Messages

1

General Comments / Re: Soliciting positions on impeachment testimony

« on: December 25, 2019, 11:47:19 AM »

There are three seperate and distinct co-equal branches of Government in the United States. When one branch finds itself in conflict with another branch, the third branch is the one that breaks the stalemate when relevant. In the case of a legal dispute between the Congressional Branch and the Executive Branch, the Judicial Branch is very relevant when it comes to resolving legal disputes, given that's the entire point of the Judicial Branch--resolve legal disputes.

But I guess the Constitution isn't worth the paper it's written on these days, right? Who needs three separate, distinct, and co-equal branches of Government when we have Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House?

She doesn't need the Judicial Branch, they're simply irrelevant. And PotUS answers to her.

It seems like unless the WSJ got it's facts wrong Executive Privilege was not meant to apply to impeachment.  At least it does not seem like the Founding Fathers thought it should.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/impeachment-trumps-executive-privilege-ask-george-washington-11571784069

2

General Comments / Re: Ukraine

« on: November 07, 2019, 09:23:46 PM »

I'm sure that there are no other Americans that could be guilty of corrupt action in the Ukraine.  Seems to me that if Trump was interested in Ukrainian corruption Giuliani is an equally valid target to investigate.

3

General Comments / Re: The Race is On

« on: October 30, 2019, 08:49:43 AM »

We have the call transcript. What witnesses to the call do you need?

Based on yesterdays hearings there may be some question about the completeness of the transcript.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/vindman-testified-he-tried-to-fill-in-omissions-in-trump-ukraine-transcript

Does anyone know if there is an actual recording of the call?

Beyond the call the actions of Trump and company dealing with the Ukraine and the funding are also relevant in evaluating wrong doing.

4

General Comments / Re: Ukraine

« on: October 23, 2019, 07:36:56 AM »

The whole talk about "two channels" seems purpose written to give the dems what they want to hear.  Is there any basis to believe it - he doesn't even claim that he knows it exists - it's all an inference to explain what he sees and doesn't like.

I thought this had already been confirmed by Trump.  It seemed strange that Trump would involve his personal lawyer in Ukraine especially when it appears Giuliani may have his own corruption problems there.

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General Comments / Re: G7 2020

« on: October 18, 2019, 01:16:52 PM »

@Crunch  You are correct.  I am strictly stating this as an opinion.  I also see it as ethically problematic.

Again though lets say it costs the US tax payer a couple of million less.  Does the "At cost" cover everyone else attending?  What numbers are we looking at?  Those that he shares with his investors or those he reports to the IRS.  There seems to be some historic question about different numbers.

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General Comments / Re: G7 2020

« on: October 18, 2019, 11:21:04 AM »

Do we know what is included in the "AT COST?"  Does that mean no cost for Trump and the SS?  From the security details for all participants?  From other ancillary services and guests?  What does "AT COST" actually mean?

Even if Trump gains nothing beyond free publicity from holding the G7 at his property the choice is in poor taste and raises a number of questions.

As far as Biden goes it seems that if Trump was interested in corruption he would have asked for an investigation in to Rudy while he was at it.

7

General Comments / Re: ICE Raids

« on: August 12, 2019, 07:42:43 PM »

I stated that Trump could have pushed for hiring illegal immigrants.  I doubt however that there is any proof.

As far as the CEOs in these cases.  It is one thing to believe they were not involved when it is a small percentage of workers and another to believe they had no knowledge when it is 100s.  At the very least HR would know and should be held accountable.  I bet as soon as you start talking about jail time for them you'll start to see those above implicated.

8

General Comments / Re: ICE Raids

« on: August 12, 2019, 04:42:59 PM »

I have to agree.  While it is possible that Trump was aware or at least encouraged an atmosphere that led to hiring illegal immigrants it seems unlikely that he would normally be involved in the hiring of that level of employee.

9

General Comments / Re: Request: Opinions and expectations for a fantasy genre novel

« on: August 12, 2019, 04:22:22 PM »

I personally would love a scifi/fantasy novel that worked with Dark matter and energy to explain magic and possibly magical creatures.  The ability to "see" and "manipulate" it would allow one to determine the associated rules (physics) and perform Magic.

