Stefan

Green tea. In fact the tea bag is broken, so I am drinking tea leaves. Too lazy to clean it out. Thought I might get more antioxidants this way.

Thank God my belief that social security will not be there in 30 years is coming more and more to fruition!

That's why I mostly acquiesce. Revolution. That sucks. If the electorate was more like me, I guess I wouldn't complain as much.

While I was looking at my fabulous self after taking a shat this afternoon, I wondered, what color is a mirror? If a mirror reflects all, what color could it have?

I have recently heard: If you want things the same, vote Democrat or Republican. If you want something different vote a different party. I really cannot fathom this one becuase I still think the the person voted in, regardless of their "party" will end up the same. No?

I can be more anal!

How do you take surveys to determine the amount of pirates?

Good examples. That's why I asked. "The vote with your dollar" is a very good example. Government often works with these organizations and is often influenced by them. I like that example.

Lobbying doesn't do shit? Protests don't matter? Your ignorance of our political system is showing. Lobbying influences policies in thousands of ways daily. Sure lobbying influences. BUT WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT LOBBY? If you do nothing, or another person does nothing, then you and they acquiesce that the lobby way of influencing government is acceptable.

I am responding to your calling. I am trying!

I don't think protesting does jack crap. I remember all those people protesting against the Iraq invasion. Look what happpened. Lobbying is another idea. Oh yeah. That's a winner of an idea. What other ways are there?

If you do not vote, or write your congressman, or even run for congress, then you acquiesce to what is going on.

I am bringing up a question that has often wondered me. Hell, people sold their siblings or relatives for slavery many, many years ago so they could make money. I am for the free market. If the conditions are so bad at some of these factories in SE Asia, or maybe China, (I am no expert), why do people continually want these jobs? My only conclusion is that these people are willing to accept the conditions given the level of pay they receive. If they received less pay...lets say $.05 for 4 months work then they probably would not want to work there. Its the same question here: Would you pick apples at $1.00 for every 100 pounds for a farmer, or would you pick apples at $15.00 for every 100 pounds for the farmer? Somewhere in there is a market where you are willing to do the work, and the employer is willing to pay you. Now what if those apples were all spiny and such? Like pineapples....causing more difficult working situations....the agreed working wage probably goes up...and you are willing to take the more difficult working conditions.

thanks!

What about SE Asia? Sweat factories? If the conditions are so bad in the factories, why do people want the jobs so bad? Because its better than starving to death? So a job in a sweat factory aint so bad? Becuase the alternative is death?

I heard that President Bush made a scheduled fundraising stop in San Diego two days after Hurricane Katrina hit...but he did nothing for Katrina at that time. The trip to San Diego was scheduled and he made the trip during is vacation. Is this true?

I with ya on a free market.

What about SE Asia? Sweat factories? If the conditions are so bad in the factories, why do people want the jobs so bad?

The people who monitor where I go to on the web are too busy to see where I go. I have seen them watch downloaded video porn.

I like that. I would like people to help out others. I think it is a great human response. In fact we have donated to the Red Cross recently for Hurricane Katrina....then again, it is up to the Red Cross how to spend the money. I do not like the assumption however that some make thay should receive help. "Should" is a very powerful word and is closely associated with "entitlement".

Because you never asked them. Because you don't speak the same language. Because, ah fuck, it's not even worth it anymore. You honestly think the US and Europe are the only places in the world where people believe the government should fix things? Travel, talk to people. Get a fucking clue. Actually, I do know a little bit. My next door neighbor works for World Vision. He has been to Niger recently, he has been to western Sudan recently. He goes about 2 weeks once every three months to these distressed areas. Part of his job. Helping out with the relief. He also is perplexed by the people who feel entitled in New Orleans. I expressed my concerns to him, and he said he felt for the people, but he did not understand why so many stayed in a hurricane path when they were ordered to leave. Maybe he was just trying to agree with me becuase I am a neighbor? Many of the refugees go to where there is aid. Many of the refugees leave their area becuase of being shot at...possible genocide, and conditions in the areas in Niger had received no rain for an extended period of time. But also pointed out, none of the people complain....they are all very thankful for the aid they do receive. Then again, these people do not pay taxes either. No real monetary system set up, just a lot of subsistence living.

thanks for keeping us informed.

Hey, my wife works with criminals too. She is a social worker. She constantly sees the entitlement thing too on a daily basis. There is just a class of people just are not willing to take their responsibilty of their own life into their own hands. She says the black population often complain it is becuase of their color, and the white folk complain just about everything....whereas the main culprit is just their economic situation for both races.

How come the estimated 2 million people in Niger do not complain about help lack of help or, "Where's the government?" How come when I watched the results of the tsunami, I never saw anyone complaining about lack of help or asking, "Where's the government?"

What? You can't tolerate a difference of opinion?