Democracy Forums http://www.democracyforums.com/ This is a discussion forum powered by vBulletin. To find out about vBulletin, go to http://www.vbulletin.com/ . en Sun, 19 May 2013 02:52:17 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.cgstatic.com/democracyforums.com/images/democracy/misc/rss.jpg Democracy Forums http://www.democracyforums.com/ Inconvenienced Congressmen Break Legislative Speed Record http://www.democracyforums.com/76966/view Wed, 01 May 2013 02:43:00 GMT So maybe they didn't break an actual record, but it was the fastest Congress has moved to accomplish anything since 2009. Last week, much to the amazement of budget chicken hawks, the sequester brought forth an actual consequence: flight delays.

The FAA, in order to stay within new budget guidelines brought about by a piece of intentionally stupid legislation (so stupid in fact that the whole point of it was to be as stupid as possible so that Congress would never allow it to be enacted), furloughed air traffic controllers causing inconvenience to people who apparently prefer deficits to inconvenience. Within days Congress passed legislation and the President signed it.

For a couple of months now I have listened to commentators, talking heads, and politicians (especially on CNBC) ramble off a particular talking point that goes like so: "These cuts are only .25% of GDP or 5% of the budget. They will not have any significant impact." And: "You're telling me you can't find 5% of the budget you can cut?"

What percentage of GDP and the federal budget is the previously scheduled furloughed days of air traffic controllers? I'm sure it is a tiny percentage and therefore could not possibly have an impact.

In the past year 48% of Americans never stepped foot on airplane. (Personally, I've only flown twice in my life and I'm 43). Another 27% of Americans only flew once or twice. The remaining 25% have flown 3 or more times, although I would be interested in knowing how many of them fly at least once per month. But you know who flies a lot? Politicians. And the media. And people with power and influence. Frankly, I don't give a shit if they have to spend a few uncomfortable hours at the airport. And I bet the 8% of the US workforce that is unemployed doesn't give a shit either. ]]> Front Page Articles dgun http://www.democracyforums.com/76966/view Jodi Arias Trial: Who Cares? http://www.democracyforums.com/76274/view Sun, 24 Mar 2013 14:32:00 GMT Apparently someone cares, otherwise CNN Headline News (now know by the moniker HLN) would not have dedicated all of their air time to this one story.... Apparently someone cares, otherwise CNN Headline News (now know by the moniker HLN) would not have dedicated all of their air time to this one story.

Once upon a time Headline News cared about actual news. Then came the success of Nancy Grace. Since then it has been a steady march towards turning a channel dedicated to news into a channel dedicated to trash.

The trash was once quarantined to the evening hours but has now infested most of the afternoon. I've noticed that even Morning Express, the only program on HLN that I can stomach, heavily promotes the other 20 hours of trash laden programming.

Oh, but people watch! People would also watch if the anchors and reporters were all nude models. People would watch if HLN broadcast train wrecks on a continuous loop. People would watch if HLN focused solely on outrageous, hateful propaganda and the politics of character assassination. People would watch HLN in great numbers if all the air time was given over to Maury Povich or reality TV.

Is there anything news worthy about the Jodi Arias case? Maybe. Maybe a thirty second blurb when the victim was discovered murdered and a thirty second blurb when the trial ended. What HLN is doing with this case is nothing more than blatant exploitation.

I've witnesses commentators being very flippant and casual when discussing this trial on air, which, oh by the way, concerns the murder of a young man. This isn't Law and Order. The victim isn't an actor that gets up and walks away after his scene is over.

And what about the families? Can you imagine the grief the families are experiencing in this case? Both the victim's family and the family of the suspect? Do you think that TV commentators gathering up every detail of every aspect of the trial and murder in order to fill up a few minutes of air time is respectful towards the families?

