Voxes approved by ekim's blocs

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as of just now 6 blocs
  • By tom-jjbt for the
    Saturday, May 24, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We support VA chief Shinseki

    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.

  • By lunalot for the
    Sunday, May 04, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
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    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!

  • By g-wiz for the
    Sunday, May 04, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    It's cool large websites are ignoring gag requests

    It's cool large websites are ignoring gag requests on government subpoenas. However, we realize they only do so because not appearing to collude with government overreach happens to benefit their marketability (particularly overseas). Furthermore, this doesn't affect the most opaque of government requests: court-ordered FISA requests and executive NSLs. That's why we, private citizens, will continue pressing for Congress to remedy this.

  • By tom-jjbt for the
    Saturday, May 03, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    RIP Al Feldstein

    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.

  • By bboyatwork for the
    Thursday, May 01, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
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    We believe in the budding and coming revolution of the sharing economy. "This collaborative rather than capitalistic approach is about shared access rather than private ownership...Millions of people are using social media sites, redistribution networks, rentals and cooperatives to share not only cars but also homes, clothes, tools, toys and other items at low or near zero marginal cost."

  • By mike for the
    Thursday, April 10, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
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    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!

  • By irishphili for the
    Sunday, April 06, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We’re gonna miss you Dave!

    We’re gonna miss you Dave! You've kept us entertained for years and we wish you the best in your retirement. We agree with Mayor Garcetti and >Los-Angelenos that CBS should create the next iteration of the Late Show in Los Angeles.

  • By tom-jjbt for the
    Tuesday, April 01, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    America's congress, a sad but true April Fool (from Joel Pett, Lexington Herald-Leader)

    America's congress, a sad but true April Fool (from Joel Pett, Lexington Herald-Leader)

  • By g-wiz for the
    Tuesday, March 25, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.

    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.

  • By mike for the
    Tuesday, March 25, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    The 'Girls' finale was a great way to end a great season!

(And we're still hoping to find Marnie's entire 'What I Am' video somewhere.)

    The 'Girls' finale was a great way to end a great season! (And we're still hoping to find Marnie's entire 'What I Am' video somewhere.)

  • By mike for the
    Tuesday, March 25, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
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    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.

  • By mike for the
    Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    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.

    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.

  • By ekim for the
    Monday, March 10, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Season 1 finale of True Detective was a let down. We want answers, not philosophy! For that, we can just re-watch Season 7 of LOST.

    Season 1 finale of True Detective was a let down. We want answers, not philosophy! For that, we can just re-watch Season 7 of LOST.

  • By mike for the
    Monday, March 03, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Putin's aggression against >Ukrainians continues

    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.

  • By g-wiz for the
    Wednesday, February 26, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Good job, kids! Keep it up!

    Good job, kids! Keep it up!

  • By bboyatwork for the
    Tuesday, February 25, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    As >Americans "We love writing, and we love trains, and we love them both together."

    As >Americans "We love writing, and we love trains, and we love them both together."

  • By g-wiz for the
    Tuesday, February 25, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Programming languages are not foreign languages,

    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.

  • By mike for the
    Thursday, February 20, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We must not ignore the >North-Koreans.

    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 LibertyInNorthKorea.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.

  • By irishphili for the
    Tuesday, February 18, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Jimmy Fallon’s debut as host of “The Tonight Show.

    Jimmy Fallon’s debut as host of “The Tonight Show.” We love his energy. His talent comes from the heart. What an opening night! Congratulations Jimmy!

  • By mike for the
    Sunday, February 16, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    House of Cards keeps getting better. Smart, thrilling, takes no shortcuts--or prisioners! Thanks for the binge, Netflix.

    House of Cards keeps getting better. Smart, thrilling, takes no shortcuts--or prisioners! Thanks for the binge, Netflix.

  • By bboyatwork for the
    Saturday, February 15, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    "We are, after all, connected."

    "We are, after all, connected."