10

General Comments / Re: Request: Opinions and expectations for a fantasy genre novel

« on: August 12, 2019, 03:58:35 PM »

WOW- I wish I had the discipline to write but alas..I must rely on others.  As stated above it is really difficult to know how to respond.  My Biblical studies are from a Christian rather than a Jewish perspective and I have never felt comfortable with an omnipotent God that creates something he knows he will have to destroy.  I'm sure if Mr. Ricky Berman still frequented this forum he would have a lot to say.  Some of it might actually be helpful.  If you are interested I do have contact information for him.

11

General Comments / Re: ICE Raids

« on: August 12, 2019, 02:30:06 PM »

I have a hard time believing that companies that end up raided and have hundreds of undocumented workers are not aware of the fact.  I believe the system is specifically designed to exploit and provide plausible deniability for the companies.  Of course these workers are great.  They have a strong incentive not to complain about working conditions, low or stolen wages.

12

General Comments / ICE Raids

« on: August 12, 2019, 11:58:35 AM »

I am wondering what everyone's view is on the recent ICE raids in Mississippi.  It appears obvious that the processing plants could not be unaware that nearly 700 of their workers were in the country without documentation.

We can discuss the problem of individuals working in this country illegally but I think that has been covered in detail.  What I am interested in knowing is why no one is being held responsible for hiring them to begin with?  Even on the rare occasions where a company is fined the amount comes no where near matching the gains the company makes.

This pattern seems to be true in nearly all industries.

Personally if we are going to call illegal immigrants criminals than the same should apply to those who hire them rather than condone the behavior by turning a blind eye to it.

Thoughts?

13

General Comments / Re: Jeffrey Epstein arrest

« on: August 12, 2019, 11:47:43 AM »

The billion dollar question will end up being what happens to the investigation?  Does it end?  There seem to be lots of powerful people on both sides of the political spectrum that might benefit from Epstein's investigation vanishing.  Think of all the money wasted in investigating someone who can't be held accountable?

Based on personality and comments I would not be surprised if information existed indicating criminal behavior on both Bill and Donald.  It does seem to me that those currently in power have more to lose if damning information is found.

14

General Comments / Re: Pittsburgh Shooter

« on: November 01, 2018, 03:38:03 PM »

To be fair Pete very few news sources on either side report on anything outside of the US, Europe, and the Middle East.  You may get some African news on BBC but unless it is a very slow news week or it is an epic level disaster it won't be covered.  Unfortunately the only times our bad behavior gets reported is if it can be used for political gain.  Unless you have direct connections most individuals are not going to search for that level of regional news.

Based on our history of manipulation, human rights abuses, and every other bit of nastiness promoted directly and indirectly against the governments and people of Central America  allowing them to request asylum seems like the least we should be doing.

15

General Comments / Re: Corey Booker and Kavanaugh Hearing

« on: September 29, 2018, 09:30:52 AM »

Why not just wait until after the election to let the "People" decide 

I have been extremely frustrated by the whole event.  This has very little to do with finding out about the truth and everything to do with politics.  I didn't watch more than several minutes of the questioning but I was not impressed with the rudeness Kavanaugh demonstrated to those questioning him.  I recognize that he has a grievance if innocent but I guess I believe that those questioning him deserve a degree of respect.  But maybe this is now deemed appropriate behavior.

The delays in reporting the alleged assault whether it was for the legitimate reason of protecting Ford or not is also problematic however once reported it should be fully investigated.  These types of behaviors are rarely isolated to a single event so if it is real it should not be that difficult to find a pattern.

I find it sad that we keep coming back to political agenda over right and wrong.  I have to wonder what message are we sending our children.

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General Comments / Re: Elon Musk's Problems

« on: September 29, 2018, 09:17:15 AM »

Musk is stating he had a verbal agreement with a Saudi group.  My guess is that unless the SEC can show otherwise there isn't much of a case.  I have to wonder if the very Tweet he sent may have helped kill the deal assuming that it existed.

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General Comments / Re: Check your voter registration

« on: September 21, 2018, 10:57:14 AM »

Mine must be correct since I got my WI absentee ballot in the mail yesterday although I may still be registered in PA.  Not sure how to find out.

