Al Franken Wants Computers Out Of The Cockpit

[bizjet800]

I think I agree with what you are saying about healthcare. My opinion is [I realize nobody asked for it but here it is] that as long as the trial lawyers own the Democrat party, and the insurance companies own the Republican party, we won't get any meaningful health insurance reform.

I do think that things have changed under Obama, though, and not for the better. Look at our debt as a % of GDP: Obama has managed to up the ante thrown down by the fiscally reckless GWB. Can't believe I'm saying this, but I think Clinton [1994-2000] has been our best President since Reagan. And Al Franken should be a poster child for a movement to repeal the 17th amendment.

Clinton gets a lot of credit for what the Republicans helped with: any one remember the Contract with America? (before you get on your high horse, I can't stand either party today) This "contract" was the the GOPs response to losing some 20% of the vote to Ross Perot--resulting in an improved economy.

Yes we had balanced budgets and the economy improved under Clinton, but he doesn't deserve ALL the credit. Any one have the Roth IRA? Millions cashed in their traditional IRAs in the 90s and generated untold billions in taxes. Also, in the 90s we had an anomoly where we had few retirements and crime was at historical lows.

 

[glasspilot]

Glass, GOVt RUN ANYTHING NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER WORKS WELL!!

So....you don't support our troops?


See, now I disagree. I think we have a wonderful Military and fully support them. It's a shame you can't find a way to get behind the men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice for your freedom and liberty.

I guess that is why I am a better American than you.

 

[Dan Roman]

So....you don't support our troops?


See, now I disagree. I think we have a wonderful Military and fully support them. It's a shame you can't find a way to get behind the men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice for your freedom and liberty.

I guess that is why I am a better American than you.

You are correct of course. you could also make a case that many of the right wing Obama bashers are anti American.
The simple fact is we are a democracy, the majority of Americans voted for Obama. It's one thing to offer a different point of view, but the whole "birthers" deal, the "he's a Muslim", "he's a socialist", and numerous other crap being spread by SOME on the right is more interested in Obama failing than the well being of our country.
I don't know if he is going to prove any good or not and nobody else on here does either, but there is a significant percentage of Americans that will say anything about him with little regard for the truth, just to try and attack the President of the United States.

 

[JFReservist]

Don't be stupid...

So....you don't support our troops?


See, now I disagree. I think we have a wonderful Military and fully support them. It's a shame you can't find a way to get behind the men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice for your freedom and liberty.

I guess that is why I am a better American than you.

??? You serious???

So far we have enjoyed a nice little debate, but don't be an idiot. I know that you must have made a mistake... surely YOU are out there at the USO, donating your time. Surely you have given generously to the wounded warrior foundation - or like. Surely you have bought a couple of soldiers a cup of coffee or lunch at your local terminal?

So, I know I made a mistake...

Maybe you haven't done any of those things... instead you served with your brothers and sisters in arms and counted that as enough sacrifice and support to be a better American? Or have lost loved ones and dear friends in the line of duty and that makes you a better American?

Or spent countless birthdays, anniversaries and holidays - not in service of your airline - but of your country in some God awful place away from family and the comforts of home? I'm sure it was you who was generous enough to buy countless meals and drinks for some of your young enlisted aircrew members because they were barely making minimum wage.

Maybe it was someone like you that was praying for someone like me while they were alone on watch during the small hours of the night. Maybe it was you who sacrificed their comfortable life and cushy internship at college to make 27 cents underway... and count it an honor to serve their country and defend her freedom.

Perhaps you are the product of someone who gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend his family's, or friends', or countrymen's liberty. Perhaps one of your loved ones is a star on a wall, or name in a book; giving no comfort or peace as you grow up... Or maybe its the realization that they loved you and their family, and their friends, and their neighbors more than themselves. Perhaps you count that as a your greatest gift, that their commitment to a sacred honor, duty, and sacrifice should guide your every thought, drive and ambition.

Perhaps you were in the squadron/unit whose motto was "so others may live."

