http://www.simplelivingforum.net/ Friendly discussion of government and social issues as they relate to simple living. en-US Tue, 21 May 2013 22:44:14 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.simplelivingforum.net/images/misc/rss.png http://www.simplelivingforum.net/ http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8162-A-Sign-of-the-Times&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 14:16:26 GMT When Barack Obama has lost Joe Klein (http://swampland.time.com/2013/05/11/irs-mess/), the New Yorker... When Barack Obama has lost Joe Klein, the New Yorker, Maureen Dowd, when CBS News’ Scott Pelley gives speeches in horror that mainstream media is getting the big stories wrong over and over again, when arch-liberal Ruth Bader Ginsberg is saying maybe the Court overreached on Roe V. Wade, you have to wonder if maybe, just maybe, the tide is finally beginning to turn in this country for the better. Or am I just being too optimistic? ]]> Simple Public Policy Alan http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8162-A-Sign-of-the-Times http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8150-Guatemalan-Human-Rights-Commission-statement&goto=newpost Sat, 11 May 2013 02:42:28 GMT Thank goodness for justice - finally! Ríos Montt Found Guilty of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity Today, Friday May 10, at... Thank goodness for justice - finally!


Ríos Montt Found Guilty of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity


Today, Friday May 10, at approximately 6:30PM, Judge Yassmin Barrios declared General Efraín Ríos Montt guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. "Justice is a right for the victims; these acts should never happen again," she stated.


Rios Montt was found guilty of masterminding and overseeing the massacre of 1,771 Ixil Mayans in the department of El Quiche, as well as the forced displacement of 29,000, and 1,485 acts of sexual violence and acts of torture. He was sentenced to 80 years in prison and was ordered into police custody. His director of Military Intelligence, Jose Mauricio Rodriguez Sanchez, was absolved of both crimes.


During a one hour statement, Judge Barrios recounted evidence of the indiscriminate massacres committed against the civilian Ixil population, systematic physical and psychological control meant to destroy the social fabric of the Ixil culture. She noted the brutal use of sexual violence. These acts were carried out as state policy and destroyed 5.5% of the Ixil population.


Over the course of the trial, 100 survivors testified in the trial which began on March 19. They were joined by dozens of expert witnesses. In closing arguments yesterday, Benjamin Jeronimo, a survivor and representative of the Association for Justice and Reconciliation, stated: “We are not looking for vengeance; we are looking for a true peace with justice, with respect, with equality, with dignity, that is why we are here.”


GHRC applauds this historic sentence and stands in solidarity with the Ixil survivors, their lawyers, state prosecutors, judges, and supporting organizations, who have risked their lives to make justice possible. Furthermore, this case demonstrates that accountability – for even the nation’s most powerful actors – is not out of reach, and is a victory for all Guatemalans who strive to build a nation based on the rule of law, opening the door for the further pursuit of justice and the defense of historic memory.


http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/10/world/...ial/index.html ]]> Simple Public Policy redfox http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8150-Guatemalan-Human-Rights-Commission-statement http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8143-40-million-in-10-hours&goto=newpost Fri, 10 May 2013 04:31:02 GMT http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/atm-thieves-conducted-massive-cyberattack/2013/05/09/0c3c3a1c-b8ec-11e2-92f3-f291801936b8_story.html ... http://www.washingtonpost.com/busine...6b8_story.html

Truly amazing story. ]]> Simple Public Policy redfox http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8143-40-million-in-10-hours http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8135-GOOD-MEN&goto=newpost Thu, 09 May 2013 02:45:52 GMT Charles Ramsey and Angel Cordero, the 2 men who rescued the 3 women held in Cleveland, are 2 truly good men. Both of them have said, in separate... Charles Ramsey and Angel Cordero, the 2 men who rescued the 3 women held in Cleveland, are 2 truly good men. Both of them have said, in separate interviews, they feel bad that they didn't realize sooner what was going on in their neighborhood, but they acted immediately as soon as they knew somebody needed help, because it's only right to step up and do the right thing. They have really uplifted my spirit and restored some of my faith, not to mention how much good they've done for the 3 women and the little girl. ]]> Simple Public Policy befree http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8135-GOOD-MEN http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8131-Proclaim-Liberty&goto=newpost Wed, 08 May 2013 19:59:35 GMT The inscription on the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof One can hear an... The inscription on the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia
Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof

One can hear an identical e-flat bell at
http://www.ushistory.org/libertybell...rmandybell.htm

Liberty is likewise a major theme in Is. 61:1
...He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captive, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.

