Terrible Editorials, Opinion Pieces and Letters to the Editor

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Josef bugman: Nov 17, 2011; Pictured: Poster prepares to celebrate Holy Communion (probablY)

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Ghost of Reagan Past posted:

It's just a bunch of garbage. It's basically "your life sucks because you assume people aren't terrible, so become terrible yourself!" It's stupid nerd poo poo that if you've been a nerd on the Internet you've seen a thousand times before. His style is terrible, too, and he sounds like a jackass. Apparently he's in his late 30s, which surprised me; the advice sounds like something someone would think is good when they're 20.

I know, that kind of what I am trying to point out. It'd not "revalatory" to treat everyone as if they want something from you. Its either normal (in a corporate setting) or completly mental (in every other setting).

What is it about every article with "harsh truths" that makes it so ungovernably rubbish and mental, is it some sort of code or something?

# ? Jan 25, 2013 18:02

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# ? Apr 26, 2024 17:35

I AM GRANDO: Aug 20, 2006

Wales Grey posted:

Fascism is reliant on worship of an idealized past state, something that is incompatible with deep knowledge of history and the application of critical thought.

The 40th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade was just a few days ago, right? Have a terrible letter from my local paper!

What can I do to get my own surge of abortion power? Eat a can of stem cells?

# ? Jan 25, 2013 18:49

I AM GRANDO: Aug 20, 2006

Urban Space Cowboy posted:

Yes yes go ahead.

I'm not familiar with Wong's writing, but I've been linked his "What is the Monkeysphere?" article a few times and found it a longform excuse for otherizing people who are different.

A better title for this one would be "The Naturalistic Fallacy."

# ? Jan 25, 2013 19:00

KomradeX: Oct 29, 2011

I though "John Dies At the End," and "This Book is Full of Spiders" were really funny and good takes on the horror genre. That said Wongs articles on Craked are the worst poo poo ever, I avoid them at all costs if cause of anything they are just soul crushingly depressing, just filled with a level of abject cynicism I just can't handle, (when he's not dealing in :biotruths:

) and I find myself being fairly cynical. I guess it sort of comes down to he just accepts this bullshit and then pushes it on his readers. Like hell even that title "The Hippies Were Wrong" pretty much all boils down to is don't question anything ever, if the worlds a dick to you be a dick right back.

# ? Jan 25, 2013 19:33

Political Whores: Feb 13, 2012

Jack Gladney posted:

A better title for this one would be "The Naturalistic Fallacy."

What the hell was even the point of that article? Like, I don't understand what those two pages were trying to get at. I mean, I've actually heard about the concept he's talking about, but it was just a general statistical observation about primates, it doesn't actually mean we have preset limits to our empathy. This guy seems like someone who states perfectly obvious conclusions as if he's imparting divine knowledge, like at the end of this one where he's basically just saying "reality is complex, humans tend to otherize the outgroup, and politicians are often not doing it out of a sense of duty to society" as if this was some sort of earth-shattering revelation. What a smug shitheel.

# ? Jan 25, 2013 22:06

Play: Apr 25, 2006; Strong stroll for a mangy stray

Nevvy Z posted:

I wonder how he feels about women who don't shave their armpits.

Furikku posted:

I wonder how he feels about men that can't grow facial hair.

"The difference being?" :smuggo:

-Andy Rutledge: Swordsman, Bonsai Artist , Capitalist, Grill Chef

# ? Jan 25, 2013 22:45

Strudel Man: May 19, 2003; ROME DID NOT HAVE ROBOTS, FUCKWIT

Cordyceps Headache posted:

What the hell was even the point of that article? Like, I don't understand what those two pages were trying to get at. I mean, I've actually heard about the concept he's talking about, but it was just a general statistical observation about primates, it doesn't actually mean we have preset limits to our empathy.

The point of the article is that there are preset (soft) limits to our empathy. You can disbelieve it, but I don't know how you can miss what is being said.

Jack Gladney posted:

A better title for this one would be "The Naturalistic Fallacy."

Someone saying that a phenomenon is "the single reason society doesn't work" probably isn't saying that phenomenon is a good thing.

Strudel Man fucked around with this message at 22:55 on Jan 25, 2013

# ? Jan 25, 2013 22:47

Political Whores: Feb 13, 2012

Strudel Man posted:

The point of the article is that there are preset (soft) limits to our empathy. You can disbelieve it, but I don't know how you can miss what is being said.