Perhaps you don't consider yourself better than others because you have served, or lost, or given... you just knew it was your responsibility to support and defend... you knew it was the right thing to do.

I'm sure you find it hard to talk about sometimes, precisely because you don't want to be perceived as better, or different somehow... instead, it catches up with you - not the honor or greatness of your glory - but the thoughts that you could have done more... should have done more for your mates, your brothers and sisters in arms... you could do more to honor their sacrifice.

Or maybe you are a better American than most of us because you think its anathema to take away another's Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness... after all you have given to defend it.

 

[rigger]

You are correct of course. you could also make a case that many of the right wing Obama bashers are anti American.
The simple fact is we are a democracy, the majority of Americans voted for Obama. It's one thing to offer a different point of view, but the whole "birthers" deal, the "he's a Muslim", "he's a socialist", and numerous other crap being spread by SOME on the right is more interested in Obama failing than the well being of our country.
I don't know if he is going to prove any good or not and nobody else on here does either, but there is a significant percentage of Americans that will say anything about him with little regard for the truth, just to try and attack the President of the United States.

God where to start with you both.....This is tru GOVERNMENT education at work here!!! 1st WE ARE NOT A DEMOCRACY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE ARE A REPUBLIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is a huuuuuuuuuge difference please look it up.

You are correct he is OUR president and thank god he and the congress have not yet destroyed our RIGHT under the constitution to disagree and challenge his and their thoughts and more importantly deeds!!!! I will not re hash the birther thing it's been covered and who really gives a darn. As for being a socialist or communist accusation there really is no debate to as to his affiliations. These are quotes from him

"To avoid being mistaken for a sellout, I chose my friends carefully. The more politically active black students. The foreign students. The Chicanos. The Marxist professors and structural feminists."

"It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance for success too," "My attitude is that if the economy's good for folks from the bottom up, it's gonna be good for everybody ... I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."

There are many many many more but you get the idea. He has surrounded himself with true radicles, leftists, socialists, and communists. again I don't have the energy to go through the list you can find them (if you are interested in educating yourself enough too) Again I am not attacking just pointing out FACTS said by him or folks from around him. As far as wanting him to FAIL!!!!!!!!! HELL YES HE SHOULD FAIL!!!!!!!! he and the congress are trying to undo the constitution of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA just as much as I wanted BUSH and the CONGRESS to fail also.....I want the govt the heck out of my and your life!!!!!!! I want the debt to go away for my kids to have a good life!!!!! I want EVERYONE to be responsible for themselves , and if they cant then THEY SHOULD FAIL!!!!!! As far as the troops....well thats a rediculous assertion because I said the GOVT cant do anything well it means I dont support the troops......

I am sorry but I DO SUPPORT the TROOPS ......TO WIN!!!!! NOT PLAY THE GAMES OUR GOVT IS PUTTING them THROUGH!!!! If you let the generals on the ground (they are not political and protected like the FAA or the post office workers or any of the others who don't have to perform or pay a price if they don't perform) OUR military is willing and able to go out and do what they have to do to win....they are the epitome of true CAPITALIST organization! They have to perform all the time under terrible conditions. They are underfunded, understaffed and underappreciated. They are always under assault from the politicians but yet if left alone they will do the job!!! and they are doing it for something way more important then dollars! The are doing it for Freedom!!!! Thats why I don't consider them the "govt" because at the end of the day they are but one of the FEW that won't play games if left to themselves when not left to themselves (like now with political hacks running the show causing them to be put more into harms way) then they sit and spin just like the rest of America!

Look it's really simple, you both like govt and believe that govt should run/control parts of your and my lives!!!! I on the other hand believe the govt should be out and stay out of any part of my life except what they were made for to protect ....OUR LAWS!!!!!!! OUR NATIONAL SAFETY!!!!, and OUR Sovereignty!!!!! They are failing miserably on more then one of these accounts.....to quote a favorite of mine

"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it."

Govt is the problem not the solution!!!! IF you want more govt, there are many countries that have tried it and they all are not near as good and successful as the USA why do you want to change what MADE US GREAT??? I think it must be the crappy GOVT run education...... but heck i'm almost and anarchist FREEDOM IS MY RIGHT DONT MESS WITH IT!!!!!

CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN!!!!!!

 

[FDJ2]

FREEDOM IS MY RIGHT DONT MESS WITH IT!!!!!

CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN!!!!!!

Did you support the Partiot Act which Bush pushed through Congress? Talk about an assault on our basic freedoms.

The government would be better served not infringing on our rights, but sticking to it's mandate as enumerated in the Constitution which includes the establishment of justice and the promotion of the general welfare. It is for these goals and others enumerated in our Constitution that our government was formed.

Thankfully we have a thoughtful President that understands that the role of government is not to create a pretext for an invasion and occupation of a sovereign country or to pass legislation which gives the government extraordinary powers to infringe on the privacy and freedoms of the citizens of these United States.

"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Article 1, Section 8. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States"

 

[glasspilot]

I know sarcasm doesn't translate very well on the forums but I thought my "I'm a better American" comment was dripping with it.

Sorry to those offended.

...sheesh

 

[glasspilot]

Oh, and JFR, for what it's worth...7 years USN with a honorable discharge. Got a NAM too...

 

[rigger]

Did you support the Partiot Act which Bush pushed through Congress? Talk about an assault on our basic freedoms.

The government would be better served not infringing on our rights, but sticking to it's mandate as enumerated in the Constitution which includes the establishment of justice and the promotion of the general welfare. It is for these goals and others enumerated in our Constitution that our government was formed.

Thankfully we have a thoughtful President that understands that the role of government is not to create a pretext for an invasion and occupation of a sovereign country or to pass legislation which gives the government extraordinary powers to infringe on the privacy and freedoms of the citizens of these United States.

"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Article 1, Section 8. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States"

GOD please get over the WE INVADED!!!! I also did not agree then as I do not agree now! But that said since we did invade then we better DAMN WELL WIN!!! and EVERYONE should get behind the troops to that end! We at least did what we said we would in Iraq and now we decided to go more into Afgan then what are we waiting for! either get full in or get the hell out one or the other!!!

I also did and do not suppor the patriot act as it was put through, that also said Bush used it as he wanted and no Barack is using it as he wants... DON't you get it there is no difference betwen Bush or Barack! Thay are both Way left of the center!

What our thoughtful president does not understand is LIBERTY, FREEDOM, PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS, THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS, STATES RIGHTS, THAT IT IS NOT ALRIGHT TO SHARE THE WEALTH, and a multitude more that I dont have the gumption to write down for you!

I always find it so ironic that folks quote the constitution and then go about jumping up and down on it! The congress does have the right and the need to taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States" It does not say steal from me at gunpoint and give to you cause you are " Less fortunate" or take my property cause someone will pay more taxes if they have it!, or force me to buy something I dont want (health care) or any number of the below that is not in the constitution how bout all this waste that was passed as stimulus:

- $300,000 for a GPS-equipped helicopter to hunt for radioactive rabbit droppings at the Hanford nuclear reservation in Washington state.
- $30 million for a spring training baseball complex for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies.
- $11 million for Microsoft to build a bridge connecting its two headquarter campuses in Redmond, Wash., which are separated by a highway
- $430,000 to repair a bridge in Iowa County, Wis., that carries 10 or fewer cars per day
- $800,000 for the John Murtha Airport in Johnstown, Pa., serving about 20 passengers per day, to build a backup runway.
- $219,000 for Syracuse University to study the sex lives of freshmen women.
- $2.3 million for the U.S. Forest Service to rear large numbers of arthropods, including the Asian longhorned beetle, the nun moth and the woolly adelgid.
- $3.4 million for a 13-foot tunnel for turtles and other wildlife attempting to cross U.S. 27 in Lake Jackson, Fla.
- $1.15 million to install a guardrail for a persistently dry lake bed in Guymon, Okla.
- $9.38 million to renovate a century-old train depot in Lancaster County, Pa., that has not been used for three decades.
- $2.5 million in stimulus checks sent to the deceased.
- $6 million for a snow-making facility in Duluth, Minn.
- $173,834 to weatherize eight pickup trucks in Madison County, Ill.
- $20,000 for a fish sperm freezer at the Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery in South Dakota.
- $380,000 to spay and neuter pets in Wichita, Kan.
- $300 apiece for thousands of signs at road construction sites across the country announcing that the projects are funded by stimulus money.
- $1.5 million for a fence to block would-be jumpers from leaping off the All-American Bridge in Akron, Ohio.
- $1 million to study the health effects of environmentally friendly public housing on 300 people in Chicago.
- $356,000 for Indiana University to study childhood comprehension of foreign accents compared with native speech.
- $983,952 for street beautification in Ann Arbor, Mich., including decorative lighting, trees, benches and bike paths.
- $148,438 for Washington State University to analyze the use of marijuana in conjunction with medications like morphine.
- $462,000 to purchase 22 concrete toilets for use in the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri
- $3.1 million to transform a canal barge into a floating museum that will travel the Erie Canal in New York state.
- $1.3 million on government arts jobs in Maine, including $30,000 for basket makers, $20,000 for storytelling and $12,500 for a music festival.
- $71,000 for a hybrid car to be used by student drivers in Colchester, Vt., as well as a plug-in hybrid for town workers decked out with a sign touting the vehicle's energy efficiency.- $1 million for Portland, Ore., to replace 100 aging bike lockers and build a garage that would house 250 bicycles.

This is what happens when government takes money (what you listed as in the constitution) from the private sector to spend on stimulating our economy. It ends up being spent to create votes, not jobs For both parties. There can't possibly be one cogent American who thinks that these items were big-time job producers. Any jobs created are, at best, temporary ... and government. Spending our money in this manner should be punishable by law This is how and what our thoughtful President understands!!! DO YOU NEED ANY MORE PROOF!!!!! WAKE THE HECK UP

WE are United States Citizens get over being a democrat or a republican or he's our guy or your guy made this mess!! THEY ALL MADE THIS MESS!!! This president and this congress are creating a mess in order to have to rebuild it all over again!!! Remember "dont let a good catastrophe go to waste" Our own government is creating the CATASTROPHE!!! Stop being a sheep and start researching what your gut and my gut are telling us SOMETHING IS WRONG I've at least found some of it can you say corruption???? I invite you to do some research yourself on BARACK and his "friends" I did on Bush did you??? why are you not on BArack?? I know I Know cause he's YOUR DEMOCRAT>>>get past that become an AMERICAN again.......

 

[rigger]

Oh, and JFR, for what it's worth...7 years USN with a honorable discharge. Got a NAM too...

Thank you for serving Glass you more than most understand what the troops are dealing with right now!!! You are a great American!

NOW LEAVE THE DARK SIDE!!!!

 

[FDJ2]

What our thoughtful president does not understand is LIBERTY, FREEDOM, PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS, THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS, STATES RIGHTS, THAT IT IS NOT ALRIGHT TO SHARE THE WEALTH, and a multitude more that I dont have the gumption to write down for you! ......

He hasn't taken your freedom, your gun or anything else. The government has a responsibility to protect and promote the general welfare of its citizens. The Constitution gives the government the right to raise taxes so that it can meet those obligations. Due to the deep whole Bush left us in with his spend and borrow, then spend and borrow some more fiscal policy, all while destroying the middle class and allowing the top 1% to horde the national wealth, this administration has its hands full. It seems inevitable that in order for us to dig ourselves out of the Bush recession and debt, taxes will and should be raised on the top 1%. Taxes are the price of a civil society and those who can afford it might have to chip in a little more.

