Politics

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I don't know if this is a phylosophical, ethical, or plain political topic, so it might be moved. I was wondering which side of the isle argues and politics more on emotions. It seems that one only has to say a phrase or make one comment that could be construde as not agreeing with someone's political view and someone will surely start a personal attack. This may lean more towards a phylosophical debate. But here recently I was told to move to the political forum where I could get with all the other George Bush wanna be's. It was that uncalled for outburst that brought this question to mind. When people make personal attacks, is it because they can't argue their point lo…

With privatization being such a big topic these days, and after reading many articles on both sides of the fence, it seems there are some sectors where profit and the need to grow as a business are actually detrimental to the goals of the sector. It's good market economics to see the need for toasters and manufacture some so everyone is happy, but what about those sectors where a cure is really the goal but maintenance makes better sense economically? Healthcare is probably number one on this list. Is the goal of medicine to cure people or to make money? More effort seems to go into treating symptoms rather than root causes, and some treatments, once prescribed, will …

If we had another constitutional convention in modern times, which would be better in the long-run... (1) To make it local to the US (similar to the one which took place in the 18th century, except with all 50 states), or (2) To include the global population in recognition that the world is now flatter than ever, and getting flatter still with each passing day?

Using such a caption is going to cost me big time since we have so few heros today that we feel worthy of being honored as HEROS. Many, if not most of you have no idea who either man is on the podium. But check out the honoree and then determine if he is worthy of this award? Give me your input. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU-A7eqadho&feature=related

We are scientists, but we are the minority. The global population don't have enough information to stop pollute or awareness other person. Imagine one world inhabited by scientists, would be a dream, everybody knows what to do to preserve oceans, rivers, forests, the nature in general. We need do something. This is the reason that I registered, that write for you and that I criated my blog (yesterday), to give culture and information to more people to get. But I need your help to disclose this blog and to create others. Link removed by Moderator Thank you, Leonardo maia.

I often hear about unemployment and discouragement towards outsourcing of jobs from random people in US whom I occasionally meet in IRC. There is often a common strong voice lifted against jobs going overseas and most of them are looking out for jobs. While some display anger others say that people should be recruited based on their meritocracy. So someone had to pull the breaks on companies outsourcing jobs outside and it came at the right time, a bill by congressman Tim Bishop which targets to put the breaks on relocation of call center workplaces to the more cheaper overseas locations. Will this be enough to tackle the increase in unemployment rate or whether more outs…

North Korean state television has announced that their leader, Kim Jong-Il has died last Saturday. The big questions are of course: who will be the successor, and will that be someone who will cooperate better or worse with the other regional powers and global powers? It seems that South Korea and Japan are taking no risks, and regard the situation with caution. It seems people are worried that the someone might decide that the attention must be diverted away (scroll down to bottom of article) from the internal lack of stabilty... and what better way to divert the attention away from anything than a war?

Here's a thought experiment.. (yes, I know this is implausible, but please accept the premise) Premise: Astronomers discover a huge, Pluto-sized body deep in the Kuiper Belt and realize that, due to a recently perturbed orbit, that it will directly impact Earth in 30,000 years -- destroying all life on our planet. Because of its size, this impact is unavoidable. Many suggest that the only way for humans to survive extinction is to start an intensive and expensive effort to terraform and colonize Mars, which would take at least 20,000 years to complete. Question: Does our generation choose to do anything about it, or do we shrug and decide to let future gene…

Is the US going to go to war with North Korea over shooting down stealth drone ? It looks like North Korea broke international law .It is very serious issue when one shoot down a plane or drone. It also sounds like the built up of military and army close to border that North Korea is planning some thing .

And I thought that the UN was out of touch with reality. The clip is 10 minutes long but you only need to hear the first minute or so. The Police Commissioner implies that "Politicians don't give straight answers" and don't a couple of the pollies get their knickers in a twist. Yes, he does dare, and so I think would 99% of the general population.

It is strongly suspected that yet another great human civilisation fell in part due to over population and in part due to climate change. Deforestation to build and maintain their civilisation and to grow their crops contributed to the regional climate altering the desert advancing across what was once a fertile region. Are we going to learn the numerous lesson of history or wil we allow our global civilisation to fall like all the rest that have gone before us?

The Russians has awakened at once. The whole country is outraged by State Duma elections held last weekend. The authorities attempting to keep power with massive falsifications, lie, and intimidation are illegitimate. Those who “won” on such elections have no right to rule the country, issue laws, nor dictate people how to live. We do not trust such authorities! To inform authorities about our distrust, we go outdoors, we speak out our mind, we demand removal acting authorities from power and nullification of elections held. YET! BE CONCERNED ABOUT PROVOCATIVE ACTIONS!! Judging from what is going on, “Arabic scenario” is unfolding in Russia. Intention of the Wo…

http://www.gizmag.com/transparency-international-corruption-perceptions-index/20730/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=6c9ea

An important part of stock markets exchanges are made by computers. They execute orders based on algorithms in milliseconds, even microseconds, while humans need at least a few seconds to act. Take a look at this Wiki article about algorithm trading. Some excerpts Maybe all this economical crisis we actually live in Europe & U.S. is the result of powerful thinking machines against slow human political power? All quotes from the same Wiki page. And since politics lately are completely submitted to economics. Are the computers taking in charge politics ?

why do so many of the world's developing countries have relatively stricter punishments for people who break the law in comparison to developed countries? Is there a psychological explanation for this or is it all just a coincidence? thanks! also, as we head into the future and developing countries become more developed, will this necessarily mean lighter punishment for crimes committed by people. what does everyone think?

Mass immigration has been the undoing of leftwing political parties across Europe since it erodes the shared values that are an essential prerequisite of a well-funded welfare state. Why should indigenous, working populations support the high levels of taxation necessary to sustain generous welfare payments if the beneficiaries are people unlike themselves? If they can't look at a benefit recipient and think, "There, but for the grace of God, go I", why should they continue to pay such high taxes? This problem was spelt out by David Willetts a few years ago: The basis on which you can extract large sums of money in tax and pay it out in benefits is that most people think…

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/senate-votes-to-let-military-detain-americans-indefinitely_n_1119473.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false I'm fairly certain this would require a Constitutional amendment to be legit, since we're granted the right of Habeas Corpus. If Obama has any integrity, he'll veto this. On a side note, what constitutes a terrorist group? North Georgia Militia? The Tea Party? OWS? The Congress that passed this terrible bill?

Because that's worked out so well where? Adjust for inflation and rising costs and I'm still paying 25% more for my utilities since they went private. Here's a study that might help your perspective. Privatize Social Security? Do you have any concept of the disaster we'd be in right now if Bush's plan to privatize SS during his second term had been successful? You'd have a bunch of even richer bankers and a nation full of retired homeless people. And how could any private library be operated at the level I enjoy right now without charging me at least 25% more in order to satisfy their stockholders? As for roads, there are better ways to save taxes than privat…

Leading up from the other thread, we can discuss the social/political/any inequality that women currently suffer in our society. I feel obligated to mention that this inequality isn't as strong as it was to women 50 years ago, but the inequality exists nontheless, so this thread isn't so much about comparing it to any other group, but rather trying to show how it exists (and perhaps how it affects women) in our current western society. Mostly, because some posters seemed to claim that there's no inequality. So.. here's your place to raise your points. I'll be doing a bit of research to find the regulations I want to raise up here, so give me a bit to do that, but …

Years ago when corporations started moving their manufacturing to other countries for cheaper labor, I felt immediate concern for the future of Americans who eventually would be forced out of their job and I wondered why we were not taking steps then to prevent our current economic crisis. The reality is those corporations are not coming back here and if people do not create a brand new market of ideas that will work in a large population and at the same time improve the conditions of our environment that supports us, we are doomed. It is time for science to put all of their years of research and what they have accomplished to the test since they are the experts on o…

We've been hearing this a lot: the wall street protesters lack a clear message. To me, the message is crystal clear: there's too much power at the top and the middle class is getting screwed. What do you think?

A few days after Rick Perry forgot one of his three agencies of govt to be scrapped - and did look a bit of a nitwit, it seems that Herman Cain has been struggling to communicate effectively or even comprehensibly. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/15731843 I am not a fan of the glib soundbite-meister - we've ended up with Tony Cameron and David Blair in the UK. But if you heard either of the recent gaffes/blunders from a friend in the pub when they were holding forth on a subject, wouldn't you be tempted to gaffaw and say something along the lines of "ah now we know that you don't have a clue what you are talking about!" Both struck me as someone who didn't have c…

Both major US political parties seem unwilling to stop bowing to pressure from big business lobbyists. Both are having to contort their own platforms to cater to major protest groups like the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street. It seems like a prime time for an Independent candidate, one who specifically addresses some of the key issues relevant to our current woes, to step up and pledge to stop the nonsense that American politics has become. What would you look for in such a candidate? What platform points would attract you that aren't seriously offered by either the Democrats or the Republicans? What would be a good strategy for overcoming the curse of the Spoiler Eff…

I've been thinking as of late about what it would mean if Americans or simply the lowly educated class with talent were to rise against the US government and officials and simply send them to their graves. I considered this fact because of the silliness of war spending and other spending that goes on. As such, if America wants a war, then how about the angered Americans start war with those who spend massive amounts of money on trivial things. I believe the educated class with talent could definitely start problems for U.S. officials and start a very technological war with them. Afterward, the war money would be put back into America to solve the war in the country…