http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/06/26/501364/main20074517.shtml
June 26, 2011 5:23 PM
Two U.S. troops die in Iraq; 11 total this month
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(AP) BAGHDAD — The U.S. military says two American troops have been killed in northern Iraq while conducting operations.
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<Expletive Deleted>
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Posted by reinkefj
Background: To satisfy some idea that maybe I’d like to join the Free State Project (FSP) and move to NH, I went to the FSP’s big event — PORCFEST 2011 (Porcupine Festival — The porcupine is the FSP “mascot”. More like an icon. Inoffensive, but don’t mess with it.). On Friday, at one of the IDOL RANT auditions, I heard the last ranter of the session say some stuff that I found offensive. It was imho a threat to rape an unpopular woman politician. Everyone laughed. Everyone except me and the two folks I was with. The crowd was all much younger than us. Later, when I expressed my concern to my companions, they confirmed my feelings. So … never let it be said that little Johnie Reinke can keep his mouth shut … I decided to RANT about that. Here’s that rant.
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Rant about …
… the FSP / PorcFest / and yday’s rants
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Yesterday, my companions said if I do this rant, that I should be able to predict the news tomorrow. “Poor porkfester beaten by enraged ‘non aggression’ festival participants.” But like most Libertarians, I’m used tilting at windmills so here goes.
Previously to PORKfest, I was told that the difference between an anarchist and a libertarian is that the former believes that property is theft, while the latter believes that everything is property. Now, I’m beginning believe, that like the D’s and R’s, there’s no such thing as “libertarian”.
Now technically, this is more an admonishment more than a rant. In the US military, the Mennonite Church, the Quaker & Amish communities, there is the concept of admonishment. I’d call it something between negative applause and complete ostracism.
Yesterday, I attended “Idol Rant” expecting to hear “good stuff”. What I heard somewhat shocked me. I heard some one say more than once that he wanted to forcibly butt fuck Sarah Palin. And, the chair and the audience laffed and applauded this rant. A rant which might even be regarded as a felony. Threatening the violent rape of an ex VP candidate.
I would assert that was IMMORAL. Libertarians are supposed to observe the Zero Aggression Principal. The Big L Libertarian Party left me when they abandoned being the “Party of Principle” and nominated Bob Barr. Yesterday, it was immoral for any Libertarian not to say: “Excuse me, shame shame, we’ll not have any of that here.”
I, as EVERY Libertarian, should defend with my life your right to speak. Even if I disagree with what you are saying with every fiber of my being. Also, we should not condone aggression in thought, word or deed. It’s our principle.
I would further assert that it is BAD Strategy to not treat our philosophical opponents with the respect and courtesy that we would like to receive. FSPers should be aware that yday at least three prospective FSPers were very turned off by the aggression demonstrated by people who supposedly avow their dedication to the Non Aggression Principal.
I would finally assert that it is BAD tactics to talk about a particular woman in a way that we wouldn’t permit someone to say about a woman in our lives. The best way to get in a fight in a bar or on your home street is to insult or threaten your wife, your mother, your girl friend, or your daughter. If I said about your mother what that person said about Sarah, I’d expect to get an admonishment right in the kisser. Smack.
Now, I am no particular fan of Sarah. I don’t like her foreign policy. I’m not sure what her domestic policies are. But I would point out that she, until challenged by the statist media, wore the Alaska flag indicating her support of the Alaska separatist movement and specifically states’ rights. She had Libertarian leanings before running for governor.
She might be approachable and listen to our ideas. Maybe even incorporate them into action. Flies and honey are better than piss and vinegar.
She’s a woman, someone’s wife, someone’s Mom.
• She’s accomplished a lot. She’s overcome a lot. She’s better than most; worse than some.
• She has rights. Among those to be secure in her person. From aggression.
To close, I urge you to consider that maybe we need to do better actioning our beliefs and marketing FSP and little L libertarianism.
And I hope that we can all Agree To Disagree Agreeably. And make the FSP, Porcfest, and Libertarianism live up to the ideals it sets for us.
And to the atheists, Donna Nobis Pacem. But that’s a different rant.
Thanks for listening;
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The “leader” told me I was wrong. That this was “political satire”. That it’s free speech. That “words aren’t aggression”.
Yeah, right.
She used the following example: “if I said to this guy here here, I was going to put a cap in his leg. That’s aggression.” Sounds like words to me.
I must have hit a nerve, because one very young lady, a companion or friend in the group of the fellow who made the comment, got up and ranted that “that wasn’t what was intended and apologized for it”. And, as she left the stage, she offered and shook my hand very gently. Her eyes downcast. Like a reprimanded child. Classy. Maybe there is hope for the younger generation.
Needless to say I didn’t advance from the “auditions” to the “finals”. I never saw any criteria for or a list who did. That decision was the sole decision of the “leader”. I suspect that she would not want a larger audience to know how un-Libertarian they were that day. Maybe the bad funny guy advanced.
Either way, it made up my mind.
