Bucky wrote:it's sort of how i feel about guns. They'd be OK if they always end up in the right hands, but they don't, so restrict. Just like gerrymandering.

TenuredVulture wrote:Let's face it. Delaware is a rotten borough.

Werthless wrote:

Bucky wrote:it's sort of how i feel about guns. They'd be OK if they always end up in the right hands, but they don't, so restrict. Just like gerrymandering.

That's interesting. I think about the availability of guns from the exact opposite perspective. Restricting it would mainly reduce the guns being held by responsible owners, so don't ban. (I know you didnt say ban, but restrict, which I support)

TenuredVulture wrote:I'm not convinced that gerrymandering for any purpose is as evil as many seem to think. Why should geography trump all other considerations when it comes to representation? Gerrymandering can be a way to move toward proportional representation by other means. Gerrymandering can ensure minorities have a voice. Yes, the devil is in the details, and who gets to draw those maps. But the politics of redistricting are a lot more complicated than the discussion here would indicate. There's nothing wrong with gerrymandering per se.

It's also important to note that the clever people who do the gerrymandering often outsmart themselves--things don't always go according to expectations.

TenuredVulture wrote:Dajafi, rules are never neutral with respect to outcome.

Taro Aso, Japan's newly appointed deputy prime minister and minister for finance and financial services, speaks during a news conference at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 27, 2012. (Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

TOKYO – Taro Aso has never been one to hold his tongue. But Japan’s 72 year-old deputy prime minister may have outdone himself with his latest gaffe.

At a government panel to discuss social security reforms, the former prime minister called the elderly who are unable to feed themselves “tube people,” then proceeded to say the elderly should be allowed to “hurry up and die” to reduce the burden on a country tasked to pay for their medical expenses.

Adding his personal experience, Aso said he had already written a will, directing his family to let him “hurry up and die,” refusing end-of-life care.

“Even if (doctors) said they could keep me alive, it would be unbearable,” he said. “I would feel guilty, knowing that (treatment) was being paid for by the government.”

Aso later argued that his comments were misinterpreted. He was speaking about his personal wishes, not those of all senior citizens.

In 2008, while still prime minister, Aso called the elderly a “feeble” group.

“Why should I have to pay taxes for people who just sit around and do nothing but eat and drink?” he said at the time.

jerseyhoya wrote:End of life care costs too damn much. Bring me death panels.

drsmooth wrote:

jerseyhoya wrote:End of life care costs too damn much. Bring me death panels.

Double-dip: Only issue licences for AR15's to octogenarians

pacino wrote:

drsmooth wrote:

jerseyhoya wrote:End of life care costs too damn much. Bring me death panels.

Double-dip: Only issue licences for AR15's to octogenarians

texas is already seeking to arm the kids. the only people without guns will now be liberal pussies. we'll all be safer for it. i hear more guns = less violence.

This week’s gunfire at a Houston-area college prompted new calls Wednesday for allowing concealed handgun license holders to carry their weapons into Texas college buildings and classrooms as a measure of self-defense.

Texas lawmakers already are considering a bill that allows concealed handguns in college classrooms. A similar measure failed in 2011, but last month’s shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., had already helped renew the debate over safety in schools, and Tuesday’s gunfire at Lone Star College had supporters looking to rally more support.

“It levels the playing field,” in terms of safety, said Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels. “We have to allow people the option for self-protection.”

And if the shooter at Lone Star College had turned the gun on others “and blasted folks ... I would have been thankful if somebody with a concealed handgun would have shot the people killing innocent folks,” Campbell said.

Authorities have charged 22-year-old Carlton Berry with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Officials say an argument between Berry and another man escalated into gunfire that injured them and a maintenance worker.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has proposed spending state money to give teachers and other school personnel weapons and tactical response training.