Reason Morning Links: Arizona Fights "Anchor Babies", White Powder Sent to Federal Buildings, Ted Kennedy's FBI File

• Arizona lawmakers attempt end-around the Constitution; bill would deny citizenship rights to the children of illegal immigrants.
• Sifting through Ted Kennedy's FBI fle.
• The benefits of prescription heroin.
• Envelopes of white powder sent to federal buildings across the country.
• American arrested in Pakistan says he was on a mission to kill Osama bin Laden.
• A look into the I Can Haz Cheesburger empire.

Comments

[Fluffy]

In Vermont, we are going to pass a law that if John Kavanaugh enters our state I'm allowed to catch him and enslave him.

Why not? If we can ignore whatever parts of the Constitution we want, I pick the part that keeps me from whipping his ass and telling him his new name is Toby.

[Warty]

That's racist, straight up.

[anarch]

straight up

That's homophobic (sorry, gotta call a spade a spade).

[Warty]

That's cisnormative, yo.

[anarch]

Calling anything norm is bigoted, ya big palooka.

[Maverick]

In VermontCanada . . .

[?]

Envelopes of white powder sent to federal buildings across the country.

"A field test on the powder found in Bellevue, Wash., showed its major component was calcium carbonate."

Seems reasonable to me. A concerned citizen is grinding and distributing his Tums tablets in an effort to neutralize the federal stomach acid. It's just this kind of unselfish act that our nation needs at This Critical Time?.

[Fluffy]

Maybe they think it can soak up the oil spill.

[Rich]

"It is obviously disruptive and taken seriously"

Why is it always *white* powder? Not only is this "disruptive" but a hate crime as well!

[West Texas Boy]

I do have to say, this one is a step too far. I'd prefer the feds to address the anchor baby issue, but it's clearly not within the jurisdiction of Arizona to do so.

That said, the state isn't saying it's denying the babies citizenship rights, it's denying them Arizona birth certificates. What does the case law say on that particular subject? I would think that's a function of state government, no?

[Wesley]

Regardless of original intent, I think this is a pretty clear violation of the 14th Amendment.

[Pip]

The 14th Amendment was about ensuring equality for freed slaves. It had nothing to do with immigration.

[Fluffy]

Actually, it was "about" ensuring equality for all persons born or naturalized in the US, so that states couldn't undo the 13th Amendment by creating categories of persons not protected by law.

The children of illegal immigrants are "born" in the US just as much as freed slaves were.

[IceTrey]

But they are not "subject to the jurisdiction thereof". That being the COMPLETE "jurisdiction thereof" which was what it was intended to be. The 14th has been misinterpreted to allow for anchor babies. The babies of non-resident foreigners where not intended to receive citizenship. No other industrialized country in the world does so.

[dfd]

First, how are they not subject to the jurisdiction thereof? That's patently false and frankly one of the dumbest claims I've heard on here.

Second, every industrialized country has national health care too, so are you really wanting to go down that line of argument? Or is this the only area where you're a socialist / statist willing to accept arguments for government control of the individual based on some nebulous "common good" criteria?

[James Anderson Merritt]

"Not subject to the jurisdiction thereof" means that they owe no allegiances to any other nation, and that we have full jurisdiction (for example, the authority to draft them into military service, or jury duty). But kids of foreign citizens are indeed considered as owing allegiance to the nation of their parents' citizenship, so they aren't properly ELIGIBLE for U.S. citizenship unless and until they renounce foreign allegiances (as we used to require naturalized immigrants to do). This is common sense, and a principle that guided us even several decades after the 14th Amendment was ratified. A Supreme Court decision (US v. Wong Kim Ark) upended that sensible idea, when it made "birthright citizenship" the law of the land in 1898.

[IceTrey]

Actually, Wong's parents were resident aliens so that ruling was probably alright. The real problem is babies born to non-resident or illegal aliens. Women coming here on 3 month tourist visas and having their babies, who are given US citizenship. That's bullshit.

[Fluffy]

If anything, that makes it worse.

If the law acknowledges that the anchor babies are citizens, but "merely" denies them a government service [birth certificates] available to all other citizens, then it openly defies the equal protection clause.

[Pete Mynack]

Seems like this is meant to be challenged in court - it's how you make a state law federal, isn't it?

