Politics

Western medicine is medicine based on science. The state of the art is constantly changing as new papers are published on new techniques and old techniques become outmoded or are debunked and abandoned. Certain religions state, without evidence, that western medicine is inherently flawed. John Travolta ascribed to a religion which instructed him to take his son off seizure medicine. His son subsequently died following a seizure. In such a case, is there are moral imperative to adhere to western medicine? Is it morally wrong to take someone off a medication for which there is a science-based reason to taking it? If someone dies of a seizure because they were t…

Im not sure how to grab your attention or properly describe this, but here it goes. THIS is one of the quirks of Ghost in a Shell: Stand Alone Complex. The show is a futuristic mystery and uhhh sherlok holmes'ish. seriously its really good but just check this episode out The show is really philosophical and every now and then it goes into great depth about some (seemingly) random topic. This particular one is about Self Awareness and God. i know this has little to do with politics, but it also has alot to do with politics too. its Episode 15 im going to try to find a link for it, but i do doubt that i will find one as it is somewhat of an older show.

Out of general curiosity I receive a few dozen newsletters each day. I don't read all of them, I have a select few I enjoy. Lately I've been receiving Glenn Beck's daily newsletter. I know some of you may scoff at that, but I somewhat understand his 'anti climate-change position' and I'm interested in how to defend against it. There's been alot of hype over this issue from that side of the table lately. Specifically over the rigor climatologists have invested in their study. Honestly I just want to shut these belligerent arguments out with science and logic. I want to know the facts, that scientists have so far. I also hear these same arguments in my own life …

Today is the 25th anniversary of the worst industrial accident ever, occurring at Bhopal, India. The medical studies done by the Indian government, completed in 1985, have never been released. What possible reason could there be for keeping them from public scrutiny?

I'm all for free speech, but wow... http://www.examiner.com/x-4383-Portland-Progressive-Examiner~y2009m11d26-Politics-or-sedition-Rush-Limbaugh-calls-for-military-coup I mean, yeah, Obama is a liberal, at least in the eyes of Rush Limbaugh. But what exactly has he done that calls for a military coup? I'm sure more moderate conservatives will write off Rush as being a crazy blowhard, but this is the latest in a never ending volley of crazy coming out of the Republican right. (Please note: I do not support those who call for any action against Rush Limbaugh on the grounds of "sedition". He should be free to say whatever he wants, even if he's advocating a …

In the spirit of other recent threads I'll raise this issue as well since we spend an enormous quantity of money fighting a drug war that can't be won and now we are faced with a government that wants to spend us into bankruptcy to provide the American dream for those that can't afford it and health care for everyone regardless of the expense. Does this egregious financial irresponsibility somehow "promote the general Welfare" of the citizenry as a whole? Is financing these programs via debt to other nations Constitutional?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/us/politics/15health.html?_r=1 This is perhaps the single most blatant case of lobbyists affecting the healthcare debate. These lawmakers were reading statements drafted for them by lobbyists almost verbatim. So for those of you outside the US wondering why we can't change our system, this is a huge reason why.

There is a horror story in the making... The climate skeptics really seem to step it up suddenly. They seem to think that the worst thing in the world that can happen is that we invest in sustainable energy. The media are completely filled with their ideas this week - mainstream media, radio, tv, blogs, forums. Skeptics are everywhere suddenly... with the Copenhagen meeting just around the corner. The glaciers aren't melting. The deforestation doesn't have much impact on CO2. Climatologists committed fraud on a large scale. It's a forest of articles, blogs, posts, people linking to each other - and with each new article linking to other blogs, linking to other s…

some researches say ;conspiracy theory adherents claim that a small group of international elites(a.k.a Secret societies) controls and manipulates states , economy and media organizations worldwide. what do you think? Thanks in advance.

We people in the US are stuck with a nasty two-party system (or rather a two-candidates-and-a-third-guy-who-won't-win system). The problems stem mostly from the fact that we are limited to a choice of only 2 candidates that have any real chance of winning (for the Presidential election and also for most local elections), so that we end up voting for people we might vehemently dislike. I will start a different thread to list and discuss all the problems. In the meantime, I will proceed under the premise that the two party system is undesirable, as is a limitation to two candidates regardless of party. Now, the major cause of the two party system is the result of strat…

Apparently the Republicans have learned their latest debate tactics from pre-schoolers: eMdlcnK_MI4 Wow. I'm surprised they don't mute their microphones. Are there actually recourses for dealing with douchebags who refuse to play by the rules and just want to scream NANANANANANANANA (or should I say I OBJECT I OBJECT OBJECTION OBJECTION) and prevent any actual discussion from happening? I am afraid I am not up on my parliamentary procedures. Someone needs to remix this into a music video.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/14/us/politics/14immig.html?_r=2 I have never heard of this particular scheme before, but it does make sense. I like it. How about you? Has anyone else ever proposed this before?

