Would Isolationism work today?

Looking at the presidential candidates, and all of the grafiti that has recently been posted about Ron Paul and his political views, does anyone think that a Libertarian stance on foreign policy would work in the world today? I think some aspects of it would be awesome (read rediculously Lassez Faire govornment) and the fact that they believe in a more isolationist and America First orientated foreign policy seems like a good idea (in theory). I think that some of the proposed ideas would fail miserably, but what is the worst, four years of something sucking? To have any sort of chance in not bogging ourselves down in a way of thought (more so) we need radical change to aid in finding a happy medium. I think that is what some of these things would do (this is jsut a brief overview of a few views/ideas), too. Still--their enviromental policy blows really hard (leaving corporations to police themselves), but for the most part, this stuff seems good on the (very) limited reading I have done on Ron Paul and the other candidates.

Waste of time?

Seeing the higher gas prices topic brought to mind all of the E-Mails, texts, etc. that I have been getting latley. I know that these have a higher purpose (to try and convince people to not drive or buy gas on a certain day in order to make a statement and hopefully lower gas prices), and yeah, I do send some of them on, but does anyone really think that they are going to get a really large section of the community to participate? I doubt that personally. I mean, I hope that even an extreme minority would participate--it would at least do SOMETHING. I just get the feeling that these things are filling up space in my inbox though...

Bird Flu

China has had another case of bird flu. China has had 26 cases of bird flu and out of the 26 17 have been fatel. I know that there is a huge alret to this bird flu but I am not getting it. Why is our government and the rest of the world so worried about somethibg that does not seem to be as serious as first expected? Is the government making a big deal for nothing or are they really just trying to prpare us incase in does eventually mutate to what they first thought it would?

Gas prices on the rise

Do you think gas is to high? Everyday gas prices fluctuates between $2.96-3:15 a gallon(reg). Who can afford these prices? At the rate gas is, it makes it harder to travel for the holidays. After hurricane Katrina, I expected this, but one year later and its still the same. Is the supply demand for the United States that high? If all of America boycotted on buying gas for 2 days, will a change come? Probably not, it might back fire and we all will be walking to where we need to go.

Should we call our troops home?

When we mention the word war it makes some of us break into tears. I have lost the reason to why we are fighting in the first place. Are we fighting for a cause or are we fighting for President Bush? So many of us have lost love ones in this battle, to it is a shame. No more troops deserve to have there life ended in a senseless battle. Our fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, neices, nephews, grandmothers, grandfathers, and grandkids need to be at home!

Should the police force be banned from using tazer guns?

Within the year of 2007, there have been an increased in deaths with police officers using tazer guns on people. One would think that after at least two cases resulting in death, our police department would use other force. I understand that they must protect themselves,but at what risk to killing someone. What happened to pepper spray, or K-9 attacking the attacker? We must visit the fact that people are dying after being tazed by the police force and something needs to take place, before more unnecessary deaths occur.

Are we truly focusing on a better President?

Well, it's that time for a new President. Who will win? Are Americans really listening to what the candidates have to offer? In a way I feel that we are not listening to what the candidates are offering, but simply looking for a change. Change? Well, if Clinton wins she will be the first woman to be president. If Obama wins, well he's the first African-American to win. Do you think Americans are only focusing on ethnicity, and gender?

Should felons be banned from voting?

Have you ever wondered why felons are banned from voting? Are they not still Americans who have rights? I feel that although someone have committed a crime and are now a felon, we should not ban their right to vote. The decision to vote in a election should be left up to that individual. Would you not consider this a violation of their amendments? What are your thoughts?

banned cell phone use while driving

i think the government should ban cell phone use while driving . people should not be talking and driving at the same time.Way to many people are dying because people are talking on their cell phone and driving at the same time.

Boy gets tasered by police

a 10 year old boy was tasered by police for leading cops on a wild goose chase when police finally caught the driver they tasered him only to find out it was a 10 year old boy. they should not have tasered him the boy is doing fine.


