americans
25 People identifywith this • show voxes
approved 65
- 0/220
We support VA chief Shinseki He may be an easy target but he is not the source of current Veterans Affairs problems. As stated by Gen. Barry McCaffrey, “He is determined, focused and wants to factually understand a problem so he can get a sensible solution.” He is a soft-spoken soldier who does not pound the table or raise his voice. In 2003 he stood up to Rumsfeld when he said thousands more troops would be needed to secure postwar Iraq. For that he lost his job but not his integrity. We do not want a competent and honest man to be replaced with a glad-hand politician.
ReferenceVA chief Eric Shinseki is facing a tough battle, but he's seen others Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki knows adversity.
- 0/330
We're shocked that 275 Nigerian schoolgirls were abducted by militants. We realize politics there are extremely turbulent, but it's unconscionable for children to be used as bargaining chips. We support the protesting >Nigerians that demand more government and military attention in this matter!
ReferenceNigerians Hold Second Day of Protests Over Mass Abductions Hundreds of demonstrators marched in the capital to demand that the government do more to find more than 200 schoolgirls abducted by armed militants.
- 0/110
RIP Al Feldstein The activists of the 60’s got their early exposure to satire and inept government from the pages of Mad Magazine. Al cared about humor, kids and country and he made a difference.
ReferenceAl Feldstein, the Soul of Mad Magazine, Dies at 88 Mr. Feldstein took over a fledgling humor magazine called Mad in 1956 and made it a popular, profitable and enduring wellspring of American satire.
- 1/200
We're 100% for personal expression. That said, if anyone's gonna call Obama un-Presidential for his Two Ferns interview, they better be calling Dubya's amateur painting exhibition downright anti-Presidential! 50 more years down this road and ex-Presidents will be showcasing their coloring book work!
- 0/330
America's congress, a sad but true April Fool (from Joel Pett, Lexington Herald-Leader)
- 1/200
We >CHICAGOANS as >AMERICANS will not stand for this! While you're still cleaning up your other messes around the world “This spill raises questions about the long-term safety and reliability of BP’s new, expanded production at Whiting,” Durbin and Kirk wrote...
ReferenceBP raises estimate of Lake Michigan oil spill - chicagotribune.com BP today more than doubled its maximum estimate of how much crude oil spilled into Lake Michigan earlier this week from its Whiting refinery in Northwest Indiana. In a statement, the company said a malfunction in a new distillation unit forced up to 39 barrels or 1,638 gallons of oil into the lake just across the Illinois border.
- 0/110
We need to stop long-term solitary confinement. As Americans, we're above torturing prisoners in this brutal way. It just feeds a cycle of violent behavior and a culture of punitive destruction that ends up making its way onto streets and local precincts. It's just another way being tough on crime has not only backfired, but turned us from the values this country is founded upon.
ReferenceWhy do we let 80,000 Americans suffer a 'slow-motion torture of burying alive'? Sadhbh Walshe: Solitary confinement’s psychological effects are obvious enough. But you have to hear it from the prisoners to be truly horrified
- 0/110
Obama's termination of the NSA's bulk phone metadata collection is a significant step forward! We're relieved to see it happen. However, the greater problem goes on: that there is little transparency or oversight of the FISC and other secret powers granted by Section 215 of the Patriot Act. Fixing that is how we repair our damaged democracy.
ReferenceObama to Call for End to N.S.A.’s Bulk Data Collection Under the administration’s proposal, the government would obtain individual orders from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to obtain only records linked to phone numbers a judge agrees are likely tied to terrorism.
- 0/110
Crimeans join the >Russians and the other >Ukrainians join the West. Seems like a fair trade! It's on us now to make the most of this.
ReferenceDefying West, Putin Formally Claims Crimea for Russia President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia said he was reversing what he described as a historical mistake, declaring, “Crimea has always been an integral part of Russia in the hearts and minds of people.”
- 3/523
Obama needs to stop the publicity stunts and focus on things more presidential than dumb talk shows. What a waste of time and energy!
ReferenceBetween Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: President Barack Obama with President Barack Obama, Zach Galifianakis, Scott Aukerman, Funny Or Die, Between Two Ferns
- 0/110
Between Kaiser Permanente and the Affordable Care Act more >Americans have the opportunity for quality health care. And that's a big win for everyone.
