There's what you think. There's what you know. There's what you can prove. And the first two don't count.
-someone else
19 May 2013
12 May 2013
Give
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
22 Blessed are you when people hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man.
23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
24 “But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
25 Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
Love for Enemies
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.
30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.
33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.
34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.
35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
39 He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?
40 The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.
41 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.
44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.
45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.
48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
Luke 6
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’
34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.
36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.
37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
22 Blessed are you when people hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man.
23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
24 “But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
25 Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
Love for Enemies
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.
30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.
33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.
34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.
35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
39 He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?
40 The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.
41 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.
44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.
45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.
48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
Luke 6
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’
34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.
36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.
37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5
09 May 2013
Mandatory National Service
I have an issue with making it mandatory for all Americans
I do think it should be tied to government assistance.
Any American who wants any type of government assistance should serve their country/community in exchange for assistance
It could be extended to immigrants too. I hear people complain about undocumented workers getting government assistance. In this case, what difference does it make if they are working for that assistance?
Speaking of military service. We could get back to the original meaning of 'militia' and provide another solution to the gun issue. The founders wanted all citizens (well, all free white males of a certain age) to be able to defend themselves and this country. That meant everyone would be armed and everyone would be conscripted to their state's militia (what later evolved into the national guard). The states would be responsible for regular (at least once a month) training of the citizens.
Currently, military weapons training is reserved for certain jobs; but it could be expanded to all.
This way, all citizens would be properly trained in when and how to use weapons.
And all citizens would be responsible for defending their own freedom and not relying on someone else to do it for them.
Of course, a person who is physically or mentally unable to participate wouldn't be required to.
I think we should pressure companies to pay their full time employees a living wage.
There is no good reason for a person working a full time job to still need assistance.
Though, It happens because we let it happen. We aren't united/fighting for one another like we should be
Or we need to unite and create more worker owned and operated businesses where workers have control of their wages
If I were in control of govt. assistance programs, I would go after the company that the person worked for. Either force them to pay their worker more, Or tax the crap out of the company, effectively making the company pay for the govt. assistance
HR748
I do think it should be tied to government assistance.
Any American who wants any type of government assistance should serve their country/community in exchange for assistance
It could be extended to immigrants too. I hear people complain about undocumented workers getting government assistance. In this case, what difference does it make if they are working for that assistance?
Speaking of military service. We could get back to the original meaning of 'militia' and provide another solution to the gun issue. The founders wanted all citizens (well, all free white males of a certain age) to be able to defend themselves and this country. That meant everyone would be armed and everyone would be conscripted to their state's militia (what later evolved into the national guard). The states would be responsible for regular (at least once a month) training of the citizens.
Currently, military weapons training is reserved for certain jobs; but it could be expanded to all.
This way, all citizens would be properly trained in when and how to use weapons.
And all citizens would be responsible for defending their own freedom and not relying on someone else to do it for them.
Of course, a person who is physically or mentally unable to participate wouldn't be required to.
I think we should pressure companies to pay their full time employees a living wage.
There is no good reason for a person working a full time job to still need assistance.
Though, It happens because we let it happen. We aren't united/fighting for one another like we should be
Or we need to unite and create more worker owned and operated businesses where workers have control of their wages
If I were in control of govt. assistance programs, I would go after the company that the person worked for. Either force them to pay their worker more, Or tax the crap out of the company, effectively making the company pay for the govt. assistance
HR748
11 April 2013
Does power corrupt or do the corrupt want power
I'm weary of anyone who thinks they can/should control other people's lives
Politics isn't about deriving power from the consent of the governed like it's supposed to be
It's about making decisions for others, whether they like it or not
I don't like the idea of giving anyone that kind of power and I don't trust anyone who wants that kind of power
The constitution talks of representatives
A representative must get consent from a client when making decisions for them
They must let the client know the decisions they are making and allow them to accept or deny
Politicians consider themselves leaders
They are not.
Their duty is to secure our rights
Not lead us or make decisions for us
Politics isn't about deriving power from the consent of the governed like it's supposed to be
It's about making decisions for others, whether they like it or not
I don't like the idea of giving anyone that kind of power and I don't trust anyone who wants that kind of power
The constitution talks of representatives
A representative must get consent from a client when making decisions for them
They must let the client know the decisions they are making and allow them to accept or deny
Politicians consider themselves leaders
They are not.
