Comment Sandbox?

George Rebane

Been doing more noodling on how to keep the comment threads more relevant to my posted commentaries.  I appreciate very much that RR has come to serve as an open forum for whatever readers wish to discuss or cuss.  Yet at the same time I’d like to start constraining the comments to expansions, critiques, and ideas that are related to the subject at hand.  An approach to providing a venue for reader selected topics or pointed communications with each other is to feature a regular posting such as a ‘Weekly Sandbox’ under which all manner of comments and conversations can take place that may or not be offshoots of what I have posted.  These sandboxes would be posted regularly and dated – e.g. today’s would be ‘Sandbox – 9jun14’ – so that past comments could be more precisely referenced.

Launching this convention would make it much easier for me to ‘unpublish’ or move off topic comments, and not be concerned with sandbox comments that would have no such topical restrictions.  I believe that this would make reading topical comments much easier without readers having to wade through itinerant mudball fights and off-the-wall subjects of interest.  And it would provide a ready forum for those who enjoy mining the sandbox for random yet cleverly posited observations, or just watching the mudballs fly.  Thoughts on this?

While I’m in administrivia mode, I’d like to again express appreciation for the thoughtful (if not forceful and contentious) comments RR gets from its more liberal readers.  RR was launched with the idea that it would not become an echo chamber for ideas and opinions that fly in some prescribed and tight ideological formation.  And happily that most certainly has not been the case over these past seven years.  I believe that all of our ideas contend here for the benefit of those who are ‘not declared’, or those who consider themselves to be in the mid-regions of socio-political beliefs, or those whose beliefs in some area are not complete.  Those dedicated from the Left and the Right are the gladiators in the arena, neither expecting to convert the other, but only to show the power of their thoughts through the prowess of their arguments.  Again I thank all serious thinkers whose comments decorate these pages.

Comments

[stevenfrisch]

Does this mean that you will be deleting personal attacks on people's character, unsubstantiated claims as to their motivations and beliefs, attacks on their profession, and threats to interfere with peoples livelihoods and relationships with clients?

If so, it would be a welcome change.

[Walt]

WOW Steve,, "deleting personal attacks",, from the "side" that makes a point
of using that kind of "ammo". Like I said before. It's a good thing "dueling"
was outlawed... For your sake. I do believe you owe my wife an apology from your little swipe, back from when we returned from our trip. ( your welcome home "morons" quip.... You do know the "s" means plural?) Maybe the County could loan me the set of "score settlers" that are in the gun collection. And so you could live with the shame of the loss, as stated before, the load will be paint balls. Your great at taking shots at people,, it would be interesting to see how good you may be at 20 passes.
( The "gentlemen's" way of dealing with public insults.)

I know,, it's always a righty that casts the first stone. Attacking the belief of a LIB ( like AGW and Socialism) is considered a "personal" attack.

GREAT Idea Doc, the sandbox plan is sound.. Too bad you get stuck cleaning out the "tootsie roles" the Leftist "cats" will surely leave behind.

[fish]

Does this mean that you will be deleting personal attacks on people's character, unsubstantiated claims as to their motivations and beliefs, attacks on their profession, and threats to interfere with peoples livelihoods and relationships with clients?

If so, it would be a welcome change.

I'm guessing that this means that these will be seen more often in the "Sandbox".

[George Rebane]

Yes, definitely please reserve the ad hominems for the Sandbox. And calling someone by a recognized socio-political label that points to an ideology has never been considered an ad hominem or a personal slur on RR. The recipient may dispute that, but then, such disputes pursued in depth are the sum and stuff of our dialogues and diatribes. Wield your pens so that the cuts are clearly seen to be Churchillian ;-)

I'm not sure if my effort to cull out the "tootsie rolls" from topical comments will satisfy everyone, but let's give it a try.

[Bill Tozer]

Exactamundo Mr. Fish. No holds barred Death Match with the undertaker whittling away the hours outside the cage.

It is good to have a place where we can air our little hurt feelings and tell each other how what they said saddened a sensitive man of the new millennium such as your truly. Conservatives have feelings too. And goat ropers need just as much love as a Real Cowpoke. Might even be a place where an occasional derogatory comment can be posted in all candor without it spilling over into the essays Dr. Rebane has painstakingly written. Ya right. That will never happen as a street fight usually starts in the bar and spills out onto the main drag and alleys of Quainty Town, USA.

Are you ready to rumble? Do I hear an "Amen"? I can't hear you! Let's Rumble: "I am not a cockroach, you are a cockroach!" "Takes one to know one." "Skunk smells its own stink first." "You bruised my ego!" "You started it". Ah, I pity the poor fool that draws first blood.

