Disqus - Latest Comments for jsoanes

Re: Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

jsoanes — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:31:49 -0000

Through the lies and dismantling of civil rights Americans have not only been eating their government’s shit; they have also been convinced that they like the taste of it. This is just another example of how freedom and liberty are a myth. The real story isn’t FISA, all governments monitor the activity of citizens with suspicious activities, it’s the fundamental belief by the Administration(s) that all Americans are a threat. Before laying blame at Bush’s feet let’s not forget that Clinton authorised wiretaps at record levels prior to 9/11.

"When the government fears the people, there is liberty; when the people fear the government, there is tyranny." -Thomas Jefferson

Re: Peak Oil in the Pit

jsoanes — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:02:39 -0000

The incestuous ménage à trois between Oil, auto manufacturer's and government is a cartel in its own right. Politicians are bought and sold, oil (co. money) is the currency. "What’s good for the country is good for General Motors, and vice versa" - Charles E. Wilson (ex. GM President and former Secretary of U.S. Defense).

It's easy to make the case that the automobile is the foundation that the U.S. post-war economy was built upon. Spin-offs such as billboards, diners and big-box strip malls wouldn't work in a bicycle world. Ever try to pedal with a gut full of grease?

I welcome high oil prices, but not because I enjoy higher food prices or like the adverse effects being endured by low income families. I like the fact that it is quickly changing habits (mine included).

Now if we could only get rid of bottled water and plastic bags.

Re: Peak Oil in the Pit

jsoanes — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:50:29 -0000

Increasing oil prices, great news! GM dumps the Hummer and the airlines are shopping for fuel efficient aircraft. Oil, or at least the overconsumption is not a happy thing for Mother Earth. The US is responsible for 23% of greenhouse gas emissions with less than 5% of the planet’s population. What happens when China puts 1.7 cars in every driveway?

The beautiful thing about a crisis is that it forces the “free market” to do what it should have done voluntarily. Oil cartel, drug cartel: same – same. Oil consumption is an addiction, until recently it’s been cheap and plentiful. Now that it’s as painful for our wallets as it is for the atmosphere we’re open to alternatives.

If you wish to enlighten yourself some fact-based fiction about global warming look for BURN UP. It’s a 2 part docudrama that just aired in Canada and the UK. The premise of the movie is that Saudi oil reserves have been grossly overstated (peak oil yesterday). It also delves into the by-products of global warming, rising oceans, release of methane gas from thawing polar caps ...all the green fear mongering hits! Well worth watching regardless of your views on the topic as there’s lots of suspense.

Re: Right to Choose

jsoanes — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:45:03 -0000

Sure Lindsay hits us between the eyes with the cheatin’ MILFs and now this! Is it all sex with you?

The big problem with the abortion issue is what is missing ...knowledge. How can anyone morally play the “personal responsibility” card when youths aren’t taught how to avoid accidents? Preaching abstinence is no match for teenage hormones. These uptight idiots want to teach religion in our schools but not science, which is what sex education is. Education needs to deal in the mechanics of sex not the morality of it, morality is a parent’s responsibility.

100% effective birth control = Abstinence. Are Christians now saying that the “virgin birth” was bullshit?

In any event a frank and honest discussion about sex would go a long way to reduce the number of abortions for women of every age. Yes, unwanted pregnancies will still happen, but fewer due to ignorance.

Re: Cheating Moms

jsoanes — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:55:27 -0000

I walked through the MILF stroll in Central Park while visiting NYC recently, similar inventory to Vancouver. It seems logical that cheating city dwellers have a better chance of getting caught, and especially in NYC as there are cameras everywhere.

As a little league and soccer coach I've had a fair amount of exposure to the underappreciated soccer moms. A lot of temptation on two legs. Thankfully I had their kids to keep me on task:-)

Re: Cheating Moms

jsoanes — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:16:16 -0000

I wonder what the responses would have been like at a suburban mall versus Central Park. Living in an apartment/condo (with doorman) makes being discreet somewhat more challenging than a home in the burbs.

Just a thought.

