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The Republican Encyclopedia of Hindsight Deals

Miles, their way to address the awareness that they are only representing the interests of the 1% is to just demonize the party that represents the 99%. It’s not about there ever being a good reason to vote for Republicans because of how they will help Americans, it’s only about getting Americans to vote against the Democrats.

It works to a degree but not enough now to win a national election.

» Posted By AdLib On June 11, 2014 @ 10:45 am

monicaangela, no question which was worse, Iran-Contra which was a violation of the Constitution, illegally used taxpayer money, used deception to hide the outrageous act from the public and directly armed our enemies.

And what about the reference of the photo above, Reagan armed and provided money and resources to the Taliban!!! Reagan financed what would become Al Qaeda, hell, he was one of the de facto founders of Al Qaeda.

As with any “outrage” from Republicans, it is just a truckload of phony shock and genuine hypocrisy dumped in the MSM for political gain. There is no shred of honesty left in the GOP, everything that comes from their mouths is blatant propaganda only intended to help their gaining power.

» Posted By AdLib On June 11, 2014 @ 10:41 am

Nirek, if Obama fund away to bring Ronald Reagan back to life, Republicans would say no. The only good reason to do that anyway would be to hear him grunt, “Zombie Reagan, slash!”

» Posted By AdLib On June 11, 2014 @ 10:33 am

2005: A Political Odyssey

monicaangela, Butler became a man of conscience after having seen the true motivation between many (if not most) of The wars and battles he was involved in (and later stood up to expose the corporate cabal that was exploring a coup of the US government).

Isn’t greed a main reason Bush started the Iraq War? All that oil being sought, presented as a national interest for the US….meaning oil companies’ interest.

Wasn’t the Civil War about wealth and how slavery was required by The South to keep the wealthy growing wealthier down there?

Didn’t Germany’s failing economy and shrinking wealth create a central reason for WWII happening and being supported by the nation?

Greed certainly has a home in the motivations of so many wars that it is inconceivable to me that a society could put an end to war before they put an end to greed…and that ain’t happening anytime soon.

And then there are the religious motivations as we’re seeing in many parts of the world now, most recently in Iraq. How can those kinds of wars be stopped as long as religious fanaticism exists?

» Posted By AdLib On June 13, 2014 @ 10:09 am

KT, it would take a major evolution of the human race to transcend the base instincts that lead to violence, including war.

I think I’ve mentioned before the great fantasy world of Star Trek where the human race has transcended greed, poverty, materialism, prejudice and illness for the most part. What a wonderful future that would be but it’s fictional still.

Why do people choose violence? All the issues I listed above apply to nations and their leaders as well.

Maybe if a replicator and transporter cheaply powered by dilithium crystals could remove the need for money and end envy and poverty, we could live in such a nirvana but as long as all of these powerful motivations for violence and war exist, violence and war will exist.

So the flip side is, the more that global wealth can ease the suffering, poverty, lack of education and dim futures of the majority of people out there, the less violence and war we could have…but the wealthy generally aren’t too keen about sharing and they make a lot of money off of war and the threat of it.

» Posted By AdLib On June 12, 2014 @ 11:44 pm

An Open Letter To Any And All “Conservatives”

JJF, I appreciate your expressing a difference of opinion in the way you did at the beginning of your comment but then it all fell down.

How about just presenting your arguments or POVs as Nirek did, as opinions you strongly believe and an explanation as to why you believe as you do so we can have a conversation?

It’s a lot more interesting than watching redundant finger pointing.

» Posted By AdLib On June 9, 2014 @ 5:17 pm

There is a stereotype of the Right Wing Republican blogger who can only insult others with whom he/she disagrees with and generically call the things he/she disagrees with as being some nasty thing. Then following that up with playing the victim card when he/she isn’t allowed to continue freely dishing out insults and hostility. It’s a familiar syndrome and not representative of all Republicans.

This is not a site for outbursts of hostility instead of reasoned discussion. PlanetPOV is a place for any and all who have a point of view they wish to discuss or debate. Progressive, Conservative or Independent. One should be prepared to discuss and debate issues, the facts and reasons for one’s opinions. Name calling and cursing is not debate or conversation, it is more akin to a howl.

There are sites like Yahoo News where folks who want to howl instead of converse, can fit in.

But not on this Planet.