[Brett L]

Methadone is the ultimate zombie meme in public health policy. It doesn't work. I'm not sure anyone on the state's dime should get prescription heroin though. Not before us productive citizens do.

[AlmightyJB]

Eventually all that stuff is going to be legal. Not because the state loves liberty but because they'll have to have the revenue, like a junkie has to have heroin.

[TP]

Methadone works extremely well, as a pain killer. It is 100% synthetic. The only problem is the interaction with benzos. As an addiction treatment, all it really does is prevent dope sickness. Rapid detox is much more effective, followed up with Naltrexone Pellets. But that's too "dangerous".

[Suki]

Didn't it work for Rush on his own private funds?

[sage]

Methadone works extremely well, as a pain killer. It is 100% synthetic. The only problem is the interaction with benzos.

One other advantage is that it does not build tolerance as fast or as much as opioids. But a side effect that shows up is one I don't want: reduced testoserone levels in long term users.

[J sub D]

I'm not sure anyone on the state's dime should get prescription heroin though.

Agreed. They should have to go to the local liquor and opiate store and buy it with their own cash. Minors prohibited of course.

[Resident Smartass]

"I'm not sure anyone on the state's dime should get prescription heroin though"

That sounds like a dare to me.

[Rich]

A look into the I Can Haz Cheesburger empire.

Ben Huh, Kenyatta Cheese, Joe Olk, Kiki Kane, .... Think I'll create a site devoted to [FITB] names. Any angel investors out there wanna piece of the action?

[Gary Brooks Faulkner]

I would have gotten away with it, too, if it wasn't for you meddling Pakistani cops!

[Johnny Longtorso]

Forbes: Learn To Love A U.S. Default

[Rich]

Too bad folks think that "full faith and credit" refers to money.

[Mo]

This is the dumbest thing I've read in a while. This is something you might written by a high schooler or in 101 level econ class, not Forbes. Does he understand the turmoil and lockup that would befall credit markets if the "risk free" bond defaulted. Not just a downgrade, but an outright default. It would be a bloodbath. Forget short-term commercial loans. The aftermath, especially if default were to happen now, would make the Great Depression look like a mild hiccup.

Also, he underestimates the impact of reneging on $14 trillion in debts. Becoming a financial pariah state and being in the thrall of China and Japan is not good either short term or long term. Look at how the UK is taking Iceland to task or how the EU is bending Greece over and you will see it ain't pretty. I'm not sure I would want to live in a country with China determining what austerity measures we would have to take.

Finally, it's not like we wouldn't be able to borrow money, it would only mean that we would pay a significantly higher interest rate for it. So instead of running up debt with a 4% interest rate, we'll issue debt with a 9% interest rate. Zimbabwe can still issue sovereign debt.

[John]

You are right. We are not going to default. We own our own currency. If worse came to worse we would just inflate our way out of debt. I am not sure that is much better than defaulting. But that is what will happen. The reason why Greece is looking at a default is that they are part of the Euro and can't inflate their way out of it. They are basically like a state or a city in the US. But no one who can print their own money ever "defaults" on debt.

[Mo]

We're not going to inflate our way out of debt either because that would lead to higher interest rates. We get the best interest rates for our sovereign debt because we are responsible borrowers. Maintaining the status of the world's reserve currency and having our debt being the risk free currency benefits us greatly. So while we theoretically could inflate our debt away, it's not likely to happen.

[John]

I agree that it is not likely, although more likely that you will admit. It is hard to call a country with an out of control Congress, a socialist President, and a looming entitlement crisis a "responsible borrower". But, maybe everything is relative. Regardless, we would inflate our way out of before we defaulted. Default will never happen.

[cynical]

If anyone seriously starts talking about default, expect them to have a stroke soon, followed by a miraculous recovery.

[.]

But no one who can print their own money ever "defaults" on debt.

When the dollar was devalued and then severed from the gold standard by Nixon, that was essentially a default. The US had promised to redeem dollars held by foreign governments for gold, but then reneged on that promise.

[Kolohe]

The thing is, everyone else in the world did it at the same time, so it was all a wash.

[Tom]

or how the EU is bending Greece over and you will see it ain't pretty.

Don't the Greeks like that?

[Just Dropping By]

Arizona lawmakers attempt end-around the Constitution; bill would deny citizenship rights to the children of illegal immigrants.

