"If it doesn't follow, why has there been torture executions through-out history? Probably one of the worst was Death by One Thousand Cuts "
The fact that there has been torture throughout history has nothing to do with your assertion that that if we put people to death for killing, then by extension we should torture and execute someone who tortures and murders a victim. This is an if/then statement that doesn't hold up to logical scrutiny. I'm feeling lazy, so just re-read my post until you understand what I was saying.
"How can you believe it doesn't follow that the practice of execution leads to more gruesome fantasies and practices?"
Well now, this is a different kettle of fish. Your post that I commented on didn't contain this notion whatsoever. Try rereading your post until you understand what you were saying.
""The argument that you execute someone because it's only justice, has a few flaws. By extension, then you torture to death someone who has tortured their murder victim.""
"Actually that doesn't follow. The death penalty isn't a trade off or equal swap, as your extension would require. It's horribly unequal, when you consider the worth of the perpetrator versus the victim."
If it doesn't follow, why has there been torture executions through-out history? Probably one of the worst was Death by One Thousand Cuts perpetrated by the Chinese (finally abolished in 1905) (actually by the time the person was dead, he had endured 3600 cuts, the first being to put out his eyes).
A person had a letter printed in the Statesman a few weeks ago, calling for the castration with a dull, filthy knife for a teenager convicted of rape.
How can you believe it doesn't follow that the practice of execution leads to more gruesome fantasies and practices?
It doesn't matter what Ron Paul stand for, or what he wants to do. He can't get support from the major parties, and certainly can't get big business to back him.
That makes it irrelevant. I'm not saying it should be irrelevant, just that it is. The masses have been reduced down to a level that is incapable of thinking for themselves.
Ron Paul is the type of person that would strip someone of their individual liberties because those liberties (which infringe on nobodys lives, liberties, or pursuits of happyness) make him uncomfortable.
Okay I see the trend, more mass, less car/ truck that means more options for the folks to get around.How about MONORAIL they have it in Las Vegas and have expanded it and most major Asian countries are going that way to reduce cars too.So why can't we build a system for Austin Or why have we not looked at it sooner ???? It's Green, will create jobs and help bring more green jobs.Very positive for jobs and enviro friendly.11-06-2009
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Are you kidding me? 7.5-10 years to implement MetroRail on existing freight track, albeit with a relatively small number of improvements? Ridiculous, Mr. Allen! Especially when you consider that what Cap Metro is trying to do is hardly unique. I can quickly think of one other example -- Tri-Rail in S. Florida that is using existing freight track, too. Lord knows there must be others. If Cap Metro weren't so danged arrogant and incompetent, they could have helped themselves and the People of Central Texas immensely by simply tapping into knowledge and experience gained by other agencies that have already done the same sort of thing.11-06-2009
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need more ordinances? More rules and regulation intended to regulate idiocracy, inevitably constrain everyone. And who would this type of ordinance affect? Individuals or corporations? Corporate pet stores (Petco PetSmart) contribute to animal overpopulation and how many of these big box pet stores are EVERYWHERE?? Pumping out animals for profit. Breeding has become a way to earn extra income for some, a hobby for others. If any additional regulation is applied it should be specific to breeders and corporate pet stores and the entities supplying the animals - not just the people receiving them11-06-2009
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easy to name call those who protest the status quo. "RonPauloompas", "birthers", "naysayers", "racists", "****phobes". It generally proves there is no underlying argument.11-06-2009
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our country's national deficit is $11.7 trillion. And the U.S Treasury has auctioned off a record amount of debt to foreign countries. At least Ron Paul is actually do something about it with H.R. 1207. The Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009 would audit the Federal Reserve. Exposing the mass lie. There's nothing 'federal' about the federal reserve, btw. It's a private bank controlling our currency, credit, and debt. Ron Paul and his Campaign For Liberty supporters are demanding that Pelosi and Reid bring Audit the Fed to the floor for a full, up-or-down roll call vote. Even if it doesn't pass we will know for certain what "elected officials" are in bed with the Feds. Should it pass, it would disband the Federal Reserve System. Wow, how about that? Accountability. Which is currently elusive in the government corporation. The Bill of Rights applies to human beings not corporations. States are corporations. State of Texas, STATE OF TEXAS are corporations. Words of Art used to defraud the public of knowledge, time, and money. State corporations are centrally controlled by the federal government, aka Washington, DC. Thankfully, Texas along with other states (in the union) have declared sovereignty under the 10th amendment from the federal government. It's a complex issue, not for the complacent. Your postmark seeming intended to be derogatory of Ron Paul is actually complimentary. In your own words you are explaining how Ron Paul is defending individual rights by denying government interference. He is the only one who is targeting the heart of the economic crisis. The only one. Audit the Fed. Racist, you say? Define racist. EVERYONE is a racist. This new "help me" society of unrealistic expectation who constantly needs to be coddled is ruining life for everyone else. Political correctness and censorship oppresses society as a whole just to met the justifications of a few. Now look where we are.11-06-2009
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need more ordinances? More rules and regulation intended to regulate idiocracy, inevitably constrain everyone. And who would this type of ordinance affect? Individuals or corporations? Corporate pet stores (Petco PetSmart) contribute to animal overpopulation and how many of these big box pet stores are EVERYWHERE. Pumping out animals for profit. Breeding has become a way to earn extra income for some, a hobby for others. If any additional regulation is applied it should be specific to breeders and corporate pet stores and the entities supplying the animals - not just the people receiving them.11-06-2009
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okay read the article,and Copenhagen does very well. So can we change or add to Austin's mixed use to help, IE monorail very small footprint and as we do need infrastructure work ,this would add jobs and help reduce traffic.This would help balance people so we can move better with less of a footprint, more mass and less single vehicle traffic. If Europe can why can we not do the same.Texans if shown will lead the country in a effort to help cut pollution and traffic and our own footprint.11-06-2009
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I click on the Discovery Channel and find a story about Ardi, a 4 million year old human ancestor, which overturns much of our preconceived ideas about how humanity evolved. This insight was delivered through a megacorporate empire focused on spectacle.
