Comments for GlobalPundit.org http://globalpundit.org news,media,breaking news, video, journalism, interviews, world events, justice, politics, economy, entertainment, photography Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:38:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Op Ed: The Unethical Boycott of Whole Foods Inc. by David Jon Sponheim http://globalpundit.org/2009/08/25/op-ed-the-unethical-boycott-of-whole-foods-inc/#comment-3688 David Jon Sponheim Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:20:54 +0000 http://globalpundit.org/?p=324#comment-3688 Good Point Steve. Our Nation sometimes appears to be a mindless sheep-like culture of conformity. This year it is the Democrats, last year it was the Republicans. Your analogy of flipping parties in the Whole Foods boycott is good. Clearly the single payer people are out of line for wanting to boycott a CEO's company simply because he is a protagonist of his Whole Foods "Health Care progam". That is an abridgment of his First Amendment Freedoms. But, theoretically, the single payer people have a right to boycott, as long as they are not part of the Administration of Obama. Therein lies the twist. They are part of the ruling Party that got him elected. Obama cannot use his office to boycott or gather Email lists of dissenters, as he is doing at WhiteHouse.gov. The Ruling Party must be very careful not to use a Government Website as a political tool. Similarly, the HR67 group should not be using Non Partisan offices in Government to launch a Boycott. So, for this issue, it is a litmus test of what is functionally allowable versus what is downright illegal. So far, until Law is clear on this issue, partisanship will invade the function of government and undermine freedoms. DJS Good Point Steve. Our Nation sometimes appears to be a mindless sheep-like culture of conformity. This year it is the Democrats, last year it was the Republicans. Your analogy of flipping parties in the Whole Foods boycott is good. Clearly the single payer people are out of line for wanting to boycott a CEO’s company simply because he is a protagonist of his Whole Foods “Health Care progam”. That is an abridgment of his First Amendment Freedoms. But, theoretically, the single payer people have a right to boycott, as long as they are not part of the Administration of Obama. Therein lies the twist. They are part of the ruling Party that got him elected. Obama cannot use his office to boycott or gather Email lists of dissenters, as he is doing at WhiteHouse.gov. The Ruling Party must be very careful not to use a Government Website as a political tool. Similarly, the HR67 group should not be using Non Partisan offices in Government to launch a Boycott. So, for this issue, it is a litmus test of what is functionally allowable versus what is downright illegal. So far, until Law is clear on this issue, partisanship will invade the function of government and undermine freedoms. DJS

]]> Comment on (From India) A Letter to the PM by priyaank http://globalpundit.org/2008/06/25/from-india-a-letter-to-the-pm/#comment-3665 priyaank Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:43:04 +0000 http://globalpundit.org/?p=20#comment-3665 thanks for sharing this !! thanks for sharing this !!

]]> Comment on Editorial Reponse (re:Whole Foods):”Fighting Fire with Fire” by Brya Thomas http://globalpundit.org/2009/08/29/editorial-reponse-fighting-fire-with-fire/#comment-3616 Brya Thomas Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:32:17 +0000 http://globalpundit.org/?p=327#comment-3616 Hi. A few follow up points, respectfully submitted: 1. I was not invoking 'local laws' to justify my position. I was responding to your claim, in the original article, that "[w]hen we break our laws, such as those related to freedom of speech, we invite others to break them as well." I took this to mean that you thought the legalities were pertinent. 2. I'm not sure I follow your extrapolation from the 'fight-fire-with-fire metaphor'. You draw a distinction between rational argument (e.g., Mackey's comments on Obama's health reform) and speech that intends to suppress and punish (e.g., the call for a boycott). Your underlying presumption is that if only boycotters like Single Payer Now would quit imposing economic punishments on those they disagree with, there could be an open marketplace of ideas. My point is that this is demonstrably naive: as I indicated, the single payer option has been almost entirely shut out of this debate, despite being favoured by nearly 60% of Americans. And nobody has any illusions about this: the reason the single payer option is not being discussed is that corporate america would unleash its historically unprecedented influence to defeat any such plan; Obama has been quite plainspoken about that fact. So, this is not a free marketplace of ideas; good, popular ideas are 100% shut out, thanks to the curse of money in politics. This is a reality which utilitarians like myself, Mill (and you?) must reckon with. It seems perfectly clear that resisting consumer boycotts will not get us to Mill's ideal of an open marketplace of ideas, where the best ideas prevail. It will get us a debate even more tightly framed to serve narrow corporate interests. This is not a reason to abandon Mill's ideal. But Mill's ideal requires that the preconditions be in place to enable rational debate. Until then, it makes sense to fight back against those use money to dominate politics by withdrawing our dollars. 3. "We Didn't Start the Fire" was written by Billy Joel. Best, Bryan Hi. A few follow up points, respectfully submitted:

1. I was not invoking ‘local laws’ to justify my position. I was responding to your claim, in the original article, that “[w]hen we break our laws, such as those related to freedom of speech, we invite others to break them as well.” I took this to mean that you thought the legalities were pertinent.