Their duty is to secure our rights
Not lead us or make decisions for us
10 April 2013
Pain is a great motivator
But when does motivation turn into manipulation?
What right does one person have to cause pain to another
Just to get what they want?
Many believe that it is acceptable to use pain to gain compliance
But is it really?
What right does one person have to cause pain to another
Just to get what they want?
Many believe that it is acceptable to use pain to gain compliance
But is it really?
09 April 2013
Correlation, causation, and bullshit
Why is there a high number of black men in prison?
What is the cause of the high poverty rate for black people?
Why are there a high number of black single parents?
Why is a there a high employment for black people?
Why is there a high drop out rate for black men?
What is there a high
Is it just because they are black?
Because black people have low moral character?
That black people have no work ethic?
Or are there other reasons?
Is poverty a cause and not an effect?
Lack of investment in communities
Poor education system
Lack of job opportunities
Lack of mobility
What is the cause of the high poverty rate for black people?
Why are there a high number of black single parents?
Why is a there a high employment for black people?
Why is there a high drop out rate for black men?
What is there a high
Is it just because they are black?
Because black people have low moral character?
That black people have no work ethic?
Or are there other reasons?
Is poverty a cause and not an effect?
Lack of investment in communities
Poor education system
Lack of job opportunities
Lack of mobility
04 April 2013
christian politics
A conservative christian thinks all gay people will go to hell
A liberal christian thinks all rich people will go to hell
They both think their theology should become law
they are both wrong.
A liberal christian thinks all rich people will go to hell
They both think their theology should become law
they are both wrong.
30 March 2013
Libertarian slogan
Businesses should be able to do whatever they want to without restriction
Workers and consumers, fuck you
Workers and consumers, fuck you
25 March 2013
24 March 2013
Learn to do right
16 Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
stop doing wrong.
17 Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.[a]
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.
18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the good things of the land;
20 but if you resist and rebel,
you will be devoured by the sword.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
-Isaiah 1
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
stop doing wrong.
17 Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.[a]
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.
18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the good things of the land;
20 but if you resist and rebel,
you will be devoured by the sword.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
-Isaiah 1
22 March 2013
18 March 2013
Welfare woes
All this legislation about drug testing in government assistance programs is wasteful.
and arguments about who receives the most welfare are ridiculous
The moral of the story is that none of the politicians (or their base) are interested in helping ALL Americans find work that is adequate enough to provide lifetime housing, food, education, transportation, childcare, and healthcare.
and arguments about who receives the most welfare are ridiculous
The moral of the story is that none of the politicians (or their base) are interested in helping ALL Americans find work that is adequate enough to provide lifetime housing, food, education, transportation, childcare, and healthcare.
17 March 2013
Abortion legislation
...is a waste of time.
What's the difference between a legal abortion and an illegal abortion? A woman with greater health risks and some jail time. According to the NYTimes , legal or illegal doesn't stop women from getting abortions.
When does life begin? Does it really matter? We kill various forms of life without regard to when it's life began.
When does a human have rights? A question along the right track; but, one that no one can agree on. Continuous argument gets us nowhere.
cdc abortion surveillance
The solution is to reduce unintended pregnancies. Actually, the solution is to reduce unprotected sex.
Of course abstinence is the best method; but is it the most reasonable method?
Let's try something revolutionary... proper education.
Let's set our prepubescent children down with the GYN. Let's use professionals to explain sexual health to our children. Leave no stone unturned.
Let's teach our children what sex is and why the human animal wants to have sex. Show them that sperm and eggs really don't care if you can afford a child or if it's just a one night stand.
Let's teach them about the many infections caused by irresponsible choices. Teach them about the millions who have died each year.
Let's teach them how to use contraception effectively and consistently.
Let's make birth control easily available and affordable
Let's set good examples for our children; showing them what a healthy relationship looks like.
I don't think life really has anything to do with it
There is a big difference between life (what is considered a living entity) and personhood (what has rights that should be protected)
Scientifically, sperm, eggs, growing broccoli, deer, and various other things are alive. None of those have protected rights.
