Originally Posted by anyexit

HE'S BACK!!! Keedy is that you?

Don't think so. Writing styles not even close.

Originally Posted by schotzyb

Don't think so. Writing styles not even close.

You are probably correct. The style is all wrong, but the logic is the same. Keedy would often edit his work immediately after it was posted. A bit of a perfectionist I'd say.

Originally Posted by anyexit

You are probably correct. The style is all wrong, but the logic is the same. Keedy would often edit his work immediately after it was posted. A bit of a perfectionist I'd say.

I see nothing wrong with the logic.

Originally Posted by schotzyb

I see nothing wrong with the logic.

I was simply comparing it to Keedy's. You know, facts be damned, full speed ahead. Operating on emotions and the pack of falsehoods put out there by the fringe elements (NOT all) of the loyal opposition.

Don't know who Keedy is but would probably like his posts??

Originally Posted by PennBF

Don't know who Keedy is but would probably like his posts??

Neither does anyone else! Vaporized! Had a short run and then - Outta here!! Puff - Smoke - gone!

Originally Posted by PennBF

Don't know who Keedy is but would probably like his posts??

Keedy was one of those who left TOTV because of real or imagined censorship.

Yoda

I'll take these in order. You took the time to post them, the least I can do is respond.

1 [about the Census] - Care to elaborate? I hadn't heard of this and I don't know what you mean by taking it from Commerce to Emanuel. Checking the Constitution, that article says WHEN it's supposed to be done. Not who is supposed to do it, other than the government.

2 [UN Sec Council chairmanship]. Well, it's not a title of nobility. However, the Constitution (Art I, Sec 9, as you said) DOES clearly state he can't take money from them without Congressional approval. So that begs the question - did he get paid? If so, this would appear to have some traction. On the other hand, the Constitution clearly states that he (the President) can't accept pay or "Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State". The U.N. isn't a foreign state.

3 [Appointing Clinton] Art I, Sec 9 doesn't say anything about appointing someone to office.

4 [Limiting compensation to TARP recipient] Why isn't this allowed? We put restrictions on people who receive federal money all the time. You can't spend food stamps on cigarettes, as a blue-collar example. In fact, the biggest uproar is that we didn't put ENOUGH strings on the TARP money.

5 [Economic Stimulus vipolated the Constitution] How so? It was a spending bill passed by both houses and signed by the President.

6 [Accepting the Nobel Peace Prize] Again you referenced Art I, Sec 9. I don't see the violation here. The money comes from a Foundation, not a foreign power. In addition, he's donating it to charity. It's not a title of nobility so it fails that test too.

If you want to see what socialism looks like visit the housing projects in the various large cities.

Next year, for my honeymoon, my fiancee and I will be going to France, the UK and Ireland. This will be my first trip overseas after 20 years of wrangling to get a passport. But I *have* been to Canada - a country FAR more socialistic than we are - and I've been there over 2 dozen times since the 1980s for trips lasting anywhere from 12 hours to a week (it helps that it's less than a 4 hour drive from my home to Montreal).

There's no drab Soviet-style malaise hovering over that country. In fact, one could easily argue that downtown Montreal has a LOT more life in it than downtown Boston (an hour's drive from my house). Never mind the fact that it has far less crime even though it's a larger city.

When you say 'socialism' you think gray concrete blocks of subsistence housing. But that is what you get in "totalitarianism". I've seen much of eastern Canada from Toronto to Nova Scotia and it's quite nice. Sure, the taxes are higher, I won't argue that - but I've also had experience with the Canadian medical system in Montreal when a chronic ocndition of mine flared up. What would have cost between $2500-$5000 here cost less than $600 up there and I got excellent care.

In France, they're not a slave to Big Oil, they have a better electrical grid (we'll need one too) and the trains run on-time and 3x faster than they run here. Oh - and they ALSO have a health care system ranked best in the world that COMBINES a public option with private health insurance companies.

We can LEARN from these examples. Take what WORKS and fix what DOESN'T.

I'm surprised there's not more outrage over the fact that we paid for Europe's defense during the Cold War (and still do today via NATO) and they didn't have the defense budgets we had. They were able to invest in their infrastructure while we protected them. IMO, it's time for us to pull back SOME of that umbrella so we can 'play catch up' with our own infrastructure. The fact that our only high-speed train goes barely more than half the speed of trains in Europe and Japan and we have one line from Boston to Washington while they have networks ocvering their entire respective countries.

Originally Posted by Yoda

Keedy was one of those who left TOTV because of real or imagined censorship.