Someone saying that a phenomenon is "the single reason society doesn't work" probably isn't saying that phenomenon is a good thing.

But that's not a novel idea, and the reason society works the way it does, a rule based system of governance based on general moral precepts, is precisely because empathy isn't enough to direct human action to the greater social benefit. His explanations are reductive and stupid, and his piece ultimately has no point, it doesn't suggest anything beyond superficial platitudes.

# ? Jan 25, 2013 23:24

I AM GRANDO: Aug 20, 2006

Strudel Man posted:

The point of the article is that there are preset (soft) limits to our empathy. You can disbelieve it, but I don't know how you can miss what is being said.

Someone saying that a phenomenon is "the single reason society doesn't work" probably isn't saying that phenomenon is a good thing.

He's saying that it's useless to try to compensate for the deficit he describes because of our inescapable nature, that we should embrace cruel indifference because there's nothing we can do about it. It's Thomas Hobbes and Edmund Burke and your lovely Republican grandpa. It's sophomoric, nihilistic bullshit.

# ? Jan 25, 2013 23:31

Strudel Man: May 19, 2003; ROME DID NOT HAVE ROBOTS, FUCKWIT

Cordyceps Headache posted:

But that's not a novel idea, and the reason society works the way it does, a rule based system of governance based on general moral precepts, is precisely because empathy isn't enough to direct human action to the greater social benefit. His explanations are reductive and stupid, and his piece ultimately has no point, it doesn't suggest anything beyond superficial platitudes.

Perhaps your problem is in the assumption that everything is written for the purposes of moral guidance? When you're presenting a pop-science perspective on something from neurology, you don't actually need to have suggestions for what to do in there.

Jack Gladney posted:

He's saying that it's useless to try to compensate for the deficit he describes because of our inescapable nature, that we should embrace cruel indifference because there's nothing we can do about it.

Really? Show me where he says this.

Strudel Man fucked around with this message at 23:33 on Jan 25, 2013

# ? Jan 25, 2013 23:31

The Crotch: Oct 16, 2012; by Nyc_Tattoo

Yeah, I kinda have the exact opposite interpretation of the Monkeysphere article. Less "It's useless to try to compensate for the deficit he describes because of our inescapable nature, that we should embrace cruel indifference because there's nothing we can do about it" and more, "Hey, this is A Thing that affects how you perceive others and it can lead to some real shitheadedness so be aware of it and try not to fall into it".

Like, that's the entire last section of the article, no?

# ? Jan 26, 2013 00:18

Strudel Man: May 19, 2003; ROME DID NOT HAVE ROBOTS, FUCKWIT

The Crotch posted:

Like, that's the entire last section of the article, no?

Sort of. To be honest, the last section of the article seems only tangentially related to the central idea. But yeah, that's certainly what I take away from the concept - the structure of human consciousness may make it difficult for us to 'naturally' or instinctively act with respect and regard for all people, so it's important that we apply our higher faculties to the task.

# ? Jan 26, 2013 00:24

VideoTapir: Oct 18, 2005; He'll tire eventually.

Van Kraken posted:

Today I learned that an article from my school newspaper made the The Atlantic Wire's 50 Worst Columns of 2012:

At first I thought it was satire, but all his earlier columns are from the same perspective. If it's a joke, he's been playing it straight for a really long time.

Anyone can buy OCP stock, and own a piece of our city. What could be more democratic than that?

# ? Jan 27, 2013 03:41

Josef bugman: Nov 17, 2011; Pictured: Poster prepares to celebrate Holy Communion (probablY)

This avatar made possible by a gift from the Religionthread Posters Relief Fund

Found another terrible website commentary, only this one is activly calling for the removal of the rule of law and equality. Seriously just read the whole drat thing and not feel your blood pressure rising and you are a better human being than I am. If I ever have to think that social justice warriors or communists are going too far all I am going to have to do is re-read this :words:

article and realise that eating the rich and making rivers run red may actually be a drat good idea.

Here it is, it's terrible

# ? Feb 2, 2013 02:29

IAMKOREA: Apr 21, 2007

Josef bugman posted:

Found another terrible website commentary, only this one is activly calling for the removal of the rule of law and equality. Seriously just read the whole drat thing and not feel your blood pressure rising and you are a better human being than I am. If I ever have to think that social justice warriors or communists are going too far all I am going to have to do is re-read this article and realise that eating the rich and making rivers run red may actually be a drat good idea.

