"A hot winded pacifist" -Victoria Schell Wolf

Thursday, February 21, 2013

F.U.C.S.M.E . . . and Other Four Letter Words

A peek inside a FaceBook debate on Voting Rights, the Lazy, Selfish, Scheming Poor and the Selfless Corporate Job-Creators who are America's true Vicitms.


Jesse LoRe John, You those of your ilk are not the problem with the system, the problem is the ones that do want a bunch of "free" stuff. Let's face it, "Buy One, Get One Free" works for a reason.
hehehehe...could not help myself! Straight from the horse's mouth. How many times should your vote count? This is why I am against early voting and absentee ballots and for Voter ID.

http://www.bizpacreview.com/2013/02/10/nonexistent-voter-fraud-surfaces-in-critical-battleground-state-of-ohio-19479


www.bizpacreview.com
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John Emr Is that all you've got for the 2012 election? Wait until 2016, we're all going to vote twice for Hillary...

The problem with the system is the greed of the rich, not hungry people. It's one thing to hoard food for survival, it's another to hoard money.


Jeff Thomas Isolated incidents of individuals cheating the system. Cute. Fifteen years a piece. Well deserved.
Governors manipulating voter registration laws to strangle the opposition party. Not so cute. No consequences.
This is the more rational case to be made
for extended voting time.
How about requiring every prospective gun owner to provide their voter ID. . . . as for Absentee Ballots: Soldiers overseas . . . their families . . . Corporate employees stationed overseas . . . will you deny travel to citizens during election season? . . . Every Conservative has a case to deny freedoms to others until the moment they suddenly need or lose those same priviledges.

Jesse LoRe Jeff--Not a conservative--- to be clear,--- I advocate NO absentee ballots for people that "live" in the district, but can't or won't go to the poll. Of course anyone living or working overseas should have to present their visa number for the vote to be counted. Early voting and mail in ballots just open the system up for fraud and abuse. As to denying freedoms if you knew me you would not say that. I do not see how having such a pervasive Federal Government is considered "freedom" regardless of the good intentions. Remember every time they pass a law regardless of it's intent someone somewhere loses their freedom to make a choice or behave a certain way.
I for one am sick of the Nanny State and restricting freedoms being parsed as "public safety issues". Bullshit, it just a rationalization for denying someone the freedom to be a f*ck-up or subsidizing bad behavior (legal or illegal).
 
Jeff ThomasYou bring a fresh ambiguity onto the distinction of yourself from some (read: John's) "ilk". Allow me some latitude if I went all binary on the issue as it has become the current signature of Conservative rhetoric to paint with so broad a brush. Please clarify your premise before we spill our focus from my rebuttal to your smoking gun expose on "voter fraud" into the convoluted definition of the Nanny State and it's equivilantly convoluted alternative.
 
John Emr Voting is a unique act in our society. It's uncomparable to having a drivers licence or a gun permit. ID should never be required for voting since it is the most basic element in a democracy. We don't have to carry "papers" in America. The infirm, elderly and handicapped really like absentee ballots. People who have to work or have other responsibilities are able to vote thanks to early and mail-in voting. Opening the vote as wide as possible is ideal and very American. Restrictions of any kind are unLibertarian. But then again Libertarians are too embarrassed to call themselves Republicans, eh?
 
Jesse LoRe John if voting is so sacred why not make room in your schedule for it? Those of diminished or limited ability do not need to be voting. I say (with the exception of the Military) if you can't get to the poll then you can't vote. I agree the vote is a precious thing and protecting it from fraud should be paramount, how is unfettered access to the Ballot Box protecting our precious freedom, the freedom to fairly choose those that represent us to the rest of World. Gotta go have a tee time.
 
John Emr I hope you break 105 again!
 

Jesse LoRe Me too! hahahaha . . . If I can break even on the skins I am doing good.
 

- Uh Jeff, flowery speech, I am trying to brief and maybe counting on all parties having a rudimentary grasp of both sides of the argument. In the simplest of terms I believe the experiment that is the US of A was a huge step forward in the evolution of Man and believe History will bare that out. I also see the Progressive Movement as more of a Regressive move to a Dictatorial approach, regardless of good intentions, to governing the behavior of humans.
 
Jeff Thomas It takes little to perplex the reader these days . . . did you not unleash "ilk" onto the dialogue, or was this simply the unconscious reflex of a staunch advocate of party rhetoric? Until such time as you can demonstrate the shame complicit in advocating to remove the vote from "those of diminished or limited ability", I will consider your rudimentary grasp of my meaning in step with your rudimentary understanding of civil benevolence; both of which would benefit from a deeper comprehension of the harmful influence of the Libertarian cult of Self-Absorption.
 . . and you might consider adding some fragrance to your writing style as well . . complete sentences would be a significant start.
 
Jesse LoRe Wow! Jeff, great critique but still NO argument for your position regarding the dictatorial One Party Rule that you so fervently Desire. Just for shots and giggles, which would you prefer? A government that takes care of your basic needs? Or the opportunity to decide what your basic needs are? I believe that to be a civil question that deserves a civil answer.
 
Jeff Thomas Thanks, but the critique was modest at best . . . however let's stay focused: you have not addressed my response to your accusations of "voter fraud." You have introduced this as issue number one, not me.
Show me reasonable cause to deny U.S. citizen
s access to vote; measure the damage of double dipping against documented evidence of systematic, Republican legislaition calculated to change voting guidelines to discourage legitimate, opposition participation.
I am anxious to debate the use of government to distribute resources. As it happens,I have a dog in this fight. Let's simply observe some code of order. (Thanks for being cool enough to have gone this far.
 