Wow, an explicit denial of a fundamental right (documentation of citizenship) on the basis of alienage! Pretty much the only question is whether the Supreme Court unanimously strikes it down or unanimously strikes it down AND orders the baliff to kneecap the Arizona solicitor general for having had the nerve to defend the thing.

[John]

"Wow, an explicit denial of a fundamental right (documentation of citizenship) on the basis of alienage!"

We deny citizenship all the time on the basis of alienage. That is what citizenship is. The problem with the Arizona law is that the Constitution gives Congress the exclusive power over naturalization. And congress has decided that children of illegals born here are citizens. The state can't revoke that. Although, it should be noted that Congress could change its mind. Nothing in the constitution guarantees citizenship to children of aliens born here.

[Kolohe]

Nothing in the constitution guarantees citizenship to children of aliens born here

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

Seems pretty clear cut to me. And if you want to say, 'but aliens are not subject to the "jurisdication of the united states"' - when they are fact *in* the geographic boundary of the United States - that pretty much throws out the 'what don't you understand about the word "illegal"' argument. (that is to say, you can break the laws of someone that has no juridication over you. By definition.)

[Kolohe]

s/b 'you CAN'T break the laws of someone that has no jurisdication over you'

[John]

Actually, I think that clause is talking about children born of diplomats. If you are diplomat you have diplomatic immunity and are not "subject to the jurisdiction of the United States". I doubt they were thinking of illegals one way or another. But I think it is reasonable to read to not include the children of illegals. It had to mean something. It can't just be redundant, which it would be under your reading.

[CaptainSmartass]

"Subject to the jurisdiction" means, among other things, not owing allegiance to a foreign power. It's pretty clear that illegal Mexicans, especially, don't consider themselves not to be Mexican anymore, even after coming here.

Ideally, we would make it easier for unskilled workers to immigrate here and provide a workable path to citizenship. That would solve pretty much all of the problems associated with illegal aliens. But until Congress gets off its collective ass, I hope more states push things like this. It seems the only way to get the idiots in Washington to pay any attention to a real, and growing, problem.

[Jason]

You don't even need a path to citizenship -- just a way to come to the US, work legally, and visit their home county from time to time.

Many of the people who come (and have come in the past) to the US come in order to earn money. They're not looking to become Americans, but to earn money for comfortable life at home.

[John]

Never mind. The law is dumber than I thought. They are just denying birth certificates. You are right. You can't deny a benefit based on alienage.

[MikeP]

You can't deny a universal benefit based on alienage.

Considering that a birth certificate is simply a statement of the abiding jurisdiction that someone was born, not granting a birth certificate is beyond dumb -- it is a breach of the public trust.

What happens if the County Clerk is called into court to testify as to the birthplace of a certain person? Does this law require him to perjure himself?

Here's a way to fix your stupid law you stupid legislators: Add a checkbox to the birth certificate that says "parents not legal residents" or the like. It'll even be a more pronounced political statement since it produces documents rather than producing nothing.

[John]

"Last week, with little fanfare, among the ever deteriorating oil spill crisis, the White House quietly noted the issuance of an executive order "Establishing the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council", in which the president, citing the "authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America" is now actively engaging in "lifestyle behavior modification" for American citizens that do not exhibit "healthy behavior." At least initially, the 8 main verticals of focus will include: smoking cessation; proper nutrition; appropriate exercise; mental health; behavioral health; sedentary behavior; substance-use disorder; and domestic violence screenings."

http://www.zerohedge.com/artic.....ithin-us-s

Fuck you Obama. Fuck you and die.

[Lolcat]

I makes cownsel. now can I smokes mah sigz and haz cheezburger.

[Lolprez]

I haz a oils. u wantz it?

[JW]

Weird. I posted this story yesterday in the "grandfathered" health plan post, which has disappeared down the memory hole.

[Joe]

And this is a problem why? As long as the government is going to pay for healthcare, I want the costs kept down.

[John]

This is problem because it is none of their damned business how people live. This strikes at the very core of our freedom and privacy. And I don't want the government paying for healthcare for this very reason; it gives totalitarian asshats like you the excuse to say "if the government is going to pay, they have a right to tell you how to live".