Yoda

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh REALLY! Don't bet on it.

djplong
"1 [about the Census] - Care to elaborate? I hadn't heard of this and I don't know what you mean by taking it from Commerce to Emanuel. Checking the Constitution, that article says WHEN it's supposed to be done. Not who is supposed to do it, other than the government."

I dont know whether a violation of the constitution but certainly one of the early red flags to the political leaning of this administration was the early announcement that the census taking would report to and be administered from Emanuel's office.

From HUFFINGTON POST..."I'm not convinced Washington has awakened to the reality yet -- but the 2010 Census is going to shake things up politically in this country, and politicians would do themselves a favor to wake up and smell the coffee in advance.

This is about raw political power -- something politicians of all stripes understand."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-..._b_362652.html

This article was about the effect of immigration reform on the census.

This is an article from a few months ago from CBS...."However, the spokesman says that "White House senior management will work closely with the Census Director, given the number of decisions that will need to reach the president's desk."

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/02...y4797600.shtml

This was after the Republicans raised $%^^ publicly when it was found that Emanuel wanted to control it from the WH. They may have tempered or pulled back a bit, but imagine a WH having ANY control over the census. Not sure where this stands at present !

I'll take these in order. You took the time to post them, the least I can do is respond.

1>>The Commerce Dept. was assigned the responsibility to avoid "gerrymanding" which Obama has now set up on the same basis as the Acorn criminal actions.

2>>The operative word being "Office". The UN is in fact an association of "foreign states".

3 >>See above

4 >> Show me in the constitution where Congress or the Executive branch have the right to limit compensation to private companies. They have no rights and in fact the constitution was built to prevent interruption or involvement in free commerce.

5 >>See above

6 >>He can't accept without Congress approval. This is not open to quesiton as the Constitution is clear. As an aside, it prevents other Nations/Powers from "buying" our government/obligations. Our founders were pretty darn smart.


Quote:
If you want to see what socialism looks like visit the housing projects in the various large cities.

Next year, for my honeymoon, my fiancee and I will be going to France, the UK and Ireland. This will be my first trip overseas after 20 years of wrangling to get a passport. But I *have* been to Canada - a country FAR more socialistic than we are - and I've been there over 2 dozen times since the 1980s for trips lasting anywhere from 12 hours to a week (it helps that it's less than a 4 hour drive from my home to Montreal).
>> I wish you guys a happy and great trip. As an aside..I have had people working for me in Paris and traveled there on a regular basis, spent many a months in England on business. I spent some serious time Toronto on business, had friends there and you should ask your friends,(a) what taxes do they pay and (b) how long to they wait at times for procedures.
There's no drab Soviet-style malaise hovering over that country. In fact, one could easily argue that downtown Montreal has a LOT more life in it than downtown Boston (an hour's drive from my house). Never mind the fact that it has far less crime even though it's a larger city.
>>I don't understand your point as I refered to "housing projects" and you are referring to Montreal. Which economy would you rather live under, Canada or USA. Understand they are living with a great sense of entitlements from the government and pay pretty high taxes.
When you say 'socialism' you think gray concrete blocks of subsistence housing. But that is what you get in "totalitarianism". I've seen much of eastern Canada from Toronto to Nova Scotia and it's quite nice. Sure, the taxes are higher, I won't argue that - but I've also had experience with the Canadian medical system in Montreal when a chronic ocndition of mine flared up. What would have cost between $2500-$5000 here cost less than $600 up there and I got excellent care.l
>>We can agree that you refer to taxes being high? Regarding chronic problem. As a citizen it is not unusual to wait a long time for a procedure. One time does not meet the standards for historical experiences
This is also very true to the UK and for information I recommend you buy the English paper, "Daily Mail" on a regular basis or read it through the Drudge Report on the internet. It will provide the facts regarding their medical care and taxes.
In France, they're not a slave to Big Oil, they have a better electrical grid (we'll need one too) and the trains run on-time and 3x faster than they run here. Oh - and they ALSO have a health care system ranked best in the world that COMBINES a public option with private health insurance companies
>>Again, you have to experience their medical practices and policies and their standard of living vs the US. I was in Paris a few years ago when they were placing all business's under the government. I would never want to be a French citizen although I like the country. Do you have any idea how much they spend for national protection vs what the USA pays to protect them.
They are a rather large housing project that has learned how to "work the kindness and generosity of the United States citizen". Regarding slave to big oil..If you drive from the western coast of France to the German boarder you will see the difference between that and driving from NYC to San Fran, Miami, etc. Last year I drove from Paris to Italy (Florence) in just 2 days. The car did not have a catalytic converter and a gallon/liter was over $5.00.
We can LEARN from these examples. Take what WORKS and fix what DOESN'T.