2. I’m not sure I follow your extrapolation from the ‘fight-fire-with-fire metaphor’. You draw a distinction between rational argument (e.g., Mackey’s comments on Obama’s health reform) and speech that intends to suppress and punish (e.g., the call for a boycott). Your underlying presumption is that if only boycotters like Single Payer Now would quit imposing economic punishments on those they disagree with, there could be an open marketplace of ideas. My point is that this is demonstrably naive: as I indicated, the single payer option has been almost entirely shut out of this debate, despite being favoured by nearly 60% of Americans. And nobody has any illusions about this: the reason the single payer option is not being discussed is that corporate america would unleash its historically unprecedented influence to defeat any such plan; Obama has been quite plainspoken about that fact. So, this is not a free marketplace of ideas; good, popular ideas are 100% shut out, thanks to the curse of money in politics. This is a reality which utilitarians like myself, Mill (and you?) must reckon with. It seems perfectly clear that resisting consumer boycotts will not get us to Mill’s ideal of an open marketplace of ideas, where the best ideas prevail. It will get us a debate even more tightly framed to serve narrow corporate interests. This is not a reason to abandon Mill’s ideal. But Mill’s ideal requires that the preconditions be in place to enable rational debate. Until then, it makes sense to fight back against those use money to dominate politics by withdrawing our dollars.
3. “We Didn’t Start the Fire” was written by Billy Joel.
Best,
Bryan

]]> Comment on Interview With Constitution Party Candidate Chuck Baldwin by charles http://globalpundit.org/2008/08/18/interview-with-constitution-party-candidate-chuck-baldwin/#comment-3610 charles Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:43:15 +0000 http://globalpundit.org/?p=42#comment-3610 Although I will always vote Republican except if Barack osama for some reason joined the Republicans. Now when it comes to Chuck Baldwin and Ron Paul I agree with them 99.9% of the time. When it comes to Foreign Policy I really lean towards strong military. Now I like Chuck more than Paul,because when it comes to borders I really like his ideas. Now Mccain was a liberal on immigration and taxes so although I respect the man he was not my personal favorite. I was considering going for Chuck Baldwin, but I said it's either the old war hero or the guy who's name sounds like a terrorist and he's a Socialist no question. Yet I think Baldwin should really consider joining the Republicans and running for the Ron Paul vote. Yet Gary Johnson to me is the key to getting a Libertarian republican in 2012. Although I will always vote Republican except if Barack osama for some reason joined the Republicans. Now when it comes to Chuck Baldwin and Ron Paul I agree with them 99.9% of the time. When it comes to Foreign Policy I really lean towards strong military. Now I like Chuck more than Paul,because when it comes to borders I really like his ideas. Now Mccain was a liberal on immigration and taxes so although I respect the man he was not my personal favorite. I was considering going for Chuck Baldwin, but I said it’s either the old war hero or the guy who’s name sounds like a terrorist and he’s a Socialist no question. Yet I think Baldwin should really consider joining the Republicans and running for the Ron Paul vote. Yet Gary Johnson to me is the key to getting a Libertarian republican in 2012.

]]> Comment on Ontario Provincial Tories’ Find New Leader’s Footing on Fractured Ground by David Leonhardt http://globalpundit.org/2009/06/29/ontario-provincial-tories-find-new-leaders-footing-on-fractured-ground/#comment-3571 David Leonhardt Wed, 29 Jul 2009 03:48:59 +0000 http://globalpundit.org/?p=320#comment-3571 I just subbed this to Canada's social bookmarking website at http://www.zoomit.ca . I thought I might suggest adding Zoomit Canada to the "Make sure to read" section on the right hand side of your blog where you list Elections Canada, C-SPAN, NPR, etc. Thank you for your consideration. :-) David. I just subbed this to Canada’s social bookmarking website at http://www.zoomit.ca . I thought I might suggest adding Zoomit Canada to the “Make sure to read” section on the right hand side of your blog where you list Elections Canada, C-SPAN, NPR, etc.

Thank you for your consideration. :-)

David.

]]> Comment on From India: “Are We Really Free?” by Siddhartha Ghai http://globalpundit.org/2008/08/19/from-india-are-we-really-free/#comment-3542 Siddhartha Ghai Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:41:42 +0000 http://globalpundit.org/?p=43#comment-3542 Firstly, let me make myself quite clear. I disagree. India is a free nation, and we are free, independent people. According to what you say in this article, it seems you wish to say that freedom means not having any duties or compulsions to fulfull, no taxes, no diseases, no poverty, in short, nothing wrong at all. Mark this, "NOTHING IS PERFECT, NOR CAN IT EVER BE!" The meaning of independence is not the right to buy things, or to not be paying taxes, or not having poverty either, the meaning of independence is the right to work for one's own welfare. And in an independent nation like India, we do have that right. But, as it is said, 'Freedom is not free!' May I ask you, if you see your children playing with siccors, what do you do? You stop them, right? Then, how can we let people do something like ride a bike without a helmet, or drive a car without a seatbelt? We were born not only of our mothers, but also of this land, then, being the sons and daughters of this mother, India; how can we let our brothers and sisters endanger their lives; how can we cause this mother pain by letting her sons and daughters die for no proper reason? And if you think that this is merely rhetoric and Indians do not reaaly feel so, then may I ask why every Indian calls every other fellow 'bhaiya' or 'bhaisaab' (meaning 'brother'), or every other lady 'behenji' (meaning 'sister')? It is the feeling deep down in our hearts that shows through these simple gestures. Surely sometimes it can be masked by the more earthly feelings like jealousy or anger, but in times of need, it is these feelings that come out to make us stand together as one people, one nation, India. Now, for the taxes. If you have such a problem with the taxes you pay, maybe you shouldn't pay them, but then again, if you don't, you're going to see quite a lot of those kids at the junctions. You see, what you call 'freebies to the poor' actually help you by not straining your eye looking at impoverished kids. And if you have a problem having to help a stranger by paying taxes before you can help your own child, let me remind you as I said, that stranger, somewhere, is your brother or sister. Oh, and you probably have a problem paying taxes for people who are incapable of earning themselves, well that's already been thought of, and that is why a major chunk of the taxes go into the education sector, so you and, in the future, your children, don't have to pay taxes for such people! Finally, I would like to tell you that if you have a problem that leaders in this country think they own it, why don't you join politics? You see, it's quite easy to complain about not having this or that, and quite difficult to work for it, but unless we, as Indians, make an effort ourselves to improve the situation, it cannot change. I do not say that India is perfect, but its a start towards that, a fine start judging by what we've acheived in the past 61 years; but if we're to remove those children from the junctions and into schools, if we're to make everyone capable of earning themselves, if we're to make sure that we're served by an educated government, if we're to be perfect, we have to do it ourselves, nobody else is going to come to do it for us. Its upto Indians where India goes, whether it becomes a 'worldpower', or it shrinks to a 'third-world country' Its upto us! And we will make it a worldpower! Firstly, let me make myself quite clear. I disagree. India is a free nation, and we are free, independent people.
According to what you say in this article, it seems you wish to say that freedom means not having any duties or compulsions to fulfull, no taxes, no diseases, no poverty, in short, nothing wrong at all.
Mark this, “NOTHING IS PERFECT, NOR CAN IT EVER BE!”
The meaning of independence is not the right to buy things, or to not be paying taxes, or not having poverty either, the meaning of independence is the right to work for one’s own welfare. And in an independent nation like India, we do have that right.
But, as it is said, ‘Freedom is not free!’
May I ask you, if you see your children playing with siccors, what do you do? You stop them, right? Then, how can we let people do something like ride a bike without a helmet, or drive a car without a seatbelt?
We were born not only of our mothers, but also of this land, then, being the sons and daughters of this mother, India; how can we let our brothers and sisters endanger their lives; how can we cause this mother pain by letting her sons and daughters die for no proper reason?
And if you think that this is merely rhetoric and Indians do not reaaly feel so, then may I ask why every Indian calls every other fellow ‘bhaiya’ or ‘bhaisaab’ (meaning ‘brother’), or every other lady ‘behenji’ (meaning ’sister’)?
It is the feeling deep down in our hearts that shows through these simple gestures. Surely sometimes it can be masked by the more earthly feelings like jealousy or anger, but in times of need, it is these feelings that come out to make us stand together as one people, one nation, India.
Now, for the taxes. If you have such a problem with the taxes you pay, maybe you shouldn’t pay them, but then again, if you don’t, you’re going to see quite a lot of those kids at the junctions. You see, what you call ‘freebies to the poor’ actually help you by not straining your eye looking at impoverished kids. And if you have a problem having to help a stranger by paying taxes before you can help your own child, let me remind you as I said, that stranger, somewhere, is your brother or sister. Oh, and you probably have a problem paying taxes for people who are incapable of earning themselves, well that’s already been thought of, and that is why a major chunk of the taxes go into the education sector, so you and, in the future, your children, don’t have to pay taxes for such people!
Finally, I would like to tell you that if you have a problem that leaders in this country think they own it, why don’t you join politics? You see, it’s quite easy to complain about not having this or that, and quite difficult to work for it, but unless we, as Indians, make an effort ourselves to improve the situation, it cannot change.
I do not say that India is perfect, but its a start towards that, a fine start judging by what we’ve acheived in the past 61 years; but if we’re to remove those children from the junctions and into schools, if we’re to make everyone capable of earning themselves, if we’re to make sure that we’re served by an educated government, if we’re to be perfect, we have to do it ourselves, nobody else is going to come to do it for us.
Its upto Indians where India goes, whether it becomes a ‘worldpower’, or it shrinks to a ‘third-world country’
Its upto us!
And we will make it a worldpower!