I always believed that it is ok to jump into your own mud puddle, just as long as you don't splash those around ya. I have not lived up to that standard. They say if you get tired of having sand kicked in your face, change your playground and/or playmates.

I will give it a try. Maybe I can discuss the things that interest me, such as me, myself, and I. Its all about me anyway. Oh, I may take a stab and querry ya'll about microeconomic trends and maybe Mr. stevenfrisch can direct me to a good solar installer, not a solar salesperson. Maybe Mr. Walt will divulge ear tingling details of his trip Far West.

Maybe discuss my succulent collection from South Africa, including an endangered species I saved from being devoured by goats. I did learn one thing. Just because a succulent is rare and endangered does not make it pleasing to the eye. That thing is an ugly brown orb (born that way)that looks like a deformed shaved pine cone covered with old leather.

I did enjoy going off topic with Walt last night discussing Occupy Wall Street sympathizer Michael Moore's current financial woes and having the said woes continue for a long long time. Oh, the decisions we make. Well, this simpleton is going out into the lovely cool day again. Anybody care to pull my finger?

[Gregory]

Please, Stephen Frisch of the wretchedly misnamed Sierra Business Council (council:an advisory, deliberative, or legislative body of people formally constituted and meeting regularly), don't start the mud flinging and then complain when it gets flung back just as hard, only on target. Retracting the "haldol" comments you have made would be a good start, and that goes for Mikey, too.

Please, no initiation of ad hominems even in the "sandbox". And no pretending to be nice here while you are throwing mud in the protection of the FUE's sandbox; the net *is* the real world, you don't get to be two faced without being called on it.

[stevenfrisch]

Posted by: Walt | 09 June 2014 at 02:29 PM

"I do believe you owe my wife an apology from your little swipe, back from when we returned from our trip. ( your welcome home "morons" quip.... You do know the "s" means plural?)"

You are right Walt, I do owe your wife an apology. No disrespect was meant to her at all, and for that I apologize.

[stevenfrisch]

As far as the 'paintballs' are concerned Walt, you can rest assured that should that ever happen I will have you up on charges of assault so fast your head will spin.

[Walt]

The first salvos have been fired, on this new field of battle. Now wait for the return fire... ( will fall short as bloody usual. No need for hardhats.)

[Walt]

Really Steve? Didn't read the rules of the duel in history class?
They played a huge role in history.
Charges??? Really???? Anger has really set in.
BTW, " Mr. History" , When you crack open that learn'n book again, see what the one refusing the "challenge" was branded in public. (Hint) "O" just made a real bad trade for one.
Since you did apologize,( after a second request) your slightly off the hook.

Now grow up.

[Account Deleted]

Go for it, George - we'll see how it works.

[Gregory]

But of course, the moron label for Walt remains in the very partial retraction of 5:36.

Frisch likes to act as the aggrieved party but likes to forget that it was his "haldol" libel per se that caused me to finally bring up the specter of contacting his board, and that Mikey has made similar slanders now and in the past, iirc even echoing his Haldol fantasy. I've an interesting escalation in mind for l'affaire Anderson if he doesn't get a clue himself that slanders are actionable.

[Joe Koyote]

It looks to me like this sandbox thing could get very ugly very fast. I like the idea of being able to throw stuff out there that is not associated with the topic de jour but a playground bullfest that amounts to nothing more than "I know you are but what am I" or calling each other "poopoo butt" doesn't sound very appealing to me. BTW Walt -- I like your new look, have you ever wrestled an alligator?

[Walt]

Just some "pick-ups" at closing time,(in a past life) Or which EX may you be referring too?

[George Rebane]

JoeK 705pm - The sandbox doesn't have to contain any nasties, or even be made up mostly of ad hominem exchanges. But it can become the venue for short or even longer discussions of topics introduced by readers. And recall that I will post (and have posted) an extended commentary as a byline by any reader who wishes to invite a deeper discussion of his chosen topic/issue. Give it a try.

[Bill Tozer]

Nevada Union has announced a closed campus for the upcoming school year. That should make Michelle Obama very happy. No competition for her lunch menu and a captive audience.

[Fuzz]

George, I stopped regular reading of your comment section long ago because it had basically turned into a giant sarcastic pissing contest. Even Russ Steele got fed up with it and posted as such. I even started one post with "Gentlemen, please!" because the invective was flying around like shingles in a tornado. So, open up that sandbox and make the mud slingers take a detour. Keep your regular section impersonal and issue focused. The verbal fist fights just waste my time and everyone else's. It's OK to disagree and but do it in a thoughtful way that produces more light than heat.