  • By g-wiz for the
    Thursday, February 13, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We're dismayed by Justin Cater's prosecution.

    We're dismayed by Justin Cater's prosecution. It's another example of disproportionate prosecution of online activity in the tradition of Aaron Schwartz as well as online bullies who face no consequences whatsoever. Sure his remarks were crude when taken out of context, but that's not a requirement of the First Amendment. DA's need to familiarize themselves with digital rights and culture to properly calibrate their charges, or we'll be voting them out of office!

  • By g-wiz for the
    Tuesday, February 11, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We wholeheartedly support this day of action

    We wholeheartedly support this day of action against NSA surveillance. https://thedaywefightback.org makes it very easy to express your dissatisfaction to your Congressional representatives. Only through the legislature can we rollback the laws that permit these egregious government acts!

  • By mike for the
    Tuesday, February 11, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    NBC, keep The Michael J Fox Show on the air!

    NBC, keep The Michael J Fox Show on the air! It has a great mix of comedy, from the smart and subtle to the wacky and offbeat, while also managing to endear. It's worth taking a chance on and is so much better than that spastic caricature-driven melo-comedy on other networks.

  • By mike for the
    Monday, February 10, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    It was an impressively beautiful opening ceremony,

    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.

  • By g-wiz for the
    Friday, February 07, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We find the treatment of gays in Russia horrifying

    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.

  • By mike for the
    Friday, February 07, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Farewell (again) to Jay Leno! We'll remember him fondly as somewhat conniving and somewhat funny.

Until next time (we say farewell) Jay!

    Farewell (again) to Jay Leno! We'll remember him fondly as somewhat conniving and somewhat funny. Until next time (we say farewell) Jay!

  • By liladmin for the
    Wednesday, February 05, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    This is going to be one *interesting* Olympics.

    This is going to be one *interesting* Olympics.

  • By liladmin for the
    Tuesday, February 04, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
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    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."

  • By tejadajr for the
    Monday, February 03, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.

    The game itself was lopsided. The halftime show might have saved the whole event after all.

  • By g-wiz for the
    Saturday, February 01, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Non-vaccinators should pay an annual penalty.

    Non-vaccinators should pay an annual penalty. This issue should be treated the same way healthcare coverage is treated. When individuals choose not to buy healthcare coverage, the odds increase that the public will have to pick up the tab for any healthcare costs they incur (e.g. ER visits) which are usually much higher than if they had preventative care. (This accountability principle was upheld by the right-leaning SCOTUS, so let's not devolve this vox into a conversation about Obamacare.) Along those lines, parents who opt-out of child vaccination would be required to pay a hefty annual penalty approximately equal to the healthcare costs they place on the public. It's only fair and responsible.

  • By tejadajr for the
    Saturday, February 01, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We're a day away from the greatest event in sports

    We're a day away from the greatest event in sports. This is going to be one of those match ups that could go down in Super Bowl history. The Broncos' high scoring offense vs. the Seahawks' top rated defense. Throw in a little Peyton Manning and Richard Seymour in the mix. All this hype and hoopla sandwiched between a Bruno Mars halftime show. Really? C'mon man!

  • By mike for the
    Friday, January 31, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!

    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!

  • By ekim for the
    Friday, January 31, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    SNAP! Christie (that Obama-lover) ain't gonna weasel his way out of this one. Someone buy Wildstein a beer--he's wild and deserves a stein!

    SNAP! Christie (that Obama-lover) ain't gonna weasel his way out of this one. Someone buy Wildstein a beer--he's wild and deserves a stein!

  • By ekim for the
    Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
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    Any >san-francisco-49ers hurt that they lost to the >seattle-seahawks better get over it real soon, because the >denver-broncos are definitely going to get steam-rolled at the Super Bowl. Top defense wins. Statistics don't lie. Also, Seattle has better doctors, apparently. Which just further proves... something about doctors.

  • By ekim for the
    Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Obama's speech was a joke!

