> "(and I try to avoid the 2 main parties like the plague)"

How is that working out for you?

Ah, I see, your candidate rarely wins. I'm surprised any of your candidates win at all, if they are not Democrats or Republicans. Where do you live? Still, you are doing quite well for yourself, a beautiful orchard and all, so things are good. You are fortunate.

> "try to ignore the barrage of campaigns and look for other alternatives to make main stream (someday)."

Well, you know what I will say... Good luck with that but don't hold your breath.

> "One is to refuse to vote for anyone not actively working to fix the system, no matter what else they do for or against you."

Is this what you do? I wouldn't be able to vote for anyone, following this advice, since no politician seems actively working to fix the system in any way I consider an actual "fix". (They'd be out of a job, if they did!) And voting only legitimizes what I consider to be an illegitimate system anyway.

> "I know, good luck with that. A newtboy can dream, can't he?"

Yes, like I have been telling you, good luck with that. You sure can dream, all you want. It is a freedom not yet legislated against. So enjoy it. And if you find a way of making your dreams a reality, even better!

Always chose the lesser of 2 weevils!

You could have run yourself!

I have a hard time finding a candidate I can really get behind, and never vote on party lines (and I try to avoid the 2 main parties like the plague). My candidate rarely wins, and my view is under represented (to my liking, but probably not percentage wise). With corporate personhood and few campaign limits, it seems people are all under represented today, one solution is to try to ignore the barrage of campaigns and look for other alternatives to make main stream (someday). One is to refuse to vote for anyone not actively working to fix the system, no matter what else they do for or against you.
I know, good luck with that. A newtboy can dream, can't he?

See, this is a good example why I wouldn't consider myself an atheist. Just like the religious folk out there insist they know that god exists atheist insist that there can't be one.
The only thing we know as a fact is that many, if not all, the things people think they know about gods and the bigger questions of philosophy are wrong.
Atheism is, like it or not, a belief. Sure, it's guided by scientific fact and therefore much more acurate than most religions (yup, went there, called atheism a religion) but certain concepts (like the idea of divine creators) haven't been proven wrong so far. Maybe some day we will but the important part is this: we haven't yet. I don't even think we ever will. Somehow many people considering themselves atheist seem to think that since we have proven most religious texts to be false and/or unreliable is a proof of the nonexistence of any god. It is certainly not. We proved the bible to be wrong, that's all.
Personally I don't belief in any gods either. Heck, I even reject the concept of "souls". IMO were just happen to be self-aware machines of biological technology (for a lack of a better word) that are here because of whogivesafuckIdontknow. I am probably best characterised as an apatheist. Asking yourself and arguing about the question of any gods existence or possible life after death or even if we have a soul is pointless. At this point there is no answer that can be scientifically proven in sight. Why even bother asking? If the answer to such pressing questions (cause you have at best only 120 years until you die) is out there, it'll find us on it's own. We'll stumble over it if it's necessary.
I certainly support the fight against religious ignorance that has plagued mankind so far (and won't stop any time soon) but I just can't get past the irony of people who know to trust science (science is nothing you can believe in, just like math you accept it's as true or live as the fool who thinks 2+2=4 is a dirty lie) but still think they know answers to questions science can't answer yet.
I don't believe in a white, old, bearded dude living in the clouds watching me masturbate but I'm also not foolish enough to think I know more than the scientists of the world do. Somehow many atheist seem to be that kind of fool.
Let us just appreciate the fact that Pat Robertson of all people embraces the truth of evolution. Who cares if he thinks God is responsible? I doesn't matter. We can't prove him wrong. What matters is that he is siding with the smart people in this debate.

Actually, the proof that something did not end up in the hands of the Chinese, the Russians, or myself for that matter, is quite difficult, given that evidence of absence is impossible to obtain. However, the absence of evidence to the claim that they have gained access to information through Snowden himself is reason enough for me.

You want proof that nothing was transfered to them? Might as well try to prove the non-existance of the famous tea pot in orbit.

So the basic argument boils down to motivation as well as credibility of claims.

His motivation to keep access to his material restricted to the selected group of journalists is apparent from his own interviews. They are supposed to be the check on the government, they lack the information to fullfil the role, they need access to correct (what he perceived to be) a wrong, namely a grave breach of your consitution on a previously unheard of scale.
Providing access to Russia or China would instantly negate all hope of ever not drawing the short straw in this mess, as the US is the only country on the planet who can provide him with amnesty and therefore safety.

So why would he do it? For a shot at asylum? You know as well as I do that (permanent) asylum in China/Russia is worthless if the US is after you. Europe could guarantee one's safety, but given the lack of sovereignty vis-a-vis the US, it would not be an option.

That leaves credibility of claims. And that's where my first reason comes into play, the one you put down as "naive". His opponents, those in positions of power, be it inside government or the press, have a track record of being... let's not mince words here, lying sacks of shit. James Clapper's act of perjury on front of Congress is just the most prominent manifestation of it. The entire bunch lied their asses off during the preparation of the invasion of Iraq, they lied their asses off during the revelations triggered by Chelsea Manning and they lied their asses off about the total und unrelenting surveillance of American citizens in violation of their constitutional rights.