Here it is, it's terrible

On that same blog you can find articles about how wearing a fedora will tune you into your inner man. It's the same sort of "let's go back to the idealized 40's and act like our grandparents" poo poo that pops up whenever you have a bunch of dorks trying to shed their inadequacies.

# ? Feb 2, 2013 02:37

Josef bugman: Nov 17, 2011; Pictured: Poster prepares to celebrate Holy Communion (probablY)

This avatar made possible by a gift from the Religionthread Posters Relief Fund

IAMKOREA posted:

On that same blog you can find articles about how wearing a fedora will tune you into your inner man. It's the same sort of "let's go back to the idealized 40's and act like our grandparents" poo poo that pops up whenever you have a bunch of dorks trying to shed their inadequacies.

What is it about nerds and having the most terrible opinions. And if anyone wants to do a run down of all the ways in which the article is wrong (I realise this may take some time) could they please do so, I would love to be able to put in on my wall and just define myself to be the exact opposite of nigh on everything these people profess to adore.

# ? Feb 2, 2013 02:48

IAMKOREA: Apr 21, 2007

Josef bugman posted:

What is it about nerds and having the most terrible opinions. And if anyone wants to do a run down of all the ways in which the article is wrong (I realise this may take some time) could they please do so, I would love to be able to put in on my wall and just define myself to be the exact opposite of nigh on everything these people profess to adore.

You know that magazine ad from the 50's that always pops up about how to be a good wife? That's what they literally want, and they think that wearing poorly fitting suits to casual social events is how they will get it. There's no way in hell I'm reading that incredibly boring article, but I find a lot of the "this is how to be a man!" articles on that blog amusing.

# ? Feb 2, 2013 02:55

Josef bugman: Nov 17, 2011; Pictured: Poster prepares to celebrate Holy Communion (probablY)

This avatar made possible by a gift from the Religionthread Posters Relief Fund

IAMKOREA posted:

There's no way in hell I'm reading that incredibly boring article, but I find a lot of the "this is how to be a man!" articles on that blog amusing.

It's fair enough, I probably wouldn't have if I'd have known how far up it'd send my blood pressure, but I just find this style of thinking utterly unfathomable.

# ? Feb 2, 2013 02:58

VideoTapir: Oct 18, 2005; He'll tire eventually.

This here is a thread.

http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/arabs-offended-by-coca-cola-commercial-grow-up-or-understandable/question-3496823/

quote:

A few Arab American Groups claim Coke's new Superbowl Ad to be "Racist" due to them showing an Arab walking through the desert with a camel!

Time to grow up or is it understandable?

quote:

Islamist extreamists protest & threaten against America and Europe = Free Speech.

Coca Cola mentions one harmless Arab in the desert = RACIST!!

Double standard political correctness?

quote:

Jackie G - Poker Playing Patriot
+2
Suggest they round up all their camels and not let anyone ride them to escape photos of them. Time to tell these folks: 1. You are not a race so there is no racism 2. the music was Shaharazad (Arabian Nights) which romanticizes riding a smelly mean (and they are) camel in the sand - they should be thrilled it is romanticized 3. Stop riding camels if you think it is so negative.

I will send a bottle of champagne and huge box of chocolates to the the first marketing guy who says -- "who cares, we are running it. " This manufactured outrage to get press is beyond boring at this point.

quote:

Racist Schmacist....I AM SO SICK OF THIS!!!!!!!

quote:

Hmm... Actually Arabs are the racists, also they use genocides against other races & ethnicities, have slave trade, etc.

1. Racism in the Arab world

2. Genocide against non-Arabs

3. Arab Slave Trade

If you want to overload on "but THEY are the real racists" and "I don't see what's wrong with >stereotype<" and "you can't be racist against a race that lovely," with an extra helping of "they're not a race, so it isn't racist" come join the fun.

# ? Feb 2, 2013 13:08

Mr. Funny Pants: Apr 9, 2001

VideoTapir posted:

If you want to overload on "but THEY are the real racists" and "I don't see what's wrong with >stereotype<" and "you can't be racist against a race that lovely," with an extra helping of "they're not a race, so it isn't racist" come join the fun.

I hate when people use genocides.

Mr. Funny Pants fucked around with this message at 01:07 on Feb 3, 2013

# ? Feb 3, 2013 01:03

Dr. Tough: Oct 22, 2007

quote:

Tucson City Court arrogantly asserts the power of Prior Restraint

As a matter of fact, the Tucson City Court is a limited jurisdiction court of non record, directed by the Tucson City Council, partisan political and economic interests and local "Good Old Boys."
In other words it is one of the smallest courts in the land, where, speaking very frankly, most of the significant constitutional violations begin.