[NBC Universal]

We at NBC Universal know which side our bread is buttered on, and we fully support the regime's agenda. Don't forget Healthy Week, beginning June 21. Relax and bite the pillow.

http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/04.....lthy-week/

[Health Council]

Speaking of pillow biting, we regret to inform you that sodomy will no longer be tolerated under the new plan, for public health reasons. To prevent unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease, all persons are required to commit to a monogamous relationship for life before initiating sexual relationships or abstain from sexual relations altogether.

[Atanarjuat]

"if the government is going to pay, they have a right to tell you how to live".

IIRC, this was predicted more than once here on H&R, not sure by who.

[John]

Yes it was. And they were right.

[J sub D]

Me. And hundreds of others at a minimum. You didn't have to be an Einstein to figger it out.

[SugarFree]

Anyone with an IQ above that of your average blood blister could figure it out. So what does that say about our troll population?

[Joe]

That is a slippery slope argument, which is a logical fallacy.

[Chinny Chin Chin]

What do you call it when the dire consequence of the slippery slope argument comes to be?

[Joe]

They are talking about suggesting to people to live healthier, it is persuasion, not forcing them. I don't see that as a problem. A law mandating health would be a problem.

[JW]

Are you smarter than a 5th Grade troll?

[James]

Top ten prescribed medications: Lipitor, Zocor, Prevacid, Nexium, Celebrex, Norvasc, Advair, Paxil, Allegra, Zoloft (reference is a bit old, from 2003). For cholesterol, reflux, blood pressure, allergies, and depression. Except for the allergies, all of these are directly affected by diet and exercise.

As a doctor, I actually do see logic here, and I think it would appeal to people to "Do something," especially to reduce costs.

However, what kind of "suggesting" do you think would be effective at changing behaviors? Are there acually people out there who don't know that you should eat healthy and exercise? I don't think so. People don't act on this knowledge, because it is easier to eat stuff that tastes better, and exercise is work.

For this to be helpful in changing health measures, there has to be some sort of reward, punishment, or coercion of some sort. A little tax here, a little tax there, and pretty soon we are talking about a nationwide, invasive, and expensive program.

[Zeb]

Fuck that shit. This is only an argument against government provision of health care.

And I don't think that it is entirely clear that unhealthy living increases lifetime healthcare costs. Dying young saves a lot of money.

[Government Assclown]

Prove it.

Until then eat your broccoli gruel. Someone will be by to test your premises for 3rd hand nicotine stains and marijuana. If no one is home that is an express statement that you want your home inspected, and your possessions taken to our labs for further testing. You will be notified in no later than 60 months whether your possessions can be returned if they test negative for nicotine, alcolhol, oils, fats, other narcotic substances, toe cheese, santorum, and any and all substances deemed to be harmful to your health or the welfare of any cohabitants.

Please enjoy this complimentary pillow.

[Warty]

mental health; behavioral health;

Post-reductio America.

By the way, did Nick coin that phrase?

[John]

And of course things like owning a gun or supporting the repeal of the CRA will be considered "mental health" issues.

[TP]

Which CRA?

[Rich]

I'd say "substance-use disorder" and "domestic violence screenings" have *great* potential.

[Kolohe]

I think it was Balko that coined "We live in a post-reductio world"

[Maverick]

Obama is just trying to expand the gov's "goatse" empire.

[Obama]

Dey see me rollin'

Dey hatin'

[Rich]

Calm down, John. It says right in the order that "Members of the Advisory Group shall serve without compensation."

Seriously, YA "change you can believe in". Unbelievable! 8-(

[Jordan Elliot]

When will it be time to start playing "I Can't Stop Loving You" a la the anime, Metropolis?

[Atanarjuat]

A smoker signed an executive order promoting the cessation of smoking. Although I suppose if he had the willpower to quit on his own he might not think it was an issue that needed federal interference.

[John]

If we had a real media, someone would ask the Zero about that. I would give anything to have a press pass to that fucker's press conferences. So, Mr. President, when you smoke in the Whitehouse are you violating your own executive order?

[John]

And don't forget our "I did a little blow back in the day" President is issuing executive orders about "substance abuse".

[Barack Obama]

That's "substance-use disorder," John. Please get with The Program.

[The Gobbler]

One and done.

This guy will be a lame duck president in less than five months. Thank God.

