And therein lies the problem, government (both sides) has successfully conditioned the masses to believe that we have have to choose between the two. We are at a point of unprecedented distrust in government and rising awareness of Constitutional issues and structure. The most dangerous movement to the establishment is a well informed populace. The recent NSA scandal should have risen to the level of Watergate where heads rolled at all levels and yet it is already fading from public consciousness. However, the unintended (or maybe intended) message to the public has been clearly sent...do not even think about exercising your rights and duties as defined in the Declaration of Independence:
"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security"
We are monitoring your phone calls, emails, tweets, blogs, and Facebook posts, so you can forget about any revolution.
actually - when you say "...so you can forget about any revolution" - - THAT was already addressed/avoided when the Eisenhower Highway system was instituted - -" As one of the components of the National Highway System, Interstate Highways improve the mobility of military troops to and from airports, seaports, rail terminals, and other military bases. Interstate Highways also connect to other roads that are a part of the Strategic Highway Network, a system of roads identified as critical to the U.S. Department of Defense. "
I disagree Daniel.....its a simple question really. Security or Freedom, pick one. Thats what polls do they ask YOUR opinon and assess what people's opinions are.
Dan, I'm surprised you would delete your comment. You and I almost always disagree, but I could respect the courage of your convictions. A lot of people, including me, make comments on here that incite others and get attacked, but stand by and own their words. C'mon Man, you are bigger than that. If you have something to say, say it, if someone doesn't like it, tough.
I have to second Dave here Dan, If you can't stand by what you post, then don't post it, but if you do be prepared to debate it. But once it is out there it is out there and deletion minimizes your position greatly.
I decided to take it down before I saw any responses because I respect Howard and didn't care to become engaged in a long argument about a poll question. I've pointed out before where I thought the question was unfair, but I don't want to do it on a recurring basis either. I also, admittedly, can come across as abrasive online, so I sometimes delete to reword things in a more civil way. I support The Batavian, and if I have some criticism I'd rather let Howard know privately.
It’s cut and dry for me and Benjamin Franklin said it best; “Those who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
I don't think someone should always be prepared to debate or defend a comment. I know sometimes I just want to voice an opinion. I do truly hope that we are not missing some input here because folks don't want to debate. Going to using real names has removed or at least limited the purposely incendiary stuff and the nastiness. Someone who doesn't comment on this site anymore once told me that it's not necessary to respond to every challenge to get your message out. He's right.
But..to stay on subject it is more important to me that I have the freedom of an open forum to write what I want than the security of not being challenged. Just sayin' LOL
And, Dan, remember: Polls only reflect the opinions of the number of people that 'vote' in the poll. It's a numbers game, at best. If you ask a million people a 'poll question', and 999,999 answer one way, and only one answers the opposite, what does it really mean? Because if you ask a second million, that group might answer just the opposite.
Heck, I find myself taking some of Howard's polls, and, in my mind, I KNOW it really doesn't mean much. Sometimes, I've hit the wrong button (if there is such a thing), and then I tell myself, "Ya' damn fool. That's not the one you wanted to choose!" But, by then, it's too late (Of course, I could probably waste my time and choose the other button twice, to negate my screw-up). But, I never do. 'Cause it really doesn't matter.
The problem with poll questions is that the universe of possible answers is both limited and predetermined by the pollster.
What is your favorite color? Chartreuse, Neon Green, Ecru or Magenta? Choose one of these and only one of these. Then it can authoritatively be reported that X percent of subject group Y endorses Ecru as their favorite color.
Think about that next time the man with the pleasing baritone voice authoritatively tells you that the "majority" of Americans think thus and such...
FWIW: One reason our poll questions are often impossibly short is our web publishing allows headlines of only a certain length. Make a poll question -- hence headline -- too long and the URL (web address) breaks and you can't leave comments on the poll. The acceptable length is approximately twice as long as this question, but if I were to, say, try to make this question more nuanced, it would almost certainly exceed the acceptable length.
Howard: I get it. I have beaten you up about this before, but I get it. I just wish more people got it every time they get all upset that a poll shows this or that.
What the poll shows is what the people who answered it chose between the available answers. I'm grooving on the ecru myself. Whatever that is...
