Re: The Great Don Quijote of RBM!



In article <[email protected]>,
Michael Press <[email protected]> writes:

>> >> "The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with
>> >> the
>> >> average voter."
>> >>
>> >> WINSTON CHURCHILL
>> >
>> >
>> > "Democracy becomes a government of bullies tempered by editors."
>> > -- R. W. Emerson


>>
>> There seems to be tons of democracy quotes. Rather than doing battling
>> quotes I suggest all those interested Google "democracy quotes" and groove
>> on their own personal favorites.

>
> People get the government they deserve.


Chileans didn't deserve Pinochet.
Ugandans didn't deserve Idi Amin.
Sudan doesn't deserve whatever the
hell they've got.

Pakistan didn't deserve to lose democratically-elected,
progressive Benazir Bhutto, to be undemocratically
replaced/displaced by Musharraf, who encouraged the
development of H-bombs -- H-BOMBS!! -- and presides over
the country in which 0sama Bin Laden currently cowers.
What the hell happened there?


cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca
 
On Aug 3, 7:49 am, "Keats" <[email protected]> wrote:

(snip)

> How did anyone on this planet survive for those millions of years before the
> invention of under arm deodorant and automobile air conditioners?


So THAT'S why the dinosaurs died out...

Mark
 
On Aug 5, 6:09 am, "Edward Dolan" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "still me" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> news:[email protected]...
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Fri, 3 Aug 2007 23:06:58 -0500, "Edward Dolan" <[email protected]>
> > wrote:

>
> >>There has hardly ever been a democracy in the history of the world (even
> >>the
> >>ancient Greek city states did not give any note to the slaves that made
> >>their society possible). What we have are republican forms of governance
> >>where we elect representatives to govern us. I would not have it any other
> >>way. If you would like to see democracy in action go to a Vermont town
> >>hall
> >>meeting sometime and you will come away utterly opposed to true democracy.
> >>It is a recipe for never getting anything done.

>
> > Actually, lots gets done at town meetings in the NorthEast. Typically
> > those with power and influence prevail over what's right... or any
> > proposal that will lower taxes in any way, regardless of the effect on
> > the town, state, populace, or quality of life (note that the lowering
> > of taxes is always linked to a proposal from someone with power and
> > influence to fill their pockets).

>
> All most of us can ever do is vote for the best candidate who will most
> honestly represent our interests. Democracy is not a perfect form of
> governance; it is just that it is better than all those other forms of
> governance.



Hey Great Ed, let me correct you there if I may, since I bow to
knowledge, but there are democracies and "democracies"... See for
example Mexico, Canada and the USA all have democracies, but some are
better than others. I say, half jokingly, that many of the problems
that America has could be solved if the capital were relocated to
Ottawa... Yes, it would go against the patriotic feelings of many
hardcore fellow-Americans, but you would have fewer wars and
healthcare for one. Regrettably, I see all sliding down toward Mexican
style politics. Then we could replace the eagle for a...

http://www.lubbockonline.com/images/072000/taco_bell_chihuahua.jpg
 
"Jeff Grippe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> Here in NYC there is a plan in place to have bike lanes that run through
> all five boroughs.
>


Most of the urban bike lanes I've seen don't seem to make sense and look
dangerous to me. I avoid them when I can.


> In White Plains, where I live, they couldn't get the votes for bike lanes.
> The compromise was putting up signs that say "Bike Route". Some of these
> signs are in the absolute worst place to cycle. I was on the "Bike Route"
> when I got hit and sustained an injury which essentially ended my cycling.
>



To what extent I wonder do non-cyclist pay attention to Bike Route signs.
As a cyclist they don't make me feel safer.
 
(Not Tom) Keats who? wrote:
> "Jeff Grippe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> Here in NYC there is a plan in place to have bike lanes that run through
>> all five boroughs.
>>

>
> Most of the urban bike lanes I've seen don't seem to make sense and look
> dangerous to me. I avoid them when I can....