[Death Panelist]

Don't worry, folks. We're gonna keep the costs down, and free up your Sundays from those dreadful visits to the old folks home.

[hmm]

I went out and had a steak, 5 beers, cigar, scotch, and watched stripper to celebrate.

[Ska]

Watched a stripper?! That's all, man?!

Oh, I got you. You ran out of coke.

[Steve]

The benefits of prescription heroin.

Are you for real, heroin is a dangerous illegal drug. It is illegal because it is dangerous, not the other way around. So what happens when some addict on the program starts hallucinating from the heroin and kills people.

This is so wrong from a moral standpoint because drug use is wrong. How about we just lock them up for good. 3 strikes yer out!!!

[kinnath]

Couldn't take the time to read the linked article I see.

[T]

Another proud DARE graduate, I see.

[-]

Thank you, Bill O'Reilly.

[.]

So what happens when some addict on the program starts hallucinating from the heroin and kills people.

People hallucinate on heroin? News to me.

[CaptainSmartass]

No kidding. Makes me wonder why I've abstained from it all these years, sounds like it might be fun.

Methinks the GP has watched Trainspotting a few too many times.

[Tonio]

The designated troll-name for this sort of post is "Juanita". Now tow the lion and get with the pogrom. And don't forget your assless chaps.

[John]

"Why can't America seem to kick its heroin habit?"

Because we don't want to. I am for drug legalization. But, the idea that even one dime of my tax dollars should go to give heroin to some fucking degenerate junkie really pisses me off. Fuck them. They can pay for their own damned heroin. And if they get hooked and can't get off that is their problem not mine.

[Warty]

Once, upon a more civilized time. Bonus: prohibitionist handwringing.

[John]

And there was blood in the streets I tell you. Our great grand parents were hallucinating and killing people all the time.

[Atanarjuat]

Apparently they're unaware that cocaine and opiates are still used medically to this day.

[TP]

Why not? Your tax dollars already go to to give addicts oxy-contin. Same thing, right, only they don't say that they're addicts.

[P Brooks]

So what happens when some addict on the program starts hallucinating from the heroin and kills people.

We'll give him a medal, and a large check. Later, he can run for President.

[P Brooks]

"Post-reductio coital (and not in the good way) America."

[dbcooper]

Oooh, NZ just got its first world cup point. 1-1 with slovakia.

[Suki]

+1

[-]

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

[dbcooper]

Vuvuzela instruction guide.

[John]

I told my wife, we are naming our daughter, if we ever have one, "Vuvuzela". That a great name.

[SugarFree]

Marge: Homer, I've been thinking, if the baby's a boy, what do you think of the name Larry?

Homer: Marge, we can't do that! All the kids will call him "Larry Fairy."

Marge: Well, how about Louie?

Homer: They'll call him "Screwy Louie".

Marge: Bob?

Homer: "Flob".

Marge: Luke?

Homer: "Puke".

Marge: Marcus?

Homer: "Mucus".

Marge: What about Bart?

Homer: Let's see... Bart, Cart, Dart, Ee-art... Nope, can't see any problem with that!

[.]

FART !!!

[Suki]

Not Mulva or Delores?

[-]

Egg-Cellent.

[Rhywun]

I'm almost afraid to click on a png at work, but I'm hoping it's a picture of one of the goddamn things chopped up into confetti - or better yet, wrapped around the neck of the asshole that was playing it.

[dbcooper]

It should be work-safe dude.

[Rhywun]

Work-safe, and accurate too.

[Timon19]

Kiwis scored with about 10 seconds left in stoppage time to pull level. The XM Radio guys were going apeshit.

[Suki]

What about the Ft. MaCdill gun-toting SUV driving couple?

[-]

It's MacDill AFB.

[Suki]

Sorry, AF doesn't have forts, right? My wrong.

[-]

Go stand in the corner.

[Suki]

And leave my cage? No way! Stop trying to get me into trouble.

[-]

I have candy...

[Suki]

Legal or illegal?

[SW Ohio]

In other news, Big Butter Jesus is toast:
http://www.daytondailynews.com.....62245.html

[?]

"It meant so much to so many people," Browning said. "The statue can be destroyed and gone, but Jesus can't be."

Self-delusion can never be destroyed. It can only be contained.

[John]

It was struck by lightning. Maybe the iconoclasts were right.

[John]

It was struck by lightning. Maybe the iconoclasts were right.

[-]

They were. Both times.

[GoNavy]

So is a broken clock

[CaptainSmartass]

Seems Zeus is getting tired of upstart gods.

[SW Ohio]

My favorite part of the article:

"I can't believe Jesus was struck," said his brother, who noted the giant Hustler Hollywood sign for the adult store across the street was untouched.

[John]

Maybe God strikes at those who need humility.

[SugarFree]

Maybe Allah cares not for graven images of his prophet Jesus.

[-]

They're calling it an act of God.

[Satan]

Booyah!

[SugarFree]

So much action it will scare your dick off! (Video link)

And the Fallout: New Vegas trailer.

[Jordan Elliot]

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 has me happy.

[Ska]

I can't watch the links, but damn everything I've read about FONV has me drueling.

I'm actually in the middle of a new Oblivion playthrough, and have a new FO game well under way. I figure they're both good lead-ins to the new FO.

[Ska]

Drueling - when you and a challenged opponent take 10 paces, turn, and spit on yourselves.

[can't breaaathe...]

laughing so hard....

[SugarFree]

Watch them when you can. FNV trailer has shots of the grenade machine gun in action.

The other one is for Bulletstorm, which looks to be Borderlands + Gears of War + Ratchet and Clank weaponry.

[Sprinkles]

I waz promissd NOMS

where NOMS?

[Isaac Bartram]

I'm not sure whence the obsession with "anchor babies" comes. I'm not evn sure what people think the babies are anchoring.

If illegal aliens are discovered by ICE they get deported, period. It doesn't matter what their children's (or any of their other relatives' - for that matter) citizenship status is.

If the parents have no legal resident family or friends to take the kid, it goes back to Mexico (or wherever) with them. Under those conditions children are more of a hinderance than a help.

[Fluffy]

They increase the number of brown citizens.

[?]

I'm not sure whence the obsession with "anchor babies" comes.

I'm pretty sure all babies are anchors.

[SugarFree]

"Anchor babies" can come back to the US as citizens when adults and sponsor their parents and other relatives to become citizens.

This is how seemingly most of Hong Kong moved to Vancouver before the Chi-Com takeover.

It's a silly and over-blown fear.

[Brett L]

And you know what shithole Vancouver beca-? What? An outpost of capitalism and tolerance in an otherwise socialist tundra? Can I sponser HKs?

[nobody]

NYTimes on universal health care in Rwanda http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06.....amp;st=cse

Money quote -

"(In another contrast with the United States, obesity and its medical complications are almost a nonissue. Visitors to Rwanda are quickly struck by how thin everyone on the street is. And it is not necessarily from malnutrition; even the president, Paul Kagame, a teetotaling ascetic, is spectral.)"

Good lord.

[Jordan Elliot]

...........

Wow.

I hate people.

[John]

A lot of health experts look back to the war rationing during World War II as a golden age of healthy living. These people are evil.

[Jason]

Those exercises they made the HJ and BDM do really paid off.

[Enough About Palin]

The 'mighty, mighty union'

'We are the union, the mighty, mighty union.'

That was the chant outside of St. Joseph's Hospital in downtown St. Paul on Thursday during a one-day strike by the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA). It explains why some people who hold nurses in high esteem don't buy the idea that their fight with Twin Cities hospitals is just about taking better care of sick people. The same kind of fight could involve auto workers in Detroit or steel workers in Pittsburgh, but in this case it happens to be at hospitals in Minnesota.

Evidence suggests that the current dispute between the MNA and hospitals isn't only about health care in St. Paul and Minneapolis, but rather part of a larger, national show of force by nurse unions. Behind the scenes, or not-so-behind-the-scenes, major national players like the SEIU are heavily involved. Outfits as far away as California are in on the act.

Here, the MNA has argued that patient safety is what matters most; that nurses work hard for their pay and benefits, but compensation isn't the issue that drove them to the street. We don't doubt that some nurses mean it when they say that.