At work, I set up a server based on RAID drives, gigibytes of RAM, web-enabled business applications, firewalls, and global broadband infrastructure in support of an unbelievably intricate supply chain. Somehow this infrastructure, spanning every continent except Antarctica and well over 90% of the 6.4 billion people living on earth, is 'culturally vacuous'.
The History Channel equivalent is long on UFOs, gang warfare, and end-of-world prophecies, but also has the occasional snippet about recently rediscovered technologies from Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as artifacts lost at sea and/or buried in various places in the New World. When I get bored with this, I switch to WWF.
I have teenaged friends that complain that the music the radio stations play today is worthless, the late 1960's Rock & Roll being the 'good stuff'. They might have heard Mozart and Beethoven in Music Appreciation, but this is perhaps too far out of their cultural space.
I walk into one of the megacorporate bookstores that line our freeways to pick up a copy of Nature magazine, to entertain myself with stories of enzymes, zeolites, dark energy, and algae blooms. These stories are written, for the most part, by people patiently creating and monitoring very sophisticated experiments with very sensitive instruments, and using advanced statistical analysis to draw their conclusions... when they’re not faking the whole thing at the expense of the American taxpayer.
Trips to the moon: spectacle. War in Afghanistan: militarist. Media publishers: panderers. America’s 'talent' is spent lecturing Americans on all the good things Americans aren't.
any property can be rezoned......forgetting? now people that own that property will continue to bank on the sale, whether it be to an individual or a business, and not have to pay taxes based on "real world" value, unless you really believe that you can guarantee they wont rezone it to commercial, or multifamily right after the sale? Its a wet dream to put a skyscraper up and expect to keep the 800sqft cottage next to it, it is looking out for the thousands that could take advantage of whatever business could be put there, vs looking out for the one resident. You cant say "that isnt fair" when whoever sells that house goes to the bank.11-05-2009
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Paul is a Cafeteria Constitutionalist. He constantly points to that document as his Bible, yet he curiously rejects the 14th and 15th Amendments, for example. Worse, he proudly claims common cause with some of the most despicable racists among us, and only believes you have a right to personal autonomy if you have a penis. That said, I admire his attempts to audit the Federal Reserve, but I'd rather see that cause taken up by someone with more credibility than him.11-05-2009
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I just heard from a friend that there is an upper deck planned for 2222, to extend from Mopac to Loop 360. She actually met the engineer who had just drawn up the plans. Apparently the new bridge over Bull Creek is the first step in the process. But I haven't seen or heard mention of this in the Chronicle or anywhere else. Can anyone tell me more about this?11-05-2009
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I am sorry that you misread my comment and misunderstood the debate, but even more sorry for the hate and distrust in you that causes you to respond in the manner you did.1) I know that appraisals and selling value are not the same thing. I didn't argue that they are.2) You are correct that a good part of the home value is based on land value, but I am arguing that that land value should be based on it's zoning and use. Developers know this, which is why they would pay more for a CS-Commercial zoning than for a SF-Single Family zoning in most cases. Zoning and actual use matter. The 'best use' appraisal seeks to toss out zoning and use. That is what I object to.3) As for comparing 78704 properties and 78753 properties, they are not appraised the same, but rather factor in land location, as well as the improvements. Residential land values in 78704 and 78745 are quite different, as they should be.4) Your argument that selling value is the only value that matters, misses the idea of zoning and varied use. If it is all selling value, then cut out all the residences around downtown and throw in cash makers. But that does not make a healthy community with people who live in it. See downtown Dallas which has been a ghost town for years after 5:30pm. Austin (and Dallas) have observed this and are making attempts to bring residents back to the center of the city.A downtown residence should be taxed as a downtown residence. Not as a commercial space. And no, I am not a downtown resident. I live in the 78745 and can't afford to live in the 78704.11-05-2009
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Be fair about the HOA fees - those cover other things you'd have to pay for in your tract home, like homeowners insurance for the roof and walls. Also usually covers some of the utilities for the building (things like water/garbage that aren't submetered unlike electricity).11-05-2009
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Margaret,What a great article about one of the keystones of the Texas 60's and later sound! I really enjoyed it and recommended it to lots of people. Keep up the great work! BTW I was there at Randy's Rodeo!11-04-2009
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shhs97 said... | hide/show
Which news network has the highest ratings again?
