Malc in Berlin is making his moderating debut tonight, i’m sure you’ll make him very welcome! Over to you….
23
Oct
08
70 Responses to “Talking Points 24th October”
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BBC World Have Your Say 
Paging all americans, get your free taco on tuesday!
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/fan_forum/tacobell/?partnerId=MLB_enews_tacobell
Just doing my part to contribute to the obesity epidemic
Mmmmm…. tacos.
Hey has anybody noticed that, more often than not, the ‘discussions’ in the blog turn into ad hominem arguments? There HAS GOT to be a better way of arguing than “I know you are, but what am I?”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081023/ap_on_re_as/as_japan_avatar_murder
that one is just to wierd for words……
my message has disappeard
An interesting article about Robocalls! Used by both Obama and McCain…..
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/23/robo.calls/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
“That’s the problem with opinions – everyone has one.”
Re: Woman killing virtual husband
I don’t know what I find more curious….the fact that she was so upset that she got “divorced” from someone she wasn’t really married to or the fact that they are wasting time on this instead of taking care of real crimes….
So give ’em this Carlin classic:
“Everybody has a right to their opinion. And my opinion is that you have no right to your opinion.”
@ Shaun
Yes, they do tend to turn out that way. Like today’s discussion went from what’s the problem with sex education to defining what sex is to how conservatives use politics to keep people ignorant to religion being used to beat people senseless with fear. It takes away from the quality of the discussion but…..
@ Jens
“Woman jailed after ‘killing’ virtual husband”
LOL– I like how the title implies she actually killed a man instead of his avatar. “At least” she did not hack him to death for divorcing him on facebook. from the BBC: Man killed wife in Facebook row
@ Steve
LOL! I would not eat a Taco Bell taco even if it is free.
I’ll bet those lines will be longer than the ones waiting to greet McCain at his next campaign stop.
—–
@ Shaun in Halifax
“I know you are, but what am I?”
You’re paper I’m glue, whatever you say sticks back to you. LOL Sorry could not resist.
12 year old boy lifts car off of father.
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_story.aspx?storyid=100457&catid=14
@ Man killing wife because of facebook
I noticed he got a minimum of 14 years. Wow, so I can get drunk, sniff some coke, and kill someone, and be out in 14 years??? I’m moving to London my friends, cheers, oi, and I’ll be in my flat with my mate and some fish and chips (fish and Freedom Fries).
-Anthony, LA, CA
anyone any idea how quality of life is like in southern virginia???????
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7687495.stm
democratic early voting is up 400%, yes my friends…..hihihihih
@Jens,
S. VA. has some decent radio stations that I can pick up when I’m in Winston-Salem, NC. It’s part of tobacco country and the Real America. That’s all I know, but then I live in an anti-American socialist pocket with 5.1 million others.
I was in virgina in 8th grade, and its like they are living in the 1700’s!!! They make barrels and horse shoes from scrap, and they eat hard tack and salted pork, no phones, no electricity, and they still put people in the stocks!!! Crazy.
-Anthony, LA, CA
thanks, for the encouragment
@ Jens
RE: Quality of life in Southern Virginia (aka the REAL America)
Jon Steward had some thoughts on the Virgina on the Daily Show segment called Pfriend or Pfoe? I’d look for a pJob in another area. What the pFoe, you ask? You MUST watch!!! I insist. Come to NYC, it’s the pBest and promise to be your pFriend! LOL
Yes, they do tend to turn out that way. Like today’s discussion went from what’s the problem with sex education to defining what sex is to how conservatives use politics to keep people ignorant to religion being used to beat people senseless with fear. It takes away from the quality of the discussion but…..
That’s called a logical progression. The problem with sex education is: a) conservatives use politics to keep people ignorant b) religion is used to beat people senseless with fear and c) it takes away from the quality of the education rendering it useless. When sex education is presented with full information and without the fear-mongering demanded by the religious right it appears to be effective.
Dang the internet and it’s easy access to facts.
While the average age of first intercourse is approximately the same for each country, the analysis indicates that those countries with pragmatic and sex positive government policies (France, Australia and especially the Netherlands) have better sexual health-related statistics than the one country with a primarily sexual abstinence-based policy (the United States).-ibid.
jess,
i’d come to New York in a heart beat….It’s just that the south virginians have invited me for an interview and the new york have as yet not. 😦
@Jens,
Not a problem. When you have the guts to visit my little pocket, Atlanta, then I can tell you about the quality of here.
oh jens… poor you… anyway, good luck in your interview!