The American Medical Association has issued a statement in support of medical marijuana: http://scienceblogs.com/scientificactivist/2009/11/ama_advocates_change_in_mariju.php This is quite interesting to see, especially given the recent firing of UK scientist Professor David Nutt over his claims that marijuana should be given a lower classification in the UK. This is all very nice to see as the present classification of marijuana in both the US and UK does not reflect the scientific reality. Especially interesting is that until now, the AMA has stated that marijuana should remain Schedule I, indicating it has no acceptable medical use.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/11/09/2009-11-09_prochoice_advocates_furious_over_abortion_amendment_in_health_care_bill_.html The bill that passed the House will not include support for abortions. Republicans: no tax money for abortions, we need it for the war!

“ . . . a socialist policy is abhorrent to the British ideas of freedom. Socialism is inseparably interwoven with totalitarianism and the abject worship of the state. It will prescribe for every one where they are to work, what they are to work at, where they may go and what they may say. Socialism is an attack on the right to breathe freely. No socialist system can be established without a political police. They would have to fall back on some form of Gestapo, no doubt very humanely directed in the first instance.[90]” Winston Churchill. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism) I always understood socialism as "the means of production owned by the people" I neve…

"The battalion had come back from Blanc-Mont ridge. No, the battalion was still up there. But anyway, oh hell, let me get this straight. A hundred and thirty-four of us had come back from Blanc-Mont ridge. We had gone up a full-strength battalion, a thousand strong." Sgt. Elton E. Mackin, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. The attack was Nov. 1, 1918

Should the US start with the premise that it WILL provide universal healthcare and work from there? A great special on PBS Frontline tonight, called Sick Around the World. You can watch the entire program for free online via the following: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/video/flv/generic.html?s=frol02p101&continuous=1 The timing of tonight's episode couples well with a report released yesterday by the White House: The Cost of Inaction http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction/ The United States spent approximately $2.2 trillion on health care in 2007, or $7,421 per person. This comes to 16.2% of GDP, nearly twice the avera…

Not trying to single out A Tripolation here, I think it's an interesting question. Can we call any outlet of content that contains newsy informational value a news program? If so, would The Daily Show, Comedy Central's newsical comedy program count as a news program? (Edit: Wow, this thread sho could use a poll!)

How important is deception (and fear mongering) to our political parties success? These are just observations/opinions. Here's what I can come up with for republican voter mentalities: - The US economy is a "Natural System" that will just run its natural course and fix itself without any liberal intervention. ("Wall street is just having a hangover" - G.W Bush) - Global warming is a hoax designed stimulate the "green industry", we're really experiencing global cooling (as seen on Glenn Beck's show) - Reforming the health care system/industry is a bad thing (brought to you by the health care industry/republicans) - The democrats/obama will take…

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/08/alan.grayson/index.html?eref=rss_topstories I'd seen some videos of this guy circulating around the Internet, but, yeah, he's pretty damn cool. I think the Democrats' biggest problem right now is they can't stand up to all the Republican bluster and whining. These people have arguments based around untruths and they can't call them out on it. Aside from that they have no real plan. I'm glad to see there's at least one democrat willing to stand up to them. -usmvYOPfco Oh, and the Republicans demanded an apology for the above speech... are you kidding me? Grayson gave them one... he apologized to the dead.

Was the correct decision made to drop the A-bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? I have to write a paper about this in a few weeks, and I'm trying to find a stance to support. Convince me that it was the right or wrong decision. Cheers,

This has been a pretty interesting story... the UK's chief drugs adviser was fired after making a public statement that cannabis and LSD are less harmful than alcohol: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8336635.stm Other scientists and government advisers have quit in response to the firing. Is this a battle of science vs politics? Update: Another adviser has resigned: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8336884.stm

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/11/07/health.care/index.html Well, it passed the house... on to the Senate. We will see. And while we're at it, how do you feel about the bill in its current form?

Please take it with a grain of salt; I'm pretty sure it was made by liberals who didn't mind their "bias" showing a bit. Other that that I really like it. I ❤ infographics and thought this was pretty interesting. I love the inherent ambiguity of some of the phrases... it claims conservatives are "DON'T TAX AND SPEND" but does that actually mean "DON'T TAX" and "SPEND"? I suppose it's up to the reader to decide. Anyway, thoughts? Does it offend your liberal or conservative sensibilities?

WARNING: Do not click this link. Seriously, do not click it. Okay, you can click it, but do NOT play the video. If you play the video, seriously, I warned you. You take all responsibility at that point. DO NOT PLAY THE VIDEO. It will disturb you. Seriously. Don't play the video. Don't do it. In fact do not bother to click the link. It will screw with you. Seriously. Don't do it. http://robert-lindsay.blogspot.com/2009/10/face-split-diving-accident-video.html Okay, so here's the story. You're chilling out, diving off a building into the ocean. You do this every weekend. It impresses the members of the opposite gender, your amazing diving abilities. …