The real issue is over a legal term (personhood) that can change with the circumstances
There are people who want to give all animals personhood status
Some Animals are protected when their species is endangered and we deem their life important enough to protect. And when their numbers grow, we lift those protections.
We've always decided what life is sacrosanct and what is not.
Life is not defined by survivability in a certain condition. Just because an embryo cannot survive in a different environment does not negate its life. The question is whether a fertilized egg is somehow more important than a living sperm or egg.
Whatever criteria we use to define personhood will always be arbitrary to me.
An odd analogy is the idea that you have the right to use deadly force against Someone who is taking or destroying your property.
We've already decided that property is more important than life
It may seem like an asshole thing to mention, but most abortions are about a woman not being able to care for a child. It's usually a money (property) issue.
I'm pro choice only because I think legislation against abortion is futile. I think it is a decision that should be made by the mother with no pressure from outside sources.
That being said, I don't want anyone to have an abortion
I think all life is sacrosanct and i would rather look at access to education and access to birth control that would prevent a person from having to make that decision
What's the difference between a legal abortion and an illegal abortion? A woman with greater health risks and some jail time. According to the NYTimes , legal or illegal doesn't stop women from getting abortions.
When does life begin? Does it really matter? We kill various forms of life without regard to when it's life began.
When does a human have rights? A question along the right track; but, one that no one can agree on. Continuous argument gets us nowhere.
cdc abortion surveillance
The solution is to reduce unintended pregnancies. Actually, the solution is to reduce unprotected sex.
Of course abstinence is the best method; but is it the most reasonable method?
Let's try something revolutionary... proper education.
Let's set our prepubescent children down with the GYN. Let's use professionals to explain sexual health to our children. Leave no stone unturned.
Let's teach our children what sex is and why the human animal wants to have sex. Show them that sperm and eggs really don't care if you can afford a child or if it's just a one night stand.
Let's teach them about the many infections caused by irresponsible choices. Teach them about the millions who have died each year.
Let's teach them how to use contraception effectively and consistently.
Let's make birth control easily available and affordable
Let's set good examples for our children; showing them what a healthy relationship looks like.
I don't think life really has anything to do with it
There is a big difference between life (what is considered a living entity) and personhood (what has rights that should be protected)
Scientifically, sperm, eggs, growing broccoli, deer, and various other things are alive. None of those have protected rights.
The real issue is over a legal term (personhood) that can change with the circumstances
There are people who want to give all animals personhood status
Some Animals are protected when their species is endangered and we deem their life important enough to protect. And when their numbers grow, we lift those protections.
We've always decided what life is sacrosanct and what is not.
Life is not defined by survivability in a certain condition. Just because an embryo cannot survive in a different environment does not negate its life. The question is whether a fertilized egg is somehow more important than a living sperm or egg.
Whatever criteria we use to define personhood will always be arbitrary to me.
An odd analogy is the idea that you have the right to use deadly force against Someone who is taking or destroying your property.
We've already decided that property is more important than life
It may seem like an asshole thing to mention, but most abortions are about a woman not being able to care for a child. It's usually a money (property) issue.
I'm pro choice only because I think legislation against abortion is futile. I think it is a decision that should be made by the mother with no pressure from outside sources.
That being said, I don't want anyone to have an abortion
I think all life is sacrosanct and i would rather look at access to education and access to birth control that would prevent a person from having to make that decision
16 March 2013
Embryo adoption
I know I'm not the only one who's thought of embryo adoption as an alternative to abortion
Find a way to extract a living embryo from a uterus and freeze it for future implantation.
Find a way to extract a living embryo from a uterus and freeze it for future implantation.
15 March 2013
Deep Thought
“That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”
― Christopher Hitchens
― Christopher Hitchens
Deep Thought
I've been trying to evaluate the substance of what people say
Regardless of who says it and why they are saying it
Researching Instead of arguing
I'm starting to ignore people more
Seems people talk too much about nothing
Little substance to be evaluated
Myself included
Regardless of who says it and why they are saying it
Researching Instead of arguing
I'm starting to ignore people more
Seems people talk too much about nothing
Little substance to be evaluated
Myself included
12 March 2013
Meaning of debt
Someone gave you Money to buy your shit
If you don't pay them back
They can take that shit
Because it's really their shit
Who gives the money to buy shit?