The bottom line for me is this: If Jodi Arias had a huge wart in the middle of her forehead none of us would recognize her name. ]]> Front Page Articles dgun http://www.democracyforums.com/76274/view Sequester week is almost upon us http://www.democracyforums.com/75498/view Thu, 21 Feb 2013 02:22:00 GMT Next week's national agenda includes panic and hand-wringing over sequestration, featuring non-stop coverage of all the horrors and calamities that await us on March 2. I need to go ahead and warn all of you that pundits will be pronouncing blame on various parties, so if that kind of thing makes you queasy you may want to keep your TV, radio, computer, record player, toaster oven, and smart phone in the quiet and tranquil off position.

I'm sure there are those who think that an artificial deadline for random and mindless budget cuts is just exactly how a civilized, modern nation should handle its affairs. And who knows, maybe that is the best we can expect from our Government nowadays. (Personally, I blame the President for this whole mess. And although I can't prove it I'm pretty sure sequestration is somehow connected to Benghazi.)

Anyway, let me say a little something about can kicking: the next elected official who kicks a can down the road should have his can kicked up the road and then back down the road again. Speaking on behalf of a weary can kicked nation, please stop already. We're all sick of it. ]]> Front Page Articles dgun http://www.democracyforums.com/75498/view <![CDATA[Plan 'C'?]]> http://www.democracyforums.com/74242/view Fri, 28 Dec 2012 04:40:00 GMT Watching Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell exchange verbal jabs with one another on the floor of the Senate today just reaffirmed for me how petty and... Watching Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell exchange verbal jabs with one another on the floor of the Senate today just reaffirmed for me how petty and dysfunctional Congress has become. In a few days, thanks to an absurd artificial deadline born of the above mentioned dysfunction, American citizens face tax increases and austerity.

Any bill put up for a vote in the House offering approximately what President Obama is asking for will pass, as most of the Democrats and enough Republicans will support it to overcome the no votes of most Republicans. However, the consequences of doing so could be that Boehner loses the speakership. Last week's embarrassing failure of Speaker Boehner's plan 'B' was a clear signal that a substantial number of Republicans are not going to vote yes on any 'balanced' approach.

Since appropriation bills must start in the House, I'm not exactly sure what the Senate can accomplish over the next few days. Both Speaker Boehner and President Obama have called on the Senate to take action, so apparently there must be some useful action they can take. The House itself is set to reconvene on Sunday evening.

With the Presidential election behind us, I was hoping we could move beyond such reckless and childish politics. ]]> Front Page Articles dgun http://www.democracyforums.com/74242/view Putin: No Babies for You http://www.democracyforums.com/74111/view Sat, 22 Dec 2012 04:50:00 GMT This week in a press conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced support for a measure passed by the Russian Parliament which would outlaw... This week in a press conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced support for a measure passed by the Russian Parliament which would outlaw adoption of Russian children by U.S. parents.

The popularity of the bill in Russia is due to a few well publicized cases of child abuse and as retaliation for the Magnitsky bill that banned certain Russians from entering the United States.

The individuals targeted by the bill were believed to be involved in the death of Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian attorney who was arrested after making allegations of massive fraud in the Russian government and who subsequently in police custody.

This situation reminds me of an old American proverb I recall from my youth: Russia sucks.

As a footnote, allow me to apologize to Seinfeld fans for misusing a famous line from the show. And it should also be acknowledged that Communists, or close approximations thereof, really hate being compared to NAZIS, even if it is just of the soup variety. ]]> Front Page Articles dgun http://www.democracyforums.com/74111/view Avoiding the fiscal cliff with capital gains compromise http://www.democracyforums.com/74024/view Mon, 17 Dec 2012 04:23:00 GMT On January 1st, taxes are going up on everyone. All Congress has to do to make this happen is what Congress does best: nothing. The President has... On January 1st, taxes are going up on everyone. All Congress has to do to make this happen is what Congress does best: nothing.