Your need security to protect your freedom. You need freedom to establish security. There has to be a balance. This government doesn't want to protect your freedom. It is obvious with Obama and Cuomo total disregard with our 2ND Amendment Rights. I can assure you that, if I place my pistol on your table and told it to shoot, it would not even if, I asked it a zillion times to fire, shoot or discharge. People are the issue and guns are just one of the many tools used by the wicked in our society. Not to mention our Social Media, violent video games and violent movies desensitizing our youth. What is stopping the government from taking our rights for freedom of speech, the Associated Press and Fox New Reporters were being targeted. Oh, once again disguised as protecting you and I. How about our right from unlawful seizure, the discovery of the NSA not be totally honest about their monitoring of our telecommunications and social medias. Do not get me wrong we need security to protect us but, at what cost of our freedoms? We could secure our borders but, our government plays these BS political games. We could start controlling the student visas granted into this country and investigate these applicants but, there are those who believe that, a foreigner has "Constitutional Rights" even when they are not a US citizen. We establish laws to protect our freedom. How many times have you heard a lawyer state this famous quote, "It is how you interpret the law?" Unless you are so complex in defining the law someone will just twist and turn the words to mean what they want it to say. Freedom and Security cannot existed without each other. How do you protect your freedom without security? How do you establish security of yourself without freedom?
And therein lies the problem,
And therein lies the problem, government (both sides) has successfully conditioned the masses to believe that we have have to choose between the two. We are at a point of unprecedented distrust in government and rising awareness of Constitutional issues and structure. The most dangerous movement to the establishment is a well informed populace. The recent NSA scandal should have risen to the level of Watergate where heads rolled at all levels and yet it is already fading from public consciousness. However, the unintended (or maybe intended) message to the public has been clearly sent...do not even think about exercising your rights and duties as defined in the Declaration of Independence:
"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security"
We are monitoring your phone calls, emails, tweets, blogs, and Facebook posts, so you can forget about any revolution.
actually - when you say
actually - when you say "...so you can forget about any revolution" - - THAT was already addressed/avoided when the Eisenhower Highway system was instituted - -" As one of the components of the National Highway System, Interstate Highways improve the mobility of military troops to and from airports, seaports, rail terminals, and other military bases. Interstate Highways also connect to other roads that are a part of the Strategic Highway Network, a system of roads identified as critical to the U.S. Department of Defense. "
Deleted.
Deleted.
Give me my Freedom and I will
Give me my Freedom and I will take care of my own personal security.
Dan, either you pick one
Dan, either you pick one answer or another. How the HELL is that a masquerade? And if it's so loaded, why are there answers in both columns.
The choice between freedom and security is one of the predominate issues of our times.
If you don't like the poll, don't answer it. I'm not going to consult Dan Jones every morning on what poll question I should ask.
I disagree Daniel.....its a
I disagree Daniel.....its a simple question really. Security or Freedom, pick one. Thats what polls do they ask YOUR opinon and assess what people's opinions are.
I have to agree with Tom, Freedom over security.
Dan, I'm surprised you would
Dan, I'm surprised you would delete your comment. You and I almost always disagree, but I could respect the courage of your convictions. A lot of people, including me, make comments on here that incite others and get attacked, but stand by and own their words. C'mon Man, you are bigger than that. If you have something to say, say it, if someone doesn't like it, tough.
I have to second Dave here
I have to second Dave here Dan, If you can't stand by what you post, then don't post it, but if you do be prepared to debate it. But once it is out there it is out there and deletion minimizes your position greatly.
I decided to take it down
I decided to take it down before I saw any responses because I respect Howard and didn't care to become engaged in a long argument about a poll question. I've pointed out before where I thought the question was unfair, but I don't want to do it on a recurring basis either. I also, admittedly, can come across as abrasive online, so I sometimes delete to reword things in a more civil way. I support The Batavian, and if I have some criticism I'd rather let Howard know privately.