» Posted By AdLib On June 9, 2014 @ 4:19 pm

Was Pvt. Bergdahl Choosing Suicide?

Nirek, it’s disgusting but these are the depths that the RW have sunk to. Anything related to anything Obama does must be demonized into someone or something to be detested.

Really? That’s all they’ve got left, that hollow shell of a party and all those hollow shells of human beings supporting them?

Guess so…

» Posted By AdLib On June 6, 2014 @ 6:36 pm

Considering his note, it is pretty ignorant to just knee jerk proclaim that he’s just a deserter who deserved to stay in captivity.

Complexity is not a forte of the MSM or the RW, everything has to be simple mided, black and white (sometimes literally).

As I’ve mentioned before, all the facts should be respected but there is only one person who knows the reasoning and state of mind of Bergdahl and until we hear from him, we only have part of the story.

» Posted By AdLib On June 6, 2014 @ 6:05 pm

The Once and Future Impeachment of Barack Obama

Miles, unlike HP and a number of other major sites, members here at PlanetPOV have the opportunity to write articles on the issues that matter to them and those articles can appear on our front page and are read by folks all around the world.

We have a quite insightful and faithful readership, it can be very rewarding to write a post that inspires vibrant and thoughtful conversations between a variety of conscientious people.

Like HP, Daily Kos and all major blog sites, members aren’t paid to post comments or posts (even the posts you’ve read at HP from celebrities and well known political figures aren’t paid for their posts).

We sure do hope you’ll want to join the lineup of talented authors here at The Planet!

» Posted By AdLib On June 5, 2014 @ 11:47 pm

The Death of “A Good Guy With A Gun”

Mojave, starting off a reply by accusing those you agree with as being less informed than you actually undercuts the legitimacy of your own opinion. Those who are better informed actually reflect it by proving what they say with convincing evidence.

Please provide links to objective articles that prove your questionable assertion that The Founders were so inarticulate, they had to use the word “militia” when they really meant “adult men” (what prevented them from saying what they meant in this one instance?) and that they were incapable of saying “whatever the military infantry used” so they said “arms”.

What fascinates me is how those who want a particular reality about the Constitution to be true, have to create convoluted justifications for the drafting of it matching their contemporary views identically.

And the lack of context. The Founders had a vision of an America where guys with assault weapons would storm into a Chilis and terrify the patrons? That’s the America they dreamed of? Gun fanaticism just escapes me…and most NRA members too.

» Posted By AdLib On June 13, 2014 @ 9:52 am

The reason the police are notified when a child is missing is because they’ve got guns? Or the reason a rape victim goes to the police is because they have guns? Police are only contacted because they are good guys with guns?

You know that law enforcement is not purely about shooting people or carrying guns…surely you could list many things for which police are relied on that has nothing to do with shooting guns. Happy to debate gun control with you but just dropping provocative comments like this which you have to know are more to stir reactions than to genuinely discuss an issue doesn’t reflect an interest in really debating this very debatable issue.

Let me toss this out instead, with respect to the article above, doesn’t it demonstrate how the Stand Your Ground law is anti-police and thus anti-good-guys-with-guns? And all states with SYG laws have had increases in gun murders so doesn’t that make people less safe, if there are more murders and anyone can feel free to shoot anyone else if they merely feel threatened by them?

What do you think?

» Posted By AdLib On June 12, 2014 @ 11:01 pm

Hey knockemstiff, even out of those gun owners who are members of the NRA, 74% support background checks and a majority support it her reasonable gun control laws..

It’s not gun owners who wanted or pressed for SYG and other insane, murder-causing policies of the NRA and ALEX, it’s purely the greed of gun manufacturers and they need to be pushed intro the spotlight and stopped.

We have a number of members here who are responsible gun owners but want sensible restrictions to reduce murders of innocent people by gun violence. Hard to have an issue with that.

» Posted By AdLib On June 6, 2014 @ 7:42 am

PPO, it is insane. The SYG laws in so many states are literally a license to kill and murders are going up. Is that the sign of an improving society to Republicans?

The 2nd Amendment doesn’t even need to be amended. All that has to happen is for a somewhat sane SCOTUS to properly interpret the 2nd Amendment.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

How can any halfway intelligent person not recognize that the qualifier for “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed” is, “A well regulated Militia”?