The President has made it clear that as part of any deal to avoid the fiscal cliff, tax rates must go up on upper income earners. Because of the approaching deadline, Speaker Boehner doesn't really have much of a hand to play. If taxes go up on everyone, Democrats will be able to play their favorite tune (you know, the one about Republicans representing the wealthy to the exclusion of everyone else) louder and prouder than ever before, and on a continuous loop for years to come. Furthermore, those automatic budget cuts will be cutting some stuff Republicans like. Whoever came up with such a ridiculous idea for this artificial deadline anyway?

Nevertheless, in order to get to a compromise and allow Republicans to save face, here is what I propose:

First, forget about the spending cuts for now. Or rather, give that can a good hard kick. We can dress it up as something other than "can-kicking", of course. Maybe use language like "an agreed upon framework for serious spending cuts".

Second, let regular income rates go up on the top 2% of earners to their pre-Bush rate, which I think is around 39%, while keeping the same rates for the rest of us. With capital gains tax, keep rates the same with one modification. Currently, long term capital gains are defined as capital gains made from the sale of securities held for one year or longer and is taxed at 15% for most people. Any securities held less than one year and sold for a profit are taxed at the individual's regular income tax rate. I suggest keeping the 15% rate but redefine it as a "middle-term" rate, that is profit from securities held more than a year, and creating a new long-term rate of 10 - 12% to be held a minimum of 2-5 years.

Other than allowing for a compromise, the main benefit of rewarding true long term investing is reducing short-term speculation, which should create a more stable market and ultimately increase returns for everyone who participates in the market. And if you have a retirement plan, you participate in the market. ]]> Front Page Articles dgun http://www.democracyforums.com/74024/view Do away with the 2nd amendment http://www.democracyforums.com/73996/view Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:22:00 GMT I've always defended the right to bear arms. My defense has been along the lines that the constitution gives citizens the right to own a weapon. In the DC Handgun case, for example, I was in complete agreement with the majority opinion. The language of the second amendment is the language of the second amendment and the meaning is very clear.

After the killings today at a Connecticut Elementary School, I no longer think the issue should be the interpretation of the second amendment. Rather, the question we should be asking now is should citizens have a right to own a weapon.

Owning and carrying a firearm should be a privilege, not a right. An individual should be forced to meet a fairly high set of criteria before being allowed to own and carry a weapon, and such criteria should include a mental health screening.

I've been around on political forums long enough to know all the arguments for and against gun control. My opinion has always been of a moderating tone, an attempt to bridge the great divide between the two extremes in order to arrive at some reasonable middle ground. Not anymore. I've had enough.

Let's amend the constitution and eliminate the 2nd amendment. ]]> Front Page Articles dgun http://www.democracyforums.com/73996/view Hamas attacking Jerusalem http://www.democracyforums.com/73490/view Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:33:00 GMT The fighting between Israel and Hamas continues today. Reports say that a ground invasion of Palestinian territory by Israel is very likely. ... The fighting between Israel and Hamas continues today. Reports say that a ground invasion of Palestinian territory by Israel is very likely.

Rockets have hit Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and Israel continues it's assault on what it calls terrorist targets. Civilian causalities on both sides have been reported in the media and it does not appear that hostilities will end soon.

Former President Jimmy Carter was quoted last week as saying that the possibility of a two-state solution is “ vanishing”. Given what has happened over the last few days, I would say he is probably right. ]]> International Affairs dgun http://www.democracyforums.com/73490/view Benghazi in review http://www.democracyforums.com/73159/view Wed, 31 Oct 2012 04:59:00 GMT For review, I pulled headlines from Reuters news service each day starting September 11, 2012 and ending September 17, 2012. The purpose of this... For review, I pulled headlines from Reuters news service each day starting September 11, 2012 and ending September 17, 2012. The purpose of this exercise is to add context to the current debate and discussions of the attack in Libya. I found several interesting tidbits looking back on the information we were getting from the press. For one, look at the early description by officials of the attackers as militants and contrast that with Obama's press secretary's statement a full three days later. My inline comments on the news reports are italicized. Image on the front page is of protestors attempting to scale the embassy wall in Yemen.