    Obama's speech was a joke! He just rattles off a lot of agreeable sounding empty promises that he has no intention of meeting. Somehow, ignorant >liberals find that nonsense eloquent. We think it's just part of his smoke and mirrors campaign to placate the country while he shreds the Constitution. He has no respect for America and he needs to be impeached!

  • By ekim for the
    Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
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    We hope Super Bowl tourists check out all the great activities going on in New Jersey! Forget Manhattan, Broadway, yada-yada, we have hospitality coming out of our ears! Check out the New Jersey Hall of Fame in Newark! And catch some rays on our world famous shores! Go Jersey!

  • By liladmin for the
    Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.

    We're ready for the SOTU!

  • By mike for the
    Monday, January 27, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    "Flipped learning" is an interesting teaching idea

    "Flipped learning" is an interesting teaching idea that warrants more attention. Making videos available for home study will help in situations where the textbook is too dry or doesn't provide the broader context the teacher desires. This can also justify the tablet investment that administrators seem obsessed with making (mentioned recently by the >parents). While we don't think it can replace in-person lessons, we applaud creative experimentation like this.

  • By mike for the
    Monday, January 27, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We're disturbed by the weekend's violence in Egypt

    We're disturbed by the weekend's violence in Egypt, as documented by many reports of military and mob violence targeted at >egyptians protesting the government, as well as at foreign reporters. It seems to us like the pro-military camp prefers absolute social order to a democratic republic, and we can't help but feel that's a short-term solution with severe long-term costs. We hope trust can be rebuilt so a new democratic attempt can be undertaken.

  • By lovejoy for the
    Sunday, January 19, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
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    Should we believe what the chairman of the House of Intelligence Committee is saying? Did Snowden actually end up in the "loving arms of an FSB agent in Moscow?" I don't think so. I smell diversion.

  • By mike for the
    Saturday, January 18, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We welcome Obama's remarks but more must be done.

    We welcome Obama's remarks but more must be done. His speech struck us, mainly throughout the first half, as cluttered with rhetoric, deflection, and rationalization. Eventually, he rattled off a slew of Presidential directives and orders (more internal oversight and restrictions, annual internal reviews to declassify information and address private and foreign interests, and time limits on NSL gag orders and storage of foreign citizen data). We give him some credit for these executive orders, but they're flimsy. They can be rescinded at any time, by Obama or successive Presidents. So we demand Congress resolve this permanently, and affirm a commitment to prevent similar crises in the future. Our trust in government rests largely on our ability to hold Congress accountable, so we take any action that inhibits accountability as a manipulative, abusive affront to democracy. We want oversight, because oversight motivates restraint. And as technology continues to amplify the effects of these transgressions, in questionable cases we prefer our government errs on the side of transparency rather than secrecy, as we accept that a free and open society fundamentally entails risks to our physical safety. So Obama's most important statements were in this very spirit. We look forward to the replacement metadata collection program he intends to take to Congress, and on his call for them to create an independent civilian panel to argue significant cases in FISC. We expect Congress to go further, not only to strengthen oversight and other checks on existing programs, but also to institute a general oversight framework for *any* secret powers granted now or in the future (we cannot know that all such secrecy has already been made public). An American once wisely said, "A democracy requires accountability, and accountability requires transparency." Today, five years later, he outlined a few steps his administration is taking to uphold that.

  • By liladmin for the
    Friday, January 17, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
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    We're absolutely disgusted by Ohio's execution experiment that led to what can only be described as cruel and unusual punishment. "According to a pool report from journalists who witnessed the execution at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, McGuire took more than 15 minutes to die and made 'several loud snorting or snoring sounds.”

  • By bboyatwork for the
    Wednesday, January 15, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
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    We >americans all must be tired of hearing revelations about the N.S.A. spying tactics. But, what will it take for us as americans to deny these shadow powers unfettered access with virtual impunity from the public, and the world at large? "The technology, which the agency has used since at least 2008, relies on a covert channel of radio waves that can be transmitted from tiny circuit boards and USB cards inserted surreptitiously into the computers. In some cases, they are sent to a briefcase-size relay station that intelligence agencies can set up miles away from the target."

