Pat Oliphant for October 30, 2011

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    Darsan54 Premium Member over 12 years ago

    We are all God’s children and you dishonor your beliefs and God with statements like this.

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    riley05  over 12 years ago

    There’s no such thing as global warming…it’s just a liberal myth designed to hurt our beloved corporations. And if it is occurring, it certainly isn’t caused by humans.There’s no such thing as poverty…it’s just a liberal myth designed to hurt our beloved corporations. And if it is occurring, it certainly isn’t caused by humans.There’s no such thing as overpopulation…it’s just a liberal myth designed to hurt our beloved corporations. And if it is occurring, it certainly isn’t caused by humans.

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    Brockie  over 12 years ago

    Jesus could perform the miracle again now through our actions. Ooops, sorry, guess you did not want to hear that. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle….hmmmm.

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    KarlW2000  over 12 years ago

    In other words, it’s your own fault if you’re laid off, too old, too sick, happen to be born in a Third World country, or if your parents couldn’t afford to pay for your college education. Jesus would agree, no doubt.

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    BlueRaven  over 12 years ago

    I’m childfree and below the poverty line. Kiss off.

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    riley05  over 12 years ago

    Tower, as usual all you do is mindlessly post the opposite of what others say. Go on…prove your claim that it’s the conservatives warning us about overpopulation. You’re either woefully ignorant, or a liar.And what makes you think I’m “in poverty”??? More ignorance on your part.

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    riley05  over 12 years ago

    For anyone wishing to see Tower’s lie about conservatives and overpopulation, simply Google “does overpopulation exist” and see who says “no”. Here’s the first hit, and gee…it’s by a conservative!

    http://www.nolanchart.com/article6112-old-myths-die-hardespecially-overpopulation.html"

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    riley05  over 12 years ago

    It’s also both sad and hilarious that Tower claims people should “stop having children you cannot afford”, yet it’s always the conservatives who want to stamp out sex education, birth control, and defund Planned Parenthood.Is it possible to be a conservative without being a blatant hypocrite?

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    Beenthere  over 12 years ago

    If you have concerns about overpopulation and birth control, you can rest easy as far as western countries go. US and Europe populations have been declining. Demographically caucasians are getting bred out. Immigrants are slowly but rapidly becoming majorities in western nations.Now the trick is how anyone pushing birth control expects to impose it on other cultures short of employing Draconian laws and enforcement like China does. You think 1 billion Muslims are going to get on-board ? I don’t think so. Try it and see what happens.As far as food goes, we have more than enough to feed the world. The problem is transportation, distribution, and national stability. If Africa could cease from its endless civil wars and tyrants, it could feed itself and the world. The price of oil affects the cost of food with fertilizer and transportation. The former we can do something about if we get away from the mega corporation farms with sterile genetic seeds.If you want to go further, look how much good farmland is wasted on raising tobacco, illegal drugs, and worthless corn. The latter has been raised in abundance in the foolish hope of creating alternative energy source—which cost more than gasoline to produce! Corn syrup is way worse than sugar and in everything we eat.

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    avarner  over 12 years ago

    Every time I read these comments I am assured – overpopulation does exist….

    Especially @ gocomics :O)

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    progressivetexasdemocrat  over 12 years ago

    I’ve seen this before in the Golden Book edition of the Gospel According to St. Hedge Fund in the holy book of Jesus of Wall Street. It’s the part where he goes on to promise them all one free lunch if they sign a two year contract to accept weekly delivery of one fish and one loaf of bread at a special limited time price. It’s the scriptural basis of the sacrament of capitalization.

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    halfabug  over 12 years ago

    SEE where the " FREE LOVE" of the 60’s and 70’s got us.

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    Dtroutma  over 12 years ago

    We’re still “killing” our oceans and fresh water sources, and running out of arable land per human to grow grains and other crops that are far more sensitive to climate (growing seasons). We might be able to restore some formerly arable land that we’ve “developed”, but that won’t cut it either. Laws and planning did change after Ehrlich wrote his first book, staving off the disastrous tipping point, but now “conservatives” are desperate to reverse that trend toward common sense, physics, agronomy, and biology. There is no “miracle” out there, it will require human intelligence, and action, not wishful thinking to turn things around and bring any stability. But it won’t be profitable enough solutions to please the “prophets” of economic thought on the right, so there’s a BIG problem.

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    MurphyHerself  over 12 years ago

    Welcome back, Anthony.

    Rupert Murdock’s own scientists discovered that, indeed, global warming is real. Ooops.

    And no, there is not enough food to feed everyone. And don’t go blaming the farmer for the price of your cereal—there is maybe 12 cents of grain, maximum, in that box.