So who really owns all the shit?
If you don't pay them back
They can take that shit
Because it's really their shit
Who gives the money to buy shit?
So who really owns all the shit?
18 February 2013
Every life is a Lesson
More powerful than sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher.
or reading a text book
Listen to the story of a stranger, a friend, an enemy.
Know that your experiences, and those of the people around you, only amount to a grade school education. Anecdotes do not make an expert. There is always more. There are more stories, more lessons to be learned.
Know that statistics only tell a partial story, a poor, clouded story.
Know that the daily news has an agenda
One needs to learn another's needs, dreams, goals, struggles, suffering, joy.
This knowledge is needed for compassion.
Wisdom is fed by paying attention to life. Paying attention to the stories of others.
Compassion asks what are you going through and what can I do to help.
Listen always.
I encourage everyone to tell their stories. Know and Share their histories.
I almost think everyone has an obligation
Not for the purposes of competition or blame. Not to participate in Oppression olympics.
People should tell their stories to promote unity
To show others that they are not alone. To create kinship
To realize that we are more alike than we are different
To realize that other people share your suffering and your joy.
Always find ways to facilitate others in their story telling (education)
I'm weary of people who tell other people's stories.
This is why I love NPR. I haven't known a media outlet that allowed so many people from so many different backgrounds to tell their own story. If anyone knows of anything that compares, please let me know.
Originally posted FEB 2012
or reading a text book
Listen to the story of a stranger, a friend, an enemy.
Know that your experiences, and those of the people around you, only amount to a grade school education. Anecdotes do not make an expert. There is always more. There are more stories, more lessons to be learned.
Know that statistics only tell a partial story, a poor, clouded story.
Know that the daily news has an agenda
One needs to learn another's needs, dreams, goals, struggles, suffering, joy.
This knowledge is needed for compassion.
Wisdom is fed by paying attention to life. Paying attention to the stories of others.
Compassion asks what are you going through and what can I do to help.
Listen always.
I encourage everyone to tell their stories. Know and Share their histories.
I almost think everyone has an obligation
Not for the purposes of competition or blame. Not to participate in Oppression olympics.
People should tell their stories to promote unity
To show others that they are not alone. To create kinship
To realize that we are more alike than we are different
To realize that other people share your suffering and your joy.
Always find ways to facilitate others in their story telling (education)
I'm weary of people who tell other people's stories.
This is why I love NPR. I haven't known a media outlet that allowed so many people from so many different backgrounds to tell their own story. If anyone knows of anything that compares, please let me know.
Originally posted FEB 2012
07 February 2013
Power
People who control resources in a land have economic power
People with economic power have political power
People with economic power have political power
14 January 2013
Union evolution
Unions should quit their employers
Become incorporated
Become independent contractors
Become incorporated
Become independent contractors
13 January 2013
What is a right
THE right of nature, which writers commonly call jus naturale, is the liberty each man hath to use his own power as he will himself for the preservation of his own nature; that is to say, of his own life; and consequently, of doing anything which, in his own judgement and reason, he shall conceive to be the aptest means thereunto.
By liberty is understood, according to the proper signification of the word, the absence of external impediments; which impediments may oft take away part of a man's power to do what he would, but cannot hinder him from using the power left him according as his judgement and reason shall dictate to him.
Thomas Hobbes
Leviathan
By liberty is understood, according to the proper signification of the word, the absence of external impediments; which impediments may oft take away part of a man's power to do what he would, but cannot hinder him from using the power left him according as his judgement and reason shall dictate to him.
Thomas Hobbes
Leviathan
11 January 2013
Property Rights
A person who believes that it is OK to use deadly force against a person who is stealing or damaging their property...
who is against abortion...
Hypocrite?
I don't think life really has anything to do with it
There is a big difference between life (what is considered a living entity) and personhood (what has rights that should be protected)
Scientifically, sperm, eggs, growing broccoli, deer, and various other things are alive. None of those have protected rights.
The real issue is over a legal term (personhood) that can change with the circumstances
There are people who want to give all animals personhood status
Some Animals are protected when their species is endangered and we deem their life important enough to protect. And when their numbers grow, we lift those protections.
