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dnelson's comments:
on The Reality of Guns
I own a gun, and am extremely frustrated by the requirement of many of the (best) shooting ranges around town which REQUIRE an NRA membership-- it may have been at one time, but currently the NRA is distinctly *not* a safety-focused or training organization, but an intensely political organization heavily engaged in a fear-based lobbying campaign.
I'd love to see ranges around Portland drop this antiquated requirement in favor of a more modern organization or certification promoting safe, responsible use of firearms.
posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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on State of the Union
I'm frustrated to see the continuation of divisive, polarizing rhetoric here in the comments and from other right wing conservatives.
True conservatives should have been drawn to the President's calls for specific, targeted cuts in programs to balance the budget Instead, we see sadly typical responses to buzzwords with talking points.
The market cannot and should not attempt to solve everything. Governance is complicated, with all the things to consider including the economy, environment, public well-being, international relations & trade. Obama laid out a general, but practical framework for moving our nation forward, including the great idea to restructure government. Conservatives should embrace that and ditch their tired old false assumptions that government is all bad and unchanging.
Obama perhaps could have called out and laid deserved blame more at the feet of Wall Street and its advocates, calling for more regulation on them and reform of how they relate to the rest of the country in which they operate (and whose people and resources form the basis for their enormous profits), but that wouldn't have been as productive, forward-focused or appropriate for a SOTU address.
Let's focus today and tomorrow to work harder to have more listening and courteous debate in our national conversations. That--and not the exclusive idolization of the market and corporate capitalism--that democratic conversation is what best defines the USA.
posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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on The "P" Word and Climate Change
To the current caller @ 9:53 --- Adopt! Adopt! Adopt!
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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on The "P" Word and Climate Change
Indeed, we as people on the planet are like the cells within our bodies, all working together. The amazing benefit we have is that we have self-awareness and verbal communication. We just need to recognize this model and develop a more global-systems awareness, and temper our vitriolic communication with humility and a focus on common goals...
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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on The "P" Word and Climate Change
You clearly want to advance this discussion in a humble, productive way.
You seem to need a hug. Or a slap! Dick.
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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on The "P" Word and Climate Change
At least in this discussion, I'm not seeing anyone say that future generations are flawed, or that people in general are flawed-- just the obscene numbers of us which make it hard for society to take care of everyone.
But you're totally right and I think everyone here is in agreement on your other point: those of us in the global North consume and pollute at ridiculously higher rate than anyone else, and that ain't right.
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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on The "P" Word and Climate Change
Oh, definitely! Adoption is such an important option for having a family. There are plenty of accidental pregnancies, but tons of people who either can't have kids or choose not to create them who do want to raise them. It seems like if adoption were more in the minds of folks, there'd be less focus on the two difficult and polarizing options of either abortion or being a young, unprepared parent.
No shame in giving up a kid for adoption--in fact, it's a very responsible decision. I was adopted and greatly appreciate my birth mom's decision.
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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on The "P" Word and Climate Change
Regarding problems which actively prohibit other issues from effectively being addressed: apart from money in politics, population growth is the single fundamental component contributing to conflict, resource depletion, sickness and climate change.
This is partially why a decade ago at the age of 23 I got a vasectomy. I've felt it's a major action I could take to show my commitment to the integrity of the science and to the importance of personal sacrifice or major life decisions that everyone must make, together, to help our global society progress.
So relieved to hear population growth coming back into the dialogue! I'm looking forward to the show tomorrow morning...
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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on Carbon Offsets
Great show! So refreshing to hear two folks talk about an important issue on which they have some disagreement with rationality and respect.
I was really caught though by one of the last comments-- "it *could* work". Yeah, carbon offsets or cap/trade COULD work, but only if we get effective laws with teeth on the books. But that's what's so frustrating--that's so unlikely to happen! Every time I get excited about environmental progress I remember there are more fundamental obstacles to that goal, mainly big money and corporate interference in our democratic processes.
How do we get money's corrupting, blind and unfair influence out of our government? Isn't that the central issue preventing progress on so many of the important issues we work on?
posted 3 years, 7 months ago
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on Bull Run Water
I'm most concerned and annoyed by the distinct chlorine smell and taste of Portland tap water which seems to have intensified in the last several years. What's up with that? How do these options affect that, and can this be reduced?
Thanks,
Dave
posted 3 years, 9 months ago
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on Good News, Bad News
posted 4 years, 2 months ago
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on Message in a Bottle
**NEW ADDRESS**
4629 SE 17th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97202
(One Block South of Holgate)
503-238-1640
posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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