    And yes, our soil could be put to better use but you can see the uproar when Mrs. Obama tells us to eat more fruits and veggies.

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    eepatt  over 12 years ago

    @Bruce : Excellent, thoughtful comment. The reason abortion is such a contentious subject is that people feel so strongly about it AND one part of our society continues to use it as a distraction from the issues that we really should be discussing. It is a dividing issue, like guns and gay marriage. Now which party wishes to divide us and limit peoples’ ability to vote? Which party tries to unite us and encourage people to vote? I do not care for a lot of Democratic politicians, but the repubs are unethical AND bat$hit crazy.

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    leweclectic  over 12 years ago

    Oliphant – 31 Oct 11 Accolades to both sides for their (mostly well-reasoned, lol) excellent commentary and satire too Oliphants Editorial Satire. Special “Tips of Hat” to: Beenthere, Anthony, and Kreole. Now Commentary:

    Bruce: A Tip of the Hat to you also, provided I understood you correctly, in that abortion-though an issue-is not the real issue, the real issue being unwanted pregnancies and pregnancies that cannot be economically supported. Prevent these through family planning and public education and the issue of abortions all but goes away in the first world Nations but, not in the 3rd world countries due to Religious mythos and economics; and even in the West there is still the issue of what to do about pregnancies caused by rape and incest.

    Beenthere: You’ve clearly pointed out what many, even with the information clearly available, do not know that there is available food for (yet anyway) the staving masses but that there is not a current, functional (for reasons that you noted), distribution system by which to deliver the commodities to where they are needed. One gulch though; If we resolve the distribution problem will we not promote more fecundity amongst those lest economically or educationally able to support the progeny they produce?

    Fennec: You are absolutely correct; the bane of the human species may well be our fecundity due to our technological intelligence. Part of the answer is to fully fund family planning and make it the law, were we can (Huxley’s Brave New World), and then impose it on the rest of the world. Definitely a “…doozy and not at all pretty…” and not very likely or practically something that can be done.

    Dtroutma: Glad to see your comment: Nothing to be added to it or taken from it for, as usual, it is right-on.

    Me: Perhaps the answers do lay within the visions of Huxley’s ‘Brave New World,’ George Orwell’s ‘1984’ with a dose of Pavlov’s and B.F. Skinner’s (Beyond Freedom and Dignity) Behavior Modification thrown in for good measure. Could this, will this be human kinds ultimate and ‘final solution’.

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    riley05  over 12 years ago

    There’s only three possible solutions to human overpopulation: deaths from war over resources, deaths from mass starvation, and/or deaths from disease epidemics.Pity, because it doesn’t have to be that way.But it will be.

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    leweclectic  over 12 years ago

    Anthony: You have stated quit succinctly, what will happen if human kind does not take charge and positively address the very clear problems, with ‘reasonably’ clear solutions, existing in the world today. As noted above: Either man thru war and the over use and destruction of earth’s resources, or human kind’s destruction of the environment-as we know it-and the uncontrolled fecundity of the human species will result in a mass extinction of the human species…That’s us folk’s-and your kids.

    My mantra has been and is: If we, as a species, do not take charge and address the destructive direction human kind is now taking environmentally, economically and socially, Mother Nature will, and it will not be pretty. Finding consensus, let alone taking action and implementing whatever consensus might have been reached will be difficult, if not impossible. I ask, what other choice do we have?

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    leweclectic  over 12 years ago

    Harelyquinn: Thank you for your comment. As I noted above (I know, Oliphants Editorial has generated a huge amount of response to read them all) I fully agree with your POV and fully support the full funding of family planning programs.As to “Flush the Constitution and become China” misses the point. Yes, there will have to be some very draconian measures taken compared to what we have experienced in America and the rest of Western Civilization to date but, I am not stating that we revert to an Authoritarian Government that imposes solutions by military force. I am simply posing the possibilities, as best as I am able to and certainly I am lacking, that we all may find a workable solution (not that those in power will listen, let along take action) through dialectic debate. That’s all.

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    leweclectic  over 12 years ago

    Harelyquinn: Missed an item. Globle warming is a very well established fact. The preponderance of evidence is there and continuing to mount (Ref: sciencedaily.com). Checked your link: George Carlin and his proposed seven new, unspeakable words, directly speak to doing what is necessary to save the envioroment, as we know it, for all of mankind, and from what I know of G. Carlin, so would he. Further: No, the world will not tip over due to over population, it will simply become less one dominiate species, us. Do note “Fennec’s” very correct comment above.

