pirana

He's a social engineer - like every politician out there. He just so happens (IMO) to be the least objectionable social engineer in the game right now. That's just my take since the flavor of his engineering is more likely to challenge corruption and abuse than encourage it. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Exactly; cuz like I've always said (well, for the last 20+ years anyway) the vast majority of humans are not very rational creatures when it comes to anything beyond moment-to-moment survival. They are emotive creatures that occasionally plug in their frontal lobes to their full effect, versus rational creatures that sometimes follow their emotions; and therefore easily duped by those that see manipulation of others for personal gain as their bottom line purpose in life. Which is exactly what allows people like Hitler, Jones, and others to at least temporarily flourish. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I like that one. Hope you don't mind if I use it, cuz I'm going to. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Bottom line - very few people are more influential than the system in which they live. The way they lived was part of the system of the times. Otherwise, all men should feel horrible for being men because it took so long for women to get the rights they have and for the rights they still don't have in most places; all white people should feel terrible because their ancestors kept black slaves; all people of western European descent should feel terrible because of the imperialistic colonizing habits of their ancestors (and the continued efforts to impose their will on the rest of the world), and so on and so forth. Whining, nothing but whining. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Yes exactly! :) A country is not a business and should not be run like one. It puzzles me that people keep wanting to "slash debt" as if the country is anything like a business. No business sells 80-85% of its products to its own workers. Cheers! Shc No, my point is that your comparison is totally irrelvant; as in - it does not make the case either way that a country should or should not be run like a business. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

So he paid 15.45% of his AGI in federal taxes. I haven't done 2011 yet, but for 2010 I paid 28.6% of my AGI in federal taxes. You better check your numbers again, or change tax preparers. That is ridiculously high. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Only the ones who are prepared to have their legs amputated. This perfectly points out how ludicrous the decision is to let him in; because yes, once (and if) the prosthetics get good enough then it becomes the Prosthetics Olympics and people with 2 functional human legs need not apply. Think about it this way - why not let the swimmers without complete legs wear a device that approximates a foot? My guess is that if they did, their engineers might just end up with a design that has a bit of a fin shape. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Yes; they clearly are ignoring the well documented 30% advantage of the prosthetic in the name of looking PC. Also, the fact he couldn't make the times necessary, so they changed or suspended the requirements to get him in - ridiculous. Just to be clear, Pistorus met the qualifying times set by the IOC and neither the IOC nor the CAS changed anything to allow him to run. Athletes south Africa is one fo the countries that has set higher standards for their athletes to compete than just meeting the IOC standard (Canada and New Zealand are other countries that do this) and Athletics South Africa apparently waived their higher qualification for him. Which is what I said in different words. Basically, they bent their own criteria to let him in. That makes it no question that he is receiving special treatment. The only question is why, and my opinion is that they want to look politically progressive and correct. It's going to bite them in the ass one way or another because drawing the line on when and what kind of mechanical devices can be used is going to get very messy. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Nice; except you forgot to include nigger in your adjectives. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Yes; they clearly are ignoring the well documented 30% advantage of the prosthetic in the name of looking PC. Also, the fact he couldn't make the times necessary, so they changed or suspended the requirements to get him in - ridiculous. They've opened Pandora's Box now; as certainly his team of physicians & engineers will pursue improvements that will make such athletes medal contenders. How will they draw the line? Will they allow devices just good enough to make them medal contenders, and stop there? Once the devices get good enough to guarantee a win, then will all athletes be allowed to use various pieces of equipment to keep up? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

An very narrow and irrelevant comparison. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I see the requirement to purchase HC as similar to the requirement to go to school. Sure, a bit different cuz most people go to school in their district, out of the pool of taxes paid by everyone; whereas HC offers the freedom to pretty much see the doc of choice and is paid out of pocket versus taxes. But the bottom line is that everybody is required to go to school because it benefits the public good. HC is the same way - a basic benefit set that increases public health can be very affordable and is definitely in the public interest. The other thing is if we want guarantee issue (how can everybody not be entitled to a basic benefit set?) than mandatory enrollment has to go along with that. How could anybody not want at least a basic benefit set? Cost of course is key, and the biggest factor there is supply of docs. If any politician ever gets the kahunas to take on te AMA and loosen that stranglehold you will finally see downward price pressure on cost of care. Very simple stuff really - supply and demand. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Yup. It's closer to a cellphone-numbers-are-going-public email than it is to anything resembling insight. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

So then it seems how people feel about something is far more important to you than actual knowledge of the topic. Very telling. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

ooh, ooh can I play? Can you give an example of a genetic mutation or an evolutionary process which can be seen to increase the information in the genome? Viruses. Read about viruses. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Childish oogie-boogie is childish oogie-boogie; not much difference between the various flavors being offered and/or pushed. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

If I find the word hate in any of your 14K+ posts, I'm calling you out. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Totally unaware of any existing media advice that says he should run away from a 4 year old being sexually assaulted. Please post the examples you have. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Agreed; though some have not been very on the ball (Johnson not able to find Vietnam on a map & Reagan thinking launched nukes could be recalled are 2 examples off the top of my head. The much bigger problem is the lack of ethics. It's certainly a problem inherent in the system and processes - but it is nonetheless audacious that not a single one of them chooses to actually do something about it. Once they leave office we get a good number of tell-all books and interviews where they admit to how totally corrupt the system is and how it is completely out of line with serving the interest of the general population - but every single one of them seems to ride it for all it's worth while in office. Truly pathetic situation - nobody in the game has even the slightest incentive to institute significant reform - other than maybe just behaving like a principled human being. Fat chance. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Now that makes sense. Didn't see in the original info that they were competing. They're back on my good side again. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

it's winter there. it's a long damn flight from SYD to LDN. minor reasons. OK, so no indoor pools in Australia? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I'm wondering why they need to come here to train? No Olympic size pools in Australia? No Olympic capable coaching? Or just wanted to see California on the booster's dime? Wierd. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

2 takes on this: 1 - It is petty compared to our real problems. Jobs are tight, and pay is low; but it is not because of illegal immigrants; and giving them the heave ho isn't going to solve whatever problems people have imagined them to have caused. 2 - Is this positioning for November - or just coincidence? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Last I heard he is being outdone by Romney in amount of money raised; so in context - yes, he is holding more events, but given the demographics and average contribution level per supporter - not a surprise or big deal. The nature of elections being what they are (the masses responding to media soundbites and hyperbole only), raising money is the top priority for most state and all national elected offices these days. Go ahead, pretend you didn't know that. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

rich DZO's don't jump for free. They still have to put fuel, maintenance and mortgage payments into their airplanes, pay electric bills and staff and rent. Get up every day to make sure that it all works for you (and me). free - yeah right..... my wife builds jumpsuits - people keep telling me it's great that I get them for 'free'. But I've paid Oh,,,,how I pay. I've heard quite the opposite; what does it mean to be a "kept" man? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley