Nobody read this blog but I needed to get this out of my system. After Time published this I got tired of not seeing the real problem being addressed.
Another piece gets it wrong. The real problem with the outrage over last weeks rape scene is why the backlash exists in this instance and not in a multitude of others. Where was the outrage when Joffrey has a prostitute abused and violently sodomize another prostitute, at gun (crossbow) point? When a man had enslaved his entire family, all women, for purpose of sex (killing any male child born to his wife and daughters) and then that whole family of women became the sex slaves to murderous and depraved members of the Nights' Watch and continuously abused and raped; where was the outrage? Well, those women are from the lower classes; are prostitutes, the Game of Thrones equivalent of "hicks" inbred and poor. But have a high class (read upper class), white, virgin suffer the same and look out! The internet is aflame; politicians and bloggers are running around rubbing dirt in their hair. Take your hypocritical, righteous, indignation and shove it. If the "last straw" for you was this you might be a classist prick, and maybe even a little bit racist. In my unqualified opinion of course. /rant.
Friday, May 22, 2015
Monday, September 2, 2013
If other countries want US action on Syria then they should help pay the bill.
Don't get me wrong. The killing of a countries own civilians in a civil war is heinous and a tragedy. The use of Chemical Weapons, or any WMD, is heinous and should not be tolerated. What I don't understand is why is it always our problem to solve? There is a growing coalition of Nations who want Syria, and more importantly Assad, punished. I want him punished, but we aren't allowed to put a Cruise Missile through his window at 3am so what do we do? I say nothing, why? This is why. More after the break.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Last Night I Witnessed Cyber Bullying First Hand for the First Time.
For several days since he reactivated his FB account he has been receiving a lot of encouraging, empathetic, and wonderful support on his Wall and various status'; however being a controversial figure in the Feminist movement he also has many detractors who couldn't resist but piling on. At first I was only slightly annoyed that these people were doing this but the Professor himself said that he didn't think reactivating his FB would come along with only encouragement and no hate.
Fast forward a few days to last night and his cryptic status' became quickly deciphered by those close to him as being preludes to a suicide attempt. Many people were very upset, understandably so, and offered helpful comments, which shouldn't surprise anyone. There were also several people who took the chance to call the authorities and keep those of us who cared in the know as to what was going on. Again, this shouldn't be all that surprising. But, there were other people. Those who couldn't help themselves I suppose, who did not post nice, supportive, empathetic, or concerned comments. No, no one told him; "Good, kill yourself, you deserve it" etc, nothing that obviously hateful or spiteful. But the amount of underhanded, thinly veiled, backhanded, or otherwise hidden insults and jabs were appalling. I know this person upset many people in the Feminist movement, I know he was a polarizing figure, but he is a human being. I know he did wrong, I know he was imperfect, and yet I still know he is only human. Last night he wasn't treated like one.
Here are a few examples of the comments that were so disgusting I can't even call them trolling, the people who posted them so degenerate that I can't justify calling them only trolls. There were other comments, many much worse, that are no longer available for viewing. I can only assume they were flagged, justifiably so, as inappropriate and the automated Facebook bots took to taking them down.
I'm just glad he took his iPhone with him to update us on his progress
All I can say is, what about all the women who were his victims? What about the woman he almost killed? What about all the students he sexually violated and were victims of his abuse of power? What about all the women? I don't give a damn about him, but I wonder about his wife. Imagine being married to this abusive, creeepy crawler! Geez women, what about all the women he has harmed!!!!!
Why is it so important for him to be on fb, I believe you can deal with the voices offline... Lol omg he is character. A movie of his life would be interesting.
you're just hiding behind your supposed mental issues take responsibility for your life and move forward; stop being a coward. nobody cares about your mental issues there's people in the world with worse worse situations than your sex addictions. stop looking and talking about porn and help people in need. feel the pain of your children
Wow, he has stooped to a new low...why do you insist on living your life publicly? Oh! I know because the people here buy into your shit!
It saddens me to see people out there who would truly benefit from the wonderful mental care he has access to, yet he chooses to make a mockery of the whole situation by going on facebook. If he were really under the constant supervision he claimed t o be under there would be no way he would have access to any form of social media.