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General Comments / Re: Corey Booker and Kavanaugh Hearing

« on: September 06, 2018, 12:37:46 PM »

Considering an email released by an anonymous source where Kavanaugh claimed Roe V Wade was not settled law calls into question what has been deemed as classified.

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General Comments / Re: Woodward book

« on: September 06, 2018, 08:43:28 AM »

Does it bother anyone else that aides and others would remove letters and or memos to "prevent the president from harming America?"  I am appalled by the trump presidency but the idea that a group inside the White House is purposely acting to prevent presidential actions is scary.  Maybe I am incorrect but I see this as dangerous ground.  For better or worse Trump is the elected president and the idea that some of his staff feel they have a right to bypass him smells wrong to me.  I would not accept that behavior towards a president I supported and do not feel it is right for one I oppose.

Note- I am not talking about his staff trying to openly convince him to have a little control.

20

General Comments / Re: The truth about the brooch, who was late, who was early and the rest

« on: September 02, 2018, 09:51:05 PM »

Anyone remember the huge uproar when Obama "Lied" about keeping your doctor with the ACA?  One lie and those on the right felt he should be held accountable.  Funny how the regard for the truth seems to have vanished under Trump.

21

General Comments / Re: Tariffs are a problem?

« on: July 30, 2018, 01:42:13 PM »

My nephew is a computer engineer currently working on autonomous trucks.  Fueling can be done autonomously also.  There is a massive amount of interest in this especially for long haul since an autonomous truck can run 24/7 and will eventually be safer than human drivers.  I believe the initial model might use a convoy style with a single driver controlling a small fleet but I could be remembering wrong.

22

General Comments / Re: NFL fines for disrespect

« on: May 27, 2018, 07:29:38 AM »

I find it a little humerus that individuals who make a habit of calling "Liberals" Snowflakes because they find the disrespect of others offensive are set on being offended by a player kneeling.  Who is actually being disrespected here?  The military?  There are certainly those who were upset but there were many including my father (WW2 and Korea) who completely supported the players.  The flag?  The National Anthem?  Maybe those who feel that an African American should know his place and keep their mouth shut?  It certainly not the Constitution or the principles this nation was built on.
a
Of course the NFL is interested in the financials.  People are fond of saying respect has to be earned.  The real question I see is what needs to change for those kneeling players to feel they can stand?  As long as their message is ignored things are unlikely to change.

23

General Comments / Re: Possibility of peace with NK

« on: April 28, 2018, 07:55:35 AM »

Hopeful but not convinced this is more than delay tactics.  Especially when you read reports that Kim's nuclear testing location collapsed.  We'll see what happens.

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General Comments / Re: OSC is on Quora

« on: April 22, 2018, 05:58:02 PM »

Yep mostly advice on writing.

25

General Comments / Re: House Closes Investigation

« on: April 10, 2018, 04:03:11 PM »

Knowing the mass amount of political scrutiny that this search warrant has and will generate I am guessing there must have been pretty significant evidence presented to obtain it. 

Any bets on bombings occurring in Syria to divert attention from this?

In addition to the comments above I believe any item that is not deemed to be legal advice does not fall under Lawyer Client Privilege.

26

General Comments / Re: Stormy Daniels and the Surreal Reality

« on: April 06, 2018, 01:56:03 PM »

The whole thing is odd.  What possible impact would a story coming out about an alleged affair years before have on the election when we are talking about Trump's history?  He has admitted to affairs and cheating on his wives.  His "prolife" stance had already won over the majority of Evangelical voters and they are the only group that might have cared. 

Why would his lawyer fork out 130K of hush money if that was all there was?  That is what stinks to me.  I'll let the lawyers and partisans fight about the legality of the money.  I am more interested in the why.

27

General Comments / Re: Stormy Daniels and the Surreal Reality

« on: April 02, 2018, 10:56:58 AM »

The only thing I find strange about this is the NDA.  Only the most anti-Trumpers care about an affair years ago.  With his history it would be surprising if there had not been affairs.  Why the pay-off?  His base was not going to vote for Hillary no matter how despicable Trumps behavior.

