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Bush Readies the Offshore Drill, Should Congress Say Yes?

LibertySugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:00:06 -0700

President Bush thinks offshore drilling might be the Nicorette gum America needs to kick its oil addiction. Yesterday Bush lifted the executive ban on offshore drilling imposed by his father, removing one hurdle for exploration. Bush explained:"This means that the only thing standing between the American people and these vast oil resources is action from the US Congress. Now the ball is squarely in Congress's court."Answering Bush, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said:

“Once again, the oilman in the White House is echoing the demands of Big Oil. The Bush plan is a hoax. It will neither reduce gas prices nor increase energy independence."

Considering the current oil crisis, Bush thinks America has no choice but to take advantage of its own resources. Opponents fear environmental impact, and say the plan would take a decade to produce results, while ignoring alternative energy priorities. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says oil companies should explore the 68 millions of acres already available. Should Congress follow the President's lead? Source

Bush Readies the Offshore Drill, Should Congress Say Yes?

Yay! America must take advantage of all its oil resources, while trying to kick the habit.

Nay. Long-term solutions should help us kick our oil addiction, not feed it.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Will Impounding Johns' Cars Put Prostitution to Bed?

LibertySugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Looking to punish demand, and not just supply, Easton, PA, is considering a law that would allow police to seize the cars of anyone seeking a prostitute. Any vehicle used to solicit or patronize sexual services would be subject to impounding. If a john gets convicted of soliciting a prostitute, the city could sell his car.Since officials usually target the workers, it's somewhat refreshing to see equivalent attention paid to the customer criminals. Even so, I'm not sure any law will help end the timeless sale of sex. Will this measure put the issue of prostitution to bed? Source

Will Impounding Johns' Cars Put Prostitution to Bed?

Yay! This will send the right message, and people will think twice before soliciting sex.

Nay. This extreme reaction does not fit the crime.

Maybe. But I don't think it would really deter someone looking for sex.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Should Insurance Rates Be Raised With Climate Change Risk?

LibertySugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:00:24 -0700

Insurance companies have incorporated climate change assumptions into their disaster probability calculations, thus withdrawing coverage or charging staggering rates on parts of the US East and Gulf coasts. According to the Wall Street Journal, there is a scientific consensus about rising sea temperatures, and practically a consensus that the temperature is tied to greater hurricane activity. But, science has not definitively concluded how or if this will impact the US coastal area now facing rising premiums. Even so, insurers are adjusting their coverage plans in reaction to the horrific 2004 and 2005 hurricane season. The article reports that companies are treating disasters like Katrina and Rita as the norm, not the exception.Should insurance companies wait for science to make a unanimous connection between climate change and increased risk in these specific regions before they raise the rates?Source

Should Insurance Rates Be Raised With Climate Change Risk?

Yay! Responsible insurance companies must adjust now to changing climate risks.

Nay. Insurance companies are just using uncertain science to make a profit.

Forget science! High rates might convince people to stop living in dangerous places.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

No Death Penalty, But Should Rapists Face Castration?

LibertySugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:45:43 -0700

Convicted rapists and other sex offenders now face chemical castration in Louisiana, under legislation signed on the day the US Supreme Court struck down the state's child-rape death penalty. California was the first state to subject its sex offenders to the procedure popularized by the Nazis who wanted to prevent "undesirables" from procreating.Upon signing the law, Louisiana's governor Bobby Jindal said: "I am glad we have taken such strong measures . . . to put a stop to these monsters’ brutal acts."On a side note, Governor Jindal is all sorts of interesting. Currently the youngest US governor, and the nation's first of Indian decent, the potential McCain VP has defended intelligent design and written about his participation in an exorcism. Not everyone supports chemical castration like Governor Jindal. While it can reduce physical urges, critics argue, psychological counseling is needed to address mental addiction behind assaults. Do you favor sentencing sex offenders to chemical castration?Source

No Death Penalty, But Should Rapists Face Castration?

Definitely! They obviously can't control themselves.

No way. It's not their privates that cause them to assault, it's their brains!

Maybe. But we should pair it with psychological treatment, too.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Yay or Nay? Would You Knock Out Your Political Opponent?

LibertySugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:01:00 -0700

The Democratic candidates are beating each other up, literally . . . well at least virtually. The New York Post presents: Democratic Fight Night —an online game where Barack Obama meets Hillary Clinton in the ring. There is no skill required, and no policy to be found. You simply pick a candidate, scroll your mouse toward the other, and click to punch! Soon, blood and bruising will appear until your opponent is knocked out. Is this brutal "game" just the Post's way of making obvious its desire to see a fight? Is the media eager to escalate the bloody match-up narrative because drama sells? Or, is this creative commentary on this historically gruesome primary season? Source

Yay or Nay? Would You Knock Out Your Political Opponent?