[fish]

And in this mornings "guilt by association" section we have a report from spherical former newsman…..the jeffy

Media: Las Vegas shooter posed with “Constitutional sheriff” Richard Mack, who also spoke in our town

I'm sorry…."spherical"….that was mean! Allow me to rephrase that.

And in this mornings "guilt by association" section we have a report from oblate spheroid shaped former newsman…..the jeffy.

Remember jeffy….you're supposed to "be all about principles"! Just because some screwball pinned down Mack in a casino hallway for a photo is hardly an endorsement of subsequent actions by said screwball!

You should stick to your food porn….that's really your strength……leave serious journalism to the professionals!

[George Rebane]

This MichaelA 638am is transplanted from another post. I presume he's testing me. BTW, it is a pain in the butt to transfer such comments; deleting is easier.

Walt wrote: "About the only thing missing will be the saggy boobed wanabe, aged hippy chicks, and dudes hangys that look like they got left on the hotdog cooker, WAY too long."

Dang you Walt, that wasn't nice. Now I have those images stuck in my brain.

I can assure you, today's BM is not your daddy's BM.

[George Rebane]

More from Messrs Anderson and fish from another post.
=====

George, since you have chosen to misdirect what I wrote, I will spell it out for your commenters. This is NOT A PROBLEM THAT IS SOLVED WITH A SANDBOX. George, I pared down the link list. Here is how you will stay out of court.

"Contributions must not:
* Contain any material which is defamatory of any person
* Contain any material which is hateful or inflammatory
* Promote violence
* Infringe any copyright, database right or trade mark of any other person
* Be likely to deceive any person
* Be made in breach of any legal duty owed to a third party, such as a contractual duty or a duty of confidence
* Promote any illegal activity
* Be threatening, abuse or invade another’s privacy
* Be likely to harass any other person
* Be used to impersonate any person, or to misrepresent your identity or affiliation with any person
* Give the impression that they emanate from RR, if this is not the case
* Advocate, promote or assist any unlawful act such as (by way of example only) copyright infringement or computer misuse
* Disclose the name, address, telephone, mobile or fax number, e-mail address or any other personal data in respect of any individual
* Be in contempt of court
* Contain a statement which you know or believe, or have reasonable grounds for believing, that members of the public to whom the statement is, or is to be, published are likely to understand as a direct or indirect encouragement or other inducement to the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism"

Pretty simple, and nothing proscribed here will prevent the free flow of ideas, invective, and bad manners. But it will keep you out of court.

Running a blog is time-consuming and a huge responsibility. You have a legal obligation to do it correctly. For some reason you don't take that obligation seriously.

Posted by: Michael Anderson | 10 June 2014 at 07:14 AM

Michael Anderson

So George, whatever happened to your good friend Paul Emery? Why doesn't he post here anymore? Perhaps he got tired of Todd slandering his music skills in the comments at RR. Perhaps he got tired of you allowing those comments to remain up on your site.

Here's an example of what I am talking about. Greg Goodnight wrote: "People who let [Michael Anderson] manage their computers, with full access to their emails and documents, might want to know what he does in his spare time."

That is direct threat to my business. It is a call to action by Greg for my customers to no longer use my services. The only reason I don't sue George Rebane and Greg Goodnight is because neither of you matter, your slanderous bullshit on this site toward me has zero negative effect. In fact, it has a positive effect.

You're welcome, George. I'm glad I could provide this service to you free of charge.

Posted by: Michael Anderson | 10 June 2014 at 07:27 AM

fish

Pretty simple, and nothing proscribed here will prevent the free flow of ideas, invective, and bad manners. But it will keep you out of court.

Running a blog is time-consuming and a huge responsibility. You have a legal obligation to do it correctly. For some reason you don't take that obligation seriously.

Perhaps you should sue Michael.

Posted by: fish | 10 June 2014 at 07:51 AM

[George Rebane]

All this talk of people threatening to sue each other is pretty scary and off the posted issues. One solution was pointed out by John -

MA, 7:27. You publicly stated that you were fed up with this site and would be gone for good several weeks ago, and it was quite pleasant while you were gone. Since you obviously do not like anything about this, why don't you do yourself and the rest of us a favor and go away again. Permanantly.

Posted by: John | 10 June 2014 at 08:06 AM

I do agree with John that people who see little benefit in RR and its comment streams should simply not visit this blog. And that advice goes doubly for those whose ideas or ability to express them fall short so that they must revert to flinging mudballs and threaten legal action. There are plenty of RR readers of goodwill from both sides of any question who will remain and ably stand their ideological ground without shifting their copy to pure ad hominems.

