Malfunction

Have you ever seen a souvenier bat? It is about 6-12 inches, and will hardly kill someone. You couldn't hit a nail with that bat and not break it. I blame the guy that pulled a gun and shot another person in broad daylight in view of police officers and in a high populated area. I am not against the second ammendment, mind you. I am against idiots that do this kind of thing. Malicious Intent, ever heard of it? And the guy DRIVING the suburban was supposed to yield to the pedestrian to begin with... so no, I don't blame the guy with the 6-12 inch souvenier bat. And there were no charges filed because the guy is dead. Dead men don't file charges. The other men are already in police custody with noone to press charges against... the 'violator' is dead. HELLO!?! I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

Chicago, ILL. Appearantly someone just couldn't stand a CUBS fan. There is a post about Gun-proofing kids, but maybe we should gun-proof idiots that think guns are cool. http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-cubby07.html I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

I can't speak for another person, so I don't know. But you said yourself "where they could have been made" but we don't know that they ever were made there nor do we have proof that there was any intention to make them. Oooh, we found several missile heads, but no traces of chemical, biological or MD agents ... they were just missiles. Yeah, like the USA. Anyone remember when we supplied all those weapons to Iran? How about all the weapons we sold to Russia, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Israel? Those weapons could have been weapons we sold in the 80's and have since been touched up to support chemical or biological agents. Who knows... but it doesn't change the fact that Hussein said he didn't have any weapons, and we still have not turned up the cache that we supposedly had photos of. Someone is going to bring up the argument that we can't comb the desert, and they could be burried. If this is so, do you think that any of Hussein's people that have been captured for months would have told us about them... afterall, they did give up Saddam. That still leaves the impunity of the apology from Bush. I am sure that getting naked is the worst thing these Iraqi people have ever done... And a dog-pile? If this is cruel and unusual torture, I would hate to see what is borderline acceptable... maybe room service and valet parking? I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

Problem with that: we have Tony Blair even saying it was bad information. The UN Weapons Inspectors could not find anything, yet Bush and Powell still persisted ... turning US into the bad guy. Why could the UN Inspectors not find anything? THERE WERE NONE. Maybe you are right... but we wasted NO time in declaring war on Iraq, spared no expense (and clearly no lives either) trying to find him and bring his regime to an end. If we kept this many troops in Afghanastan and the surrounding countries and had this much press there, OBL would not be loose 2 1/2 years later. The FBI and the US Government-led Military is hardly an even comparison... first, the FBI is a fraction of the size of the US Military, with a fraction of the budget, and a fraction of the training. The FBI utilized nationwide searches through Unsolved Mystery shows, Bounty Hunters and Post Office postings. The military uses years and years of research, pinpoint satelites, thousands and thousands of troops - I don't see any comparison here. I agree. I do not argue that we need to and will continue to train by the Geneva Convention. However, by doing so, we get massacred in Vietnam, Iraq, and nearly in Somalia. We are playing by a different, more political set of rules. The people we are fighting don't care about world politics or Geneva, they just care about killing Americans. I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

Can't download it. Damn firewall! I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

It wasn't OK? Then where what the demand for a formal apology? Where were the 'do-gooders' taking a stance saying "we apologize for brutally abusing the bodies of your fallen soldiers." Where were the US and Coalition Forces' supporters in Iraq saying "sorry for the actions of our bretheren." There were none, nor did we ask, request, or demand one. Really? Why was he and his Conservative Media trying to put a halt to the names and recognition of the Troops that have died overseas? Why is he and his 'Republican' led military keeping tired, exhausted, burnt out soldiers over there for extended periods of time, telling them they are going home, then sending them back into the trenches? Why is he and his FCC so afraid of pictures of coffins being aired? And why is he still meeting with known Terrorist nation leaders? Why hasn't anything been done with Hussein yet? Sorry to say it, but his tenure is starting to mirror Lyndon Johnson. I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

