tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post5436142695079154237..comments2024-03-28T16:08:29.578-04:00Comments on Sardonicky: Paul Ryan Does Christmas in JulyKaren Garciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15612731479365562803noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-66004615106602415072014-07-29T13:40:16.882-04:002014-07-29T13:40:16.882-04:00P.S.
Another reason for the need to re-clarify th...P.S.<br /><br />Another reason for the need to re-clarify the commenting policy is that my piece on underwater torture of marine life has gone "viral" -- e.g, it's been picked up by some major sites, and I have thus experienced a huge uptick in new readership. With that, unfortunately, come the trolls and other usual Internet suspects. For example, I just removed a comment from a guy advertising his spell-casting business.<br /><br />So, to spread the message that "anything goes" on this blog is not the message I want to send! I especially don't want to have to re-institute approval before posting comments.Karen Garciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15612731479365562803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-36350275960050388132014-07-29T10:39:53.796-04:002014-07-29T10:39:53.796-04:00Clarification of commenting policy:
As I have wri...<br />Clarification of commenting policy:<br /><br />As I have written many times before, I welcome guest posts from readers on topics of interest to you. (politics, culture.) A regular post will get you a wider audience. You may submit your posts either as a regular email to me, or as a Word document attached to an email. Please provide hyperlinks or source materials when quoting the work of others.<br /><br />My email address: kmgarcia2000@yahoo.com.<br /><br />Re your NY Times comments: in the future, please publish as comments where they'd best directly (or even obliquely) relate to the subject matter. If the Times censors or buries a comment that doesn't even remotely relate to the subject I have just spent my time writing about, please forward to me in an email for use as a possible guest post. Since the NYT is so stingy with its character count, it would help if you were able to expand your thoughts for this venue, where there is of course no word limit.<br /><br />When I said awhile ago that I am not authoritarian or control-freaky when it comes to staying on topic in comments, I probably should have said I don't mind it when the comments begin to VEER off my own topic in the course of a spirited conversation. I did not mean to invite a free-for-all, which might confuse would-be participants. So I apologize for my lack of clarity in that regard.<br /><br />(I used to post "Open Threads" but discontinued them due to lack of response.)<br /><br />Also... please refrain from posting stand-alone links as comments with no explanation of what's in them.<br /><br />Thanks for your cooperation!<br /><br />Karen Garciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15612731479365562803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-32771643978378011212014-07-29T05:12:44.677-04:002014-07-29T05:12:44.677-04:00As Annenigma pointed out, Miss Manners is clearly ...As Annenigma pointed out, Miss Manners is clearly new to the blog or she would have read how supportive Pearl is of all that Karen writes. Personally, I was delighted to read Pearl's post and went straight over to the Times to read the article to which she responded. I learn so much from those who regularly comment and what is going on between Israel and Palestine is of particular importance at the moment. <br /><br />Karen, Denis and Jacki . . . thanks for such enlightening information.Valerie Long Tweedienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-43423496458478322622014-07-28T23:14:16.842-04:002014-07-28T23:14:16.842-04:00Hijacking a thread (aka pissing on a thread) LOL!!...Hijacking a thread (aka pissing on a thread) LOL!!!<br /><br />To forestall any further thread drift, I submit the following:<br /><br />Paul Ryan’s uses the Doublespeak phrase “Opportunity Grant” in his new antipoverty plan. <br /><br />In reality it is a block grant that would consolidate 11 disparate low-income programs into a single block grant to states. <br /><br />Ryan’s poodles, caring as they do about poor people, are gushing about the boldness of “Opportunity Grants” - an innovative way to reorganize safety net policy; a game-changer for upward mobility! <br /><br />Under block grants, state governments would have more flexibility in how to use those funds, making it easier to target block grants rather than other benefit programs for long-term freezes or cuts. Block grants could force bad choices and cause substantial conflict as groups with diverse needs compete for scarce dollars.<br /><br />Thus, Ryan’s “Opportunity Grant,” being another poverty scam, would likely increase poverty and hardship.<br /><br />Upward mobility? So much for his roadmap out of poverty! Some opportunity!!!<br /><br />Paul Ryan is truly a flimflam man.<br /><br />Why do so many hate the poor and resent the idea of helping them?