Yay! This is what they're doing, so why not join in.

Nay. This is ridiculously violent, and not even funny or insightful.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Would You Wear a CNN Headline on Your Shirt?

LibertySugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:30:46 -0700

Apparently CNN is the network with all the news that's fit to wear. For some unknown reason (April Fool's is over), CNN is offering t-shirts featuring headlines from its online video reports. Um, random. With your headline of choice, and the tagline, "I just saw it on CNN.com," the shirts come in flashing, custom-styles like: crew-neck, black, white, or gray. All for the low-low price of $15 (plus tax and shipping costs, of course).Is this shameless promotion, or a humorous way to spread news? Source

Would You Wear a CNN Headline on Your Shirt?

Yay! It's a creative way to sport my news-junkie pride.

Nay. If I'm going to be a walking-advertisement, it has to be fab!

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

50 Cents More Per Gallon of Gas to Save Earth?

LibertySugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:01:09 -0700

Americans say action is needed to confront global warming, but that action better not affect their pocket books. The National Center For Public Policy Research found that 48 percent of Americans are unwilling to spend even a penny more on gas taxes, in order to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.John Dingell, a Democratic congressman from Michigan, has proposed a 50 cent tax per gallon of gas. By raising the price of gas, Americans would decrease harm to the environment and become less dependent on foreign oil. The funds could be used to finance public transportation or alternative-energy research. But, Dingell's plan found support among only 18 percent of Americans that said they would be willing to pay 50 cents or more. In Europe, consumers pay anywhere from $4 to $5 in taxes, on top of the price of gas.Is it a luxury to care about the environment? Do we need a financial motive to conserve gas, and do what we know is right?Do you favor a 50-cent tax as a way to urgently halt greenhouse-gas emissions? Source

50 Cents More Per Gallon of Gas to Save Earth?

Yay! Getting off gas will help the environment and US national security.

Nay. Gas tax disproportionately hits the poor.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

McCain's Iran/al Qaeda Gaffe: Big Deal?

LibertySugar — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:00:37 -0700

During yesterday's press conference in Jordan, John McCain repeatedly said that Iran is supplying al Qaeda. McCain asserted that Iranian operatives are "taking al Qaeda into Iran, training them and sending them back." Problem is, the Sunni-dominated al Qaeda does not receive any help from Iran, a predominately Shiite country.If your read the Wall Street Journal or the Washington Post, you probably haven't heard about this. If you watch Keith Olbermann on MSNBC, you saw the video at least four times on last night's program. In the video, McCain finally corrected himself, after Senator Joe Lieberman whispered something in his ear.This misstatement may reveal the tendency of certain politicians to generously invoke al Qaeda as a way to conjure up national-security fear. If Americans and their politicians had a more sophisticated, or at least accurate, understanding of the situation in the Middle East, would we be better prepared to face threats at home and abroad? Should McCain be given the benefit of the doubt, since international intelligence might be more complicated than we know? Or, do his misstatements make you question if he is ready to be commander in chief? Source

McCain's Iran/al Qaeda Gaffe: Big Deal?

Yay! Oversimplification of threats and false connections have proven dangerous.

Nay. It's a simple slip of the tongue, and it is true that Iran is causing trouble in Iraq.

Other. I'm really fired up about this and I'll explain why.

Would You Confess Your Sins Online?

LibertySugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:00:34 -0700

According to a recent Georgetown University study, priests are seeing a decline in sinners showing up to confess in person. As a result, they are bringing confessional to unlikely places, like shopping malls! Forgive me father, for I have spent $545 on a pair of Marc Jacobs Surrealist Patent Pumps. Well, apparently the innovation doesn't stop there. E-confessions are becoming a hit on sometimes disturbing anonymous websites. On Camfest you can watch videos of sinners confessing extramarital affairs. On IveScrewedUp a recent post read: "I have killed four people. One of them was a 17 year old boy." Someone's idea of a bad joke, or a desperate attempt to clear the conscience of a criminal?What do you think? Would you take part in Confession 2.0 and offer up your sins online?Source

Would You Confess Your Sins Online?

Yay! I do everything else online, why not do some atoning?

Nay. Confessing sins is sacred and not about convenience.

Would You Buy a First Cleaning Lady?

LibertySugar — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:00:41 -0700

I have to admit that when I first saw the Hillary Clinton "First Cleaning Lady" version of this toilet tool, I was offended. I thought it was just another example of dirty politics. But, then I saw that the makers of these toilet bowl cleaners are equal opportunity mockers, and decided the bowl buddies were just a weak attempt at being funny. Would you express your disagreement with a public figure by using a toilet bowl cleaner created in his or her image?

Would You Buy a First Cleaning Lady?

Yay! It's a creative way to dump on an opponent.

Nay. Has public discourse really sunk this low?