jacee

We can 'own' property, to the extent that our government can defend its title.

Actually my real point is that some people seem to have a strong need to believe that it didn't happen and to convince others. Why is that? We're only speculating about the actions of merchants, their private militia and churches, all of whom continue to violate human rights and plunder the land of native peoples of the Americas today. Interesting that you don't actually quote the Mayo clinic that said 'Smallpox can also be spread by infected clothes and blankets though the risk is slight.' slight . . . but not absent, especially perhaps for native people highly susceptible. And why do some people have the need to insist it didn't happen when the facts are not clear?

So you would use a smallpox blanket without fear? I don't think 'history' as recorded by the invading powers can be considered definitive sources.

True. I was reacting to the op that seemed to present as fact something that is only as yet one side of a legal argument. It remains to be seen whether his actions are a true reflection of his religion, or the distortions of a fanatic. That element of the trial may prove informative. I think with terrorism charges, the issue is not how the crimes are motivated (as with hate crimes) but that the crimes are against the state - attempts to bring down the existing order. I believe that's the rationale for including anarchists in the 'terrorist' category, but not Mohawks who, while they seek justice from the state, do not seek its demise. (Big booboo by the cops there, and big apology.)

It really doesn't matter whether we think we've 'improved' the land (highly debatable) if we haven't paid the rent owing. It has nothing to do with "superior" but only with laws of ownership.

I can't seem to find that information in this thread nor by googling. Can you share your link?

Why would we choose to believe that over equally plausible theories that profit making deemed their presence annoying and dispensable?

We can choose to believe that, but the motives of the tellers deserve some inspection I think. Who stands to benefit most? And what are the implications of today's treaties eyeball?

Can you say more about this eyeball? What is the nature of modern treaty settlements? Are they financial settlements? I'm not naive enough to believe that conquest of North America had altruistic motives for natives or colonists. Clearly the motive was profit for the merchants, aided by their private militia and by missionaries. I am struck by the account of vacant villages that colonists found upon arrival, and the fact that there was a hundred year gap between exploration and colonization. Do we really know what happened in that time? Is it unreasonable to think nefarious deeds such as distribution of diseased blankets might have occurred? Even in recent years we hear of Canadian companies hiring private security to prevent locals from interfering with mining projects in South America, sometimes with deadly consequences. Colonizing itself was not altruistic, but designed to rid Britain (and France?) of pesky peasants living off the land to make way for profit-making by the wealthy few. And we were taught to forget that past and start fresh in the new land. The profit-makers still tell us to forget the past, 'get over it' as workers' contracts and pensions are stripped in the name of profits. Given that personal profit is their only motive, shouldn't we be asking ourselves what they want us to forget and why? Would European merchants actually record it if they did engage in wholesale slaughter of natives by infected blankets or otherwise? Do we know what native history has to say about this?

The problem I have with the original topic is that 'food' that most of us wouldn't touch is to be forced on "welfare people and the homeless", a seeming punishment for their state. To remove the apparent punitive element, I would suggest that wealthy people first adopt this diet and make it popular. :-]

I watch the protests outside Niagara hospitals, a new development in Canada. Previous generations would never take to the streets in that way. The new generations of seniors, however, are the children of the sixties who may have participated in anti-war or anti-nuclear protests and may have been part of the unionization of the professions. Now that the medicinal benefits of pot are being recognized by the mainstream medical professions, it seems ridiculous to be criminalizing it further. I suspect it won't be long before there will be protests, as the new laws kick in and people face charges. I mean really . . . What the hell are they thinking! :-)

He stole from a publicly traded company. That's stealing from stockholders, not from himself.

I'm not convinced by the evidence presented here that the flotilla is "funded by Hamas". Not even the IDF makes that claim. It's apparent that you are passionate about your cause. However personal attacks in place of information suggest that you are aware of some weakness in your position. I admit to incomplete knowledge of the situation, but the shocking information that a person on the previous flotilla was shot in the back of the head when already disarmed and immobilized is very damaging to the credibility of the IDF, imo.

Again I say admirable, but perhaps naive and elitist. Sexual predators do chose victims seen to be powerless or under their control. Please read the accounts of the other victim who has come forward and incorporate that into your thinking. The forensic evidence was that she said she spit out semen as she ran from the room and it was found where she said, suggestive of non-consensual sex but not conclusive. I acknowledge that this case is compromised, but I think final conclusions about whether DSK is a sexual predator must wait until we see whether there will be more victims come forward. Rape is not about sex: It's about affirming power and control.

I expect the Israeli government defines all donations to Gaza relief as contributions to terrorists.

Right ;-) Those in positions of power don't expect to get caught.

There are no government requirements regarding hijabs - headscarves. In fact they are also often worn by elderly European women. Is anybody yelling insults at them? Not really relevant to this context, but when it occurs it's usually a two way street. :-] True. I was just expressing my own opinion. It may be an effective strategy in some situations, and in others the high road - a thicker skin - might be a better option.

I hardly know what to say . . . It's nice to know that there are still men around whose personal values make it difficult for them to comprehend the immoral behaviour of others . . . I think. :-) Unfortunately, the housekeeper's case is compromised. However, if you check today's news you will find that another victim has come forward whose credibility appears better. I suspect she won't be the only one either. The disbelief of moral men notwithstanding, a rapist is a rapist is a rapist.

Soon we'll see issues arising about seniors smoking their medical marijuana in retirement and nursing homes. :-]

A hijab is a headscarf not a face covering. Setting yourself apart is not illegal. Hate crimes are. I don't have an issue with religious or cultural clothing. I do have an issue with idiots who yell insults at people because of their religion/culture/race etc.

Seems to me you've already decided and you don't want the facts getting in your way. It's just a headscarf, she's just a girl, and Islam is just a religion that some fanatics distort to justify their criminal acts.

"hoax" seems too polite a word for such blatant lying propaganda.

Membership in the UN is purely voluntary. Any country that doesn't want to join doesn't have to, can withdraw at any time, doesn't have to sign on to any conventions, etc. Thus, your position makes no sense to me.

Is Israel not still expanding settlements into new areas and controlling Gaza?

Yeah, a few hundred protesters and some very vocal freepers and a lot of bored media. Sales that are bolstered by wealthy republicans that buy them all up to hand out free to the membership. :-]