<br /><br />“If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it.” - Stephen ColbertDenis Nevillenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-42081887031979354582014-07-28T19:38:59.285-04:002014-07-28T19:38:59.285-04:00As one who has, on occasion, pissed on the thread ...As one who has, on occasion, pissed on the thread I must agree, to some extent, with Miss Manners, but we are definitely an odd lot here whose limits extend from myself to, for instance, Zee. And we are all tolerated by Karen. It's what makes this blog interesting. And Pearl is one of our favorites. But, what the hell, come again. I'm sure Karen won't mind.James F Traynornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-24729695159725652422014-07-28T16:06:41.922-04:002014-07-28T16:06:41.922-04:00Thanks Annenigma: I also meant to add that Karen ...Thanks Annenigma: I also meant to add that Karen also welcomes all comments even if they have disagreements with others as long as not abusive or personally insulting. I am glad you have verified this and some of our most interesting and lively discussions have often involved disagreements and/or off topic submissions. Pearlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-87843930772139545522014-07-28T15:16:20.369-04:002014-07-28T15:16:20.369-04:00Ryan unveiled anti-poverty plan at the American En...Ryan unveiled anti-poverty plan at the American Enterprise Institute.<br /><br />Bill Moyers’ guest last week was Arthur C. Brooks, president of the AEI.<br /><br />What a pair Ryan and Brooks make. Brooks hangs out with the Dali Lama, a holy man who by profession suffers fools gladly, and Ryan invokes Jesus, ““You cure poverty eye to eye, soul to soul. Spiritual redemption: That’s what saves people.” Both are frauds and morally bankrupt. What is appalling is that a lot of people actually believe their nonsense.<br /><br />Ryan calls for “customized life plans” to provide a structured roadmap out of poverty as a condition for receiving federal assistance in the form of cash (his plan would consolidate the funding from food stamps, welfare, and housing-assistance programs). <br /><br />Ryan outlines the minimum requirements: a contract outlining specific and measurable benchmarks for success; a timeline for meeting these benchmarks; sanctions for breaking the terms of the contract; incentives for exceeding the terms of the contract; and time limits for remaining on cash assistance. The consequences for missing the benchmarks would be “most likely immediate sanctions and a reduction in benefits,” Ryan writes.<br /><br />Drug testing, work requirements, and now “customized life plans” to further mark and punish the poors. Ryan’s plan is a model in which the poor are shamed and demeaned. Are the recipients of corporate welfare required to submit action plans?Denis Nevillenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-40654452572301415182014-07-28T14:52:02.090-04:002014-07-28T14:52:02.090-04:00Yay Pearl!
Miss Manners obviously hasn't bee...Yay Pearl! <br /><br />Miss Manners obviously hasn't been following this blog for long or she'd know better than to scold us for not following her rules. We've seen the Mother Superior type here before, so she's not fooling anyone by pretending to be helpful with etiquette as if we were her schoolchildren. <br /><br />It is a fact that Karen has encouraged us to save our NYT comments and post them here if we wish, any time we want. So please carry on, Pearl!annenigmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-34591502840186323252014-07-28T14:40:14.639-04:002014-07-28T14:40:14.639-04:00bipartisanship between Ryan and dem Patty Murray i... bipartisanship between Ryan and dem Patty Murray is the cause that there was no extension of long term unemployment benefits this year. The pundits were more excited about the deal to break the phony gridlock than they were about how badly the deal hurts poor people. Now we can look forward to more of the same. Because they're all the same.<br /><br />http://www.salon.com/2013/12/10/rep_paul_ryan_sen_patty_murray_reach_budget_deal/Jackinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-3029179198085500862014-07-28T14:10:04.999-04:002014-07-28T14:10:04.999-04:00Miss Manners (interesting name): We go off topic w...Miss Manners (interesting name): We go off topic when a current crisis is of major interest and is timely to report. If I recall, Karen once addressed this problem saying that she welcomes all comments as long as they are not abusive or personally insulting even if off topic. Obviously she is more open minded than you are and not nearly as rude Miss Manners.<br />I have no objections to reading anyone's comments even if along another line which often starts a different direction from her original column and often inspired by it.<br />I also welcome a website which allows a wide freedom of expression.<br />Bad internet etiquette is secondary to freedom of expression which I find refreshing. One learns a great deal from side comments of merit if they are not handicapped by Emily Post's rules of behavior.