Sorry, got my Shiite crossed... edited for change. I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

If this 'war' was about WMD, we would have found them. If this 'war' was about terrorism, we would have eliminated OBL first, then taken on another regime. If this 'war' was about liberation, we wouldn't still be there. This 'war' is about oil and one man's attempt to look like he has a stance. Mr. Bush wants to look like the good guy to the world (although he was the one that went around the UN to invade Iraq in the first place) so people will stop hating him. Anyone else see the 'Nerdy HighSchool Kid Gets Revenge' syndrome here (First, we can't question or make fun of the president, then he wants to tell everyone he is sorry for making a mistake, then he wants everyone to like him again)? History lesson: After 9/11, we attacked the Taliban. Oil prices began to go up because the supporters of the Taliban (Sunni Muslim Regime Supporters, AKA, Hussein) began to hold the oil production over the heads of the Americans. Anyone remember the gas prices jumping from $1.10 to $1.50 in the course of 2 weeks after our invasion of Afghanistan (prices vary with respect to what part of the US you are from). They hovered at $1.50 for a while, and when we overthrew the Taliban and sat on our hands for a few months, the prices came back down. Then we took on Iraq in the Spring/Summer of '03, and oil prices jumped again. The war was on a basis of WMD, which I don't need to point out again, were never there in the first place. Why then, did we REALLY invade Iraq? If it was for liberation, we had no reason because Hussein was our friend, overseeing the oil production. But he was also raising prices on the distribution of that natural resource, and that is why we had to get him out and put someone else in that would keep the oil-ways open and the product flowing without price jumps. The UN saw this and that is why they voted to stay out of Iraq. There is no reason that Mr. Bush should apologize to the Iraqi people. If anything, it should be the Iraqis (the ones that brutally dismembered dead US soldiers, the ones that are turncoats in the New Iraq Police, the ones that make Iraq look like an uncivilized nation by bathing in dead soldiers blood) that apologize to the US and European forces there. Maybe Bush is trying to be the bigger man, but Iraq gets CNN - do it here. Mr. Bush should apologize to the family of the soldiers in Iraq for sending them there without provocation, for telling them they are going home and making them stay for another year, for keeping them in a hostile situation. Yeah, they are trained for that - but their training is in accord with the Geneva Convention, not Gorilla Tactics; their training is in fighting, not being dooped by turncoat Sunni Radicals. Don't apologize, Bush. They don't deserve it. They deserve a giant soposotory called a nuke. I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

So, it seems as if there are two standards at work here. The first is the standard that the Iraquis can brutally beat, abuse, torture and parade the dead bodies of soldiers around their streets, publicize it and it is all ok. But as soon as the UN/US violates the Geneva Convention, Bush has to formally apologize to the low-life assholes. Sorry to all you Bush supporters, but this should PROVE, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this president (not capitalized for a reason) does not care about the lives of the American/UN soldiers in Iraq but only about the politics of the so-called 'war' and his oil. I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

I would have been gullible if I had actually believed you. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=gullible Moral of the story ... think for yourself. I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

So, I guess shows like Mancow (Mancow Phone Scams), Crank Yankers, Oblivious (Spike TV's version of TV Bloopers and Practical Jokes [Dick Clark and Ed McMahon]), and various "undercover live camera" investigations on 20/20, 60 Minutes, etc. will also be fined? Too many people make a living off of this and it is just that one person, probably from the FCC (i.e. the suit involving Mancow), that complains and all of a sudden it is an epidemic. I thought Castro was an enemy of the US, or did everyone just conveniently forget the Cuban Missile Crisis? These two radio hosts should not be fined, nor should this stunt be national headlines anymore. I am fed up with the FCC. I think they need to be censored themselves... there is WAY TOO MUCH POWER floating around an office that includes 5 people. Tom Green tried this once. The clerk on Rodeo Drive threw him out. Paying with pennies is more out of Spite than the principle of paying it. Besides, if the FCC wants to know how much money is actually there, they have to count it. The clerk at the bank has a coin-counting machine - makes easy work of 400,000 pennies. I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

