The website I'm creating will be called "Citation Provided" or www.citationprovided.com
It'll take a couple of days to work out the DNS and the hosting and the initial code... but I have registered the domain and am presently waiting on the hosting provider to figure out that yes... I did in fact respond to the registration verification email.
One step at a time.
The essence of the website shall be apolitical. I will acknowledge my personal biases as a matter of integrity. There may be a section, like a sidebar of "notes" or something similar when I feel compelled to offer opinions, but it will be an optional section. Never has to be seen. The function of this website will be to provided relevant, reputable sources for various topics.
I will also at some point institute a community aspect in which others can submit and discuss things that should be added, possibly a secondary "version" of the site (like opensource.citationprovided.com or something similar)... but ultimately, at least at first, I will be the sole arbiter of what gets included. I have a few different topics already that I want to get included quickly, including:
Climate Change
Race issues in the US
Gender issues in the US
By the way... for climate change there really is one website that cannot be beaten: https://www.skepticalscience.com/
Seriously, that place has it all for climate change. It's honestly my inspiration for Citation Provided.
Anyway, I'll let you know when I have things up and running!
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Jumping off place...
I'll be starting a new website soon to serve as a repository and resource for reputable sources for common arguments. The next time someone wants to tell you that climate change is fake you'll know right where to look to avoid having to go off and find links to crap that you've already looked up 100 times before when trying to make the same argument for a 100 different people who just don't want to accept the truth.
Actually... there's already an amazing website for that. But it is specific to climate change. What's up coming will cover more topics. Gender issues. Race issues. Gun violence. Also: I will be posting ANY AND ALL reputable sources that I am able to review INCLUDING those that represent competing ideas. Logic and standards of integrity will be the primary filter for inclusion rather than personal bias. I do have biases and they will be appropriately noted.
Check back here for an update, hopefully within the next couple of days, for either the main website or a Tumblr/Reddit/Blogger that is dedicated to bringing in new topics, new sources, discussion, etc.
Also... if you don't like the 4 other posts on here don't worry about it... it's been what, 3 years since I wrote those? Some views may have changed, some may not have, but all are more refined. Regardless... I'm only writing this post as a placeholder and somewhere to check back to for when I get a proper site set up.
Actually... there's already an amazing website for that. But it is specific to climate change. What's up coming will cover more topics. Gender issues. Race issues. Gun violence. Also: I will be posting ANY AND ALL reputable sources that I am able to review INCLUDING those that represent competing ideas. Logic and standards of integrity will be the primary filter for inclusion rather than personal bias. I do have biases and they will be appropriately noted.
Check back here for an update, hopefully within the next couple of days, for either the main website or a Tumblr/Reddit/Blogger that is dedicated to bringing in new topics, new sources, discussion, etc.
Also... if you don't like the 4 other posts on here don't worry about it... it's been what, 3 years since I wrote those? Some views may have changed, some may not have, but all are more refined. Regardless... I'm only writing this post as a placeholder and somewhere to check back to for when I get a proper site set up.
Monday, December 29, 2014
When Free Market "patriots" can't handle the Free Market
Just read a discussion on supply and demand from the perspective of 22lr ammo: buying all retail stock to create an apparent shortage, and selling at a mark-up.
For clarity (as I was made aware I failed at clarity in this post), what I am about to describe are effectively bullet scalpers operating the same way as ticket scalpers.
The discussion started with someone calling for people to refuse to buy from the people marking it up so as to lower the incentive for people to do this. The people who have made it their business to restrict consumer access through convenient and affordable retail channels got butt-hurt, claiming that the ones calling for a boycott on these mark-up re-sellers were espousing liberal, "pro-Obummer" market philosophies (yes, the dipsticks actually used the word "Obummer"). They claimed there was nothing unethical about their business because the consumer can choose NOT to buy from them...
But wait... that's exactly what the original poster that started conversation called for. He didn't call for the government to mandate market restrictions, he called for consumers to adjust their buying habits in a way that serves the greater good, and discourages these mark-up re-sellers.
It really, REALLY bugs me when people can't keep their own politics straight. I'm an "on paper conservative", but these dipsticks are the reason I vote Democrat. I'd love to have an informed market making intelligent decisions and having that work it's force on what is produced and at what cost. But when you have these hypocritical nincompoops driving up prices and whining when people don't want to buy from them any more, and the politicians cater to THEIR sorry butts! Oy! I'd rather have a regulated economy than an unregulated cronyism and bribery-based economy.
For clarity (as I was made aware I failed at clarity in this post), what I am about to describe are effectively bullet scalpers operating the same way as ticket scalpers.
