I"m not a fan of this episode either. Frankly, I always liked the "spacy scenes". More alien ships flying out pew pewing the better. That being said, it's clearly obvious that Leanna holds a grudge and wants to hang Garbaldi not for his alledged crimes but for his history.
RE Molary and G'Kar. These are great characters and they develop a huge amount going forward. They are a joy to watch. Any more would be spoilers. :)
I came across a Nazi era anti smoking poster once (I'm a fan of war propaganda posters) and, frankly, it was cool, especially since I'm allergic to cig smoke. Jack boot stomping on a cig and all that.
The underlying mindset, which goes way deeper than fatty food, cigs, or what have you, and go way farther back than the 20th century, essentially boils down to: Some people know better than you what's good for you and will agitate to change your behavior, by force if necessary, for the betterment of you and society.
It's in play with smoking laws, helmet laws, soda size laws, speed laws, food laws, etc. Frankly, the hubris displayed astounds me. As to why "the market" hasn't taken care of certain aspects of this, referenced above by Kazzy, is that those wanting to "improve" society aren't big fans of the market, they prefer "democracy" and gov't regulation to control other's behavior. Essentially the market was shoved aside because it wasn't getting the job done fast enough for good enough.
Unconstitutional? The Constitution is 1) just a scrap of paper 2) a living document. Both sides have said so. It means what our rulers say it means. If you don't like it, there's a cell in Cuba with your name on it. Now STFU and be a good boy and you'll get some candy.
"Out here in the land of the air breathers, employees are the lifeblood of a corporation and only an idiot would pay them any less than a “living wage”."
Blaise makes a great point, although I'd not call it a "living wage", rather a "market wage". Here's why. My employer, and everyone of my past employers, did an annual salary survey. That survey determined the "going pay" for employees of various backgrounds: finance, engineering, etc. The company's policy was to ensure that they employees were paid amounts within those ranges.
Those wages were for services rendered. No one owes you anything. As an employee you get paid some portion of the value you contribute to the company's profitability. Consequently, no one owes anyone a living wage.
"Out here in the land of the air breathers, employees are the lifeblood of a corporation and only an idiot would pay them any less than a “living wage”."
Blaise makes a great point, although I'd not call it a "living wage", rather a "market wage". Here's why. My employer, and everyone of my past employers, did an annual salary survey. That survey determined the "going pay" for employees of various backgrounds: finance, engineering, etc. The company's policy was to ensure that they employees were paid amounts within those ranges.
Those wages were for services rendered. No one owes you anything. As an employee you get paid some portion of the value you contribute to the company's profitability. Consequently, no one owes anyone a living wage.
"Out here in the land of the air breathers, employees are the lifeblood of a corporation and only an idiot would pay them any less than a “living wage”."
Blaise makes a great point, although I'd not call it a "living wage", rather a "market wage". Here's why. My employer, and everyone of my past employers, did an annual salary survey. That survey determined the "going pay" for employees of various backgrounds: finance, engineering, etc. The company's policy was to ensure that they employees were paid amounts within those ranges.
Those wages were for services rendered. No one owes you anything. As an employee you get paid some portion of the value you contribute to the company's profitability. Consequently, no one owes anyone a living wage.
This must stop. Detroit citizens cannot be allowed to volunteer to make their city livable. That would eliminate the need for gov't. How are those politicians supposed to get bribes then?
Yes, it's a crime. So why aren't we seeing the majority of those who leak classified data to the press about other issues arrested? Oh, yes, they have the administrations tacit support/approval.
The guy exposed practices that are abhorrent to reasonable people everywhere. Several Admin officials have admitted that what data he released had no significant impact on national security. Nothing I'm aware of jeopardized covert agents, etc. Maybe it embarrassed people, but so what.
What he exposed was wrong doing by the state department and exposed the hypocrisy of our gov't in its dealings with others, such as calling out certain behavior as terroristic when you do it yourself. I'm referring to the video footage of us soldiers shooting civilians then waiting until emergency services arrived and shooting them. And shooting children.
Not only that, this guy deserve to walk for time served for the following reasons 1) see above 2) his torture and treatment while in custody. He's paid enough of a price for doing what was right. If I've not mistaken, his oath was to protect the county from all enemies, foreign and domestic. The last several admins certainly qualify as falling into one of those categories.
The total cuts are managable. We can all quibble over the way they were designed, but both sides agreed to this method expecting that "it would get fixed later" and it never did. A pox of both of them. Maybe if there would have been less blowback when Lockheed Martin announced they were sending out layoff warnings, there might have been some action. As to the most vulnerable being hurt the most, of course. They don't have any political power. They always get stepped on.
