Comments for The In Box

Comment on Why horse-race stuff sometimes matters by Pete Klein

Pete Klein — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:39:47 +0000

Whacky, daffy duck Republicans. Since Romney doesn't waddle like a duck, I guess he ain't a Republican.
May the worst duck win the nomination so Obama wins four more years.

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Comment on Nanu nanu from Saranac Lake by Gary

Gary — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:28:20 +0000

The parade was great! Congratulations to the community of Saranac Lake for a job well done!

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Comment on Nanu nanu from Saranac Lake by Keith Silliman

Keith Silliman — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:59:52 +0000

It was an awesome parade. What a great day.

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Comment on Why horse-race stuff sometimes matters by dave

dave — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:50:07 +0000

"He also has a platform that is a good, general fit for the modern Republican Party. It's very conservative, but not whacky conservative."

I suppose it depends on how you define the modern republican party, but my observation is that the modern Republican Party IS whacky conservative… and trending whackier each year.

That is part of Romney's troubles. He is just a plain old conservative… or at least what we used to call a conservative for the better part of the last half century. But that isn't conservative enough for the modern Tea Party version of the Republican Party,

Other traditional and establishment Republicans are running into similar problems because of this.

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Comment on Why horse-race stuff sometimes matters by JDM

JDM — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:48:55 +0000

Romney couldn't close the deal. I still think Obama wants to run against Romney. I expect to see a media surge in pro-Romney comments.

I already heard how "normal" being a Mormon is.

I cannot imagine the same commentary on how "normal" being a Christian is.

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Comment on Why horse-race stuff sometimes matters by Bob Falesch

Bob Falesch — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:22:17 +0000

I find the horse-racy stuff much more fun than the Poly-sci-220 stuff!

–Bob F.

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Comment on The coolest journey you'll take today by knuckleheadedliberal

knuckleheadedliberal — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:05:26 +0000

Pretty cool, if you believe in that sort of thing. What amazing imaginations some of those scientist types have.

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Comment on Mr. Obama's (akwardly) conservative credentials by JDM

JDM — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:35:41 +0000

PNElba: If the current Catholic controversy went to the Supreme Court, I have no idea if Division v. Smith would be cited.

One difference is that Obama wants the Catholic church to begin doing what they are not currently doing, as opposed to being penalized for a current action (in Division v. Smith, it appears that the Native Americas were penalized for having taken a drug).

That seems to be enough of a difference that this may be a different situation, entirely.

Whether or not the two are legally the same is beyond me.

As to your hypothetical about human sacrifice, that would be a current action that you taking, similar to Division v. Smith.

If the government said you had to add a new behavior to your religion, i.e. begin human sacrifices, I think that you may find that an intrusion.

If the government tells the Catholic church that one of the birth control methods that must be added is the I.U.D. or the "morning after pill", then they are (in the opinion of some) telling the Catholic church to begin making human sacrifices.

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Comment on Mr. Obama's (akwardly) conservative credentials by PNElba

PNElba — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:06:57 +0000

JDM, I suggest you visit the Supreme Court ruling called Employment Division v. Smith. I know you won't agree with it, but the majority decision was written by Justice Scalia.

In Smith the Court upheld the state of Oregon's refusal to give unemployment benefits to two Native Americans fired from their jobs at a rehab clinic after testing positive for mescaline, the main psychoactive compound in the peyote cactus, which they used in a religious ceremony.

BTW, many liberals were outraged by the ruling.

So, if my religious belief requires human sacrifice, can the government interfere with that belief?

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Comment on Mr. Obama's (akwardly) conservative credentials by CJ

CJ — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:48:25 +0000

But JDM, does the Constitution allow a religious group to ignore laws they don't like in the name of religious freedom when operating businesses in the public sphere?

RE your earlier comment… I don't think President Obama's position was against Catholics, as most freely practice birth control. It was more in support of a Catholic public institution employee's equal access to health care.

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Comment on Morning Read: Region's Roman Catholics decry attacks on "religious liberty" by Mervel

Mervel — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:41:00 +0000

Its a good question. I have studied it some time ago, some Catholics are extreme pacifists and would refuse to go to war based on their beliefs others work very strongly to end all wars.

I do think there is a misunderstanding surrounding abortion and excommunication etc. Many Catholics have had abortions and are a welcomed active members of the Church. One of my hero's Dorothy Day who will probably be recognized as a Saint by the Church; had an abortion. Abortion is a mortal sin, so is adultery for example and Catholics believe it will separate a human from God. Excomomunication is a separation in our heart from the love of God as expressed in the Church, this is the whole purpose of confession, repentance and reconciliation. No one who is sorry for their sins will ever be turned away regardless if it is abortion or adultery or whatever.

No one is standing at the door telling people who have had abortions to get out, in fact just the opposite, come and find healing for these wounds. I would imagine many Catholics have had abortions, felt the pain and sorrow of this decision and have found love and forgiveness in Christ who came to forgive sins not to accuse us of our sins, that is the job of the devil.

Sorry for the religious/spiritual discussion I know it is not relevant to yourself and most of the board, but I just wanted to address the perception that somehow the Church hates people who have had abortions or performed abortions etc.

For me I actually wish the Church would focus less on external events and politics and more on teaching the truth, although I think they do need to be a voice among many in the public square.

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Comment on Morning Read: Climate back on the agenda? by Mervel

Mervel — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:23:21 +0000

True they are close to being evil. However they have REALLY increased corn and soybean yields in the past 20 years, its amazing from that perspective it has worked.

If they can increase yields by that much certainly they could engineer corn and soybeans to absorb more CO2 or engineer some other plants we could use around our cities.

I think it is kind of a cool idea.

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Comment on Mr. Obama's (akwardly) conservative credentials by Mervel

Mervel — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:18:03 +0000

And it does not work, we should raise taxes on all business and they would hire more people and the economy would be better.

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Comment on Mr. Obama's (akwardly) conservative credentials by Mervel

Mervel — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:16:23 +0000

One way to get rid of political influence of picking winners and losers would be to lower all taxes on all businesses, but that is right wing crazy talk.

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Comment on Mr. Obama's (akwardly) conservative credentials by Paul

Paul — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:17:35 +0000

There isn't consensus on this blog but there is pretty good consensus among both small, medium, and large businesses that it is far to expensive to do business in this country. Lowering taxes via incentives does help that to some degree.

My point was that when the rubber hits the road both parties support lowering corporate tax rates one way or another.

But Walker I do agree that there is way to much political influence on how some of these things are done. A level playing field with lower tax rates that can help all businesses is ideal. Then let the market decide the winners and losers.

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Comment on Mr. Obama's (akwardly) conservative credentials by Paul

Paul — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:04:46 +0000

Actually I think that the tax incentives do work in many cases (certainly not in some). It is just way too expensive for some of these companies to do business in this economy without it. You take them all away and you will see business activity plummet. That goes for new and existing companies.

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Comment on GOP Doomsday Scenario 2012! by Why

Why — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:44:00 +0000

Santorum, A TRUE CONSERVATIVE!

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Comment on Mr. Obama's (akwardly) conservative credentials by JDM

JDM — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:33:54 +0000

PNElba: Secular nation? I guess a theocracy would be better.

No. The first amendment has it right.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

Some people like to cut it off at the first comma. But religion is free to be practiced, not eliminated.

Obama cannot tell Catholics they cannot practice their religion. No president can.

Neither can any president say, "everyone in the US will be a Mormon".

Both are wrong under the first amendment.

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Comment on Mr. Obama's (akwardly) conservative credentials by JDM

JDM — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:28:27 +0000

Peter Hahn: "JDM – crony capitalism is on the right, not left"

It is where it is found.

GE, Warren Buffet, GM Unions, are all hand-picked winners by the Obama administration.

Gisbon guitar – Obama's diss list.

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Comment on Morning Read: Climate back on the agenda? by PNElba

PNElba — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:51:56 +0000

You gotta admire those job creators at Monsanto and Cargill though. They make food seeds that are genetically resistant to their poison and you can only buy the seeds and the poison from them. There's your free market at work.

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