Euthanizing Surplus Animals

I just read a story about a “federal proposal to euthanize wild horses as a way to deal with their surplus numbers.” Here are a few excerpts from the article to state the two viewpoints:

Ranchers view mustangs as competition for forage on the range. Agency officials said they stepped up the roundups in recent years because of ongoing drought that has left dwindling forage and water for the mustangs. Horse advocates insist the action was taken to placate ranchers.

Federal officials said they’re faced with tough choices because wild horses have overpopulated public lands in the West and they no longer can afford to care for the number of animals that have been rounded up.

There are an estimated 33,000 wild horses in 10 Western states. The federal agency has set a target appropriate management level of horses at 27,000. About another 30,000 horses are in holding facilities, where most are made available for adoption. Last year about $22 million of the entire horse program’s $39 million budget was spent on holding horses in agency pens. Next year the costs are projected to grow to $26 million with an overall budget that is being trimmed to $37 million.

Lacy Dalton, president and co-founder of the Let ‘Em Run Foundation horse advocacy group, urged the agency to consider alternative solutions. They include efforts to step up birth control and legislation to provide tax breaks to large landowners willing to let horses roam on their property, she said.

“The American people have spoken – they want to preserve these wild horses,” said Dalton. “They are symbolic of the wildness and freedom and independent spirit of the West. We need to find ways to save them without being a burden on taxpayers,” she added.

The entire story here:
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/plan-to-euthanize-horses-spurs-debate/
20080707145409990001

What are your feelings on this issue?

Samigirl

I-5 Jam

You may have noticed something while driving on I-5 northbound.  There comes a point when traffic seems to slow down and stop on occasions.  However, once you cross over the I-5 bridge, traffic mysteriously disappears. 

There has been some discussion concerning the I-5 bridge.  They plan to construct a new one in hopes of cutting down traffic.  However, one of the ideas that they are passing around is to make it into toll bridge.  Think about this for a second.  A toll bridge.  Their goal is to decrease the ammout of traffic in that area and they plan to change the bridge into something that you have to stop for to get across.  Now I may not be an expert on the whole thing, but my experience with toll bridges have shown me that toll bridges create lines, lines cause stopping, stopping causes slower moving cars, and slower moving cars create traffic.  I must be missing something, because I thought that is what they are trying to get rid of.

What are your feelings on the idea of a toll bridge, or the new bridge all together?  Do you think that it will decrease or increase the traffic problems in that area?

-Shown

Abortion

Ok, so since this blog seems dead, maybe a good ol’ standby discussion about one of the most controversial issues in the country can revive it.

All aspects of abortion: Legality, morality, government sponsorship, the whole shebang. If this doesn’t bring the board back to life, nothing can.

Hit it with your best shot. Do it. I dare you.

Sami H.

Tip Tax

The question is quite simple: Should there be a tax on tips? Should they be classified as a source of income, or as a gift?

Comics on the big screen

As you all know, comics have made their way onto the big screen.  In this day and age, we get to seesuperheroes such as X-men, Spiderman, Daredevil, Elektra, Superman, The Fantastic Four, Batman, Ironman, and, coming up next, The Incredible Hulk (Then again, it’s been done once before).  These movies have even inspired a movie in the same category as the Scary Movie series (Superhero Movie) and an interesting looking movie featuring a homeless superhero (”Hancock” starring Will Smith).  Some of these movies have been really good, some really bad, but they have all made a point to bring back the heroes from the earlier days.  Personally, I enjoy them.  They bring the Hollywood treatment to characters that many people recognize, which I believe helps bring them to life.  However, some of these movies did not do as well. 

What are you opinions on movies based off of comics?

-Shown

Global Warming: Fact or Fiction?

“On Feb. 2, 2007, the United Nations scientific panel studying climate change declared that the evidence of a warming trend is “unequivocal,” and that human activity has “very likely” been the driving force in that change over the last 50 years. The last report by the group, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in 2001, had found that humanity had “likely” played a role.”

as quoted from the New York Times online article: http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/science/topics/globalwarming/index.html

I know this topic has been beaten to death over the years, and plenty of us are tired of hearing it in the same old manner.  I encourage you to do your own research, and bring your findings here.  Let us set up a miniature panel on Global Warming.

Is it real?

What are the short term and long term effects?

Did we cause it?  Or is it a natural occurrence?

