of Obama Trip

It is unbelievable the amount of effort that this administration puts into partisan politics. If they only put half this effort into running the country instead of protecting their backsides, we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now.
And do you really think Obama needs embassy support? He is welcomed as the best thing to come out of American Politics, in nearly every country he goes to. He is the next president, Condi, you're political career is over. posted 07/21/2008 at 13:14:10

She forbid them from using funds to sponsor events for Obama. I know what we can do. I'm taking out my checkbook again posted 07/21/2008 at 13:06:46

Who Should Blog? Assembling the Most Important Voices in Environmentalism Today

Off the top of my head, I'd vote for David Suzuki and Jane Goodall. posted 07/20/2008 at 22:18:41

White House Accidentally E-Mails Story On Iraqi PM Backing Obama Withdrawal Plan To Reporters

Thats what happens when you're dealing with a series of tubes like the internets. posted 07/20/2008 at 02:45:05

McCain Releases Attack Ad In Advance Of Obama Trip

wow! lies lies and more lies...McCain didn't attend any Afghanistan hearings and McCain voted against the GI healthcare bill four times. The repugs are sticking by their formula...repeat something often enough and it will become the truth! posted 07/19/2008 at 03:40:14

Send In The Freshmen: Bush Administration Ends With 20-Somethings

A stronger argument for communism is hard to come by. I read those words and wail in agony, and I scream, DO NOT REPEAL IT! 100% DEATH TAX!!!!!!! posted 07/19/2008 at 03:57:09

Ludicrous Lawns, Wasted Water, and Solid Solutions

Thanks for this excellent article Mitch. Nothing peeves me more than seeing a sprinkler going off in all crazy directions. I live in suburban New York where no one cares about the environment and the culture of gluttony is rampant. No wonder we are the most polluting country on the planet. posted 07/20/2008 at 02:58:34

There is a big difference between grasslands and manicured lawns. Lawn care is very energy intensive, involves chemicals and causes an imbalance in the ecosystem. I have lived in the country all my life. Just because people like them it doesn't mean that they are good.
Lawns are a status symbol, a result of the old feudal times when Fiefs had large properties and numerous cattle to keep the grass short. Suburban living is already very energy intensive and suburban Americans cause much more damage than city folk as it is. Our standards need to change if we are to leave a living planet for our children.
There is a lot of information out there about how much damage these lawns do to the environment. posted 07/20/2008 at 02:54:31

McCain Spokeswoman: Obama Trip First "Campaign Rally Overseas"

Actually that means Obama was doing a great job when he was representing Illinois. posted 07/17/2008 at 18:01:37

Top 10 Most Walkable Cities In America

I've often wondered how much electricity could be made from all that walking. Future sidewalks may harness the power of bipeds. posted 07/18/2008 at 09:27:55

Interior Department Opens Up 2.6 Million Acres In Alaska For Drilling

This is called shifting baselines. Look it up. Our brains did not evolve to take into account such changes, therefore your vastly ignorant comment. posted 07/17/2008 at 19:03:30

I can't believe these are the comments we are seeing in the green section. Many Americans exhibit a strange ignorance of the rare natural beauty that this country possesses. That is true wealth. By all estimates, drilling in Alaska will not show results for at least 6 years and even then will not produce more than a year's supply of oil. In six years time we could put fossil fuels behind us for a multitude of reasons, or we could kid ourselves about becoming energy independent but meanwhile being hooked on by false promises and nationalistic pride. posted 07/17/2008 at 00:24:41

Reporters Spar With McCain Press Aides Nicolle Wallace, Brooke Buchanan (VIDEO)

This may be completely unrelated, but was someone yelling NUTS!? posted 07/16/2008 at 15:20:46

Life Cycle: Will You Soap My Back?

I appreciate the alternative options provided after all the depressing facts. It's so infuriating that there isn't stricter regulation on these polluting products. BTW, that pic is priceless. posted 07/17/2008 at 12:09:15

Barack Obama: No Laughing Matter?