@all
Today I haven’t work at the rate I am supposed to… WHYS is so addictive (the only addiction I have). So, tomorrow I’ll have tons of papers in my desk to review :S
RE Global financial crisis:
====================================
——– Dear Allan as in Greenspan “testifies” to Congress that the global financial crunch is a once in a century credit tsunami.
Last I checked tsunamis were natural environmental conditions, not man made. The usual suspects putting on the usual dog and pony show to delay the procedings until the crooks can cover their trails and be gone.
New, improved adulterated financial instruments to be appearing at banks and investment firms soon, so stay tuned for the next GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
OK, we might have just taken a step too far. Online divorcee jailed after killing virtual hubby
julie p,
i only ever had the pleasure of visiting atlanta’s monster airport…..that thing is seriously big
luz,
yeah, funny how the want to interview me, even though I have applied to plenty of jobs, which would be an infinitly better match……i guess they must like my background of having done a million different things.
@Jens,
I am none to fond of Hartsfield’s custom’s and the way we have to handle luggage. First I get grilled on the way back into the country, then I have to pick up my bags drag to them to somewhere else only to have recheck them before I can reclaim them again at the baggage carousel. I also need to go through security with security who do not pay attention to anything except each other. Now leaving the country is another story, I’m practically greeted by a hostess with horderves and gracious hospitality. Very strange indeed.
did you folks see this. the early democratic voters are up by 400%, that is stagering
@Jens
Good luck with the interview! 🙂
RE sex education:
————————————————————————————-
——— Got the talk from my parents age 11, just A fits into B and creates C, 5-10 min max.
Got the infamous “health” film in gym starring syphilis as well as another film suspiciously related to “Reefer Madness.”
Never got any sexually transmitted diseases, never addicted to drugs, tobacco, or alcohol, but I noticed that higher education was not always a good indicator to good results.
Some educated folks need someone to fill their noggins, tell them what is so. Others move on to their own research and discovery and start to figure out things on their own.
Then there’s mean people, the ones who know exactly what they are doing and mean to inflict as much misery and damage on as many as they can. As long as there are unending trusting victim, the misery goes on, regardless.
Sex education should be very general, and include a general risk chart of categories of behaviors. The kids can figure out the rest for themselves as sex has always been about self discovery unless forced upon naive children by both neferious and/or well meaning adults.
Jessica ~ I am with you. Free or not, none of those tacos for me.
Are we still on for Pizza? :))
selena,
thanks…..
julie P,
that ojne with the bags is the same palaver on all flights coming in. just think what is feels like for non us citizens or non green card holders. they are really welcome…..my wife had an interview with the usa immigration dudes in toronto. she said she has never met a ruder person than that woman. it was all a formality changing vis status, but boy it was 3 hour interview. i was surprised they did not give her an anal cavity search. then we came to the usa border and we almost had to force them to validate her new visa. they just waved us through. funny isn’t it.
Jens
Don’t know about what area you refer but the Charlottesville area is GREAT. Richmond impresses me as an old Southern city.
What city are you looking at?
Jens~ It’s no use hiring somebody to solve problems who does the same thing every time. If they could see their problems clearly they wouldn’t need to hire you to solve them now would they?
Dan,
its actually called Danville……. 😉
dan,
you should visit NM, we have some fantastic tacos, but not from the bell
pangolin,
come again….seriously i am a little lost with your comment.
i am not sure i solve problems…..well the neat thing about research ist that one searches for something and since we know only little there is still plenty to be searched for.
Malc, welcome to the moderating table…
Re: TACOS
that sounds good for supper, but i forgot to get hamburger…when i was out..
😦
Re: THE CHILD THAT STOLE THE CAR FROM DAD
it is a issue that family court, will be dealing with!!!
Dennis
Danville is a nice area. Not sophisticated but “salt of the earth’ type people. Danville was an old mill town I believe right on the North Carolina border.
Best of luck!!
I have interviewed many people. My advice (for what it’s worth) is to ask the questions that get them talking. Sooner or later they will tell you exactly what they are looking for and that will help you tailor your presentation.
My personal prejudice is the people that have a folder with them & take notes and have questions outlined. Then again I always interviewed sales people and I do not know what position you are looking at.
Again…Very Best Of Luck!!!!
@Julie
Seven miles away is as close to the “Real America” as I ever want to be.
@Jens
Good luck–and you MIGHT want to keep the atheism and politics under your hat at first.
@Roberto
How do you suggest the world economy/economies should be run, since you disapprove of how it’s done now?
@ Moderator
Hmmm, how many times am I going to ask about my last post to Pangolin before I get an answer that doesn’t include just deleting my inquiry.