It’s cut and dry for me and
It’s cut and dry for me and Benjamin Franklin said it best; “Those who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
I don't think someone should
I don't think someone should always be prepared to debate or defend a comment. I know sometimes I just want to voice an opinion. I do truly hope that we are not missing some input here because folks don't want to debate. Going to using real names has removed or at least limited the purposely incendiary stuff and the nastiness. Someone who doesn't comment on this site anymore once told me that it's not necessary to respond to every challenge to get your message out. He's right.
I am working on that
But..to stay on subject it is
But..to stay on subject it is more important to me that I have the freedom of an open forum to write what I want than the security of not being challenged. Just sayin' LOL
Dan, thanks for the follow
Dan, thanks for the follow up. You've questioned our poll questions before and I felt I needed to respond this time.
No hard feelings.
But -- don't take our poll questions so damn seriously. :)
And, Dan, remember: Polls
And, Dan, remember: Polls only reflect the opinions of the number of people that 'vote' in the poll. It's a numbers game, at best. If you ask a million people a 'poll question', and 999,999 answer one way, and only one answers the opposite, what does it really mean? Because if you ask a second million, that group might answer just the opposite.
Heck, I find myself taking some of Howard's polls, and, in my mind, I KNOW it really doesn't mean much. Sometimes, I've hit the wrong button (if there is such a thing), and then I tell myself, "Ya' damn fool. That's not the one you wanted to choose!" But, by then, it's too late (Of course, I could probably waste my time and choose the other button twice, to negate my screw-up). But, I never do. 'Cause it really doesn't matter.
As Howard says, try not to take it so seriously.
The problem with poll
The problem with poll questions is that the universe of possible answers is both limited and predetermined by the pollster.
What is your favorite color? Chartreuse, Neon Green, Ecru or Magenta? Choose one of these and only one of these. Then it can authoritatively be reported that X percent of subject group Y endorses Ecru as their favorite color.
Think about that next time the man with the pleasing baritone voice authoritatively tells you that the "majority" of Americans think thus and such...
FWIW: One reason our poll
FWIW: One reason our poll questions are often impossibly short is our web publishing allows headlines of only a certain length. Make a poll question -- hence headline -- too long and the URL (web address) breaks and you can't leave comments on the poll. The acceptable length is approximately twice as long as this question, but if I were to, say, try to make this question more nuanced, it would almost certainly exceed the acceptable length.
Howard: I get it. I have
Howard: I get it. I have beaten you up about this before, but I get it. I just wish more people got it every time they get all upset that a poll shows this or that.
What the poll shows is what the people who answered it chose between the available answers. I'm grooving on the ecru myself. Whatever that is...
Howard, can we have
Howard, can we have signatures? Please? I'm thinking "Grooving on Ecru" would be an awesome one.
Kyle - I think a Chinese rock
Kyle - I think a Chinese rock band has that phrase copyrighted.
Oops, sorry! They have "Groovin' on an Erhu".
I knew I wasted my money on that speed-reading course.
What good is 1000 words-per-minute if I only get 60% comprehension?
Your need security to protect
Your need security to protect your freedom. You need freedom to establish security. There has to be a balance. This government doesn't want to protect your freedom. It is obvious with Obama and Cuomo total disregard with our 2ND Amendment Rights. I can assure you that, if I place my pistol on your table and told it to shoot, it would not even if, I asked it a zillion times to fire, shoot or discharge. People are the issue and guns are just one of the many tools used by the wicked in our society. Not to mention our Social Media, violent video games and violent movies desensitizing our youth. What is stopping the government from taking our rights for freedom of speech, the Associated Press and Fox New Reporters were being targeted. Oh, once again disguised as protecting you and I. How about our right from unlawful seizure, the discovery of the NSA not be totally honest about their monitoring of our telecommunications and social medias. Do not get me wrong we need security to protect us but, at what cost of our freedoms? We could secure our borders but, our government plays these BS political games. We could start controlling the student visas granted into this country and investigate these applicants but, there are those who believe that, a foreigner has "Constitutional Rights" even when they are not a US citizen. We establish laws to protect our freedom. How many times have you heard a lawyer state this famous quote, "It is how you interpret the law?" Unless you are so complex in defining the law someone will just twist and turn the words to mean what they want it to say. Freedom and Security cannot existed without each other. How do you protect your freedom without security? How do you establish security of yourself without freedom?