Tiffany

Don Imus new radio show

who ever let on imus have a new radio show should be fired. After he made those racist remarks he shouldn't have been allowed anywhere near the radio or television air waves

Tiffany

Racism in small communities in present day America

Racism in small communities in present day AmericaThis is coming from personal expense. I am a multiracial child with a white mother and black father. I grew up being picked on and stared at like I was a freak. How has racism changed in present day America? I ask myself that from time to time. In bigger cities it has gotten better for individuals much like myself. But in small communities it has not got any better. I still get looked at like a monster. My mother is called rude names and my father is called a scoundrel. I still face it today with my children growing up around vicious people that are intent on hurting their feelings by calling them names such as half breed. One question I know that will be asked to them that has been asked to me a thousand times “what race do I prefer?” Why should we have to choose? Why can’t we all just get along?

Women being discriminated against

Why are women still to this day being discriminated against? In recent debates some Insurance Companies have chosen not to cover birth control but will cover men’s Viagra. Why is this I ask? Both have something to do with the reproductive use, but one can save the lives of women. Birth control not only stops fertilization, but it help control bleeding, and regulates periods. What does Viagra do except keep an erection? So, once again why are women not covered for contraception’s? Insurance companies gets paid plenty, so why do women not only have to pay for health insurance that is bias, but also pay for a median that can help women live fuller heather lives? Is the world still a man’s world? When will we all truly get freedom and equal right for all?

Too much time in front of TV

Are parents spending too much time in front of the television? I as a parent say that we are spending too much time in front of a television. When you race home to see a football game or mini soap opera and forget that it is time to pick your child up from day care then it is too much television. When one quote exactly what the news says and picks the candidates that the news says is best this is too much television. Do you believe that television has caused people to stop using critical thinking skills?

Convince store

Why are Convince stores allowed to raise the price of products double sometimes triple the original price or the cost to make it? An example would be the bags of chips that use to sell for 25 cent that now sell for 65 cent. Why is that and is there any law to help protect the people of the United States from price gauging. Why are stores being allowed to steal from the American people? Not only does it hurt the people but the economy. Prices continue to soar while the price of minimum wage stays the same. This keeps the middle and lower classed stressed and working harder to afford what the convince stores have set a price to fatten their pockets.

Too much time idolizing actors

Are Americans spending too much time idolizing actors and actresses? I would say yes, we worry too much about what Brittany Spears is doing virus are own children. Why do younger generations of Americans struggle to fit the image set before us by magazines of thin models? Why are girls the age of 12 getting plastic surgery to look like these actresses and actors? I think that there should be some truth edited into these magazines about what real American children should look like not like pop stars.

Entitlements to citizens

The United State promises Entitlements to citizens who meet the requirement but have the rules for the entitlements gotten out of hand? I have recently applied for some of these entitlements and found that there is so much red type and by the time my file gets processed that I would be anywhere from 30 day to 3 months. Why must be go throw all the red type? They ask for things that are not even necessarily applying to the help I need. Such as, what political party I like or what is my sexual preference or race. This should not affect the fact that I need help and am applying for it. Why does it feel like when applying for help that you are being interrogated? Is this hassle really necessary?

blue prints

Why are car dealers allowed to buy the blue prints of a vehicle that will revolutionize the world and keep it from us? This act is almost like knowing cigarettes are bad but not telling the people. Environmental cars should be out but car dealers have bought the patens, so that Americans have to keep on buying gas guzzling cars to fatten their pockets. When an idea is made that will save the ecosystem it should be open to the public for use. Not allowing the people to receive better treatment, service, and environmentally friendly products is a form of stealing, much like what car dealers are still doing to this day.

Same sex aboptions

Same sex adoptions should be allowed. Why is it in Florida that same sex couples cannot adopted a child and give them a good home? Children are being left to forester homes when they could get a good home with a successful family. But because the couple is same sex the child is not allowed to live there with to perfectly capable parents. In America this could be viewed as forcing religion on that couple saying its wrong or violating their right to privacy and Bill of rights. Same sex should not matter if the they individuals adopting are qualified to adopt a child.

Rights not taught

Why is it that schools are not made to teach students their rights? It’s like slapping the younger generations in the face. I say it’s because the government wants its further generation dumb so they can take advantage of us and use us the way they want to. What are some solutions to this problem? I say stop forcing the FCAT and start teaching the Bill of Rights.

Forgetting holidays

Are we forgetting what holidays are really about? I do believe so. It’s evident when we ride round and see all the different homes competing with each other to have the best lights or the most people for dinner. The holidays should be remembered as a time of giving and sharing, getting to know ones neighbors and helping the less fortunate. Instead people are racing out to put up all the light, ornaments, and yard decoration instead of things lets donate some clothing to the needy. Why is America one of the richest nations in the world but the people act like they are the greatest and live their own people out in the cold?