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    riley05  over 12 years ago

    From one of Harley’s links: “we have done remarkably well at feeding the extra 4 billion people added since 1960. This should make us optimistic about feeding the 3 billion more to be added in the next 70 years.”Why should this make us feel optimistic? We’ve kept up only because of new technology that has managed to get an increased yield from decreasing farm land. But that in no way says that we’ll continue to increase the yield. The new techniques are in place…there’s nothing to say that a ceiling isn’t being reached over how many calories an acre can produce.

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    leweclectic  over 12 years ago

    THEREALDIOGENES: You, like your hero Diogenes(a cynic), of Sinope must, by known historical fact, follow the precepts of Hercules in believing that one’s actions are paramount to theory.[ (As a side: I pose the question to you, “Which came first, action or theory (with apologies to ‘the egg and the chicken)]. Can there be any conscious actions without their first having been thought?” Do we not need both our thinkers as well as those who take action?)As to the truth of Religious belief and subsequent teachings, often stated in various proverbs and their dogmas, we can neither prove nor disprove them because they are (primarily) based in unsupportable “faith.” To label them a “lie” is also unsupportable as we cannot, perhaps ever, know their truth with using the current means of investigation available to us, i.e. the Scientific Method. Now, as to the teachings of the non-violent socialist, J. Christ, and later M. Gandhi, we certainly do need to remember as you pointed out, “Do unto others (Matthews 7:12)…[and] remove the log from your own eye first (Matthew 7:5). Do note: Though I do not subscribe to any of the Religious mythologies that permiate the world, I do try and follow many of the teachings of Buddha, Gandhi, and Christ, in as much as they are good, non-violent directions that will advance human kind along with all other living entities. Remember, as Barbra Ward (Spaceship Earth, 1966) noted: “We are one people, living on one little spaceship that we happen to call earth, and we shall all learn to live in peace and harmony, or we shall surely perish fighting amongst ourselves.” Best to you ‘Diogenes.

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    riley05  over 12 years ago

    Maybe we’re approaching HQ the wrong way.HQ, can you tell us why you think it’s a good idea for the human population to just keep rising? And why are you against the use of condoms? Don’t you think they’re superior to using abortions for birth control?

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  24. Lew. shaved beard jul 11
    leweclectic  over 12 years ago

    fennec, than you, I do what I can, thou never perfect.Harleyquinn: None of us hear posting on this little web site will accomplish anything, let alone move forward and accomplish a ‘higher’ position of knowledge and understanding by sarcasm and derogatory remarks, constructive criticism-yes, wit, witticisms and constructive satire-yes. As constructive criticism: It would help all of us posting and reading commentary here if you and all of us do our best to, (1) Be Civil, (2) edit and spell check our prose before posting (3) use Google or other to research, as needed, the data in our postings even if the end result is a little long (as Beenthere & I).

    Remember: Those who resort to insults, rants, and clichés usually do so because they have no valid argument other than defending a hopelessly lost position.

    As to your other wrong assumption, (and we all know were assumptions lead):

    dra•co•ni•an [drə kṓnee ən] adj.

    1. too harsh: unjustly harsh or severe 2. of Draco: relating to the Athenian legislator Draco or his wide-ranging and harsh code of laws

    [Late 19th century. < Greek Drakōn- “Draco”]

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    leweclectic  over 12 years ago

    Harelyquinn: Another point. It is no longer a question of "Left, Right, Up, Down, Pinko, Red or Blue POV’s etc. It clearly is a question of finding the right answer’s and solutions to save not just the human race and civilization, but a race to save this ‘little spaceships,’ this earth’s eco system, at least as we know it to be and so depend upon.

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    lindz.coop Premium Member over 12 years ago

    Not to mention having large families in an effort to outnumber the competitive religions — so they can keep the power.

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    riley05  over 12 years ago

    Actually, you pointed out that Muslims are not necessarily reproducing so fast…or do you not read the links you provide?Which is much cheaper, Harley: A condom, treating an STD, an abortion, or a pregnancy and raising a child? Or do you not consider any of the last three “a problem”?

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    kreole  over 12 years ago

    TOWERLOCK….You are one of the few that gets it…….glad you are aboard!

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    grayhares01  over 12 years ago

    Hey Anthony. There are more than 140 acres of livable land on this planet for every man woman and child.

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    How exactly is that overpopulated?

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    SABRSteve  over 12 years ago

    there are 10 billion square yards in Rhode Island, more or less. We could all live there.

    DARSAN54, we are all children of Adam before we accept Jesus and are adopted by God.

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    dannysixpack  over 12 years ago

    @towerwarlock

    and the USA is quickly becoming a third world nation.

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    Dtroutma  over 12 years ago

    Daughter, son, vasectomy, 32 years ago, it was called “family planning”. ARABLE land per person right now is 0.52 acres, that’s “cropland”, and even with lowered rates of reproduction, the growth won’t stop for a while.

