Hero or Traitor? (June 10, 2013)

Posted in Internet, Pogo Plight, Privacy, Technology, USA PATRIOT Act on June 10, 2013 by e-ssay.org

. . .

2          “Julian Assange.  Hero.”

1          “Traitor.”

2          “Hero.”

1          “Traitor.”

2          “Hero.”

1          “Traitor.”

2          “Hero.”

1          “Traitor.”

2          “Hero.”

1          “Traitor.”

. . .

1          “Bradley Manning.  Traitor.”

2          “Hero.”

1          “Traitor.”

2          “Hero.”

1          “Traitor.”

2          “Hero.”

1          “Traitor.”

2          “Hero.”

1          “Traitor.”

2          “Hero.”

. . .

2          “Edward Snowden.  Hero.”

1          “Traitor.”

2          “Hero.”

1          “Traitor.”

2          “Hero.”

1          “Traitor.”

2          “Hero.”

1          “Traitor.”

2          “Hero.”

1          “Traitor.”

. . .

[Reflect on the ideas and experience of Daniel Ellsberg in
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jun/10/edward-snowden-united-stasi-america
.]

[See the “e-ssay” titled “Brave 1984 Farm: The Best Of All Possible Worlds (March 19, 2012).”]

Bumper stickers of the week:

In a dozen plus years and without a debate or a vote, technology has deprived us of privacy.  With little debate and many hasty votes, Congress has deprived us of privacy at every opportunity.  We as a society should create a rebuttable presumption in favor of privacy even if it appears to sacrifice security.  Our personal insecurities are actually creating greater national insecurity.  

“Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither.”  Benjamin Franklin

Did Bin Laden win?

Leave A Comment »

On Community (June 3, 2013)

Posted in Guns, Pogo Plight, Society on June 1, 2013 by e-ssay.org

. . .

A          “Seems that you have the ‘guns and ammo’ crowd and the ‘beans and band aids’ folks.”

B      “The ‘bullets and bandoliers’ boys and the ‘kumbaya and jambalaya’ community.”

A          “The ‘whole wheat set’ espouses something called ‘community’ that sounds good but is far more elusive to achieve.  My long-term study of the ‘community clan’ continues.  “Develop community” is a more mature and rational response to the challenges ahead, but most of the adherents would not respond that way in a pinch.”

. . .

A             “I wonder if we are too late and too far gone.”

B           “We may be too self-indulgent, self-absorbed and selfish to take care of anyone but ourselves.”

A      “We have been acculturated to behave as a self-interested consumer consumed with our self and our interests and our own consumption.  We collect stuff but are certain that our stuff is better stuff than the next guy’s stuff, so everything is righteous.”

B             “When we are really challenged, we will need to fundamentally retool our soul and learn to use hand tools.  The transition will be wrenching and will require us to use wrenches.”

. . .

[See the “e-ssay” titled “Beans and Bullets (April 6, 2009)."]

Bumper sticker of the week:

It’s all about me

Leave A Comment »

Memorial Day (May 27, 2013)

Posted in Military on May 27, 2013 by e-ssay.org

. . .

[See the "e-ssay" titled The Flag (May 31, 2010).]  

Bumper stickers of the week:

Yard Sale:  “Nicely manicured.  We’ll take it.  Do you deliver?”

“What is the most dangerous phrase in general aviation?”  “Watch this.”

Leave A Comment »

The Bubble Is Inflating? (May 20, 2013)

Posted in Guns, Stock Market on May 20, 2013 by e-ssay.org

. . .

1         “I am a financial genius; you are a financial genius; he is a financial genius; she is a financial genius.”

2         “We all are financial geniuses today.  But for how long.”

1       “Think 2000 – 2001.  Price–earnings ratios are still one of the most concrete touchstones.  The time-honored ratio expresses a timeless relationship between investment and return.  The ratios are akin to shotgun gauges.  Ten is tenable.  Twelve is desirable.  Sixteen is acceptable.  Twenty is workable.  Twenty Eight is tolerable.  However, Four Hundred Ten is unsustainable.  If you gauge it correctly, you might have a shot.  Yet today’s returns are getting unreasonable.”

2         “Treasury instruments are providing a paltry return on investment of about four hundred and fifty eight or worse.  That is not attractive and is not attracting money.  The stock market is the only game in town.”

1        “The players make us play it.  When will we do what we know we are all scheming to do and try to be the last fool out at the top.”

. . .

Bumper stickers of the week:

Financial genius on board

A skyscraper built on sand

Leave A Comment »

400 PPM (May 13, 2013)

Posted in Environment, Global Climate Change, Global Warming, Population, Press/Media on May 13, 2013 by e-ssay.org

. . .

1    “After careful and exhaustive research, 99.9999 percent of the legitimate scientists conclude that man’s activities are impacting Mother Earth and then some lunatics proclaim that the scientists are evenly divided.  The charlatans may be just baying at the moon, but they are very effectively misleading many of the masses.”

2       “And a few folks feel obliged to provide equal time presenting each argument.”

1        “You don’t need to be a climate scientist to realize that a rapid and even radical increase in a dangerous chemical with reasonably predictable consequences requires more thoughtful and thought-provoking research and commentary.”

. . .