Companies getting the best of us

Are technology companies getting the best of us? I do believe so. An example is I have a printer that is 5 years old and I needed a small part but the company is not selling them anymore. But they tell me I can send my old printed in and pay 130 dollars for a new printer to be mailed to me. Why do that when I can get one for 70 dollars at Wal-mart? Companies should have to carry the parts to machines that they have made instead of trying to replace them with machines that will break in a year. I view this as another way for companies to make money off of the people of America.

Social Classes

Why do we have social classes in America? Are they left over from Great Britain’s society? Do we class people by their income? Would Americans benefit from not having classes? I believe that if we got rid of class statues the social economic of America would improve greatly. There would be no more looking at people if they are poor and the certain classes getting tax breaks. What are your views on the subject?

WOW! Thats alot of HAM!

WoW! That is alot of ham. 88,000 dollars? HA! However, although I am amazed I am also a little angry. That is just sad that someone would steal some Christmas hams. I think whoever it is needs to dig a hole and bury themselves. I mean what are you going to do with that much ham? You can't sell it because everyone is looking for it because of the reward. You can't possibly eat that much before it goes bad. So what can you do besides sit on it?


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071203/ap_on_re_au_an/odd_australia_ham_heist;_ylt=AsB1Gb.w2xTRErxY1jE8qz8EtbAF

Fa la la la la...la la la la

I thought this was HILARIOUS! I work at Wal-Mart and right about this time of the year, employees are dreading the customers and their actions, which often lead us into running for the break room mumbling under our breaths. :) Anyways, I thought this article was funny. Don't laugh too hard! :)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071201/ap_on_fe_st/odd_santa_assault_1;_ylt=AueAH0VEES02V5lZTKuI5ToE1vAI

EviL Knievel dies at age 69

Evil Knievel dies at age 69. I dont know how many of you know who Evil Knievel is but I remember as a child sitting in front of the TV watching old re-runs of him doing his famous motorcycle stunts. He was an awesome character. The article says he suffered approximately 40 broken bones before he retired and that everyone expected him to die sooner than he did. I think this was a sad story. :(

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/obit_knievel;_ylt=AqHP_pzl2g_KyjapoOPvChpvzwcF

Jena Six teen close to plea deal.

First of all, I'd like to point out that I am not black. I am fully caucasian (WHITE). However, I do have alot of black friends and people who I consider my family. To me, this 17 year old BOY is being treated way too harshly. How can they justify charging these six teenagers with felonies when hanging nooses on a tree is not considered a hate crime? I believe in all my years (19) on this earth, I haven't seen such stupidity in our system. We are supposed to trust the judicial system. We are supposed to use the judicial system to our advantage. However, we can not get past racism? We are in 2007! Come on. This is just crazy to me.

NEW ORLEANS - A black teenager whose prosecution in the beating of a white classmate led to one of the largest civil rights protests in years is close to a deal that would allow him to plead guilty to a misdemeanor and avoid a second trial, his attorney said Sunday. Mychal Bell, 17, could enter the plea as early as Monday, said attorney Carol Powell Lexing. He has been charged with aggravated second-degree battery and conspiracy.
"We were prepared to go forward with the trial, but you have to do what's best for the client," Lexing said.
LaSalle Parish District Attorney Reed Walters did not return a call Sunday evening requesting comment.
Bell, who is black, is scheduled to go to trial Thursday on the felony charges for his suspected role in an attack on Justin Barker, a white student at Jena High School in central Louisiana.
Barker spent several hours in the emergency room after the attack but was discharged and attended a school event the night after the attack, which occurred about a year ago.
Bell was originally charged as an adult with attempted murder. That charge was reduced before a jury convicted him in June of aggravated second-degree battery. In September, that verdict was thrown out by an appeals court that said Bell should be tried as a juvenile.
The charges against Bell and five other black students led to a civil-rights demonstration in Jena in September. Felony charges against the other students are pending.
Critics said prosecutors have treated blacks more harshly than whites in LaSalle Parish, pointing to an incident three months before the attack on Barker in which three white teens were accused of hanging nooses from a tree at the high school. The three were suspended from school but never criminally charged.
Walters has said there was no state crime to charge them with.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071203/ap_on_re_us/jena_six;_ylt=AsyTLWz742YxbFxxEoXR2wFvzwcF

Tell me what ya'll think?!?!