Yet arrogantly and unlawfully, the Tucson City Court asserts an authority surpassing that of the U.S. Supreme Court, the highest court in the land: the power to issue a non-appealable order of prior restraint to silence a political speaker who challenges the rectitude of local political authority.

The issue of "prior restraint" is addressed in several U.S. Supreme Court cases, notably New York Times vs United States (1967) which says they should never be issued, and Walker v Birmingham (1971) which says injunctions which temporarily restrict expressive conduct must be obeyed until they are appealed.

The Arizona Supreme Court, in State v Chavez, (involving the Director of the Farm worker's Union, activist Cesar Chavez), affirmed the holding in Walker v Birmingham.

And the 9th Circuit, in accordance with Walker and Chavez, has precisely set forth the conditions which must be met regarding any prior restraint restrictions on free speech:
Prior restraints on free speech "will be upheld only if they ...provide for a prompt decision during which the status quo is maintained and there is the opportunity for a prompt judicial decision" Dream Palace v. County of Maricopa, 384 F.3d 990, 998 (9th Cir 2004).

Significantly; none of the rulings in any of the courts cited above conflict. All are in accordance with each other regarding orders of prior restraint.

And it is abundantly clear: NONE of the above courts would condone the policy of the Tucson City Court, to wit: Use Non Appealable Conditions of Release Orders of Prior Restraint to Silence the Voice of Those Who Challenge Local "Open Border Policy."

Some may ask: "Then, why is there no case precisely on point specifically outlawing the issuance of Non-Appealable Orders of Prior Restraint?"

For two reasons: (1) no local attorney has ever had the guts to frame the issue correctly and thus anger local courts, or (2) no court (other than Tucson City Court), has ever been stupid enough to issue one.

Because of my experience with local attorneys I'm betting the answer is #1.

In any event the issue of local courts suspending constitutional rights, now that it has been properly framed in Warden v Tucson City Court, is going to Pima County Superior Court, and from there up the Judicial Food Chain towards the Arizona Supreme Court.

Roy Warden
ARIZONA COMMON SENSE
An Exercise in Aggressive, Non-Partisan Political Activism

Amidst a bunch of letters babbling about how Obama is a tyrant because of his executive orders I found this.

# ? Feb 3, 2013 03:36

Ghost of Reagan Past: Oct 7, 2003; rock and roll fun

My father is friends with that guy :cry:

No, I've never met him, but holy loving poo poo.

# ? Feb 3, 2013 03:40

VideoTapir: Oct 18, 2005; He'll tire eventually.

"Use Non Appealable Conditions of Release Orders of Prior Restraint to Silence the Voice of Those Who Challenge Local "Open Border Policy.""

Why is this capitalized as if it's the title of something?

Is this a bunch of paranoid rambling or am I missing something?

# ? Feb 3, 2013 04:03

Brennanite: Feb 14, 2009

Finally, my love of small town papers pays off! Check out this gem, posted on an article about a local representative's response to the proposed immigration reform.

quote:

WE HAVE BEEN BETRAYED ONCE AGAIN?

My guess the politicians will win this time and the American people�as always�will get the bill for supporting illegal aliens. Very few of us who haven�t been brain-washed over the illegal alien controversy and with a Socialist administration in power, the only winners are the �Freeloaders� deadbeats and spongers, which are bottom feeders that live of the rest of the working population. They pay for nothing, as everything virtually free especially with this Imperial regime. This is going to be a repeat performance of the 1986 path to citizenship that exploded into a fraudulent fa�ade. The so called pay a fine, learn English as two required principles, never happened? Most fines were waived, as the majority of Guest Workers couldn�t afford it, and the so called learning the language was a travesty, as the illegal aliens involved took a couple of classes and because it was run by La Raza, got a pass score. The whole thing was a travesty and the commitment of former President Reagan�s Washington to prosecute employers fizzled. Let�s face it their all a bunch of bare faced liars who cringe at the feet of special interest groups, because they are the ones that really run the country. Obama promised transparency in D.C, but the whole place and both parties are awash with corruption, kick backs, and nepotism. It�s a father, son and daughter rot, that retirement means joining the ranks of high paid lobbyists on K street, the height of hypocrisy and legal thievery of your tax dollars in our central government, A few must be excused from these slimy-palmed politicians, such as Senator Sessions of Arkansas who is a people�s legislator and doesn�t work in collusion with anti-constitution politicians. Alas now, because of the loss of the election politicians as Sen. John McCain R-AZ has turned traitor and is complicit in a new path to citizenship. Is Mark Rubio also joining this sad circus of liars and deceit to the people?