]]> Comment on Will Marketing My Marijuana Med - Grow Charges Make Me Money? by Vapor tower vaporizer http://globalpundit.org/2008/11/02/will-marketing-my-marijuana-med-grow-charges-make-me-money/#comment-3531 Vapor tower vaporizer Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:57:25 +0000 http://globalpundit.org/?p=266#comment-3531 i think that's going to be cool! yes both marketing and growing marijuana are both illegal. but i think growing marijuana is more profitable. lol! i think that’s going to be cool! yes both marketing and growing marijuana are both illegal. but i think growing marijuana is more profitable. lol!

]]> Comment on Happy 90th Birthday Pete Seeger! Special Content. by judith Levine http://globalpundit.org/2009/05/02/happy-90th-birthday-pete-seeger-special-content/#comment-3440 judith Levine Sun, 03 May 2009 18:59:58 +0000 http://globalpundit.org/?p=316#comment-3440 Happy Birthday, Pete. Been a fan since about 1943 at NYU and still am at 82. My name has changed and so have I, but I still know you are the best of the best! Happy Birthday, Pete. Been a fan since about 1943 at NYU and still am at 82. My name has changed and so have I, but I still know you are the best of the best!

]]> Comment on Department of Peace Conference: a Sliver of a Peek by Ted N. http://globalpundit.org/2009/04/06/department-of-peace-conference-a-sliver-of-a-peek/#comment-3384 Ted N. Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:53:03 +0000 http://globalpundit.org/?p=309#comment-3384 Nice post about the 2009 National Department of Peace conference! It was indeed an uplifting event for those who want to see a more peaceful society. For more stories from Capitol Hill, check out http://peacegeek.blogspot.com, http://www.change.org/ideas/view/appoint_secretary_of_peace_in_department_of_peace_and_non-violence and the conference video blog at http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=975143B69519CFC6 Peace, Ted Columbia, MD Nice post about the 2009 National Department of Peace conference! It was indeed an uplifting event for those who want to see a more peaceful society.

For more stories from Capitol Hill, check out http://peacegeek.blogspot.com, http://www.change.org/ideas/view/appoint_secretary_of_peace_in_department_of_peace_and_non-violence and the conference video blog at http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=975143B69519CFC6

Peace,
Ted
Columbia, MD

]]> Comment on Obituary:Jimi Hendrix Experience Drummer Mitch Mitchell Dead at 61 by Przepisy http://globalpundit.org/2008/11/13/obituaryjimi-hendrix-experience-drummer-mitch-mitchell-dead-at-61/#comment-3041 Przepisy Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:20:22 +0000 http://globalpundit.org/?p=272#comment-3041 Jimi Hendrix was most talented gutiaris ever. Not because of his technique but ability to write memorial songs! Love his songs 4ever! Jimi Hendrix was most talented gutiaris ever. Not because of his technique but ability to write memorial songs! Love his songs 4ever!

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