Did we just speed things up?

I want to hear what you have to say; let us try to answer every one of these questions, free from political and religious viewpoints; based solely on facts and logic.

-Sean R.

The Right to Parent

I’ve often heard it proposed that all prospective parents should be required to take a test to become eligible for procreation, and some should not be allowed to at all. Pro-testers site instances of child neglect and outright stupidity or ignorance on the parents’ part, and also types of people who they believe should never be allowed to procreate, such as people who have no social or relational skills whatsoever. Anti-testers site the fact that not everyone who becomes one chooses to be a parent, and so a test would solve nothing. People have a God-given right to become parents should they choose that path.

My query: your thoughts. Is this all a joke, or do you really think that a parenting test would solve some of the parenting problems in society?

Sami H.

Empty Pockets, Empty Tanks

There used to be a time when the amount of gas was greater then the amount of money you paid for it.  This is no longer the case.  At more then $4.00 a gallon, gas has reached a record high, yet still it continues rising.  The increase of gas prices has greatly effected out country.  For example, we can not go on long trips without trading in our own organs for cash.  This is outrageous.  It was outrageous when gas was $2.00 a gallon, it was outrageous when gas was $3.00 a gallon, and now it is beyond outrageous.  The biggest problem we have is that we depend on gas.  We can’t just boycott using it.  Sure, we could take the bus, carpool with others, or even ride a bike, but it still uses gas to take the bus and a bike isn’t very efficient for long-distance travel.  Are gas prices holding us back from advancement?  Or are they forcing us to move forward and research different fuel sources?

-Shown

Will the boom in the Video Game industry last?

I had a hard liner political topic lined up for today, but I decided ive done enough politics for a bit.  So 50 years ago no one even knew what a “video game” was.  Since then, the industry has grown and grown, starting with the virtual tennis-like game, Pong, expanding today to games with graphics that make them seem more real then not.  Every period of human history has been made into a video game, and countless stories have been made.  Every new game has new things to do, new features, improved graphics.  But eventually, you cant get any better graphics, and all the features have been done.  Games are beginning to just be repeats of others (WW2 shooters anyone?), as all the ideas are running out.  Will the video game industry eventually collapse due to this, or will new fresh ideas that we never expected keep popping out of the woodwork to keep it alive?

-Stephen B.

Where Will Technology Be in 5 Years?

Ok readers, this is a topic with a bit of a lighter note;

I want to know where you think technology will be in 5 years.  Given this example of nVidia placing a computer…on a chip:

NVIDIA Tegra Computer System

So just how small, how fast, how powerful will they be?  Terminator?  or Mac?

You decide

-Sean R.

Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide: Murder or Mercy?

If you are unfamiliar with either of these, see this article for a quick brain boost on the subject: http://www.internationaltaskforce.org/faq.htm

With that out of the way, we can get on to the task at hand. As the article says, euthenasia and assisted suicide are legal only in the State of Oregon, the Netherlands, and Belgium. What is your opinion on this practice?

Sami H.

UPDATED: Google: Growing Too Large?

Well I can see my choice of a topic was kind of a failure.  I am declaring this topic closed, and I will be posting a new one tomorrow.

-Sean R.

Let’s face it, in the past we have joked about the monopoly of the “Tyrant” Microsoft Corporation, laughed about Apple’s monopoly on music.  Do we now have another company to add to this growing list of megagiant corporations?  Google Inc.
With more than 50 different services, Google is beginning to grow in leaps and bounds.  Everything from the basic (and, some would argue, the most expansive) internet search engine on the web; to Orkut, a new variety of social network aimed to be clipping at the heels of Myspace.  And even a blog-search utility (in which even this tiny blog can be found!)

Google has repeatedly lobbied in favor of the user, considerably growing their client base (I will admit, I have been using Gmail since the Beta).  But growing concerns have been aimed that Google has too much knowledge and power.  Can one imagine what might happen if Google and Microsoft team up?

Here is my question:  Is Google Inc. growing too large without some sense of control?  Do they have a monopoly?

The links to their services can be found here:  Google Products

-Sean R.

General Discussion: Our Current Conflict

Hey there readers,

This is an area to post and discuss your thoughts, ideas and arguments over the “War on Terror.” Please remember to keep snide and rude remarks to yourself, as this is an open forum and all points of view are allowed and respected. No questions to answer just looking for a discussion on ideas not an argument, well an argument is okay as long as it doesn’t get out of hand.