Re: Cheating Moms

jsoanes — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:18:26 -0000

This isn’t surprising to me. The Internet has been a very effective conduit for people to arrange clandestine encounters. I know of more than a few men who have transitioned from the AOL chat room to the bedroom. They’re hooking up with someone; and a MILF is about as uncomplicated as it gets, at least until its out.

Re: You Might Be Unamerican If…

jsoanes — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:07:48 -0000

It may have been Giovanni Gentile, who was thought to be the true author of the doctrine. In any event if the quote is inaccurate it does capture the spirit of the excerpts of the doctrine that I have read.

Re: Flowers and Jones’ Greatest Hits

jsoanes — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 02:42:30 -0000

Damn! If Hillary would have won this would be a real election issue.

Re: You Might Be Unamerican If…

jsoanes — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 02:34:13 -0000

Well, actually SMUG would be very un-Canadian. I would like to apologize to my countrymen if I came across in that way.

But get real Andy, in America groupthink is in. Habeas corpus, civil rights and a few rather important constitutional amendments have been slaughtered since the turning of the 21st century and Americans have just rolled over to the rallying cry “it’s the price of freedom”. Freedom was the price.

Smug, no ...concerned, yes.

Re: You Might Be Unamerican If…

jsoanes — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 02:19:00 -0000

Benito Mussolini’s “Doctrine of Fascism” predates Wikipedia. His (translated) text is held up by many as pretty much spot on. You’ll find an interesting article here: http://www.independent.org/...

The video link above is worth watching, its long and it does get a little propaganda-ish in places.

Re: You Might Be Unamerican If…

jsoanes — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:19:38 -0000

An Italian dictator was the grand-pappy of fascism and defines it as follows:

"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini

Check this video out, it’ll scare the heck out of you:
http://video.google.com/vid...

Re: You Might Be Unamerican If…

jsoanes — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:39:49 -0000

To be of independent thought is un-American.

Re: Martyrdom For Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

jsoanes — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 02:38:45 -0000

With the recent Senate Intelligence Committee’s confirmation surrounding the Bush Administration’s web of lies about Iraq, how can Americans be absolutely sure that the architects of September 11 were external? Just because someone takes credit for something it doesn’t mean they actually did it. Many of these “terrorists” being hunted today were secretly funded by the U.S. government not so long ago. Is it completely inconceivable that some still are?

Re: Martyrdom For Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

jsoanes — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:32:10 -0000

Torturing inmates and destroying evidence from interrogations at Guantanamo are hardly the hallmarks of a free and just society. It’s a good thing we’re not outraged when our enemies do that because we would look hypocritical.

Re: Martyrdom For Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

jsoanes — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:11:27 -0000

In the case of Khalid Mohammed the desire for revenge is understandable but also very dangerous as these people take pride in dying while carrying out these indefensible acts against you. Death galvanizes their followers and solidifies their resolve.

The posturing and tough talk I read here is hysterical as these people have bigger balls than we do.

Re: The Belmont Stakes are High

jsoanes — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:00:03 -0000

When I think of treatment or the welfare of animals I wouldn’t put horse racing in the sentence as dog/cock/bull fighting or professional boxing for that matter. Horsey people love horses, full stop. As with everything in life there are a few exemptions that are held up by critics as “the norm”.

In my youth I was sent to the farm over the summer and I remember that any time this city-kid hopped on a horse it would show me the business-end of its’ g-force capabilities. Horses run, it’s what they love to do.

The injuries are unfortunate, but let’s be realistic – a horse has a higher likelihood of sustaining an injury running across an uneven field than a groomed track.

Re: Hillary for VP?

jsoanes — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 04:06:08 -0000

McCain’s negative campaign ads will all feature attacks on Obama by Hillary. Only idiots would put those two on the ballot together ...which means the Dems will make it happen.

Re: Your Questions Answered: The Death Penalty

jsoanes — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:08:08 -0000

Interesting views expressed in today’s clip.