Crazy man & Hillary...sound familiar?

I copy and pasted this news article from Yahoo. It was actually pretty funny to me. Tell me what ya'll think :)

Man takes hostages in NH Clinton office
ROCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — A mentally unstable man wearing what appeared to be a bomb strapped to his chest walked into a Hillary Rodham Clinton campaign office Friday, took hostages and demanded to speak to the candidate in a standoff that dragged into the night, authorities said.
The man released at least three hostages, but was still holding one person at nightfall, nearly five hours after the ordeal began, according to a law enforcement source who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about the situation.
Clinton was in the Washington area at the time, but the confrontation brought her campaign to a standstill just five weeks before the New Hampshire primary, one of the first tests of the presidential campaign season. She canceled all appearances, as did her husband, and the security around her was increased as a precaution.
In an early evening news conference, Capt. Paul Callaghan repeatedly refused to say how many hostages had been taken.
The man entered the simple storefront office along the town's main street around 1 p.m., ordered people onto the floor and then let a mother and her baby leave, said State Police Maj. Michael Hambrook.
About two hours later, a woman in a green sweater was led away from the building by a SWAT team member. Authorities, some carrying shields and guns, had the building surrounded.

Gunning Down the Mentally Ill

According to the October 2007 edition of JET, a mentally ill 18-year from New York City was gunned down by local police. The boy was yelling out that he had a gun. Although the boy's mom told police that he did not have a gun, police proceeded to gun down the teen that was actually only holding a hairbrush. Incidents like these should be avoided at ALL costs. If policeman make simple mistakes like these, then how efficient can they actually be? Before any action is made, I provisions should be made to make sure that the situation is indeed what it seems.

Rules to the Game of Sex

Genarlow Wilson was freed after two years in prison . He was convicted of aggravated child molestation against a 15-year-old although he was only 17 when the situation occured. According to Georgia law, the age of consent is 16 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genarlow_Wilson). Had Wilson had vaginal sex with the young girl instead of oral sex, he would have only been charged with a misdemeanor (punishable up to one year) with no sex offender status. But, because he did not have sexual intercourse he was charged with a mandatory 10-year minimum prison sentence. This doesn't make any sense to me. Why would he get a better sentence for actually having sexual intercourse versus oral sex? The 10-year prison sentence was cruel and unusual for the 17-year old. I am glad that he was released from a harsh punishment, but I also believe that for him thinking he was going to be in prison for a minimum of 10 years taught him a lesson. Wilson knew he was legally an adult and should have never had sex with the 15-year old in the first place. I'm not saying he should not have been punished at all, but I believe that 10 years would have been too much. But also think about this? Of all the couples in the world having sex right now, how many do you honestly believe are the same age? No, just because it is happening does not mean that it's right, but it is something that should be considered because it's reality.

Such a fuss over a teddybear!

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,314542,00.html
There is a lot of uproar over a British teacher named Gillian Gibbons. She was sentenced for 15 days in a Sudan prision for allowing her students to name a teddybear Muhammad. It is against Islamic Sharia law to use the prophets name. The teacher could have gotten 40 lashes or six months in prison and a fine for this. If we want to compalin so much here in the U.S., I think we should start paying attention to what the people in other countries are being subject to. This is a harsh punishment for this teacher to have to endure.
Off the subject...why do I keep getting a pencil by my posts?

Is there hope?

There is talk that Palestinians might consider a peace treaty with Israel. Only if it is a permanent agreement. There might be hope yet! I'm wondering though, why weren't any of the other numerous ones that have been agreed upon and broken weren't permanent? Would the conflict have ended long ago if this is all it took?

Stabs boy and then self.

A woman stabbed her 12-year-old autistic nephew in both eyes with a military-style dagger, likely leaving him permanently blind, and i don't understand what would drive someone to do this pointless act of violate to a autistic boy.

Wisconsin Parents

So some parents duct tape their children together, who have no pants on, slap them, hit them with a belt and pour water on them. What kind of sick people are there out there i mean really where they get the idea to do these things to their own children.

Drew Peterson

Ok so Drew Peterson and another man alleged got some truckers to move a package for him. He denied this. I am just wonder about Drew Peterson, he is retired police, he other wife drowned in the bathtub, and his wife is missing or dead. Now one wife dead and other wife is missing odd coincidence.