<br />I wanted our website readers to know about a current article in the NYTimes that is important and may have been missed.Pearlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-55083758651571576952014-07-28T13:46:46.939-04:002014-07-28T13:46:46.939-04:00When a person starts a posting on a message board,... When a person starts a posting on a message board, or forum, or Facebook, that others are able to comment on, that original posting and the comments on it are called a thread. A thread hijacking occurs when one or more individuals commenting on the original posting, go off topic, creating a separate conversation. This is rude, and bad internet etiquette. If people want to discuss a different topic, they should start their own thread.<br />Below is a thread, consisting of an original posting and comments on that original posting. They illustrate a thread hijacking.<br /><br />original posting: I'm so excited that my cat has learned to use the toilet with City Kitty! The training seemed like it took forever, but it's so worth it to not have to deal with a litter box any more! Has anyone else done this?<br /><br />comment 1: Ugh! I just started training my cat, but he can't seem to move beyond the orange stage. How'd you get through that?<br /><br />comment 2: I'm training my dog at PetCo classes. She's very smart. She learns the commands faster than the other dogs.<br /><br />comment 3: I'm training my dog in PetCo classes too. They have great trainers. They're patient with the dogs and the people.<br /><br />Comments 2 and 3 are off topic and are hijacking this thread. The person who made comment 2 should have started their own thread. The person who made comment 3 is guilty of continuing the hijacking. Miss Mannersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-44547493173457620272014-07-28T13:23:07.985-04:002014-07-28T13:23:07.985-04:00P.P.S. I have just learned that Mr. Grossman is a ...P.P.S. I have just learned that Mr. Grossman is a highly regarded published author in Israel and that he lost his son in battle. Pearlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-63556724547999090212014-07-28T13:15:08.241-04:002014-07-28T13:15:08.241-04:00P.S. I am deeply honored and moved to now be the t...P.S. I am deeply honored and moved to now be the top commentor of 248 recommendations in the Readers Pics column out of 550 comments in total to this unusual article. Mr. Grossman must be an Israeli as his article was translated from Hebrew. I hope he is an inspiration to all the Israelis living in fear in their country, knowing the destructive path they have taken.Pearlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-77013688226744669552014-07-28T12:56:53.334-04:002014-07-28T12:56:53.334-04:00Dear Friends: I recently sent in a strong comment ...Dear Friends: I recently sent in a strong comment to the article by Grossman, An Israel Without Illusions. This morning I checked to see where my comment was and was astonished to find it the second highest one with a NYTimes pic. I had wondered if anything I might say about this issue would ever hit a nerve! Well, miracles can happen and it is encouraging to find such a reaction to an honest article for a change. I hope it encourages all of us to continue with our work with more energy to fight the dragons.<br /><br /> pvolkov<br /> Burlington,<br />Mr. Grossman:<br /><br /> I respect your desire to end the destructive conflicts between Israel and<br />the Palestinians. However, you do not address the basic realities which have<br />put everyone in a bind. My family travelled to Israel in l959 when my<br />husband was offered a 4 year contract at the Technion. We believed we were<br />going to a country that was open and welcoming and supporting many Jews<br />whose lives had been damaged during WW 2. It was then 13 years old and as<br />we settled in, began to learn many things that had never appeared in the<br />Jewish press or had heard about from knowledgeable people. It was a shocking<br />experience to find extreme political conflicts among the population, strong<br />disagreements in the Knesset, ,major attention to arming and strengthening<br />the military, an open secret about many nuclear missiles being built in the<br />desert and furious attacks by Prime Minister Ben Gurion against citizens<br />wanting to institute communication with Arabs living in squalor in refugee<br />camps surrounding the country. The conservative religious party had a strong<br />influence in the Knesset and colleagues and friends voiced their concerns<br />to us about the future. Plans for expansion and bringing in large groups of<br />settlers was also on the agenda.<br />In order to survive now, Israel must form a different coalition of<br />leadership to change the purpose and ways of dealing with the oppressed<br />Palestinians as well as a totally new and different direction for the<br />country.<br />I hope it is not too late.<br />..<br /><br /> <br />Pearlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974773076690597683.post-42030576993154322292014-07-28T11:34:15.512-04:002014-07-28T11:34:15.512-04:00http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/07/28/on-the-caus...http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/07/28/on-the-causes-of-investment-decline-in-the-us-economy/<br /><br />This is an interesting take on our general economic condition which remains piss poor for the majority. Intuitively it makes sense to me from what I've seen taking place on the investment scene.James F Traynornoreply@blogger.com