Frank Petronio
Well-known
Totally agree. People should actively learn how to and practice civil arguments and discussions with people who disagree with them. Let them get booted if they become insulting or boring.
peterm1
Veteran
As an outsider looking in I have to scratch my head in wonderment.
Still we cannot hold ourselves up in Australia as having governments and parliaments that are a paragon of virtue, efficiency or wisdom - or that they even operate much in the public interest. Having just had six years of chaotic government, musical chairs in the top job, inept decision-making, short termism, self interest and socialist ideology rammed down out throats we have just had a change of government and are hoping against hope for a period of sensible decision making focussed on national (not party) interests and sound policy making that addresses real problems - not ones that sound good when on a headline for the day.
The (Labor) party that was just now decisively thrown out moved to sack its first leader - Rudd, for ineptitude, incompetence and arrogance; appointed a second, Gillard who was even worse then just before the election reappointed the first guy who promptly led them to defeat - all the time crowing about how wonderful he was because he turned an impending catastrophic defeat into a mere landslide against them. And all the time they were in power, they were throwing away billions upon billions upon billions on socialist programs designed to convert Australia into a socialist workers paradise. Fortunately (I suppose) most of those programs were so ineptly designed and incompetently implemented they failed.
You think you have troubles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But at least in the USA you have one solution we dont - they probably all have guns, take a lesson from the gladiators and tell them to shoot it out :^). That will get a solution. I wish I could say as much about Australia.
Still we cannot hold ourselves up in Australia as having governments and parliaments that are a paragon of virtue, efficiency or wisdom - or that they even operate much in the public interest. Having just had six years of chaotic government, musical chairs in the top job, inept decision-making, short termism, self interest and socialist ideology rammed down out throats we have just had a change of government and are hoping against hope for a period of sensible decision making focussed on national (not party) interests and sound policy making that addresses real problems - not ones that sound good when on a headline for the day.
The (Labor) party that was just now decisively thrown out moved to sack its first leader - Rudd, for ineptitude, incompetence and arrogance; appointed a second, Gillard who was even worse then just before the election reappointed the first guy who promptly led them to defeat - all the time crowing about how wonderful he was because he turned an impending catastrophic defeat into a mere landslide against them. And all the time they were in power, they were throwing away billions upon billions upon billions on socialist programs designed to convert Australia into a socialist workers paradise. Fortunately (I suppose) most of those programs were so ineptly designed and incompetently implemented they failed.
You think you have troubles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But at least in the USA you have one solution we dont - they probably all have guns, take a lesson from the gladiators and tell them to shoot it out :^). That will get a solution. I wish I could say as much about Australia.
TXForester
Well-known
State parks. Maybe not as big, but some have great scenery if hunt around.
Ranchu
Veteran
I just googled this up, it's an old article, but accurately describes what's happening. If I were you I wouldn't bother about it, basically everyone will posture for a while, and then Obama will offer to cut Social Security if the reps don't demand a Obamacare repeal. That's what Obama's been trying to do for the last 5 years, and Obamacare is a rep plan from the Heritage foundation, so they actually want it, but neither wants take responsibility for either when they can call it compromise and avoid the heat, and having to tell the truth.
So, they both serve their masters while pretending to represent their bases. Until it happens it's just a bunch of mouthy wankers on TV.
Nice, huh?
http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2002843081_aliciacol25m.html
Godfrey
somewhat colored
re:boldface above :: With friends, in person, who also enjoy studying and discussing politics, religion, even philosophy and religion. Not on the 'net, anywhere.
Political discussion is not explicitly interdicted by the RFF Terms of Use, but it tends to be a contentious subject and often causes problems and disharmony in the community. I personally choose to stay out of such discussions, both here and on the 'net in general. I read the posts in such discussions to ensure that nothing untoward is happening that might require attention by moderators.