Maybe Im just better informed than I used to be but I find the show to be mostly sound bites of mainstream issues taken out of context. There are some funny bits and I love all the correspondents but there is an oversimplified populist strain that has crept into the show. And dont tell me its supposed to be a comedy show because I still find Bill Maher and the Colbert Report immensely funny while not losing out on informative content. posted 07/15/2008 at 13:40:33

redundant show, juvenile humor. posted 07/15/2008 at 13:16:19

you terrorist! posted 07/15/2008 at 13:12:28

Unlike others who have commented on your comment, I completely agree with you. I'm especially annoyed with Jon Stewart. The show was mildly funny but thats not why I watched it. They used to focus on the irony and idiocy of politics, most of which was provided by the limited/ bigoted thinking of the conservatives and echoed by the MSM. Now they are going after Obama and are letting McCain's lies slide along with the rest of the media, because Obama sells and no one cares about McCain. I'm waiting for Bill Maher to come back from vacation. Till then, Colbert has to fill the void. Not just funny- sarcastic satire with copious amounts of irony. Funny doesn't cut it. posted 07/15/2008 at 13:08:59

I don't know if I'll stop watching The Daily Show but it has become rather painful to watch. I did not watch Jon Stewart because he was funny but because the show's focus used to be real issues that the right leaning MSM avoided. posted 07/15/2008 at 13:00:08

The Truth Sizzles

Dr. Wilson, Its good to see you back here. I have wondered often about the disconnect between what was adaptive to humans during our long evolutionary development in small groups and the present relatively radical change to our social structures. I am all for using the same means of communication that the popular media uses to speak to the masses- talking to the 'lizard brain', so to speak.
One more thing that is useful to take into account is the unintuitive character of certain aspects of science itself (for a large portion of the public). This is also probably due to the fact that we are exploring subjects whose scale of measure was unavailable to us during our evolutionary development. At some level we may have to be content with a mass popularization of science and hope that it translates into policy and public behavior. posted 07/15/2008 at 14:32:08

Hey HS, I would also highly recommend Dennett's 'Breaking The Spell'. I find his take on religion a lot more systematic than the rest of the so-called Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. posted 07/15/2008 at 14:07:26

Sarah Silverman And Jimmy Kimmel Break Up

she's a lot funnier than kimmel posted 07/15/2008 at 13:27:49

Obama Campaign Manager Airs Cash Woes In Video

ditto posted 07/14/2008 at 15:56:12

Miss USA Crystle Stewart Falls Down During Miss Universe Pageant (VIDEO)

You know, its possible that Harinama is from Austin or some other rare liberal enclave in TX and blocks out the rest like a lot of his/her community probably does. posted 07/14/2008 at 14:03:30

haha.. I'd forgotten about that one posted 07/14/2008 at 13:56:32

Miss Universe in Vietnam -- Isn't That Wild?

I think nyboomer was referring to the bigotry displayed by Danneydel's comment implying that the contests would be covered from head to toe if it is held in the Middle East. And for the record, the beauty of the human form was celebrated long before the renaissance. The great pre-Christian art of the Greeks and Romans are quite famous. You can't find a statue or painting depicting a God/Goddess/ human form in ancient Indian art that does not express a celebration of the human body. The same is found in African and Native American art. posted 07/14/2008 at 13:47:47

Are you implying that the contest was rigged? How arrogant is that?
The contest belongs to a corporation owned by Donald Trump and, is gloatingly called 'Miss Universe", is unbelievably ethnocentric with a US contestant winning 7 so far ( and not once in the last 10 years) and China with a population 4 times ours winning none and no Africans countries in the top ten countries list...
And most importantly Miss Venezuela was consistently given the best odds by all the bookies and was the favorite to win before the contest began, which you would have known if you had done a little research before making such accusations. posted 07/14/2008 at 13:38:20

The Other N-Word

It seems to me, judging from the response, that Nader has become a threat to Obama because of Obama's hypocritical shift to the middle. We liked him when he stood for change. Now he's playing the same game of political pandering, giving in to the machine. I dont think I will be campaigning for him unless he makes a major turn. He should give a hyped up speech (like the race and faith ones) where he extols progressive values and the values of the democratic party. posted 07/13/2008 at 00:19:39