Exactly. Click on the "facility of the month" button here to see some
particularly egregious examples:
<http://www.warringtoncyclecampaign.co.uk/>.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
 
Unfortunately we have a President who rides a bicycle, but its a
mountain bike, which are ridden by people with a "macho" complex who
are more interested in tearing up the environment than protecting it.
He seems to prefer being hauled up to the top of a big hill and then
coasts his way down, much as he seems to have done in college and in
the university, and then calls that getting his exercise.

If you want a better President next time you have to 1) contribute to
those candidates that hold the same values as you do, 2) volunteer to
work on their local campaign staff and then try to influence you
neighbors, 3) vote in the primary or attend your caucus, 4) become a
delegate to the national convention of your party [I hope the hell it
isn't Republican - after 16 years of living under a Rethug government
in Michigan], 5) continue to campaign and contribute to the candidate
who is closest to your point of view, 6) vote early and then work with
your candidate's committee to get out the vote. If you don't do this
then don't complain about the people who get elected.

I only vote for candidates who have a record of supporting cycling
friendly bills and programs while they had office. We can ***** all we
want of newsgroups like this, but unless we get active and elect
people who support our causes we will continue to get "Bike Route"
signs instead of designated bike lanes, paths, etc. and we will
continue to see our brothers and sisters killed by "distracted" ( -
"sun blinded" or what ever other excuse used to excuse the drivers who
use their two to six ton gas pigs to kill us) drivers.

As Pogo used to say "We have met the enemy and it is us!"

Ken the Troll (living below - South - of the Mighty Mackinaw Bridge)
 
"Ken the Troll" wrote:
> ...
> I only vote for candidates who have a record of supporting cycling
> friendly bills and programs while they had office. We can ***** all we
> want of newsgroups like this, but unless we get active and elect
> people who support our causes we will continue to get "Bike Route"
> signs instead of designated bike lanes, paths, etc. and we will
> continue to see our brothers and sisters killed by "distracted" ( -
> "sun blinded" or what ever other excuse used to excuse the drivers who
> use their two to six ton gas pigs to kill us) drivers.


Some of us do NOT view "designated bike lanes, paths, etc." as cyclist
friendly facilities (for reasons that have been posted very recently on
these groups, so I will not repeat the argument here).

What is needed are traditional grid neighborhoods, as opposed to
cul-de-sac dead ends emptying onto major arterials that characterize so
much of post-WW2 US suburban development, vigorous prosecution of
motorists who harass and/or strike cyclists, fuel taxes that reflect the
true cost of motor vehicle use, and lower overall population.

None of the above is easy to implement, since society at large is
ignorant of the potential benefits.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
 
> "Ken the Troll" wrote:
>> ...
>> I only vote for candidates who have a record of supporting cycling
>> friendly bills and programs while they had office. We can ***** all we
>> want of newsgroups like this, but unless we get active and elect
>> people who support our causes we will continue to get "Bike Route"
>> signs instead of designated bike lanes, paths, etc. and we will
>> continue to see our brothers and sisters killed by "distracted" ( -
>> "sun blinded" or what ever other excuse used to excuse the drivers who
>> use their two to six ton gas pigs to kill us) drivers.


Tom "Johnny Sunset" Sherman wrote:
> Some of us do NOT view "designated bike lanes, paths, etc." as cyclist
> friendly facilities (for reasons that have been posted very recently on
> these groups, so I will not repeat the argument here).
>
> What is needed are traditional grid neighborhoods, as opposed to
> cul-de-sac dead ends emptying onto major arterials that characterize so
> much of post-WW2 US suburban development, vigorous prosecution of
> motorists who harass and/or strike cyclists, fuel taxes that reflect the
> true cost of motor vehicle use, and lower overall population.
>
> None of the above is easy to implement, since society at large is
> ignorant of the potential benefits.