9-11

Egyptians angry at film scale U.S. embassy walls

Quote:
Egyptian protesters scaled the walls of the U.S. embassy on Tuesday, tore down the American flag and burned it during a protest over what they said was a film being produced in the United States that insulted Prophet Mohammad.
Gunmen attack U.S. consulate in Libya's Benghazi over film

Quote:
Gunmen attacked U.S. consulate offices in Libya's eastern city of Benghazi on Tuesday, and fought with security forces in protest against a U.S. film they say is blasphemous, a security official said.
Quote:
“There are fierce clashes between the Libyan army and an armed militia outside the U.S. consulate,” said Abdel-Monen Al-Hurr, spokesman for Libya's Supreme Security Committee.
U.S. confirms death of official in Benghazi attack

Quote:
“Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet. The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others,” she said in a statement. “But let me be clear: There is never any justification for violent acts of this kind.”
U.S. condemns attack on American diplomatic compound in Libya

Quote:
State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said in a statement: “We can confirm that our office in Benghazi, Libya has been attacked by a group of militants. We are working with the Libyans now to secure the compound. We condemn in strongest terms this attack on our diplomatic mission.”
9-12

Libya attack may have been planned and organized, U.S. officials say

Quote:
The attack that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other American diplomats in Benghazi, Libya, may have been planned and organized in advance, U.S. government officials said on Wednesday.

The officials said there were indications that members of a militant faction calling itself Ansar al Sharia - which translates as Supporters of Islamic Law - may have been involved in organizing the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya's second-largest city.
In Libya, deadly fury took U.S. envoys by surprise

Quote:
Accounts from Libyan and U.S. officials, and from locals who watched what began as a protest on Tuesday against a crudely made American film that insults the Prophet Mohammad spiral into violence and a military-style assault on U.S. troops, point to a series of unfortunate choices amid the confusion and fear.
Quote:
Among the assailants, Libyans identified units of a heavily armed local Islamist group, Ansar al-Sharia, which sympathizes with al Qaeda and derides Libya's U.S.-backed bid for democracy.
Obama vows justice after U.S. envoy killed in Libya

Quote:
“It's disgraceful that the Obama administration's first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks,” Romney told reporters in Florida. He has accused Obama of a failure of world leadership and of not upholding American values.
Quote:
and the president retorted that his campaign rival had a tendency to “shoot first and aim later.”
Obama vows to track down ambassador's killers

Quote:
U.S. government officials said the Benghazi attack may have been planned in advance and there were indications that members of a militant faction calling itself Ansar al Sharia - which translates as Supporters of Islamic Law - may have been involved.
U.S. says Benghazi was "complex attack", no word on attackers

Quote:
The assault on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that killed the U.S. ambassador was “clearly a complex attack,” a senior U.S. official said on Wednesday, while declining to speculate on who the perpetrators might be.

The official said the United States, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, would work with Libyan officials to investigate the incident but that it was too early to discuss who might have been responsible for the attack or whether they had affiliations outside of Libya.
West shocked by U.S. envoy death, Muslims condemn film

Quote:
Western countries denounced on Wednesday the killing of the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other embassy staff by armed attackers, while many Muslim states focused their condemnation on the anti-Islamic film that provoked the violence.
9-13

UN chief appeals for calm as 'hateful' film sparks violent protests

Quote:
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday appealed for calm in North Africa and the Middle East after a film deemed insulting to Islam sparked riots across the Arab world and an attack that killed the U.S. envoy to Libya.
Sudan calls mass protest against anti-Islam film

Obama orders all necessary steps to protect Americans abroad

Quote:
President Barack Obama said on Thursday he had ordered his administration to do whatever is necessary to protect Americans abroad, as U.S. diplomatic compounds in the Middle East faced continuing violent protests.
U.S. intelligence agencies didn't issue high alert about Mideast unrest threat