That does not reflect an intention by The Founders for Stand Your Ground laws or have “unregulated” gun ownership.

» Posted By AdLib On June 4, 2014 @ 11:22 pm

Searing Truth, wonderfully said and yet sad that fear is so powerful and so exploited by those with bad intentions.

Fear seems to be an addictive substance for far too many and the dealers are often those who don’t even believe in the fears they sell.

As the Beatles said, “All you need is love”, it may sound simplistic and naive but if compassion was once again at the forefront of the public mind, as it was in the times of change in the 60’s and 70’s, maybe meaningful change could again take place.

» Posted By AdLib On June 4, 2014 @ 11:03 pm

Searing Truth, you said it all so perfectly and concisely, that’s it completely!

» Posted By AdLib On June 4, 2014 @ 10:57 pm

Nirek, all that the Repubs and NRA have is propaganda because reality and facts all stand against them. So they pour their resources into brainwashing people…and it pays off for them…literally…while we have shootings every week of innocent people.

» Posted By AdLib On June 4, 2014 @ 5:58 pm

confuseddemocrat, the scenario you describe sounds legit! All the other parties would be regular civilians and when one shot another, the person with them could shoot that shooter and on and on, no question that they would have felt threatened which is all they have to assert.

I’m afraid that these laws won’t change until such a horrendous mass shooting happens then SYG gets everyone off…and even then, I wonder.

» Posted By AdLib On June 4, 2014 @ 5:57 pm

confuseddemocrat, this is indeed a fucked up situation, especially being in GA under such insane SYG laws.

You’re right and in fact, don’t you think it’s more likely for the boyfriend to claim SYG to avoid a murder conviction. So the drunken boyfriend of a drunken woman can shoot and kill a security officer to stop him from jailing her for breaking the law…but if he punched him, he’d go to jail.

These laws are encouraging murder by giving nearly anyone a get out of jail free card. It’s obscene.

» Posted By AdLib On June 4, 2014 @ 5:54 pm

One Veteran’s Opinion About the POW Swap

Kalima, appreciate your reiterating our policy so it’s crystal clear. Simply put, if a comment contains a personal insult against a fellow member, it’s going to be removed. And we have no tolerance for trolling.

This is hardly too high of a bar for reasonable people to clear…which is why I’d say there are so many reasonable people here.

» Posted By AdLib On June 9, 2014 @ 5:09 pm

Oregon, I think the term hero is thrown around so much, it’s kind of lost its meaning.

I think there is a difference between being a hostage and being a hero. In my mind, a hero is someone who sacrifices himself in some way for the sake of others. So, under my application of that term, all who volunteer (or were drafted) into the military are heroes to me for being willing to risk their lives for their fellow Americans. But being kidnapped and held hostage isn’t necessarily an additional furtherance of that. On the other hand, would someone be in that position if not for joining the military? So, it’s a bit of a gray area on the hero thing for me.

And you’re right about the UCMJ, it is hardly a just system. Whatever happens though, I will be very interested to hear what he has to say about his leaving his troop and being kidnapped. Until then, I’ll keep in mind what is said about him but delay judgement until I’ve heard his side of the story.

Cheers Oregon and a very genuine thanks for your service. Thanks too to Nirek, TheHandyman and Choicelady’s husband, you’re all heroes in my book.

» Posted By AdLib On June 3, 2014 @ 11:43 pm

Oregon, I appreciate your view on this and when the facts come out, you may be proven correct that this was a case of desertion that should be prosecuted.

As of right now though, I would suggest that it shows respect for the military to not declare a member of the military as guilty of a crime until he’s been tried and all the facts are documented. All we’re operating on now are public statements by military officials and certain ex-military personnel. Surely, it would be fair to also hear Bergdahl’s explanation before making an absolute decision on what transpired. It’s not like military officials haven’t been unreliable in the past (like lying about the friendly fire killing of Pat Tillman).

Your opinion may be at odds with others on this but it’s our policy here at The Planet that we can disagree without being disagreeable. We believe that keeping a modicum of respect between all members, especially when they disagree, creates a more conducive atmosphere for openly expressing whatever one’s personal opinion is.