- 0/330
Mexico’s Avocado cartels >Americans, particularly >foodies, face another dilemma as conscience shoppers; are we supporting violence against Mexican farmers and workers by snacking on our beloved guacamole? The Knights Templar, one of Mexico’s most violent gangs, extorts nearly every working citizen in many areas of Michoacan. Through kidnapping, assault and intimidation they collect at least 10% of earnings from everyone in the avocado business: from growers, pickers, truckers and exporters to sellers of pesticides and other farm products. We praise brave >Mexicans as they band together in armed citizen defense groups and begin to openly oppose the gang. Their actions have forced the Mexican government, notoriously corrupt at every level, to finally stand up to the cartel and provide additional support to the people of Michoacan. Thanks to KCRW for the broadcast on their Good Food blog: “Jose de Cordoba: Avocado Cartels”
ReferenceThis Week on Good Food: Guerrilla Tacos, Avocado Gangs, Cooking for Persian New Year | Good Food Jonathan Gold reviews an unusual taco truck, David Mills details the avocado cartels in Mexico and Louisa Shafia shares updated recipes for Persian cooking.
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>Americans and >Environmentalists love Bald Eagles, but none more so than Pittsburghers who have a nesting pair within city limits incubating three eggs. Bald Eagles had been absent from the Pittsburgh area for about 250 years but thanks to reintroduction efforts, which began 30 years ago, there are currently nests on all three rivers according to the Audubon Society of Western Penna. Outsiders may be surprised to learn of the nesting eagles within city limits but Pittsburghers are well familiar with the wildlife that exists in their many wooded areas. Not the least of which are wild turkeys, another majestic bird that, if Benjamin Franklin had his way, would have replaced the Bald Eagle as our national symbol. Click the link to see live activity from the Hays Bald Eagle cam.
ReferencePixController, Inc. Bald Eagle Webcam Pittsburgh Hays Bald Eagle Nest Webcam
- 0/220
Twelve Years a Slave >Americans, do not let this film go down as one of the best pictures never seen. Story, acting, and cinematography are undeniably first class. This film should be seen soon while it is still available on the big screen. It is to >Americans shame that the domestic gross for the Best Picture of 2013 should fall at number 69.
Reference2013 Yearly Box Office Results - Box Office Mojo Yearly box office results for 2013.
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Putin's aggression against >Ukrainians continues to undermine his oft-repeated claim that >Russians play by the international rules. Which just validates our own sidestepping of treaty and protocol. All of which concerns us because it may be setting the region up for a destructive confrontation. Hopefully Ukrainians can find a middle ground between Western and Russian alignment.
ReferenceUkrainian Government Rushes to Dampen Secessionist Sentiment The besieged interim leadership sought to head off violence that might set off a Russian invasion of its eastern provinces, recruiting wealthy eastern businessmen to become provincial governors.
- 1/200
DJ Cavem is a real OG (Organic Gardener), who is “teachin' HIP HOP history and how to grow greens.” We need more >Americans and >Environmentalists who can reach and teach the youth. Through HIP HOP we can open their minds with the philosophy of "each one, teach one".
ReferenceFresh and Fly: Denver Rapper Teaches Kids to Be Gardeners Not Gangstas For Ietef "DJ Cavem" Vita, HIP HOP is not just a form of music, it's a way of life--one he's using to teach kids about cultivating the earth and eating fresh veggies.
- 1/321
Good job, kids! Keep it up!
ReferenceNew data show huge drop in obesity rate for children 2-5 But rates for overall population remain unchanged; rates for older women increased.
- 0/440
As >Americans "We love writing, and we love trains, and we love them both together."
ReferenceInside Amtrak's (Absolutely Awesome) Plan to Give Free Rides to Writers Amtrak has begun offering “writers’ residencies” to, well, writers – long roundtrip rides aboard Amtrak trains dedicated solely for the purpose of writing.
- 1/431
Programming languages are not foreign languages, just as mathematics, sheet music, and art are not foreign languages. Specifically, programming languages don't have anywhere near the expressive power of natural languages, nor are they formed by thousands of years of cultural history. Kids need to become computer literate, no question about that. But this shouldn't come at the expense of exposure to foreign cultures. In fact, we need to ensure our kids are getting more exposure to other cultures, as the globe becomes smaller and smaller.
ReferenceComputer programming would satisfy foreign-language requirement under Kentucky bill Legislation that would let students use computer programming courses to satisfy foreign-language requirements in public schools moved forward in the Kentucky Senate on Thursday.