These were posted on his wall, today after he had been admitted for psych evaluation (yes his admittance is public knowledge):
As someone who has lived through a psychological breakdown, first-hand, I hold a healthy skepticism concerning the truthfulness of what is being reported on here... specifically when it's being authored by the sufferer himself. I say this because I can vividly remember the darkness I felt surrounding my world on those worst of days, not yet even 30 months behind me.
Lots of people are going to write lots of nonsense on your wall; most of them will be doing so with good intent. However, if you actually want some help, and all your chaotic behavior isn't just a smokescreen, send me a message.
I suppose in the age of Social Media we are all entitled to simply judge everyone else completely and then aid them in breaking down emotionally and attempting suicide. I am glad I live in a time where it is so easy for those who judge others to offer their expert opinions and break people down even further.
Unless you are an actual victim of this person it is not for you to forgive him or not, judge him at his worst and darkest or not. If you are one of those people who posted thinly veiled insults and provocations on his wall you are a bully. I hope you feel proud, strong, and vindicated because that is all it is a feeling. You are not strong, you're pride is a false pride, and your vindication hollow. You are weak, evil, and void of the most basic human principles. You are a bully.
Last night I witnessed cyber bullying first hand for the first time, and it wasn't committed by children or teenagers. It wasn't committed by those who the media lambaste, correctly so, on a regular basis for cyber bullying. It was committed by those of us in society who are supposed to know better. It was committed by adults and I am ashamed I am forced to say I share adulthood with you.
Links to relevant articles:
Schadenfreude
http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/
http://cyberbullying.us/
http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
No More "Due Process."
Memo OKs killing US Citizens abroad.
It would appear the United States government now believes it can kill American citizens without the due process of law. If you read the linked article you will see the Obama administration is allowing the use of drones to kill US citizens without the need for a trial or oversight. What reason do they need to do this? Only the suspicion, yes just suspicion, that you or I am a terrorist that might carry out an attack on the United States. It would seem President Obama is just as bad as those who have come before. Change indeed. Change for the worse, change for the tyrannical, and changes to the very fabric of our Democracy. It would seem that our "lawyer" President. Our President for change, and freedom could use a lesson in Democracy, the Constitution, and the American way. Let me be clear this lesson should be learned by all 535 elected Federal officials, but in this case the President, for once, is actually the person to blame.
In a Democratic society Mr. President citizens get trials. It doesn't matter where the offense takes place or what the offense is. We get trials. This is a tradition of Democracy laid down hundreds of years ago when King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215. This limited the power of the King, read executive, it meant the King wasn't all powerful. Your memos about the use of Drones to kill Americans with out trial is the exact opposite of our oldest Democratic traditions.
In a Democratic society Mr. President citizens get trials. No that is not a duplicate typo. We get trials because our Founding Fathers believed in Democracy. The Declaration of Independence is clear on this issue, but perhaps you like to add a few parenthetical addendums? "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal (unless you make us suspicious), that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable (well, not completely unalienable. We may need to alienate some of your rights, arbitrarily, when we see fit), that among these are Life (as long as we decide to allow you to have it), Liberty (you can have most of your liberty, but we aren't crazy enough to give you actual liberty), and the Pursuit of Happiness (our brand of Happiness, not yours silly)." The problem is Mr. President the next section of the Declaration may cause some serious problems for you. "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." If the government really thinks that killing it's citizens without the due process of law isn't destructive towards the basic rights of it's citizens then I honestly don't know what to say. If the government is justifying this sweeping change of our most basic rights by simply taking the stance that the Magna Carta and the Declaration of Independence aren't actual, legally binding, documents in our system then let's consult the owners manual shall we?
When people make assumptions there is a neat little colloquial phrase about asses. In order to avoid that I will not assume the President and Congress have read the Constitution and Bill of Rights. So let's examine the relevant documents. Hopefully the extreme corruption, villainy, tyranny, and despotic nature of these drone attacks on our civilians will be self evident after a cursory reading. Hopefully.
5th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.
