Politics and religion.

[Karen]

Tragic story, the whole ebola situation is sad, and yes the hospital initially screwed up, but experimental drugs are, indeed experimental, and have nothing to do with the color of the individual's skin.

The media having a field day is the saddest thing of all. I refuse to watch any of the talking heads on this case!

[Catty1]

Canadian politics nosing in here.

Our Prime Minister has a habit of offering "omnibus" bills to be passed. As you might guess, there is a lot of stuff in them, and there is often not enough time for opposition members to review everything before the vote. (If I recall correctly, these bills are not even debated!).

Because the Conservative Party has a majority in the House, the bill passes even if all the other parties vote against it.

In this latest omnibus bill is a change in copyright law. This means that any political party can take material out of context from Canadian broadcasters - TV, radio, etc - WITHOUT their permission to use in attack ads against other parties.

Can you tell we have a Federal election coming next year? Harper has to GO!

[phesina]

That's awful, doing away with copyright protection like that. Is this widely known to the Canadian public yet? Would there be any kind of public outcry against this happening? Would that be effective?

How do Harper and the gang justify that, or do they even bother to?

[Lady's Human]

Tragic story, the whole ebola situation is sad, and yes the hospital initially screwed up, but experimental drugs are, indeed experimental, and have nothing to do with the color of the individual's skin.

The media having a field day is the saddest thing of all. I refuse to watch any of the talking heads on this case!

Ebola entering the US isn't sad, it's criminal dereliction of duty and failure to uphold the oath of office on the part of all Constitutional officers in D.C.

[Lady's Human]

Canadian politics nosing in here.

Our Prime Minister has a habit of offering "omnibus" bills to be passed. As you might guess, there is a lot of stuff in them, and there is often not enough time for opposition members to review everything before the vote. (If I recall correctly, these bills are not even debated!).

Because the Conservative Party has a majority in the House, the bill passes even if all the other parties vote against it.

In this latest omnibus bill is a change in copyright law. This means that any political party can take material out of context from Canadian broadcasters - TV, radio, etc - WITHOUT their permission to use in attack ads against other parties.

Can you tell we have a Federal election coming next year? Harper has to GO!

So if I want to use a statement made on a news show by my opponent in the election, on a station which might be owned/operated by someone aligned with that opponent which might be run by my political opposition I have to essentially seek the approval of the opposition to use their statement?

This isn't a change in copyright law, it's common sense. You shouldn't need the approval of your opponent to quote them in a political campaign, as long as the quote is an actual quote.

[Catty1]

LH, here's an article that explains it a bit better:

http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/conservatives-to-change-copyright-law-allowing-free-use-of-news-content-in-political-ads-1.2046197

Conservatives to change copyright law, allowing free use of news content in political ads
http://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.2046281%21/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpghttp://player.9c9media.com/ETS_Universal_42_1.6/Image/tvePlayIcon_hover.png




CTV News: Unprecedented copyright law in Canada

The Conservative government plans to change Canada's copyright laws when it comes to political ads. Laurie Graham explains.



Power Play: Copyright law changes coming?



University of Ottawa professor Michael Geist says there are problems with the federal government's proposal to change copyright laws.


CTV News Channel: Path was paved in 1988



Copyright lawyer Howard Knopf says the pathway for the government’s proposed copyright law changes 'was paved by the Liberals back in 1988.'



123


Text:

CTVNews.ca Staff
Published Wednesday, October 8, 2014 10:00PM EDT

The Conservative government is planning to change Canada’s copyright law to allow political parties to use content published and broadcast by news organizations for free in their own political ads.
An internal Conservative cabinet document obtained by CTV News details an amendment to the Copyright Act which would allow “free use of ‘news’ content in political advertisement intended to promote or oppose a politician or political party.”
The amendment would also remove “the need for broadcasters to authorize the use of their news content.” And it would force media outlets to run political ads even if their own footage and content was used in a negative message to voters.
Related Stories

Trudeau calls byelection attack ad 'misleading and, quite frankly, disgusting' (http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/trudeau-calls-byelection-attack-ad-misleading-and-quite-frankly-disgusting-1.1874244)

More Conservative MPs say 'no' to anti-Trudeau attack ads (http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/more-conservative-mps-say-no-to-anti-trudeau-attack-ads-1.1260888)

Tory attack ads take aim at Trudeau hours after win (http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/tory-attack-ads-take-aim-at-trudeau-hours-after-win-1.1238425)


Photos http://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.2046256%21/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_225/image.jpg (http://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.2046256%21/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_960/image.jpg)

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird speaks to media in the foyer of the House of Commons in Ottawa, Tuesday, Sept.16, 2014. (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS)
http://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.2046198%21/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_225/image.jpg (http://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.2046198%21/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_960/image.jpg)

The government is planning to change Canada's copyright rules so that political parties can use content from media organizations, for free, in their political ads.



The internal document warns that media outlets will vehemently claim their work is being unfairly targeted for the benefit of political parties. The document provides instructions to Conservatives to come up with a strong communication plan to manage the reaction.
The proposed legislation is buried in the latest instalment of the omnibus bill, which is sure to pass in the House of Commons, given the Conservative majority. The bill will be introduced in the coming weeks.


Opposition parties say sneaking in a change to the Copyright Act in the massive bill is “deceitful” and designed to give the Conservative campaign an edge ahead of next year’s federal election.
“Changing copyright law … to improve their odds of winning over the Canadian public as opposed to improving copyright law to improve the economy, let’s say, is disrespectful,” NDP finance critic Nathan Cullen told CTV News.
“And to bury it in the middle of an omnibus bill suggests that they knew this wouldn’t be popular.”
Cullen said using material gathered by journalists for attack-ad purposes without having to ask for news outlets’ permission is “disrespectful” and “shameful.”
“If I say something unflattering or if I do something that looks a little embarrassing, suddenly it’s a Conservative ad,” he said.
“They just don’t seem to have any ethical boundary at all. Anything goes, as long as it plays to their advantage.”


Deputy Liberal Leader Ralph Goodale accused the Conservatives of “choosing a very devious process” to bypass copyright rules that currently prevent them from using media outlets’ material.

“This is an attempt to take something that is clearly illegal at the moment…and to change the law so that the rules will now suit Conservative practices,” he said.


Goodale said the move would disadvantage news organizations and, “most seriously, it will blur the line between news and propaganda.”

Although the copyright amendment would allow all political parties to use news content, Cullen said the NDP is “guided by a different ethic” and does not want to produce attack ads or “smear campaigns.”
The Conservative Party has already been accused of lifting content from media organizations without permission, for use in attack ads against Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau.
Some media outlets teamed up and sent a letter to all political parties in May, warning them that use of their content without express authorization will not be tolerated.
Pollster Nik Nanos said the proposed copyright change will make it “very easy to quickly produce attack ads in order to turn things around.
“I think the Conservatives think they’re going to need to be very agile in the next election and quite negative in order to tear down the Liberal and the Trudeau brand. And what this does is provide them the opportunity to have that flexibility,” he said.
Nanos said it appears that Trudeau is “a much more elusive figure to run attack ads against,” so the Conservatives are trying to deploy “every resource they can.”
With a report from CTV’s Ottawa Deputy Bureau Chief Laurie Graham

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Ebola entering the US isn't sad, it's criminal dereliction of duty and failure to uphold the oath of office on the part of all Constitutional officers in D.C.

I heard our government is now sending 5000 troops to Africa to help with the Ebola situation. It bothers me that we are sending all those healthy people over there to get exposed to that and bring more of it here!!:eek:

[Lady's Human]

Again, when fighting an infectious disease, step one of the field hygiene manual calls for the elimination of vectors.

We're bringing new vectors into the situation.

Those soldiers, sailors and marines are going to have to be quarantined for 21 days after exposure. Hopefully none of them come down with Ebola, but hope in one hand...

We're killing people on the altar of political correctness and feeling good. Quarantine, limit (preferably eliminate) travel in the affected areas, and for goodness sake, no more damned commercial flights out of the hot zone. (It's too late for all that, however, the horse has left the barn)

[Karen]

Again, when fighting an infectious disease, step one of the field hygiene manual calls for the elimination of vectors.

We're bringing new vectors into the situation.

Those soldiers, sailors and marines are going to have to be quarantined for 21 days after exposure.

Maybe put them all on a slow boat back to the States?


Hopefully none of them come down with Ebola, but hope in one hand...
We're killing people on the altar of political correctness and feeling good. Quarantine, limit (preferably eliminate) travel in the affected areas, and for goodness sake, no more damned commercial flights out of the hot zone. (It's too late for all that, however, the horse has left the barn)

Yeah, it is unconscionable that there have been no limits to flight out of the three most affected nations, and if you think you are going to get sick, well, then you probably want to get "somewhere better" and then end up spreading the disease.

I still think, though, it was plain ignorance that led the Spanish officials to kill that nurse's dog. That that woman got trend away and sent home from three different hospitals, makes Eric Duncan's case look like it was expertly handled!

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Maybe put them all on a slow boat back to the States?



Yeah, it is unconscionable that there have been no limits to flight out of the three most affected nations, and if you think you are going to get sick, well, then you probably want to get "somewhere better" and then end up spreading the disease.

I still think, though, it was plain ignorance that led the Spanish officials to kill that nurse's dog. That that woman got trend away and sent home from three different hospitals, makes Eric Duncan's case look like it was expertly handled!

Did that woman for sure have that virus? If not they killed for nothing ! If she did, that does not mean the dog would get it. They missed an opportunity to see if the virus could be transmitted by animals by not quarantining the dog and seeing if it got sick if the owner did in fact have it. What now, will all animals by owners thay MAY have the virus be slaughtered?

