This was originally posted to Facebook Notes. A heart problem. Earlier today, someone I know posted this image on Facebook. “TRUTH!!!”, my friend exclaimed. As a rational person who values evidence and critical thinking, this photo misses the point by grossly oversimplifying a very complex issue. And while it maybe be technically true, that’s only in the most ideal sociological conditions. The real world is far more complex. (Instead of being flippant and dismissive toward people you disagree with, challenge the things that you think you know.

In response to “I moved to the US 7 years ago from Finland — here's what Americans don't understand about Nordic countries”, and why I support Bernie Sanders. This was originally posted to Facebook Notes. Here’s what Americans don’t understand about Nordic countries Anu Partanen, writing for The Atlantic: Commentators repeat endlessly the mantra that Bernie Sanders ’ Nordic-style policies might sound nice, but they’d never work in the U.S. The upshot is that Sanders, and his supporters, are being treated a bit like children—good-hearted, but hopelessly naive.

As a political moderate who values sanity and evidence over emotional rage in politics, I really tried to keep an open mind about the various candidates from across the political spectrum. I wanted to listen to what they had to say, watch how respectfully they treated the other candidates — across party lines — and dissect and challenge their empty rhetoric. This was originally posted to Facebook Notes. https://www.flickr.com/photos/outtacontext/4764160036/in/album-72157624426458536/ Things I believe in We live in a digital world, that will continue to become more digital as time passes.

If you've known me for more than 5 minutes, you’ll know that I’m interested in politics, thoughtful discussion of the issues, and educating the kinds of people who only get their political information from Facebook. You’ll also know that I support moving beyond the petty, drive-by politics of today by changing the way that I — and hopefully others — think about the issues that affect us. The core of the problem… Source: Lawrence Lessig: The unstoppable walk to political reform

This is a letter that I wrote to my representatives this morning, Rep. Jay Inslee, Sen. Maria Cantwell and Sen. Patty Murray. Internet Issues: SOPA/PIPA I am a Washington State voter, and I want to urge you to denounce, reject and vote against the SOPA & PIPA bills currently working their way through Congress. Information: http://americancensorship.org The MPAA/RIAA lobbyists (who naturally have an anti-technology, pro-censorship bias) have managed to get our “representatives” to push these bills into Congress in an attempt to allow private corporations to censor the Internet.

A very salient point by Isaac Asimov: There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that “my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.”

I was born and raised a fundamentalist Christian Republican. I voted for Bush both times — not because I liked him, but because he was the Republican candidate, I didn’t really care, and the Democratic candidates seemed like a worse choice. But over the past few years, I’ve really been digging into the details of legislation that affects me most as a technologist — DMCA, Net Neutrality, Internet Radio Royalties, NSA spying via telecoms, and the outright suspension of my digital 4th amendment rights (e.

This will probably ruffle some feathers, but it’s funny, so I really don’t care. I got this in an email from a friend of mine. Old Version: The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks he’s a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.

I’m 100% for women’s rights. I’m also 100% for human rights. I’m also 100% for the women’s right to choose. When it comes to not wanting kids, she can choose to not have sex, she can choose to use birth control, she can choose to make responsible choices. People who are pro-abortion have chosen a very sly way to market their ideas. They call it “Pro-Choice”. Everyone wants to have a choice, right? I know I do. I like being able to choose my clothes, music, spouse, and all sorts of other things.

I just came across a link over at What Do I Know entitled Wesley Clark talks to the Starbucks generation (genius). If there’s any one candidate that I will never vote for, it would be him. Issue 1: Iraq War; Although I don’t particularly like how everything was gone about in regards to how the war came about, I am glad that we were able to successfully remove Saddam from power for the sake of the people there. I only wish that we would have gone there for the sake of the people.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is the new governor-elect of California. He’s fairly liberal on social issues, and pretty conservative on economic issues. Although I agree more with the politics of Tom McClintock, he’s not a leader. If you watched him in the last debate, he’s got some very good points but he’s just not a leader. Arnold is. Another reason why I’m glad Arnold won the election is for one main reason — he’s not a politician. I’ve believed for quite some time that the problem with federal, state, and local governments is because there are too many politicians in politics!

I just finished watching ABC News. Barbara Walters (who I can’t stand… however…) was interviewing four women who were Iraqi refugees from the last Gulf War. They described the public hangings of dissidents, and the torture, electric shock of private parts, and the public rape of women who were or knew dissidents of the Iraqi government. Anti-war activists are bitching about human rights? Let’s blow Saddam to smithereens…

I’m sitting here at work talking to Antwoin about this Iraqi war. I’d like to say that I support the cause of this war, but I’d have to say that hesitantly. Yes, I support pre-emptively stopping any future September 11th’s, and yes, it’s true I don’t think that a known terrorist like Saddam should be able to have the types of weapons that he has. But then I think about Eric, my best friend. With the position he’s in with the USAF, he’ll likely never fight.