On a side note:  Liberals do care about individuals who cheat on their wives (at least under certain circumstances).  When was the last time you heard anything about John Edwards?

28

General Comments / Re: Uber self-driving car hits and kills pedestrian

« on: March 22, 2018, 01:26:29 PM »

In the long run this ladies death may lead to additional detection technologies that may save multiple lives in the long run.  As it is I don't believe that anyone, even a professional driver at peak alertness could have avoided hitting her.  That being said what is our expectation moving forward?  Do we let the cars back on the road now or do we wait until they have added additional safety features?

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General Comments / Re: Republican Tax Plan

« on: December 05, 2017, 02:46:40 PM »

Any thoughts on how the increase in the standard deduction will impact charitable giving?  I have been wondering what if any change in giving patterns will occur when much of the benefit of itemizing is removed.

30

General Comments / Re: Anti-boycott bill

« on: October 22, 2017, 06:29:52 AM »

Looks like Texas the only state passing this type of law.  It will be interesting how the courts rule on this one. 

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kansas-esther-koontz-aclu-boycott-israel_us_59dfd294e4b04d1d518081f9

31

General Comments / Re: Charlottsville

« on: August 17, 2017, 02:02:21 PM »

I don't agree. The brawls are very much the issue. Obviously murder is worse than brawling but you have to look at the context. Thus far there is no evidence that this was a premedidated or planned attack. He hit people with his truck. Until further facts come out, it is logical to conclude that this truck attack was related to the other violence. In other words this wasn't some pre-medidated "attack" but a deadly escalation of violence that was already occurring. I blame antifa and hold them (at minimum) equally at fault as the nazis in respect of the underlying violence. This guy didn't just run a truck into some Sunday shoppers or machine gun a night club. It is disingenuous to look at the truck attack as some kind of isolated event. I don't even think it clearly qualifies as "terrorism" frankly.

First you obviously have not looked at the footage.  It was a charger not a truck.  It was purposely driven into a crowd of people. One was killed nineteen were injured.  Whether he came to the rally with the intention of carrying out the attack has nothing to do with it.  He saw a group of individuals and made the choice to plow into them.  Again I am not excusing those who were involved in earlier violence on either side.  I find both groups involved in the violence reprehensible.  My view is obviously not isolated since the vast majority of the GOP members of Congress also called it an act of domestic terrorism.

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General Comments / Re: Charlottsville

« on: August 17, 2017, 10:10:41 AM »

The brawls are not the issue here.  The issue is the act of terrorism that occurred.  The additional fact that the side that terrorist belonged to also vocally supports Trump requires a strong condemnation.  I have an issue with any kind of violent protest.  If the act of terror had not occurred I would tend to agree with you.  Since it did all of the morale equivalency arguments are bunk.

33

General Comments / Re: Charlottsville

« on: August 17, 2017, 08:47:09 AM »

Trump was completely justified in condemning both sides.

The problem with this statement is that the general confrontations were not the primary story.  Trump had no problem calling out Islamic terrorists and attacking London's mayor in June when a truck plowed into pedestrians.  We wouldn't even be talking about C'Ville still if not for Heather's death and the other 19 injured by Fields.

No one is asking him to condone the violence between protesters but there is a significant difference between a few street brawls and the crimes committed by Fields.

34

General Comments / Re: Uber v Waymo

« on: August 16, 2017, 04:08:09 PM »

Here you go.

http://nymag.com/selectall/2017/03/googles-lawsuit-against-uber-could-destroy-uber.html

Key section from article.

Google charged that former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski abruptly left the company in early 2016 to found his own self-driving-trucking start-up, Otto. After only six months of operation, Otto was acquired by Uber in the summer of 2016 for over a half-billion dollars. The amount of money for, and quickness of, the acquisition raised Google’s suspicions, and it began an investigation into the time shortly before Levandowski left. Google claims it discovered that Levandowski accessed Waymo’s servers and snagged 9.7 GB of Waymo data before leaving to found Otto. Then, in December of 2016, a supply-chain manufacturer accidentally emailed a Waymo employee an attachment meant for Uber and Otto. That attachment, says Google, showed that Uber and Otto were copying a vital bit of tech for their self-driving cars. Google filed a lawsuit a few weeks later.