We've always decided what life is sacrosanct and what is not.
Life is not defined by survivability in a certain condition. Just because an embryo cannot survive in a different environment does not negate its life. The question is whether a fertilized egg is somehow more important than a living sperm or egg.
Whatever criteria we use to define personhood will always be arbitrary to me.
An odd analogy is the idea that you have the right to use deadly force against Someone who is taking or destroying your property.
We've already decided that property is more important than life
It may seem like an asshole thing to mention, but most abortions are about a woman not being able to care for a child. It's usually a money (property) issue.
I'm pro choice only because I think legislation against abortion is futile. I think it is a decision that should be made by the mother with no pressure from outside sources.
That being said, I don't want anyone to have an abortion
I think all life is sacrosanct and i would rather look at access to education and access to birth control that would prevent a person from having to make that decision
who is against abortion...
Hypocrite?
I don't think life really has anything to do with it
There is a big difference between life (what is considered a living entity) and personhood (what has rights that should be protected)
Scientifically, sperm, eggs, growing broccoli, deer, and various other things are alive. None of those have protected rights.
The real issue is over a legal term (personhood) that can change with the circumstances
There are people who want to give all animals personhood status
Some Animals are protected when their species is endangered and we deem their life important enough to protect. And when their numbers grow, we lift those protections.
We've always decided what life is sacrosanct and what is not.
Life is not defined by survivability in a certain condition. Just because an embryo cannot survive in a different environment does not negate its life. The question is whether a fertilized egg is somehow more important than a living sperm or egg.
Whatever criteria we use to define personhood will always be arbitrary to me.
An odd analogy is the idea that you have the right to use deadly force against Someone who is taking or destroying your property.
We've already decided that property is more important than life
It may seem like an asshole thing to mention, but most abortions are about a woman not being able to care for a child. It's usually a money (property) issue.
I'm pro choice only because I think legislation against abortion is futile. I think it is a decision that should be made by the mother with no pressure from outside sources.
That being said, I don't want anyone to have an abortion
I think all life is sacrosanct and i would rather look at access to education and access to birth control that would prevent a person from having to make that decision
Maximum return
If you are an investor, you expect to see a maximum return on your investment. That is accepted as capitalism
If you are a worker and expect maximum return on your investment, you are seen as a hinderance to capitalism
The middle and lower class put in human capital.
Companies would not be able to start, run, or grow without labor.
They also have 401Ks and other retirement funds that put capital into the growth of companies.
If I put in my time and talents to a company, I do want to see a good return on my investment.
A good return on an investment is an entirely different thing than our current need for maximum return on investment.
A maximum return that takes away from worker's wages, benefits, and pensions in order to increase profits and returns.
A maximum return that fires workers in America and outsources jobs or uses forced labor in other countries
I don't want a return on an investment at the cost of the livelihoods of the majority of Americans
If you are a worker and expect maximum return on your investment, you are seen as a hinderance to capitalism
The middle and lower class put in human capital.
Companies would not be able to start, run, or grow without labor.
They also have 401Ks and other retirement funds that put capital into the growth of companies.
If I put in my time and talents to a company, I do want to see a good return on my investment.
A good return on an investment is an entirely different thing than our current need for maximum return on investment.
A maximum return that takes away from worker's wages, benefits, and pensions in order to increase profits and returns.
A maximum return that fires workers in America and outsources jobs or uses forced labor in other countries
I don't want a return on an investment at the cost of the livelihoods of the majority of Americans
28 December 2012
Deep Thought
"To love our neighbor as ourselves is such a truth for regulating human society, that by that alone one might determine all the cases in social morality."
- John Locke
- John Locke
27 December 2012
Questions you should ask yourself everyday
What did I learn today?
What did I improve today?
Who did I help today?
How to be a better person
What did I improve today?
Who did I help today?
How to be a better person
26 December 2012
Economic goal
Everyone would have enough resources (or steady income) to provides for current needs
Save for Future goals
Save for emergencies
And save for retirement
When this is achieved
There would be no need for government assistance of any kind
Save for Future goals
Save for emergencies
And save for retirement
When this is achieved
There would be no need for government assistance of any kind
25 December 2012
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