[Walt]

LOL!! LIBS demanding "censorship" on a " Conservative" web page.
" How dare these people post words we don't like"..
Then stay on the LIB pages where only "approved" posts and comment that the "operator" agrees with.
The Progressive "micro aggression" is leaking all over the place.
" how dare you say what you did!! I may SUE YOU for that free speech!" ( even thou it may be 100% accurate.)

Hear the news? "O" is now trying to blame someone else for the traitor trade.
( nevermind he "took" full credit from when the news broke)
At least he didn't come out and say " I heard about it in the news".
Nope,, he owns this. No weaseling out this time. Unlike all the other scandals
perped by he and his crew. From F&F, the IRS, Benghazi, BLM, etc. Those were done "behind his back"...( ya... sure thing... whatever you say.)
Now we have the illegal dumping of illegals. And mostly minor children at that. What does our Lefty crew say about that? More the better?
Someone grab the Democrat voter records, and send two illegals to every address for them to take in and support.
Steve gets four...

[Bonnie McGuire]

Isn't it wonderful to be able to express yourselves on Mr. Rebanes blog? Our First Amendment is wonderful and possible among people who restrain their lower human tendency to verbally insult others like childish bullies. I used to really enjoy the Union newspaper blog, but some people were really bad. That's probably why it's no longer there for everyone to enjoy. Now look back to the good ol' days before computers and blogs. If you guys were in the local bar your bad manners would get you a black eye, sore jaw and maybe some missing teeth. I think it's time to clean up your individual behavior and respect what Mr. Rebane has created for everyone to enjoy. That's all that's required...

[George Rebane]

Thanks to Ms Bonnie McGuire for her kind words. Being the default target of all slings and arrows comes with the territory when contentious issues are presented unequivocally and discussed openly. It feels good to get an occasional 'atta boy'.

And interesting and relevant update on the recent Scattershots post.
http://rebaneruminations.typepad.com/rebanes_ruminations/2014/06/scattershots-9jun14.html

[Walt]

Leftys may be silent for a while.. They are out waiting to get Hillary's book of facts. ( prices drastically slashed) Get them before they hit the dollar store's bargain bin. Word has it that the book is as good as OJ Simpson's.( and just as truthful)

[Walt]

This is the LIBS "honest government" at work. Another page taken from the Nixon playbook.
http://dailycaller.com/2014/06/10/nsa-our-systems-are-too-complex-to-stop-deleting-evidence/

Something might lead right back to the White House... Can't have that happen,,, Right??,, Leftys??

[fish]

All this talk of people threatening to sue each other is pretty scary and off the posted issues. One solution was pointed out by John......

I suggested that Michael sue knowing full well that he is all bluster and is no more likely to sue than jeffy is to lose weight or me regrow a full head of hair.

But it dawns on me that I am in large measure responsible for many of the hurt feelings associated with these posts. While I feel little regret for this, it is getting repetitive and since I have largely done what I set out to do; find out why Pelline was constantly showing up in my newspaper (I needn't have worried.....his friends barely pay any attention him. I don't know why I was concerned about his influence in the Bee). As a bonus I have been privileged to peer into the deeply confused mind of young Ben Emery....a man pining for a Progressivism that has and never will exist...his own personal "Big Rock Candy Mountain" complete with all the goodies but none of the costs. I do hope that someday you out grow your naivete.

There is nothing left to do really except watch it play out over the next few years.....

With that, I bid you all adeiu.

[fish]

Crap....horrible form to screw up your going away post!

.....a man pining for a Progressivism that never has and never will exist.

(slinks away muttering to himself)

[Gregory]

The reason Michael P. Anderson of Clientworks, Inc. (a tiny mom and pop IT support shop in Nevada City) doesn't sue me is that I have not defamed him, according to any definition I know of.

"The elements that must be proved to establish defamation are:

a publication to one other than the person defamed;
a false statement of fact;
that is understood as

a. being of and concerning the plaintiff; and
b. tending to harm the reputation of plaintiff.

If the plaintiff is a public figure, he or she must also prove actual malice."

https://www.eff.org/issues/bloggers/legal/liability/defamation

I understand Anderson has also made similar threats of legal action in the past to our esteemed toonist, R.L. Crabb, and mutual friends sought me out to angrily inquire if I was the jerk pestering RL.

Michael P. Anderson, a person who I have never met, has made clear and repeated written claims here that I am mentally ill (with and without mentions of Haldol, a drug and a class of drugs I have never been prescribed) and has made a point of spelling out my full name, apparently for the benefit of webcrawlers, in order to insure his false claims against my character are widely noticed.