The discussion started with someone calling for people to refuse to buy from the people marking it up so as to lower the incentive for people to do this. The people who have made it their business to restrict consumer access through convenient and affordable retail channels got butt-hurt, claiming that the ones calling for a boycott on these mark-up re-sellers were espousing liberal, "pro-Obummer" market philosophies (yes, the dipsticks actually used the word "Obummer"). They claimed there was nothing unethical about their business because the consumer can choose NOT to buy from them...
But wait... that's exactly what the original poster that started conversation called for. He didn't call for the government to mandate market restrictions, he called for consumers to adjust their buying habits in a way that serves the greater good, and discourages these mark-up re-sellers.
It really, REALLY bugs me when people can't keep their own politics straight. I'm an "on paper conservative", but these dipsticks are the reason I vote Democrat. I'd love to have an informed market making intelligent decisions and having that work it's force on what is produced and at what cost. But when you have these hypocritical nincompoops driving up prices and whining when people don't want to buy from them any more, and the politicians cater to THEIR sorry butts! Oy! I'd rather have a regulated economy than an unregulated cronyism and bribery-based economy.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Unarmed man killed by police while walking...
Cop says "get your hands out"... dude starts to take his "hands out"... dude is killed.
He approached an unarmed person with his gun drawn having absolutely no reason beyond one 911 call to believe that the person was armed. This caller said “They’re obviously looking for trouble, just the way they look.” So... THAT doesn't sound prejudiced at all. (note I said prejudiced, not racist)
Police try to say that his behavior escalated the situation... the behavior of removing ones hands from ones pants... per instruction... of the armed officer.
Officer said he thought he was already "too late" when he fired the weapon he already had aimed at the guy who had not even had time (from the point that he did start to react) to get his hands all the way up.
The cop had a clear advantage in this gunman on pretend gunman quick draw session.
Look, I get it... things can happen in a second and you don't always have time to think clearly or assess the situation fully. And I mean that sincerely, waiting can get you killed. But the fact is you approached an unarmed man in a threatening manner, and then killed him. This man was not going to kill you. But you killed him. He was not going to attack, maim, or hurt you in any way. But you killed him. The unarmed dead guy is not in the wrong here... you are.
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/09/30/video-footage-of-cop-executing-dillon-taylor-released-video/
Honestly, if the cop just admitted his wrong doing, acknowledged he caused this tragedy... at least I could maintain a larger faith in the uniform. Maybe not be so afraid that it could be me next. What if a cop assumes that I am a threat to him, he tells me to take my hands out of my pocket, and when I do he assumes I'm drawing a gun and shoots me?
As always: respect and give your absolutely deserved gratitude to the men and women who refrain from killing unarmed dudes. The men and women who put themselves in harms way for our safety. They risk deadly encounters, and in fairness situations of significant uncertainty. They do not deserve our ire. They deserve our respect.
Unapologetic killers who happen to wear the same uniform on the other hand...
He approached an unarmed person with his gun drawn having absolutely no reason beyond one 911 call to believe that the person was armed. This caller said “They’re obviously looking for trouble, just the way they look.” So... THAT doesn't sound prejudiced at all. (note I said prejudiced, not racist)
Police try to say that his behavior escalated the situation... the behavior of removing ones hands from ones pants... per instruction... of the armed officer.
Officer said he thought he was already "too late" when he fired the weapon he already had aimed at the guy who had not even had time (from the point that he did start to react) to get his hands all the way up.
The cop had a clear advantage in this gunman on pretend gunman quick draw session.
Look, I get it... things can happen in a second and you don't always have time to think clearly or assess the situation fully. And I mean that sincerely, waiting can get you killed. But the fact is you approached an unarmed man in a threatening manner, and then killed him. This man was not going to kill you. But you killed him. He was not going to attack, maim, or hurt you in any way. But you killed him. The unarmed dead guy is not in the wrong here... you are.
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/09/30/video-footage-of-cop-executing-dillon-taylor-released-video/
Honestly, if the cop just admitted his wrong doing, acknowledged he caused this tragedy... at least I could maintain a larger faith in the uniform. Maybe not be so afraid that it could be me next. What if a cop assumes that I am a threat to him, he tells me to take my hands out of my pocket, and when I do he assumes I'm drawing a gun and shoots me?
As always: respect and give your absolutely deserved gratitude to the men and women who refrain from killing unarmed dudes. The men and women who put themselves in harms way for our safety. They risk deadly encounters, and in fairness situations of significant uncertainty. They do not deserve our ire. They deserve our respect.
Unapologetic killers who happen to wear the same uniform on the other hand...