McCain Divorce Account Contradicts Court Documents

The party of family values. This is going to be McCain's downfall, a lot of evangelicals are really dissatisfied. posted 07/11/2008 at 23:36:49

US Considers Takeover Of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac

Lets just let the "free-market" take care of everything people. Its like magic remember? posted 07/10/2008 at 23:45:24

Life Cycle: All That's Fit to Print

I do spend hours in front of the computer feeding my news needs, so I wonder how it compares. I heard somewhere that the internet is one of the major causes of global warming because the servers need to be cooled (?). In any case, I can't get the same information from the MSM that I can online. Somehow 200 million trees doesn't seem too bad if they're not from old, diversity-rich forests, but the energy and environmental costs seem like such a waste.
Is there any good news at all? Like, drinking OJ is good for migrating birds, for example? TP next! I can think of a Vonnegut drawing in the book that would go well with it. posted 07/12/2008 at 00:02:53

Giuliani: Obama's Support Of Bilingualism Reinforces Anti-Americanism

I loved your first sentence "...the best argument for bilingualism is that I just can't find the English word that captures how perplexingly stupid this man is"...ROTFL posted 07/10/2008 at 12:56:30

GOP Rep: Obama Could Destroy Us In The South

Huffpo still not reporting on this potential front-page story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qRy4PnmNu8 posted 07/10/2008 at 12:12:48

Birth Control, Viagra Question Makes McCain Squirm (VIDEO)

Come on HuffPo? Don't bury this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qRy4PnmNu8&feature=email posted 07/10/2008 at 09:58:21

Did anyone watch McCain lie to the Vietnam vet in Denver? Rachel Maddow reports:
Just look up "John McCain Lies When Questioned By Viet Nam Vet" on youtube. posted 07/10/2008 at 09:57:10

Ted Koppel: Imagine Gas Prices When China Adds 9 Million Cars Per Year

He said the same thing on the daily show two weeks ago posted 07/09/2008 at 20:24:48

Senate Passes FISA Bill, Gives Telecoms Immunity

dude, thats the worst lie I've ever seen in here. I mean, you conservatives must be really getting desperate. posted 07/10/2008 at 00:48:47

Righteously Green: The Risks of Eco Snobism

You're absolutely right on about one thing. It seems to me that every time someone perceives me as being an environmentalist snob, they go out of their way to portray me as a hypocrite- does seem like a way of avoiding responsibility. Most people don't realize that there is a lot more to being green than taking public transportation and putting up solar panels.... posted 07/11/2008 at 01:06:13

Can you tell me which town and convention this was? You are making some pretty general criticisms of a large group of environmentalists, I'd like to know where this mass gathering of hypocrites took place. Then maybe, I can look into it and check your facts. posted 07/11/2008 at 01:00:32

I loved your article. I went through a similar phase and found myself judging everyone around me and consequently alienating even my best friends. I think you offer a partial solution to the problem- make environmentalism trendy. Thus we can use our consumer powers to change things. I do think however that there needs to be a fundamental paradigm shift in the way we approach life itself, if we are to truly stop heading down this destructive path we're on. In the long run, our excessive consumerism, one-sided economic models and self-absorbed living habits must give way to a more sustainable and nature-conscious way of life. posted 07/09/2008 at 13:39:08

Obama: My Kids Won't Be Doing Any More Interviews

ouch. :) posted 07/09/2008 at 10:03:18

Please don't ever make that comparison (with the Bushies) again. Its disturbing. posted 07/09/2008 at 10:01:03

yeah, first he's against torturing his children and then he's all like "water boarding, whaaa, thats nothin', bring it on ma man".
what a hypocrite, doesn't want his family attacked by rumors and lies but actually has the gall to let his daughter be on tv. posted 07/09/2008 at 09:59:13

Nissan Building Electric Car Market Now, With Others Focused On Hybrids

The volt will be the first EV to be mass produced? Where did you pull that out of? Chevy volt is not set to come out till 2010. Historically- before the model-T, electric cars were mass produced and sold more than ICE cars...I wont go into the details, you can look it up.

