tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post9084937512679265169..comments2024-03-28T14:52:13.218-05:00Comments on Stonekettle Station: Free StuffJim Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-67066549276413337192017-03-18T22:38:14.776-05:002017-03-18T22:38:14.776-05:00Actually, the War Department was the precursor of ...Actually, the War Department was the precursor of the Department of the Army, not the Department of Defense. The so-called unification of the armed forces in 1947 was mostly a subterfuge to create an independent and coequal Air Force, so they could go off and apply the theories of Douhet. Bad idea.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18068001353988519328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-2996665330355959232016-12-29T14:35:40.502-06:002016-12-29T14:35:40.502-06:00I lived for years in a small community in No Cal w...I lived for years in a small community in No Cal where many city dwellers went to retire (alongside retirees from the creative arts and the refugees from the Haight). In other words, this was a diverse population. I often heard that "why should I support other people's kids?" refrain from the more conservative members of the community.<br /><br />It amazed me that anyone with an ounce of reason, empathy or sheer pragmatism could utter those words. I could cite a litany of reasons for our elders to support public education, but Jim has alluded to the enlightened self-interest (pragmatic) response: because those schools are producing the doctors, nurses, lawyers, police officers, legislators, service people etc who are going to be affecting your future, that of those precious children you brought to adulthood, and any grandchildren they may have spawned.<br /><br />A deeper reason is that being part of a community requires give and take. Why should young people just starting out be paying taxes that are going to elder healthcare, or other government subsidies that we require as we age? We are, like it or not, all in this together. That's the ideal, for one thing, set forth in every religious text I can think of—that we all should have each others' backs so that no one goes without.<br /><br />Besides, desert islands have always been in short supply, and are increasingly hard to find now that sea levels are rising.Maya Kaathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03782124659607145756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-66944418195055408792016-12-28T17:42:22.269-06:002016-12-28T17:42:22.269-06:00Personally, I'm always confused as to who the ...Personally, I'm always confused as to who the @#$^ these people think are BUILDING those carriers. Do they think every shipwright or weapons engineer came from a wealthy family who could afford nothing but the finest private schools? <br /><br />Even their own priorities for what constitutes a "real" public good are completely dependent on a society that also services the areas they don't think they should pay for. Nohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07195331066028537782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-51436418503401532362016-12-28T09:41:52.911-06:002016-12-28T09:41:52.911-06:00When I was in High School, I went to Homecoming wi...When I was in High School, I went to Homecoming with a good friend. We were at a nice place for dinner, and somebody at the next table over loudly asked "My children have already gone through public schools, why should I keep having to pay taxes to support it?"<br /><br />I don't remember where we were, or what I had for dinner, but that question is absolutely burned into my mind.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03284302937868581560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-55742838510464268532016-09-06T18:34:34.663-05:002016-09-06T18:34:34.663-05:00Nicely said, Nancy.
MarianWNicely said, Nancy.<br /><br />MarianWAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-16179241148276526582016-04-11T11:46:46.326-05:002016-04-11T11:46:46.326-05:00So, we've not had the mainland invaded since t...So, we've not had the mainland invaded since the 19th century. How many aircraft carriers did we have preventing that in 1900? 1920? 1930? 1950? If the military prevented mainland invasions with zero (or very few, very crude) aircraft carriers for all those earlier decades, then the 10+ carriers we have now is overkill and thus wasteful spending.nmanninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14767343547942014627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-56820742251349104252016-04-09T14:04:13.697-05:002016-04-09T14:04:13.697-05:00YES. Those who believe that civic duty applies on...YES. Those who believe that civic duty applies only to warships and not to education...are simply doomed to lose the freedoms they now enjoy.ciedie aechhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00443601825150518035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-30779477018127441292016-04-08T08:20:36.025-05:002016-04-08T08:20:36.025-05:00I am a newbie to your site, Jim, and abs. love it....I am a newbie to your site, Jim, and abs. love it. Love your writing style, love the YOU that comes thru your words. We seem to think alike, eh, so I'm biased. I'll tell others, and we WILL donate to your cause, whatever we can. Your cause is our cause, and you seem kind and fair minded. <br />I had thought the present zeitgeist in America was due to my growing up and growing old. Now I think, maybe not so much. Your blog is shelter from the storm and nourishment for the mind and soul.<br />Thanks for your service, Jim. And thanks for your blog. You got some fans in NC!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-2785260281172020212016-04-07T18:48:16.676-05:002016-04-07T18:48:16.676-05:00My favourite method of getting up the nose of libe...My favourite method of getting up the nose of libertarians is to call them anarchists. Because that's what they are.<br /><br />Why do I say that? Look at the central belief of each system: That no one has authority over the individual save the individual themselves.<br /><br />So, in my opinion, libertarianism is a marketing ploy, a rebranding of an existing product. The question then is why was this done? I believe there are two reasons for this.