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General Comments / Re: Destruction and theft of cultural heritage

« on: August 16, 2017, 12:36:19 PM »

In other associated news Baltimore quietly removed four statues last night.

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General Comments / Re: Destruction and theft of cultural heritage

« on: August 16, 2017, 11:57:46 AM »

Generally I would agree with you but when I heard about the removal and possible destruction of some of the Confederate symbols the destruction of Palmyra came to mind. 

I did a little research on the Lee statue and it wasn't erected until 1924 right about the time the KKK was experiencing a resurgence and Jim Crow laws were taking off.  In this case the "cultural heritage" probably had more to do with making a racist statement than with actually honoring Lee who was opposed to Confederate war statues.

Many other statues fit the same bill.  Even so I oppose their destruction and believe they should be preserved as a reminder of an ulgy part of our history.

37

General Comments / Re: Destruction and theft of cultural heritage

« on: August 16, 2017, 10:24:59 AM »

I agree there needs to be a reasoned discussion on this.  I strongly believe that these statues/monuments should not be destroyed but instead should either be moved to a location  deemed more appropriate (based on the desires of those who actually reside locally) or should have plaques added stating the specific history surrounding the individual represented. 

I do not believe that non-local citizens should have any say in which action occurs.  If a community chooses to remove a statue and does not want to relocate it then it should probably be moved to a historical site dedicated to the associated history.  Our history is not always pretty but trying to hide the ugly is an affront to those most harmed by that ugly.

38

General Comments / Re: Charlottsville

« on: August 14, 2017, 02:20:37 PM »

I have to agree.  The coverage of the actual protest/counter protest were extremely vague.  I am still trying to figure out how the helicopter deaths are the result of the rally.  Even if they were monitoring connecting the accident to the event seemed weird.

39

General Comments / Re: Google manifesto

« on: August 08, 2017, 09:34:54 AM »

Don't immediately assume that "Liberals" support Google's actions.  Huffington Post just reported the story.  A CNN Editorial said Google went too far.  I will withhold judgement until I know who this was sent to.  If it was management and HR then I believe he had every right to express his thoughts and concerns and actually should as a good employee.  If it was sent out to a general audience then while firing him may have been extreme sending the memo would have been extremely inappropriate.

40

General Comments / Re: Google manifesto

« on: August 08, 2017, 09:26:26 AM »

I have been trying to find out who he actually sent the manifesto to.  At a corporate level sending an unsolicited email that is critical of the company is not exactly a smart move depending on those it was sent to. 

Google could have used the incident as an opportunity to look at the factors that prevent women from following tech jobs rather than silencing the dissenting voice.  Instead they took the easy way out and squelched it.  To me Google appears to have weighted the risks of keeping Damore and decided that it wasn't worth the possible negative press especially with the lens already focused on Silicon Valley for it's lack of diversity.

41

General Comments / Re: The Fake News Lie that makes Trump look like a Boy Scout in compariso

« on: July 20, 2017, 01:41:51 PM »

Why do we assume they got nothing from the meeting?  I'm not saying they did but we only have the word of those who benefit from a denial.  The fact that the DNC emails were released shortly after might have come as a result of the meeting.  Removal of sanctions that Trump has promoted is a nice incentive on the Russian side.  None of this may be connected but saying that nothing of value was gained or given based on the words of those already shown as liars strikes me wishful thinking

42

General Comments / Re: Oregon fines traffic light critic

« on: June 19, 2017, 07:10:38 AM »

My Son-in-Law just graduated with his Master's in Environmental Engineering.  He will have to work three to four years before he becomes licensed however he was hired by the State of Wisconsin as an entry level engineer.  It would be interesting to know if Oregon also hires "entry level" (unlicensed engineers).  If so it would poke a hole in any arguments by the state.

43

General Comments / Re: here comes the next ice age

« on: May 24, 2017, 09:08:05 AM »

And I'm not sold on "old growth" forests being better CO2 sinks than younger forests.