Today, there are many companies that have pledged to mass produce electric cars. Aptera, Mitsubishi and Miles electric all have pledged to have them on the streets before the volt is due. But if youre talking about real mass production, the largest EV manufacturer in the world is Reva EV cars company in India. Those cars are not good enough for American standards but there is o way the volt will ever catch up with the sales of the Reva, even without the 5 year start.

You are right in that American companies have always been at the forefront of technical innovation. Even today, the vast technology infrastructure here is continuing the tradition, but the car companies are reluctant to give up the ICE infrastructure, and this will cause them to lose ground in the global market. posted 07/11/2008 at 00:23:07

Tesla is just rolling out the first 100 or so cars this year and the volt is not due till 2010. This may surprise you guys but the highest selling electric car in the world is made by an Indian company. The Reva is perfect for the snail's pace city traffic of Indian roads and will not be seen here any time soon, but it still is indicative of a changing auto scene. America and Europe have competition and its only going to get worse for U.S. auto makers. posted 07/10/2008 at 23:56:29

Again, there are already evs that can outperform ICE cars. They are just too expensive, but thats set to change...we just need some foresight. ICEs are already redundant. The only reason they are still being sold is because of the amount of investment that went into them. All these people who are buying ICE cars now will regret in 5 years when ev technology outstrips traditional ICE manufacturing sectors. Increased investment= increased production = decreased costs. posted 07/10/2008 at 14:58:37

You are looking at only the negative side of things and failing to factor in the positive. Take into account the estimated increase of oil prices because of increased demand in developing markets in India and China. The Chinese and Indians are going to put over 400 million cars on the road in the next decade (this is a conservative estimate). Other economies in the middle east and south asia are also expanding. Gas prices are only going to increase as the cost of extraction and refining it increase. This is going to happen too fast for us to act. The inconvenience of having to plug in your car every night is nothing compared to that of paying enormous amounts of money for gas thats already subsidized. American taste will change.

Already there exists technology that could make the auto industry redundant, if they would only release their secrets. Add to this improving battery technology, higher acceleration and speeds, longer mileage and cheaper prices because of mass production and you will see that evs can easily replace the entire market in 10 years.
Most of the American public has no use for the large, powerful vehicles you talk about. But even if they do, the technology to make those using electric motor technology is already here. We just need more investment and legislation to manufacture these cars in large enough numbers to bring prices down.
I predict that the tesla will be cheaper than the taurus in 10 years. posted 07/10/2008 at 14:49:41

I have to disagree with you. I think there is a vast market for electric cars but the auto makers are making the transition at their own pace because they dont want to lose any money they can be making while the technology gets better.
Oil has always been the driving force, btw. You know there were electric cars before the internal combustion engine was built. Of course, the discovery of oil changed everything, but the reason they dont want to change now is because of 'the comeback". You were hooked on the oil and the entire service industry that kept replacement parts, heavy and light machinery and human labor was all part of the package. Now if they start changing to clean electric, they will lose billions because of all that infrastructure that will become redundant. They need govt. handouts and legislation to slowly make the transition without going under.
I on the other hand, dont give a s### if they all sink. Im glad Nissan is ahead of the curve. I never bought the whole hybrid thing. We need to get rid of the dirty technology and I know there are millions of people who will buy the new clean cars. posted 07/10/2008 at 00:04:21

Environmental Racism Takes Hold In California

All the reasons you mentioned are a direct result of historical bigotry. Some minority groups (other minority groups are wealthier than the average population, btw) have faced a long history of racism and disenfranchisement. How do you think these groups ended up "poor and not well-educated"?

Nowhere in the article does the blogger posit that there is a current race-induced trend towards placing polluting industries in African American communities. The problem is more endemic than that and actually points to a deeper issue that needs to be addressed. Looking at the current situation as a static system is short-sighted.