I agree with Tom. Twice today.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
 
Andrew Muzi wrote:
>> "Ken the Troll" wrote:
>>> ...
>>> I only vote for candidates who have a record of supporting cycling
>>> friendly bills and programs while they had office. We can ***** all we
>>> want of newsgroups like this, but unless we get active and elect
>>> people who support our causes we will continue to get "Bike Route"
>>> signs instead of designated bike lanes, paths, etc. and we will
>>> continue to see our brothers and sisters killed by "distracted" ( -
>>> "sun blinded" or what ever other excuse used to excuse the drivers who
>>> use their two to six ton gas pigs to kill us) drivers.

>
> Tom "Johnny Sunset" Sherman wrote:
>> Some of us do NOT view "designated bike lanes, paths, etc." as cyclist
>> friendly facilities (for reasons that have been posted very recently
>> on these groups, so I will not repeat the argument here).
>>
>> What is needed are traditional grid neighborhoods, as opposed to
>> cul-de-sac dead ends emptying onto major arterials that characterize
>> so much of post-WW2 US suburban development, vigorous prosecution of
>> motorists who harass and/or strike cyclists, fuel taxes that reflect
>> the true cost of motor vehicle use, and lower overall population.
>>
>> None of the above is easy to implement, since society at large is
>> ignorant of the potential benefits.

>
> I agree with Tom. Twice today.


Progress! ;)

Actually, besides economics, politics and recumbents, we probably
disagree on relatively few things.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
 
On Aug 5, 3:03 pm, Ken the Troll <[email protected]> wrote:
> Unfortunately we have a President who rides a bicycle, but its a
> mountain bike, which are ridden by people with a "macho" complex who
> are more interested in tearing up the environment than protecting it.
> He seems to prefer being hauled up to the top of a big hill and then
> coasts his way down, much as he seems to have done in college and in
> the university, and then calls that getting his exercise.
>
> If you want a better President next time you have to 1) contribute to
> those candidates that hold the same values as you do, 2) volunteer to
> work on their local campaign staff and then try to influence you
> neighbors, 3) vote in the primary or attend your caucus, 4) become a
> delegate to the national convention of your party [I hope the hell it
> isn't Republican - after 16 years of living under a Rethug government
> in Michigan], 5) continue to campaign and contribute to the candidate
> who is closest to your point of view, 6) vote early and then work with
> your candidate's committee to get out the vote. If you don't do this
> then don't complain about the people who get elected.
>
> I only vote for candidates who have a record of supporting cycling
> friendly bills and programs while they had office. We can ***** all we
> want of newsgroups like this, but unless we get active and elect
> people who support our causes we will continue to get "Bike Route"
> signs instead of designated bike lanes, paths, etc. and we will
> continue to see our brothers and sisters killed by "distracted" ( -
> "sun blinded" or what ever other excuse used to excuse the drivers who
> use their two to six ton gas pigs to kill us) drivers.
>
> As Pogo used to say "We have met the enemy and it is us!"
>
> Ken the Troll (living below - South - of the Mighty Mackinaw Bridge)


Hey Ken, not bad for a troll. Actually you have it all figured out.
Thanks! ;)
 
On Aug 5, 3:24 pm, "Tom \"Johnny Sunset\" Sherman"
<[email protected]> wrote:
> "Ken the Troll" wrote:
> > ...
> > I only vote for candidates who have a record of supporting cycling
> > friendly bills and programs while they had office. We can ***** all we
> > want of newsgroups like this, but unless we get active and elect
> > people who support our causes we will continue to get "Bike Route"
> > signs instead of designated bike lanes, paths, etc. and we will
> > continue to see our brothers and sisters killed by "distracted" ( -
> > "sun blinded" or what ever other excuse used to excuse the drivers who
> > use their two to six ton gas pigs to kill us) drivers.