FYI, I am snipping all of these comments…….I need to know what the issue was with my post and why it was not posted. Please contact me! Thank you! 🙂
Jens
Been to MN wonderful State and I can spell Albuquerque without having to look it up.
Jenns
Ooops lets try NM…MN is too cold in the winter and too many mosquitoes in summer.
@Jens
Sometimes that happens… you get recognition from the least expected.
I work for the government now and they love me… I never thought something like that would happen to me.. I am very critical, but I suspect they haven’t read my comments in this blog, lol
@Taco Bell tacos
That stuff is disgusting!!!
@Jens,
The last time I went to London I was harassed at both airports, Gatwick and Hartsfield. There was a split second at Gatwick when I thought I was not going to be allowed into the UK. I had the same experience coming back through Hartsfield. Evidently, they don’t like women traveling alone. (Men were the ones who suggested that to me, especially ones who have internationally by themselves and had never had a problem at customs anywhere.) At Gatwick I stared the security guard who reluctantly stamped my passport and let me in. At Hartsfield I crossed my arms, started tapping my foot, and glared at him. I came within a heartbeat of telling this upstart that if weren’t for my colonial ancestors there wouldn’t be a US and he wouldn’t have a job if it weren’t for my family. Move aside! Those people can be prickly.
@Jens,
I haven’t been to Danville, but I’ve been near it. If it’s anything like Winston-Salem you’ll love it. They are about 45 minutes away from each other. WS is a city of 300K, a little sleepy from what I’m used to, but it’s pleasant anyway. Danville is about an hour north of Charlotte too. (2.5 million) You’ll be in decent driving distances from a lot of nice places.
“the killing of the virtual husband”
that is not good…
Dennis
about U.S. Migration officers
They are an unique breed… An advice from an alien that has enter (legally) the U.S. like a million of times: get all the papers ready and be as serious as you can… they don’t like jokes…
@ taco bell…
i have had when i was younger never again…i will make my
own tacos…
Dennis
@Malc
I forgot to welcome you to the mod team! sorry!
If you need help, I am up for moderating. Let me know 😉
@Jonathon,
You live in a city that I think of as 49 square miles surrounded by reality.
@Jens,
On a good day I can get to Danville in 6 hours. If you get there have a mod exchange our e-mail addresses. It’s not a problem for me to visit you there. I am often in Winston-Salem.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/23/former-bush-aide-voting-for-obama/
Scott McClellan supporting Obama.
Re: Scott McClellan supporting Obama.
i saw this story earlier in the evening…it is amazing that he
is even supporting obama…
Dennis
All,
funny how different people have such a different opinions about virginia. I shall go there with an open mind. sounds like that there are plenty of positive feedback. thanks dan and julie. hell, at least i can go and watch nascar…….any good hockey teams near by?
@jonathon,
i was going to tell them that i find it sad “that rual america is klining to the bible and their guns……”. don’t you think that would be the right strategy. actually looks like virgin ia might vote democrat this year.
julie,
i have plenty of experiance with border patrol folks. i was grew up in basel, switzerland, which is right on the border to france and germany. plus i have been now an immigrant for the vast majority of my life. first the uk and now the usa. some of them are truely more prickly, than the prickly pears in my back yard…
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/10/23/high.school.hiv.ap/index.html
I hope this story is just a horrible example of attention seeking.
@ steve October 24, 2008 at 2:05 am
“http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/10/23/high.school.hiv.ap/index.html
I hope this story is just a horrible example of attention seeking.”
I don’t know about the story but the post sure is.
Re: http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/10/23/high.school.hiv.ap/index.html
I think it’s crumby that they are doing all of those tests and noone can possibly piece together one person they all have in common. Shouldn’t people know what they are doing with who? At least they are getting tested and hopefully they’ll be more responsible in the future since at 14, 16, high school years they still have alot of life left to live. As many as 50 people!!!!
@ Re: Greenspan’s comment on the credit crisis:
Greenspan said he had made a “mistake” in believing that banks operating in their self-interest would be sufficient to protect their shareholders and the equity in their institutions. He called this “a flaw in the model that I perceived is the critical functioning structure that defines how the world works”.
It’s rather amazing that one of the most powerful figure in America was naive enough to not take GREED into consideration!
So what is he going to do about it while the ordinary people suffer?
Jennifer
Sharing needles has been said to be bad for years, and 50 people sharing the same one is stupid, just palin stupid.
This is why I agree with needle drop off, it means at least you can get and use a clean one.
@Julie
Right, that’s what I meant: 7 miles x 7 miles = 49 square miles.
