Disqus - Latest Comments for troosvelt

Re: DC Sniper Executed

troosvelt — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:58:35 -0000

Well Redbus I can't really offer a strong argument to your statement either. As I said I am reticent about the death penalty and my feelings are based in part on my Christian faith as well as my concern about the imperfection of our legal system

If they were to outlaw the death penalty I would not be greatly outraged (provided that we replaced it with an actual prison system rather than the systems present in many states these days) but as long as it is legal then in cases like this I think it is appropriate.

But it is indeed a tough subject.

Re: It Was Twenty Years Ago Today

troosvelt — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:07:49 -0000

Interesting debate here but...

Could we actually celebrate the fall of the wall too ?

I'm assuming that we all liked the wall falling

Re: The Affordable Health Care for America Act

troosvelt — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:38:49 -0000

I like some of the provisions, such as prohibiting pre-existing condition bans, providing for preventative care coverage, etc.

Having seen how efficient the government is in most other sectors I'm uncertain of the public option, but I am not rigidly opposed. I'd need to see what the final package entiails.

Also, having heard some bloggers around the net talking about how 'the only reason people oppose this is because they are rich and have to pay for it' I would wonder if the reverse question is proper.

IE: If you currently support the proposal but know you won't have to pay anything for it, would your views change if you did have to pay a lot of money out of your pocket ?

Of course any major debate over the provisions is pointless at this junction since we have no way of knowing what, if any, proposal will come out of an eventual conference committee.

Re: House Passes Health Care Bill But Future Unclear

troosvelt — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:03:41 -0000

You know Steve it may surprise you to learn that there are reasonable thoughtful concerned people who just aren't sure that this health care proposal is a good idea.

Just because someone disagrees with you doesn't make them bad.

Re: House Passes Health Care Bill But Future Unclear

troosvelt — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:27:54 -0000

Interesting points JS

Although one could argue that if, as a number of conservatives do, you think government run health care is unworkable as a rule, then arguably there is no reason to work with the Democrats since they won't consider any package without it.

I do think the GOP could have worked more to solving the problem but the Democrats (at least in the House) have pretty much said public option or nothing so that does limit the ability of opponents of public option to work with them.

Personally I'm still on the fence on the whole subject.

Re: Republicans Disrupt Debate on House Floor

troosvelt — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:32:33 -0000

I tend to agree with the view that this all depends on where you are looking at it from. I didn't see the incident but I am sure the GOP members pushed the boundries of good taste and decorum but I am also sure that the Democrats are not allowing much in the way of opposing views on the debate.

And I'm sure if the balance of power was reversed the roles would be switched.

Indeed if this were say a debate on tax cuts and the GOP prevented or limited Democratic input and you had a group of Democrats protest that the same posters who attack the GOP now would cheer the Democrats and vice versa.

Aint politics fun.

Re: 8 Shot In Orlando Florida Highrise

troosvelt — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:15:28 -0000

Some callers on SF radio said it was all George Bush's fault....

Re: Possible Terrorist Attack at Ft. Hood TX

troosvelt — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:29:00 -0000

New updates say death toll at nine and may go into double digits.

Twenty plus wounded

Reports do say that shooters (or one of them) were/was wearing uniforms but it is not confirmed that they are military.

Re: Same Sex Marriage Rights Defeated In Maine

troosvelt — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:27:34 -0000

Incredible response here. I spent the day at the dentist so I just am catching up.

One thing I've always wondered about those who say that sexual orientation is entirely a choice.

Why would someone choose to adopt a lifestyle that results in many people here expressing such hate and disdain towards them ? Why would they choose to be called names, denied rights, etc ?

Re: Marriage Equality: Maine and Washington, D.C.

troosvelt — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:51:20 -0000

I should have posted here rather than in a new post but I'm pretty convinced the forces of good have lost.

Re: Coming civil war in the GOP

troosvelt — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:32:39 -0000

Interesting post my friend.

I plan something on this topic in the coming days, I'm just a bit burnt out from doing stats all evening.

I do hope people found it semi-interesting LOL

Re: Marriage Equality: Maine and Washington, D.C.

troosvelt — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:05:13 -0000

About half the vote in and slight edge for the pro same sex marriage crowd but still very close.

Recount is likely

Re: Marriage Equality: Maine and Washington, D.C.

troosvelt — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:45:15 -0000

About 1/3rd of the vote in and the forces of good are ahead 51-49 but we still have 2/3rds of the vote to count so its going to be close. I don't have access to where the votes are from so I can't project anything.

Re: Political Compass

troosvelt — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:11:23 -0000

Wow someone remembers something I wrote over a year ago ?

Re: Political Compass

troosvelt — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:46:55 -0000

Well the second one isn't so much social issues as government authority.

That is what I like about this thread, it shows that one can be quite liberal on economic issues yet believe in a great deal of government control.

Re: Political Compass

troosvelt — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:37:27 -0000

Interesting that we are exact opposites, both almost dead center

Re: Political Compass

troosvelt — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:46:14 -0000

Thanks for the responses.

As I said in my original post, it's not so much the questions are flawed, but there is an issue of how to interpret them.

Re: Dede Scozzafava

troosvelt — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:54:36 -0000

While I am not a fan of the hard right pushing out a basically moderate Republican I do think that this debate (both here and on the net in general) shows an interesting tendency in personal biases.

I wouldn't rate Dede as a radical leftist, but I have seen plenty of folks from the left rate relative moderates like Lieberman/Bloomberg/etc as right wingers.

It's all a matter of perspective in which many people assume they are the center

That's why I try my best to rely on relatively independent political surveys to try and give me an idea of where my own politics lie.

Re: Scozzafava Drops Out

troosvelt — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:35:53 -0000

I wonder what the reaction will be if Owens wins ?

Re: Under 200 Votes For Public Option ?

troosvelt — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:51:53 -0000

I agree that Medicare could be an example of a real problem not being discussed.

Consider right now that something like 80% of the population is paying medicare in order to provide payments for maybe 10% of the population. And they are pretty much broke.

So where will taxes have to go to pay for 100% ?

Re: Suicide Bombers Are Better Than Gay Marriage

troosvelt — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:27:10 -0000

This kind of statement is one where you have to read it three or four times to make sure your brain is working.

Look for him to get promoted to the Vatican (so they can keep an eye on him)

Re: Most Mortgages Are Probably Invalid And Courts Are Starting To Notice

troosvelt — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:49:47 -0000

This is a big mess but we will have a long road to see where it goes.

Problem with 'giving people their homes' is that it begs the question of why not give everyone a free home ?

Or a free check for $ 200,000.

Re: Most Mortgages Are Probably Invalid And Courts Are Starting To Notice

troosvelt — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:53:26 -0000

My fellow practitioners and I have been kind of wondering when this shoe was going to fall. It is a major issue for many of the mortgage lenders. When you package out loans and cut them into 10 different slices and send them 10 different places it makes it hard to track.

However I am not sure how big of an impact this will have as the banks will continue to fight the issue, so only those with the money to keep going through the courts will be able to keep up the battle.

Indeed PHH is appealing this ruling, so it may be years before things are resolved

Re: We Want Ice Cream !

troosvelt — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:08:23 -0000

Ok, so just for the sake of discussion, what would you define as a proper capitalist society ?

Who would own what ?

Re: Obama’s Odd Travel

troosvelt — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:46:44 -0000

LOL on the sarcasm.

Like I said, it's not that big of a deal, just struck me as odd. It would be like me flying to LA for a client meeting, then flying home to spend the night and then flying to San Diego for a meeting.

Note: I've never flown anywhere for a business meeting, just to save on the possible derails.