FOR THE LIFE OF ME, WHY WOULD THESE ELECTED CIVIL SERVANTS, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT WANT TO ENACT A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP FOR A DELIBERATELY UNDERESTIMATED 11 MILLION PEOPLE SQUATTING HERE ILLEGALLY? WHEN THERE ARE OVER 20 MILLION AMERICANS UNEMPLOYED, UNDEREMPLOYED OR JUST GIVEN UP AND JOINING THE RANKS (INCLUDING FOREIGN NATIONALS) SIGNING UP FOR FOOD STAMPS AND OTHER BENEFITS.

THIS TUESDAY WILL BE A GRAVE DAY FOR AMERICA, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD NO RESPECT FOR OUR LAWS GAINING CITIZENSHIP? FAR WORSE IS THE CONTINUENCE OF MORE CHAIN MIGRATION. The Nuclear Family Priority Act, HR 692 (Gingrey, R-GA), would end chain migration while expediting the reunification of married couples and of parents with their young children. It would eliminate the categories of adult siblings and adult children, providing an annual decrease in immigration of over 110,000 per year. The reduction would be larger over time as there would be fewer new immigrants to sponsor additional relatives (Chain Migration.) Then include this with the waiting BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP BILL. Look it up, as it makes good judgment, as other industrialized nations have also removed it. That only people who is already a U.S. citizen can apply for citizenship for their child. It�s become a travesty of 14th amendment that allowed slaves the right to citizenship and their descendants. This should was not applicable to illegal alien children, because at that time there was no such thing as illegal immigration. The cost in BILLIONS of dollars is too high, to carry on this fallacy?

ONCE THIS NEW PATH TO CITIZENSHIP IS READY TO BE SIGNED, MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS FOREIGN NATIONALS WILL SCRAPE THEIR MONEY TOGETHER IN A DESPERATE BID TO REACH OUR SHORES OR BORDERS BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

.EVENTUALLY�ILLEGAL ALIENS WILL BE STEALTHILY ALLOWED TO JOIN OBAMACARE, I�LL TAKE A BET ON THAT.

Hardly any of them have the guts to dare challenge putrid Senators like senile Harry Reid. Strangely enough I no longer own a firearm, but my thoughts only criminals will own guns that we need to protect our families. I hope shortly that California Liberal Senator Diane Feinstein gets mugged; she is a victim of a home invasion robbery or even worse. Something ominous happens to a lawmaker, they would quickly change their minds? Most of these impersonators of honest people don�t live in the real world anyway. I get a continuous dialog from my cousin in Los Angeles of drunken hit and runs of by foreign drunk drivers, robberies, children attacked and molested. Want more information, and then go to THE DARK SIDE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION site. Never thought for one minute the American people were stupid enough to vote for anybody who had a greasy Liberal agenda? If these people�s representatives ever though that the American people came first, then they would have insured illegal entry into the United States was a FELONY. The blame goes back many years, when there were positive laws as the quota system, according to your country of birth. Now America is overrun from most illiterate, poorly educated foreigners from South of our borders. Then we have unknown number of illegal overstays that make up the number of 46 percent who arrive here by plane and not tracked, so they can be deported. I have pushed over and over again The LEGAL WORKFORCE BILL that makes sense, but then with the mostly withered old men in Washington, they are not listening as their golf score is more important, or the financial favors they get from corporation bosses. MAKE THEM LISTEN AND JAM WASHINGTON SWITCHBOARDS TOMORROW.

Every LIBERAL, DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN, INDEPENDENT, TEA PARTY MEMBERS and a list of other parties that the high echelon whose abode is the Capitol know that America is not just in a physical mess, but a nation almost irreparable more divided. Why is this man in Washington determined to split up our society, when he should be bringing us together, collectively? Our Constitution has been badly decomposed by President Obama, our liberties, freedoms and the American dream trodden down by anarchist, communist, Marxist; many of them have visited the White House? Check out these facts out at TEAPARTY.OR. Become more acquainted with the ugly facts and learn the REAL truth at American Patrol, Judicial Watch, NumbersUSA web sites.