But contradictions abound. It's not about the money, but the MNA was pushing pay raises of 3 percent or 4 percent a year at a time when health care costs are exploding and most everybody else lucky enough to have a job is pleased to hold steady. The MNA position is unyielding on the amount of the hospitals' pension contribution, after a decade of steady pay increases and the last few years of a stock market crash and a recession worse than any since the Great Depression. Those facts make the dispute seem like standard-issue unionism; a regular fight over wages and benefits and work rules that add more dues-paying members.

http://www.twincities.com/ci_15279800?source=most_viewed

[Wesley]

Dumb question: Would sending a harmless white powder that looks like something really dangerous be illegal in Libertopia?

[.]

It might be civilly actionable, if damage results.

[SugarFree]

It's a threat, and therefore a form of coercion by fraud. Like [period] notes, it would be more of an actionable tort than a crime.

[JEP]

There goes my mail order cocaine business idea....

[Brett L]

Dude, send it as rock.

[Mike M.]

Angela Merkel's German government on the verge of collapse.

Gee, I wonder why they're not happy over there? Oh well, what could a bunch of angry Germans possibly do anyway.

[Rhywun]

They're sick of realpolitik; they want puppies and rainbows now.

[.]

White House: Obama ready to seize claims process

PENSACOLA, Fla. ? President Barack Obama is poised to seize the handling of oil spill damage claims from BP, his chief spokesman said Tuesday, as Obama sought to reassure people he's up to the enormous challenge of helping them recover from the environmental disaster. He will outline his specific plans and expectations in a prime-time Oval Office speech.

The aim of wresting the claims-handling from the British petroleum giant, press secretary Robert Gibbs said, would be to make economically distressed individuals and businesses "whole." The claims processing problem is among several difficult issues that Obama planned to address directly in the talk to the nation.

[Mike M.]

What a surprise! Not.

You can take the thug out of Chicago, but you can never take the Chicago out of the thug.

[J_L_B]

The argument against anchor babies lies in the bolded section below... All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.

That argument is that illegals and diplomats are not under the jurisdiction of this country and are hence not citizens at birth.

Using that argument against illegals would then mean that a natural-born citizen is anyone that immediate acquired their citizenship at birth regardless of where they were born.

[P Brooks]

President Barack Obama is poised to seize the handling of oil spill damage claims from BP

Maybe he can get Franklin Raines to run it.

[prolefeed]

It's almost as though Arizona Republicans want to get 0.0% of the growing Hispanic vote.

Are they really that short-sighted that they can't see that policy is full of fail?

[IceTrey]

I'm not so sure. Hispanics who have spent many years and many thousands of dollars to become citizens legally might resent those who come illegally. After all illegals are taking jobs from naturalized Hispanics just as much as from Anglos.

[MWG]

Many of the foreign born hispanics who are now citizens, originally came here illegally.

[Hacha Cha]

Yet again Arizona attempts to pass unconstitutional legislation aimed at immigrants. The 14th amendment makes this legislation unconstitutional.

[Rabbit Scribe]

OT:

HOLY FUCKING CRAP!!!

I am NOT making this up. I, a salescritter, and a warehouse guy (25-years old; inner-city background) were just chatting at the water cooler about the salescritter's European summer vacation plans. Chit-chat, yackety-yack...

"What's a concentration camp?"

"Y'know... Auschwitz? Treblinka? ... The Holocaust?"

(Blank stare)

Just... wow.

[Hacha Cha]

Heroin should be approved in by the FDA for the treatment of pain and the treatment of opioid addiction as medication therapy in detox and maintenance programs. The UK and many other countries recognize heroin has a legitimate medical use. The US even allowed it to be prescribed up until 1924 and now the controlled Substance Act lies to the public by classifying heroin as having no medical value. If the government is going to be playing doctor then they should be held to scientific standards. Personally I believe they should allow all drugs to be legally sold/possessed Over-The-Counter.

[Hacha Cha]

Heroin should be approved in by the FDA for the treatment of pain and the treatment of opioid addiction as medication therapy in detox and maintenance programs. The UK and many other countries recognize heroin has a legitimate medical use. The US even allowed it to be prescribed up until 1924 and now the controlled Substance Act lies to the public by classifying heroin as having no medical value. If the government is going to be playing doctor then they should be held to scientific standards. Personally I believe they should allow all drugs to be legally sold/possessed Over-The-Counter.

[hung]

janice sibug of 1631 el camino real #7 tustin ca 92780 was born to an illegal alien name ligaya fabian who jumpshipped her flight at lax from germany to canada.