I'm surprised there's not more outrage over the fact that we paid for Europe's defense during the Cold War (and still do today via NATO) and they didn't have the defense budgets we had. They were able to invest in their infrastructure while we protected them. IMO, it's time for us to pull back SOME of that umbrella so we can 'play catch up' with our own infrastructure. The fact that our only high-speed train goes barely more than half the speed of trains in Europe and Japan and we have one line from Boston to Washington while they have networks ocvering their entire respective countries.
>>This is interesting and ironic. As socialistic nations they of course had a sense of "entitlement" vis a vis the housing projects.Both were and are today living under the support of us. They built their infrastructre by using USA capital to protect them, feed their poor. Again, not unlike the Housing Projects just on a much higher level.

Before your trip I think you would benifit from going to the local Barnes and Nobel, purchasing maps of each city you will visit and study them so that when you arrive you don't spend time trying to understand where you are and what you are doing. It would also be an advantage to read up on their public transportation so you don't have to use Taxi's but can enjoy the way the citizen lives and travels.
AGAIN, I wish you a great trip.. __________________
Providence RI -> Boston MA -> Miami Beach FL -> San Francisco CA -> New York NY -> Boston MA -> Nashua NH -> Hudson NH -> ?

Ok, again, in order.

1) I found at least a reference stating that it was a Federal law passed some time ago that put it under the auspices of the Commerce Dept. However, the "gerrymandering" problem has nothing to do with that. Gerrymandering is specifically dividing up territory in a state to protect an incumbent by shunting people unlikely to vote for said incumbent to another district. In fact, the term was invented in Massachusettes becuase of Elbridge Gerry (MA governor in 1810) drawing up districts to benefit his party - and one looked like a salamander. If someone suspectes that a district has been gerrymandered, it's taken up with the STATE courts - becuase it's up to the states to decide how to redistrict themselves.

I also found references that state the White House has ALWAYS been closely involved in the Census. Last time (2000), remember, the concern was UNDERcounting minorities which would, presumably, benefit the Republicans.

2) Yeah, the UN *is* an association of foreign states - but that's it. An association. Just like NATO, ASEA. They are not, by any stretch of the imagination, a foreign state themselves. For that, I think the closest you could come is the European Union (EU) which is an association of sovereign states BUT those states are giving up SOME sovereignty (like a common currency) so you have a better argument for the EU than the UN. But the UN is clearly NOT a foreign power.

3) I'm still not seeing it. Clinton went through her confirmation hearings. There was a vote, she was confirmed. Case closed.

4) They have no authority to limit compensation for no reason. However, it's quite legal to say "You get this money IF you follow these rules". It's done all the time for everything from hiring civil service workers to building highways. You want the money? there are rules. Usually there's an RFP (Request For Proposal) involved. It's VERY legal.

5) You said "see above". Come again? It was a spending bill voted on in the House, the Senate and signed by the President. Spending Bills are one of Congress' main functions!

6) He can't accept money without approval. He's not accepting the Nobel Committee's money. It's just like Bush or any other President accepting an honorary degree from a university. No money, no problem. And it IS a committee, it's not the government of Sweden - they just happen to have their offices in Stockholm.

On to the socialism topic.

You're right. I went from "housing" to "Montreal" without explaining myself - bad segue. Public housing, as was done in the 60s and 70s, isn't happening anymore. Cabrini-Green (Chicago) is a great example of what IS happening (demolition) to those old projects. These days it's all about mixed-use housing. You had said that (housing projects) was a good example of socialism and I was "widening the topic".

As far as the health care stuff (wait times, etc), you suggested reading the Toronto paper - actually I read the Montreal Gazette on *almost* a daily basis and that's where I read about the complaints regarding Quebec's implementation - don't know much about Ontario's. I've often said we should look at systems like Canada and the UK and LEARN FROM THEIR MISTAKES. Do what they do well, and improve on things that need improving. We *should* be able to do that.

I think a fair comparison would be to look at the 'wait times' in other countries versus the 'wait times' for those receiving Medicaid/Medicare. No, I don't have that information at the moment. However, the thing that can't be denied is that procedures are FAR more expensive here than in other countries. That's something that HAS to be addressed. I mean, if an ER viisit didn't cost so much that it would push someone into bankruptcy, maybe we wouldn't be referring to this as a "health care crisis".