For now,

~ Hangman

Focus Fusion. Plausible?

If there was a way to harness the power of nuclear energy without all the hassle of nuclear waste, would you use it? As it is known, nuclear energy is a cheap and efficient way to power a city. However, widespread concerns with radiation and waste removal prevent its utilization in the United States. Those concerns may come to an end with technology known as “Focus Fusion.”

Eric Lerner, author of The Big Bang Never Happened, is an independent researcher active in the field of plasma physics and is currently the executive director of the Focus Fusion Society and president of Lawrenceville Plasma Physics, Inc. in West Orange, New Jersey. His idea for a clean form of nuclear energy (without radioactive waste) could well be feasible. Focus fusion uses plasma and magnetic fields to cause small scale fusion reactions between hydrogen and boron which can then be converted to electricity without the need for conventional turbines and generators. Then, using part of its own generated electricity, it can power the next reaction, leaving the rest as net output.

Still, huge technical hurdles remain. Such as the need to increase the density of the plasma to intensify the fusion reaction. However, if he could perfect his design, the payoff could be huge. Lerner claims that with just $750,000 in funding and two years of work, he could prove that his process generates more energy then it consumes.

Do you feel that his idea is plasible? That we could actually use this technology within our society? If he is right, then we could truly have an effective and cost efficient power source as an alternative to the coal and natural gas that we depend on so much.

-Shown

UN: World Police or World Menace?

60 years ago President Eisenhower put forth plans to create a League of Nations. This was replaced shortly after by the United Nations, or UN, who’s common goal is to stop wars between nations and to provide a platform for dialogue; currently they are looking at halting the progression of HIV/AIDS. My questions for you now are: Has the UN done this job? Did the UN turn into something the world didn’t need? Is the UN still doing this job?

~ Hangman

http://www.un.org/english/

Is Ethanol all its cracked up to be?

Many see ethanol as a oil-alternative for fuel. Many of today’s gas stations have ethanol in their gasoline. But is it really helping, or is it hurting? The arguements against ethanol are numerous. The energy taken to create ethanol nearly outweighs the energy ethanol gives. Also the environmental problems since the corn used to create ethanol needs many pesticides and fertilizers, and is very harmful to the soil it is planted in. With much of the corn making ethanol, corn prices are rising, making it harder to get food, therefore adding to world hunger. However, ethanol is not at its peak, there is research ongoing to make it more efficient, which could help fix some of these problems.

Is ethanol the “fuel of the future”? Does it create to many problems to be worth it? Is there perhaps another alternate source of fuel we could end up using (I hear sugercane-produced ethanol can be pretty nice)?

-Bock

THE CONDOM CARNIVAL

At Central Washington University (CWU, a state-sponsored school),  in the earily winter quarter a “Condom Carnival”, sponsored by PLANNED PARENTHOOD, was held in the SURC(main food area) this carnival included sexually based games such as “Blow your load”, “Put on a Condom race”, and “Toss the Rubber”. This event was perfectly free and was not required. How do you feel about this event?

Paintball: Lion or Lamb?

Paintball is a widespread phenomenon in the states and around the world. Yet many Mothers and Fathers refuse to let their children participate in this “extreme” sport. I pose this to you, is paintball a dangerous sport? Is it training warriors for tomorrow or is it just a extracurricular activity for our youth to partake in. Is it creating mass murderers?

~ Hangman

Presidential Elections: Electoral College Vs. Popular Vote

I’ll put this one very simply: Should there be an Electoral College or should the president be elected by popular vote only? Should there be delegates and super delegates? Should one state’s electoral outcome matter more than another’s (key states)?

-Sami H.

Polygamy in Texas

Interesting news came out today in the Texas polygamy case:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/22/AR2008052200548.html?hpid=topnews

This is, of course, referring to the case following the raid conducted by Texas officials on the Yearning For Zion ranch of the FLDS Church. Over 400 children taken during the raid are currently being held in foster homes across the state.

Key points via WaPost

“A Texas appeals court yesterday ruled that state child-protection officials lacked the evidence to seize children from the compound of a polygamist sect last month, rejecting arguments that the group’s belief system is itself a dangerous form of abuse.