John Emr This tidbit destroys all of your credibility Jesse, "Those of diminished or limited ability do not need to be voting." This is Fascism, this is how Hitler would do things. This comment is very disturbing. Perhaps next will be those of diminished "whiteness", or "diminished youth", maybe "diminished belief in christ", how about "diminished wealth"? Very patriotic.
 
Jesse LoRe Jeff & John, I am not for denying anyone "the right to vote" rather I am saying everyone should have to vote at their assigned precinct to prevent fraudulent votes from being cast. I am not for denying access to anyone I just think access should be equal for everyone, that does not mean fair, it means the same. It sounds like you are saying manipulating the system is great! If the system is being manipulated to suit your goals. I think early voting and absentee ballots open the "system" up for fraud be it a little or a lot, fraud is fraud, and the integrity of the system is paramount in protecting our Society.
The 'example' I provided shows how the absentee ballots can be and are abused. The subject in the video says she filled out the ballots and signed them for all members of her household and cast those votes for the candidate of HER choice. So I have formulated the position that, if you do not have the where with all to get to a polling station and show your ID for the purpose of preventing multiple votes being cast by one individual and validating your right to vote then you do not need to vote.
It is a problem as old as Government, if the "poor" folks can vote to take from the rich, they will, and when the rich are all gone, what you are left with is poor folks and bureaucrats. Just look at the Soviet Union for an example of how a "collective" economic system works in the post Industrial Age.
 
John Emr The Soviets were as crooked as their American counterparts, we just have the sarcasm or hypocracy to call it a "free market".
This is what you said, "Those of diminished or limited ability do not need to be voting." Own it dude!
 
Jeff Thomas Rather than advocating voter fraud, my posts addressed your conspicuous silence as regards the significantly larger net cast by specific, Republican controlled State governments to disenfranchise opposition votes.
While I agree that the disproportion
ate influence of the Republican strategy does not vindicate any other scheme to swindle the system, I am tired of the disingenuous astonishment by the sanctimonious Right at these far fewer, spontaneous incidents;
as comprehensive evidence of some devestating Left-Wing advantage. This thread winds neatly into the refrain of the "flourishing, lazy Left" which fuels the paranoia behind the Libertarian's "Facist, Progressive Agenda" rhetoric which you echo in your messages.
Tell me something about the Libertarian perspective on the growing gap between rich and poor in this country over the past decade.
Explain if you will, the Libertarian assessment of the Income Gap's paralyzing influence on our financial mobility as a Nation. I'll tell you that no critique of my political philosophy bears any merit which ignores these issues.
I'll also ask how one might choose to defer the distribution of a Society's "Needs" which is not already free to define them.
Six weeks seclusion brought Emanuel Kant through a syllogistic meditation on "Pure Reason" to develop his concept of "the Catagorical Imperitive" which forced the existing Philosophy and Theology into a fresh era. No situation can rightfully improve the quality of one individual which does not or cannot avail itself to all. It was a masterpiece of algebraic morality which in the end seems more familiar to most of us through the New Testament (i.e.: Do unto others . . )
Therefore I suggest that you Jesse, and I relieve the burden of such novelty in these discussions from our own potential friendship and allow that greater men have done the arithmetic numerous times over numerous centuries before us. Ours is the decision to Harvest the fruits, choosing by our pallatte which corner of the field we choose to work.
My corner will always include the reality of those who need a hand up. I'll kick no good person down on his luck to the curb just to spite a few lazy freeloaders.
 
John Emr And besdies, we know people who are getting food stamps and living in million dollar condos, eh comrades, eh? I mean, the bullshit people put up with for $135 a month!

 
Mark Campbell Out here in Washington and Oregon, voting is 100% by mail. The system works very well, though I do miss the ritual of going to the polling place with my fellow citizens. As to the anti socialist rants here, some people need to learn what it means to live in a civilized society.
 
Jesse LoRe I do not think the system can be secure, but at least it is the same for everyone.
 

Mark Campbell I doubt any system can be 100%. Statistically, however, only the tightest contests could be decided by fraud. Think 'Landslide Lyndon's' 1948 victory in his Senate race. The margin came from his cronies in the Rio Grande Valley.
 
Jesse LoRe I have no say or control over what happens in other States, much less what the Republicans do! I do not buy in to every morsel of "wisdom" that emanates from a particular Party, however I am capable of formulating my own thesis on what the role of government should be. It is probably not a coincidence that my political ideals are more in line with the founding Fathers view of tyrannical one Party rule and the dangers of an over reaching Central Government. I, like the framers of the Constitution do not see the Federal Government as a panacea for all that ails the individual, but has the role of protecting the Society as a whole. If we continue to modify the Constitution and "evolve" our interpretation of same, I fear what may fill that void. I do not share your confidence of those in power to "do the right thing", and I think their is plenty of evidence to support my position. Also, I see little evidence that your Fascist Utopian Central Socialist Marxist Empire (F.U.C.S.M.E) is even mathematically possible.
 