Haidt, J., & Graham, J. (2007). When morality opposes justice: Conservatives have moral intuitions that liberals may not recognize. Social Justice Research, 20, p. 98-116
The study by Jonathan Haidt explains why lower to middle-class conservatives seemingly vote against their interests. According to the theory, there are five foundations of morality:
Harm/care
Fairness/reciprocity
Ingroup/loyalty
Authority/respect
Purity/sanctity
The study notes that political/religious conservatives are more likely to moralize behaviors that do not involve direct harm, and also give more or less equal importance to all five foundations. Liberals give greater importance to the foundations of harm/care and fairness/reciprocity.
RE “” How do you suggest the world economy/economies should be run, since you disapprove of how it’s done now? “”
———————————————————————————————————-
——– Easy answer is without the crooks. Let them all move to your neighborhood for poker matches.
RE Obama endorsements by Colin Powell and Scott McClellan
————————————————————————————————-
——- Obama is a modern day phenom we’ve been blessed to see in action.
To be frank, I don’t get his appeal as a rock star. He’s quite button down and tightlipped sort of chap, fairly gangly and soft looking. Nothing wrong with that of course and has nothing to do with his politics, but his speechifyin’ abilities inconsistant and quite monotonous as in monotone. Not that McCain is any better. They can both roust the troops up when needed.
Given Obama’s youth and star status, a Powell and McClellan endorsement seems to fit the status quo. Powell left to out hang by dubious intelligence reports during his republican stint, has always been a middle of the roader and Obama’s background and politics suits him to a Tee.
McClellan a traitor to his boss with his tell all book is looking for redemption with Obama. Now, I can forgive Powell for being suckered. He does back out of a disasterous adminstration with some honor, ie, “you break it, you own it” advice on Iraq. McClellan just a toady plain and simple. His mother was the worst mayor in the history of my residence, and the whole family are opportunists with politics, dems turncoating into reps. They’d be dems again if they could be elected and appointed by that weakened party.
Anyways, though I personally like Obama, McCain too, neither are the answer to the staggering financial crisis. Powell and McClellan made some all time blunders prior to Obama, so really endorsements like that are damning with faint praise types of events.
More telling is Obama has so much money he can’t spend all of it, supreme irony as folks go bankrupt globally, and McCain is again closing his lead in the polls. Polls which mean nothing. Nobody knows who will be elected, but as I note, pollsters are bound to tell us so they get paid!
60% Drop in OPEC Prices
OPEC prices dipped below $60 per barrel from a high of $140 plus in July today. Oil consumers are also feeling the crunch since production has fallen at US, EU and Southeast Asian plants.
Iran spent its windfall of petrodollars before even touching the proceeds and is facing huge budget deficits before year end. The transport sector requires needs new machines and repairs. National aviation requires new passenger planes, railways need new carriages and rail tracks, national road network is simply insufficient, but high government expenditure has depleted the treasury.
Public education and national health are a thing of the past. Food subsidies are disappearing. Decay and neglect of public services began several years ago but global recession make things much worse.
The future for Iran is bleak but the financial hub and bazaar which were sitting on high profits have drawn the blinds and gone home for the next six months! Is it fair?
I love how SP is claiming they are coming down on her about the cost of her wardrobe because of her gender. I am going to say a phrase and i want the audience to shout out the first name that comes to mind. “$500 haircut”. Yeah. Gender biased.
No Sarah, the reaso people pick on you for your wardrobe is because you have no political record, relative occupation experience, or substance to pick on. They have worn out picking one you because you are dumb as a box of rocks.
@ Byran
I hope you post soon. I have some videos I would like to share with you! 🙂
___________________
Re: Sarah Palin’s clothing
How pathetic would someone have to be to get angry or upset about how much someone else spends for clothing? I am not one bit upset that my money purchased maybe a quarter of one of her shoes…haha I gave it freely with no strings attached to be used in whatever way needed. It’s a non-issue!
If we want to talk about lack of experience…..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6-K7JwwV0U I can’t believe anyone would say that Obama has a “political record”….is it one to be proud of? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIlS0_rArks and this one…..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1GwJtwpUIg….
@ Jennifer October 24, 2008 at 7:11 pm
“Re: Sarah Palin’s clothing”
It is the hypocrisy. Just plain folksy “hockey moms” don’t have that kind of money to spend on those high end clothes.
Other than that I have no complaint, because that spending means some salesperson will get paid, some seamstress will get paid, some clothing designer will get paid, some fabric designer will get paid, some commercial clothes buyer will get paid, some sewing machine maker will get paid, some cotton or other fabric resource grower will get paid, and some families will get to eat, buy their own kids some clothes, and keep the circle going.
So spend on!
Just don’t try and claim Palin is in any way ‘just plain folks”.