<br /><br />First, it means libertarianism has no history. It, apparently, has no relationship with anarchy. Thus it doesn't carry the unpleasant historical baggage of anarchism.<br /><br />The second reason for the rebranding is rhetorical. By using 'liberty' as the root word of the brand name the field for argument is set in libertarianism's favour before the debate even starts. By arguing against libertarianism it appears that the individual is arguing against the very idea of liberty itself. It's idiocy of course but too many people can't see through this obfuscation.<br /><br />At any rate libertarians are really anarchists and if they ever get the world they want we'll end up admiring more stable nations like Somalia.Romantic Heretichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15988507771792100606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-42973699369912985492016-04-07T10:40:10.524-05:002016-04-07T10:40:10.524-05:00Did anyone mention yet that the aircraft carrier d...Did anyone mention yet that the aircraft carrier doesn't benefit the USA as much as it benefits Japan, Saudi Arabia, the EU and Canada?I Will Never Accept The Terms of Servicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09422355923256894207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-45943441885990891412016-04-07T08:46:22.178-05:002016-04-07T08:46:22.178-05:00Jim, I'd say that any system which enables cha...Jim, I'd say that any system which enables charging $250 for giving someone an over the counter medication that costs less than 5¢ should be treated as racketeering. Healthcare in the USA is profit driven while at the same time keeping costs as secret as trigger technology for nuclear warheads. Such a system is broken.Chris Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08909166246912149608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-29275050697802982312016-04-07T08:39:29.158-05:002016-04-07T08:39:29.158-05:00Jim, I like Stonkettle and you've always struc...Jim, I like Stonkettle and you've always struck me as a pretty smart guy.<br /><br />So I'm puzzled ... why would anyone with a functioning brain waste any time talking to a libertarian? Libertarians are deeply defective abd should be plonked where possible and scrupulously ignored if not. Never argue with a fanatic about his issue, he'll just go in circles.<br /><br />The whole "free stuff" thing is just dog whistle. Chris Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08909166246912149608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-14057261607436114772016-04-05T12:57:13.487-05:002016-04-05T12:57:13.487-05:00God bless you for trying, but most of these childr...God bless you for trying, but most of these children go home to an environment that destroys their initiative directly or by example. Some of their parents will hold them to higher standards that will allow them to develop the character to escape the cycle, but not nearly enough. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-64339523838385714272016-04-05T12:53:22.608-05:002016-04-05T12:53:22.608-05:00You say "Ironic, isn’t it, that the very same...You say "Ironic, isn’t it, that the very same people who believe if the rich are given more wealth at taxpayer expense the resulting largess will somehow benefit us all...". What libertarian believes that?<br /><br />The federal government was originally funded by direct taxation on imported goods, or tariffs. You could buy the import and pay the tax, or not. Your choice.<br /><br />Indirect taxation, like the income tax, was flatly rejected. Trying to earn a living was essential to life. Taxing existence itself is tyrannical.<br /><br />Our current system is even stupider than communism. It's "to each according to his need" and doesn't even bother with "from each according to his ability." That's why we have a $19T debt. Anyone who is dumb enough to produce anything is a target for expropriate by the ruling class for the benefit of themselves and the underclass that keeps them in power.<br /><br />I would get a lot more benefit by giving to a school or hospital or volunteering the equivalent in time than running it through the self serving and wealth destroying federal klepto-bureaucracy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-11029179170821425122016-04-03T12:56:58.528-05:002016-04-03T12:56:58.528-05:00Thanks Jackie,
I was waiting for someone to point ...Thanks Jackie,<br />I was waiting for someone to point out the obvious.<br />See also: sphere of influence.NoFoodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16922356132072879889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-77757178076762129212016-04-03T06:19:52.717-05:002016-04-03T06:19:52.717-05:00 Actually they think they like them until they get... Actually they think they like them until they get out of control and threaten the world economy as do the Trump followers. The Plutarch s only have their wealth in our complex economy. It disappears in anarchy. Destruction is a bad bet. Some realize that.MaryAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06742671242643555970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-45027181449320575972016-04-03T06:16:00.545-05:002016-04-03T06:16:00.545-05:00On the other side of your comment, the benefits of...On the other side of your comment, the benefits of public education can be demonstrated by one name - Jonas Salk. The child of Polish immigrants who attended CCNY, a tuition free college. Why was he so important? He created the first effective Polio vaccine and founded the Salk Institute. <br /><br />https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonas_Salk<br />KristenRdesinskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08474083293633643621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-22138334437061678882016-04-03T05:30:37.882-05:002016-04-03T05:30:37.882-05:00It's an argument that needs to keep being made...It's an argument that needs to keep being made. The libertarians have successfully convinced large numbers of people that taxation is theft. Actually private property is a human invention. To own more than one holds in ones hands takes a whole infrastructure of laws, courts, enforcement, and protection. Add to that