- 0/550
We must not ignore the >North-Koreans. Nothing on Earth compares to the horrifying scale of inhumanity there, and the extent of oppression and despair that render them incapable of revolution. We must not mistake their inaction for satisfaction with their condition. As free people in the most powerful country on Earth, it is *our* duty to come to their aid. Michael Kirby of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in DPRK, summed up the imperative: "At the end of the second world war, so many people said, 'If only we had known. If only we had known the wrongs that were done...' Well now, the international community does know. There will be no excusing a failure of action." For starters, let's pressure our government to hold the >Chinese accountable for abetting this regime. Let's support NGOs, such as LibertyInNorthKo
rea.org, that help refugees. Let's talk with friends about this, and about our responsibility for the weakest and most abused of our fellow human beings. But let's not ignore the North Korean people. Reference
North Korea: 'We were forced to eat grass and soil' The testimonies, one after another, have been damning, disturbing and, at points, excruciating.
- 0/110
"We are, after all, connected."
ReferenceClimate Change Is Destroying California, Obama Promises to Help Look at a satellite photo of the continental United States these past couple of months and you’ll quickly notice that the country has an identity crisis. - 2014/02/14
- 0/330
It was an impressively beautiful opening ceremony, projecting the high culture and artistry of Russia more than their international power (risked life of 11-year-old notwithstanding). On a stage like this, it's understandable that they presented Soviet-era brutality in very abstract terms. But even in those terms, some of the scenes were very utilitarian, cold and almost unhuman, making them some of the darkest in recent Olympics opening ceremony performances. Overall, fine job, >Russians.
- 0/440
We find the treatment of gays in Russia horrifying. (See attached video.) This is not a civil society. This is a backward-looking society that refuses to accept reality of any kind. It doesn't look like this will change anytime soon. The struggle for equality continues in America, and the gains currently achieved were hard-won. But with proactive government opposition, it seems the struggle will be much harder in Russia. The only recourse may unfortunately be to wait for the culture of the >Russians that champions conformity and nationalism to reach some self-destructive extreme, after which the pendulum of civility can swing back the other way.
ReferenceRussia: Gay Men Beaten on Camera (Moscow, February 4, 2014) -- The Russian authorities need to address a deteriorating situation of widespread and concerted abuse against lesbian, gay, bisex...
- 0/440
This is going to be one *interesting* Olympics.
ReferenceJournalists at Sochi are live-tweeting their hilarious and gross hotel experiences "My hotel has no water. If restored, the front desk says, 'do not use on your face because it contains something very dangerous.'"
- 0/330
We call for Coca-Cola, General Electric, McDonald’s, Procter & Gamble, Samsung and Visa, all sponsors of the International Olympic Committee, to take a stand against Russian anti-LGBT law that bans “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations.” We praise AT&T for acknowledging that "Russia’s law is harmful to LGBT individuals and families, and it’s harmful to a diverse society."
ReferenceA Time for Pride and Equality On Friday night, many of us will be tuned in to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games opening ceremony. It’s an event that symbolizes peace and unity amongst nations. It’s also a moment for us to express our pride in America and everything for which it stands. AT&T has stood proudly with Team USA at every Olympic opening ceremony since 1984 in Los Angeles. As a Proud Partner of the U.S.
- 1/541
We wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year! Whether or not you're one of the 1.3 billion >Chinese in the world, may your year be filled with good luck all the same! 恭喜发财!
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The Keystone XL impact report is a farce! Anything that keeps us hooked on fossil fuels will have a significant, negative impact on the environment in the long term. The government is the only entity capable of impeding this project for the public good, since corporations can be relied on to fight tirelessly and solely for their own profit. Further, the main corporate beneficiary (TransCanada) is not even an American entity! >Americans are selling out their kids for Canada's sake?! (No offense, >Canadians.)
ReferencePipeline boost? Keystone XL report may disappoint project's foes Critical Keystone XL report to be released
- 0/110
You all are out of your minds. Promises he has no intention of meeting? He could meet these things if there was a little more cooperation from Congressional >Republicans. Instead, the last 5 years, Republicans have followed the lead of the >Tea-Party, with their fingers-in-the-ears-"We're not listening" strategy to lawmaking, burning up precious time and opportunities to help the economy. What you call shredding the Constitution, hard-working >Americans call a practical response to an impractical Congress. Executive orders have firm legal precedent, as do rule changes in the Senate. You need to raise your fact-checking standards before tossing around words like "impeach."
- 1/431
We're ready for the SOTU!
- 3/303
Obama's a miserable failure. He just repeats policy goals ad nauseam, knowing he'll never fulfill them. They're just meaningless noises coming out of his mouth, that the ignorant among us somehow find placating and soothing and eloquent. How's that eloquence helping out with your joblessness? Is it "eloquent" to spout lies about climate change? More like insulting! We need to stop cutting him slack and recognize the egregious harm he's done to this country. The Constitution is in tatters and he's responsible. He has no respect for us and it's time he's been impeached!