I agree, up to and until it's done to some other guy and DOJ actually gets dirt on him that they can use, either on the same issue or on something else (like he cheats on his taxes). Then what was a safety valve becomes a weapon.
You really think that if this type of behavior becomes common-and I see no reason why it wouldn't, some guy will end up on a cross?
I have some experience here, particularlly related to breakfast and maintaining correct blood sugar. I rarely eat carbs that come from anything but veggies, other than slowly absorbed carbs like steel cut oatmeal. I also exercize a LOT. That pulls sugar out of the blood.
I got all this from interweb searches and watching my body's response to various food inputs over a year.
My gripe is that people don't understand what a merge is. When you're entering a highway, you don't move right assuming people will get out of the way--you get up to highway speed BEFORE moving into the highway.
Also, what ever happened to "slower traffic move right". Really, you need to be in the left lane doing 50 in a 65? REALLY!? And if you are, don't bitch when I roll up on you back end.
"Whatever others may say on the subject, I can’t understand how anyone might admire the Confederacy and also call themselves a libertarian."
I can. Those states joined the Union voluntarily. When they attempted to leave, total war was waged on them to keep them in the Union. I "admire" the Confederacy because they 1) were correct about leaving (they had the right) and 2) they were willing to fight for it. It matters not at all that they would have formed a less free, horribly racist society.
I was tempted to reply "that's the typical statist response that if "the gov't" doesn't do something, blood will run in the streets, but let's examine this a bit more than a cheeky reply.
1) The medical providers could invoice those getting the care. Payment can and would be enforced through collections agencies, etc., just like with natives. However, the illegal have an out. They can go back home to avoid the collection agency. From the perspective of the natives, this is a win win. The illegal’s either pay the bill (win) or leave the country to avoid a crushing medical bill (win). Another disincentive for the group as a whole to remain.
2) You are ignoring any charitable efforts that would spring up, either from illegal immigrant groups or natives, to tend to those who needed care and couldn't afford it.
No, let's get back to "blood in the streets". What would the likely impact of news reports of illegal immigrants not receiving free care, reports of immigrants skipping the country to avoid collection agencies, of being refused care, of them dying in the streets. Why, THEY MIGHT DECIDE TO LEAVE.
Might just work. So, yes. It is an option. Depends upon how cold hearted you want to be.
One of the things I'm concerned about in the immigration bill is the employee verification system. It seems like another device to monitor people. That is worrisome.
As to illegal’s, I'm all for immigration, but I don’t' think we've really had a debate about it, nor has the public really weighed in. (I have some experience in this because I have family along the border and I've gone through dozens of checkpoints a long way from the border. Frankly, it smacks of a police state when you have to stop on the road so the federalies can check if you're smuggling illegal’s.)
My personal thoughts are that our policy should be to attract intelligent/ successful/ wealthy people to this country to invest in it and who intend to stay. If there is a need for unskilled workers, they can be let in on a temporary basis, and maybe some can be in a lottery to stay permanent IF we decide they are needed and it is in our interested to do so.
But those who come into the country outside of these vehicles deserve to be deported. I'm also of the opinion that if you're born by an illegal, citizenship isn't immediately conveyed, thus we can deport whole families back to their place of origin. And I’m really not all that worried that folks here illegally are concerned about getting medical care and getting found out. We shouldn’t be paying for their medical care anyway.
"Also, I’m not the only one who doesn’t think the U.S. is the “greatest” country in the world. A growing number of my fellow millenials don’t either." I'm not part of the millenial generation, far from it, but I think this sentiment is quite common amoung those who 1) think about it and 2) don't make their voices heard all that much for one reason or another.
On “Babylonia!”
I"m not a fan of this episode either. Frankly, I always liked the "spacy scenes". More alien ships flying out pew pewing the better. That being said, it's clearly obvious that Leanna holds a grudge and wants to hang Garbaldi not for his alledged crimes but for his history.
RE Molary and G'Kar. These are great characters and they develop a huge amount going forward. They are a joy to watch. Any more would be spoilers. :)
On “The Republican Takeover of North Carolina”
But but "Democracy"!!
On “You Have a Duty to be Healthy?”
I came across a Nazi era anti smoking poster once (I'm a fan of war propaganda posters) and, frankly, it was cool, especially since I'm allergic to cig smoke. Jack boot stomping on a cig and all that.
The underlying mindset, which goes way deeper than fatty food, cigs, or what have you, and go way farther back than the 20th century, essentially boils down to: Some people know better than you what's good for you and will agitate to change your behavior, by force if necessary, for the betterment of you and society.