Jeff Thomas 1] I am disappointed by your attempt to distance yourself from the conservative rhetoric, whatever the label. By your own confession, the values of the Republican, Conservative, Tea Party, Libertarian platform coexist inside your private confessions of independent thought. If it smells like shit, your shoes should remain outside.
2] The founding Fathers, as you and your "ilk" love to reference, were an incredibly dynamic lot, capable of such partisanship as the famous rivalry between Jefferson and Hamilton. I have little patience for zealots who claim priesthood for some cherry picked pie-slice of their legacy, pretending to hold authority over well informed, patriotic citizens like myself. You my friend are no such soothsayer. Compassion for the poor, eccentric and disabled was a vision for the New Republic that has been shamefully edited from your rhetoric.
3] Without a "Centralized Government" the United States would cease to exist. The trouble with you Conspiracy Survivalists is the amnesia you demonstrate when condemning the poor, eccentric and disabled who fight to protect your right to "secede", who define our artistic identity and inspire the families who are charged with their care. A Nation of you self centered, sanctimonious "Patriots" would drown the planet with boredom and turn on each other without the rule of law. Allowing the Privateers of Free Capitalism unchecked autonomy is in fact the Facist future you seem the unsuspecting acolyte arguing to defend. Our Government, elected by the majority, is currently paralyzed by the enlightened genius of our Forefathers, who devised a system of Checks and Balances which you conveniently overlook in your tiresome pontifiactions on Marxist-Socialism.
Quite frankly, your argument is repetitive and superficial.
4] Noone has modified the Constitution with the exception of FDR who instituted Social Security, a program whose dissoluton would inspire overwhelming public revolt and in whose spirit our current administration has modeled the National Healthcare initiative. You Libertarians don't seem to care about Social Programs until you are directly affected by conditions which allow for some whimpering justification for personal compromise.
5] I suggest you have someone check your math. I wouldn't trust you with my grocery bill.
 
John Emr The one's who are not in power would do worse, that's why the ones in power won.
 
Jesse LoRe Jeff, you are pretty good at telling me what I think, but unable to comprehend the concept of self reliance. You said you have "skin in game" of "Government hand-outs, and I am sure you vote with your pocketbook, and that is the problem. The Progressives have been running things in the Central Government for nearly one hundred years and it has been one economic crisis after another. I beg you to can the philosophy and point to one real world example of how the policies or system of Government you advocate actually works. Cuz it sure ain't happening for the folks in this country.
Your all inclusive one size fits all government has destroyed the fabric of civil society, and dumbed down the populous to affect the Political aspirations of guys like Barry O. And if you think he gives two shits about your situation you have a rude awaking in your future.

1] Libertarian & Tea Party Yes, Republican Conservative, No. My response regarding voter fraud and the logistics of voting remain the same. Those are my musings.

2]The Founders of this Nation feared the very situation we are in would come to pass, whereas every dumbass in the land voting to manipulate the system for personal gain. See Barry O.

3] Those are your words not mine, I do realize that there is a role for a Central government. However I do not think that role should be favors for everybody. The system is broken and you loony tunes liberals are going to muck it up for everyone, by raiding the treasury to line your pockets with the fruit of others labor. As to the infirm-ed protecting our Freedoms, I do not see that, I see folks becoming infirm-ed in said pursuit as opposed to the other way around.
You are blinded by the euphoria of victory, and fail to see the hypocrisy of Barry and his failed policies. A majority of the vote should not be confused with a majority of the populous, I say they are not the same. As for the current House of Reps. blocking Barry O's agenda, I would argue just as Barry feels he has a mandate, so do they. The House has a mandate from their constituents to STOP Barry from "transforming" America into the FUCSME that you desire.

4] Again, you are interpolating what I say and projecting your own emotion into MY argument. You have no idea about my personal situation. As for my being true to my beliefs I never have and never will ask for shit from FUCSME or the State for that matter. I find no sustenance or comfort in the morsels they dole out to gain political favor, I will make my own morsels , thanks. As for Obamacare how does Obamacare help anyone except his Wall Street cronies that will benefit from the customers Barry has mandated buy their products, through Obamacare.

5] I did some checking and seems like my math is correct your FUCSME model for government has failed on every front starting with the Pilgrims. As for your grocery bill not enough zeroes in front of the decimal to interest me. However, you are correct about my lack of concern for "Social Issues", I see such legislation as affording extra-Constitutional protections to sub groups.

That is all!
 
Jeff Thomas When the "System" provides the results you like, it is working fine. When the "System" yields to a majority position you don't like, it has failed. Relax my friend, I survived eight years of GW Bush, despising his Administration while laughing at the man, but I did not hold my head in my hands, run in circles screaming that America was dying. If it troubles you so much to terminate the unnecessary Tax breaks of the Bush years to help a disabled child get ABA training, then wait a few years. The country will still be here, the dysfunctional Congress will still be here and the new Libertarian Administration will concede to finding it's own war to keep the economy healthy. You and me? . . I hope we'll still be passing notes in class.
 
Jesse LoRe Ahhhhh! Okay now I can start my day knowing we are still on speaking terms. BTW, what is ABA? A little perspective for you I am a naturalized citizen so I have no feelings of entitlement or legacy. I have been self employed my whole life as a Construction Contractor, so I know about being broke and scrambling to make a payroll, at one time I had 400 craftsmen in my employ, none making minimum wage. I have had to beg, cajole and threaten folks to get paid at times. But the current climate is such that I would not want one employee too much liability. so I will be the blissful idiot you have come to know and love. LOL
Jesse
 
Jeff Thomas Welcome back Jesse . . . (with reference to your last, numerated response above), I was beginning to think you subcontracted a few of your responses to some lesser talent for a while there. Good to see you back behind the keyboard and in good form.
It
seems that we have decended to a dreadful, table-tennis strategy of debate, a sure sign of a fatigued open-mindednness within both our houses; two drunks leaning on the street light for support, making no hay of the light it provides. So now I suppose it's my turn to volley, replacing the little white ball with an effigy of your head, reminding you that when you respond with a snapshot of your values, your thoughts, it is fair game to toss the grenade back from whence it came; sorry if you are uncomfortable with your reflection. In the interest of avoiding further injury , I will manage you with a softer touch from now on. No need to spoil a friendship in the rough.
Reality check: The past one hundred years of Progressive control is some myth of your indoctrination. I think I know what you are trying to say, but your continued reliance on hyperbole is only going to keep you back-peddling.
[i.e. "Those of diminished or limited ability do not need to be voting. I say (with the exception of the Military) if you can't get to the poll then you can't vote." . . . only to retreat to the more moderate position: "I am not for denying anyone "the right to vote" rather I am saying everyone should have to vote at their assigned precinct to prevent fraudulent votes from being cast." . . or how about posting a video clip from Ohio to kick off the dialogue and the retract your investment in the cause, writing: "I have no say or control over what happens in other States, much less what the Republicans do!"] . . you're all over the map. . . . what a load of smoke . . did it not occur to you that we are perfectly capable of reading for content? 
 . . . "Dog in this fight" . . . "skin in the game" . . . close enough. Without a nod to some philosophic referee, this stumbling debate of ours would have descending into chaos right after your video link. It is my repeated engagement of basic philosophy which has continually shepherded your diatribe on the seven deadly sins of Social Conscience back into some manageable framework. Too many of your colleagues on the twisted Right throw their opinions haphazard, assuming the example from childhood that illogic can be assuaged with volume and a concluding "because I say so!" [ref: "That is all!"]
It is with no regret that I correct the assumption you have made concerning my situation. It was instructive to our conversation to learn how quickly you concluded that my dog (my skin) had its hand out for a tribute from the coffers of your most Noble Brotherhood. If you are the kind and gentle Giant of Industry you would have me believe, it should cause you some humility to learn that I was not referencing any personal history of dependence on "The System". I am married to a school teacher and have a comfortable position at Stony Brook University as a Laboratory Equipment Designer.
Our daughter, however, was the victim of a very complex constellation of developmental disorders which eventually required permanent residency for her care. It was here, at this home, where I first witnessed this Philosophy you dismiss, bleed real human blood; I understood the gravity of our Society's responsibility to our most fragile neighbors and citizens; those children born blind, deaf, autistic, stricken with palsy; taken from neglectful, abusive homes. Kids that depend on Medicare for their treatment and the hospital staff for the love you and I simply look to our families to provide. These principles are not simply words. No, I leave the bullshit jingo-ism to you armchair, amateur social scientist tycoons, (AASST) too preoccupied sewing your pockets tight to look up and see anything more meaningful than a little white flag, waving out beyond the fairway.
The repeated use of “Barry” and “FUCSME” . . (emphasis as always on that Libertarian staple: “ME”) is enough for me to understand the level of character you bring to the keyboard; a desperate character borrowing the dehumanizing tactics employed by real soldiers fighting Krauts, Japs, Nips, Gooks and the like. Soldiers fighting for a slogan they are sold and a cause for which they remain on a “Need to Know” basis. Are you honestly worried about “Barry’s” alliances with Wall Street? The evil Progressive Plot to overthrow the weak and terrified Insurance Industry? If only those guys had the pull to Lobby Washington like that Obama character.
Jesse, this is FaceBook. I have to stop here because the format is prohibitive. You’re a lot of fun, but you’re a prime example of the perfect storm: Self-confident and paranoid with just enough grasp on history to get it wrong, time and again. You are above all, however, still that blissful [knuckle-head] I’ve come to know and love. LOL
jeff


Jesse LoRe Jeff quick note, the Barry and Wall Street reference is only to point out the hypocrisy of Barry's Administration as well as his rhetoric. You decry the rich and the bankers, then you advocate a mandate that we all become their customers. I just do not understand the logic of that, and Obamacare does NOTHING to improve the healthcare or make it affordable. What is the point of Obamacare if not to put money in the pockets of the same wealthy people you bitch about not paying enough taxes to support the rest of us.

Good call on my character, you are spot on about the de-humanizing part. Everybody dies eventually it is a soldiers job to make that happen in timely fashion.


Jeff Thomas Anyone with "Health" needs healthcare. Providing it through the traditional Health Insurance Industry model has divided the customer base resulting in 15% average premium hikes annually for the past decade. Those who were conventionally covered by their employer have become co-partners, maximizing the benefits of "group discounts." The system continues to exclude "personal coverage" from these discount advantages while stranding those with "Preexisting" conditions or financial restriction on their own. Wasn't it Mitt Romney who suggested that our Nation's Emergency Rooms should be able to handle this?
Doctor Practice Insurance premiums have also sky-rocketed, owing to the current, hyper-litigous climate we have cultivated through the meticulous employment of such DeRegulated, Libertarian, Free Enterprise principles, flooding the system with hyper-diligent, unnecessary MRI's, X-Rays and Lab tests and adding to the Insurance Company's heavy expenses. But relax . . . by all accounts, these struggling institutions are somehow managing a robust profit.
Where does the concept of leveraged bargaining lose you? What is it about intelligent, practical Regulations that frightens you and your ilk so much? You and I were the rich-man-banker's customer the day we were born. Don't you think it a bit disingenuous to pretend that we can reverse this truth by ignoring all attempts to fix it?
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Note: FaceBook, being an unusual arena for such debate, proved too small a dojo to host a match of this  nature. The two of us ended the discussion here, as friends. 










Sunday, September 30, 2012

piss poor plan


The Inquisitr
 
YOU DECIDE: (comment Yes or No)

Should welfare recipients be randomly drug tested to continue to receive benefit checks?

Jeff Thomas When I help my neighbor, I don't presume to register him as my pet. Being jobless doesn't confirm a person's surrender of self-dignity. It is disgraceful to suggest that all recipients are presumed degenerate by association.
I propose that if we are debased enough to consider this program, we at least provide some mollifying sense of dignity, perhaps a pageant where trophies might go home for "Best in Show", "Cleanest Urine or "Most Improved".
We need to start distinguishing the welfare population into its legitimate orderings. The climate of our Country's recent tendency toward "Libertarian-absolutionism" has made much hay of the trespasses of the Category's vilest excesses; extrapolations of this order fail the criteria of ethical politics and basic, responsible economics.
Why can't we, as a Nation-community, visualize a day when poverty is acknowledged as the disease it is, where treatments are prescribed in response to specific symptoms? Imagine medicine in twelfth century Genoa, Paris or Edinburgh . . this is the Libertarian concept of poverty in 21st century America. We must stop amputations for the general ailing population on the basis of its successful intervention in a limited class of isolated circumstances.

Let's get American tax dollars into the homes of our neighbors who legitimately struggle against the physics of oppressive hunger, housing and clothing and stop promoting the caricature of the Fraud which absolves our worst collective, selfish tendencies.

Jennifer Lesson Thomas Or we should do the same for Congress. We pay their salaries.
Callie Amity I couldn't have said it better.
Kevin Blank So you and I compromise our self-dignity and are perceived degenerate when we surrender a urine sample to prospective employer?
Callie Amity Yes                                                   
Jeff Thomas How about searching their homes for evidence of subversive literature on the nightstand or porn in the bathrooms? Books and magazines are not cheap these days either.
Sure, you and I haves jobs that require drug tests. You and I also chose to interview for these jobs. If you don't like drug tests, why not quit your job and live out your life fantasies on Welfare? If you get tired of the endless party here however, you're stuck. To the best of my knowledge, you can't resign from Welfare. Guess you'll have to get a job. Now you can experience the real joy suck-hole that is Un-employment".
I would no sooner support a bill suggesting that every State/Municipal employee or every Organization receiving Federal bailout money be required to drug tests than I would choose to further exercise my resentment toward those who need my help. Stop hating and start caring a little more.


Kevin Blank Sorry, there is a point where caring can cross into enabling and I won't have any part of it. I'm getting profiled to receive a check, so can everyone else. I won't hand a rope over to someone looking to hang themselves
Jeff Thomas When did your sense of civic integrity cross into paternal condescension? . . . Cashing her last unemployment check is still not a crime any mother on welfare assistance need apologize to you or anyone for. If it hurts you so much to see your taxes go to our neediest neighbors, then at least admit it stems from your sense of mistrust in the system and stop posturing behind some false gesture of saving these wretches from themselves. Don't think for a minute that a welfare recipient is not profiled to qualify for services. These people are the reflections of our own worst anxieties; they are not yours to parade before some imagined altar of your own highest sense of principle.
Callie Amity I would much rather see my tax dollars helping the needy instead of the millions of dollars we pay out here in Phoenix to settle wrongful death lawsuits for folks killed in Sheriff Joe's custody.
Kevin Blank And when the guy buying drugs with his Welfare check gets a job offer, what then? If he’s required to drug test as a condition of employment and does indeed have a drug problem he would be denied the job, remaining on a system that isn't supposed to be permanent. If admission that the system sucks will get you to fold in your finger and down from the pulpit then you have it. The system sucks. How about a system that entitles assistance without the distribution of cash? How about the guy on the corner looking for a dollar for the bus, the guy with scabs unmistakable of those from an individual stuck in the abyss of methamphetamine use. Do you pony up the money knowing you've done nothing more than enabled his habit? I refuse to. Do I profile? No more than you. I mentioned this discussion to a guy that was in the “business”, if you get my drift, and before I finished my question he said, "Welfare recipients were our best customers". He certainly didn't mean all welfare recipients but I understood his message. It isn't hate that generates my position on the matter and I'm surprised you would believe so. Call me cynical if you wish. You have your reasons for supporting all applicants and I've grown suspicious to some over the years. I miss smoking grass but abstain so I can collect a paycheck. My blood needs to be clean, theirs should as well. Now, is this really about asking for proof of being drug free or it this another one of your Constitution rants
Jeff Thomas Hey . . . News Flash!! America has a drug problem! . . . So that's where we have been losing $500 per second or a total of $15 billion in 2010 alone! . . How is it conceivable that the "business", if you get my drift, is so well funded by these Welfare Kings and Queens that the Federal Drug Czars haven't yet lobbied congress to serve prison sentences on Unemployment beneficiaries in the act of cashing their last UE check?
You remind me of the guy who raises his voice and slowly repeats himself upon learning his audience speaks a foreign language. I hear you loud and clear my friend. I simply disagree with your notion that We Tax Payers own any part of a Welfare beneficiary’s "inalienable" right to personal dignity, or that an individual is automatically obliged to defend themselves from unfounded criminal suspicions on the basis of some obscure association alone.
P.S.: I feel sorry for you having to tailor the last line of your most recent post. Obscuring my intentions by questioning my sincerity is the last refuge of an angry man stuck inside an echo chamber of small ideas. Take my hand brother and I'll help you out of the pit.
Kevin Blank pee in this jar if you want a hand up . . . it's the only way I see it
Jeff Thomas The view from a hole that deep is very limited; not entirely your fault. C'mon . . take my hand, no one's looking.
Callie Amity  Take Jeff's hand. My typing finger is too weary to respond to you
Kevin Blank no . . .
but I will ask . . what do you think needs to be done to prevent abuse to the system, if you even fathom the possibility, or is this like your stance on illegal immigration . . . sit back and do nothing while a shitty policy remains in effect. If a petition in favor of drug testing came my way I would sign it without reserve and I would encourage everyone I know to do the same. I, and I think you're aware of this, encourage the full legalization of marinara. I don't take issue with anyone that wants to smoke it but I'm not buying it for them, directly or through a system that I help fund. (especially since I can't . . . condition of employment) That person is not ready to work. That person has not made a commitment that the majority of the work force has demanded for employment. He would remain on a system of support simply for denying the rules that our society has deemed necessary for safety in the work place. I would without issue watch that person lose everything and not look back at my decision with any regret whatsoever. So the answer is no. You can shovel as much of your shit this way as you wish and I will not come out of this hole regardless of how heartless you feel I'm being. There's too much of the "feel" thing is going on anyway. Is my conservative side showing?
Kevin Blank you sure this isn't just another one of your constitution rants?
Jeff Thomas Too funny . . . "legalize marinara" . . . and to think I've been mopping contraband with heavily buttered semolina all these years.
You've taken a hard stance on this. I am simply too tired of letting you lead the discussion in ever tightening, repetitive spirals of angry accusations for which my rebuttals are ignored (i.e.: "just another one of your constitution rants?" or "is this like your stance on illegal immigration . . . sit back and do nothing while a shitty policy remains in effect.") The fact that you felt the need to repeat, verbatim, the offending remark regarding my sincerity is validation of a suspicion that I have pushed you into such a corner from which you have only the most diminished variety of stale options from which to respond. You are my oldest and dearest friend Hoop, so it is with the sincerest compassion that I accept you and the hole you have drawn around your reason. We have suffered worse in the past . . and as the sage once said: There but for the grace of God go I.
My answer to the Immigration was outlined in an essay, a thorough discussion between you and me in fact, way back in February, 2010:
http://jeffreygiov.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html
I expect someone with your advanced investment and integrity on the issues shouldn't need to be reminded of our prior conversation. One might mistake you for simply forgetting something which had only a vague, personal polemic significance; a hypothetical rant so to speak. Fascinating, absolutely fascinating.
I bow now, to your sanctimonious view of the noble work place and the agents of purity who have earned their rightful stations within it. There's no room for hypocrisy in this discussion, so I will hide our skeletons in the closet where you require them. Very nice oratory though, (facts aside.)
Jeff Thomas So allow me to suggest a solution, based on a trajectory of your logic toward its inevitable conclusion.
1] It would be an extraordinary statement to suggest that anyone in the jaws of poverty could sustain their sense of dignity without the help of peripheral influences, such as tremendous religious faith, an extraordinary, self-affirming propensity toward creative distraction, a remarkable social support system, or failing these rare advantages, self-medication, (alcohol, prescription drugs, street drugs or “marinara”.)
2] The loss of personal dignity manifests as depression.
3] It would be naïve to propose that every Welfare recipient is lucky enough to have a strong faith, talented aptitude or strong, supporting community; some indeed will self-medicate. Drugs and alcohol are not free and yes, these individuals will use tax payer money to score.
4] Doing drugs is illegal, punishable by jail time.
5] So why not nip the rose in the bud and divert all the money we spend enabling these Welfare junkies to walk freely among us, to cop drugs with tax payer money, send them all directly to the prisons where we know they belong; just arrest every welfare applicant from the day they apply? Let them sort out the druggies from the faithful where we don't have to watch. I know it sound harsh, but these losers came begging on their hands and knees to us, didn’t they? Let them lick a few boots to remind them how great a resentment we have for any lazy slob who decided to thumb their nose at our virtuous superiority. (Don’t worry hoop, I’ve locked the closet with all our skeletons inside.)
6] "it's nice to be nice to the nice" - Frank Burns
Kevin Blank 1] Oh pooh, just a little urine, that’s all I ask. Would it be so difficult to squeeze out a drop or two for the benefit of getting some assistance?
2] Oh . . . very nice. Thank you for the mini seminar on one possible pitfall of how the loss of personal dignity might affect one’s mood.
3] A perfect example of how everyone “feels” about something. Tell me, is a group hug in order? My employer didn’t care how I felt about drug testing any more than your employer did. Who cares? Establish the rules and end it. You will be clean thus ready for work if you ask the government for assistance when the money supporting the program is tax generated. I’m surprised you can’t agree with this. It’s just like the schools here in Vegas. The district is more concerned about how the kids feel about things then knuckling down on them with respect to their accomplishments. The world won’t give a shit . . . start accepting it.
4] Right . . . just like entering the country illegally but our prisons aren’t suffering a shortage of cells for that offense, are they?
5] I guess this is you explaining one possible way we can rid the system of the few that abuse it. Thank you for coming up with a suggestion. But really, all this tongue in check crap is the best you can do? We both know the system is flawed and all I asked for was one suggestion that you feel might benefit the system. You came up with nothing. Well, nothing more than to mock the suggestion of another. Beggars and lazy slobs? Perhaps your true thoughts, your real feelings have escaped your subconscious.
6] . . . you know it’s rumored he eats worms.
Jennifer Lesson Thomas I would rather 100 public assistance recipients get high than see one child in need go hungry. If you've ever been in the position to request assistance from the government, you know that by its very nature the process is degrading. If you haven't had to, then congratulations, you are the very model of a perfect US citizen. Be glad you never had to beg for what your ancestors promised and paid for, a little help in times of need. Besides, the welfare budget pales in comparison to the corporate welfare huge corporations receive, maybe your employer, Kevin, is one of them. Does the urine sample go all the way to the ivory tower? I don't have to take a drug test and I work for the government. The fight shouldn't be we have to so you have to, it should be no one has to unless there is compelling evidence that a crime is being committed
Jeff Thomas Hoop, . . . I love the written word because it doesn't evaporate with time like your memory. Although I commend the economy of your technique, specifically, employing the same dismissive attention to my opinion time and time again, while offering nothing new but the sharp bitterness of fresh plucked adjectives, I do object to this latest, transparent strategy:
Impersonating the victim of my failure to treat your passion with suitable sensitivity, ("But really, all this tongue in check crap is the best you can do? We both know the system is flawed and all I asked for was one suggestion that you feel might benefit the system. You came up with nothing. Well, nothing more than to mock the suggestion of another.")
I'm simply returning the serve you delivered and it's downright suspicious to hear you even claim it otherwise.
It's getting more compelling, as this conversation slogs on, to just cut and paste my previous responses as I have almost no reason to believe you'd notice anyway.
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Let me say it one last time. Drug abuse is a tax payer burden. I get it. However, isolating all Welfare applicants/recipients to answer for some collective sense of impotence on behalf of our Nation's failing "War on Drugs" is a conspicuous abuse of their freedom to endure the torments of financial insecurity with dignity. The greater majority of these people (yes, most of them are people, just like you and me) are ashamed to apply and use the money for food, clothing and housing. These are the majority which are apparently invisible to you.
I am appalled by your suggestion that your personal tax contributions to the Social Service System entitles you to clip a leash onto the collars of these people. Where were you when the Banks were bailed out? Your typewriter was silent on the call to drug test these worms. Where were you when Congress went home before solving the National Debt Ceiling crisis last December? Not a peep about drug testing these free-loading jack-offs from you!! What about teachers, soldiers or cops? . . a drug test might be required to land the job, but what about continued, random drug screenings like you support for our welfare neighbors? Must have missed your rant.
Welfare recipients are simply easy prey. You hold them in contempt for the weakness they represent. I just wish you understood how transparent your position is. You want to make them dance for you? Keep trying. Just don't hide behind some altruistic smoke screen of "saving them from themselves."
Jeff Thomas Hey man . . . I'm done. You're my oldest, dearest friend and I don't like where the tone of our conversation is going. Half of my stuff is tongue-in-cheek, but when I re-read it I'm disturbed by the apparent abuse we dish out to each other. I will never change your mind. Your attempts on me have failed. Lets disagree and vote our conscience on this matter. Truce
Kevin Blank white flags are way better than jolly rogers
love you man . .

 
 

Thursday, March 24, 2011

To loot or not to loot

This article was lifted from Jack Cafferty's blog on CNN Politics by Ashley Manglona, a student at the University of Nevada, La Vegas, who posted it on her Facebook page. The responses to Mr. Cafferty's question about the nature of crime in the days following extrodinary natural disasters seemed refreshingly critical in their spontaneous condemnation of American morality against the backdrop of Japan's current example of civil obedience during its most severe national crisis since the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. As usual, I am suspicious when so many people repeat the short list of possible explainations for a social phenomenon as complex as organizing order from the rubble of chaos. Here is an exerpt from Jack's blog followed by a sampleing of views of the situation from average citizens ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From CNN's Jack Cafferty:

In the wake of Japan's deadly earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant explosions, we have witnessed the almost indescribable chaos that follows a disaster of this magnitude: loss of life, severe injuries, homelessness, lack of water, food and proper medical care, the physical destruction of towns and cities, and a growing fear of radioactive contamination from power plants that seem beyond anyone's ability to control. But one heart-wrenching byproduct of disasters like this one has been missing in Japan, and that’s looting and lawlessness.
Looting is something we see after almost every tragedy; for example: last year's earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, the floods in England in 2007, and of course Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. It happens when some people who've seen life as they know it get tossed out the window feel that all morality has been tossed out too. It's survival of the fittest and whatever you can get your hands on is yours, no matter who it belongs to. But that's not happening in Japan. Journalist and social commentator Ed West wrote in the UK Telegraph yesterday how struck he was by the Japanese culture throughout this ordeal. He observed how supermarkets cut their prices in the days following the quake and how vending machine owners were giving out free drinks as "people work together to survive." And West was most surprised by the fact that there was no looting.
Many have pointed to the popularity of Japan's distinctive Buddhist and Shinto religions as well as how the values of conformity and consensus are considered virtues in their culture. That's one explanation, but it probably has something to do with remaining true to your moral code even in the darkest hours. Here’s my question to you: Why is there no looting in Japan? -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
and here are some of the responses to Ashley's post:

Kevin Blank Yes, I've read about this in the news over the past several days. It's wonderful to know that at least some of us have evolved into a higher order of society for what ever the reasons, i.e. the comments posted at the end of this article. A friend of mine reminded me of a hurricane that we experienced in the latter part of the 80's on Long Island. It wasn't even a nasty hurricane at that. People were fighting on line to get into restaurants. I don't know how we've evolved into spoiled people with a sense of entitlement but it's disgusting.

Jim Mauro Answer - because they understand the meaning of the word, respect.

Steven Albanese the Japanese people show "Grace under pressure." In the US, when our teams win we light fires in the streets. I've seen more fighting on line at the A&P.