And I fought the change of driver's liscenses from the laminated version to the new computer-chipped version that has my entire life history on it. There is talk in this state about putting insurance information onto your liscense now too, so they can keep track of payments, eligibility and coverage limits without having to contact anyone. How long do you think it will take to get EVERYTHING onto one little card? I would rather be paranoid than take this kind of crap withough questioning the motives of the people trying to approve it. The moment you stop questioning and stop thinking for yourself is the moment you become a slave. I refuse to be a slave to this government or to any government. "The important thing is not to stop questioning" --Albert Einstein I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

Yeah, I know it is already starting to happen in the USA, and I am against that, too. I hate it that the government is so skeptical of it own that it thinks it needs to keep tabs ... if I remember right, the government of the US is supposed to work FOR the people, not in fear of them. I know this is skewed towards Americans, so I apologize for those that are reading out of this country. Have you ever seen the movie "GATTICA"? I referenced this earlier. It deals with cloned vs born humans and it shows how control by a government can lead to just about anything. Yes, it is fiction, but this Biometric ID Card is just the beginning. I see a future where nothing is sacred, nobody is unique, and nothing is private. I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

Doesn't that bother you? It bothers me. Then to have the ability to put that kind of information into a card that is carried around with you... and can get lost and fall into wrong hands... I would just rather someone WORK for that kind of information.... This is one topic that really bothers me. Anything that infringes on my freedoms just gets my blood boiling, especially when something can be done about it but noone listens. I have family, as many people do, that fought and died for this country to give us freedoms (do you really think that something starting in UK will stay over there and not come across the ocean?). I have family, as many do, that lost lives to keep that freedom and to do away with opression. I will not simply stand by and watch as a stupid government department decides that our DNA is now public information. I refuse to give up any more freedoms to "protect" citiczens from a danger that isn't so imminent, and I will not let scare tactics by a foolish government system lure me into a false sence of security. ID cards will not provide security, and I refuse to carry something that foolish under the pretense of security. I would rather be protrayed as emotional, passionate, even frenzied on topics like this rather than be looked at as a lemming that will just follow the crowd. Sorry, I am not a sheep. I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

To quote Einstein directly: "I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." "We should take care not to make the intellect our god; it has, of course, powerful muscles, but no personality." I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

Absolutely NOT! I am not from the UK, and I still HATE the idea of a Biometric ID card. I'm sorry, but my DNA is MY business, and unless a warrant is obtained, I will not give it out freely. It is my right, it is WHO I AM, and by giving out my DNA freely, I only open the door for more freedoms being taken. Furthermore, did people forget that CLONING is now happening more than we know? Sure, it is only animals, and those animals have slight defects, but science is increasing, and before you know it, there WILL BE CLONED HUMANS. With a Biometric ID card, any government official has access to YOUR PERSONAL DNA, the very string that makes you unique, and in time, can clone at will.... Call me a Conspiracy Theorist, Cynic, Skeptic, whatever you want, but it is like my Social Security number, I don't give it out NOR make it readily available. You think that Biometric ID cards will PROTECT you? I feel that it will make fraudulant investigations more easily accomplished, corrupt government officials will now have DNA from EVERYONE at the touch of a button (no longer just registered criminals), and the very fiber that makes humans unique will be available to everyone. Anyone ever see Gattica? That could be our future if this goes through. I say stop it at all costs. Government should NOT have that kind of power. I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

Dissention is unallowable... don't you know that? Bush and his flunkies would never let this go, but if it was Kerry's head, it would have been ok, and even publicized. It is just proof that we, as Americans, don't have freedoms anymore. This is just a high-school kid expressing himself and his personal views, and is nearly arrested. Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Speach... are these things forgotten? I think my sig line says it all... I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

