2
POPSRoberts goes home... It's always sad when someone's farther, son or loved one dies. However I think all the old ladies who gave their precious few dollars to a charlatan who said "give me $$ or god will take me" are far better off without him around... However, I'm sure the uber-weathly Richard Roberts is proud of the empire his dad built ... proud enough to lead the lifestyle of the rich & famous.
1
POPSAmazing -- Yes bigotry lives on. Esp among our elected officials. Left to 'ourselves' I'm sure many states and municipalities would also vote to ban interracial marriage... or other 'activities' the majority didn't particularly approve of, but that are (or should be) protected as individual liberties. Thankfully, we have a constitution that guarantees equal protection -- or at least it says that.
2
POPSLet gays serve openly... NOW. In an attempt to allow homosexual service members to serve quietly, a law was created that forces a compromise in integrity, conflicts with the American creed of ‘equality for all,’ places commanders in difficult moral dilemmas, and is ultimately more damaging to the unit cohesion its stated purpose is to preserve.
2
POPSFinancial foolishness... The US economy is far to beholden to financial markets and Wall street. The problems started with deregulation under Reagan, and culminated with deregulation under Clinton (the Gramm-Leach-Biley act of 1999) -- allowing inv banks, ins. co's and comm banks to create 'whatever' new investment vehicles they wanted... all outside ANY government regulation. We saw what happened: they gave mortgages to people who couldn't afford them, know that they could slice-n-dice 'em and sell them off before they went sour. Now we, the taxpayer, are paying to keep these same institutions afloat. I only hope for some sensible regulation.
4
POPSThe marketing machine... Good read -- how we've become the consumer culture. There was a time in America when thrift and economy were virtues. Now, keeping up with the Jone's -- even if that means buying a Hummer -- is the rage. Where will it all leave us?
5
POPSConservative non-sense... This is what you get when you put staunch conservatives on the court... The protect the "right" of non-law enforcement to violate YOUR rights on mere suspicion ... because of a perceived boogieman (drugs in this case). Who could countenance such a thing?
2
POPSInvestment in OUR country... Nice for a change... we build roads and infrastructure in Iraq, and the conservatives don't bitch ... but when we do it here: well, I'm sure we'll hear about it!
6
POPSEqual protection.. Jefferson spoke eloquently of the "rights of the minority in the face of the tyranny of the majority" ... apparently, we've forgotten that lesson. The idea that 50+% of the people can decide to take away ANY particular groups rights is a scary one...
2
POPSSotomayor From what I've ready, she sounds very qualified. And I like the idea of having a woman with her background/life experience on the court. The court should better reflect the country ... and a super-majority of white males hardly represents the US
4
POPSRumsfeld - Incompetence Give the article a read... More and more evidence points to this idiot as the force behind many of the blunders of the last administration.
2
POPSOut of touch... The defense budget is a sacred cow... one with a TON of fat. I should know, I worked on Star Wars in the 80's and 90's ... It's expensive and won't/doesn't work.
4
POPSThe silliness of trying to legislate love... Sure -- there are some concepts that we (mostly) all agree on; like waiting until children are "of age" before they are allowed to marry ... and the concept of "consensual" relationships. Beyond that, what we've done is allow religious non-sense to get in the way of interpersonal relationships.
5
POPSA little over reacting? I know people are sensitized -- but "terrified" to the point of investigations, and resignations? Come'on people -- how can you live your life in fear.
13
POPSThe real threat to marriage ... But many of the religious folks would have you believe two guys living together in Iowa is the real threat to marriage ... while somehow a single, teen mother is now the poster child for abstinence education (which obviously didn't work). Am I missing something here, or is this just really stupid.
4
POPSFreedom without order... Some interesting thoughts... that I tend to agree with. Republicanism seems to rejoice in the abstract: they value "ideas" above their practical implication. While idealism is fine: it must be leavened with pragmatism.
1
POPSThe root of the problem Until we (the west and east) can offer children something other than madrassas -- where there heads are filled with religious non-sense -- the problem of terrorism will persist.
10
POPSHomophobia -- this is all you go? If this is the best the right wing-nuts can muster, I'd say the batter is nearing the end (unfortunately, it isn't - and there are a few people who actually believe this crap) ... Tell me again how gay's marrying effects str8 people -- in ANY way?