Letters to the Editor
NotOrbitBoy
Published Letters: 325 Editor's Choice: 4
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@SalilM, @Susan Wood
[Read the article: Slick John McCain and the offshore oil ruse]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Sal - Yes, there are examples where the government has pushed along technological development. The space program, and defense projects are good examples. Let me clarify the point I was trying to make. The more involved the govt gets as it tries to implement a technological solution, the worse the outcome. The nasa and defense projects work because the govt says; "put a man on the moon and return him safely to earth", or "give a me an aircraft the can do this...", followed by a contract awarded to a firm, that uses its creativity to meet the requirement.
In other words, the govt can play a role at setting a goal. They tend to suck when they try to define how to get there.
I provided a specific example, corn-ethanol. The govt is trying to wean us from foreign oil (good idea). Their solution fattens the wallets of corn producers at the expense of us all, the poorest in particular (which is a bad idea). That is not a straw man "no reason" argument.
I am not blind to the flaws in capitalism, I do not disparage nor consider evil, everything that is not a for-profit endeavor (like Bush's tripling of the fight against AIDs in his 1st state of the union speech). Your assumption to the contrary is an example of a straw-man argument.
@Susan Wood
The solutions are much more likely to be found in the free market. Govts are as likely to act irrationally as are free markets.
Examples - Free Market Solutions;
1) Agricultural development. When viewed over the long term, the advances in agriculture have been astounding. Alvin Toffler has put this in perspective quite well in his books. The productivity gains we saw in the 20th century are largely the result of free thinking people figuring out a better way to get things done.
2) Electronics Telecommunications Computers - Thank the entrepreneurs among us. Computers and electronics have saved a ton of fuel via increased efficencies. Think electronic ignition controls.
3) Medicine. Scanning equipment. Wonder drugs. Is it expensive? No doubt. Were advances like these the work of brilliant, free thinking individuals or a govt program?
You want to see radical changes in our energy use and consumption? Stop looking at the government.
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Speaking of Constitutional Rights...
[Read the article: Chris Dodd's speech and a glimmer of hope for stopping the FISA bill]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Does the constitution give me the right to get the same sweetheart deal on my mortgage that sen. dodd got?
http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2008/06/sen-christopher-dodd-tied-to-c.html
If not, what do I have to do to get a justice kennedy to give me that right?
And just think of those poor trial lawyers, who will be denied the chance to suck the blood of the telcos. I don't think they can live on a vegan diet.
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MORE CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS! YIPEE!!!
[Read the article: Chris Dodd's speech and a glimmer of hope for stopping the FISA bill]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]A couple weeks ago justice kennedy gave new rights to foreign terrorists.
Today he is improving the lives of rapists.
justice kennedy isn't dismantling the constitution, he's just inserting a few new pages.
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The Smell of Blood
[Read the article: Chris Dodd's speech and a glimmer of hope for stopping the FISA bill]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Trial lawyers overwhelmingly support the right to sue telcos.
Trial lawyers overwhelmingly support democratic candidates.
Given all the examples of money corrupting individuals, corporations, and politicians, does anyone doubt that money corrupts trial lawyers?
They've got their head planted as deeply in the trough as anybody.
Former trial lawyers writing the rules by which trial lawyers operate, is a bad mix.
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@GG
[Read the article: Chris Dodd's speech and a glimmer of hope for stopping the FISA bill]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Trial Lawyers: I was referring to the lawyer who brings a lawsuit for the betterment of the lawyer.
Your question is best answered by way of example;
http://www.atra.org/display/13
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@silash - Is justice (I've got to quit calling him that) kennedy part of the US Supreme Court?
[Read the article: Chris Dodd's speech and a glimmer of hope for stopping the FISA bill]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Last I checked, US Supreme Court Justices used the US Constitution as their fundamental guiding document.
Maybe kennedy thinks he's a member of a court with a 700 year history, one that pre-dates the United States of America.
WWII prisoners did not receive habeus corpus rights.
You state; "If a true-blooded terrorist tried to pull habeas corpus, he would be charged and sent right back to Gitmo."
Who will make that decision? How can you be so confident of that outcome?
I'd prefer to leave the US Military as the deciding factor in this matter.
Kennedy improved the lives of the terrorists by allowing them access to our courts. He improved the lives of rapists by taking them off death row.
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@bysitter: Dodd's sweetheart loan deal
[Read the article: Chris Dodd's speech and a glimmer of hope for stopping the FISA bill]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"This item you've highlighted is so No Big Deal..."
That's the same argument scooter libby defenders used. However, scooter didn't chair the Senate Banking Comittee.
"If Dodd got the rate..."
IF?... More evidence required before proceeding? ... the terrorists in Guantanamo will soon be making similar arguments.
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@Reilly
[Read the article: Chris Dodd's speech and a glimmer of hope for stopping the FISA bill]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]You misunderstand right-wingers. Too bad for you.
We have instances in this country where those bringing frivolous lawsuits have little at risk. There are examples in the medical profession where doctors are prohibited from counter-sueing, as a means of protecting themselves. So the insurance companies pay off many claims,...cheaper than going to court.
If the situation regarding bork is as you decribe it, I hope he loses.
But I wouldn't end it there, I'd like to see him pay the legal fees of the defendant.