[See the discussion and references at
http://citizensclimatelobby.org/files/images/400ppmPR051113.pdf
.]

[See the “e-ssay” titled Less Government Regulation Series: The Terrorist Tax Again (August 3, 2009) and Energy “Manhattan Project”: The “Carbon Tax And Dividend” (March 25, 2013).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

“It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his job depends on not understanding it.”  Upton Sinclair

“In the sack, save the leatherback; Don’t go bare, panthers are rare; Wrap with care, save the polar bear; When you’re feeling tender, think about the hellbender; Be a savvy lover, protect the snowy plover; Safe intercourse saves the dwarf seahorse.  Extinction is forever, wear a condom.”  Center for Biological Diversity.

CO2 = Not so good; CO2 Tax = good

Leave A Comment »

Running From Cancer Runs (May 6, 2013)

Posted in Fracking, Health Care, Population, Water on May 6, 2013 by e-ssay.org

. . .

_          “Seems that everyone would be better off not running for the cure to cancer but rather reflecting on ways to prevent cancer.”

. . .

_          “The only available water was encapsulated in cancerous plastic bottles provided by a sponsor.  I went to the water fountain; the fountain was disconnected and just hung off the wall like a sconce.  I went to the bathroom faucet; the faucet is now laser controlled and premixed the water to a tepid temperature.  A cupped hand of tepid water was the only alternative to the plastic product.”

_          “Or go thirsty.”

. . .

_          “The name CDC – Center for Disease Control – has a pleasing symmetry and cadence.  Adding ‘Prevention’ to the mix is prescient, prudent and proper.  Resources should be focused on preventing cancer not just curing cancer.  If it is prevented, it does not need to be cured.”

. . .

_          “In the near future, we will be fighting wars for water and rare earths on this beleaguered Earth.”

_          “And expressing regret that we ever allowed fracking to destroy the precious water supply.”

_          “We also would prevent some cancers if there were fewer mouths to water.”

. . .

_          “I’m already signed up.”

_          “I’ll go, but I’ll run under quiet protest.”

. . .

[See the “e-ssay” titled Gettin’ Health Risks Right (June 25, 2012).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

Everyone has an equal right to water, so no one has exclusive water rights.

Run for the cure?  Live for prevention.

Leave A Comment »

The People’s Amendment: The “Contract With America” (April 29, 2013)

Posted in Awards / Incentives, Balanced Budget Amendment, Coffee Party USA, Conflicts of Interest, Congress, Constitution, Immanentizing The Eschaton, Political Parties, Tea Party, Term Limits on April 29, 2013 by e-ssay.org

. . .

X          “What do Republicans and Democrats agree on?”

Y          “Nothing.”

X          “What do Republicans and Democrats disagree on?”

Y          “Everything.”

. . .

X          “There you go.  The People’s Amendment:  ‘If a law applies to the people, it applies to Congress; if an exception or exemption applies to Congress, it excepts and exempts the people.’  One simple commutative rule enshrined in a constitutional amendment.  Genius is always obvious and simple.”

Y          “And the provision applies equally to Republicans and Democrats.”

X          “Indubitably.  Courts could easily interpret it without all the arrogant activism and ideological warfare that characterizes the courts today.  Every tax payer has standing to enforce the People’s Amendment in court.  Individual Congresspersons and Senators who vote for legislation that violates the PA are held personally liable for the attorney’s fees of the tax payer who succeeds in enforcing the PA and a small percentage of the public damages.  Each representative’s self-interest is enlisted to provide for and protect the public interest.”

. . .

Y          “While you are at it, add a simple term limits provision.  Six two-year terms in the House and two six-year terms in the Senate are balanced and fair.  The provision applies equally to Republicans and Democrats.”    

. . .

X / Y  “However, a balanced budget amendment is hollow and shallow.  Congress can balance the budget without a balanced budget amendment if Congress wants to balance the budget.  Congress can circumvent a balanced budget amendment if Congress wants to circumvent a balanced budget amendment.”

. . .

[See the “e-ssays” titled The “Contract with America”; The Congressional Reform Act of 2010 (March 29, 2010), Term Limits (May 14, 2007) and Bringing Balance To The Balanced Budget Amendment Debate (July 18, 2011).]

[For an argument that John McCain and Lindsey Graham should not be considered “enemy combatants,” see the “e-ssay” titled Republicans are Enemy Combatants? (May 10, 2010).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

A Democrat for The People’s Amendment

A Republican for The People’s Amendment

An Independent for The People’s Amendment

A Libertarian for The People’s Amendment

A Green for The People’s Amendment

A Tea Partier for The People’s Amendment

A Coffee Partier for The People’s Amendment

A Partier for The People’s Amendment

My honor student supports The People’s Amendment

My average student supports The People’s Amendment

My below average student opposes The People’s Amendment

My dog supports The People’s Amendment

A sniper for The People’s Amendment

An LBGT for The People’s Amendment

A mom for The People’s Amendment

A dad for The People’s Amendment

A viscountess for The People’s Amendment

A Fan of Fred (Hayek) for The People’s Amendment

A visiting adjunct professor at the Barack Hussein O’Bama II School of Government at the University of Chicago for The People’s Amendment

Leave A Comment »

« Older Entries
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.