If you think supervision of the NSA by the Select Committee on Intelligence is actually working, I suggest you take a look at statements by Senator Wyden. The NSA even plays them for fools. Hell, Bruce Schneier was recently approached by members of Congress to explain to them what the NSA was doing, because the NSA refused to. Great oversight, works like a charm. By the way, it's the same fucking deal with GCHQ and the BND.

So yes, the fella who "stole" data is actually a trustworthy figure, because a) his claims were true and b) his actions pulled off the veil that covered the fact that 320 million Americans had their private data stolen and were sold out by agencies of their own government in conjunction with private intelligence contractors.

What else...

Ah, yeah. "Sloppy" and "stupid". Again, if he was sloppy and stupid, what does that say about the internal control structure of the intelligence industry? They didn't notice shit, they still claim to be unaware of what precisely he took with him. Great security, fellas.

"He could have allowed the press to do it's job without disclosing a much of what has been released."

He disclosed nothing. He is not an experienced journalist and therefore, by his own admission, not qualified to make the call what to publish and how. That's why he handed it over to Barton Gellman at the WaPo, Glenn Greenwald at the Guardian and Laura Poitras, who worked closely with Der Spiegel.

If Spiegel, WaPo and Guardian are not reputable institutions of journalism, none are. So he did precisely what you claim he should have done: he allowed the press to do its bloody job and released fuck all himself.

As for the cheap shot at not being an American: seventy years ago, your folks liberated us from the plague of fascism, brought us freedom. Am I supposed to just sit here and watch my brothers and sisters in the US become the subjects of total surveillance, the kind my country suffered from during two dictatorships in the last century?

Ironically, that would be un-American, at least the way I understand it.

And there's nothing gleeful about my concerns. I am deeply furious about this shit and even more so about the apathy of people all around the world. You think I want Americans to suffer from the same shit we went through as a petty form of payback?

Fuck that. It's the intelligence industry that I'm gunning for. Your nationality doesn't mean squat, some intelligence agency has its crosshairs on you wherever you live. It just happens to be an American citizen who had the balls to provide us with the info to finally try and protect citizens in all countries from the overreaching abuse by the intelligence industry.

In fact, I'd rather worry about our own massive problems within Europe (rise of fascism in Greece, 60% youth unemployment, unelected governments, etc). So can we please just dismantle all these spy agencies and get on with our lives?

Sorry if this is incoherent, but it's late and I'm even more pissed off than usual.

Another ugly Plague Barge becomes even uglier.

Japan should call in some exterminators to get rid of all the grey women in white dresses with too much eye shadow. They seem to have a plague of them... but I guess this one wasn't too bad because at least it wasn't constantly burping like the one in The Grudge.

I agree with Louis, we need a plague.

Political party speaking, Democrats are the scurge of America and Republicans are nor far behind. Helping one another belongs in each of or hearts and actions, Not Forced redistribution via government law. The Constitution is to provide a level playing field, not slanted for this group or that company.

The Tea party main desire is to bring forth laws that follow the Constitution.

The band aid that is running our government is a puss filled plague that will infect the whole America and bring it to its knees.

Last 10 or so presidents...interchangeable parts of an erector set of nefarious design. Voting is ineffectual and folks are too exhausted or brain-dead to revolt. Act of nature or alien invasion, only 2 events that will turn the police-planet around...or a plague-Problem with a plague is that it would most-likely be engineered by the same assholes.

"While ewoks are often mawkishly portrayed on film as cute, curious little urchins that live in tree houses and coo adorably, the reality of wild ewoks is an entirely different story....The dandy little chaps you’ve seen on the silver screen are just midgets in ewok suits; real ewoks don’t have smooth, clean fur, and no sane human would be inclined to pet one. They’re so plagued by lice, fleas, dander and mange that their coats are spotted with huge bald patches and pocked with weeping sores. Touching one would likely net you a fistful of loose fur, matted with pus and crawling with ticks."

http://www.somethingawful.com/d/news/debunking-ewok-myth.php

Turtles do have ears, just not external ones, and they can hear.
The 200 year lifespan is absurd any species that the TMNT's might conceivably be derived from.
Only a few turtle species have worm-like portions of their tongues (used to lure prey).
Rats and turtles are vectors of disease. So are humans.
Transmission of bubonic plague from rat to turtle is not going to happen.
It's "salmonella" no "samonella".
Turtle penises don't really look like that, nor will they reach the same animal's mouth (they are impressive though).

There is more incorrect than correct about this video. It's like they googled "turtle fun facts" and decided to call that "scientifically accurate".
These animals are amazing!.. Stop being lazy; you don't need to make stuff up.

Agreed.
"Natural" is a bullshit label to me.
Anthrax is natural. Plague is natural.
Death is natural.
In marketing terms, it's a label that purports "this product is better for you because it isn't man-made". That's just preying upon the ignorant.
"Natural" does not equal "healthy".