Jeff Thomas Japanese corporate executives work at companies equal in size to some of the largest and most successful in the United States yet earn salaries that would hardley excite a job hunting graduate from one of our Ivy league universities.Looting and selfish behavior are not simply impulses the Japanese pride themselves for avoiding, but most vexing to the children of our Western /Christian /Capitalistic struggle for the liberation and perfection of the individual, are actually manifestations of a vaccuum of such impulses, perhaps analogous to a nomad from the Sahara desert avoiding the impulse to make a snow sculpture. The Japanese have developed shame the way we in the West have cultivated guilt. The former serves to balance one's place within the greater community while the latter has the power to destroy an individual from within. Our sense of personal entitlement has enabled us to achieve many good things, one of which is a relatively advanced tolerance for diversity, from which we stand to gain the widest variety of progressive influences. We have always held disdain for those cultures with less to offer than we have to give. Our closest historical allies have always been from a relatively small and homogenous collection of European countries, yet our roots grow deep into the soils of many third world countries with plentiful natural resources. The Japanese on the other hand, have only recently addressed the eight hundred pound gorilla in the room, which is how to accept the idea of cultural diversity from the perspective of many centuries cultivation of the community as the unit measure of an individual's identity. We in the West have much to atone for; the sackings and plunder, the genocides and the swindling . . . and the slaves . . this is the price paid by those we have converted to our Christian/Capitalistic sensibilities who had little technological wampum to trade. Our entitlement was bestowed by Christ and has hovered ever since as our challenge. It will take much less than a hurricane for typical Americans to perform like underfed fighting dogs if so much as a rumor were leaked of a disruption in the supply chain. To engage in the world economy, old xenophobic traditions must fall behind the costumed sense of a new world enthusiasm for diversity. This is the current situation we are witnessing in Japan. The sense of being Japanese has always meant th...at one's intrinsic meaning was inseparable from the achievements of the community and hence the Nation. The hardest thing you can ask from an average American is to sacrifice his individuality for the good of his community or Country. This is simply a collateral consequence of our traditional need to be an individual in the eyes of our God, our community and/or our selves.

Ashley Manglona What do you mean by tolerance for diversity?

Jeff Thomas I use "Cultural diversity" as a term to describe the integration of useful techniques and expressions from areas outside the arena of traditional Western philosophic sensibilities. It was not my intention to suggest that our embrace of Jazz or the Japanese wood block print is a testament for our embrace of the same people who inspired these discoveries and suffered under our prejudices.

Kevin Blank So, in other words, the people of Japan can be just as sinister as you and I (not that we're sinister at all) but prefer to conduct their dark side activities as a group for the benefit of all as opposed to the benefit on the one, right? Wh...y attack within as we'll only hurt our selves? They're society functions as a group, not as individuals making up a group, as does the ant. (no insult intended) After reflecting on my initial response and doing a bit of reading I find myself aligned with your thoughts on this matter. You’re so good, jt. They are no better or worse than you and/or I. They've been raised differently. The potential for ruthlessness as a group isn't any more respectful or honorable than ruthlessness as an individual. Just the same, it is nice to see what appears to be people getting along, wouldn't you say?

Jeff Thomas It is not my intention to level the playing field by directing more light onto the darker sides of our respective natures. I am simply fed up with individuals who lack the sensitivity for a direct challenge of the subtleties of any situation; those individuals who base an impulsive analysis on a superficial impression, yet fail to recognize the need to keep their half-baked opinions in the oven. I am simply a guy who fails to believe that any culture achieves an advantage before rationalizing the price of its success. I believe it is simplistic to assume that the code of discipline and cooperation represented by the Japanese people during this recent crisis can be adopted by societies like our own here in the west by merely emphasizing a collective inventory of our own moral intelligence based solely on the superficial behaviours observed during the current crisis we witness on our Television screens. The cry for a return to mutual respect among Americans is pointless without recognizing first that our Judeo/Christian definition of respect is profoundly alien to the principles indoctrinated into the Japanese culture; a dramatic disparity begun across the span of many centuries. Our Western crime of mutual antagonism, our anxious competition to out-perform our neighbors must be weighed against the very catalyst of its existance, our indoctrination into the cult of the individual. For all its substantive credit during times of crisis, Japan's long history of supression of the individual for the benefit of the greater community has rendered the assimilation of cultural diversity virtually ineffective, empowering the core of its unified identity but only at the cost of those traits which made the Western world singularly diverse and materially profitable. When my neighbor Bob, drove his brand new car up his driveway it was natural and reflexive of me to look over at my ten year old Jeep and wonder. Taking the time to analyze the benefits of my situation against Bob's recent good fortune was all it took to regain confidence in my ability to direct a sober action plan. Our situations were dissimilar enough to support the conclusion that I could either welcome his unique advantages and celebrate his good fortune or draft an strategy to achieve a similar goal. To simply look at Bob and curse my situation is not helpful. I am aware also that in my attempt to shake the situation somewhat, in the hopes of inspiring some of you other people to dig a little deeper and try to learn from the Japanese example, I have used gross generalities which open my flanks to criticism. I implore all of you to force my hand and see what the dealer is holding. That is what is called a dialogue in the truest and most American fashion. This, for all our faults, is what we do best.

Linda Frederick-Magee May I? A people groomed with far more self discipline....

Jeff Thomas
‎1] What features of self discipline alone could answer for this perpetual resistance of the sexier, more natural instinct to collect and possess that which is desirous and essential, as is offhandedly accredited to the Japanese society?
2] Would the economic achievements of the European/American civilization have been as fruitful without being as traditionally self serving?
3] Could our level of cultural and scientific development throughout the centuries have survived on equal terms in the absence of the philanthropic stimulus of our financial tyrants?
4] Where might Japan be today without a leg-up from scientific and technological/industrial achievements hard earned by Western scientist, technicians and tycoons?
5] Now that Japan has adopted a taste for the bitter fruit, what influences are unique enough to the Japanese culture to prevent a deterioration of the same culture of self-discipline which basted for centuries in the mutual suppression of the citizen as individual, the driving force of our western achievements?
6] Are we happier?; Are they happier?; What is the true measure of happiness?