Quote:
Although U.S. authorities believe anti-American violence that erupted on Tuesday in Libya and Egypt was triggered by an Arabic talk-show broadcast three days earlier, U.S. officials said high-alert warnings were not issued to American outposts in the region about the possibility of unrest.
Quote:
The lack of major warnings appears to illustrate how, in today's world of globalized social media, threats to U.S. interests can gather strength rapidly and seem to appear out of nowhere. The events also underline the role of the Middle East's more freewheeling media, loosened from state restrictions after the fall of longtime dictators.
Obama: Egypt neither enemy nor ally

Quote:
“I don't think that we would consider them an ally, but we don't consider them an enemy,” Obama told Telemundo, a Spanish-language network, on Wednesday after mobs of demonstrators angry over a film they consider blasphemous to Islam assaulted the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.
continued... ]]> Cemetery dgun http://www.democracyforums.com/73159/view Photo ID to stop voter impersonation http://www.democracyforums.com/72676/view Mon, 01 Oct 2012 02:30:00 GMT Here is the scenario: you're a Democrat and you want Obama to win really bad. You know that Mr. Smith down the block is a hardcore Republican, and judging by that and the Obama Joker sign in his yard is a Mitt Romney man all the way. It's not nearly enough for you that your vote should only count once, so you leave early on the morning of November 6th to beat Mr. Smith to the polls. When the poll worker asks you for your name you answer, "Yes, I'm Mr. Smith". The poll worker finds your name on a printout, marks you off, and you're in business. You vote for Obama. Later that day you return, yet the poll workers do not recognize you. Being the clever devil you are, you've removed the "I Voted" sticker from your shirt. You vote again as yourself, another vote for Obama.

When poor Mr. Smith shows up to cast his vote for Romney, he is informed by the poll worker that he has already voted. If only a photo ID was required to vote this would never happen.

Luckily, one vote, statistically speaking, is not enough to change the results of an election. Therefore the real danger is a syndicate of individuals, perhaps thousands, who coordinate and plan a massive effort to impersonate individuals listed on the voting rolls, individuals who will likely either vote for the opposition or not show up to vote at all. These thousands of impersonators double up on their votes and steal the election.

How often has something like this actually happened? Well, I'm sure it is a considerable problem since several states have made a massive effort to deal with voter fraud leading up to the 2012 election. And I'm sure that we just don't hear much about specific instances of voter impersonation since there isn't a media outlet that would give such a story much airtime.

If you're polling place requires a photo ID, I suppose the only thing you have to worry about is whether or not your ID needs renewing. That, and illegal immigrants with multiple fake ID's of registered voters. Regardless, to be on the safe side, I recommend voting early, but not often, in this year's election.

By the way, does anyone know if you have to mail in a photo ID with an absentee ballot? ]]> Off Topic dgun http://www.democracyforums.com/72676/view 100 years ago: a far more interesting election http://www.democracyforums.com/72199/view Tue, 11 Sep 2012 02:44:00 GMT The election of 2012 is great and all, but so far it can't hold a candle to the election of 1912. In 1912 the Republican party had a problem. His name was Teddy Roosevelt. The former President and current incumbent Taft had grown apart. The progressive Republicans left the party and formed their own Progressive party, otherwise known as the "Bull Moose" party.

But there is more. Taft's running mate, Vice President James Schoolcraft Sherman, died days before the election. On October 14 a saloon keeper made a pretty fair attempt at assassinating Roosevelt. (Roosevelt was only saved thanks to a 14 page speech and an eyeglass case.) A Socialist named Eugene Debs, running as an actual Socialist, and with only about $66,000, got over 900,000 votes.