[lizbud]

Did that woman for sure have that virus? If not they killed for nothing ! If she did, that does not mean the dog would get it. They missed an opportunity to see if the virus could be transmitted by animals by not quarantining the dog and seeing if it got sick if the owner did in fact have it. What now, will all animals by owners thay MAY have the virus be slaughtered?


Good questions moff. We may never learn the answers because of the many different people & organizations involved. Seems everyone has their own way
of dealing with this outbreak. Here (USA) we have the CDC and local State Health Departments, but it seems to be no one person speaking for the whole country.

Saw this article today and thought it asks one big question we all need to have answered.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/10/09/where-the-hell-is-the-surgeon-general.html

[Karen]

Did that woman for sure have that virus? If not they killed for nothing ! If she did, that does not mean the dog would get it. They missed an opportunity to see if the virus could be transmitted by animals by not quarantining the dog and seeing if it got sick if the owner did in fact have it. What now, will all animals by owners thay MAY have the virus be slaughtered?

Yes, she for sure had the virus. Many people were arguing that studying the dog would be a valuable research tool, exactly as you mentioned. But the politicians intervened and just plain killed the poor thing.

"Ramos’ husband, Javier Limon, appealed for public help, telling reporters by telephone that the dog’s death was unnecessary."

And so now he has to deal with not only the loss of his wife, and the tragedy of her death, but does not have their dog to comfort him, or even to help learn about the disease, knowledge that could help others!

It could have been very important, as the transmission of Ebola to humans this time was apparently cause by a little girl getting bitten by a fruit bat with the disease when she was playing in a tree where they were roosting, so that fact that it can cross from animal to human is already know, but we have no idea if it can cross back the other way!

[Lady's Human]

Good questions moff. We may never learn the answers because of the many different people & organizations involved. Seems everyone has their own way
of dealing with this outbreak. Here (USA) we have the CDC and local State Health Departments, but it seems to be no one person speaking for the whole country.

Saw this article today and thought it asks one big question we all need to have answered.



How about not nominating an idealogue?

The Surgeon General is supposed to be the top health official in the country. To nominate someone who you KNOW isn't going to pass the Senate nomination system is foolish from the outset.

Children, the lot of them.

[RICHARD]

One thing lost in all the 'translation' regarding ebola is the general 'facts' of how an illness/virus, like ebola, is spread.

Back in the day we were all wondering about HIV/AIDS and the way it is transmitted.

Ebola is a more aggresive illness, but in order to transmit it, you really have to be in contact with a person.

You really have to come in contact with bodily fluids - and even then, just being in the same room as a person doesn't mean you are going to contract the disease.

---------

One thing that makes me laugh -I know that it's not a laughing matter - is the chuckleheads in the media who refuse to report on a basic fact about most viruses?

A virus need to have a warm, wet media ( a human body ) to grow and thrive in. Once a virus hits any surface outside the host it has a definite life span.

Ebola can be killed with disinectants on hard surfaces - Altho they haven't determined how long ebola lasts outside the body, washing your hands and keeping away from people's bodily fluids will reduce your chances of getting the disease.

As more time goes on, I am amazed, irritated and amused about how the media has gone on and on about it.

They have no standards and no responsibility when it comes to reporting the facts about ebola - They make it sound like the first coming of some kind of zombie apocalypse and everyone is doomed.

The stupidity of the reporting - along with the appointment of an 'organizer' or ebola czar who has no medical training, other than reading the label on an aspirin bottle - makes this even more entertaining....:rolleyes:

[Catty1]

Well, well...Mr. Harper is presenting the omnibus bill WITHOUT the copyright stuff in it. His office switchboard must have melted. not to mention his inbox crashing!:D

[Lady's Human]

Well that was ham handed even for the current infants in charge.

The states of NJ, NY, and Il institute quarantine orders and procedures for people coming into the country from ebola-affected areas.

Surprise, surprise,surprise, the first person in quarantine is a politically and professionally connected nurse. Ms. Hickox's prior employment was media relations in the CDC. You don't go from Oh, poor me, I'm quarantined to a full court press in the national media complete with a high profile attorney and ACLU representation without a buttload of prior planning.

This was a setup, boys and girls, and a bad one at that.

[lizbud]

Oh, I don't think that. Just try to quarantine me for days in a tent, outside, in the hospital parking lot & you'd hear me yell all the way to Washington DC.

[Karen]

Oh, I don't think that. Just try to quarantine me for days in a tent, outside, in the hospital parking lot & you'd hear me yell all the way to Washington DC.

Yeah, but you should not likely get major press coverage, a lawyer from the ACLU and your face all over the Interwebs!

[Lady's Human]

It was a very, very rapid chain of events, even for modern media. It was a matter of hours before every major news organization had her on their splash page and there was an interview printed in the Dallas Morning Sun (IIRC) the NEXT DAY.

To get into the paper on Sunday, the interview would have had to have been conducted, transcribed and edited before 1AM.

[Lady's Human]

Decisions, decisions, decisions....

Do I vote for the 26 year incumbent state senator who has spent the last 2 -3 years under investigation for influence peddling and perjury, or do I vote for the woman running against him, who previously ran a town with the largest tax base in the county yet still wound up with an out of control budget?

[Karen]

Decisions, decisions, decisions....

Do I vote for the 26 year incumbent state senator who has spent the last 2 -3 years under investigation for influence peddling and perjury, or do I vote for the woman running against him, who previously ran a town with the largest tax base in the county yet still wound up with an out of control budget?

Write in an alternative candidate?

[RICHARD]

Well that was ham handed even for the current infants in charge.

The states of NJ, NY, and Il institute quarantine orders and procedures for people coming into the country from ebola-affected areas.

Surprise, surprise,surprise, the first person in quarantine is a politically and professionally connected nurse. Ms. Hickox's prior employment was media relations in the CDC. You don't go from Oh, poor me, I'm quarantined to a full court press in the national media complete with a high profile attorney and ACLU representation without a buttload of prior planning.

This was a setup, boys and girls, and a bad one at that.

Hitchcock is a moron.

Again, She volunteered to go to treat ebola patients. She accepted that risk, but can't get past a 21 day quaratine?

---------------------

60 minutes did a story on the nurses who took care of the gentleman in TX and they were totally professional and dedicated to his case.
They won't get any more press for doing the job they did, but some FN wimp with an agenda is going to become the 'face of ebola quarantines'?


I can tell you that IF the show was on the other foot, she would be one of the people would be screaming and showing up with pitchforks and burning torches
trying to keep someone else out of their neighborhood.

Nurses and doctor's are just as human as the rest of us, I don't see granting them a waiver in a situation like this.

--------------

BTW, Some people involved with the Drs. W/O Borders group participate for their OWN benefit....while it is an altruistic endeavour, it's a nice tax write off come April.

[RICHARD]

Here's another 'election issue' that makes me laugh...

Why is 'getting people to vote/register' such a topic?

One huge turn off to the problem is that people should be worrying about this, um like, two years ago?

This is one subject that comes up over and over again and gives me fits of the giggles.

If people aren't that interested in registering to vote, how likely are they to actually go and cast a ballot?

[Lady's Human]

Here's another 'election issue' that makes me laugh...

Why is 'getting people to vote/register' such a topic?

One huge turn off to the problem is that people should be worrying about this, um like, two years ago?

This is one subject that comes up over and over again and gives me fits of the giggles.

If people aren't that interested in registering to vote, how likely are they to actually go and cast a ballot?

Frankly if they aren't registered to vote, and show that little concern in the republic, we shouldn't remind them.

[cassiesmom]

LH, I think I have asked this question once before and you gave me a very insightful answer. The question came up in lunch-time conversation and I couldn't remember what you posted for me, so I'm going to ask again. I can go on line and vote for my favorite Dancing with the Stars celebrity, or whichever baseball players I want to play in the All-star Game, or even make a reservation at my family's favorite restaurant. Why, then, can I not vote for U.S. elections on line? Is it a problem of Internet security? I can securely pay my bills on line and get information about how much money is (or isn't) in my bank account. My voting place is the park district building, which is usually bustling when I go to vote with children participating in before-school care or afternoon programs. If I have a voter ID card ... couldn't there be a way to put my name in the system at any polling place (close to work, close to home, on line, whatever) and access the appropriate ballot? Like I do with my ATM card? No matter what bank branch I use, it still links to the account I opened at the branch closest to where I live. Why isn't the technology such that voting could work the same way?

To Richard's point about getting people to register and vote - is it because the oldest voters are not being replaced as they die by the youngest voters? In Chicago they can probably vote even after they die :rolleyes:.

Thanks,
Elyse

[RICHARD]

To Richard's point about getting people to register and vote - is it because the oldest voters are not being replaced as they die by the youngest voters? In Chicago they can probably vote even after they die :rolleyes:.

Thanks,
Elyse

From my narrow point of view?

I keep hearing about people not being able to vote because of some stupid rule about having an ID to show at the polls?

What kind of ID do these folks use in everyday life??

:confused:

MY other peeve about elections?

I laugh when I hear the breakdowns of voting blocs by race.

It really is a hoot to hear the skillet heads talk about the black/latino votes.

The 'latino' vote is largely driven by the idea of amnesty for people who have been here illegally and looking or a fast track to citizenship.

(Not a fan of THAT idea.....)

--------

Politicians are like prostitutes,

They all promise you a better time, but when they screw you, who will listen to your complaint?:rolleyes:

[momoffuzzyfaces]

LH, I think I have asked this question once before and you gave me a very insightful answer. The question came up in lunch-time conversation and I couldn't remember what you posted for me, so I'm going to ask again. I can go on line and vote for my favorite Dancing with the Stars celebrity, or whichever baseball players I want to play in the All-star Game, or even make a reservation at my family's favorite restaurant. Why, then, can I not vote for U.S. elections on line? Is it a problem of Internet security? I can securely pay my bills on line and get information about how much money is (or isn't) in my bank account. My voting place is the park district building, which is usually bustling when I go to vote with children participating in before-school care or afternoon programs. If I have a voter ID card ... couldn't there be a way to put my name in the system at any polling place (close to work, close to home, on line, whatever) and access the appropriate ballot? Like I do with my ATM card? No matter what bank branch I use, it still links to the account I opened at the branch closest to where I live. Why isn't the technology such that voting could work the same way?

To Richard's point about getting people to register and vote - is it because the oldest voters are not being replaced as they die by the youngest voters? In Chicago they can probably vote even after they die :rolleyes:.

Thanks,
Elyse

I'm not LH but I imagine it would be to easy to commit voter fraud by voting on line. I keep getting phone calls from myself with my own phone number. I shudder to think what hackers could do with on line voting.

[cassiesmom]

I keep getting phone calls from myself with my own phone number. I shudder to think what hackers could do with on line voting.

MoFF, I got those! At first the caller ID showed phone numbers just a few digits away from mine. Then when my name and number came up in my own caller ID, I called the phone company. They said it is a telemarketing scam and referred me to the FCC. Scary!

I'm glad election day is here because it means I'll stop getting election-related mail and (especially) telephone calls!

Edited to ask: Can I move up to Wisconsin if Governor Quinn gets re-elected?

[Lady's Human]

You might let dead people vote, but at least you aren't sending them to your state house!

http://news.yahoo.com/deceased-washington-state-legislator-headed-election-174611595.html

An incumbent Democratic state representative in Washington was headed for a decisive re-election victory on Wednesday even though he died last week, results indicate.

[Lady's Human]

Do the people pushing for a blanket $15/hr wage for Wal-mart employees have any clue?


There are areas in the US where highly skilled workers don't earn that much.

[RICHARD]

Do the people pushing for a blanket $15/hr wage for Wal-mart employees have any clue?


There are areas in the US where highly skilled workers don't earn that much.

When I worked, the company had a 'step' system of pay.

You started at a set salary, and after three months you got a raise. then the raises were given each year after.


-----------------

Along the way, the company decided to hire people in at a two-three year level.

The people who had put in the hours to get to their current wage rate were really ticked off.

Imagine being an employee that worked their way to a 15 dollar/hour wage - let's say they worked 4 years to get to that level - and then someone walks into the company and get paid just as much as you?

It makes for an interesting work place?

[Lady's Human]

I routinely see help wanted ads for skilled machinists in this area, and the advertised starting rate is anywhere from $12-20 per hour, DOE.

Now, you're a new machinist, and you walk into a machine shop getting paid $12/hr.

Someone gets Wal-mart to go with the mythical $15/hr wage. Is the machine shop owner going to give his employees more money to beat the retail starting wage? To do so he would have to raise prices to his customers, and the snowball effect begins, with inflation eventually negating the value of $15/hr.

You can't artificially inflate the value of unskilled labor without waterfall effects throughout the economy (AKA inflation) If you want to earn more, get a skill, learn a trade. There are apprenticeship programs available with want ads for apprentices. No, an apprentice tradesman doesn't make much over minimum. A Journeyman, however, earns much more than that. Why? He/she has acquired a skill with value in the marketplace.

[RICHARD]

I had a wonderful laugh today.

I was listening to the TV - Not the station that I prefer to get my news from - and the topic was the 'immigration reform' speech coming up this evening.

-----------

Wow, this is going to turn into a real kerfluffle.

I jokingly told Doris, "what these people don't realize is that the IRS is probably going to go after people for back taxes....."

Sure enough?

One of the talking heads on the channel mentioned the IRS and back taxes - not five minutes later.....:eek:

-----------

The latin/hispanic media is going to have tons of fun with this.

I can hardly wait to see how they are going to portray the idea of 'amnesty' and what HOW they are going to sell it to the audience.

[RICHARD]

Hokay.....

(My comments are based on nothing more than living as an american/mexican for years?)

The prez really bit off more than he can chew.

Here is my prediciton for his 'program'....

Epic Fail.

I listened to about two minutes of his speech and laughed.

BO asked illegals to 'turn themselves in', under go a background/criminal check, pay a fine and pay back taxes to become compliant?

----------

The 'illegals' that I have known have a general dislike/distrust of any real laws.

Most of them have come from places where the law/government cannot be trusted, sad to say, they have NO respect or trust for politicians/laws.

Many are going to balk at being photographed, finger printed and investigated?

----------

Pay a fine, back taxes?

Incredible.

Many immigrants live paycheck to paycheck - in the neighborhood where I grew up, garages were converted to 'apartments' - no running water, bathrooms or cooking areas. They pay some crazy rates for rent. Depending on the situation? You can pay a flat rate or pay per person....The more people you can jam into a garage, the cheaper your rent will be.

So, you are going to 'fine' them, make them pay back taxes? So what happens when you cannot pay the fine or the back taxes?

That will just push people farther into the background..when you barely have the money to pay rent for a one room and share it with a group of people, You probably don't have the means to pay a fine, pay 'back taxes', add to that the idea that you are going to be photographed, fingerprinted and have your background looked into? If people have no problem living under the radar, why are they going to conform to more rules?


-------------

Another cottage industry that is going to spring up are the people who are going to set up shop to 'help' the immigrants become compliant.

They'll charge outrageous amounts to file the paperwork for them - for something that won't cost them anything done on their own?

-------------

I love it when the 'guvmint' proposes some new rule/program without any thought or idea as to how to implement it.

Brilliant!!!!!!

[momoffuzzyfaces]

That's sort of what I was thinking too, Richard. I know I certainly would not volunteer to pay back taxes. Then again BO can wave his magic pen and make that requirement just go away!

I am begining to wonder why even vote any more when the elected officials just do what THEY want any way. The border has been an issue as long as I have been old enough to vote. That is a looong time!

[Karen]

Who says no thought has been put into this?

And many undocumented people have been paying taxes for years without any hope of actually reaping the benefits of things like Social Security. The system, as we all know, is broken. At least someone is trying to fix it. I have no doubt the undocumented people where you grew up are different from the ones I know, just by virtue of geography and border proximity and all that. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I know one man, several years older than me, who once only half-jokingly asked if I'd "adopt" him, so he could get a driver's license and not worry about getting arrested driving to work every day with a license from another country.

Do I think this is a magic bullet, and all the immigration problems will vanish overnight? Of course not! It will be messy, difficult and just plain hard, but do you not agree something needs to be done?

Likewise the talking heads still trying to "repeal" the Affordable Care Act, by calling it "Obamacare" so often people are not even aware they are the same thing! This helps how?

Fish or cut bait, folks.

[Lady's Human]

The system is broken.

The border is an open wound, and those here illegally are preyed on by politicians of both sides:

Votes for legalizing them from the Democrats, and cheap labor for businesses in the pockets of Republicans.

1) Close the border. It can be done, and has been done in the past.

2) Send 'em home. It's been done before, and can be done, it just takes the political will to do so.

3) ICE checks at all employers. Need help with that? Use the National Guard. If the company is employing illegal immigrants fine them or close them. No deals.Prosecute the business owners just as aggressively as you prosecute street corner drug dealers.

Control first. Fix what's broken, which isn't the laws, it's the enforcement. The President has taken what is a Congressional responsibility and put it in his own hands. This is a representative republic not a tin-pot dictatorship where laws get enforced based on how much graft you provide.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Maybe my old memory is faulty but didn't we approved a huge amount of money several years ago to close the boarders? I seem to remember them starting a fence and even got some done on it. What the heck happened to that AND the money we alloted to do it? :confused:

[Lady's Human]

Maybe my old memory is faulty but didn't we approved a huge amount of money several years ago to close the boarders? I seem to remember them starting a fence and even got some done on it. What the heck happened to that AND the money we alloted to do it? :confused:

IIRC, one part of the money was appropriated the rest was cut from subsequent budgets.'

[lizbud]

Who says no thought has been put into this?

And many undocumented people have been paying taxes for years without any hope of actually reaping the benefits of things like Social Security. The system, as we all know, is broken. At least someone is trying to fix it. I have no doubt the undocumented people where you grew up are different from the ones I know, just by virtue of geography and border proximity and all that. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I know one man, several years older than me, who once only half-jokingly asked if I'd "adopt" him, so he could get a driver's license and not worry about getting arrested driving to work every day with a license from another country.

Do I think this is a magic bullet, and all the immigration problems will vanish overnight? Of course not! It will be messy, difficult and just plain hard, but do you not agree something needs to be done?

Likewise the talking heads still trying to "repeal" the Affordable Care Act, by calling it "Obamacare" so often people are not even aware they are the same thing! This helps how?

Fish or cut bait, folks.


Bravo Karen.:)

[lizbud]

An Indianapolis paper decided to remove a political cartoon by their own Gary Varvel (cartoonist) after they
received a lot of harsh blowback from the public. It was, at the least, very poor taste.

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/indy-star-we-erred-in-publishing-cartoon

[Lady's Human]

An Indianapolis paper decided to remove a political cartoon by their own Gary Varvel (cartoonist) after they
received a lot of harsh blowback from the public. It was, at the least, very poor taste.

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/indy-star-we-erred-in-publishing-cartoon

It wasn't offensive at all. Sometimes the truth hurts.

With the drain on local budgets which will caused by this mess it is what will effectively happen. Local taxes will go higher while the feds save money by not enforcing the law and the labor market gets more pressure to lower wages with illegal aliens working under the table for low wages. (spare me the tripe about illegals paying into SS, they only do that if their employer is trying to put a veneer of legality on illegal employees, which only REALLY comes into play with state or federal contract work)

[Karen]

It will be interesting to see how it plays out in the near and the long term. I remember vaguely when Reagan did something similar ... but don't remember the details.

So much of the government has been in virtual gridlock - every time I hear a report on the status of bridges and roads it is scary, but Congress cannot seem to do anything much productive, just spending their time sniping and harping on each other in the media, social media, etc., complaining about whoever is in charge (Obama right now of course) but not offering any serious alternatives. Hate the Affordable Care Act? Don't just ***** about it, make a specific plan how to fix it. Just "repealliing" it will not help, the health care system is a mess, was a mess before it, and a massive bureaucracy, and something needed to be done!

[Lady's Human]

Pres. Reagan didn't create amnesty executive by fiat, he signed legislation sent to him by Congress (you know, how the Constitution states it's supposed to work?). In addition when that amnesty was passed, there were actual shooting wars going on which people were fleeing.

As to gridlock, ACA, etc, the House has passed several hundred bills which the Senate has refused to even bring to the floor for discussion. The greatest deliberative body in the world has refused to debate much of anything for several years.

People were either elated or angered by the results of the last national election, and I'm still scratching my head wondering why, as we have yet another two years of the same stale poltroons in charge in the halls of power in D.C.. Until the leadership of both parties change, or they lose an election to third parties, nothing substantive is going to happen. We still returned more than 90% of incumbents running for re-election to Congress.

Until THAT statistic changes, there will be no change.

[Lady's Human]

BTW, NYC is getting ready to add 2500 additional students to classes as a result of the surge of illegal immigration over the summer. Are their parents' property taxes going to pay for the 100 additional teachers, roughly 10 additional administrative support positions, and other costs to the schools?

No, and as NY level funds schools through property taxes and state taxes, MY taxes are going to be impacted by the required additions to the schools.

[RICHARD]

The skilletheads in office - all parties - can't seem to agree with anything that will benefit the PEOPLE THAT ELECTED THEM.

They are just pretend adults playing kid's games.

"I am not going to agree to anything because they called me a name or embarrassed me in the media...."

One comment that ALWAYS gives me a wonderful chuckle is the "I want to work with (Name your favorite government agency/issue/problem)"

Then they sit down and pout when they don't get their way.

-----------------

Obamacare/ACA is a joke.

Again, Selling 500 tickets for a bus that only holds 45 people is what it boils down to.

Instead of starting to REFORM the system - they just threw MORE people into a system that is over burdened and over priced.

I have a problem with BOTH sides of the isssue.

To quote an idiot, who has become a persona non grata to some politicians - The voters are stupid for falling for the scam?


----------

I was told I'd be able to keep my doctor under my HC coverage. Then, I was called and told that my doctor could not see me anymore because my insurance wasn't accepted anymore. Instead of starting all over witha new doc, I decided to wait and change my coverage so I can go back to see him.

Not a huge deal for me, but what about the people who can't wait?


----------

Both parties are to blame for the mess.

Instead of focusing on lowering the costs - meds, implants and care - they go ahead with a broad plan that does NOTHING to improve the system and the way HC is delivered to the masses.

Reforming the system is easy. You focus on the 'foundation' - you just don't start to add floors to the building w/o checking on building's basement.

Or you can accept the plan and read thru the paperwork later on?

That's a winning strategy..

[Karen]

Yesterday's verdict in Fergueson was sad, but the violence that followed was tragic for the community, and I do not see how that will befit anyone in any way, shape or form whatsoever. I feel sorry for the people who worked hard to build businesses or own franchises in the area that are now ashes and rubble, and think the whole city will be all the worse for wear no matter what.

Sad, sad, senseless, sad.

[cassiesmom]

I heard just a bit of a story on the news last night about a 12-year-old boy in Cleveland who was shot by police at a playground. He apparently had some kind of a toy gun that was very hard to distinguish from a real gun and was pointing it at other people. Where did he get the toy gun and why did he take it to the playground? Did the police tell him to drop it? Did they realize he was a child? This is so sad.

Why wasn't the National Guard in place before the Ferguson verdict was announced? I thought they'd been placed on standby in anticipation of problems occurring once the verdict was publicized. :confused:

[momoffuzzyfaces]

The rioters in Ferguson claim the policeman who killed Brown was racist. Some of the properties they destroyed last night were owned by other minorities. So doesn't that make them racist too???:confused:

[Lady's Human]

Yesterday's verdict in Fergueson was sad, but the violence that followed was tragic for the community, and I do not see how that will befit anyone in any way, shape or form whatsoever. I feel sorry for the people who worked hard to build businesses or own franchises in the area that are now ashes and rubble, and think the whole city will be all the worse for wear no matter what.

Sad, sad, senseless, sad.

I don't understand why the verdict was sad. The kid robbed a store, assaulted an officer, then went for his sidearm. The eyewitness statements being bandied about by the media to fan the flames in the beginning of this mess were recanted, and once they were asked to testify under oath in front of the grand jury their stories changed.

As to the media and the protest organizers, whatever happened to the charge "inciting to riot"? That's exactly what these charlatans are guilty of.

[RICHARD]

One of the most amusing things, to me, are the people who rail about something that bothers them.

The best examples are the media prostitutes/politicians who get on a soapbox and SCREAM about their disgust/hatred on a subject.

My favorite?

The guy from the church who was against gay marriage and eventually was caught up in a meth/gay/massage scandal.

Seems like he enjoyed hiring guys for massage, doing some drugs and getting frisky with the hired hands?

----------------

When people start with the 'blah blah' isn't what god wanted? They lose the arguement

LOL, I'll ask god what he thinks, if I ever run into him?

----------------

I have worked with racists and people who were just plain ignorant.

They aren't separated by THAT much.

The comments about the riots/unrest as being a blemish on that kid's legacy totally screws up any credibility that their arguement may have held.

In essence, they are trying to condone the behavior that led up to his death and blame the cop for shooting him?

People without a true stance will continue to scream and cry when they do not get their way and throw anything at the wall to get it to stick.

-------------

Last thought?

The people of ferguson think that the PD is racist and profile people?

Well, they should call someone else instead of cops when they need them, I am sure they will get 'justice' that way?

[Lady's Human]

I have worked with racists and people who were just plain ignorant.

I've always considered racists among the most ignorant group of twits in humanity. Worse, by and large it's WILLFUL ignorance, because somewhere along the line someone has attempted to teach them otherwise.

[RICHARD]

One thing that really irritates the crap out of me is the 'victim mentality' that has surfaced lately.

IF YOU END UP 'interacting' with a PO, chance are you are a victim of a crime or are acting/being stupid in your life?

No one wants to admit the problem lies within?

I have seen people act like idiots when the cops show up.... they call names, spit, swing, start to act like morons - then complain about getting rousted.

All the morons that you see on TV that talk about kids getting being 'profiled' should talk to the kids and tell them that their actions determine your interactions with the law.

It's simple formula, to simple for some idiots to comprehend?

[RICHARD]

I have been amused by the talking skillet heads on the telly who are talking about the need for police/police departments to reform and NOT use force when dealing with the public (criminals).

-----------

I don't know if getting tickets, being brought home by the police and being taken to the police station for an umpaid ticket counts as having experience with law enforcement counts.......but the answer to the problem of getting hassled by the cops is pretty easy. Don't be stupid - that is what I learned?

-------

Howard Stern had a tape of his father yelling at him - HS was screwing about and his dad tells him, "I told you not to be stupid, you moron".

There ya go, "don't be stupid" and you WILL NOT be arrested, thrown in jail, beat, tased, gassed, shot,beaten or killed?

----------------

The 'experts' on TV all spew the same BS about the police using too much force when they deal with the cops?

Why not concentrate of the stupidity that brings you in contact with the authoriies?

No one mentions HOW OR WHAT a person does to get the cops to show up.

----------

The problem is that society focuses on what happens after some idiot breaks the law.

One news outlet makes me laugh because they list all the recent deaths where the police/law officials are involved and never explain why the police showed up?

How's about reporting on the "victim's" actions beforehand?

------------

A stupid kid waving a fake pistol in a park gets killed by a PO.

What did the kid do to get the police to show up?

The media places NO RESPONSIBILITY on the idiot's actions BEFORE the incident. It's all the the Establishment's fault.

The establishment doesn't give the people jobs, schooling, integrated police forces and government - people talk about change - but wait for it to be handed to them.

------

Lastly?

The chuckleheaded lawyer that represents the brown family is a buffoon.

I love that his quest - poorly named after the 'gentle giant' - is to get ALL police officers to wear body cameras.

Maybe THAT will show the BS that officers have to put up with on a daily basis and really bring to light the stupidity of the people that they interact with on a daily basis?

[Karen]

------------

A stupid kid waving a fake pistol in a park gets killed by a PO.

What did the kid do to get the police to show up?

The media places NO RESPONSIBILITY on the idiot's actions BEFORE the incident. It's all the the Establishment's fault.

The establishment doesn't give the people jobs, schooling, integrated police forces and government - people talk about change - but wait for it to be handed to them.


From what I have seen, it was nothing the kid did - playing with a toy pistol by himself in a park - but that a neighbor called 911 to report what she thought might have been someone with a gun. She did mention it may be a juvenile ... but the police drove up, saw the kid, and the toy gun and shot him before the kid had any chance to do or say anything.