Do you remember the day you started in this sport? Do you remember where you were, the first people you jumped with, the aircraft, the canopy? 7 years ago (as of April 29) I started skydiving. It was a chili, overcast day in Iowa, low winds. I jumped out of a 182 from 3500 feet. Not only was it my first jump, but also my first plane ride. I jumped a Manta 220, took 3 jumps and I knew I was hooked. Wow... 7 years. I know that for a lot of people, 7 years is nothing, but milestones don't happen all the time, and it calls for a bit of reflection. $12,000.00+ in that time spent jumping/gear/reserve repacks $500.00+ in "Firsts" while at the DZ $800.00+ in gas going to and from the dropzones $500.00+ in boogie registrations $1500.00 earned in packing I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

And I am grateful for that. I don't know how many times I walked out of my apartment without my Drivers Liscense. My issue is that, although there are lots of people without drivers liscenses, they are still a viable way to identify someone. Those that do not have drivers liscenses in the states DO have the option of getting an id card that is not a liscence, but produced by the same authority. It tells the same info, but restrict the legal driving of automobiles. That is a whole other debate. The topic is a national id card. If it is similar to that of the drivers liscense in the States, then I say let it be. If, however, it contains more information that is voluntarilly given or legally required without overstepping the right of privacy (for those that have that right), then I say NO WAY. If it is in addition to the drivers liscense, the again, I am against the idea. One photo id is all that is needed, no more. I think that not only provides the government ample power to keep an eye on us, but also does not restrict us any more than we already are. ok, rant done... though it isn't very clear... I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

ROFLMAO! Duh! I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

Dear God, no! If it reaches Iowa, this epidemic of complete idiocy will find a gold mine! I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

What is going on in that South belt of Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia? First there was the No Women Self-Mutilation in Atlanta- Then there was a guy going to jail for questioning the court system in Jackson County, Alabama- Now this ridiculous law in Louisiana. Florida - you are next... oh, wait, you were first with that Jeb Bush thing... Texas, your turn to be stupid! I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

I guess STEALING THE FRIGGIN CARDS never crossed anyone's mind there, eh? And how exactly are cards supposed to prevent illegal immigration? Cards don't keep people from crossing borders. Oh, right, only registered people would have id cards... isn't that was driver's liscenses and work visas and social security cards are for? Just another way for Big Brother to keep an eye on us. Next thing you know, we will have bar codes tatooed on us... or microchips implanted at birth. Are we slaves or are we human fucking beings? I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

I have to agree with Rhino on this one, Mr. Tillman is no more of a true American Hero than the rest of our men and women dying every day around the world. The difference is, this person gave up a multi-million dollar salary in a high profile passtime to serve his country. That, I feel, is no greater than the person that gives up a $30,000 per year salary, family and friends, mortgage, bills and security to go fight for this country. The sacrafice is still the ultimate sacrafice, a life. Thomas Jefferson once said, "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." I praise all of our soldiers serving in this country and around the world, for they have the fortitude to face tyranny and opression without questioning why, day in and day out. All of our soldiers, Mr. Tillman included, took an oath that through life or death, they would serve this country (America). It is amazing that it takes a high-profile death like Pat Tillman to make the rest of us realize that these soldiers dying aren't just no-name, no-face robots, but that they are real human beings, who VOLUNTEERED to serve a country that they believe in. I pray that Mr. Tillman's family will see that he gave the ultimate sacrafice and that will never be forgotten. He truly died doing what he loved for a country he loved; if he didn't love it, he would not have left his family or his career. To quote Nathan Hale, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Stay strong my military brothers, I pray for you. I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

When it comes to the size and position of the government and its various offices, the Libertarian party believes in the ideas of Thomas Jefferson: 1. That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves 2. Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness] it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government... 3. The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive. 4. The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object. 5. If people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny. 6. I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. 7. We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. That is why I am voting Libertarian this year, even if it may seem like a wasted vote. I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire