YASNY

QUOTE(bmags @ Feb 16, 2008 -> 11:21 AM) http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNew...119916620071210 it was a 7-2 decision. Federal guidelines specified higher sentencing for crack than cocaine. They basically got rid of that and said judges can decide. I'll start off by saying that I scanned only the first page of the article you linked. But, my question was what was the constitutional basis for the decision, or even hearing the case. I was under the impression that SCOTUS is there for the sole purpose of determining the constitutionality of an issue.

QUOTE(FlaSoxxJim @ Feb 16, 2008 -> 11:20 AM) The private assistances from American foundations like Gates Foundation, I'm pretty sure, are supposed to inspire us as individuals and also as a nation to do more to alleviate international poverty, hunger, disease, and inequity. But that's ok, as long as someone else is doing the good deed for us America can continue to shrink from its agreed upon obligations to the UN, I suppose. I propose that we take the direct financial adminitrative support the UN receives from us, and use that money for foreign aid. I'm sure the UN wouldn't have a problem with that.

QUOTE(bmags @ Feb 16, 2008 -> 11:14 AM) Supreme court ruled it was unlawful to have higher sentencing for crack. Sentences were reduced across the country. I'd really like to see the constitutional basis for that decision.

QUOTE(bmags @ Feb 16, 2008 -> 11:12 AM) They can choke on their newspaper pizza in new york for all I care. Pretty much my sentiments. NY style pizza sucks.

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Feb 16, 2008 -> 10:52 AM) just walk away... Damn good advice.

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Feb 16, 2008 -> 10:46 AM) um, yas....please rethink that sentence. LMAO ... good point. I withdraw that remark. hmmm ... maybe I should rethink that sentence as well.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Feb 16, 2008 -> 10:18 AM) Someday she may have to walk into a car dealer . . . The more she is prepared, the better. Some of those guys can talk some s***, and if they pick up on the fact that a potential buyer will fudge the truth, they'll use it. After all, the commission check cashes just the same.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Feb 16, 2008 -> 10:28 AM) I very close friends of mine was lurking in a few threads and she commented that I have a completely different personality online than I do in "real life". Thinking over the past couple years of face to face conversations, and excluding my lying, cheating, ex-wife I have been in a total of one argument where I even raised my voice. Most people in real life will say I have the patience of a Saint. Usually I am the jester in the corner egging people on and telling jokes. So I'm starting to wonder, are online forums and such a chance to act out in ways you would not face to face, are they an outlet for areas in your life you can not otherwise express, are some people just bad at written communications? In other words, why am I the angry asshole on the boards and a sweetheart in real life, including on the telephone? Personally, I like the angry asshole that you are. Gives me a nice target.

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Feb 16, 2008 -> 09:15 AM) Nice little exchange Tex and Yas. I enjoyed it a lot. It's really quite an interesting situation with me and Tex. He comes at things from the left, I come at them from the right. But, we agree on more than I am comfortable with. LOL

QUOTE(StrangeSox @ Feb 16, 2008 -> 08:19 AM) Well, over 80% of Americans say they're Christian, so that shouldn't be too bad. It happens in here quite often.

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Feb 16, 2008 -> 08:46 AM) you're 100% right. I see that a lot with elderly couples...why is it that the survivor always is the one without the financial experience? we've only been married for 8 months and it's something I plan on doing when she finishes school in July and gets her first real job. That makes sense, now. Cool.

QUOTE(zimne piwo @ Feb 16, 2008 -> 05:17 AM) Gee I just love science-fiction! I can hear the theme from "The Twilight Zone" right now.

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Feb 15, 2008 -> 05:48 PM) oh man, preach it then. I don't like stressing my wife out with the details of finances. I manage the check book and pay all the bills, set up a mutual fund, have two active savings accounts, 401ks, eliminating the debt and after all of that, I say...go out and spend whatever. It seems to work so far. Consider this contructive criticism. By you taking care of all the finances you are doing her a disservice. If something happens to you 5 years from now, she's going to be completely lost and totally stressed if she has to deal with it. The financial issues should be, on regular basis, a team effort. For example, every month, you both sit down and work out the budget. Eh ... you get my drift. It's only my opinion, but it's one I feel strongly about.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Feb 15, 2008 -> 11:09 PM) Yes indeed. And in most Churches it will be a handful of people who will determine it for the group. Amazing when a spirit catches hold of a congregation. Powerful stuff. I believe faith is meant to be shared. But only when surrounded by people who have the same POV. Any other time, the mention of God is 'inappropriate'.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Feb 15, 2008 -> 10:56 PM) At it's worst, you are sadly too correct. At it's best, religion can work miracles. Agreed. But when it's all said and done, it's the people that determine this.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Feb 15, 2008 -> 06:31 PM) This is funny coming from a guy who goes out of his way to look up and mock the littlest story about a muslim law, such as male vegetables next to female ones. Anyone blaming this event on a lack of God in the public classroom should be embarrased of themselves and stop sending money to Pat Robertson and the 700 club. There's never been a shooting or violent act based on religion or in a religous place? Could've fooled me. There's a damn big difference between God and religion. I never mentioned religion. Religion is man using the name of God to achieve his own agenda. Including Pat Robertson.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Feb 15, 2008 -> 05:48 PM) That's a rather inappropriate Pat Robertson-like statement there. This is about a nut off his meds who had a lot of guns. I wonder why he was at Northern on a Thursday when he goes to school at Champaign. Someone has to be able to trace him. EDIT: Just saw Soxy comments. I'll edit out the argumentative remarks but that Pat Robertson comment remains. A mention of God when refering to a tragic situation is inappropriate? Sure. No problem.

QUOTE(StrangeSox @ Feb 15, 2008 -> 11:41 AM) Bill of Rights, Amendment 1. The government simply has no place in religion, and religion has no place in the government. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" Congress has not made any law respecting the establishment of religion. But the SCOTUS has prohibited the free exercise thereof.

But why can't things like this be decided on the community level. If the community wants to have an invocation before a High School graduation, why should the fed be able to say no, that's not allowed? A pregame team prayer before a football game. Everyone wouldn't be forced to participate, if the chose not to.

QUOTE(Reddy @ Feb 15, 2008 -> 10:50 AM) ok and... back to God. question: why would God in schools help keep this from happening? Look at history for a moment. When did the SCOTUS rule that school prayer was unconstitutional? 61 - 62? What was our country like (exempting civil rights issues, because that is one area we have drastically improved on) at that time. America was called 'Camelot' because of the quality of life in this country. The family was still strong, the nation was strong. JFK was leading us into what appeared to be even better times. Then he was shot. The beginning of Americans not trusting their gov't started on that day. We've been on a downhill spiral ever since that happened. I happened to believe that there is a definite correlation between that decision and moral and social decay of our nation.

Ok ... I made a comment in the NIU thread that maybe we took God out of the schools too soon. I'm fairly confident that my remark inspired this thread. Thoughts on the intended thread topic?

QUOTE(StrangeSox @ Feb 15, 2008 -> 10:46 AM) Discuss. What a boring thread!

QUOTE(StrangeSox @ Feb 15, 2008 -> 10:47 AM) New thread made for gun debate Good deal

Let's get back on the point guys.

QUOTE(Reddy @ Feb 15, 2008 -> 10:42 AM) point is... if there was better gun control your sick mofo wouldn't have had one to begin with. Only sick mofo's would have them.