Should a child have been given a toy gun with the orange plastic removed, and allowed to go outside with it? No. But he obviously was a bored kid, nothing to do ... he knew it was a toy, but ... the officers obviously did not.

Tragic all around, on any other day it might not have happened.

So many of the issues are not nearly as black and white, cut and dried, as the media make them out to be - but nuance takes more than a soundbite, and heaven forfend we spend more than 60 seconds to research or explain a given story, when hype plays!

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I was amazed by all the protesters marching around INSIDE stores in Ferguson on Thanksgiving!! Since when is it ok to protest INSIDE a business??? They should be darn grateful they had any businesses left open in town after they burned and destroyed lots of them recently!!!:rolleyes:

[RICHARD]

From what I have seen, it was nothing the kid did - playing with a toy pistol by himself in a park - but that a neighbor called 911 to report what she thought might have been someone with a gun. She did mention it may be a juvenile ... but the police drove up, saw the kid, and the toy gun and shot him before the kid had any chance to do or say anything.

Should a child have been given a toy gun with the orange plastic removed, and allowed to go outside with it? No. But he obviously was a bored kid, nothing to do ... he knew it was a toy, but ... the officers obviously did not.

Tragic all around, on any other day it might not have happened.

So many of the issues are not nearly as black and white, cut and dried, as the media make them out to be - but nuance takes more than a soundbite, and heaven forfend we spend more than 60 seconds to research or explain a given story, when hype plays!

On the CCTV tape the kid was waving the gun around and pointing it at people.

There also was some breakdown in what the 911 clerk relayed to the officers.

No there are no cut and dried issues - a 60 second soundbite is a lifetime compared to the 3-4 seconds a PO has to make a decision?

----

I have a .22 cal pellet gun that we'd use around the neighborhood to shoot at cans. The house across the street had an empty lot where people would toss trash into. We'd shoot at bottles and cans all the time when we were bored.... My friend was shooting at a can when a cop car drove by and the PO in the passenger seat looked right at us.

I knew they were coming back, so I took the gun and walked across the street with it. By the time I put it away at my house, the cops had come around the block and were rousting my friends....

The hassled the crap out of us -rightfully so - but that stupidity could have ended up in a more serious incident. It only takes one act of stupidity to get into trouble way over your head.

-----------

My gripe with the media is that a story is often slanted by the people in charge of the news networks.

It's all sensation and when you do start to peel the layers away, you get the truth?

-----


My mom had the best line for me when I got into trouble and went to her for help. She'd listen, then ask me, "who sent you" - meaning who was the person that got you into trouble?

I saw the idiot everytime I washed my face in the bathroom!

[cassiesmom]

I've always considered racists among the most ignorant group of twits in humanity. Worse, by and large it's WILLFUL ignorance, because somewhere along the line someone has attempted to teach them otherwise.

Over the summer I saw a museum exhibit about the integration of the Little Rock schools. One of the pictures was of a group of black high school students walking into school, and a white girl in a group behind them, shouting. Then a few photos down was a picture of two women, one black and one white. Turned out it was the girl who had been shouting insults that day. Later in her life, she sought to reconcile with one of the black girls and now they give presentations to students together about their experiences, racism and prejudice.

[Lady's Human]

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nypd-eric-garner-chokehold-death-not-indicted-article-1.2031841

And this, gentlepeople, is why I hate idiocy like the Ferguson, MO. case.

This is a legit case of police brutality. Combined with the idiotic laws against selling loose cigs (why is it illegal? Because NYC doesn't get their cut) it is a microcosm of much that's wrong with society, but because of the race baiting idiocy in MO, this is getting far less play when it's a much more legitimate case.

[RICHARD]

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nypd-eric-garner-chokehold-death-not-indicted-article-1.2031841

And this, gentlepeople, is why I hate idiocy like the Ferguson, MO. case.

This is a legit case of police brutality. Combined with the idiotic laws against selling loose cigs (why is it illegal? Because NYC doesn't get their cut) it is a microcosm of much that's wrong with society, but because of the race baiting idiocy in MO, this is getting far less play when it's a much more legitimate case.

Someone posted a rather lenghty list of 'police shootings' in the last year.

I answered, 'How did those shining examples of citizenship come to be involved with the cops?"

--------------

Yes, the NYC case is an example of 'police brutality', but isn't the basic idea NOT to get on a PO's radar?

I guess I am too naive to have an opinion about cases like these.

You cannot fight the 'power', so why get into the ring?

------------

Crime is like riding a bicycle.

You can get on and ride as far as you like, but you are going to fall down, eventually.

If you scrape your hands and knees, you can't blame anyone except the guy in the saddle.

YOU might take a stand against gravity as you get up, but who is really to blame when you fall?

[Karen]

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nypd-eric-garner-chokehold-death-not-indicted-article-1.2031841

And this, gentlepeople, is why I hate idiocy like the Ferguson, MO. case.

This is a legit case of police brutality. Combined with the idiotic laws against selling loose cigs (why is it illegal? Because NYC doesn't get their cut) it is a microcosm of much that's wrong with society, but because of the race baiting idiocy in MO, this is getting far less play when it's a much more legitimate case.

The only positive I have about the coverage of the Eric Garner case is I had no idea of the race of either the police officer or the victim. Tragic, and senseless, and police brutality at its worst. I think the police department should immediately set up a fund to help the victim's children, not with just a few toys and cards at Christmas, but an ongoing gesture of support and understanding and admission of culpability.

[RICHARD]

I stated to reply to the "sad/are you going to shoot me" thread and decided that my replies were best suited for the DH.....

There was the question of a child being taught to be afraid of someone who isn't 'like them'?

Sometimes it's not what a child is 'taught', they pick up sooooo much from their enviroment?

-------

Poor kid is probably listening to all the crap being slung about in her household and it sticks?

-------

The other day I was in the store and saw a child sitting on the edge of the cooler units in the meat department. In his hands was a large package of meat.

As I approached the cooler - I was about to tell the kid to be careful, with an extra helping of STINK EYE, when the mom walked up to him.

I was expecting her to tell him to put the package down and get the F off of the cooler.

What do you think she said to him?




"Oh, that's gross" and she walked away.


There are no more penalties being handed out by parents to kids acting like little AHs?

-----------

Our store has motorized carts for the disabled folks who want to shop and more than once I have seen kids in the store - once with a parent- riding the carts up and down the aisles, just for laughs.

Should they block the aisle or run into you, you are 'greeted' with a dirty look and a challenge to say something - There are times you cannot say anything for fear of being called a bully, racist or whatever words these kids have in their vocabulary?

------------

There are way too many people that belly up to the table when a game of "race cards" starts.

No one wins and it's usually the dealer who starts to scream, biatch and moan when they start to lose their stakes in the game.

Calling 'racism' is merely a smokescreen to absolve an person who commits a crime and then gets called on it.

I have seen and known people that have have been 'tuned up' by the cops - because of THEIR attitude towards the cops.

There are only so many hands where you can play a 'race card' in, after that? You really aren't gonna be taken seriously?

-----

Here's a good example of the 'way things work'? You get a white cop that pulls over a mexican and the mexican starts in with the cops - you pulled me over because I am a mexican, you are racist! If it's a mexican cop that pulls over a mexican, the mexican looks to be let go. But when the mexican cop does his job and arrests the dude, the mex cop gets lip about being a sellout, coconut (brown on the outside and white on the inside) and verbally assaulted in espanol?

The POs are never going to win THAT battle.

--------------

The only way that people are going to live together is when we stop playing victim and begin to accept the reason WHY PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY YOUNG MEN, are being killed by the police. It's a pretty simple solution to the problem.

It's honesty.

Before anyone starts to raise a question about 'racism', think about the reason why anyone would suddenly pop up on a PO's radar screen and go from there.

It really ticks me off when I hear about some stupid person that meets an unfortunate end while acting like a fool, then people jump up to protect the idiot by forgetting how he ended up tussling with a cop.

Again, the only times you should interact with a cop is when you are a victim of a crime or a criminal.

---------

One last thing about 'being profiled for Driving While (insert your race here)"?

Here's a little observation about some of cars that I have seen pulled over?

There is some kind of mechanical defect/look to a car.

They might have missing body parts, multicolored parts on the car.
Have just violated some traffic law.
Broken windows, plastic bag taped over a broken window
Screwed up lights/turn signals
tinted windows
Music being played for the whole neighborhood
or some other dumb reason.

You are not being pulled over for being ---------, the reason is that you are driving a POS car, don't follow the rules or are acting stupid....

------

The next time you hear about someone, in an unfortunate encounter with a PO, pay attention as to WHY they ended up on the street, getting to know the local constables.

Usually it has to do with breaking the law and having the cops close at hand - and nothing to do with your skin color - after all, Idiots come in ALL shapes, sizes and COLORS?

[Lady's Human]

The problem in NYC is the police. They are extremely aggressive, especially in certain areas. This is where statistics get skewed. I saw a report on the news last night that that last year the NYCPD made over 700,000 "stop and frisk" searches last year, up from under 100K in the first year of Mayor (bloomberg)Cocteau's regime. They have stopped and frisked almost 10% of their population. They are aggressive, pushed by a police state mentality to be so, and then wonder why people have an attitude about them.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Once upon a time when I still drove, a cop pulled me over. I thought it was because of the break light that was out on my car that I did not know about. He was very nice. Now years later, from all I hear on the news, I realize he must have been a member of the war on women!!! Who knew? :eek:

[Lady's Human]

Once upon a time when I still drove, a cop pulled me over. I thought it was because of the break light that was out on my car that I did not know about. He was very nice. Now years later, from all I hear on the news, I realize he must have been a member of the war on women!!! Who knew? :eek:

Now that stop would have likely included a field sobriety check, as lights out are one of the "minor issues" they tend to use to pull people over as an excuse to look for other "issues". There's no money in pulling someone over for a light that's out.