Respect to the alert neighbor and the dutiful law enforcement personnel in Cleveland OH. ]]> Simple Public Policy dado potato http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8131-Proclaim-Liberty http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8078-Legalize-Marijuana&goto=newpost Fri, 03 May 2013 00:50:45 GMT Being a new member here, I’m a bit reluctant to make this post…but here goes...
I’m a fairly conservative person, and yet I occasionally smoke marijuana. I never smoke outside my own house. I do not sell marijuana or give it away…and I use only 3 or 4 times per week…in moderation.
I think it should be legalized nationally for recreational use. We should all learn from the mistakes of the 1920’s alcohol prohibition. It didn’t work. A lot of good cops died before the government admitted that prohibition was a mistake and legalized (but regulated) the sale of alcohol.
How many good cops have died trying to prevent marijuana use in America? Far too many…and they died for NOTHING…for a lost cause…I know of at least 5 sources right now where I could buy marijuana.
Some perfectly reasonable people will disagree with me, I know…but as reasonable as they may be, they are wrong…marijuana use is widespread, increasing, and provides a wonderful experience…
If you don’t want to indulge and enjoy, then don’t…I respect your decision. ]]> Simple Public Policy Chopper777 http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8078-Legalize-Marijuana http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8070-New-Zealand-Outlaws-Justice&goto=newpost Thu, 02 May 2013 12:52:30 GMT I don’t know if this is more appropriately a family or politics item, but apparently the New Zealand government bans certain baby names that are... I don’t know if this is more appropriately a family or politics item, but apparently the New Zealand government bans certain baby names that are “offensive”, too long or resemble an official title. You can’t name your kid Lucifer or Justice, for instance. Is there anywhere else in the world that does that? I know some pretty unfortunately yclept kids, but this seems ridiculously intrusive to me.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/banned-babies-names-list-updated-in-new-zealand-1.1380350 ]]> Simple Public Policy LDAHL http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8070-New-Zealand-Outlaws-Justice http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8058-is-Public-Policy-chasing-forum-members-away&goto=newpost Wed, 01 May 2013 00:37:26 GMT I was a little surprised to read in other forums that there are members who think Public Policy posters are chasing other members away. Even those... I was a little surprised to read in other forums that there are members who think Public Policy posters are chasing other members away. Even those who don't even read or post in here.

My take on this forum is that it's pretty civilized, all things considered, especially compared to most other political-oriented posting on the net. Asking someone to back up their claims, or propounding another opinion, is just that - why consider that such a bad thing?

It's not personal - it's how big issues have to be discussed. There's going to be lots of back and forth, but isn't that a good thing in a democracy? If we shrink at even discussing things because our feelings might get hurt, I fear for our ability to solve the bigger problems facing our society. ]]> Simple Public Policy Lainey http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8058-is-Public-Policy-chasing-forum-members-away http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8028-Voter-Registration&goto=newpost Sat, 27 Apr 2013 20:28:58 GMT I am going Thursday evening for training to be a voter registrar in my county. I am excited and interested to find out how to do this! I am going Thursday evening for training to be a voter registrar in my county. I am excited and interested to find out how to do this! ]]> Simple Public Policy Florence http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8028-Voter-Registration http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?7990-New-WMD&goto=newpost Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:20:23 GMT I heard today that to bolster the charges against the Boston bomber his pressure cooker bomb has been classified as a WMD. As terrible as that... I heard today that to bolster the charges against the Boston bomber his pressure cooker bomb has been classified as a WMD. As terrible as that bombing was, I'm just not seeing a weapon that kills three people as having caused mass destruction. Three hundred? Probably. Three thousand? Certainly. Three? Not so sure that fits in the same category. I'm not trying to sound jaded or to diminish the pain that was inflicted by the bombs in Boston, it just seems to me that this is yet another vague definition in our legal codes that can be applied as desired. A little latitude to allow prosecutors to do their jobs is a good thing, but this just strikes me as silly. ]]> Simple Public Policy Gregg http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?7990-New-WMD