other infrastructure, education, and public health it has produced a dizzying amount of stuff. And we mostly want that stuff. But, one of the costs has been been treating labor as another commodity to be priced by the market. I think we need to realize that when that result in below livable income we must pay for the privilege of stealing people's human birth right. Jefferson and Paine had ideas about that in their economy. In our economy I think it means a combination of minimum wage, earned income, subsidizing food, health care. It also means giving people a start with education. It also means someone some much stronger help when change in the economy helps the whole but leaves others behind. <br /><br />I worked in the tech industry as an engineer all my life, unfortunately I have seen too many young engineers who thought they were self made when they had been given everything, even the down payment on their house by family and government. All need to be reminded of the tremendous benefit of society and the price of maintaining it.<br /><br />On a bit different track some have come to see the mysterious hand of the market as the hand of god. And thus shrug off the externalities, the moral choices on human safety and environmental safety.MaryAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06742671242643555970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-17865221017201874592016-04-03T00:30:10.850-05:002016-04-03T00:30:10.850-05:00Or building them in the first place for that mater...Or building them in the first place for that mater.sparkeyjamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-38569033337938038252016-04-03T00:27:59.029-05:002016-04-03T00:27:59.029-05:00You sir did not receive a free education. Your par...You sir did not receive a free education. Your parents paid for that education with their taxes. Now if you were being sarcastic you can ignore the above.<br />sparkeyjamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-14780758581922859842016-04-02T18:22:19.291-05:002016-04-02T18:22:19.291-05:00Before I retired, I taught primary grades (ages 5-...Before I retired, I taught primary grades (ages 5-8) in public schools. Many of my children were from poor neighborhoods and immigrant families. They were eager to learn. Ideas and questions were popping the time. I know that as they aged into middle and high school some would become discouraged and even drop out. My full intention was to instill a love of learning for its own sake, in hopes that they would not succumb to disillusionment and be lost. <br /><br />That's a high ideal to try for; expectations, workload, regulations and testing worked against that kind of wonder and enthusiasm both for teachers and students. But I have never lost the conviction that universal public education is the greatest bulwark we have against tyranny. Perhaps that is the reason that so many cheerleaders for authoritarianism rail against public schools. Two Old Broads and No Estrogenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11778051210687620081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-61818339664587743232016-04-02T17:03:18.973-05:002016-04-02T17:03:18.973-05:00Oceans on two coasts, Canada to the north and a la...Oceans on two coasts, Canada to the north and a largely failed state to the south. Mighty convenient for avoiding invasions. JACKIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11883028058826030899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-71417350744627870282016-04-02T15:40:43.888-05:002016-04-02T15:40:43.888-05:00A few years ago I got slammed six ways from Sunday...A few years ago I got slammed six ways from Sunday when I suggested that folks who claim "I did it all on my own, why can't you" weren't thinking too clearly. If you live on a desert island and independently create metallurgy from copper to high grade steel from the bottom up? Maybe that claim will work. The same with textiles, machinery, farming, animal husbandry, written language, printing etc. perhaps you can make that claim. Otherwise you are standing on pyramid of mighty tall shoulders. Perhaps a thank you to your ancestors would be a good place to start. <br /><br />I was called everything from an idiot to a communist. Really touched a nerve.JACKIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11883028058826030899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-71185509452769755712016-04-02T15:29:47.361-05:002016-04-02T15:29:47.361-05:00Or that when the family had the kids they had a go...Or that when the family had the kids they had a good job or jobs and could afford all that "good" stuff. Then the economy goes south so fast the country gets the bends. It's not like you can take kids back to WalMart for refund, now is it. <br />JACKIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11883028058826030899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-23518178883675979102016-04-02T14:01:29.373-05:002016-04-02T14:01:29.373-05:00It is hard to know where to begin to respond to th...It is hard to know where to begin to respond to this....My father went to CCNY in the 1930's during the Depression - because it was free, that was the only way he could go. He became a CPA and then a lawyer, put 3 kids thru college, 2 thru lawschool, 1 got a PhD in computer science, and paid far more in taxes over the years than the cost of his "free" college education. One of my brothers spent time in Sweden doing post-doc work...he went to their "free" health service and was told rather abruptly that he had a cold and should just go home...He answered that he was a bit subject to strep throat -- they did a very short test -- he didn't have it -- and he went home. Personally, I think that most of the people looking to "take advantage" of disability and other "free" stuff have given up trying to do things the right way. We all know of people who were promoted because they were related to the boss, or married the boss' daughter, or who got into Ivy League schools due to legacy admissions (Bush 2 comes to mind here)...So, either you have a sad outlook on people or that is just an excuse not to participate in helping your neighbors.Vickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04210334615328982021noreply@blogger.com