It's in play with smoking laws, helmet laws, soda size laws, speed laws, food laws, etc. Frankly, the hubris displayed astounds me. As to why "the market" hasn't taken care of certain aspects of this, referenced above by Kazzy, is that those wanting to "improve" society aren't big fans of the market, they prefer "democracy" and gov't regulation to control other's behavior. Essentially the market was shoved aside because it wasn't getting the job done fast enough for good enough.
On “The Parade of Horribles”
Unconstitutional? The Constitution is 1) just a scrap of paper 2) a living document. Both sides have said so. It means what our rulers say it means. If you don't like it, there's a cell in Cuba with your name on it. Now STFU and be a good boy and you'll get some candy.
On “Sunday!”
I'm consistently waked by the cat walking over my body or above my head on the pillow. She either wants love or food, or both.
IIRC the best cat toy i've found is jute twine with a twist tie on the end or maybe a packing peanut.
I enjoyed watching "She's all that" (yeah, got a thing for Rachel Leigh Cook) Ronin, Diners Drive Inns & Dives, LOTR, and a few others.
On “Who owes you a living wage?”
that was a bad copy paste from Word. Apologies.
"
"Out here in the land of the air breathers, employees are the lifeblood of a corporation and only an idiot would pay them any less than a “living wage”."
Blaise makes a great point, although I'd not call it a "living wage", rather a "market wage". Here's why. My employer, and everyone of my past employers, did an annual salary survey. That survey determined the "going pay" for employees of various backgrounds: finance, engineering, etc. The company's policy was to ensure that they employees were paid amounts within those ranges.
Those wages were for services rendered. No one owes you anything. As an employee you get paid some portion of the value you contribute to the company's profitability. Consequently, no one owes anyone a living wage.
"Out here in the land of the air breathers, employees are the lifeblood of a corporation and only an idiot would pay them any less than a “living wage”."
Blaise makes a great point, although I'd not call it a "living wage", rather a "market wage". Here's why. My employer, and everyone of my past employers, did an annual salary survey. That survey determined the "going pay" for employees of various backgrounds: finance, engineering, etc. The company's policy was to ensure that they employees were paid amounts within those ranges.
Those wages were for services rendered. No one owes you anything. As an employee you get paid some portion of the value you contribute to the company's profitability. Consequently, no one owes anyone a living wage.
"Out here in the land of the air breathers, employees are the lifeblood of a corporation and only an idiot would pay them any less than a “living wage”."
Blaise makes a great point, although I'd not call it a "living wage", rather a "market wage". Here's why. My employer, and everyone of my past employers, did an annual salary survey. That survey determined the "going pay" for employees of various backgrounds: finance, engineering, etc. The company's policy was to ensure that they employees were paid amounts within those ranges.
Those wages were for services rendered. No one owes you anything. As an employee you get paid some portion of the value you contribute to the company's profitability. Consequently, no one owes anyone a living wage.
On “Citizens on Patrol”
O
M
G
This must stop. Detroit citizens cannot be allowed to volunteer to make their city livable. That would eliminate the need for gov't. How are those politicians supposed to get bribes then?
On “Split Decision”
@ Zic
Yah, getting 100 days off for being tortured vs the decades he's likely to get sentenced to is "fair".
"
Yes, it's a crime. So why aren't we seeing the majority of those who leak classified data to the press about other issues arrested? Oh, yes, they have the administrations tacit support/approval.
At least Manning had good reasons to do so.
On “Stupid Tuesday questions, Carrietta White edition”
I've never seen a stop sign at the end of a merge lane going onto a highway unless it was in a construction zone.
On “Split Decision”
The guy exposed practices that are abhorrent to reasonable people everywhere. Several Admin officials have admitted that what data he released had no significant impact on national security. Nothing I'm aware of jeopardized covert agents, etc. Maybe it embarrassed people, but so what.
What he exposed was wrong doing by the state department and exposed the hypocrisy of our gov't in its dealings with others, such as calling out certain behavior as terroristic when you do it yourself. I'm referring to the video footage of us soldiers shooting civilians then waiting until emergency services arrived and shooting them. And shooting children.
Not only that, this guy deserve to walk for time served for the following reasons 1) see above 2) his torture and treatment while in custody. He's paid enough of a price for doing what was right. If I've not mistaken, his oath was to protect the county from all enemies, foreign and domestic. The last several admins certainly qualify as falling into one of those categories.