>
> Some of us do NOT view "designated bike lanes, paths, etc." as cyclist
> friendly facilities (for reasons that have been posted very recently on
> these groups, so I will not repeat the argument here).
>
> What is needed are traditional grid neighborhoods, as opposed to
> cul-de-sac dead ends emptying onto major arterials that characterize so
> much of post-WW2 US suburban development, vigorous prosecution of
> motorists who harass and/or strike cyclists, fuel taxes that reflect the
> true cost of motor vehicle use, and lower overall population.


And how would you about getting rid of the Republicans? That would
leave us with something like, what 70% of the population by current
approval rates, right?
 
donquijote1954 wrote:
> On Aug 5, 3:24 pm, "Tom \"Johnny Sunset\" Sherman"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>> "Ken the Troll" wrote:
>>> ...
>>> I only vote for candidates who have a record of supporting cycling
>>> friendly bills and programs while they had office. We can ***** all
>>> we want of newsgroups like this, but unless we get active and elect
>>> people who support our causes we will continue to get "Bike Route"
>>> signs instead of designated bike lanes, paths, etc. and we will
>>> continue to see our brothers and sisters killed by "distracted" ( -
>>> "sun blinded" or what ever other excuse used to excuse the drivers
>>> who use their two to six ton gas pigs to kill us) drivers.

>>
>> Some of us do NOT view "designated bike lanes, paths, etc." as
>> cyclist friendly facilities (for reasons that have been posted very
>> recently on these groups, so I will not repeat the argument here).
>>
>> What is needed are traditional grid neighborhoods, as opposed to
>> cul-de-sac dead ends emptying onto major arterials that characterize
>> so much of post-WW2 US suburban development, vigorous prosecution of
>> motorists who harass and/or strike cyclists, fuel taxes that reflect
>> the true cost of motor vehicle use, and lower overall population.

>
> And how would you about getting rid of the Republicans? That would
> leave us with something like, what 70% of the population by current
> approval rates, right?


http://www.pollingreport.com/cong_dem.htm

(And Congress on Iraq? THREE percent per Pew.)
 
"donquijote1954" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...


> And how would you about getting rid of the Republicans? That would
> leave us with something like, what 70% of the population by current
> approval rates, right?
>


Hmmmm.....How to go about getting rid of the republicans?

Being the wimpy peace and lovenik that you are I'm sure you wouldn't have
the personal courage for shooting them or herding them into gas chambers.
But maybe you could convince your illegal alien kindred spirit brothers
toiling away in the kitchens of America's restaurants to poison them. Or
failing that you surely should be able to convince the 70% Good People to
pass laws for mass republican sterilization. It would take longer than the
gas chambers for sure, but you would have your final solution in good time.

Hope this helps.

Keats (not Tom)
 
On Mon, 6 Aug 2007 16:16:05 -0500, "Keats" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Hmmmm.....How to go about getting rid of the republicans?


Getting rid of the Republicans is easy. Just force them to practice
what they preach. So, let their kids play with the poisoned and unsafe
toys from China. Make them live in neighborhoods hopelessly polluted
by chemical manufacturers and industrial polluters. Make them breath
the air that comes from factories without pollution controls and
vehicles without emission controls. Make them drive cars with no
safety devices. As a second layer, eves drop on their conversations
without warrant or court oversight and when we decide it's right to
arrest them based on evidence we won't disclose, send them to Gutmo
Bay to be held until we decide what to do with them.

They'll all be gone in a generation.
 
"still me" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 6 Aug 2007 16:16:05 -0500, "Keats" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Hmmmm.....How to go about getting rid of the republicans?

>
> Getting rid of the Republicans is easy. Just force them to practice
> what they preach. So, let their kids play with the poisoned and unsafe
> toys from China. Make them live in neighborhoods hopelessly polluted
> by chemical manufacturers and industrial polluters. Make them breath
> the air that comes from factories without pollution controls and
> vehicles without emission controls. Make them drive cars with no
> safety devices. As a second layer, eves drop on their conversations
> without warrant or court oversight and when we decide it's right to
> arrest them based on evidence we won't disclose, send them to Gutmo
> Bay to be held until we decide what to do with them.
>
> They'll all be gone in a generation.