Including the Democratic candidate and eventual winner Woodrow Wilson, the election of 1912 had four candidates who each got a significant number of votes. (Well, the popular vote anyway.) Some of the key issues of the election included tariffs, women's suffrage, wages and labor conditions, and trusts. The Electoral college vote looked like so:



Following the election, the conservative Republicans regained control of their party as most of the progressives left for the Democratic party. The Progressive party faded away and the Socialist party never had as strong a showing. The Democrats held on one more term with Wilson but didn't get back into the White House again until 1932.

The current election has been a real snooze fest since the GOP primary ended. Maybe a fist fight between Romney and Obama, or better yet between Biden and anyone, would add a little more entertainment value to 2012. Or maybe Republicans should consider bringing Palin back in some form. Anyway, I know this much, "Honey Boo Boo Child" could have never competed with the fireworks of the 1912 election. ]]> Cemetery dgun http://www.democracyforums.com/72199/view God bless you, Lance Armstrong http://www.democracyforums.com/71669/view Sun, 26 Aug 2012 04:31:00 GMT If there is one thing all American's should be able to dispassionately agree on, it's that Lance Armstrong is awesome. Unfortunately, although he has never failed a drug test, Lance Armstrong has been harassed and pursued by an overzealous non-governmental agency over allegations of blood doping, the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

Although U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks dismissed a case that would have blocked the USADA from continuing its pissing contest with Armstrong, he stated he had misgivings concerning the agency's conduct. Afterward, following Armstrong's decision not to follow through with arbitration, the USADA claims to have stripped Armstrong of his 7 Tour de France victories.

The USADA has about as much authority to strip Tour de France victories as it has authority to raise an army and invade a foreign country. The whole idea is stupid. You know what else is stupid? This private organization, without government oversight, is partially funded with tax payer money.

I think tax payer money would be better spent NOT attacking and hounding a national hero. Did Armstrong dope? Armstrong passed all the drug tests. This should have been the beginning and end of it.

Oh, by the way, in three of the Tours that the USADA claims to have stripped, Jan Ullrich finished second, meaning he would be the winner. Mr. Ullrich was recently banned from cycling for doping. ]]> Off Topic dgun http://www.democracyforums.com/71669/view An election year with class http://www.democracyforums.com/71300/view Wed, 15 Aug 2012 03:20:00 GMT Arguing over the tax code and social security is not class warfare. The French Revolution, on the other hand, was class warfare, a fact which... Arguing over the tax code and social security is not class warfare. The French Revolution, on the other hand, was class warfare, a fact which shouldn't cause anyone to lose their head. The Battle of Blair Mountain in 1921 was also class warfare and pitted 10,000 West Virginia coal miners against the hired guns of the mining companies. The mining companies went so far as to drop bombs on the miners from airplanes. Eventually the US Army intervened and the rebellion was put down.

Although claims of class warfare by American politicians are misrepresentations (a.k.a. lies), class politics does seem to be a major focal point in this year's election. Obviously the Obama campaign is going to hammer away at Romney over tax returns and constantly use Romney's wealth to divide him from middle and working class voters. But what has the Romney campaign and Republicans done that can be considered class politics?

Republicans have a few common strategies they seem to cycle through from time to time. Instead of attacking their opponents on wealth, Republicans prefer to take an angle on cultural elitism. You might want to sit down and have a beer with 'W', for example, but a Democrat candidate is likely a country club, ivory league kind of guy. You know, either an east coast liberal elite or a Hollywood elite, both of which have very different values from the homespun goodness of your average working class family. Republican strategists tested this hypothesis on Obama in 2008, but it really didn't stick.

The liberal agenda is alien from the values of “regular folks”, you see. The Tea Party realized this about the time Obama was elected and rallied the “regular type folks” to fight back against the liberal agenda at regular folk style town halls all across “my country tis of thee”. Their rallying cry was , "I want my country back". The implications of this “grass roots”, regular folk type “movement” was that Republicans were elected to Congress in 2010.