Mr.Anderson, now is the time to retract those past words of yours.

[Bill Tozer]

Dear Bonnie. Your post was spot on to use modern lingo. Learned a lesson from a friend in 2000. He was having difficulties with an ex boyfriend of his new girlfriend. The ex came over to his door and pounded on it and challenged him to a fight. My friend was a expert brawler to the max and seldom if ever a fight with him lasted a more than 15 to 20 seconds.

Anyway, with this guy pounding on the door and my friend knew he could punch his lights out in about 6 seconds, my friend simply went inside and called the local Barney Fife squad in Nevada City. When the jailbird re-emerged and revisited my friend in a couple or so days later, my friend simply called the Barney Fife squad again and flied a harassment suit on him and a civil case on him for numerous offensives, the least was for damages to his front door and smashed windows and being an all around menace.

Knowing my friend's usual first reaction and response to threats, I was most puzzled and shocked to say the least. I queried him as to why he did not take the smaller/bigger crazy on. His reply was priceless.

"In the old days, we just duked it out to settle our differences. Over, done, boom boom, out goes the lights. But this is the New Millennium. If you really want to hurt a guy, you hit him in his pocketbook. Sue em'."

[Gregory]

FYI

The terms of use policy demanded by Michael P. Anderson for George to adhere to in order to avoid legal action was apparently largely lifted from a British website:

http://wildseedstudios.com/acceptable-use-policy/

It might be accidental, but the one full sentence of Anderson's I chose to google had but one hit in the googlesphere, and it was the Wildseed page.

It should be noted Britain does not have an equivalent to the 1st Amendment...
"UK laws on defamation are among the strictest in the western world, imposing a high burden of proof on the defendant."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech_by_country#United_Kingdom

In short, you can be dragged into a UK court on defamation charges for the blogging equivalent of "Mommy, Mikey was mean to me!". Zarquon be praised, we're in the USA.

It should also be noted that Michael P. Anderson's posts here have generally been in violation of the conditions he would have imposed.

[Walt]

OHHHH Yaaaaa... The "modern, 21ST century" duel... Litigation..
Plug the courts with hurt feelin's,, while those that really need to be in front of a judge, are let out on bail to wait their turn a year or so down the road.

[Walt]

A Lefty involved in plagiarism? That still is aggin' the law,, isn't it?
Someone should SUE!!!!!
LIBS have a common defect. " rules and laws are for the other guy."
They follow their "Dear Leader's" example.
Soon they will be dressing like Hillary, in the latest N. Korean attire, with a touch of Chinese dictator neckline, and style.

[Michael Anderson]

George, I was truly trying be helpful. I never threatened to sue anyone. In fact, I explicitly said that I wasn't going to do that. But I do understand the big picture here. Please don't mistake me for Sisyphus.

I will miss you, fish. And I wish the rest of you all the best. See ya.

[Bill Tozer]

Michael, I will miss you as well. You are the only person that really understands me. Oh well. Big hugs.

Mr. Walt, have you been in my closet again? Your comment about stilettos on another thread got a wee bit too close to home and aroused my suspicions. Now I know for certain you have been in my closet. I do prefer one piece Dale Evans tortoise swimsuits though. It would not look good on Hillary nor that North Korean man child with the expanding girth. I have to watch my girlish figure as summer has come upon us. I for one do not have sagging rock in the sock hooters....yet. Playing in the Sandbox is fun.

[Todd Juvinall]

Fish is leaving! NOOOOO! I dig your stuff man/woman, you have to rethink your departure! I guess all this General Rancor is getting to some folks here. I see MichaelA is leaving for the umpteenth time as well. Can't say I'll miss his input/output. I do recall him threatening me over on the FUE, where he did his two face. Whiny here and attack dog there. Too funny!

I just returned from a few days of skirt chasing and dancing (for TSA women) and I see George is trying to mitigate all the poop. I don't think it is possible. I recall most of the same folks dukeing it out on the Union comments a few years ago. The Union took them off and look what happened! A lot less readership! I think if people want safe, calm and nice, go over to the Disney blogs or maybe the Narnia blogs. If people want true hard hitting yapping, than stay here or my blog.

Next thing we will see is MikeA and SteveF get a sex change and get pumped full of estrogen to calm them down to nice. LOL!

[Walt]

Please leave a shoe horn handy next time Bill. That nice flowery print piece ya' got hang'n there would look nice the next time a get on a dozer. Sorry for leaving the last item I barrowed all dusty, with a grease stain or two.

Now I never said you looked like " Granny" from the old Playboy cartoons.