G
Major Tom
Established
All these lazy, wasteful government employees, abusive law enforcement nosing into our business, judges who don't even know the law as well as I do, and park rangers! Don't even get me started on those clowns. They can all go without a paycheck as far as I'm concerned, because they don't deserve a cent from an honest, humble, hard-working God-fearing man like me, living in relative comfort with all my guns in one of the safest, most well-fed, spacious and wealthy nations in the world. How can all these people I don't know, doing things I know nothing about fail to meet the most basic standards of morality and character: my standards?
Goodnight, and God Bless America.
Goodnight, and God Bless America.
Duane Pandorf
Well-known
I'd take a look at Dead Horse Point State Park near Moab if that's not too far out of your way.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
There is a lot of space between Utah and San Francisco. Many lovely natural places and lots of towns, cities, etc, that offer endless photographic opportunity. Most of it is not under Federal control. I'd suggest picking up a travel guide to the West and doing some reading.
I have only rarely gone to national parks to do photography. They're generally way too crowded with tourists and park service personnel for my druthers, and I'm not much of a wildlife or landscape photographer. But I have spent lots of time in small towns all over the Sierras and throughout Nevada, photographing people, local sights, etc. Looking for my own vision of the West, as it were, beyond the park system—I'd much rather spend a week following little roads through the back woods and discovering a few small towns and interesting local people.
G
Ranchu
Veteran
Damn right. All surplus value comes from the worker, not from capital, and not from the state.
Major Tom
Established
P.S. I was being sarcastic. Political satire is one of the lovely juices capitalism squeezes out of me. :>
pete hogan
Well-known
CA1 on the coast south of Big Sur is a great, long drive. You'll have an easier and better photographic experience on it if you go north to south. Many places to pull off. Surprisingly high above the ocean.
ktmrider
Well-known
As for as the comment about federal employees go, I rather resent it. I was an officer of Marines for 11 years followed by 22 as a pilot for US Customs. I don't recall many private citizens enforcing national interests in Lebanon in 1983 or putting their lives on the line stopping drugs from entering this country. I don't agree with all federal policies but when push comes to shove, I did my job.
During a certain period of national hysteria concerning illegal immigration about 2005, I would routinely patrol the border at 2am in a small helicopter using nvg's. If that engine would have hiccuped, I would have been dead(as some of my friends are). And I don't see many who hate the federal government being called after something like Katrina as the Coast Guard or FEMA was. And yes I was flying Blackhawks at New Orleans after Katrina.
During a certain period of national hysteria concerning illegal immigration about 2005, I would routinely patrol the border at 2am in a small helicopter using nvg's. If that engine would have hiccuped, I would have been dead(as some of my friends are). And I don't see many who hate the federal government being called after something like Katrina as the Coast Guard or FEMA was. And yes I was flying Blackhawks at New Orleans after Katrina.
ktmrider
Well-known
Marx was totally wrong that all value derives from the worker. An unskilled cook can totally ruin food.
Ranchu
Veteran
Nice takedown.
hausen
Well-known
At least the Baseball playoffs are still on. Go the Sox!
Roger Hicks
Veteran
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
Parks closed? You mean, your national parks are not preserved bits of beautiful wilderness, but walled gardens that provide no more sights once the gardeners, elk breeders, bear tamers, sunset projectionists and geyser operators don't appear for work?
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Godfrey,. . . But I have spent lots of time in small towns all over the Sierras and throughout Nevada, photographing people, local sights, etc. Looking for my own vision of the West, as it were, beyond the park system—I'd much rather spend a week following little roads through the back woods and discovering a few small towns and interesting local people.
Indeed! I'd put in a VERY strong claim for the Gold Country, one of my favourite places to shoot in the whole of the USA. A little north of SF it's true, but worth the detour.
Cheers,
R.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Well, faux-wilderness, anyway. Real wilderness (without marked hiking trails and rescue services) is a bit too dangerous for many people's taste. Including mine.
Cheers,
R.
E__WOK
Well-known
What percentage of non government workers are not essential?