[RICHARD]

The problem in NYC is the police. They are extremely aggressive, especially in certain areas. This is where statistics get skewed. I saw a report on the news last night that that last year the NYCPD made over 700,000 "stop and frisk" searches last year, up from under 100K in the first year of Mayor (bloomberg)Cocteau's regime. They have stopped and frisked almost 10% of their population. They are aggressive, pushed by a police state mentality to be so, and then wonder why people have an attitude about them.

Understood.

I just wrote out a reply and it disappeared.:rolleyes:

Bloomberg and bratton are the toxic brew that are the cause and effect in the NY case.

Look up the 'broken window theory' of policing....it's bratton's mantra.

-----

Bratton was the LAPD head for a while and he came to a department that was suffering. He was a hard arse that the POs didn't like or want him there.

I have a BIL that was a traffic cop for years and he'd give us some insight as to the feeling of the rank and file....and those feelings weren't that stellar?

BB is a pompous dude, watch his pressers and you get the idea?

------

I just wanted to say that I grew up on the periphery of two gang neighborhoods and growing up I got 'involved' with a real tough, Original Gansta.....

......My Mom.:eek::o

A cop would roust you, maybe call you a punk or make you assume the position on a busy street - embarrass you - then leave.

I had to LIVE with HER!!!!!!!

[Lady's Human]

The main issue I have with the "stop and frisk" policiing is that most people are breaking a law at some point during their day.

For instance, I carry a work knife which in NYC would be illegal. If I get "Stop and frisked" and I have that tool with me, I'm one of the 300K+ arrests they make to justify their policy.

You can arrest almost anyone in society for SOMETHING that they have done to break the law. It's a ridiculous way to run a city.

[RICHARD]

The main issue I have with the "stop and frisk" policiing is that most people are breaking a law at some point during their day.

For instance, I carry a work knife which in NYC would be illegal. If I get "Stop and frisked" and I have that tool with me, I'm one of the 300K+ arrests they make to justify their policy.

You can arrest almost anyone in society for SOMETHING that they have done to break the law. It's a ridiculous way to run a city.

It's "probable cause" on steroids?

--------------

Years ago, My brother and I were going to our BIL's house.

I wasn't a huge beer drinker back then, but it was a nice day, I felt like a beer and who was going to care?

We got into his car and started up the street.

I popped the can open and took a drink - I was in the passenger seat.

As we drove up the street, my bro went thru a yellow light and we were pulled over.

Crap, I had an open can of beer, NO SENSE IN HIDING IT OR ACTING STUPID, so I left it in between my legs with the label visible.

My mistake, my penance?

------

There were two cops, an guy that looked like he had seen some time and a hispanic/mexican young kid/rookie.

The older cop went to the my brother's side of the car, asked for his license and when he saw the can, he looked at me and gave me a "you guys aren't being AHs, I didn't see anything..." look.


The cop on my side was a laugh riot, he was into being a cop. He played with his radio, his belt, all his bells and whistles....he stood guard while the other cop ran my brother's info...I didn't say anything to him, but he knew that he was entertaining me (don't think THAT sat well with him)..when the older cop came back he tells my bro that he is going to write a ticket for a cracked windshield.....good enough?

I watched the young cop go apoplectic with his head......he kept motioning to the old cop about the can of beer...

Finally the old cop motioned back to him, "I AIN'T WRITING him a ticket, it's no big deal......."

So, he had to make sure that the ticket was written.

After I signed the ticket, he took the offending beverage from me and began a to pour it out with a grand flourish..........As the last drops spilled onto the floor, I looked at him and said, "you should have finished it, I only took a sip out of it....":)

----------

The times that I was pulled over, unless it was something that I was really guilty of? By just doing the "yes, sir - no sir" arse kissing and being straight up with the guy? I was sent away with a warning and Good Day to You, Sir.....

Just like any other job where you deal with the public, the interaction you have with a person is just a few minutes of their time. I am sure a cop appreciates a person who doesn't come off as a chuckleheaded moron - as a break from the real idiots he has to deal with?

[RICHARD]

Years ago, I was in a LOWE'S home improvement store.

A customer came up to me and asked me for my help.

Being a little familiar with the store, I asked him what he was looking for and attempted to help them find what they needed.

-----

I managed to give him a little help and when we were done, we had a good laugh about it.


Pretty good for not being an employee of the chain?

-----

I read the store about the prez being mistaken for a 'valet' and his wife being asked to get something off a shelf for a woman at a TARGET store?

Apparently, being mistaken for a 'working joe' is beneath either one?

-----

Obama claims that he and his wife have been 'treated like help' in the past by being mistaken for employees.

I always thought that by going into public service, your main job was helping the public.

Sad to think that people are stuck in the mindset where EVERY encounter with the regular people has racial overtones?

[Lady's Human]

Instead of the dueling memes on the internet and competing firebrands invoking base human emotions and creating needless division, why don't we, as a nation, leave the screaming toddlers in the playground to yell at each other until they're tired and yelled out?

While that's going on, we could have a discussion based on the premise that lives matter.

Oops, leaving the toddlers to yell at each other means that no one from DC or the self-appointed leadership on either side is involved in the second conversation.

[cassiesmom]

The problem in NYC is the police. They are extremely aggressive, especially in certain areas. This is where statistics get skewed. I saw a report on the news last night that that last year the NYCPD made over 700,000 "stop and frisk" searches last year, up from under 100K in the first year of Mayor (bloomberg)Cocteau's regime. They have stopped and frisked almost 10% of their population. They are aggressive, pushed by a police state mentality to be so, and then wonder why people have an attitude about them.

I don't know if this is true or not in Chicago. I do know that at least part of the problem is that gang members have guns that are as powerful or more so than the ones the police have. An Illinois state trooper stopped a car on the Kennedy Expressway on suspicion of DUI and the driver assaulted the trooper, which required him to go to the hospital. A police officer in northwest Indiana died a couple of months ago when he went to check on a person who was squatting in a supposedly vacant townhouse; the man had been evicted from the townhouse but was angry about being evicted, wearing body armor and shot the police officer. The police might be aggressive but who knows what they'll find when they make a traffic stop or respond to a call. Scary.

[Lady's Human]

In the Garner case there were several police officer surrounding the person, and they were arresting him for selling single cigarettes.

That's hardly an offense worth tackling someone. The only "offense" involved was NYC doesn't get the tax revenue from the loose cigs.

There are plenty of incidents on both sides.

A few years ago there was a very publicized no-knock drug raid in MA. The raid turned out to be done on the wrong address, and a retired preacher died of a heart attack from the shock.

There was an excellent news piece on Yahoo from the current chief of the LA PD, explaining what had gone wrong in LA, how it damaged relations with the community in LA, and what he's done to repair the damage. The NYCPD would do well to read and listen.

\http://news.yahoo.com/what-ferguson-can-learn-from-the-lapd-214547339.html

[cassiesmom]

I started to ask this question last night but my laptop locked up. So I am back to ask today. I missed a big portion of the State of the Union address because of rehearsal, but I heard a clip of the President suggesting that community college should be free. Does he want it to be free across the board, or only for certain students? The City Colleges of Chicago are piloting a program for tuition waivers for graduates of the Chicago public schools with a grade point average of 3 or higher. I hope it will especially benefit students who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford college.

If there is widespread free community college, though- how would that work? Would there be overcrowding of certain courses as everyone tries to get the ones they need? What would you do for students who can't or won't go to college- maybe they would like to attend trade school instead? What about those who choose to go straight to a 4-year college or university? How would you make sure there are enough qualified instructors and enough facilities to accommodate students? What if some fields of study are extremely popular and some are hurting for students- would you try to balance them out? What if I am going back to college as a career changer or pursuing higher education long after graduating from high school- would I get free tuition? What about fees, books and other costs?

I think it's an idea worth pursuing further, but it seems like there are a lot of "what ifs" that would need to be addressed. It could help people achieve goals or do something they have always wanted.

[RICHARD]

I started to ask this question last night but my laptop locked up. So I am back to ask today. I missed a big portion of the State of the Union address because of rehearsal, but I heard a clip of the President suggesting that community college should be free. Does he want it to be free across the board, or only for certain students? The City Colleges of Chicago are piloting a program for tuition waivers for graduates of the Chicago public schools with a grade point average of 3 or higher. I hope it will especially benefit students who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford college.

If there is widespread free community college, though- how would that work? Would there be overcrowding of certain courses as everyone tries to get the ones they need? What would you do for students who can't or won't go to college- maybe they would like to attend trade school instead? What about those who choose to go straight to a 4-year college or university? How would you make sure there are enough qualified instructors and enough facilities to accommodate students? What if some fields of study are extremely popular and some are hurting for students- would you try to balance them out? What if I am going back to college as a career changer or pursuing higher education long after graduating from high school- would I get free tuition? What about fees, books and other costs?

I think it's an idea worth pursuing further, but it seems like there are a lot of "what ifs" that would need to be addressed. It could help people achieve goals or do something they have always wanted.

I laughed when I heard this 'plan'.

Not a well thought out idea?

Here is the way I would do it.

You pay for your semester and if you pass, you will be reimbursed for those classes....

If you want a student loan, go for it......

------

If you invest in something, you probably are more apt to finish what ever you start.