Monday, September 29, 2014
"Mainstream Media"
So this is bugging me... Fox news is not some bastion of hope in an otherwise lie filled media world. They are not the ones being honest amongst liars, and they are NOT some underground movement of free-thought.
But I still see headlines about what how Fox personalities are "uncovering the truth the liberal media won't talk about" and all this other rubbish.
Usually after I've already read about this "hidden truth" elsewhere.
Mainstream media is a for profit business. They almost universally lack professional integrity. Fox News is part of the mainstream media. Americans identifying as Democrat and Americans identifying as Republican are within a percentage point of each other. So for realsies... conservatives are not some oppressed minority. Please stop pretending otherwise. You are part of a very popular group. Elections are a toss-up. The world isn't out to get you. You are not victims.
Oi.
But I still see headlines about what how Fox personalities are "uncovering the truth the liberal media won't talk about" and all this other rubbish.
Usually after I've already read about this "hidden truth" elsewhere.
Mainstream media is a for profit business. They almost universally lack professional integrity. Fox News is part of the mainstream media. Americans identifying as Democrat and Americans identifying as Republican are within a percentage point of each other. So for realsies... conservatives are not some oppressed minority. Please stop pretending otherwise. You are part of a very popular group. Elections are a toss-up. The world isn't out to get you. You are not victims.
Oi.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Obvious guy says: no knock raids are dangerous...
Two Texas men have their house broken into by police with a no knock raid because somebody said they have drugs. Both shoot the police because "no knock" and thus "no freaking idea that they are being raided lawfully rather than somebody trying to break in to cause them harm". In both cases no drugs were found (though that is really functionally irrelevant I should think).
One man has charges dropped, because... yeah... breaking into somebody's home in the middle of the night in Texas is a great way to get shot. It's a perfectly reasonable outcome to the situation. The other man Texas is trying to execute.
Care to guess the most obvious difference?
http://www.infowars.com/murder-charges-dropped-against-man-who-killed-cop-in-no-knock-raid/
http://reason.com/blog/2014/09/17/texas-wants-to-execute-man-who-killed-ho
Now, beyond that difference...
What is with these no-knock raids anyway? Grenades in babies cribs? Getting the wrong address and then shooting to death people who were lawfully defending their homes? I question how worth while these are. Some of them are even being conducted of marijuana of all things! Freaking marijuana! How is marijuana worth allowing the police to kill innocent people? How is it worth putting the police in harm's way when people very reasonably shoot the unannounced intruders trying to break into their homes?
But most of all, why is it okay for police to shoot and kill people after getting the wrong address, and NOT face charges... but it's not okay for people to shoot police who are (from the resident's perspective) thugs just breaking and entering to cause harm? If you don't know it's police, why would you not defend yourself?
And last question: what happens if people become so scared of shooting the very dangerous to public life police officers who are breaking and entering into people's homes, that actual criminals just start shouting "we're the police!" if they hear somebody in the home stirring during their robbery, knowing that makes them safe?
I care for and respect officers doing they're duty and putting their lives at risk for the protection of me and my fellow citizens. But this no-knock raid business is some bullshit. People are dying, and it's the Police's fault. I mean LITERALLY their fault.
One man has charges dropped, because... yeah... breaking into somebody's home in the middle of the night in Texas is a great way to get shot. It's a perfectly reasonable outcome to the situation. The other man Texas is trying to execute.
Care to guess the most obvious difference?
http://www.infowars.com/murder-charges-dropped-against-man-who-killed-cop-in-no-knock-raid/
http://reason.com/blog/2014/09/17/texas-wants-to-execute-man-who-killed-ho
Now, beyond that difference...
What is with these no-knock raids anyway? Grenades in babies cribs? Getting the wrong address and then shooting to death people who were lawfully defending their homes? I question how worth while these are. Some of them are even being conducted of marijuana of all things! Freaking marijuana! How is marijuana worth allowing the police to kill innocent people? How is it worth putting the police in harm's way when people very reasonably shoot the unannounced intruders trying to break into their homes?
But most of all, why is it okay for police to shoot and kill people after getting the wrong address, and NOT face charges... but it's not okay for people to shoot police who are (from the resident's perspective) thugs just breaking and entering to cause harm? If you don't know it's police, why would you not defend yourself?
And last question: what happens if people become so scared of shooting the very dangerous to public life police officers who are breaking and entering into people's homes, that actual criminals just start shouting "we're the police!" if they hear somebody in the home stirring during their robbery, knowing that makes them safe?
I care for and respect officers doing they're duty and putting their lives at risk for the protection of me and my fellow citizens. But this no-knock raid business is some bullshit. People are dying, and it's the Police's fault. I mean LITERALLY their fault.
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