  • By mike for the
    Wednesday, January 15, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    How many more senseless shootings must occur before we come together to bring responsible measures to gun ownership?

http://nyti.ms/1almPEt

    How many more senseless shootings must occur before we come together to bring responsible measures to gun ownership? http://nyti.ms/1almPEt

  • By mike for the
    Wednesday, January 15, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Senators, you need-a calm down.

    Senators, you need-a calm down. We all remain skeptical of Iran, particularly because it's not clear why, after 30 years of provocation and sanctions, they suddenly want to negotiate. (We'd love from the >iranians about this.) How could things have changed so significantly in the last six months? Their election of a new president would not seem to account for this, since he's still subject to the same Supreme Leader who's been in power for the last 25 years. That said, the diplomatic path is far better than the military path. The threat by most Senators right now to increase sanctions portends violent repercussions. It amounts to spanking a child right after he cleaned up his room. We do not want to see what a nuclear-armed temper tantrum looks like. So, Senators, we appreciate the skepticism but cool your jets. And, President, you must convince us (during your State of the Union?) that you and Kerry understand our deep skepticism and are negotiating with vigilance.

  • By mike for the
    Thursday, January 09, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.

    Classroom iPads will do more harm than good. While we think that it's important to keep pace with technology and to provide a "test bed" for educational software developers, large-scale iPad rollouts are bound to carry impossible expectations and create headaches for educators and students. As a "magical" piece of technology, it would seem the iPad could be the panacea that cures all educational ills. This naive impression can justify enormous capital outlay. But the fact is, they are simply electrified books and pencils. It's on teachers to creatively weave them into lessons, which seems problematic since many teachers barely understand tablets or computers themselves. Students, on the other hand, will never cease to devise ways to break any restrictions on the devices. This will lead to lackluster results and mobs of taxpayers with pitchforks roaming the streets.  Physical books and pencils will likely be displaced by electronic devices in the future, so it's important that we consider them in education today. But the magic is in careful, even restrained, integration of their capabilities into the classroom. And much more research into this needs to be done before much can be expected from them. Small experimental classroom rollouts, overseen very closely by teams of educational technology specialists, seem to us to be the appropriate next step.

  • By mike for the
    Wednesday, January 08, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Gov Christie's seflishness shocks and angers us!

    Gov Christie's seflishness shocks and angers us! It's unbelievable that he would resort to retaliatory behavior that is so childish, unprofessional, and disrespectful (to say the least!) to the public. And we think anyone who thinks this hyper-controlling figure was not privy to the actions of his staff is fooling themselves. Along with the NSA and the recent federal shutdown, this is yet another sign of a political class that believes it's above public service, and that is consumed with promoting and protecting itself above all else. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/09/nyregion/chri...

  • By mike for the
    Monday, January 06, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    The Chiefs fell apart in the 2nd half. It's a shame they'll miss the postseason again but what can they do when "Luck" ain't on their side?

    The Chiefs fell apart in the 2nd half. It's a shame they'll miss the postseason again but what can they do when "Luck" ain't on their side?

  • By tom-jjbt for the
    Sunday, January 05, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Patient dumping is disgusting.

    Patient dumping is disgusting. We believe few actions are more despicable than a hospital discharging indigent and/or mentally ill patients by dumping them on city streets; usually skid row. If this is how hospitals treat the helpless what can we expect from Wall Street, banks and other institutions? History shows that corporate corruption goes on for years before the justice system takes action. And what are the penalties? A financial fine, i.e. a slap on the wrist. We want these criminals brought to trial, the way the rest of us are. And the guilty should be imprisoned, the way the rest of us are. Financial fines are no deterrent for the wealthy, perhaps the prospect of ten years hard-time would nudge them towards decency.