I went to the HR dept to ask about what programs they had in place for continuing education.....The clerk told me that I was SOL because I wasn't a nurse or doctor.

I was ticked off for a second and then took every -ology and health/infect disease class I could, and paid for it myself.

My only regret is not getting a degree.

But, I take comfort in knowing that I can find my rear end with one hand, whereas I have seem people with a degree who were unable to find their rear with two hands, a mirror, printed instructions and a GPS.

[lizbud]

Funniest headline I've seen all week. :)

DES MOINES — Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin told The Washington Post in an interview Friday that she is “seriously interested” in running for the White House in 2016.

[RICHARD]

I may be wrong, but one of the first 'televised' beheadings was of an American aid worker who was captured and executed - I had no interest in seeing the tape, but the radio station I listened to played the screams of the young man as he was being slaughtered.

To this day, I remember the exactly where I was and the screams from this poor guy.

-------------------------------

The latest tape - the cruel murder of the Jordanian pilot - shows how depraved and evil these idiots are.

As sad as it is? The only response is to be more brutal than they seem to be.

I hope that this man's death isn't in vain and it becomes a rallying cry for the good people of the region to wipe these IS AHs off the face of the planet.

Sometimes a "squeaky wheel" doesn't need to be greased.

It needs to be pulled off the axle and put into the scrap pile?

[Lady's Human]

ISIL (ISI,ISIS, whatever) just screwed up.

Jordan is probably the most competent Arab military there is, and given how Arab air forces select their pilots, he probably had ties to the royal family.

[RICHARD]

ISIL (ISI,ISIS, whatever) just screwed up.

Jordan is probably the most competent Arab military there is, and given how Arab air forces select their pilots, he probably had ties to the royal family.

Check it out....

If the pilot had been from the west, you would have seen/heard something like...

"government officials are meeting to draft an appropriate response to this crime/act"

The Jordanians just cut to the chase.

"Jordanian Officials vow revenge." or some such headlines?

And hours after the footage was released, they backed their 'promise' up.

--------------

As silly and simple as it sounds?

Bullies will do what ever they want until one person or a group of people show up on their front porch, looking to 'set things right'.

It might be about religion or land, but I'd like to think that people deep down just want to live their lives without having to worry about some knuckleheads telling them how to live?

[Lady's Human]

Jordan's King Abdullah, himself a former general, angrily vowed to pursue ISIS until his military runs "out of fuel and bullets," in a closed door meeting with U.S. lawmakers that followed the release Wednesday of a grisly video showing a captured Jordanian airman being burned alive in a cage by the terrorist army.

I think they done screwed up...

[RICHARD]

I think they done screwed up...

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/photo-king-jordan-looking-badass-132100812.html

When you bite off MORE than you can chew, you'd better have a good dental plan?

[RICHARD]

Am watching the prez talking about his request to use force against the idiots of I.S.

------------------

One of the most amusing things about his little speech is his use of the word, "We".


As in We are degrading IS, We are winning, WE, WE, WE, WE.


I wouldn't expect anything less from the man that killed Osama, by himself.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I have been hearing on the news that people who are here illegally and do not pay any taxes can file and get an income tax refund!!! How can the government justify this for any reason??? :eek: They should give us citizens a refund first if they want to throw money around. I'm living below the poverty level on disability and would love to have some extra money I did not earn!!!:eek:

[cassiesmom]

I have been hearing on the news that people who are here illegally and do not pay any taxes can file and get an income tax refund!!! How can the government justify this for any reason??? :eek: They should give us citizens a refund first if they want to throw money around. I'm living below the poverty level on disability and would love to have some extra money I did not earn!!!:eek:

I have a really stupid question: How can you get a refund if you didn't pay taxes in the first place? That means that the taxes I pay as a middle-class citizen could potentially go to someone who is not in the country legally and may or may not even need the money? *banging head on table*

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I'm not real sure how it works, It has something to do with a special tax credit they are able to get for the next 3 years or something.

[RICHARD]

In 2001 I remember watching a short news clip of some IDIOTS blowing up a pair of giant statues because it went against their religion.

A bit later two airplanes hit two buildings in NY, another crashed into the Pentagon and the fourth crashed into a field in Pennsylvania.

--------------

Fast forward 14 years and again, the news reports of some IDIOTS sledgehammering statues and burning some antiquities because they are viewed as false idols.


When I was growing up I loved to go to the LA County Museum and walk around the exhibits. The smell of the area where they kept the mummies, the fiberglass Aztec calendar.........life sized and bigger than me at the time. moon rocks, the button to fire off the jet engine. I learned about how an astronaut was able to use the stars to find out where he was in the universe. There was a saber tooth tiger skeleton, trilobites, the insect exhibit.

Have you ever seen a real Goliath beetle? The gems and stone exhibit......

-----------

I can't really say just how MAD I got seeing the clip back in 2001.

Would 14 years make me any less sensitive to the what I saw yesterday?

Nope.

------------

The saddest thing on the planet is the stupidity of people and their 'religious zealotry'. My god probably isn't bigger or could kick your god's arse in a fight? The 'gods' and books/manuscripts that they have destroyed haven't been relevant for years......so why would the have any impact to your religion today?

---------

I wonder what the people who wrote and built those monuments and books would think of the animals that destroyed their work? Imagine carving out a figure in stone, something that you probably didn't expect to last a few thousand years, just to have it smashed up in an afternoon of stupidity?

incredible........:(:mad:

[Lady's Human]

Just heard a piece of an interview with Donald Trump on Hannity.

Good lord the man is an idiot.

He was talking about foreign policy, and what should be done in the middle east. He stated that "For centuries, Iraq has counterbalanced Iran, and when we invaded Iraq we took away the counterbalance".

First, Iraq as a political entity has not existed for centuries. It has, with the exception of the Babylonian empire, been a piece of someone else's empire for most of history.

Second, "Iran" has not existed as a political entity for centuries. It is the core remnant of the Persian empire, until recent times named Persia, not Iran. The Persian and Turkish empires did fight over the territory of Iraq, as it's the geographical meeting place of their borders.

He started talking about the G5+1 talks going on with Iran, and stated "Those people are always good negotiators". "Those people?" Which "those" are you referring to?

He's a bumbling idiot.

[Karen]

Just heard a piece of an interview with Donald Trump on Hannity.

Good lord the man is an idiot.
He started talking about the G5+1 talks going on with Iran, and stated "Those people are always good negotiators". "Those people?" Which "those" are you referring to?

He's a bumbling idiot.

Thank heavens all his runs for President have been for naught! Being good at one thing does not make you an expert in everything, no matter what he thinks!

[RICHARD]

Just heard a piece of an interview with Donald Trump on Hannity.

Good lord the man is an idiot.




To quote a favorite radio show of mine?

"well you have wasted another perfectly good (hour) listening......."

;)

[Lady's Human]

Thank heavens all his runs for President have been for naught! Being good at one thing does not make you an expert in everything, no matter what he thinks!

I left out what would be a diplomatically damning comment. He stated that the Iraqis are no good, they just drop their weapons and run in the face of ISIL...

Idiot, the Kurds are Iraqis as well, as are many Iraqis who didn't cut and run in the face of ISIL's onslaught. Nothing like condemning a country for the actions of a comparatively few.


As an aside, teh interwebz iz aflame with commentary and comments on Phil Robertson's appearance at CPAC. Guys, he's a "reality" show star who's about as real as naugahyde. I'm not worried about what a reality show persona says about ANYTHING! I'm far more concerned about what the candidates themselves are saying, hence my post about The Trump Chump's interview. (apologies to Burke Breathed)

[RICHARD]

Phil Robertson is a 'reality' star who may make controversial statements.....It's the 'reality' politicians who make controversial statements that get me to guffaw with gusto.....NOT only that?

I have stopped listening to the buzz on ANY 'reality news' program or channels - The news/political talk shows have turned into a forum/gathering/round table of buffoons, liars and chicken little types who herald the "end of all mankind" due to the stupidity of the people in charge.


Call me skeptical, but I really believe all politicians are morons?;) Stop with the posturing and phony "I care for my constituents" blathering. On second thought, Keep talking. That way you can get 150,000 dollars a speech after you leave office.....

The only two places you get paid BEFORE you show up and work is the sporting arena and political office. Imagine getting paid to be a loser?

[RICHARD]

Yesterday I was listening to one of my favorite news/comedy radio programs, Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me.

The host and guests were talking about a woman who was able to keep her teen son from going to the Middle East and joining a terrorist group/movement.

Apparently the son asked his mother for his passport. The mother asked "why do you want it?" and then -thru that wonderful ability that women possess - deduced that her son was going to do something stupid, like join a terrorist group.

Chalk one up for parents?

-----------

I was walking the dog and listening to the show and began to laugh.

I thought of MY MOM and how she would have reacted if I had wanted my passport to join some stupid cause?

She would have gladly given me my the paperwork with the sage wisdom that she dispensed when I (or my sibs) wanted to participate in any sketchy endeavor?

"You want to join them? Go ahead, here is your passport....And if you get into trouble DON'T CALL ME, call your friends or someone else that will help you or get you out of trouble......."

When I was younger, my mom's stance on any tomfoolery, confused me.

SHE WANTED me to go out and get into trouble, she also washed her hands of me and my behavior....

I thought, "What is the matter with her?" And as I 'matured' (I still am a stupid child at times) I realized that she did care.

She wanted me to know that my vision/perception of 'maturity' came with a steep price if I refused to see the long term ramifications of my actions. She loved me, but hated my moron-itude.