…

If Texas officials cannot produce new evidence of abuse or win an appeal to the state Supreme Court, experts and lawyers involved in the case predicted, many of the children eventually could be returned to their parents.”

Rather than merely asking for your thoughts (which I would very much like to hear), I thought I might get more interest by putting some material out there…

This is not a defense of polygamy (if you feel like defending it, have at it).

1) Some argue that the only difference between a polygamist and a man who impregnates two women is more commitment to the relationship on the part of the polygamist. What is society’s interest in continuing to outlaw polygamy or prosecute polygamist communities, especially in light of our “evolving” positions on homosexual marriage?

2) Isn’t this just another example of a government’s tendency to (almost like an organic creature) destroy any other authority or institution that appears legitimate? A government cannot stand any institution that offers a legitimate alternative for citizens. As soon as one arises and is seen as more legitimate than governmental institutions, the government immediately reacts and crushes it. Is the move to crush the FLDS compound (as the Wacos of before) another instance of this phenomenon?

3) Should the state of Texas return custody of the children to the parents?

Any other thoughts?

- JOSH B

Should Governments Be Allowed to Expand Without Consent of the People?

Ok, here’s a big one thanks, in part, to Josh B.:

Should we, as the people, allow our liberties to be stripped away one by one in order to have a small piece of “protection” as some would view it?  Or should we take matters into our own hands, not allowing anyone or anything to take what our fathers and forefathers worked so hard to earn?

-Sean R.

Concealed Weapons Carry

Thought this one deserved its own post. Is it a viable crime deterrent? Or does it invite more violence and crime into our lives and our world?

-Sami H.

Zeitgeist shown in school, Required to veiw by students.

The first part of this video basically says that all of christianity is fake, A teacher at CWU required his class to watch this movie and participate in the discussion.

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/main.htm

or find them here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeZB2EsPqGE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmzailhVl-U&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6UdQxt7b24&feature=related

Pro: Opens up students minds to the possibility of Atheism.

Con: It was not a religion class and many people felt very uncomfortable about the video, and posting their pro christianity veiws.

What do you think?

War: Is It Necessary?

War. The single most destructive invention of man-kind. It happens everyday whether large-scale or small. It causes the death of our strong, young men, orphans countless children, and causes the destruction of entire cities, regions, countries. This said why do we participate in it, is it truly necessary?

I say, unfortunately, yes. But that is not why I’m here I’m here to pose a question for you to answer to the best of your ability. War has been around since the first real record of organized human kind. Not always huge invasions but battles on the smaller scale that happen daily. Is there any way to stop it? Or is it part of our nature to constantly disagree with each other, and fight over our differences? These are my questions for you.

~Hangman

Taxes… Why so many?

These days we have taxes on just about everything.  We have the widely known income tax, we have sales tax, we have tax on gas, and many other taxes based on specific services and/or products.  Now what would happen if we scrapped all the taxes and simply kept the sales tax.  The IRS would not have nearly as much work on their hands, which would save the government a ton of money.  Sales tax still works just like the income tax in the long run.

Of course, there would be problems with businesses faking their profits in order to pay less taxes.  What are ways we can take care of that?  How much would a change like this help how we pay taxes?  Will it help at all?  Is there another way we could change it for the better?

-Stephen B.

Standardized Testing

Many states employ a standardized test to gauge students’ levels of education. Teachers are required to teach curricula according to the standards of the state test.

Is this an accurate, effective method to measure the intelligence and education levels of students? Is this an unfair restriction of teachers’ instructive creativity?

What would be a viable/comparable/reliable alternative for the standardized test?

-Sami H.

US Military to Take Direct Control of Cyberdefense?

According to DefenseTech.org,

“With U.S. civil and military officials increasingly concerned about cyber attacks against American networks, the U.S. Air Force is planning to establish what will probably be the largest and most comprehensive military organization to defend against cyber attack. And, unlike the apparent efforts of the other U.S. military services in this field, the Air Force will conduct offensive cyber warfare.”

Is this good for all of us internet users? Or is it another way for the government to take control of our lives, and peek in at what we are doing?

-Sean R.

Lowering the Drinking Age?

Over the years, the argument has been made that “If I can die for my country at 18, then I should be able to drink!” Is this morally and socially correct? Or just a trend and something that we all have just accepted over the years?
-Alan S.