11-07-2009Request removal of this comment
mythical understanding of life? by LouDobbs | hide/show
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..your doing it again. by LouDobbs | hide/show
The fact that there has been torture throughout history has nothing to do with your assertion that that if we put people to death for killing, then by extension we should torture and execute someone who tortures and murders a victim. This is an if/then statement that doesn't hold up to logical scrutiny. I'm feeling lazy, so just re-read my post until you understand what I was saying.
"How can you believe it doesn't follow that the practice of execution leads to more gruesome fantasies and practices?"
Well now, this is a different kettle of fish. Your post that I commented on didn't contain this notion whatsoever. Try rereading your post until you understand what you were saying.
11-07-2009Request removal of this comment
doesn't follow? by kenx | hide/show
"Actually that doesn't follow. The death penalty isn't a trade off or equal swap, as your extension would require. It's horribly unequal, when you consider the worth of the perpetrator versus the victim."
If it doesn't follow, why has there been torture executions through-out history? Probably one of the worst was Death by One Thousand Cuts perpetrated by the Chinese (finally abolished in 1905) (actually by the time the person was dead, he had endured 3600 cuts, the first being to put out his eyes).
A person had a letter printed in the Statesman a few weeks ago, calling for the castration with a dull, filthy knife for a teenager convicted of rape.
How can you believe it doesn't follow that the practice of execution leads to more gruesome fantasies and practices?
11-07-2009Request removal of this comment
Scat said... | hide/show
I.e. FUCK Ron Paul.
11-07-2009Request removal of this comment
You commin' or not? by LouDobbs | hide/show
It's never irrelevant for a lone voice to speak out. Real change will happen one person at a time.
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shhs97 said... | hide/show
That makes it irrelevant. I'm not saying it should be irrelevant, just that it is. The masses have been reduced down to a level that is incapable of thinking for themselves.
11-07-2009Request removal of this comment
There is an underlying argument. by Sherlock | hide/show
Ron Paul is, in other words, a whimpering pansy.
11-06-2009Request removal of this comment
Green Mass Transit by PROUD TEXAN | hide/show
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7.5-10 Years Way Too Long by roos | hide/show
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Do we really by victorytothepeople | hide/show
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It's so by victorytothepeople | hide/show
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Currently, by victorytothepeople | hide/show
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Do we really by victorytothepeople | hide/show
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Gays don't like him, ok I get it. by LouDobbs | hide/show
I don't agree with everything he proposes, however as a nation we'd be far better-off with Paul's brand of fiscal restraint.
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hair loss forum by FACEBOOK_GuillermoRivera | hide/show
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hair loss forum by FACEBOOK_GuillermoRivera | hide/show
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TRAFFIC by PROUD TEXAN | hide/show
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Thanks for the entertaining read. by Sherlock | hide/show
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headline by Sherlock | hide/show
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Culturally Vacuous by mnpoor | hide/show
At work, I set up a server based on RAID drives, gigibytes of RAM, web-enabled business applications, firewalls, and global broadband infrastructure in support of an unbelievably intricate supply chain. Somehow this infrastructure, spanning every continent except Antarctica and well over 90% of the 6.4 billion people living on earth, is 'culturally vacuous'.
The History Channel equivalent is long on UFOs, gang warfare, and end-of-world prophecies, but also has the occasional snippet about recently rediscovered technologies from Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as artifacts lost at sea and/or buried in various places in the New World. When I get bored with this, I switch to WWF.
I have teenaged friends that complain that the music the radio stations play today is worthless, the late 1960's Rock & Roll being the 'good stuff'. They might have heard Mozart and Beethoven in Music Appreciation, but this is perhaps too far out of their cultural space.
I walk into one of the megacorporate bookstores that line our freeways to pick up a copy of Nature magazine, to entertain myself with stories of enzymes, zeolites, dark energy, and algae blooms. These stories are written, for the most part, by people patiently creating and monitoring very sophisticated experiments with very sensitive instruments, and using advanced statistical analysis to draw their conclusions... when they’re not faking the whole thing at the expense of the American taxpayer.
Trips to the moon: spectacle. War in Afghanistan: militarist. Media publishers: panderers. America’s 'talent' is spent lecturing Americans on all the good things Americans aren't.
11-05-2009Request removal of this comment
Scat said... | hide/show
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wrong by D1incharge | hide/show
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Tru Dat by Dead Punk | hide/show
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upper deck on RR 2222 by stephprew | hide/show
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To D1incharge by FACEBOOK_JacobVanhorn | hide/show
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m1ek said... | hide/show
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huh? by BlueAnt | hide/show
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jenjacobs said... | hide/show
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Great piece! by glen_worley | hide/show
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