We must be constantly be on our guard as many laws are past during late nights sessions, so that the public are only aware the day after. Monday, is going to be a very important day as President Obama is heading to Nevada to broadcast the need for a Path to Citizenship or the possibility of blanket Amnesty. But remember that Nevada has today the highest concentrations of illegal aliens, other than California on the West coast. Monday, if you haven�t already seen the writing on the wall, then speak up�call your politicians and tell the aide, you want to declare illegal aliens have no right to citizenship. THEY BROKE OUR LAWS, while honest people came through the correct channels. you may phone the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. A switchboard operator will connect you directly with the Senate office you request. One or two people will be ignored, but greater numbers will make a difference and could decide on the fate of America? After all the Heritage Foundation already stated that another Path to Citizenship would produce a taxpayer price tag of over 2 TRILLION DOLLARS, you have to wonder what these politicians are smoking. That�s already on Obama�s $4 to 5 TRILLION dollars amassing on the multi TRILLION dollar deficits.

Each year 400,000 babies are smuggled into America to claim citizenship. The price for the child/children (DREAMER CHILDREN) is a cornucopia of free entitlement stuff as a new citizen. Even before arriving here they have been well apprised of the welfare programs and how to scam them. Actual birthing factories have been set up, where pregnant women are departing planes from Asian countries to claim citizenship for their infant. Possessing a U.S birth certificate the child can return in adolescence and claim citizenship rights and then sponsor family members. CHAIN MIGRATION is a very expensive proposition for U.S. taxpayers, as later the immediate family is left without financial resources and then relies on Supplementary Social Security and public assistance.

President and �Bi-Partisan� Group Want to Reward Criminals With path to Citizenship
by Stephen Frank on 01/30/2013 of California Political News & Views
Who says crime does not pay. All you have to do issue stolen or false ID, steal jobs, health care and education from honest people. Lie on job applications�all of which would put us in jail. Do these criminals acts long enough and the President and self proclaimed Republican and Democrat �leaders� want to reward illegal aliens for a lifetime of crime with a path to U.S. citizenship.
If you murder enough people maybe the same folks would give you a job in law enforcement. Honest immigrants are demeaned by this effort. Why apply for citizenship�violate the law and you can do it anyway. Oh, this group says a requirement of �citizenship� is to learn English. Does that mean they will stop publishing ballots and other government forms in dozens of languages?

NO COPYRIGHT! DISTRIBUTE TO ALL.

# ? Feb 3, 2013 05:33

Mr. Funny Pants: Apr 9, 2001

Brennanite posted:

Finally, my love of small town papers pays off! Check out this gem, posted on an article about a local representative's response to the proposed immigration reform.

Exhibit 4503 supporting the, "FREQUENCY OF ALL CAPS WORDS CORRELATES WITH IDIOCY" hypothesis.

# ? Feb 3, 2013 05:43

Joementum: May 23, 2004; jesus christ

In which David Brooks notices that the world contains "data" and "facts".

quote:

If you asked me to describe the rising philosophy of the day, I�d say it is data-ism. We now have the ability to gather huge amounts of data. This ability seems to carry with it certain cultural assumptions � that everything that can be measured should be measured; that data is a transparent and reliable lens that allows us to filter out emotionalism and ideology; that data will help us do remarkable things � like foretell the future.

I confess I enter this in a skeptical frame of mind, believing that we tend to get carried away in our desire to reduce everything to the quantifiable.

Well, gee Dave, only a few more years and maybe you'll be at a place where you can use this "data" in your columns!

# ? Feb 5, 2013 13:36

Pope Guilty: Nov 6, 2006; The human animal is a beautiful and terrible creature, capable of limitless compassion and unfathomable cruelty.

Joementum posted:

In which David Brooks notices that the world contains "data" and "facts".

Well, gee Dave, only a few more years and maybe you'll be at a place where you can use this "data" in your columns!

Of course David Brooks would take umbrage at the idea that reality should play a role in our assessment of reality.

# ? Feb 5, 2013 13:55

platzapS: Aug 4, 2007

Pope Guilty posted:

Of course David Brooks would take umbrage at the idea that reality should play a role in our assessment of reality.

He ends up just talking about all the cool things data can show us though.

# ? Feb 5, 2013 17:40

rkajdi: Sep 11, 2001; by LITERALLY AN ADMIN

Here's an old letter to the editor from my local paper:

http://articles.herald-mail.com/2005-03-21/news/25014498_1_hiv-infection-hiv-tattoo-solution

Neil Parrott posted:

According to reports, 238 Washington County residents have been diagnosed with HIV infection. This threefold increase in the county since 1997 requires a compassionate and serious response to this epidemic.