So drinking USA water, breathing USA air, and driving USA cars is your idea
of a death sentence for republicans, eh?

And as far as sending republicans to Gutmo Bay is concerned (they must have
renamed it after Sicko's visit, lol), I've heard the medical care there is
just wonderful. Anyway the gentle souls of Gutmo Bay , in the zenith of
good health, are going to be loosed on the world quite soon. You will no
doubt be celebrating the occasion with your family and friends, yes?
 
(not Tom) Keats wrote:
> ...
> And as far as sending republicans to Gutmo Bay is concerned (they must have
> renamed it after Sicko's visit, lol), I've heard the medical care there is
> just wonderful. Anyway the gentle souls of Gutmo Bay , in the zenith of
> good health, are going to be loosed on the world quite soon. You will no
> doubt be celebrating the occasion with your family and friends, yes?


Considering that most of the prisoners are there because someone turned
them in for fictional "terrorist activities" to collect bounty money, yes.

Hell, even Gates and Rice want the camp closed.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
 
>> "Keats" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> Hmmmm.....How to go about getting rid of the republicans?


> "still me" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> Getting rid of the Republicans is easy. Just force them to practice
>> what they preach. So, let their kids play with the poisoned and unsafe
>> toys from China. Make them live in neighborhoods hopelessly polluted
>> by chemical manufacturers and industrial polluters. Make them breath
>> the air that comes from factories without pollution controls and
>> vehicles without emission controls. Make them drive cars with no
>> safety devices. As a second layer, eves drop on their conversations
>> without warrant or court oversight and when we decide it's right to
>> arrest them based on evidence we won't disclose, send them to Gutmo
>> Bay to be held until we decide what to do with them.
>> They'll all be gone in a generation.


Keats wrote:
> So drinking USA water, breathing USA air, and driving USA cars is your idea
> of a death sentence for republicans, eh?
> And as far as sending republicans to Gutmo Bay is concerned (they must have
> renamed it after Sicko's visit, lol), I've heard the medical care there is
> just wonderful. Anyway the gentle souls of Gutmo Bay , in the zenith of
> good health, are going to be loosed on the world quite soon. You will no
> doubt be celebrating the occasion with your family and friends, yes?



The poor wayward misunderstood waifs of deficient parentage who are now
getting sprung from Gitmo (Saudi cash + NYC attorneys) have a way of
ending up dead in firefights with Marines lately.

Good riddance but wish they could go with less risk to good men.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
 
Andrew Muzi wrote:
>>> "Keats" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>> Hmmmm.....How to go about getting rid of the republicans?

>
>> "still me" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> Getting rid of the Republicans is easy. Just force them to practice
>>> what they preach. So, let their kids play with the poisoned and unsafe
>>> toys from China. Make them live in neighborhoods hopelessly polluted
>>> by chemical manufacturers and industrial polluters. Make them breath
>>> the air that comes from factories without pollution controls and
>>> vehicles without emission controls. Make them drive cars with no
>>> safety devices. As a second layer, eves drop on their conversations
>>> without warrant or court oversight and when we decide it's right to
>>> arrest them based on evidence we won't disclose, send them to Gutmo
>>> Bay to be held until we decide what to do with them.
>>> They'll all be gone in a generation.

>
> Keats wrote:
>> So drinking USA water, breathing USA air, and driving USA cars is your
>> idea of a death sentence for republicans, eh?
>> And as far as sending republicans to Gutmo Bay is concerned (they must
>> have renamed it after Sicko's visit, lol), I've heard the medical care
>> there is just wonderful. Anyway the gentle souls of Gutmo Bay , in
>> the zenith of good health, are going to be loosed on the world quite
>> soon. You will no doubt be celebrating the occasion with your family
>> and friends, yes?

