tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post5770679311798047760..comments2024-03-20T12:34:55.100-05:00Comments on Stonekettle Station: Is it just me? Well?Jim Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-26231314863656584792008-02-13T19:51:00.000-06:002008-02-13T19:51:00.000-06:00Catchy, ain't it?For some reason I find the entire...Catchy, ain't it?<BR/><BR/>For some reason I find the entire 'Rick Roll' meme hysterical. Probably because it's one of my favorite XKCD comic episodes. So, I just couldn't help doing it to you. Just because I knew you'd find it amusing. And I've been Rick Rolled several times, and have watched the video through completely every single time. I don't know why, in fact I may go watch it again right now.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Jeri, I never thought of myself that way, but I suppose it's a better title than head 'sploding 'Ranter.' Thanks :)Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-64415399808340851742008-02-13T19:35:00.000-06:002008-02-13T19:35:00.000-06:00Jim, I would argue that you are a philosopher - on...Jim, I would argue that you are a philosopher - one of the better ones I read. ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-33402875843501129192008-02-13T19:02:00.000-06:002008-02-13T19:02:00.000-06:00Jim, feel free to go watch that video you directed...Jim, feel free to go watch that video you directed Anne and I to - I'm sure it will make you feel better.<BR/><BR/>I watched <EM>the whole thing</EM>, and I'm not sure why. It's like a train wreck, or something.Janiecehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14190655869710465713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-42902531790566189732008-02-13T18:34:00.001-06:002008-02-13T18:34:00.001-06:00Jeri, far be it for me to argue with Ralph Waldo E...Jeri, far be it for me to argue with Ralph Waldo Emerson, but for the record I am not a statesman (little or otherwise), a philosopher, and certainly not divine. And I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a certain degree of consistency when it comes to the big picture, or when it comes to things that affect the country I live in. I will admit that GWB has been a fairly consistent jackass, and Congress has been fairly consistent in letting him get away with it.<BR/><BR/>What chaps my ass in this case is that in all items I mentioned, torture, monitoring, and waving of background checks - all have a common underlying cause, the utter inability of our leadership to face facts, behave honorably, and uphold the ideals they are sworn to. In each and every case, there is a proper course of action, a constitutional course of action, an honorable course of action - these actions require determination, guts, commitment, sacrifice, a sense of duty, and a belief in the rightness of the founding principles of the United States - and in every case, our leaders have chosen the easy path, the dishonorable path, the path of limited vision. <BR/><BR/>It pisses me off.Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-25776150658319228902008-02-13T18:34:00.000-06:002008-02-13T18:34:00.000-06:00It's not just you, brother. Though you clarified w...It's not just you, brother. Though you clarified what I feel much better than I could have, what with all the sputtering I'd be doing...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-3720067345987483382008-02-13T16:15:00.000-06:002008-02-13T16:15:00.000-06:00Jim, good post, great insights into the specific i...Jim, good post, great insights into the specific issues that are driving us all crazy. But "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines." (Emerson) <BR/><BR/>Janiece, even the constitutional issue is open to debate. There's the "strict constructionist" (i.e. conservative right) take on it, and, well, the opposite. I don't think "social constructionist" is quite the right concept.<BR/><BR/>Nonetheless, I agree... rule of law vs. theocracy or autocracy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-12923472562768612152008-02-13T15:23:00.000-06:002008-02-13T15:23:00.000-06:00Why isn't the INS checking the SS#s of everyone pa...Why isn't the INS checking the SS#s of everyone paying SS taxes vs their name and DOB? Employers with more than one or two non-matches should get their asses in a sling, along with a nice surprise raid on their premises.<BR/><BR/>If we are serious about security, there is a lot we could be doing that we don't. Politicians on both sides sponsored the last amnesty in hope that the new voters would feel loyalty to the politicos who sponsored the bill, and I suspect that's what's going on here, too.John the Scientisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03467337009577733553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-35364209480822880792008-02-13T14:59:00.000-06:002008-02-13T14:59:00.000-06:00Go follow the Dúnedain link in my previous comment...Go follow the Dúnedain link in my previous comment, Anne, it'll make you feel better, I'm sure of it.Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-77655057282210879062008-02-13T14:58:00.000-06:002008-02-13T14:58:00.000-06:00I gotta stop reading your 'splody posts because yo...I gotta stop reading your 'splody posts because you're making me crazy, Jim. Security is so critical that we should suspend the rights of US citizens AND the rights of whomever they feel like torturing, but not so critical that handing out green cards like they were junk mail is OK?<BR/>Gaahhhhh!Anne C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09444051201220766948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-9891107242344598772008-02-13T14:43:00.000-06:002008-02-13T14:43:00.000-06:00My head is always 'esplodee. You can ask my friend...My head is <I>always</I> 'esplodee. You can ask my friends, why they put up with it, I do not know :)<BR/><BR/>You want a Dúnedain, Janiece, how about <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGIQ7ZuuiU" REL="nofollow"> this</A>?Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-36595578631807996822008-02-13T13:16:00.000-06:002008-02-13T13:16:00.000-06:00Nope. It's not just you.Just last night my Smart ...Nope. It's not just you.<BR/><BR/>Just last night my Smart Man and I were discussing that the single most important criteria we have for our next president is a thorough understanding of, and reverence for, the Constitution. Political party? Who cares. Religion? Not important. Experience? It would be nice, but not necessary. Love for and knowledge of the Constitution? <EM>Absolutely necessary.</EM><BR/><BR/>And Jim? It might be time for a Dúnedain of the Week post. 'Cause I thought you were tired of politics, war and Berkely hippy-dippies. And your head's kind of getting a bit 'splodey. And shrill. <BR/><BR/>Yeah...Dúnedain.Janiecehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14190655869710465713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-83694010124647567592008-02-13T13:08:00.000-06:002008-02-13T13:08:00.000-06:00I just love it when your head gets all 'splodey.I just love it when your head gets all 'splodey.Nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00648438549121320566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-22829255145998340172008-02-13T13:00:00.000-06:002008-02-13T13:00:00.000-06:00Rep. Brian P. Bilbray (R-Calif.), who seeks tighte...<I>Rep. Brian P. Bilbray (R-Calif.), who seeks tighter U.S. immigration controls, objected. "Do they revoke them if they blow up something?" he asked. "There is a reason why the system was put in to do these checks, and it's national security. It's scary that we've reached a point where we're waiving that national security requirement because the bureaucracy is not responding." </I><BR/><BR/>Here, here! No, it's not just you. The current administration is schizophrenic in dealing with terrorism. Suspension of personal liberties and torture is ok, but it's also ok to just grant permanent residency with no background checks because it's more convenient. <BR/><BR/><I>The decision "just seems like a very logical way to get people who deserve benefits in a very fair and timely manner without compromising national security or the integrity of the immigration system," (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesman Christopher S.) Bentley said.</I><BR/><BR/>Some days I really wish I could grab some of these people, slap them silly, then scream "What the fuck is WRONG with you people??!!"vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16955307244053931069noreply@blogger.com