[Slave to Big Oil]
Yeah, I know about the $6/gal gas (adjusted for foreign exchange and metric conversions). Hasn't stopped them from driving - while the taxes on 'petrol' seems to fund a truly spectacular public transportation network. Only New York City can even come CLOSE to the maps I've seen for other cities. And it's like every little medium sized city at least has it's own tram (light rail/trolley) network!

I very much plan to use public transportation. There's a possibility that I might not drive at all during this trip. W're flying to Paris and spending a few days there. My fiancee and I agree on making sure we have a hotel close to the Paris Metro. Later we're taking the Eurostar to London (which should elicit cries of "why can't WE have this?" along the way). I'm looking forward to a few days around London (where my duaghter spent a semester in college) on the Tube/Underground. Then it's going to be up to Scotland where my fiancee spent a semester in college for a bit before heading to Ireland (probably by ferry) and then a flight back to Boston.

I'm hoping that we can get a good feeling for the places we're visiting, even though we have to rush things a bit to fit them all into 2 weeks. And, yeah, I've been to Barnes & Noble and spent $60 or so on some books.

On a positive note..In Paris I would suggest taking an "American Express" half day tour, sit in the front and mark on a Paris map the places where they don't stop and go back to the ones you still want to see. This is a good way of getting acquainted with a city and optimize expense. It is a great place for a honeymoon..
In London I think the on and off bus is a good way to go if you want to jump to a few locations. This is also very good in NY City for tourists.
Rather than taking the fast train from Paris you may want to consider going to Calais and take the Hovercraft and then the train from Dover to London. This is only if you have time.
Last: I did not recommend reading the Canadian Newspaper but rather the UK newspaper "Daily Mail". It is a good newspaper to stay on top of England.

djplong
"I found at least a reference stating that it was a Federal law passed some time ago that put it under the auspices of the Commerce Dept. However, the "gerrymandering" problem has nothing to do with that. Gerrymandering is specifically dividing up territory in a state to protect an incumbent by shunting people unlikely to vote for said incumbent to another district. In fact, the term was invented in Massachusettes becuase of Elbridge Gerry (MA governor in 1810) drawing up districts to benefit his party - and one looked like a salamander. If someone suspectes that a district has been gerrymandered, it's taken up with the STATE courts - becuase it's up to the states to decide how to redistrict themselves."


The census is under the commerce dept to prevent political interference. I have investigated your claim about 2000 and find nothing and believe that the census was completed under the Clinton WH.

The take over by Rahm Emanuel was not made public until Gregg who was appointed as commerce secy, and proudly proclaimed by the Obama administration as a Republican QUIT because of finding out the plans to take over the census.

This in addition until the %^&* hit the fan on ACORN they in fact were the first choice by this WH to be the prime organization to conduct the census !

Originally Posted by PennBF

On a positive note..In Paris I would suggest taking an "American Express" half day tour, sit in the front and mark on a Paris map the places where they don't stop and go back to the ones you still want to see. This is a good way of getting acquainted with a city and optimize expense. It is a great place for a honeymoon..
In London I think the on and off bus is a good way to go if you want to jump to a few locations. This is also very good in NY City for tourists.
Rather than taking the fast train from Paris you may want to consider going to Calais and take the Hovercraft and then the train from Dover to London. This is only if you have time.
Last: I did not recommend reading the Canadian Newspaper but rather the UK newspaper "Daily Mail". It is a good newspaper to stay on top of England.

Yeah, I blurred together the talk of Toronto, socialism, health care waiting lists and newspapers.. It was in the Montreal Gazette where I learned of the court cases against the Quebec implementation and the citizen's outcry over the waits for certain pediatric procedures. To be honest I was thinking of checking out the London Times. I've only occasionally read links to articles in The Independant and Guardian - but mostly BBC News when it comes to the UK.

I'll definitely have maps committed to memory and backed up with my new smartphone that is GSM (meaning it can handle the networks overseas) compatible with a GPS

The reason, other than speed, that we're taking the Eurostar is, quite frankly, because I'm a rail fan. I love trains and I've wanted to go through "The Chunnel" since it the project was announced. I wanted a chance to sample REAL High Speed Rail as opposed to the Almost High Speed Rail that we have here with the Acela from Boston to D.C.

Believe me, I'm listening to a LOT of people for ideas on things to keep in mind for this trip Thanks!