I have an apology to make
I'm afraid I've made a big mistake
I turned my face away from you, Lord

I was too blind to see the light
I was too meek to feel Your might
I closed my eyes; I couldn't see the truth, Lord

But then like Saul on the Damascus road,
You sent a messenger to me, and so
Now I've have had the truth revealed to me
Please forgive me all those things I said
I'll no longer betray you, Lord
I will pray to you instead

And I will say thank you, thank you
Thank you, God
Thank you, thank you
Thank you, God...

Thank you, God, for fixing the cataracts of Sam's mum
I had no idea, but it's suddenly so clear now
I feel such a cynic, how could I have been so dumb?
Thank you for displaying how praying works:
A particular prayer in a particular church
Thank you Sam for the chance to acknowledge this
Omnipotent ophthalmologist

Thank you, God, for fixing the cataracts of Sam's mum
I didn't realize that it was so simple
But you've shown a great example of just how it can be done
You only need to pray in a particular spot
To a particular version of a particular god,
And if you pull that off without a hitch,
He will fix one eye of one middle-class white bitch

I know in the past my outlook has been limited
I couldn't see examples of where life had been definitive
But I can admit it when the evidence is clear,
As clear as Sam's mum's new cornea
(And that's extremely clear! )

Thank you, God, for fixing the cataracts of Sam's mum
I have to admit that in the past I have been skeptical
But Sam described this miracle and I am overcome!
How fitting that the sighting of a sight-based intervention
Should open my eyes to this exciting new dimension
It's like someone put an eye chart up in front of me
And the top five letters say: I C, G O D

Thank you, Sam, for showing how my point of view has been so flawed
I assumed there was no God at all but now I see that's cynical
It's simply that his interests aren't particularly broad
He's largely undiverted by the starving masses,
Or the inequality between the various classes
He gives you strictly limited passes,
Redeemable for surgery or two-for-one glasses

I feel so shocking for historically mocking
Your interests are clearly confined to the ocular
I bet given the chance, you'd eschew the divine
And start a little business selling contacts online

Fuck me Sam, what are the odds
That of history's endless parade of gods
That the God you just happened to be taught to believe in
Is the actual one and he digs on healing,
But not the AIDS-ridden African nations
Nor the victims of the plague, nor the flood-addled Asians,
But healthy, privately-insured Australians
With common and curable corneal degeneration

This story of Sam's has but a single explanation:
A surgical God who digs on magic operations
No, it couldn't be mistaken attribution of causation
Born of a coincidental temporal correlation
Exacerbated by a general lack of education
Vis-a-vis physics in Sam's parish congregation
And it couldn't be that all these pious people are liars
It couldn't be an artefact of confirmation bias
A product of groupthink,
A mass delusion,
An Emperor's New Clothes-style fear of exclusion

No, it's more likely to be an all-powerful magician
Than the misdiagnosis of the initial condition,
Or one of many cases of spontaneous remission,
Or a record-keeping glitch by the local physician

No, the only explanation for Sam's mum's seeing:
They prayed to an all-knowing superbeing,
To the omnipresent master of the universe,
And he quite liked the sound of their muttered verse.

So for a bit of a change from his usual stunt
Of being a sexist, racist, murderous cunt
He popped down to Dandenong and just like that
Used his powers to heal the cataracts of Sam's mum
Of Sam's mum

Thank you God for fixing the cataracts of Sam's mum!
I didn't realize that it was such a simple thing
I feel such a dingaling, what ignorant scum!

Now I understand how prayer can work:
A particular prayer in a particular church
In a particular style with a particular stuff
And for particular problems that aren't particularly tough,
And for particular people, preferably white
And for particular senses, preferably sight
A particular prayer in a particular spot
To a particular version of a particular god

And if you get that right, he just might
Take a break from giving babies malaria
And pop down to your local area
To fix the cataracts of your mum!

First thought: Ghostbusters II toaster dance.

Second thought: That's a lot of trouble to create science lab sound effect ambience.

Third thought: What the what?!

This guy is accidentally going to create the catastrophe that starts the zombie plague or worse. Molten nickel ball will be to blame.

LOL easy, tiger. You've obviously missed the tongue in cheek reference and are way more emotional about this than I care to be.

I really have no interest in trying to convert the unintiated into the delights of football, ignorance is always a bad starting point, and lets be honest its about as likely as me coming to appreciate american football. I make no claims about that sport other than it is as rife with the diseases that plague high value professional sports as any other.The point is this video is not representative - you could find a hundred more videos where legs are broken by tackles. Doesnt mean thats part of the game or a reflection of anything more than a natural statistical by-product from the sheer quantity of games played all over the world.

take this video for instance - the guy is obviously playing on the fact that a deliberate hand to head (usually a punch) is an immediate red card offence, which puts the opposing team down to ten men and in all kinds of trouble. Its kind of akin to putting a cash bounty on tackling concussion prone players - within the game, but barely. Not very sportsmanlike.

As to the provenance of 'american football', it would make more sense to call it rugby, that being the original inspiration. But again, it obviously means more to you than it does to me so i'll pass on that debate.