The most noted solutions among the professionals include education regarding how to have "safe sex," and yearly testing for everyone, whether or not they are in a high-risk group.

These solutions do not go to the root of the problem. They also leave a hollow promise that if these solutions were implemented, the HIV infection rate would decline.

In actuality, teaching children how to have sex in a safer way actually increases sexual activity and, consequently, the rate of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. It encourages children to engage in the risky behaviors that subject them to diseases rather than affirming the one and only solution that truly works - abstinence.

The article by Tara Reilly presents one of the sad failures of the "education" solution when talking about the increase in HIV rates among women, stating, "Unfortunately for them, they've just gotten with the wrong partner." As revealed by a Health and Human Services Department study, condoms do not prevent the spread of HIV, even when used properly, every time.

Testing seems like a sensible solution to help control the spread of HIV, but one may ask, "What difference will that make?" Reilly's article went on to state that "there have been cases in which people knew they were infected and continued to engage in risky behavior."

So how does testing stop that, or warn their partners of the potentially deadly encounter they are about to have? Doesn't everyone deserve to be protected from the start, not just after-the-fact, with testing?

It is time to take the threat of HIV seriously. A compassionate and serious solution must preserve the dignity of those infected while truly helping to prevent the spread of the disease in an effective way.

One such solution is a tattoo for those who are infected. This mark could be inconspicuously placed, perhaps in a spot covered by a bathing suit, warning only those who might engage in intimate encounters with the infected person.

An effective way to enforce the consistency of the tattoo would be to provide medicine to the infected individual only after they have received the HIV tattoo.

The tattoo in no way is a solution on its own. The real solution is for sex to be esteemed more highly, so that it is only practiced within marriage. Abstinence-only education sends a clear signal to students about what is expected, without mixing messages.

The HIV tattoo would, however, help to prevent the spread of infection by people who know that they are infected, but who choose not to curb their behavior, putting their partners at risk. It would be a 100 percent unmistakable sign allowing all parties involved to make an informed decision.

These practical solutions treat this epidemic with the seriousness it deserves, while being compassionate to those infected, and to those who are at risk of unknowingly becoming infected one day.

Neil Parrott
Hagerstown

Standard conservative stupidity from a literal moron. Why is this letter at all relevent over seven years later? Neil Parrott was elected to the MD House of Delegates during the tea wave election in '10, and won despite this letter being brought up during the election. He's also the asshat who gamed the ballot referendum system in that state and got many of the measures on this last time around, including the gay marriage one. So this is the human filth who managed to deny gays equal rights for almost a year. Truly a man of the people.

rkajdi fucked around with this message at 20:56 on Feb 5, 2013

# ? Feb 5, 2013 20:48

Caros: May 14, 2008

rkajdi posted:

Here's an old letter to the editor from my local paper:

http://articles.herald-mail.com/2005-03-21/news/25014498_1_hiv-infection-hiv-tattoo-solution

Standard conservative stupidity from a literal moron. Why is this letter at all relevent over seven years later? Neil Parrott was elected to the MD House of Delegates during the tea wave election in '10, and won despite this letter being brought up during the election. He's also the asshat who gamed the ballot referendum system in that state and got many of the measures on this last time around, including the gay marriage one. So this is the human filth who managed to deny gays equal rights for almost a year. Truly a man of the people.

I...I don't. You know maybe it is just bias because this is the most recent, but this is the most reprehensible thing I have seen in this thread in ages. There has been stuff that is stupider but this? Tattoo Aids victims so that everytime they look in the mirror they are reminded of their shame and emminant deat- er, so they won't have unprotected sex!

And then lets teach abstinence only, because that has been proven time and time again to work nowhere, never at preventing diseases. The fact that people have elected this loving monster to a public office sickens me to my bones, especially when this letter is public knowledge.

Edit: This is the best facebook website I have ever seen however, and I am happy to know that Neil Parrott believes the grandmothers still need loving.

Caros fucked around with this message at 06:46 on Feb 6, 2013

# ? Feb 6, 2013 06:00

sexpig by night: Sep 8, 2011; by Azathoth

Maybe it's something simple, not even a design really, just, and this is just spit balling here, maybe a string of numbers?

# ? Feb 6, 2013 06:23

VideoTapir: Oct 18, 2005; He'll tire eventually.

How does he plan to identify those in need of a tattoo if he doesn't want widespread testing? No one's going to get tested at all until they KNOW they're sick, in that case, in which case it's too late, and they've probably infected someone.

