Replies

I know, I thought I'd give it one last shot before I started resorting to abuse button tactics. I'm sick of seeing people come on here and completely attack, without even discussion about where it is they disagree and why. One of the things I do for a living is show people how to pick out points of contention between debaters. Here, there isn't even that opportunity. It's completely debased into immediate non sequitur.

Witness: YOU people think. From a post that asks a QUESTION. How the HELL do you know what I think if you haven't even read a post on the subject from me--just a question? I don't ascribe personal points of view the way I used to on here, because after experience with this crowd, I can't say that labels are precise enough here in this specific place on the web. There are so many unique conservative views here to classify these folks as one crowd is to completely ignore some major differences. I might disagree but I'd like to know where, exactly, and most important, WHY?

I am so disappointed in today's political culture. There is no logic, there is no debate, it's 100% Carville-ized, even the right now. And once logic is gone, once it's 100% grade-A emotion in politics, it's the end of any possibility of a government of laws, since mob rule is all about who shouts loudest, longest.

The worst part about the whole thing, the thing I most hate, is that I rarely see a rational discussion on this CONSERVATIVE forum of any sort regarding any constitutional issues--it's 'Jackbooted Nazi Statist!' vs. 'Commie Liberal Anarchist!' from the getgo, if it's THAT nice. And I will certainly confess that I've been part of those arguments, to my shame.

I have held opinions from Republican party line to libertarian because I have an open mind, and I'm willing to listen and discuss. If you call me a baby killer or tell me I'm an ally of George Soros or some other lame attack, I'll never come around to your opinion. If you have a different opinion and tell me why, maybe I'll come around to agree with you. At the least I might consider your viewpoint well reasoned, even if I disagree with it.

I don't want to turn us all into Rodney Kings--we don't need to all get along--then we might as well be playing on DU. But to just see attack after attack is so tiresome and unproductive.

Anyone feeling safer?

From CNET News.com, 3/31/2003:

A U.S. Attorney's office has alleged that PayPal violated laws regarding the processing of online gambling payments, and is asking parent company eBay to hand over nine months of PayPal earnings in settlement.

The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri told eBay that its online payment service violated provisions in the USA Patriot Act between October 2001 and July 2002, according to eBay's annual report, filed Monday with securities regulators. Under the act, it is prohibited to transmit funds known to have come from a criminal offense, or that are intended to promote or support unlawful activities.

The agency is seeking to collect any earnings that PayPal received from online gambling merchants during the nine-month period, as well as interest. Last year, PayPal received 6 percent of its revenue from online gambling, according to its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
eBay, however, takes issue with the U.S. Attorney's allegations.