    As to “education” and acceptance of facts, reality, and definitions. The “school of hard knocks” folks now have a definition for their “problem” in accepting actual knowledge gained by our species: TBI.

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    Kirk Sinclair  over 12 years ago

    @SABRsteve, that’s a matter of opinion. IMO, we’re all children of God, period. Some of us realize this parentage and others don’t yet. God is vastly bigger than any particular religion, and certainly bigger than the tiny religious understandings of the people who came after major figures like Jesus.:As the psalmist says (to anyone): “Be Still, and know that I am God”. Or as Jesus said: “You are all gods”. This inner knowing is available to anyone regardless of their beliefs, it’s how all humans are wired. It’s who we are.

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    riley05  over 12 years ago

    We’ll have to see if she returns and admits her continuing errors. I’m not holding my breath, though: Grayhares doesn’t seem to be the type of person to let facts get in her way.Or maybe she’s only counting the people she believes deserve to live?

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    Noveltman  over 12 years ago

    From Anthony2816’s link: -“When God said in Genesis “Be fruitful and multiply”, was He just speaking theoretically?"-No, but HE was theoretical.

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    agate1  over 12 years ago

    So, you must be in the most ignorant place on the planet ,twinkiewarlock!

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    grayhares01  over 12 years ago

    Your estimate of usable land is so far off it’s not even funny. But even if we go with your lies, are you saying that 5 acres for every man woman and child is crowded?

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    Why are libtards so bad at simple math and logic?

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    riley05  over 12 years ago

    It’s telling that Grayhares offers no math or sources of her own. I’ll bet she tried, and realized to do so would reveal her as a liar, idiot, and/or hypocrite.It’ll be interesting to see if she repeats her lies on other overpopulation threads…she’s already done it on two I’ve seen, so obviously she’s unwilling or incapable of learning.

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    jryanosa  over 12 years ago

    I think that this strip is an insult to Christians.

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    Dtroutma  over 12 years ago

    As noted elsewhere, as in many parts of the world, five acres of even “non-arable” land can’t feed a COW for one month, and cropland (arable) is only 0.5 acres per person, the world IS hot, flat and crowded already, as Tom Friedman has pointed out. The compound problems we’ve created with our over-population are ignored by those either too ignorant, on uncaring, to worry about their posterity, many convinced they’ll exist on a cloud for eternity, or are they just in a fog?

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    riley05  over 12 years ago

    So what’s your point, Church? Do you feel we should abandon all efforts to reduce overpopulation, or not?

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    riley05  over 12 years ago

    That’s good, Grayhares, but overall the population is still increasing…and we have conservatives trying to halt us from continuing to reduce, by fighting family planning, birth control, sex ed, etc.By the way, I gave you links to the amount of land on the planet (simple to find via Google), and divided it by 7 billion for you, and showed you it works out to only 5 acres per person, and that includes deserts, mountains, Antarctica, etc. You offered nothing but wild claims of hundreds of acres of “livable” land per person. Everyone can see that you’re lying about it…but who knows to what end.

    Go ahead, prove the rest of us wrong. Put up or shut up. You’ve been publicly challenged: Everyone is watching.

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    riley05  over 12 years ago

    I’m suspicious of how long that negative birthrate will last here, Church, with the increasing percentage of Catholic Hispanics, and with the amount of effort the Republicans put in stamping out birth control, family planning, and sex education.But you’re right about Holdren’s ideas…it would be silly to go to such extremes to reduce the population when the alternatives of mass starvation, war and plagues are so much more palatable. I’m sure you’d hate to avoid those.

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    kreole  over 12 years ago

    “Overpopulation” is a relative term, requiring definition, and seems to be applied in shades of gray (generalizing) by some in these comments by not being specific of the area they’re referring to. Using a broad brush dilutes your point…..at least to those here who think. When you speak of “overpopulation” focus on where and give some data, evidence, that would not be in conflict with the definition of “overpopulation”.

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    riley05  over 12 years ago

    Tower, if conservatives really did warn about overpopulation, you wouldn’t have deleted your post about it, and then posted the same drivel elsewhere, hoping no one would notice.As to your math problems, go price a pack of condoms, then go price the cost of caring for a pregnancy and raising a child. Subtract the first from the second, if you can.

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    riley05  over 12 years ago

    Tower, it’s absolutely hilarious to see you say, “So how does it feel to live in a world of fantasy?”, followed up by “That is because the papers were supressed and banned by the liberals who controlled such things”.I bet you check under your bed for liberals each night.

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    riley05  over 12 years ago

    Yup. Shame, because if such a thing existed (conservatives warning about overpopulation), I’d genuinely like to read it.

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