"I'm a pretty laid back guy, but social injustice really cooks my carne!" 1 comment made
Denies 0 voxes
34 points total
Identifies with 12 blocs
- americans • 10
- environmentalists • 9
- americans-for-liberty • 5
- movie-buffs • 5
- animal-lovers • 4
- democrats • 2
- equality-movement
- liberals
- pop-cult
- occupy-movement
- atheists
- new-yorkers • -1
- 0/110
Tootles, Mr. Cantor!
ReferenceEric Cantor Defeated by David Brat, Tea Party Challenger, in Primary Upset In one of the most stunning primary election upsets in congressional history, Mr. Cantor, the House majority leader, was soundly defeated by David Brat, a Tea Party-backed candidate.
- 1/200
City Council, pass the community board reforms! We strongly support these reforms. Community boards are weak at best. At worst, they are dominated by self-interested or deeply biased individuals who directly, systematically oppose the residential majority of the community. It's time to re-draft the blueprints that permit such corruption to destroy our neighborhoods!
ReferenceCouncil eyes term limits for community board members Community board members would face term limits if a resolution introduced in the City Council is adopted by boards across the city. Brooklyn council members Brad Lander (D-Park Slope), Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park-Red Hook) and Antonio Reynoso (D-Bushwick) are among the lawmakers supporting the resolution introduced on April 10 by council members Ben Kallos, Jimmy Vacca and Mark Levine...
- 0/110
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.
ReferenceTech companies to government: Stop secret searches Prosecutors decry increasingly tough stand by Apple, Google, Facebook and others on secret data searches
-
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."
Reference
- 1/200
Props to Mayor de Blasio for funding free prekindergarten education in NYC! Thanks for making this an issue and for fighting for it!
ReferenceDe Blasio Betting on Pre-K to Succeed The mayor has placed an increasingly large wager that his early missteps will be forgotten, so long as his centerpiece plan proves a success.
- 0/220
We share >Chicagoans outrage at BP's oil spill. We hope the penalties are stiff in order to motivate improved safety controls and to send the message that our natural resources are fragile resources that must be treated with the utmost care!
- 0/110
Governor Christie isn't fooling us for a second. Not only was the "investigation" he ordered into the GW Bridge closings a waste of money ($1 million in legal fees fronted by >New-Jerseyans), but it was also a waste of effort! Unsurprisingly, it defends his ignorance, but it then illogically fails to explain why the lane closings occurred in the first place! If Christie really were innocent, that would've been the entire point of the investigation. What a petty bully.
ReferenceReport Details Claim by Ally: Christie Knew of Bridge Lane Closings An inquiry by lawyers for Gov. Chris Christie found he did not recall the conversation and found no evidence that he was involved in the scheme, which snarled traffic in Fort Lee, N.J.
- 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
- 1/200
The "secular charter" set forth by the Parti Québécois to >Canadians in Quebec grossly infringes upon free speech in a prejudicial way. Since we believe free speech and the free flow of information is vital to expanding mankind's understanding of our existence, atheists find the actions of the Parti Québécois to be hateful and inflammatory.
ReferenceMarois defends PQ candidate accused of anti-Semitic beliefs Louise Mailloux, a prominent Quebec feminist and philosopher, said this week she stands by her belief that circumcision and baptism are similar to rape and that kosher and halal certification is a tax that goes toward funding religious wars and lining the pockets of religious leaders
-
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.
- 0/220
'12 Years A Slave' wins Best Picture! The Oscar Academy got it right!
- 0/330
Hooray for Lupita Nyong'o! Well-deserved recognition and a heartfelt acceptance.
- 0/110
We agree that using music to connect to the youth about environmental responsibility is a great idea. We're interested to know of artists in other musical genres that have this environmental focus. Perhaps the >soundcrowd can enlighten us...
- 1/101
CB6's 'hall monitor' stipulation is a good call. It's the responsibility of bar's to keep their rowdy outdoor patrons civil, particularly at night. Night after night, drunken shouting is unacceptable. (Just like it's unacceptable for an ordinary resident to create a cacophony on a nightly basis.) The loudest offenders are typically from surrounding areas and don't even live in the vicinity. Shut them up!
ReferenceBar to Appoint 'Hall Monitor' for Rowdy Patrons - Carroll Brooklyn Social must appoint someone to keep drinkers quiet in its backyard, Community Board 6 said.
- 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.
- 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.
-
Plant milkweed; save the monarch. Monarch butterflies have one food source: milkweed. American farmers are destroying milkweed in their rush to plant genetically modified corn and soybeans. First through the use of herbicides that kill all plant life (save the modified corn and soybeans) and second by increased planting of corn and soybeans on acreage that historically grew milkweed. The winter migrations of monarch butterflies used to blanket over 16 acres of forests in western Mexico. This year they were recorded on only 1.7 acres; a 90% decrease. Our elected officials must take the lead in restoring milkweed. One easy to implement recommendation is to plant milkweed on the sides and medians of US roads along the butterflies’ migratory route. In the meantime each of us can act by planting milkweed around our homes and neighborhoods. Seeds are available for the cost of postage (copy/paste URL in your browser) https://www.live
monarch.com/free-milkweed-seeds... The disappearance of the monarch would be an ecological tragedy and we can prevent it. Act now.