"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
6th Amendment to the Constitution of the United State of America
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
It would appear the United States government now believes it can kill American citizens without the due process of law. If you read the linked article you will see the Obama administration is allowing the use of drones to kill US citizens without the need for a trial or oversight. What reason do they need to do this? Only the suspicion, yes just suspicion, that you or I am a terrorist that might carry out an attack on the United States. It would seem President Obama is just as bad as those who have come before. Change indeed. Change for the worse, change for the tyrannical, and changes to the very fabric of our Democracy. It would seem that our "lawyer" President. Our President for change, and freedom could use a lesson in Democracy, the Constitution, and the American way. Let me be clear this lesson should be learned by all 535 elected Federal officials, but in this case the President, for once, is actually the person to blame.
In a Democratic society Mr. President citizens get trials. It doesn't matter where the offense takes place or what the offense is. We get trials. This is a tradition of Democracy laid down hundreds of years ago when King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215. This limited the power of the King, read executive, it meant the King wasn't all powerful. Your memos about the use of Drones to kill Americans with out trial is the exact opposite of our oldest Democratic traditions.
In a Democratic society Mr. President citizens get trials. No that is not a duplicate typo. We get trials because our Founding Fathers believed in Democracy. The Declaration of Independence is clear on this issue, but perhaps you like to add a few parenthetical addendums? "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal (unless you make us suspicious), that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable (well, not completely unalienable. We may need to alienate some of your rights, arbitrarily, when we see fit), that among these are Life (as long as we decide to allow you to have it), Liberty (you can have most of your liberty, but we aren't crazy enough to give you actual liberty), and the Pursuit of Happiness (our brand of Happiness, not yours silly)." The problem is Mr. President the next section of the Declaration may cause some serious problems for you. "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." If the government really thinks that killing it's citizens without the due process of law isn't destructive towards the basic rights of it's citizens then I honestly don't know what to say. If the government is justifying this sweeping change of our most basic rights by simply taking the stance that the Magna Carta and the Declaration of Independence aren't actual, legally binding, documents in our system then let's consult the owners manual shall we?
When people make assumptions there is a neat little colloquial phrase about asses. In order to avoid that I will not assume the President and Congress have read the Constitution and Bill of Rights. So let's examine the relevant documents. Hopefully the extreme corruption, villainy, tyranny, and despotic nature of these drone attacks on our civilians will be self evident after a cursory reading. Hopefully.
5th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.
"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
6th Amendment to the Constitution of the United State of America
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
It would seem the government can't simply kill you whenever it wants. It would also seem you must be put on trial for any wrong doing. The Constitution, which includes the Bill of Rights ladies and gentlemen, is the supreme law of the land. It cannot be circumvented by any law, Legislative or Executive in nature, with the exception of an Amendment to the Constitution itself. So how does our government get around the Constitution so often? Simple, who can stop them? The Supreme Court, the supposed champions and protectors of the Constitution, have ruled that the US government can kill it's own citizens in times of war without the due process of law if that citizen is deemed an enemy combatant. I am not a completely unrealistic person. I understand that in a massive battle; urban firefight, tank to tank, air to air combat etc there is simply no possible way the US military can detain and prosecute an American citizen actively fighting for the other side. The same cannot be said for the currently proposed situations.
If you can track this person well enough to kill them with a drone you can, with risk to American military personnel obviously, detain them. So that I suppose it the real motivation here. We have entered an age when it is easier to kill a "criminal" with zero risk to ourselves than it is to detain them. Before drone technology; even snipers, bomber pilots, Special Forces units, the list goes on and on, had to risk their lives to take out a target. Now our government can kill people with zero risk to any of their own personnel. The ability to do this does not equate to right to do this. The ability to kill has never equalled the right to kill. That is a truism of humanity that extends back to our most ancient progenitors.
The problem here is the precedent we are setting. Not everyone will agree that this is bad, or unwarranted. It is, but I may never convince you of that; so take a look at the precedent, dare I say paradigm, that this administration has created with this new policy. This new 21st Century National Defense Paradigm can only be defined as terrifying. What happens to US citizens who commit crimes here in the United States but put the lives of law enforcement officers at risk when it comes to detaining them? Do we now use drones to kill those criminals too, based upon the threat they pose to those whose jobs it is to detain them? Will we begin to see drones prowling the skies over Los Angeles, destroying cars that are involved in a high speed chases that have been deemed too dangerous? Should we disband the SWAT team in lieu of using targeted Drone assaults to take out suspected criminals who could possibly harm law enforcement officers?