Whatever the reasons, whether the race-bias is intentional or not, that is immaterial. Not only did African Americans get a bad deal in our history, but they also have to still deal with more than their fair share of the problems that plague industrial society. posted 07/09/2008 at 19:49:33

I think these things happen slowly over time. Usually these minorities are less well-off and as a consequence less informed and unable to affect legislation. This pattern is common around the world where poor communities are always found closer to polluting factories etc. Its not like someone decided to screw over the minorities, its part of a bigger picture of racial inequality stemming from historical conditions of low income, public representation and education. The rich will use the law to keep the smoke stacks off their backyards.
Remember, correlation does not equal causation- in this case, not directly. posted 07/09/2008 at 10:26:39

Paper Or Plastic? A Look At The Facts, Myths And Numbers Of Shopping Bags

Jokes about smoking your backpack aside, hemp bags are actually a good alternative. Hemp growing is less destructive to the environment (not sure about the processing) than cotton growing and the bags can be quite trendy if designed well. Jefferson was on to something there. posted 07/09/2008 at 11:40:12

Anti-Lieberman Group Delivering 43,000 Signatures To Senate

Here we go again...Criticize Israel's enormous influence over our foreign policy and you're immediately chastised as anti-semitic or racist in general.... Do you even stop to think about what you say or are the answers spewing out your head since the last propaganda session you were at? posted 07/08/2008 at 19:06:51

World's Largest Rooftop Solar Array To Be Rolled Onto GM Building In Spain

I think you may both be right. I have a feeling that nanosolar is looking at the longterm and, seriously, thats the only way to go as far as solar is concerned. Cautious investment is paramount. posted 07/09/2008 at 21:10:45

The reason Spain (and Germany) are doing so well is because the governments there are making it easier for investment by providing feed-in tariffs. Here, the oil companies are getting the subsidies, and the renewable energy companies are facing red tape. posted 07/09/2008 at 11:35:39

Obama Kids Tease Mom And Dad On Access Hollywood

All great points. Obviously txbyrd was being sacrastic but it was good to read your comment posted 07/08/2008 at 20:24:21

Military Has Program To Shape Iraq War Films

So unless someone holds you down and staples your eyes open, it is not propaganda? I'm thinking that the dictionary would disagree. posted 07/08/2008 at 02:53:01

Are you suggesting that a thing cannot be propaganda if you individually don't watch it? posted 07/07/2008 at 18:24:13

The problem is that the army is not an objective civilian body. It is deciding on media issues that are civilian, while it is funded by civilian money. The only issue that it has the right to decide on are issues of national security. But that is not their concern here. Organizations attempt to control public perception and the army is no different. The problem is that it has no right to do so here. If directors were making a film about me, I would pick the one who will tell my story. The difference is that I'm not receiving tax-payer money. posted 07/07/2008 at 18:20:56

Christian Group Wants Obama To Be Known As "The Abortion President"

John McCain, the pro-genocide president posted 07/07/2008 at 11:15:21

Ancient Scripts Predate - And Could Rewrite - The Bible

hear hear! posted 07/08/2008 at 02:56:16

They've been doing it for centuries. Its easy- just imagine......... posted 07/07/2008 at 18:29:09

Afghanistan Car Bomb Kills Dozens At Indian Embassy

Someone posted this below and I'm re-posting it here because its relevant to your comment:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7492982.stm
The Indians were asking for it alright- the nerve of those people, trying to help in reconstruction... posted 07/08/2008 at 03:00:07

Agree with everything you said. Especially the last part- To McCain and the majority of the republican ilk Indians, Pakistanis, Afghans and everyone else are lesser human beings, casualties in America's quest for supremacy. That is how warmongers have always viewed the world. posted 07/07/2008 at 18:49:59

Your words really do betray your vast ignorance. Pakistan has not existed for even one century let alone for centuries. And how much damage has Pakistan caused in the world, more than we have? The real answer here is promoting secularism, not military intervention. You don't know the dynamics of the region enough to talk as flippantly as you do. The entire conflict between India and Pakistan has to do with religious separatist groups, and the reason for Pakistan's tensions right now is because India and Afghanistan are making progress that was stalled after the Soviet era ended and the Taliban took over. posted 07/07/2008 at 18:43:48

Eco-Touring in the Middle East: How About Jordan, Iran and Lebanon?