>
>
> The poor wayward misunderstood waifs of deficient parentage who are now
> getting sprung from Gitmo (Saudi cash + NYC attorneys) have a way of
> ending up dead in firefights with Marines lately.
>
> Good riddance but wish they could go with less risk to good men.


If someone locked you up and tortured you for several years even though
you were innocent, would revenge cross your mind?

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
 
Tom "Johnny Sunset" Sherman wrote:
> Andrew Muzi wrote:
>>>> "Keats" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>> Hmmmm.....How to go about getting rid of the republicans?

>>
>>> "still me" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>> Getting rid of the Republicans is easy. Just force them to practice
>>>> what they preach. So, let their kids play with the poisoned and
>>>> unsafe toys from China. Make them live in neighborhoods hopelessly
>>>> polluted by chemical manufacturers and industrial polluters. Make
>>>> them breath the air that comes from factories without pollution
>>>> controls and vehicles without emission controls. Make them drive
>>>> cars with no safety devices. As a second layer, eves drop on their
>>>> conversations without warrant or court oversight and when we
>>>> decide it's right to arrest them based on evidence we won't
>>>> disclose, send them to Gutmo Bay to be held until we decide what
>>>> to do with them. They'll all be gone in a generation.

>>
>> Keats wrote:
>>> So drinking USA water, breathing USA air, and driving USA cars is
>>> your idea of a death sentence for republicans, eh?
>>> And as far as sending republicans to Gutmo Bay is concerned (they
>>> must have renamed it after Sicko's visit, lol), I've heard the
>>> medical care there is just wonderful. Anyway the gentle souls of
>>> Gutmo Bay , in the zenith of good health, are going to be loosed on
>>> the world quite soon. You will no doubt be celebrating the
>>> occasion with your family and friends, yes?

>>
>>
>> The poor wayward misunderstood waifs of deficient parentage who are
>> now getting sprung from Gitmo (Saudi cash + NYC attorneys) have a
>> way of ending up dead in firefights with Marines lately.
>>
>> Good riddance but wish they could go with less risk to good men.

>
> If someone locked you up and tortured you for several years even
> though you were innocent, would revenge cross your mind?


Tortured before or after their herbal wraps? LOL
 
A Muzi wrote:
>>> "Keats" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>> Hmmmm.....How to go about getting rid of the republicans?

>
>> "still me" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> Getting rid of the Republicans is easy. Just force them to practice
>>> what they preach. So, let their kids play with the poisoned and
>>> unsafe toys from China. Make them live in neighborhoods hopelessly
>>> polluted by chemical manufacturers and industrial polluters. Make
>>> them breath the air that comes from factories without pollution
>>> controls and vehicles without emission controls. Make them drive
>>> cars with no safety devices. As a second layer, eves drop on their
>>> conversations without warrant or court oversight and when we decide
>>> it's right to arrest them based on evidence we won't disclose, send
>>> them to Gutmo Bay to be held until we decide what to do with them.
>>> They'll all be gone in a generation.

>
> Keats wrote:
>> So drinking USA water, breathing USA air, and driving USA cars is
>> your idea of a death sentence for republicans, eh?
>> And as far as sending republicans to Gutmo Bay is concerned (they
>> must have renamed it after Sicko's visit, lol), I've heard the
>> medical care there is just wonderful. Anyway the gentle souls of
>> Gutmo Bay , in the zenith of good health, are going to be loosed on
>> the world quite soon. You will no doubt be celebrating the occasion
>> with your family and friends, yes?

>
>
> The poor wayward misunderstood waifs of deficient parentage who are
> now getting sprung from Gitmo (Saudi cash + NYC attorneys) have a way
> of ending up dead in firefights with Marines lately.
>
> Good riddance but wish they could go with less risk to good men.


Careful, Andrew, or Flogittodeathlinson and others will start assassinating
your character and run you out of here like they did Mark.