[Walt]

Subject Iraq:.... Great job LIBS,, your demand to get out has worked SO well.
Terrorists were supposed to be "on the run"... They sure are. To fill the vacancy "O" left behind.
Enjoy the spike in fuel prices as a direct result.
Even the Iraqis are wishing for a return of Bush.
Great Job "O",, the whole Middle East is now on fire.. Mission accomplished.

[Bill Tozer]

Nature abhors a vacuum.

Walt, no worries about the grease stains on my black panties with red flames out the back of the crouch.. They are now too stretched out for me to wear, but they were old and I ready to toss 'em. Comfortable aren't they? Must say the grease stains on the red flames gets it a splendid ambiance. FYI, I have moved past the Giget look so no need to return the flowered print dress. On to a more conservative Annette Funcicello two piece until my teeny weenie bikini marks get more sun. Out course I will add bolder colors than Annette ever dreamed of. No worries, glad you enjoyed the ride.

[Walt]

Good thing about that "no return" policy. It didn't fair too well, during the mowing job. But it did go well with Brown logging boots. I had to use the hem to clean off the dip stick when I checked to oil.

[Bill Tozer]

no worries again Mr. Walt. That hem has been used to clean off more than one dipstick in its time.

[Ben Emery]

Here is one for the sandbox

I didn’t even look at the responses to my opinion of George Rebane on his blog. I don’t have the will power to not respond. This response is basically a summary of my authoritarian fascist/ corporatist rant and justification of how I can to my opinion. As a person with Jewish heritage and great grandparents who fled the Ukraine in fear of their lives during the Black Hundreds era, my grandmother on my mothers side was a first generation US natural born citizen in her family. I find the anti-Islam rhetoric, ultra nationalism, absolute hatred of the political left, fear of college liberal professors, collectivists, and authoritarianism very alarming and dangerous. Therefore I must call it out.

George over the last couple years on his blog in our communications has supported

-mass random round up of Muslims in the US (Guantanamo Bay)
-holy war between US(Christian) vs. Islam
-uses the term raghead over and over again to describe and entire people
-disdain for US education k-12 and higher education liberal arts
-ultranationalism that makes US imperialism justifiable and the hammering down on any nation that stands in the way of our corporate state
-obsession of the mythical free market and support of transnational big business
-hatred of labor unions and their desire for representation in the work place
-bigotry towards others, especially those with brown or dark skin
-authoritarianism in his apathetic view of the Defense department spying on all Americans
-apathetic views towards equality of all stripes
-the 1 trillion dollar annually department of defense/ military
-abolishing any form of democracy in the US
-the removal of million if not tens of millions from the voter rolls

A list off the blog of recent posts as of 6/14/14
• Healthcare Sleaze – The VA template for Obamacare
• Public Education – A ray of hope
• Comment Sandbox?
• Scattershots – 9jun14 (updated 10jun14, twice!)
• 'Nuff said
• Yes, we really have become polarized
• Ruminations - 3jun14
• Public Service Unions, the VA scandal, and Zombie Agencies (updated)
• The Liberal Mind – Hillary’s new logic on Benghazi
• How Real is Voter Fraud?
This time for good and never again will I come to these pages. I have done so in the past to allow those who read but don’t comment out of fear of being harassed and abused from the “Black Shirt” like regulars who are as scary as the blogs host in many ways and even scarier in other ways. I comment for those to see that there are other opinions and people with enough backbone to stand with their convictions. I have to many other much much more important things to take care in my life at the moment and no longer want to waste precious time with you bunch of neo Fascists bordering on neo Nazis.

[Ben Emery]

I think the previous post was to long so here is a segment I took out so it would post.

George Rebane solutions for our nation

- Jobs: Government can improve employment only by getting out of the way;
- Fixing the financial industry: Deregulate;
- Sound money: Return to the gold standard;
- Tax Reform: For starters, end the income tax;
- Tear up the “third rails”: End Social Security and Medicare;
- Fixing Higher Ed: Time to drop out of college? (also see MOOCs);
- Healthcare: Repealing Obamacare is just the beginning;
- America is bankrupt: Time to admit it.

[Todd Juvinall]

Ben Emery, you are the most paranoid person I have read on these blogs. Have you been to the doctor for that? My goodness, you are a real nut.

[Walt]

AHhhhh Ben... Don't let the door hit ya' where the good Lord split ya'.

Now plan a good vacation in Bagdad, or any other well known spot in Iraq.
Maybe a day trip into Syria? Your Messiah "O" said our enemies have been decimated. It should be more than safe. Since being a good party member, "O" may trade you for a few more Club GITMO card holders.
( how many "reformed" terrorists are you worth?)
There is always Mexico. ( what's a few abductions by the cartels? Few and far between...)
Now go out there and experience the "safe*" utopian world Dear Leader has given you.