I’m no Pastor Martin Niemöller or Franz Jägerstätter. But I am pleased that I stood up for what I think is right.
FSP will surely not miss one fat old white guy injineer. But I wonder how many people this “leader” turns away.
Argh!
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Leave a Comment » | INTERESTING | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
http://thomsinger.blogspot.com/2011/06/would-you-trade-me.html
TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2011
Would You Trade Me?
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I was a teenager when my mother fought cancer. As she lay dying I was understandably upset. She squeezed my hand and pulled me close. She whispered in my ear. “Would you trade me?”. I did not understand the question, so she asked, “Would you trade me for a mother who would live longer?”.
*** and ***
If you cannot change a bad situation, do not let it define you.
*** end quote ***
As Perry Mason would say “Objection. The question assumes facts not yet in evidence.”
Nor would there ever be any evidence.
Can’t rewind the VCR. No redos like Groundhog Day. No way to know.
I can empathize with the question.
The answer is “Of course not”. Because even if you wanted to, you can’t. So why waste your time, attention, and effort to make yourself even more unhappy.
My advice is: “Make a decision and hang on for the ride.”
Mine was a hell of a ride. Too short. But there are no guarantees when you buy your ticket to ride.
Argh!
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Leave a Comment » | INSPIRATIONAL | Tagged: INSPIRATIONAL | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2007/09/about_the_fact_checker.html#pinocchio
The Pinocchio Test
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Where possible, we will adopt the following standard in fact-checking the claims of a politician, political candidate, diplomat or interest group.
One Pinocchio
Some shading of the facts. Selective telling of the truth. Some omissions and exaggerations, but no outright falsehoods.
Two Pinocchios
Significant omissions and/or exaggerations. Some factual error may be involved but not necessarily. A politician can create a false, misleading impression by playing with words and using legalistic language that means little to ordinary people.
Three Pinocchios
Significant factual error and/or obvious contradictions.
Four Pinocchios
Whoppers.
The Geppetto Checkmark
Statements and claims that contain “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” will be recognized with our prized Geppetto checkmark.
Withholding Judgment
There will be many occasions when it is impossible to render a snap judgment because the issue is very complex or there are good arguments on both sides. In this case, we will withhold our judgment until we can gather more facts. We will use this website to shed as much light as possible on factual controversies that are not easily resolved.
All judgments are subject to debate and criticism from our readers and interested parties, and can be revised if fresh evidence emerges. We invite you to join the discussion on these pages and contact the Fact Checker directly with tips, suggestions, and complaints. If you feel that we are being too harsh on one candidate and too soft on another, there is a simple remedy: let us know about misstatements and factual errors we may have overlooked.
*** end quote ***
What a great idea!
Wish all the news broadcasts and print media would adopt this methodology.
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Leave a Comment » | FUN | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
http://www.hardwaregeeks.com/index.php/site/icann_new_open_domain_policy/#When:11:42:00Z
ICANN New Open Domain Policy
Posted by: Michael on Mon, Jun 20th, 2011
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Today ICANN voted to change the way we visit websites, they have pretty much allowed for any word to be a generic top-level domain (gTLD) starting in 2012. What is a g? You may know them as .com, .net, .org and .edu. There are currently 22 top level g’s.
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I don’t see a lot of value. Other than TLD<xxx> for porn.
I’m not sure that DNS provides a lot of value for the problems it has and point of failure it introduces.
And, it keeps us from “solving” the identity crisis. How do I find folks on the net and how do I know it the right one? Think Lilly Tomlin as the Telephone Lady: “Is this the party to whom I am speaking?”. Makes as much sense. It’s much worse on Twitter and little better on Facebook.
Argh!
Why can’t we have phone numbers as a TLD. AAA-BBB-CCCC.tel. I thought that was proposed a while ago. Require Google validation of the identity and then you have “identity” solved.
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Leave a Comment » | Technology | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
6/23/11
Subject: Cap The Debt!
Do NOT raise the debt ceiling.
The simplest way to address the problem is to pressure the 535 to cut spending to where no increase is needed. All other attempts to financial discipline Congress have failed. Don’t raise the ceiling. Period! Magically, I bet the 535 will figure out a solution. If not, you ALL should resign, come home, and let someone else try. Bet everyone who wants to be reelected can figure that out!
Mr. ferdinand reinke
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Dear Friend,
Thank you for taking the time to contact me. Your comments are very important to me, and I wanted to confirm with you that I have received your message. All communications I receive are registered and sorted by my office, and I will try to respond to you as quickly as possible.
If you have contacted me about an individual issue that you are having with a federal or state agency that requires immediate assistance please contact my Newark, NJ office directly at 973-645-3030.
Sincerely,
Senator Robert Menendez
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Thank you for your email message. I appreciate your taking the time to let me know your views and concerns about issues facing America. You will be receiving an answer from me soon.
Please do not reply to this e-mail. If you would like to e-mail me again, go to my web site at http://holt.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=382&Itemid=2.
RUSH HOLT
Member of Congress
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Dear Friend,
Thank you for contacting me. Your comments are important to me and I wanted to confirm with you that I have received your message.