Now put all that aside. Go back to the primary issue here. What gives the President of the United States, the entire US Government for that matter, the right to kill it's own citizens through wanton acts of terrorism? Nothing. I dare you to show me where, in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers, or any other foundational document of our country that states the Government can kill it's citizens without the due process of law. This newly released Memo outlining the use of deadly force against our own citizens constitutes the beginning of a terrifying new era in American society. One in which the government we have elected to represent us and uphold our social contract with them have broken those bonds of trust, fellowship, and law that have sustained our nation for over 200 years.
An era in which those charged with our protection, our lives and freedoms; have become those taking our lives, and attacking our freedoms. An era where the greatest threat to your life, liberty, and happiness may not be an external stressor but the slow decline into despotism that is willingly embraced by those filled with fear. An era when the fear of death from a highly improbable threat, terrorism, is the impetus for us to willingly give over those freedoms our forefathers so dearly cherished; that they fought, and beat, the worlds most powerful nation to insure we would have them for all time. An era when those forefathers, our founding fathers, bear witness to the their greatest fear coming to life. America trading a tyrant 3000 miles away for 3000 tyrants 300 miles away. I hope and pray the people of our great nation can put an end to this slide into tyranny begun under Bush II and extended by our one great hope for "change", but it will only happen if we make it happen. Those with power will never give it up willingly, or even curtail that power willingly. Please, if you are as disturbed by this turn of events as I am use your voice. Share on your social media your feelings, get others to share their feelings, and ultimately call your Congressman/woman, Senator, and even the President and your Governors and share your feelings. It will be the only way to stop the gathering storm of tyranny and oppression that threatens our most basic rights as human beings. Our rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
If you can track this person well enough to kill them with a drone you can, with risk to American military personnel obviously, detain them. So that I suppose it the real motivation here. We have entered an age when it is easier to kill a "criminal" with zero risk to ourselves than it is to detain them. Before drone technology; even snipers, bomber pilots, Special Forces units, the list goes on and on, had to risk their lives to take out a target. Now our government can kill people with zero risk to any of their own personnel. The ability to do this does not equate to right to do this. The ability to kill has never equalled the right to kill. That is a truism of humanity that extends back to our most ancient progenitors.
The problem here is the precedent we are setting. Not everyone will agree that this is bad, or unwarranted. It is, but I may never convince you of that; so take a look at the precedent, dare I say paradigm, that this administration has created with this new policy. This new 21st Century National Defense Paradigm can only be defined as terrifying. What happens to US citizens who commit crimes here in the United States but put the lives of law enforcement officers at risk when it comes to detaining them? Do we now use drones to kill those criminals too, based upon the threat they pose to those whose jobs it is to detain them? Will we begin to see drones prowling the skies over Los Angeles, destroying cars that are involved in a high speed chases that have been deemed too dangerous? Should we disband the SWAT team in lieu of using targeted Drone assaults to take out suspected criminals who could possibly harm law enforcement officers?
Now put all that aside. Go back to the primary issue here. What gives the President of the United States, the entire US Government for that matter, the right to kill it's own citizens through wanton acts of terrorism? Nothing. I dare you to show me where, in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers, or any other foundational document of our country that states the Government can kill it's citizens without the due process of law. This newly released Memo outlining the use of deadly force against our own citizens constitutes the beginning of a terrifying new era in American society. One in which the government we have elected to represent us and uphold our social contract with them have broken those bonds of trust, fellowship, and law that have sustained our nation for over 200 years.
