Okay, I missed this the first go round, but this is such an intriguing list of topics, I feel the need to respond.
2. No. Meth is evil. Really, really evil. Totally destroys people in such a short period of time and the ability to kick this one is very, very (did I mention VERY) difficult.
3. For. No equivocation or qualification.
4. OK, this one made me laugh out loud 'cause it's ridiculous in so many ways. Your point is a good one (re: the quality of the male presidents so far). Also, the USA is not actually the center of the universe. We are so egotistical to think that if our country implodes the rest of the world will somehow be unable to keep on functioning. I think history bears out that no country/civilization is safe from becoming obsolete. On a more specific note, I think female presidents will be just like male presidents - some good, some bad, some just okay.
5. Nope.
6. Yes. Think of the tax revenue! And all the money that will be saved from the portion of LE budgets dedicated to enforcing these laws.
7. This one should be completely personal choice and am not sure why it's anybody else's business one way or the other.
8. Yes. And I agree 100% with your perspective on this.
9. Yep. And my reasoning is almost identical to yours. Plus, again, good for the economy - increase in licenses and fees, catering, etc.
10. I think this one is a lot more complicated that a short answer can handle, but given that. My preference is legal immigration, if possible. But the history of immigration laws is often sordid and biased and ever changing, so we need to take the human factor into account, too. I agree with several of the other comments that what often motivates illegal immigration is desperation, a view of life here as being much better, and a desire to improve the individuals'a and/or family's lot in life. So, I think we need to be compassionate in how we respond to the vast majority of immigrants. That said, I don't think we should be tolerating criminal activity from anyone, legal or not, particularly violent crime. And as to the language issue, I think it's important to embrace the language of your new home, but I also think we need to be careful about people feeling the need to "lose" their original language. My mom was first generation, and both her parents were German, and she doesn't speak a word of German. It was forbidden, even in the home, because of the bias in the country against German immigrants at that time (WWI & II). That seems a shame to me.
11. OY! Using your assumptions, I'm pretty much with you on this one.
13. I'm not certain you can just "call off" a war, like cancelling a dinner date or a dentist appointment. If it's possible, I think we need to withdraw in a way that is thoughtful and strategic (whatever the timeline) and as non-chaotic as possible. I'm not sure we will be able to prevent the inevitable chaos that may erupt/continue after we leave, given all the different sects/tribes/factions, but that is a history that was there long before we came along (whatever your feelings about the war).
14. I'm torn on this one, and there is a measure on the ballot in my state (Washington) as I write this. I still haven't made up my mind.
15. Yes, in limited situations.
16. I don't have strong feelings on this one, though I do think it falls under protected political speech. Mostly I don't think it's a huge issue affecting too many people's lives. Back when Congress was trying to get a constitutional amendment passed to ban flag burning, my wise (and sarcastic) father, who is very conservative Republican, groused, "Yeah, 'cause there are just idiots burning flags on every corner in my town. It's such a rampant problem."
17. Obama. Though he is actually my third choice.
18. I'm someone who just wants people to HAVE an opinion. I don't care if I agree with you (and am open to hearing others views and even occassionally changing my mind), but how can you NOT have an opinion? That I just do not understand!
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 22 October 2008 20:59 (UTC)2. No. Meth is evil. Really, really evil. Totally destroys people in such a short period of time and the ability to kick this one is very, very (did I mention VERY) difficult.
3. For. No equivocation or qualification.
4. OK, this one made me laugh out loud 'cause it's ridiculous in so many ways. Your point is a good one (re: the quality of the male presidents so far). Also, the USA is not actually the center of the universe. We are so egotistical to think that if our country implodes the rest of the world will somehow be unable to keep on functioning. I think history bears out that no country/civilization is safe from becoming obsolete. On a more specific note, I think female presidents will be just like male presidents - some good, some bad, some just okay.
5. Nope.
6. Yes. Think of the tax revenue! And all the money that will be saved from the portion of LE budgets dedicated to enforcing these laws.
7. This one should be completely personal choice and am not sure why it's anybody else's business one way or the other.
8. Yes. And I agree 100% with your perspective on this.
9. Yep. And my reasoning is almost identical to yours. Plus, again, good for the economy - increase in licenses and fees, catering, etc.
10. I think this one is a lot more complicated that a short answer can handle, but given that. My preference is legal immigration, if possible. But the history of immigration laws is often sordid and biased and ever changing, so we need to take the human factor into account, too. I agree with several of the other comments that what often motivates illegal immigration is desperation, a view of life here as being much better, and a desire to improve the individuals'a and/or family's lot in life. So, I think we need to be compassionate in how we respond to the vast majority of immigrants. That said, I don't think we should be tolerating criminal activity from anyone, legal or not, particularly violent crime. And as to the language issue, I think it's important to embrace the language of your new home, but I also think we need to be careful about people feeling the need to "lose" their original language. My mom was first generation, and both her parents were German, and she doesn't speak a word of German. It was forbidden, even in the home, because of the bias in the country against German immigrants at that time (WWI & II). That seems a shame to me.
11. OY! Using your assumptions, I'm pretty much with you on this one.
13. I'm not certain you can just "call off" a war, like cancelling a dinner date or a dentist appointment. If it's possible, I think we need to withdraw in a way that is thoughtful and strategic (whatever the timeline) and as non-chaotic as possible. I'm not sure we will be able to prevent the inevitable chaos that may erupt/continue after we leave, given all the different sects/tribes/factions, but that is a history that was there long before we came along (whatever your feelings about the war).
14. I'm torn on this one, and there is a measure on the ballot in my state (Washington) as I write this. I still haven't made up my mind.
15. Yes, in limited situations.
16. I don't have strong feelings on this one, though I do think it falls under protected political speech. Mostly I don't think it's a huge issue affecting too many people's lives. Back when Congress was trying to get a constitutional amendment passed to ban flag burning, my wise (and sarcastic) father, who is very conservative Republican, groused, "Yeah, 'cause there are just idiots burning flags on every corner in my town. It's such a rampant problem."
17. Obama. Though he is actually my third choice.
18. I'm someone who just wants people to HAVE an opinion. I don't care if I agree with you (and am open to hearing others views and even occassionally changing my mind), but how can you NOT have an opinion? That I just do not understand!