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"

Website: http://www.bransplace.net/drupal-5.2/

Member Since: July 17, 2006

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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.

Commented on 1 time: 1

This story has mostly positive ratings. 81 votes / No sinks

Cast of 300 Advises Obama on Foreign Policy

Politics – Every day around 8 a.m., foreign policy aides at Senator Barack Obama's Chicago campaign headquarters send him two e-mails: a briefing on major world developments over the previous 24 hours and a set of questions, accompanied by suggested answers, that the candidate is likely to be asked about international relations during the day.

Commented on 4 times: 1 2 3 4

Why the Race is Tied
This story has mostly positive ratings. 137 votes / 17 sinks

Why the Race is Tied

Politics – After almost six weeks of a constant Obama lead, generally in the five- to seven-point range, Scott Rasmussen's daily tracking poll records two consecutive days of a tie race (July 12-13) and a one-point Obama lead on July 14. What happened to the Democrat's lead?

Commented on 25 times: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

This story has mostly positive ratings. 50 votes / No sinks

Michael J. Fox set for role on FX's `Rescue Me'

Television – Michael J. Fox will return to series TV with a four-episode guest role on FX's "Rescue Me."

Commented on 1 time: 1

Lawmakers Target Chinese-Made Flags
This story has mostly positive ratings. 168 votes / No sinks

Lawmakers Target Chinese-Made Flags

News – Congress can't halt the flow of Chinese-made flags, but lawmakers can try to control where they are flown. The House declared Monday that any flag flown on federal property should be made in the U.S.A.

Commented on 2 times: 1 2

This story has mostly positive ratings. 63 votes / 1 sink

Response from Barack on FISA

Politics – This was not an easy call for me. I know that the FISA bill that passed the House is far from perfect. I wouldn't have drafted the legislation like this, and it does not resolve all of the concerns that we have about President Bush's abuse of executive power. I support striking Title II from the bill, and will work to remove this provision.

Commented on 1 time: 1

This story has mostly positive ratings. 44 votes / No sinks

What's new: 'Tasteless' cover of 'The New Yorker

Politics – Here's some feedback from the usual suspects about the New Yorker cover.

Commented on 9 times: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

This story has mostly positive ratings. 18 votes / No sinks

Obama: Finding His Faith

Religion – So much has been made about Barack Obama's religion. But what does he believe, and how did he arrive at those beliefs?

Commented on 4 times: 1 2 3 4

Earth the Biography
This story has mostly positive ratings. 153 votes / No sinks

Earth the Biography

Science – A new series by National Geographic begins airing this evening exploring the biography of the earth. The first part of the series discusses Volcanoes, one of nature's most awesome and destructive forces, but they are also the life force and architect of our planet.

Commented on 1 time: 1

This story has mostly positive ratings. 68 votes / No sinks

PM hopes to lift Iraq by doling out cold, hard oil cash

News – It is a politician's dream: Handing out cold, hard cash to people on the street as they plead for help. Iraq's prime minister has been doing just that in recent weeks, doling out Iraqi dinars as an aide trails behind, keeping a tally.

Commented on 1 time: 1

This story has mostly positive ratings. 34 votes / No sinks

Obama to expand Bush's faith based programs

Politics – CHICAGO (AP) - Reaching out to evangelical voters, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is announcing plans that would expand President Bush's program steering federal social service dollars to religious groups and - in a move sure to cause controversy - support their ability to hire and fire based on faith.

Commented on 1 time: 1

 Pentagon: Taliban regrouped and 'resilient' in Afghanistan
This story has mostly positive ratings. 133 votes / 2 sinks

Pentagon: Taliban regrouped and 'resilient' in Afghanistan

News – The Taliban have regrouped and have formed a "resilient insurgency," according to a new Pentagon report. The report predicted that the Taliban would be back in 2008. Opium production increased "substantially" in 2007. There are about 150,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, but only 32,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Commented on 1 time: 1

Chuck Hagel, Nebraskan Republican for Now, Says He Has No Plans to Back McCain
This story has mostly positive ratings. 105 votes / No sinks

Chuck Hagel, Nebraskan Republican for Now, Says He Has No Plans to Back McCain

Politics – Sen. Chuck Hagel declined to endorse John McCain, but said he would consider serving as secretary of defense in a Barack Obama administration. Hagel criticized McCain and said his disagreement with Obama is not as big as his differences with McCain over Iraq.

Commented on 1 time: 1

Jindal: Intelligent Design
This story has mostly positive ratings. 96 votes / 10 sinks

Jindal: Intelligent Design "The Very Best Science"

Politics – Bobby Jindal, Louisiana Governor, exorcist, and potential McCain running mate, was interviewed on CBS's Face The Nation on Father's Day. Among the topics covered, Jindal was asked about his opinions on the debate over intelligent design's place in the public school curriculum.

Commented on 1 time: 1

This story has mostly positive ratings. 135 votes / No sinks

Deadwood: Every Curse

Popular Videos – You should see the censored version of this. It's really boring. WARNIN' : WE GOT US SOME EXPLICIT CUSSIN' HERE!

Commented on 3 times: 1 2 3

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