Please feel free to contact me again should you have additional concerns or if there is any way in which I can be of assistance.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Senator Frank R. Lautenberg
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Dear Mr. Reinke:
Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding the federal government’s debt limit. I appreciate hearing from you on this critical issue and having the opportunity to respond.
The statutory debt limit was reached on May 16, 2011. Since then, the Department of the Treasury has been implementing extraordinary measures to temporarily extend its ability to borrow within the limit and postpone a default on the legal obligations of the United States. These extraordinary measures include redeeming existing Treasury securities held as investments in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund and suspending state and local government treasury securities which are used by these entities to manage their outstanding debt expenses.
The national debt is the total amount of money borrowed in order to fulfill the requirements imposed by current and past Congresses and Presidents, during periods when both Republicans and Democrats were in control of different branches of government. These are legal obligations, and the responsibility for meeting the Nation’s obligations must be shared by both parties.
Increasing the debt limit would not authorize a single penny of new spending, nor would refusing to increase it reduce the obligations that our Nation has already incurred. Failing to raise the debt limit would force the Treasury to default on the legal obligations of the United States and case far more damage to the economy than the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009.
Treasury Secretary Geithner has said the consequences of a default include a substantial tax increase on all Americans, the devaluation of the U.S. dollar, an increase in borrowing costs, a decline in home values, and the potential loss of American jobs, retirement savings and economic security. Additionally, if the debt limit is not increased, payments on a broad range of benefits and U.S. obligations such as military salaries and veterans, Social Security, Medicare, unemployment and retirement benefits would be discontinued, limited or adversely affected.
I share your desire to see our country headed down a more sustainable fiscal path, and I am committed to making the tough choices that will reduce the gap between our commitments and our resources. I believe that reducing our deficit will require a balanced approach to spending cuts; reforming tax policies, such as closing corporate tax breaks that allow oil companies to avoid paying billions of dollars in taxes; and controlling health care costs. As your federal representative, I take very seriously my responsibility to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to enact sound fiscal policy that that invests in our future and protects the economic security our nation’s children.
Again, thank you for taking the time to express your thoughts on this important matter. Rest assured that I will keep your views in mind. I invite you to visit my website (http://menendez.senate.gov) to learn more about how I am standing up for New Jersey families in the United States Senate.
/s Menendez s/
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Excuse me.
“Failing to raise the debt limit would force the Treasury to default …”
“barbara streisand”!
Pay the debt service. Then, the troops. Then, the seniors. Figure out a list of priorities, pay those until the money runs out. Then, oh well. Too bad. Soo sad.
Argh!
Fiscal discipline the hard way.
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(To be updated when I hear from the other two bozos.)
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Leave a Comment » | Ranting | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
CHURCH 10●19●62
# – # – # – # – # 2011-Jun-24 @ 13:02
Leave a Comment » | ADMINISTRIVIA | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 06/07/2011
President Obama’s phony accounting on the auto industry bailout
By Glenn Kessler
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It will be up to historians to decide what the best solution would have been for taxpayers and the auto industry. We can understand why the president wants to portray himself as making a lonely and tough decision. But the debate was not either/or, bur rather what was the best policy to bring the automakers back to financial health.
The Pinocchio Test
The president is straining too hard. If the auto industry bailout is really a success, there should be no need to resort to trumped-up rhetoric and phony accounting to make your case. Let the facts speak for themselves.
Three Pinocchios
*** end quote ***
Robbing the bondholders to enrich the labor unions.
Hard to see how this was a “best solution”?
Every politician and bureaucrat, who had a hand in it, should be in jail!
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Leave a Comment » | Political | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/17/opinion/17carter.html
OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR
Call Off the Global Drug War
By JIMMY CARTER
Published: June 16, 2011
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Drug policies here are more punitive and counterproductive than in other democracies, and have brought about an explosion in prison populations. At the end of 1980, just before I left office, 500,000 people were incarcerated in America; at the end of 2009 the number was nearly 2.3 million. There are 743 people in prison for every 100,000 Americans, a higher portion than in any other country and seven times as great as in Europe. Some 7.2 million people are either in prison or on probation or parole — more than 3 percent of all American adults!
Some of this increase has been caused by mandatory minimum sentencing and “three strikes you’re out” laws. But about three-quarters of new admissions to state prisons are for nonviolent crimes. And the single greatest cause of prison population growth has been the war on drugs, with the number of people incarcerated for nonviolent drug offenses increasing more than twelvefold since 1980.
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Let’s start ending all these dumb supposed “wars”!
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Leave a Comment » | Political | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
You are currently browsing the Reinke Faces Life blog archives for June, 2011.
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FJohn Reinke
Consultant at Technology Legacies LLC
Advisor, Computer Governance Committee at Manhattan College
Editor / Publisher at Jasper Jottings
Greater New York City Area
JJ Positraction JJ Endnotes Downsize DC
Philosophy of Liberty
I have NOT received any gagged governmental information requests
Reinke Faces Life 
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