On “The Sequester: Still a Thing”
The total cuts are managable. We can all quibble over the way they were designed, but both sides agreed to this method expecting that "it would get fixed later" and it never did. A pox of both of them. Maybe if there would have been less blowback when Lockheed Martin announced they were sending out layoff warnings, there might have been some action. As to the most vulnerable being hurt the most, of course. They don't have any political power. They always get stepped on.
On ““Picking the man and then searching the law books””
I agree, up to and until it's done to some other guy and DOJ actually gets dirt on him that they can use, either on the same issue or on something else (like he cheats on his taxes). Then what was a safety valve becomes a weapon.
You really think that if this type of behavior becomes common-and I see no reason why it wouldn't, some guy will end up on a cross?
On “A Personal Note Re: Diabetes and Obesity”
I have some experience here, particularlly related to breakfast and maintaining correct blood sugar. I rarely eat carbs that come from anything but veggies, other than slowly absorbed carbs like steel cut oatmeal. I also exercize a LOT. That pulls sugar out of the blood.
I got all this from interweb searches and watching my body's response to various food inputs over a year.
On “Stupid Tuesday questions, Carrietta White edition”
My gripe is that people don't understand what a merge is. When you're entering a highway, you don't move right assuming people will get out of the way--you get up to highway speed BEFORE moving into the highway.
Also, what ever happened to "slower traffic move right". Really, you need to be in the left lane doing 50 in a 65? REALLY!? And if you are, don't bitch when I roll up on you back end.
On “Babylonia!”
Are some posts here missing?
On “Rand Paul, the Confederacy, and Liberty”
That's why Paul Verhoeven used those uniforms in creating the costumes in Starship Troopers.
"
"I suspect it mattered, and matters, to some people. You know, the people who would have been enslaved in that “less free, horribly racist” society."
Yah, they were already enslaved.
"
Oh, so those AA could vote in the North?
"
"Whatever others may say on the subject, I can’t understand how anyone might admire the Confederacy and also call themselves a libertarian."
I can. Those states joined the Union voluntarily. When they attempted to leave, total war was waged on them to keep them in the Union. I "admire" the Confederacy because they 1) were correct about leaving (they had the right) and 2) they were willing to fight for it. It matters not at all that they would have formed a less free, horribly racist society.
On “Les Misérables”
I was tempted to reply "that's the typical statist response that if "the gov't" doesn't do something, blood will run in the streets, but let's examine this a bit more than a cheeky reply.
1) The medical providers could invoice those getting the care. Payment can and would be enforced through collections agencies, etc., just like with natives. However, the illegal have an out. They can go back home to avoid the collection agency. From the perspective of the natives, this is a win win. The illegal’s either pay the bill (win) or leave the country to avoid a crushing medical bill (win). Another disincentive for the group as a whole to remain.
2) You are ignoring any charitable efforts that would spring up, either from illegal immigrant groups or natives, to tend to those who needed care and couldn't afford it.
No, let's get back to "blood in the streets". What would the likely impact of news reports of illegal immigrants not receiving free care, reports of immigrants skipping the country to avoid collection agencies, of being refused care, of them dying in the streets. Why, THEY MIGHT DECIDE TO LEAVE.
Might just work. So, yes. It is an option. Depends upon how cold hearted you want to be.
"
One of the things I'm concerned about in the immigration bill is the employee verification system. It seems like another device to monitor people. That is worrisome.
As to illegal’s, I'm all for immigration, but I don’t' think we've really had a debate about it, nor has the public really weighed in. (I have some experience in this because I have family along the border and I've gone through dozens of checkpoints a long way from the border. Frankly, it smacks of a police state when you have to stop on the road so the federalies can check if you're smuggling illegal’s.)
My personal thoughts are that our policy should be to attract intelligent/ successful/ wealthy people to this country to invest in it and who intend to stay. If there is a need for unskilled workers, they can be let in on a temporary basis, and maybe some can be in a lottery to stay permanent IF we decide they are needed and it is in our interested to do so.
But those who come into the country outside of these vehicles deserve to be deported. I'm also of the opinion that if you're born by an illegal, citizenship isn't immediately conveyed, thus we can deport whole families back to their place of origin. And I’m really not all that worried that folks here illegally are concerned about getting medical care and getting found out. We shouldn’t be paying for their medical care anyway.
On “Driving Blind: Democracy as First Resort”
"Also, I’m not the only one who doesn’t think the U.S. is the “greatest” country in the world. A growing number of my fellow millenials don’t either." I'm not part of the millenial generation, far from it, but I think this sentiment is quite common amoung those who 1) think about it and 2) don't make their voices heard all that much for one reason or another.
On “Stop. Just Stop.”
If someone pulled this at a my party and I found out about it, I'd consider it a major insult.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.