- 1/200
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!
ReferenceThe Facebook Comment That Ruined a Life Approximately one hour after Justin Carter posted a sarcastic comment on a Facebook thread, his life began to unravel. The first reaction occurred behind the scenes, in another country. The 18-y...
- 0/220
We wholeheartedly support this day of action against NSA surveillance. https://thedaywe
fightback.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! ReferenceToday, February 11th 2014, Thousands of Websites are Protesting Surveillance. Reddit, Mozilla, Tumblr, Imgur, and over 6,000 other websites are protesting NSA surveillance. Join them.
-
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 are appalled by the numerous killings of dogs being carried out at the behest of the government. It's not like the >Russians found out yesterday that they'd be hosting the Olympics. They've had years to address this problem, and yet they've chosen to be reactive rather than proactive about this ethical issue. Russia has a long way to go before earning the respect of the international community.
ReferenceRacing to Save the Stray Dogs of Sochi A Russian billionaire has donated money for a shelter in a bid to save some of the hundreds of stray dogs that are being killed in preparation for the Sochi Olympic Games.
- 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...
- 1/200
We support Dylan Farrow. If the courts won't bring Woody Allen to justice, at least we as a society can remove him from the ranks of film royalty and remember him only with scorn.
ReferenceAn Open Letter From Dylan Farrow Dylan Farrow, Woody Allen’s adoptive daughter, speaks out about her experience.
- 0/220
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.
- 0/220
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
-
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!
- ▶In reply toImage
Obama's speech was a joke! He just rattles off a lot of agreeable sounding empty promises tha...
originalObama has no respect for America? Please. A man who has dedicated a large portion of his life to public service and earning the highest position within our democracy. We believe that "rattling" off constructive and beneficial objectives such as equal pay for women, a minimum wage that earns above the poverty line and a fair and accessible health care system is not a "smoke and mirrors campaign". They are are steps in improving the lives of all Americans.
- ▶In reply toImage
Obama's speech was a joke! He just rattles off a lot of agreeable sounding empty promises tha...
originalYou 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."
-
Drought emergency in California - declared by Governor Brown. This is the driest year on record and we support the conservation efforts proposed by Brown; not only in California but in all areas that face water shortages. Conservation will be easy once we recognize the condition and take responsibility for minimizing waste in our households. Examples include: - Take “navy showers:” get wet, turn off the water, soap up, turn on the water and rinse. - The same method applies for washing your hands: wet your hands, turn off the water, soap up then rinse. - Do not let water run down the drain as you rinse your dishes - rinse over a sink basin then transfer the water to a bucket where it can be used to flush toilets or water plants. - Replace grass lawns with drought tolerant native plants. The single most important thing we can do is to decide to do something about water waste. Once that is done the solutions will follow.
-
Wind Energy Vs Eagle Kills We need a balanced approach between development of wind farms and protection of eagles. And by balanced we mean the number of “acceptable” kills must be independently monitored. Federal officials announced on Dec 6, 2013 that some wind power companies will be allowed to kill and injure bald and golden eagles for up to 30 years without penalty. The regulations include restrictions where the permits will be reevaluated every five years and could be suspended if companies are not meeting requirements. However the government is relying almost exclusively on self-reporting by for-profit companies. Are they serious? If this is the best Obama can do what can we expect when a conservative is in office?
-
Part of the American Dream is what gave way to suburban sprawl. Building outward across land has allowed cities/towns to be developed with ridiculously winding roads and interconnecting highways that make dependency on traveling by vehicles necessary for convenience. Carbon emissions and wasted land space can be limited by educating the importance in a shift of American Dream ideals to building upward rather than out, living in smaller, shared space so that city-wide development facilitates traveling by means of public, mass, rapid transportation (e.g. subway system in NYC, bus system in Curitiba, Brazil). Ultimately, an end to suburban development and migration to existing major cities (without our vehicles) can significantly contribute in doing less harm to the environmentalists.
-
We focus all our efforts on supply-side solutions (renewable energies, electric-powered vehicles, energy-efficient appliances), but have failed to acknowledge the root of our environmental problems...over consumption. Demand-side tactics are deemed anti-capitalistic, un-American. So rather than turning off the lights when we don't need them, we install fancy solar-panels on our roofs, and rather than catching a ride-share, we buy the hybrid Highlander.
-
We need to invest more in renewable energy - not new drilling in the Arctic Ocean! Obama admin has gives all but final go-ahead to Shell for new drilling in the Arctic Chukchi and Beaufort seas. These are the nurseries of the world where thousands of birds feed & nest and the waters nurture food-chain building blocks for whales, walruses, seals & polar bears. New drilling sites scheduled for this year. Shell claims to be prepared for spills but their cleanup equipment cannot work in that kind of weather. Once the ice sets in boats will be unable to sail & a spill in October could not be addressed until spring. More at LATimes.com, Kim Murphy, 3/4/12