Even as an adult, I often consulted with her about things in my life. Should I buy this - GF, work problems, Did you watch the game last night or can I swing by with/for dinner? Often, I knew the answer to the question, but I found some comfort in hearing myself talk and her input.

Later on, I realized that my going to her probably made her feel like she raised at least one kid who thought before they acted? Was it a good thing?:confused:

Anyway........she encouraged me to be stupid - reverse psychology? - to jump off the bridge with my friends, but NOT TO BOTHER HER WITH THE RESULTS.

A very effective strategy.

As the segment on the radio closed, the panel joked about sending some mothers to the Middle East - that would stop most of the idiots from joining a terrorist group/movement.

And then I really started to laugh.

I pictured my mom at the back of a cargo plane, parachute on her back, jumping out to join the other mothers fighting terrorism in the area.

What would I say to her?

"Go ahead, get on an airplane and jump out with a parachute on your back, And if something goes wrong? Don't call me, call your friends to help you out?......":D:eek::p

[RICHARD]

Religion and politics blended so seamlessly this past week.........


Imagine getting a letter from a neighbor family that you believe is a great Satan.

How would you take it?

-------------

My other take on the news is this....

Imagine you have an emergency at your house and the cops do not show up.

THEN, imagine that you have an emergency at your house and the cops show up drunk?

------------

And how do you trust one politician after years of being told, "You have to trust me on this......." by other politicians, that are liars?

[Lady's Human]

Just read an article of Ferguson detailing the DOJ report on the municipal police and court system.

There are 16,000 outstanding warrants in Ferguson out of a population of 21000.

In other words, 3/4 of the population of that fine, upstanding midwestern town have warrants for their arrest. The place is either hell on earth, which I doubt, or the PD and court system are out of control.

One of the more disturbing charges is one person charged with destruction of Government property. How did the individual destroy Government property? After the cops beat the heck out of the arrestee, they had the audacity to bleed on the arresting officer's uniform.

[cassiesmom]

LH, we were just talking about this after church yesterday. A friend from choir heard on the news that race relations between the government, police and the residents of Ferguson have been deteriorating (bad and getting worse) for a long time, even before the unrest last summer. How does a person live in a town where things are that bad every single day. How does the city administration let it go on and on until it just blows up?

[RICHARD]

Just read an article of Ferguson detailing the DOJ report on the municipal police and court system.

There are 16,000 outstanding warrants in Ferguson out of a population of 21000.

In other words, 3/4 of the population of that fine, upstanding midwestern town have warrants for their arrest. The place is either hell on earth, which I doubt, or the PD and court system are out of control.

One of the more disturbing charges is one person charged with destruction of Government property. How did the individual destroy Government property? After the cops beat the heck out of the arrestee, they had the audacity to bleed on the arresting officer's uniform.

Not to side with either faction?

I'd see a guy from the old 'hood' after he'd be gone for a week or two-maybe longer? He'd talk about going to jail over some stupid charge/warrant and I'd shake my head and wonder about how they could 'navigate' the court/legal system with little or no worry.

Now, I knew these guys weren't on the up and up, but some of the things that they were pulled over for/jammed with were sometimes overstated - like the bleeding on a cop's uni???

Some cops would overstate a charge to get someone off the street or to 'get even' if a guy gave them any lip or acted up..my pals would see a ticket - for some stupid minor infraction - as a exactly what it was - A way to inconvenience someone who wasted the cop's time.

Not to say that those tickets/violations weren't deserved - it was just the way that the officer or violator acted - sometimes a simple traffic stop turned into a peeing contest.....and someone was going to get peepee on their pants?

----

I bet that many of those warrants are multiples - people that just can't seem to keep their nose clean - but when they are finally caught and put into jail, that fuels the 'debtor's prison' idea.

Well, if those people took care of a simple ticket - not let it go to warrant or get an extension, or JUST STOP DOING THE THINGS THAT put you in a situation where a cop is going to interact with you?? There wouldn't be such a high number of warrants/people being jailed?

I can bet dollars to donuts that a good percentage of those warrants are for stupid shat like a burnt out turn signal, not following traffic laws? Stuff that can be avoided if you pay attention to stuff like that?

------

The topic of PO behavior and 'thug life' is always a lively one in the house.

I grew up with some savory and unsavory people in the neighborhood and I was a first hand witness to some of the stupidity that put you on the law's radar...I come from the place of 'if you are stupid, you deserve whatever you find at the end of the road'. Doris, being a former cop, sees things differently...

IF you behave, keep your nose clean and stop being an AH in your neighborhood, you won't have any problems. If you go ahead and pile up the tickets/warrants - please do not cry that you are being targeted and jailed 'for no reason'. By the same token? If you MUST deal with the dregs of society everyday of your life, I don't expect you to walk up to my car door thinking about puppies, unicorns and rainbows?

I do expect a ticket/summons, but sometimes, by just being a nice guy and co-operating with them? I get my license back with a stern warning and a "have a good day"..

Sometimes it's all about a mindset, manners and not being a jerk.

[Bonny]

Just read an article of Ferguson detailing the DOJ report on the municipal police and court system.

There are 16,000 outstanding warrants in Ferguson out of a population of 21000.

In other words, 3/4 of the population of that fine, upstanding midwestern town have warrants for their arrest. The place is either hell on earth, which I doubt, or the PD and court system are out of control.

One of the more disturbing charges is one person charged with destruction of Government property. How did the individual destroy Government property? After the cops beat the heck out of the arrestee, they had the audacity to bleed on the arresting officer's uniform.

Sounds like the cities of Sodom & Gomorrah back during Biblical times? Corruption everywhere!!!

[Lady's Human]

Richard, the "debtor's prison" comments in the articles about the practices have to do with filing charges against someone for a minor violation, i.e. jaywalking, and then, instead of having a civil fine structure in place for those who don't pay in time ($25 for 30 days late, etc), or give them the option of community service in lieu of a fine, those who don't pay are sent to jail.

In New York, if you have an outstanding violation, they don't look for you, they just get you when it comes time to renew your driver's license or other needed state issues. Even then they just mandate that you pay the fine before your license is renewed.

The jail for housing those who fail to pay their fines in Ferguson is of course not run by the municipality, but by a for-profit corporation who is paid X dollars/day per inmate.

I've dealt with PDs like this one, and the citizen winds up screwed regardless. Thankfully in the case of Nolanville, TX we had a commanding General on Ft. Hood who told the municipality to cut the BS or he was going to declare the town off-limits to all soldiers. There's no CG to do that for the residents of Ferguson. Nolanville made millions in fining soldiers on the highway to Ft. Hood which went through their town for about 2 miles. It's a great gig for a town, because soldiers are going to pay the fine, or they wind up with military charges against them in addition to the civil charges on the ticket. On that stretch of road, which was the sole 55 MPH limit for miles, if you were doing 56 MPH you were given a speeding ticket. If they were really low on revenue that week, if you were doing 53 MPH you were given a ticket for impeding the flow of traffic.

The way these cases read, it's an echo of warnings I have given people in the past: The bureaucracy is set up so that no matter what you do, by the time you finish your commute to work, you've violated at least 1 law. All you can do is hope that your particular violation doesn't become the point of emphasis on any given day.

[Lady's Human]

OMG...

I normally can't stand Stephen A Smith, but he nailed this one.


http://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2015/03/21/smerconish-stephen-a-smith-03212015.cnn

[RICHARD]

OMG...

I normally can't stand Stephen A Smith, but he nailed this one.


http://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2015/03/21/smerconish-stephen-a-smith-03212015.cnn

I had to laugh (in agreement) with the statements about the 'Hispanic community' looking to be courted by a political party.

Historically, the HC has been a group that votes with the Dem blocks.

And SAS is correct, it is all about "What are YOU going to do for us?"...When you come out of the blocks and begin to offer 'citizenship on a fast track', people are going to come out in droves to vote for a candidate/party....

(You'd think that people would realize that just because a politician promises you one thing, it's not a given?)

Back in 2007-8 the general consensus in the Hispanic community was - vote Democratic, the promises of INSTANT CITIZENSHIP are for real!!!!

I'll have to come back and finish this, my battery is running low....

[RICHARD]

......so, the Hispanic media was rife with stories about how 'wonderful' it would be to elect a party that was going to fast track the citizenship laws.

One of the dynamics/thoughts in the Hispanic group (HG) is that they work hard and contribute to the economy - the illegals are in a very unique position here in the US -work under the table and if caught, they can be deported.
They do pay taxes - sales and gas - and often work in the industries where the work is hard, dirty, and at or below the minimum wage. They work with no benefits and no insurance.

A 'promise' of citizenship was a classic bait and switch move by the political machine...and years later, with no real movement on the horizon - this next election should be interesting and 'fun' to watch.

The dems are going to blame the repubs for the bottleneck and try to keep the HG.
The repubs are going to try and swing them over.....with what new promises?

Bottom line?

It's politics to sway a group to vote for you. But how long is it before that voting block see the promises as a cruel way to put people on "hold" while they play games with the laws.

It's a great way to get into office, but soon the people who's shoulders you used to stand on, are going to tired of being stepped on?

[Lady's Human]

Frankly, they're arresting the wrong people in those cases.

[Lady's Human]

Can the "Duck Dynasty" boys 15 minutes of fame be over?

[Lady's Human]

Well, I was planning on bringing the kids to Disney.

No longer.

http://www.computerworld.com/article/2915904/it-outsourcing/fury-rises-at-disney-over-use-of-foreign-workers.html

No, I'm not a xenophobe.

However, I have had enough of the abuse of a program designed to bring truly special, irreplaceable talent into the country to displace American workers with lower paid foreign staff brought in under the auspices of H1B.