 

[rigger]

He hasn't taken your freedom, your gun or anything else. The government has a responsibility to protect and promote the general welfare of its citizens. The Constitution gives the government the right to raise taxes so that it can meet those obligations. Due to the deep whole Bush left us in with his spend and borrow, then spend and borrow some more fiscal policy, all while destroying the middle class and allowing the top 1% to horde the national wealth, this administration has its hands full. It seems inevitable that in order for us to dig ourselves out of the Bush recession and debt, taxes will and should be raised on the top 1%. Taxes are the price of a civil society and those who can afford it might have to chip in a little more.

he hasent taken them Yet fd yet PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE I AM BEGGING YOU WAKE UP!!!! GET OVER THE BUSH THING!!!!!! PLEASE WAKE UP

"In the end they will lay their freedom at our feet and say to us, 'Make us your slaves, but feed us.'" [Dosteovsky's 'Grand Inquisitor']

WAKE UP

 

[Tristar]

He hasn't taken your freedom, your gun or anything else. The government has a responsibility to protect and promote the general welfare of its citizens. The Constitution gives the government the right to raise taxes so that it can meet those obligations. Due to the deep whole Bush left us in with his spend and borrow, then spend and borrow some more fiscal policy, all while destroying the middle class and allowing the top 1% to horde the national wealth, this administration has its hands full. It seems inevitable that in order for us to dig ourselves out of the Bush recession and debt, taxes will and should be raised on the top 1%. Taxes are the price of a civil society and those who can afford it might have to chip in a little more.

Look, let's be blunt here. Bush pretty much sucked, particularly when it came to being fiscally responsible. The fact that he did is hardly a cogent argument that the solution is to be even less fiscally responsible!

I'm all for eliminating loopholes which allow ultra-rich tools like the Bush clan, Barbara Boxer, the Kennedy clan, et al. to pay squat while the rest of us foot the bill. That said, soaking Joe Sixpack (that would be me) to pay for some moronic utopian ideal is NOT what the founding fathers had in mind either.

As has already been pointed out, the number on flaw if believing that 98% of this crap is the realm of the federal government - it isn't! Read the constitution with the original intent in mind! If you want most of this stuff there are two ways to legitimately get it:
1) Amend the constitution using the process spelled out in said document.
2) Get your state to provide it.
It's really that simple. Any questions?

 

[JFReservist]

Oh, and JFR, for what it's worth...7 years USN with a honorable discharge. Got a NAM too...

Thank you for your service... but the NAVY?!? (sarcasm!)

As for the topic at hand... I view it very simply: The government does not have the right to take from me and give to others. This was never the intent as evidenced in the federalist papers and other documents the founders wrote supporting the declaration, constitution (and long forgotten articles of confederation). Congress did not have the right to collect a federal income tax until the ratification of the 16th Amendment in 1913.

Do I pay my taxes... begrudgingly, but only because they are thrown away and our elected officials have no sense of stewardship. I don't think I should pay for a lot of things... but I am forced to at the point of what I would consider a tyrannical federal government. Each state was designed to be independent, with reserved rights guaranteed under the tenth amendment. You didn't like the way your state did things... then you tried to convince your fellow neighbors to change the laws - or you moved to a state that supported your mindset. But, certain things were always guaranteed - life, liberty, private property, and equal opportunity (thank God for the 13t, 15th and 19th Amendments). Not Health Care. Not a rebate on a new car. Not an $8000 tax break on a new house. Not a government housing project. Not a job. Not a good contract. Not a federally subsidized education from pre-K - PhD. Not ENTITLEMENT.

QUIT THINKING ITS OKAY FOR THE "GOVERNMENT" TO TAKE FROM ONE AND GIVE TO ANOTHER.

You people think this is going to be okay, but please look at the history of these little social experiments... you are taking the property and liberty of your neighbors through the bludgeon of government? Is that not tyranny???

 

[FDJ2]

he hasent taken them Yet fd yet PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE I AM BEGGING YOU WAKE UP!!!! GET OVER THE BUSH THING!!!!!! PLEASE WAKE UP

"In the end they will lay their freedom at our feet and say to us, 'Make us your slaves, but feed us.'" [Dosteovsky's 'Grand Inquisitor']

WAKE UP

No need for the drama. My eyes are wide open.