[fish]

What is it about you nitwits that I can only stay away for about a week......

"I think the previous post was to long so here is a segment I took out so it would post.

George Rebane solutions for our nation"

- Jobs: Government can improve employment only by getting out of the way;

I think that this is self evident but I'm interested to hear an alternative approach as long as it doesn't involve filling racial quotas...it has to be about
putting the most capable person into a "real job"...not currying favor with voting blocs meant to assuage any of your personal lingering "white guilt".

Oh and it has to be your own work...you can't turn in any of Robert Reichs usual lefty drivel.

- Fixing the financial industry: Deregulate;

Since the imposition of regulation on the financial industry (as well as every other) hasn't stopped or even really slowed down under this progressive
administration I'm curious to know why you make this statement. If you are referring to Glass-Steagall most of it fell under the weight of
various court rulings and it was eventually ended under the last progressive administration....that of Bill Clinton.

I think that Georges suggestion was to end subsidies and support of these TBTF institutions and let the chips fall where they may. Again....I concur
with his assessment.

- Sound money: Return to the gold standard;

Please cite where George has ever called for this. It sounds like something I might have called for but I can't remember George ever mentioning it.

- Tax Reform: For starters, end the income tax;

See the previous point immediately above.

- Tear up the “third rails”: End Social Security and Medicare;

No need...both will collapse under their own weight eventually....social security first followed by the much more spectacular collapse of Medicare.
Get your popcorn out and watch the fireworks when it happens.

- Fixing Higher Ed: Time to drop out of college? (also see MOOCs);

Again Higher Ed is going to "Fix" itself. Those who pay attention to this issue see upwards of half the institutions that provide college level
instruction failing and going under within 25 years. What's your beef with MOOCs? They are a "progressive" way of delivering content while reducing
costs.

- Healthcare: Repealing Obamacare is just the beginning;

What do you care if Obamacare fails.....you're a single payer guy. Try not to wind up on one of those "off the books" lists though Ben....I understand
it can extend your time in the waiting room significantly.

- America is bankrupt: Time to admit it.

Okay "Michael Moore" where are they hiding all the money? Maybe under the cushions in all those VA waiting rooms.

[Walt]

The world according to Ben.
Jobs: Mandated guaranteed employment.( show up when one feels like it, and only work as long as one desires too.. Yet get paid full board and benefits.)
Fixing the financial industry: Redistribution of all assets.( Robinhood style..) Shutter Wall St.
Tax Reform: 100% taxation. Mandatory installation of millage meters in all cars so your taxed by the mile.
Sound money: No one has any. If the Gov. thinks you need it, it will be issued.
Tear up the “third rails”: Nope,,, lay more track.( at someone else's expense.)
Fixing Higher Ed: "FREE" education for all! ( nevermind someone has to pay the Professors high salaries.)
Healthcare: Free... whatever you want.
America is bankrupt: No it's NOT!! The Gov. has printing presses running 24/7. The banks are full of money, and accounts just sitting there, just waiting to be spent.

[Walt]

Damn Ben,, you missed one.. Home ownership is a right! No matter what one's ability to pay for it. The Gov. needs to send a check every so often for standard upkeep. What's a little extra OPM going that way?
OPM..." other,, people's,, money..
Yes,, The Socialistic wet dream.

A damned good thing the unaffordable care fiasco was deemed a tax, and not subject to the Interstate commerce regs.( as Progressive Socialists hoped,,) Then "O" and Co. could have mandated a Chevy Volt in every driveway.

[fish]

This time for good and never again will I come to these pages. I have done so in the past to allow those who read but don’t comment out of fear of being harassed and abused from the “Black Shirt” like regulars who are as scary as the blogs host in many ways and even scarier in other ways. I comment for those to see that there are other opinions and people with enough backbone to stand with their convictions. I have to many other much much more important things to take care in my life at the moment and no longer want to waste precious time with you bunch of neo Fascists bordering on neo Nazis.

That's right Ben, many more important things..... that "Poop Tractor" isn't going to drive itself....well not immediately anyway..... until someone equips it with robotics and finally allows you the luxury of fussing, Lucy Van Pelt like, full time.

And other than calling on you to document you assertions (Fascist, Authoritarian, Corporatist....etc.)...there was never any need to be concerned about your accusations. You see in addition to not knowing what those labels mean and therefore hurling them in error, you don't even understand your own political tradition....that's whats so sad!