Approval

I was looking at some approval rating for the president, and congress. They rate 33 and 22.5 respectively I was wondering why they are both so low. Is that many people unset with the government right now.

marriages

How come most of today's marriages end in divorce. Not all some endure the test of time , but most do not they end in divorce. Is it because of the way we are raised to day or what? People have no sense of morals today. Cheating on there significant other, or girl or boyfriend. Just plan breaking the law, people don't have respect for authority anymore or moral.

Man Worked to Death.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071130/od_nm/overwork_dc;_ylt=Ai.uINDdYJO9N2WK.3mtXn.s0NUE

A court ruled Friday that a Tokyo man, employed by Toyota, was literally worked to death. The victim's wife was denied spousal work-related compensation because Toyota claimed he only put in 45 hours of overtime in a month. The courts overruled this decision when evidence was shown that the victim had actually logged in 106 hours of overtime, and his widow was granted compensation. I feel like even 45 hours of overtime can be classified as worked to death, literally or metaphorically. Does anyone know if corporations, or the government in the United States have a cap for overtime, or is it possible to work to death (literally) in America as well?

Who Will Be The Healthcare Hero?

http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/issues/healthcare/index.html

The most important issue for me is universal healthcare for all Americans, this also seems to be a hot topic for the 2008 elections. In the above link you can find a short run down on what the presidential hopefuls think about nationwide healthcare. I am hopeful that the next president will realize the need for equal healthcare, and at least require all employers to carry insurance benefits for their employees. What do you think about universal healthcare, and what do you think is the best plan to accomplish this?

Shooter

One of the main debate topics for the upcoming presidential candidates is gun control. What are your thoughts on this subject? If we take away guns, will deaths go up in other categories?(stabbing, beating,etc.)

I'm a maniac..maniac!

The other day a mentally unsafe man entered the campaign headquarters for Hillary Clinton strapped with roadflares that he claimed were bombs. He took some hostages but later let them all go, his demand was to speak with Hillary. What was his reason for this?

Imus Returns, Will Listeners?

http://www.stargazettenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071201/LIFE/712010302

Imus will be returning to the airwaves on Monday December 3rd, this time with ABC. Imus was fired eight months ago from CBS for racial and sexual remarks against the Rutgers woman's basketball team, the reaction to his comments sparked racial conversations worldwide. Although Imus offered the team his apologies, which were accepted, will listeners be so easy to forgive? Does Imus deserve a second chance, or will he be boycotted off the air?

Feel threatened?

So Venezuela accounts for up to 15% of crude oil imports to the U.S., right? So if Sunday's vote is "yes", and Chavez cuts off crude oil imports to the U.S. and obtains full authority over the Central Bank; how big is the impact going to be on us? I understand how power can make people say some crazy things, but should we be taking him seriously right now, or not?

Most things are finite

I was recently paying my Geico Auto Insurance Bill. I thought how wonderful this company is to offer great service and have just about the lowest premiums in the business. Of course, their commercials are among the best in the world too.

One day, out of curiosity, I was wondering how they make money. I soon realized that they are a subsidiary of Omaha-based Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Then out of more curiosity, I wanted to see how this parent was doing. Gee, they had net earnings last year of only...$9 BILLION!!!

Suddenly, saddened by the intense greed of our beloved oil companies and their record profits, I started wondering how much is enough. We all love the notion of unlimited earning potential, even though that in reality is only reserved for a very few selected individuals. But when is it enough?

When I grew up, it was unheard these kinds of profits. And all I could think of was, I have to work more hours just to pay for their greed. It now costs me about $50 to fill up my small car that gets almost 30 mpg on the highway. And I rarely pleasure drive anymore..just to work!

The point I am making is that in this world, even money is finite. There is just so much money in the world. So this idea of unlimited earning means that it is potentially possible, for a very small number of people, to hoard all the wealth...oh, sorry, that is already happening.

So if we agree that its okay for 1% of the population to have the majority of the wealth, that really says, the other 99% have less and less for themselves. Now does that make sense?

So when do we say enough? Should our government restrict excessive profit taking, not just on paper, but in reality? To me the answer is simple, if the kind of profits generated in today's market is hurting the rest of us (which it is) then we need the government to step in to protect the interests of the majority. Hey, forget about our "interests", how about protect our survival!!!