An era in which those charged with our protection, our lives and freedoms; have become those taking our lives, and attacking our freedoms. An era where the greatest threat to your life, liberty, and happiness may not be an external stressor but the slow decline into despotism that is willingly embraced by those filled with fear. An era when the fear of death from a highly improbable threat, terrorism, is the impetus for us to willingly give over those freedoms our forefathers so dearly cherished; that they fought, and beat, the worlds most powerful nation to insure we would have them for all time. An era when those forefathers, our founding fathers, bear witness to the their greatest fear coming to life. America trading a tyrant 3000 miles away for 3000 tyrants 300 miles away. I hope and pray the people of our great nation can put an end to this slide into tyranny begun under Bush II and extended by our one great hope for "change", but it will only happen if we make it happen. Those with power will never give it up willingly, or even curtail that power willingly. Please, if you are as disturbed by this turn of events as I am use your voice. Share on your social media your feelings, get others to share their feelings, and ultimately call your Congressman/woman, Senator, and even the President and your Governors and share your feelings. It will be the only way to stop the gathering storm of tyranny and oppression that threatens our most basic rights as human beings. Our rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Let Me Explain the 2nd Amendment to You.
"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
First off read the amendment. Most people I argue with about this have no concept what the amendment actually says. If your argument is the most basic, "the government has no right to regulate our fire arms!" you are already wrong. It says a "well regulated militia" meaning that you have the right to bear arms because a militia is necessary, a well regulated one. Regulations are laws. Gun laws = regulation. If I lost you, and you don't understand that simple logic leave now and don't return.
Second. Arms is not defined. Anything not defined in the actual wording of the amendment is left up for definition by Congress and the States at a later date. That's US Constitution 101. This means that Congress and the States, should Congress pass on it, get to define what "arms" means. So if they decide getting to bear arms doesn't apply to hand guns and assault rifles too bad. Don't hold your breathe on a Supreme Court ruling in your favor.
Third. You, and your "militia", aren't going to defeat the US Military in a Civil War, prolonged stand off, military excursion etc. Sorry, you just aren't. Even if 5,000,000 men armed to the teeth with Assault Rifles wanted to overthrow the government you could not. Do not flatter yourself. The army wouldn't even have to engage you in a battle. The Air Force wouldn't need to send planes low enough for you to shoot at. They would wipe you out from high up or a long range out.
The argument that you have a right to own Assault Rifles and Handguns so you can resist the American government, should it become tyrannical, is laughable. Literally the idea makes me laugh it is so ridiculous. And before any of you "survivalists" jump in about fortifying an Urban area with a large armed populace think of this. If the government actually became so corrupt that you felt compelled to rebel; do you honestly believe a government that corrupt would think twice before dropping a nuke on your pathetic rebellion? Seriously, grow up, you don't need Assault Rifles and Handguns.
I am all for having Shotguns, Hunting Rifles, Crossbows, Composite bows etc. I think hunting is a great sport that is loved and enjoyed by a great and growing number of Americans and Patriots. But you don't need Assault Rifles or Handguns to hunt. You don't need a Handgun to defend your home either, your shotgun will be more than sufficient.
It is time for people to take a seriously look at the 2nd amendment and start to make actual, well reasoned, arguments for things. No more vitriolic and ignorant rants, just real reasoned debate. Please. Our children deserve it.
Friday, January 27, 2012
More Reasons why Obama won't lose.
Besides the end of the Birther Movement and the death of Osama bin Laden under his leadership President Obama has another reason to feel a bit safer about his prospects in November:
The U.S. economy "grew at its fastest pace in more than a year and a half in the fourth quarter, signaling that a sturdier recovery took hold despite troubles in other parts of the world," the Wall Street Journal reports.
"Gross domestic product -- the value of all goods and services produced -- grew at an annual rate of 2.8% between October and December... That is up from 1.8% growth in the third quarter and 1.3% in the second quarter."
A Space Race for the 21st Century.
Newt Gingrich declared to the Florida Space Coast that the United States should be colonizing the Moon by 2020 and that once the colony reached 13,000 occupants that the moon should become the 51st state in the Union. "But wait!" you say, "I thought that the UN said nobody can own the moon and that Space belongs to all mankind." Well you aren't wrong, and you aren't right either. For full explanations of both topics look at these two links NEWT on SPACE and Moon Wars. What I want to talk about is what this means for us. Does it really matter? More after the break.
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