» Posted By AdLib On June 3, 2014 @ 10:28 pm

Huffington Post Finalizes Its Divorce From Its Bloggers

Hi gyp46, my proposition is that folks can have passionate debates and disagreements about anything without it needing to resemble 8 year olds fighting on a playground. If the intention is to freely express one’s own opinions and oppositions, one should be able to do so freely without being censored or moderated as long as one isn’t being abusive.

HP looked for the most administratively “efficient” approaches with little regard for Freedom of Expression. The auto-moderation, blacklist of words, censorship of any comment not flattering of Arianna or HP…while curiously allowing hateful comments to remain at times, put the emphasis on control of speech as opposed to its freedom.

Keeping a public blog protective of Free Expression while preventing it from devolving into an unpleasant Thunderdome is a challenge, it’s harder work than just saying, “Let Facebook worry about it, we don’t want to be bothered anymore with the work or expense of promoting Free Speech.” and though nobody’s perfect, The Planet does try to err on the side of Free Expression while providing an environment that’s conducive to grown ups having grown up discussions about whatever they choose.

Welcome to The Planet, gyp46!

» Posted By AdLib On June 22, 2014 @ 7:38 am

Very funny, Wiseronenow!

That would be an entertaining competition, naming the HP blogger-purge regime…hmm…maybe the Silenceistas? The Muzzlers? All Quieta?

BTW, welcome to The Planet!

» Posted By AdLib On June 22, 2014 @ 7:23 am

Fergie said it well, you’re welcome to express your views on any issue here and as long as there is a two way street on respect for others to express opposing views, a worthwhile conversation can be had.

» Posted By AdLib On June 13, 2014 @ 9:36 am

Hi NoSillyName and welcome to The Planet!

There are many folks here from HP as I think you’ll discover.

Wow, I left a mountain of comments behind at HP when I left but for me, yes, I just keep rolling forward and don’t really think of what I posted, just what I want to post next. There were some wonderful exchanges we had there, I wouldn’t mind the nostalgia of looking back at ones from years ago but honestly, it would be less about my comments than revisiting the people I liked that were there.

It really has always been about the people for me, which is why The Planet is basically what HP used to be when I liked it most. As I think will become evident quickly, It’s a great community of people here. I think you’ll like it at The Planet.

Welcome!

» Posted By AdLib On June 12, 2014 @ 11:27 pm

JJF, why wouldn’t you post about your pro-life opinions instead of challenge the integrity of those running this site?

I would suggest that you read our Terms of Use, trying to provoke conflicts violates our ToU. If you want to discuss and debate, you are very welcome here but if you merely wish to provoke others, there are many sites on the web where you can do so but this is not one of them.

» Posted By AdLib On June 12, 2014 @ 11:19 pm

Hi HP Refugee FL! Glad you got your account rolling(sorry for the delay on the assist, we did get your email).

Nice to see you and welcome to the Planet!

» Posted By AdLib On June 6, 2014 @ 11:18 am

TheHandyman, I do find Arianna’s bogus New Agey, Third Metric just as you do. It is a manipulative fraud, both to shape her image into being a “Buddha Billionaire” and so above the morons who didn’t become wealthy from scheming and being unprincipled like her and to support economic injustice by telling the non-wealthy, “Hey, you don’t need a fair share of wealth, you don’t need money to be happy. Ask any of us wealthy people. Just accept we’re robbing the 99% of their wealth and find a way to be happy through non-material ways…at least until you retire, have to move in with your kids and live on dog food for the last 20 years of your life.”

Such an elitist and obliviously condescending mindset she pushes, does anyone actually buy into it?

» Posted By AdLib On June 6, 2014 @ 8:04 am

MisterBadExample, unless you used a different user name, it wasn’t your comment I was referring to in my comment above but I hope I made clear that I wasn’t criticizing the blogger, just that once the cloud of censorship and the lack of anonymity surround bloggers, it is unavoidable that the content of comments become oppressed and more generic.

Who wants to invest a great amount of time crafting a critical comment that can simply be held from ever being published or could cause repercussions in one’s personal or business life? So, what is more reasonable, censoring one’ some comments into inoffensive, generic statements that are a shadow of how one truly feels.

In your case, you weren’t deterred but the blogger I quoted and many others were and are, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable for those who (for whatever reason) continue posting at HP.

It is a bit liberating though to go from that to The Planet where your anonymous, uncensored opinions post immediately. A blogger could get used to that…

» Posted By AdLib On June 6, 2014 @ 7:54 am