Helms was once someone's adored child.

It is helpful to think of that idea when contemplating people you despise.

There is a big difference between gleefully letting your Shadenfreud Flag fly and fighting responsibly and ethically against that which is unjust and sick in our society.

It is so tempting to jump on the schadenfreud bandwagon, but doing so really does diminish us all.

It diminishes me everytime I do it.

I'm trying not to, today.

---

About the South: I am a native Yankee who recently moved to eastern TN by choice. I can tell you that the Northeast has no shortage of ignorant racists and red-necks. In many ways, I am more comfortable here. Also, as one who regularly travels to various places deep within "flyover country" I am continually amazed at the people I meet there; mostly in a good way. That being said, it is abundantly clear that the South has no monopoly on assholes, and I know lots of folks that really resent (and don't deserve) being tarred with that brush.

@ AJ- I am trying to be like you. Listening to your posts reminds me of the writings of Joe (Deer Hunting with Jesus) Bageant. Have you read any of his stuff? I would love to know what you think of his world view.

Best to you, and best of luck at the Reunion. I'm sure there will be stories to tell!

I delight in all troll posting on the subject. The more Obama gains traction, the more he is loved and admired, and the more chance he has of winning the election, the more strident the trolls get. I say, bring it on!

Thank you all for brightening my day.

Thank you for uncovering this particular hidden agenda. Natch, it's not surprising, and it reminds us of the importance of cultivating strong, nimble and bullshit-resistant brain cells.

That's a task requires eternal vigilance and a lot of hard work, but it is the only way we can divine truth from what ain't so.

You see this everywhere. Lest any of you think that Big Pharma has a monopoly on self-interested research, scratch below the surface of much of what passes for "research" in alternative health circles. I suppose that in an utterly unregulated $12 billion / year industry, fast-buck artists should be expected to promulgate lots of bad science. Fortunately, most of it is so sloppy it can be detected by the average 12 year old... but they are getting more sophisticated.

Just a few days ago, the local "Health" emporium had an attractive end-cap display for various magnetic magic charms. Yes, you too, can buy a pair of utterly useless magnetic insoles for only $39.99, or a similarly useful magnetic knee-brace for $89.99. I kid you not. And this in a small Appalachian city where the poverty rate is 12.2% and a median household income of less than $40,000.

On one hand, one can make a point that there is nothing wrong with separating fools from their money, but on the other, when so much blatently false and manipulative marketing informs their decision, that's just wrong. I swear, I don't know how the people who sell this shit manage to sleep at night!

Everybody with half a brain knows that doing anything besides driving while driving is dangerous. Driving defensively takes an enormous amount of attention.

The silly hands-free laws are nothing more than a cynical attempt by lazy politicians to make cheap political hay from a couple of statistically insignificant, yet shocking and horrific car crashes. These infringements to our liberties do nothing to make us safer. In fact, one can argue that the false sense of security engendered by such bone-headed legislation actually makes the highway MORE dangerous.

Do I use the phone while driving? Certainly, but i certainly don't feel any safer fumbling around with my persnickity blue-tooth when it would be so much easier (and safer) to just hold the damn phone in my hand to begin with. I'm sure anyone can think of a million (yet) legal extracurriculars one can engage in while driving that are at least as dangerous.

My friend had the right idea when his first son reached driving age. This is what he told him:

I will buy you ONE car... it will be a pickup so you'll have as little room as possible for your friends to ride with you, and it will have an AM radio. How long you keep it depends on how well you take care of it. The next one will be on your dime.

Smart man.

...from The Jim's letters is an introductory,

"Now look here, little lady..."

Pot, meet kettle.

The 12 year olds miss you at the Runescape forum.

Dude- calm down...

Of course it's my opinion, I never said anything to the contrary. I'd like to, however, see the studies that shows that hands-free devices significantly lower the risk of car accidents when compared to ordinary phones, and when taking into account the "fumble-factor" of hands-free devices. Is the difference enough to justify legislation?

I think we can all agree that one shouldnt use a phone while driving, period. There are plenty of ways to comply with the letter of the law, but totally miss the spirit. That's all I'm saying. Show me some proof.

And no, I am not a libertarian. I don't even play one on TV.

"But, then i find you attacked me and not my argument nor did you even defend the original piece."

Yes, of course I attacked you... For your patronizing tone, word choice notwithstanding. If you don't want to "belittle" try being a little less transparent about it.

That mean Merry guy just made my cry.