The places and tours sound great. Definitely on my list of places to visit before I die. However, I see one obvious problem. How are we going to get there without burning up thousands of gallons of fuel? I think true eco-tourism is still a distant reality and only will be realized when non-polluting flights become available. Until then its sailboats and bicycles.
I do appreciate the great post. As long as we're going to fly somewhere on vacation, why not somewhere unique where we can enjoy the region without destroying it with tourist refuse.... posted 07/09/2008 at 14:39:01

Carrotmob: Organizing People To Shop At Most Green Local Store (VIDEO)

The was awesome. I wonder if there are such groups in NYC? posted 07/09/2008 at 20:15:21

California Wildfires: More Evacuations Ordered In Big Sur As Fire Jumps Line

Here's a little suggestion. How about you guys putting up the green barbecue tips on before everyone's already done with their barbecueing? The memorial day bbq tips came a tad too late. Oh, and how about a link on the homepage. This way you can actually help prevent thousands of tons of greenhouse gasses entering the atmosphere instead of greenwashing. posted 07/03/2008 at 09:32:12

Seven Things Barack Obama Should Do to Keep from Blowing It

please look up "metaphor" posted 07/03/2008 at 13:18:47

Life Cycle: Smoke 'Em If You've Got 'Em

This really was an eye opener. I wasn't aware of the amount of paper that goes into making cigarettes. Thanks for the article. I'm dreading what the stats are going to be like for your newspaper expose. posted 07/09/2008 at 11:32:41

Obama Vows To Expand Bush's Faith-Based Programs

There are plenty of charities that don't invoke religion. We need to uncouple charity and religion. Bill Gates is an atheist and he has given more to charity than anyone else. Japan (which is almost completely atheistic) and Western Europe (which is mostly secular) do a lot more to eradicating poverty. Religious groups use the charity wand to proselytize to those in need. If the money is diverted to a neutral charity, we can do something real about reducing poverty instead of supporting the failed policies of the faith-based initiatives. posted 07/01/2008 at 11:04:09

Why dont you ask that of Bill Gates? He has given more to charity anyone else in history and he's an atheist. Take your religious scorn elsewhere. You don't know what I do for charity, so stop pretending like you do. posted 07/01/2008 at 11:03:59

Yeah? I'd like to see some of that federal money go to my Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. posted 07/01/2008 at 10:55:59

Thanks for that link. I feel a little better now. posted 07/01/2008 at 10:53:00

That's uninformed. There are planty of charities that don't invoke religion. We need to uncouple charity and religion. Bill Gates is an atheist and he has given more to charity than anyone else. Japan (which is almost completely atheistic) and Western Europe (which is mostly secular) do a lot more to eradicating poverty. Religious groups use the charity wand to proselytize to those in need. If the money is diverted to a neutral charity, we can do something real about reducing poverty instead of supporting the failed policies of the faith-based initiatives. posted 07/01/2008 at 10:49:00

Well stated! Religion uses the state to spread its parasitic beliefs. We need to uncouple charity and religion in this country. posted 07/01/2008 at 10:42:55

Australia is good because they are not so bone-headed about religion there and they just got rid of Howie, but they do emit more green house gasses per person than us here. New Zealand is a better bet. posted 07/01/2008 at 10:38:13

Right. Principles, hrmpff, what an arcane concept. Lets just win, thats all that matters. posted 07/01/2008 at 10:35:39

Scream that out a little louder, and maybe you'll convince me. posted 07/01/2008 at 10:33:59

My problem is with religious groups receiving funds in the first place. Would you be fine with my church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster receiving funds from the federal government? posted 07/01/2008 at 10:32:43

The opposite of religious charity is not federal help- it is non-religious charity. There are plenty on regular charities that are suffering because of Bush's faith-based initiative. It is a self serving argument to fund the religious institutions and then claim that they are the ones doing all the work. Bill Gates is an atheist and he has given more than anyone else. posted 07/01/2008 at 10:30:19

That is the constitutional thing to do. Unfortunately, this is not going to happen for a while. It is a truly progressive issue in that the majority cannot see whats wrong with tax exemption now but will see the unfairness of it all when its passed. BTW, I am in favor of uncoupling religion and charity as well. Charity should not be taxed. There are plenty of non-religious charities and atheists are the biggest philanthropists in history. posted 07/01/2008 at 10:26:13

Agreed! posted 07/01/2008 at 10:23:12