Bkumm

Ex-Navy, degrees in History and Marketing and Management. Socially liberal, fiscal conservative. Just following my own brand of atheistic spiritualism. "The object of this Essay is to assert one very simple principle, as entitled to govern absolutely the dealings of society with the individual in the way of compulsion and control, whether the means used be physical force in the form of legal penalties, or the moral coercion of public opinion. That principle is, that the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise, or even right... The only part of the conduct of anyone, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign." John Stuart Mill's "On Liberty"

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Member Since: July 17, 2006

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This story has mostly positive ratings. 78 votes / 2 sinks

Iran, N. Korea still part of "axis of evil": W.House

Politics – U.S. President George W. Bush in 2002 branded Iraq, Iran and North Korea part of an "axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world" -- and he believes two of them still are, the White House said on Monday.

Voted for on July 21, 2008 05:16pm

This story has mostly positive ratings. 56 votes / No sinks

Further cut in US forces in Iraq likely this fall

Politics – Iraq's security has improved so much, even as U.S. troop levels have dropped, that President Bush seems likely to order thousands more soldiers home by year's end.

Voted for on July 21, 2008 05:13pm Commented on 1 time: 1

This story has mostly positive ratings. 65 votes / 2 sinks

One Soldier's Suicide: James Jenkins

Do No Evil – Suicides among veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan are reaching epidemic proportions. More than 6,000 veterans took their lives in 2005 alone, according to a study by CBS News. By some estimates, veterans are attempting suicide 1,000 times a month.

Voted for on July 21, 2008 02:16pm

This story has mostly positive ratings. 56 votes / 2 sinks

Iraqi Leader Stirs up US Campaign

Politics – Obama is pleased, but McCain certainly is not. In an interview with SPIEGEL, Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki expressed support for Obama's troop withdrawal plans. Despite a half-hearted retraction, the comments have stirred up the US presidential campaign. SPIEGEL stands by its version of the conversation.

Voted for on July 21, 2008 12:13pm

Fighting flares in Pakistan's Baluchistan; 43 killed
This story has mostly positive ratings. 96 votes / 1 sink

Fighting flares in Pakistan's Baluchistan; 43 killed

News – Forty-three people were killed in clashes between security forces and militants in a part of Pakistan's southwestern province of Baluchistan where nationalist insurgents have been active, local media reported on Monday.

Voted for on July 21, 2008 12:07pm

Online auctions are past their prime Neither eBay nor Wall Street knows what is the future.
This story has mostly positive ratings. 75 votes / No sinks

Online auctions are past their prime Neither eBay nor Wall Street knows what is the future.

Money – Online auctions are past their prime. Neither the market leader nor Wall Street knows what that means for the future.

Voted for on July 21, 2008 12:07pm

Oxytocin: A Cure for Shyness and Anti-Social Behavior?
This story has mostly positive ratings. 80 votes / 3 sinks

Oxytocin: A Cure for Shyness and Anti-Social Behavior?

Health & Fitness – For centuries artists have tried to capture the essence of love, and now scientists may have found it in the brain.

Voted for on July 21, 2008 12:07pm

Given a Shovel, Americans Dig Deeper Into Debt
This story has mostly positive ratings. 85 votes / 3 sinks

Given a Shovel, Americans Dig Deeper Into Debt

Money – This is a story of the debt crisis facing millions of Americans and the reasons for it

Voted for on July 21, 2008 08:53am

World warned over killer flu pandemic
This story has mostly positive ratings. 83 votes / 1 sink

World warned over killer flu pandemic

Health & Fitness – The world is failing to guard against the inevitable spread of a devastating flu pandemic which could kill 50 million people and wreak massive disruption around the globe, the Government has warned.

Voted for on July 21, 2008 08:53am

'Dark Knight' Sets Opening Weekend Box Office Record
This story has mostly positive ratings. 135 votes / No sinks

'Dark Knight' Sets Opening Weekend Box Office Record

Movies – A Warner Bros. executive says the Batman sequel "The Dark Knight" has taken in $155.34 million to top "Spider-Man 3" for best opening weekend ever at the box office.

Voted for on July 21, 2008 08:53am

Paulson warns more hard months are ahead
This story has mostly positive ratings. 68 votes / No sinks

Paulson warns more hard months are ahead

Money – Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson sought to reassure an anxious public Sunday that the banking system is sound, while also bracing people for more troubled times ahead.

Voted for on July 21, 2008 08:53am

Propeller Week In Review: July 18, 2008
This story has mostly positive ratings. 203 votes / 2 sinks

Propeller Week In Review: July 18, 2008

News – Petroleum was very much on the mind of the Propeller community this week. But so was Karl Rove, gay rights, and a certain, extremely charming jackass.

Voted for on July 21, 2008 08:53am

This story has mostly positive ratings. 13 votes / No sinks

Things Creationists Hate

Science – A long and often funny list of the many things that confound creationism, from asexual animals to vestigial bits.

Voted for on July 21, 2008 08:53am

Cats In The Cradle - Harry Chapin
This story has mostly positive ratings. 141 votes / 1 sink

Cats In The Cradle - Harry Chapin

Music – A child arrived just the other day, came to the world in the usual way. But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay, he learned to walk while I was away. He was talking before I knew it and as he grew, he said I'm going to be like you Dad, you know I'm going to be like you...

Voted for on July 21, 2008 08:53am

Pumped about drilling-Oil town of Taft still stuggling, but rising prices fuel hope
This story has mostly positive ratings. 126 votes / No sinks

Pumped about drilling-Oil town of Taft still stuggling, but rising prices fuel hope

Money – The oil men are starting to drill again now that oil prices have risen. They see the higher prices as a reason to start drilling again. It's all about the money. It always has been and always will be. "Folks are making big money around the oil patch" said Les Clark. A spokesman for the independent Oil Producers Ageny.

Voted for on July 21, 2008 08:53am