April 21, 2015

Washington Governor Jay Inslee

Very good on environmental and alternate energy issues. February 2014 suspended the death penalty for the duration of his term in office. "His campaign (for governor) focused on job creation, outlining dozens of proposals to increase job growth in clean energy, the aerospace industry and biotechnology. He also supported a ballot measure that would legalize gay marriage, which passed, and opposed tax increases." (Wikipedia)

He was my district's Representative before becoming governor. I went to a number of his town hall meetings and I was always impressed with his logic and his policy positions. I always thought he should seek higher office.

April 20, 2015

IMHO

In the OP: "In their minds, the murderers and accomplices of Germany, and Poland, and Hungary, and so many, many other places didn't do something evil."

In believe this to be the case. Every person who occupied homes or apartments, or farmed land, or operated businesses, received watches, jewelry, furs, other personal items taken from the Jews, all were participants in the Holocaust. There were rewards for NOT opposing the extermination of Jews. And for most, not opposing the Nazis was also self-preservation.

So, the quote was right -- people convinced themselves that they did nothing wrong. I see no need to apologize for the comment.

April 18, 2015

The "let them die" policy pre-dates the ACA

In March, 1984, Governor Lamm of Colorado said " People who die without having life artificially extended are similar to ''leaves falling off a tree and forming humus for the other plants to grow up,'' the Governor told a meeting of the Colorado Health Lawyers Association at St. Joseph's Hospital... ''You've got a duty to die and get out of the way,'' said the 48-year-old Governor. ''Let the other society, our kids, build a reasonable life.'' (NY Times 3/28/84)

It's only left to define "artificially extended". Does that mean heroic measures like heart/lung machines, or can it mean medicines to treat otherwise fatal diseases? In the current opposition to ACA, I believe it means ANY medical assistance.

This is what happens when individuals are considered liabilities instead of assets or even humans worthy of life. Republicans are so skewed to think of everything (objects, services, people) in terms of profits and losses, it's easy to see how they come up with ideas to cut people off life-affirming or life-saving policies if it isn't turning a buck for THEM. I am utterly revolted by Republicans and their lack of humanity.

April 17, 2015

Always watch the end-game

With these people (religious right-wing nut jobs), one always must look at the long game being played. This move isn't simply a public gesture of respect for a religious work, it is in fact, the first step in promoting the bible to be taught in public schools, a long-held mission of the religious freaks.

And I agree with a previous post -- exactly WHICH version of the bible are they attempting to shove down everyone's throats? There are dozens. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English_Bible_translations for a list of just the ones in English.

March 29, 2015

Just my opinion, but I think we need to see this

manufactured "scandal" for what it's really worth. All polls show that if HRC was the candidate, she would win the presidency against ANY Republican candidate. So, the plan seems to be to keep her from being nominated as the candidate which would serve to increase the odds for a Republican president.

The bottom line, like it or not, is that she did nothing illegal or even immoral. This is all about campaigning AGAINST her before she even becomes the nominee.

March 14, 2015

Don't know why they have their panties in a twist

The Senate will have to ratify any treaty anyway, Article II, Sec. 2, Par. 2 of the US Constitution says: "He (President) shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur;"

I suspect an end play -- They know they don't have the votes to stop a treaty with Iran so they tried to stop it without the votes of the other Senators. They really don't like playing by the rules.

March 10, 2015

Prometheus Unbound (Shelley)

To suffer woes which Hope thinks infinite;
To forgive wrongs darker than death or night;
To defy Power, which seems Omnipotent;
To Love and Bear; to Hope til Hope creates
From its own wreck the thing it contemplates;
Neither to change, nor falter nor repent;
This, like thy Glory,Titan, is to be
Good, Great and Joyous, Beautiful and Free;
This alone is Life, Joy, Empire and Victory.

March 8, 2015

NO DRAFT -- AT ALL

Yet another question about the draft. As I've said in another thread, NO DRAFT, NO TIME, NO HOW.

During the Vietnam era, my brother, age 18, had to register for the draft. At the same time he applied for CO status but was denied on religious grounds. At that time, only two organized religions were eligible for CO status. Our family was opposed to the war in Vietnam as being against international law and immoral. He appealed the denial. We wrote letters to the draft board in support of his application pointing out that one did not have to be a member of an organized religion to have ethics and morals. Then my mother, brother and sister moved to Australia where they have been ever since. He was sent a draft notice but his attorney sent a letter to the draft board reminding them of their own rule that they can't draft someone with an appeal pending; they had to do something about the appeal. To this very day, his appeal has not been adjudicated.

Coming from a background of opposing the draft back then, I certainly am against a draft at this or any other time.

March 8, 2015

I'M OPPOSED TO A DRAFT, REGARDLESS OF THE APPLICATION

Draft is involuntary servitude (slavery) and should not be applied against any category of people -- not by gender, not by age, not by financial status, not by educational status, not by marital status.

So what's up with the multiple draft questions showing up on DU? Is there an effort to try to gin up support for a draft? How many different ways is the question going to be asked? Know this: to all draft questions I say the same thing: Absolutely NO DRAFT.

March 7, 2015

It doesn't matter how you dress it, a pig is a pig

Draft/conscription is involuntary servitude (slavery).

Congress can pretend it's fair, equal, blah, blah, blah. It's still military slavery.

When you are owned, body, mind and restricted activity, you are a slave. And when in the military THEY OWN YOU.