You Ben, are the only "Ben Emery Progressive" in existence there are no others like you.

And oh shit...... you've left more up above....... fish haz a sad.......

I didn’t even look at the responses to my opinion of George Rebane on his blog. I don’t have the will power to not respond. This response is basically a summary of my authoritarian fascist/ corporatist rant and justification of how I can to my opinion. As a person with Jewish heritage and great grandparents who fled the Ukraine in fear of their lives during the Black Hundreds era, my grandmother on my mothers side was a first generation US natural born citizen in her family. I find the anti-Islam rhetoric, ultra nationalism, absolute hatred of the political left, fear of college liberal professors, collectivists, and authoritarianism very alarming and dangerous. Therefore I must call it out.

As a person with Jewish heritage.....

WOW....is there any "oppressed" ethnic group of which you are not a part?

Jewish now....who knew?

George over the last couple years on his blog in our communications has supported

-mass random round up of Muslims in the US (Guantanamo Bay) Prove it (dates and times...be prepared to offer rebuttal)
-holy war between US(Christian) vs. Islam
-uses the term raghead over and over again to describe and entire people So what....you are every bit the name caller that you accuse George of being
-disdain for US education k-12 and higher education liberal arts Prove it (dates and times...be prepared to offer rebuttal)
-ultranationalism that makes US imperialism justifiable and the hammering down on any nation that stands in the way of our corporate state Prove it (dates and times...be prepared to offer rebuttal)
-obsession of the mythical free market and support of transnational big business Prove it (dates and times...be prepared to offer rebuttal)
-hatred of labor unions and their desire for representation in the work place Prove it (dates and times...be prepared to offer rebuttal)
-bigotry towards others, especially those with brown or dark skin Prove it (dates and times...be prepared to offer rebuttal)
-authoritarianism in his apathetic view of the Defense department spying on all Americans Prove it (dates and times...be prepared to offer rebuttal)
-apathetic views towards equality of all stripes Prove it (dates and times...be prepared to offer rebuttal)
-the 1 trillion dollar annually department of defense/ military
-abolishing any form of democracy in the US Prove it (dates and times...be prepared to offer rebuttal)
-the removal of million if not tens of millions from the voter rolls Prove it (dates and times...be prepared to offer rebuttal)

You level charges like this Man Child and you had better plan for a long, arduous, and rigorous defense of your assertions! Since you have demonstrated repeatedly in the past that you excel at accusing but never seem to be able to provide documentation of your charges I'm not holding my breath.

I eagerly await your response!

[George Rebane]

BenE 907am - For the record, your summary is a good try at abbreviation in the areas mentioned. But its directed simplification puts your understanding of my beliefs in doubt. And the list of your constructed strawmen attributed to me shuts off discussion. Mr fish's 11am reflects my thoughts with the possible exception that my use of the pejorative label 'raghead' is not gratuitous, but purposive and extensively defined. That is more than can be said of your labeling.

[Bill Tozer]

Hatred of labor unions? My, wake and smell the coffee. America does not like labor unions. The labor goons did it to themselves. No one to blame but them, young Benjamin. Labor unions remind me of what a resident of Watts said a year after the Watts Riots. He said there will be no more riots there again cause all "we did was hurt ourselves. Burned down businesses and neighborhoods and now there is nothing here."

Labor unions once had wide American support 50 years ago. This is the New Millennium , Bro Ben, so keep up with the times. The unions got greedy and slayed the goose that laid the golden eggs. Done shot themselves in the foot. Did it all to themselves with Dr. Rebane's input. Like watching water evaporate out of the fish bowl.

Where have all the flowers gone? Young girls picked them every one.

Only 1 in 10 workers in the private sector say they would join a union if given the opportunity. Time to pound your head against that 20 ton boulder again, my Brother from the Tribe of Benjamin. And YOU think we are stuck in the past? Point one finger forward and you got three pointing back. Where have all the flowers gone?

[fish]

I know you breathlessly exclaimed; "This time for good and never again will I come to these pages....", but I know you're lying. So we going to see any documentation of your charges or is this just another example of more empty Ben Emery hyperventilation?

[Todd Juvinall]

More Ben Emery childishness fish. He is a lousy debater but a great cut and paste lib.

[Bill Tozer]

More on labor unions, the throwback to the 19th Century and first half of the last century. Its American history and I accept it as history. End of story.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/06/16/unions-push-state-legislatures-for-labor-history-courses/

[Bill Tozer]

Again from the AP. This is how the private sector encourages a better educated workforce.

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2014/06/16/starbucks-to-offer-workers-discounted-online-college-program/