The “not paying to keep them alive” most interesting as it’s the most lame justification for execution. Capital punishment is a statement of a societies’ collective morality and views on what constitutes just punishment for certain acts, not a cost benefit analysis. It’s ironic that this fiscal argument so commonly emanates from the nation of “doggie daycare” and pet psychiatry.

I also don’t accept that these murderers “suffer inside”. If the remorse ran that deep we wouldn’t have two and three-timers. Most murderers, and especially those who kill multiple times are sociopaths, their concern for anyone’s life begins and ends with themselves. Remorse is out of the realm of their thinking. We currently have a scroat-bag on trial(s) for killing 49 women over a period of years. An undercover cop befriended this guy in lock-up ...his only regret was not getting to number 50.

What troubles me more than my fundamental belief that killing is simply wrong is the inconsistency of the application of this severe punishment. One third of U.S. states don’t have the penalty and those that do often dispense this form of “justice” in a inconsistent manner from one county to the next.

Re: Chris Fabricant And The Drug War

jsoanes — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:26:57 -0000

In Canada possession of weed (in personal, recreation amounts) yields a penalty similar to a parking ticket. In my view marijuana should be legal and distributed similar to alcohol and tobacco. Legalization would take organized crime out of the picture, which is where the real problem lies. The weed isn’t the problem, it’s the other highly addictive narcotics (such as crack or meth) its often laced with.

It’s utterly ridiculous the amount of resources and effort that is wasted by the dime-bag posse when you consider the health risks of Pot versus cigarettes or alcohol. Legalization of marijuana would also allow society/authorities to refocus efforts to stem the tide of Chemical concoctions such as crystal meth that are destroying communities. It would also make for a safer product, taking the risk of a life sentence unsuspecting users may get handed to them by unscrupulous dealers.

Re: GAy Marriage

jsoanes — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:57:44 -0000

Well at least nobody is blaming Canada!

The reason the government needs to be involved in the couples game is they make the laws that cover the important aspects of marriage. In Canada same sex partners are now entitled to benefits like parental leave and are legally entitled to survivor pension benefits. What you call Gay Marriage is irrelevant, what’s important is what rights the union confers.

Government being involved in the marriage biz isn’t the problem ...it’s the church! Take organized religion out of the equation, and all of its confused zealots and we would have more love, more compassion and less war/conflict.

Re: Response From The Prosecutor

jsoanes — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:14:33 -0000

In one episode I heard the decision to commute the sentence had to be unanimous.

In any case I'm for abolishing the death penalty; as in changing the law. I don't believe circumventing the law achieves anything. If there was not a change in material facts the board should have not intervened at the eleventh hour.

McDade intimated something in his interview that threw up a red flag for me. He said that Life w/o Parole wasn't a sentencing option when Crowe was convicted and he wasn't sure of what the implications commuting to a sentence that didn't exist. Law is all about technicalities, I wouldn't be at all shocked if Mr. Crowe is released in 20 years ...which is about now with time served.

Re: Response From The Prosecutor

jsoanes — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:36:55 -0000

The cost of housing “Lifers” isn’t and shouldn’t be the central issue here; nor is it the prosecutor’s. When you wave the “cost to the taxpayers” flag it ceases to be about justice and punishment proportionate to the crime. After all, taxpayers would save lots of money if it were to stick a needle in every convicts’ arm.

McDade is upset, as we all should be, because five individuals repealed a sentence without giving much thought about the impact to the victim’s family and friends. I’m anti death penalty, but I don’t for a moment think that there is anything good to come from sparing this murderer’s life.

Re: Vlog the DA

jsoanes — Fri, 23 May 2008 19:37:12 -0000

I don’t know the significance of 4 minutes, but if the substance of the interview or story can’t be presented in 4 minutes can’t ML post it in multiple parts?

The interview gave us a glimpse of who Mr. McDade is, but his insight on how the punishment was initially justified would have been gold; as would the DA’s milestones/path to the aborted execution.

Re: Vlog the DA

jsoanes — Fri, 23 May 2008 18:06:37 -0000

Yes, that is what the description says. Except its McDade.

What I viewed (a few times now) was an after the fact rebuttal/opinion dressed-up as questions and reflection.