The primary reason that "old growth" forests tend to be better carbon sinks is somewhat related to moisture and biodiversity as you mentioned but it is more than that.  A tree cut down in the jungles of Brazil can actually be carrying more than it's own weight in mosses, algae, and other plants.  It takes generations for the mass of these additional carbon sinks to reach full potential.

As Pete mentioned in the last post we absolutely know that man is changing the environment.  We see it at a regional level and it is extremely well documented.  We create cities, turn deserts into green zones, and green zones into deserts all of which can change regional rain fall and temperatures.  I'm not sure why the idea that man can trigger changes at a global level by changing the atmospheric equilibrium is so a stretch. 

44

General Comments / Re: The Fake News Lie that makes Trump look like a Boy Scout in compariso

« on: May 18, 2017, 09:16:16 AM »

A couple of quick thoughts.

Is Trump innocent of all of the allegations being thrown around surrounding Russia?  I believe there is enough smoke to warrant a thorough investigation.  If we want to insure the the integrity of our Democratic system we need our leaders to hold more loyalty to the country than they do to the party.  That means that "We the People" need to lead by example and call for greater integrity in our leaders.  The question becomes how broad a scope the investigation entails.  Should the scope be limited to collusion or broad enough to look at any Russian manipulation?  I am personally sick of investigations designed to specifically target a political opponent.  That undermines are system of justice.

There is plenty of room to criticize both parties and instead of blindly reacting to protect those we see as ideologically similar we need to start listening to opposing views respectfully.  Some of what both sides is garbage but much is real and shouldn't be ignored.

If Comey was removed for the stated reasons.  Great.  If he was however removed for not "kissing the ring" than that can have a negative impact on anyone Trump chooses to replace him.

One thing I know for sure is that I am glad it is not my job to defend the constant chaos that seems to surround Trump.

45

General Comments / Re: The Fake News Lie that makes Trump look like a Boy Scout in compariso

« on: May 16, 2017, 02:45:13 PM »

Not to get picky but if Trump or any president disclosed the nuclear codes to a foreign power is that illegal? 

In the case of the leak I have to wonder what you would charge a person with who disclosed that the president had done something but not the specifics.  At worst I could see them removed from their position.  Now if they released the actual information than that is a different matter.

46

General Comments / Re: The Fake News Lie that makes Trump look like a Boy Scout in compariso

« on: May 16, 2017, 02:24:09 PM »

Are there conditions where the President can be held accountable for releasing classified information?  My knowledge is limited to what I read in the media (both sides).  If it can be shown that US interests were directly compromised by a release of information is that treason?  I keep wondering if the GOP will keep him around as long as it is convenient then get rid of him.  He certainly is giving them lots of fuel.

47

General Comments / Re: Airline fails

« on: April 27, 2017, 08:41:29 AM »

United announced yesterday afternoon that they would pay up to $10,000 in these situations.  As was stated earlier the $1350 in the maximum the law forces the airlines to pay not the maximum amount they can pay.

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General Comments / Re: Airline fails

« on: April 25, 2017, 03:52:12 PM »

While what happened was horrible the long term impact will probably be positive.  The incident last week with the lady and her stroller was handled much better by AA than the United incident.  It's amazing what a billion dollar stock loss can do to shake things up.  The responses by United's CEO were as harmful if not worse than the actual event.  I have a feeling we will see an overall improvement in customer treatment at least in the short term.  To be fair I am on flights nearly every week and most of the time the crews do a good job of handling difficult situations.

49

General Comments / Re: Airline fails

« on: April 25, 2017, 12:01:48 PM »

There are some other factors involved here that may not have been followed.  If an airline asks a passenger to leave in an overbooked situation they are required to provide the passenger with a written set of rights before the removal.  If it is shown that they failed to provide that documentation I smell a big payout.  If they did provide it I'm not sure United will end up paying anything.  O'Hara security probably will in either case.

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General Comments / Re: And this is a good idea why?

« on: March 11, 2017, 02:14:23 PM »

We all know how difficult it is to keep private information private.  Heck what's to keep the intel community from grabbing it?  What will be required for someone to access the information?  A court order?  Probable cause?  My guess is that the information could be extremely valuable.  I just don't buy any of the arguments in favor.