Here in 2012, Romney has mostly limited his class politics to occasionally mentioning the middle class. But I did notice one other nifty little ploy, which is probably the most commonly used Republican class invoking tactic. Last week Romney accused Obama of gutting welfare reform. In other words, Obama wants to give bums and welfare queens money to sit around and watch TV all day while “regular folks” go to work.

So you still want to see Romney's tax returns? Did you know there are people who lie to get food stamps? ]]> Frontpage Articles dgun http://www.democracyforums.com/71300/view Dan Cathy likes his religion batter-dipped and greasy http://www.democracyforums.com/70938/view Sat, 28 Jul 2012 04:54:00 GMT Chick-fil-a's CEO doesn't like gay marriage.

In my opinion, Dan Cathy has a right to his opinion. Not that I care a solitary iota what Mr. Cathy thinks on the subject. I'm even less interested on what he thinks Jesus thinks about the subject.

However, Mr. Cathy might be interested to know what I think. And not on the subject of gay marriage but rather, on the subject of arrogance and haughtiness. Mr. Cathy, your most high chickeness sir, your rant came across as extraordinarily self-righteous, condescending, and non-Jesus like.

Jesus had a few memorable rants, that I recall. My 'fav' is the one where he lets the religious establishment have it over in Matthew 23.

Here's a taste:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesus
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Jesus never had any rants about sex or sexuality. The couple of times the subject came up, Jesus expressed sympathy and mercy. I like the following from Matthew 5:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesus
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
What say you of this passage? A lesson of lust, or a lesson of judgment? I've always taken it to be a lesson on judging others. According to Jesus, if you lust it's just as bad as adultery. So then, what right does a luster have to hold adulterers in contempt? And who amongst you hasn't done a little lusting ? As one of Jesus' most famous teachings demonstrates in John 8:7, lusters and other sinners “best recognize”.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesus
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Granted, none of this puts a stamp of approval on homosexuality or gay marriage from a biblical perspective. In fact, it is clear from other scriptures in the New Testament that marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman. And what does that have to do with chicken sandwiches? Well maybe this: if you made a pile of cash by selling chicken sandwiches, it is likely that you sold a lot of chicken sandwiches to gay people. It is also likely that you've employed a lot of gay people. And regardless of what you think about gay people and and all their gay sinning, the last thing they need is to be judged by you, because: (1) they have enough shit to deal with, (2) it's not as if they haven't heard that before, (3) any hope you have of bringing them or anyone else listening to you closer to Jesus is pretty much shot. ]]> Frontpage Articles dgun http://www.democracyforums.com/70938/view The massacre in Colorado and gun control http://www.democracyforums.com/70796/view Sat, 21 Jul 2012 04:36:00 GMT It's inevitable, isn't it? It's inevitable that the recent tragedy in Colorado will renew the debate over gun control. It is inevitable that we will hear the same old arguments from the NRA and the same old arguments from gun control advocates. I recall another mass killing in Colorado followed by debates and talk. Here we are again.

Although I'm not really interested in discussing the merits of gun control versus the constitutional right to bear arms, since we all know the arguments inside and out, I will offer up this bit of fodder. In my opinion, one of the arguments against gun control should be buried with the victims of this massacre. The argument goes like this: "If you ban certain weapons, then only criminals will have those weapons". That argument is meaningless and nonsensical in regard to the type of crazy lunatic that would massacre people in a theater. Whether or not the guy was a criminal before he did this is completely irrelevant, because one way or another he is insane. Furthermore, according to the press conference all of his weapons and equipment were purchased legally.

For the sake of my own sanity, I just have to believe that people who do this type of stuff are insane. (Not that I hope this suspect is found insane as a defense; I rather hope he is not.) And I suppose there isn't really any good way to keep weapons out of the hands of insane people. But shouldn't we make some effort? I just don't think we can shrug off the occasional rampage of a lunatic gunman as the price we pay for a sacrosanct 2nd Amendment. ]]> Frontpage Articles dgun http://www.democracyforums.com/70796/view