# ? Feb 6, 2013 06:37

rkajdi: Sep 11, 2001; by LITERALLY AN ADMIN

VideoTapir posted:

How does he plan to identify those in need of a tattoo if he doesn't want widespread testing? No one's going to get tested at all until they KNOW they're sick, in that case, in which case it's too late, and they've probably infected someone.

Who knows. The guys is a hardcore teatard, so I doubt he thought the consequences or logistics through. He just need to hate on someone, especially those who have sex or do drugs.

EDIT: Missed the grandmother thing. Considering how much of his constituency is hill filth, this is not surprising. Cousin marriage is already legal, so I guess he just wants to keep it in the family a bit more.

rkajdi fucked around with this message at 13:47 on Feb 6, 2013

# ? Feb 6, 2013 13:40

bobkatt013: Oct 8, 2006; Youâre telling me Peter Parker is ...... Spider-man!?

He seems like someone who reads Scarlet Letter and think yes that is a good idea and women should be required to wear one.

# ? Feb 6, 2013 14:22

Joementum: May 23, 2004; jesus christ

An Ohio woman has noticed an instance of flagrant government waste: road signs.

quote:

Signs that read �Deer Crossing� and the like are going to continue to pop up throughout our country including Avon Lake, but who are these signs for? Deer cannot read, do not obey the law and probably will cross where they wish. Although adorable companions, it is hard to remember the last time that the news reported an animal talking, thinking or providing significant input for the benefit of society. Yet, these signs cost taxpayers like so much of government.

Thanks, Obama

# ? Feb 18, 2013 17:43

I AM GRANDO: Aug 20, 2006

quote:

Yes, people dress them, buy them extravagant blinge and do other strange things with them; however, animals are not human.

This cannot be real.

EDIT: She just loving hates deer:

http://avon-oh.patch.com/blog_posts/council-get-er-done-please

quote:

This week Jan.4 more than 10 deer stopped traffic walking across Walker Roads from the apple orchard on the south of Walker Road to the American Legion directly across the street on the north by Giant Eagle. It was with much distress that these deer walked across the road rather than scatter to cars and hurt or kill drivers who were stopped waiting for these idiot animals to get off the road.

Then a day later, five deer ran across the same road in the same place! Finally, Sunday in the same area one deer walked up the ditch and stood by the edge of the road and stopped traffic for almost 10 minutes while drivers waited to see if the deer would cross the street or come at them. This deer scattered back to the ditch.

The three incidents in one week were not coincidence as much as usual happenings in this specific area. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED! I have had two cars damaged by these deer.Council must, must do something as someone is going to get killed. With the many senior citizens, new teen drivers and travelers unaware of the deer along our roads, the need to kill deer is now.

If only there were some way to alert motorists to the presence of deer.

I AM GRANDO fucked around with this message at 18:10 on Feb 18, 2013

# ? Feb 18, 2013 18:01

Flaggy: Jul 6, 2007; Grandpa Cthulu needs his napping chair; Grimey Drawer

Small town skating rink is selling energy drinks. Parents react. This is pretty much Iowa.txt, and the funny thing is it goes from rational, to the owner commenting, to someone flat out refusing to sell energy drinks at the convenience store she works at. Although the store doesn't have that policy she feels that its in the kids best interest.

# ? Feb 18, 2013 18:19

MaxxBot: Oct 6, 2003; you could have clapped

you should have clapped!!

I would love to see what kind of diets those hysterical idiots feed their kids, or themselves for that matter. I'm sure that they're such paragons of pristine health and nutrition that energy drinks being offered in their presence warrants this sort of attention.

# ? Feb 18, 2013 21:06

Gourd of Taste: Sep 11, 2006; by Ralp

MaxxBot posted:

I would love to see what kind of diets those hysterical idiots feed their kids, or themselves for that matter. I'm sure that they're such paragons of pristine health and nutrition that energy drinks being offered in their presence warrants this sort of attention.

Energy drinks are loving terrible for you, in fairness. It's not unreasonable to worry about your kids guzzling that poo poo.

# ? Feb 18, 2013 22:18

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ? Apr 26, 2024 17:35

Nintendo Kid: Aug 4, 2011; by Smythe

Gourd of Taste posted:

Energy drinks are loving terrible for you, in fairness. It's not unreasonable to worry about your kids guzzling that poo poo.

They're only as terrible as soda, and none of those people are bitching about soda.

# ? Feb 18, 2013 22:24

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