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[Luke_Prowler]

We also hit a point where the taxes on the wealthy dropped, and kept dropping. That's harmful to the majority of americans. So how does something like that get passed in a democracy?

Probably because it's was attached to something else that was suppose to be beneficial to others, or under a false theory. Congress may be full of imcompetent boobs and corrupt jerks, but they're not Emperor Palpatine levels of evil.

[mainiac]

It's interesting to see how in these debates, the US inevitably becomes a single entity.  People say "the US" didn't care about freedom, even though that is patently untrue.  I mean right off the bat, my grandparents lived through the entire cold war and cared about freedom.  And they all voted.  So the US cared about freedom at least a little.

I say this because it actually does segway back to the occupy wall streets thingie.  People tend to attack the system as being run by corporations.  But that kind of vague statement looks pretty silly to someone who isn't already agreeing with you.  People advocating for the movement would do a lot better to attack specific things, like corporations being able to make unlimited donations to candidates, or lobbyists writing legislation.  Saying that the system is run by corporations isn't going to make you any friends.  Yes it's true when interpreted one way.  But it's batshit insane when interpreted another way.

[mainiac]

We also hit a point where the taxes on the wealthy dropped, and kept dropping. That's harmful to the majority of americans. So how does something like that get passed in a democracy?

Probably because it's was attached to something else that was suppose to be beneficial to others, or under a false theory. Congress may be full of imcompetent boobs and corrupt jerks, but they're not Emperor Palpatine levels of evil.

Although statistically speaking, there are probably about 25 psychopaths or so in Congress.

[Criptfeind]

Although statistically speaking, there are probably about 25 psychopaths or so in Congress.

Hum? That would translate to about 17%.

Also known as way more then the average. Also I would think the chances would be quite lower in then general population. Not saying some psychopaths might not be helped into a office by their disorder, but most would have their chances hurt by it.

[mainiac]

Although statistically speaking, there are probably about 25 psychopaths or so in Congress.

Hum? That would translate to about 17%.

There are 538 members of congress.  I was using an estimate of about 5%, which IIRC is the norm for positions of power.

[Criptfeind]

Oh right. We have senators. Forgot about those. Derp.

Also I would like to see that study to be honest. Not that I disagree with it, but I find it slightly hard to believe that they have such a tenancy to get into positions of power.

[SalmonGod]

It's interesting to see how in these debates, the US inevitably becomes a single entity.  People say "the US" didn't care about freedom, even though that is patently untrue.  I mean right off the bat, my grandparents lived through the entire cold war and cared about freedom.  And they all voted.  So the US cared about freedom at least a little.

You do the same with the USSR, and I don't complain.  Plenty of people in communist countries cared about freedom, too, including ones that supported the leaders of their time who are now seen by history as tyrants.  Similarly, we have people in the U.S. today who honestly believe the entire middle east should be nuked to glass in the name of freedom, and vote for the people most likely to make that happen.

The U.S. is not synonymous with the population of the U.S.  I have never set foot outside of the U.S. in my life, and I'm not referring to actions I have taken when I talk about the actions of the U.S. in current events.  Context is important here.  We are talking about the foreign policy actions of U.S. organizations reaching beyond their home soil with concentrated effort and purpose, not the U.S. as anyone living within a geographic area.

Kamran Loghman, credited with being one of the people most involved in the development of weapons grade pepper spray, its guidelines of use, and training procedures, speaks out on the recent widespread abuse of the substance.

[RedKing]

Oh right. We have senators. Forgot about those. Derp.

Also I would like to see that study to be honest. Not that I disagree with it, but I find it slightly hard to believe that they have such a tenancy to get into positions of power.

Given that we have Congresscritters who openly disbelieve science, I'd say 25 might be an underestimate.

[Osmosis Jones]

Given that we have Congresscritters who openly disbelieve science, I'd say 25 might be an underestimate.

That's not psychopathy, that's just stupidity.

[Criptfeind]

My unsubstantiated opinion is that they do believe it for the most part, but lie and exaggerate to fit in.

[Nadaka]

http://news.yahoo.com/more-200-arrested-occupy-la-raid-115434910.html

[mainiac]

They always come at night.  Because nothing says freedom like attacking those who dissent with you under the cover of darkness.  Somebody should come up with a way to use the nighttime to sow confusion and force these raids back into the daytime.

[Kogan Loloklam]

Defiant Los Angeles campers who were chanting slogans as the officers surrounded the park, booed when an unlawful assembly was declared, paving the way for officers to begin arresting those who didn't leave.

Wait, we can just randomly declare assemblies unlawful now?

Edit: I should have finished reading... the next paragraph?

In the first moments of the raid, officers tore down a tent and tackled a tattooed man with a camera on City Hall steps and wrestled him to the ground. Someone yelled "police brutality."

Damn cameramen with tattoos, they are so dangerous!

[RedKing]

Defiant Los Angeles campers who were chanting slogans as the officers surrounded the park, booed when an unlawful assembly was declared, paving the way for officers to begin arresting those who didn't leave.

Wait, we can just randomly declare assemblies unlawful now?

LA city council passed an ordinance outlawing further occupation of the space as of a deadline two days ago. Say what you want about LA and the LAPD, but they've actually been very accomodating, especially compared to New York or Oakland.

Just yesterday, NPR aired interviews with some of the Occupy folks there who were praising LAPD for their restrained conduct. I kinda figured this would happen though--when the police inevitably moved in (which they were kind of obligated to do), the same protesters were going to be tarring them as fascist thugs.

[Kogan Loloklam]

I'm sorry, but if people want to peacefully assemble for GODDAMN 100 YEARS on public land, they have that right.

LAPD may have been restrained, besides their totally justified actions against the vicious tattooed camera men, but that doesn't make their city council or mayor right.

Fourteenth Amendment, Section 1:
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
To be fair, it was the CITY whom made a law and not the State. The cities do not have privileges of such nature given to them though, so it doesn't matter. The PEOPLE have rights not granted to the States or the United States, not cities.
I'd be deliberately down on my street corner if it was restricted like that. This is VERY wrong.

Edit:
Trying to find out more about Unlawful Assemblies.
On Unlawful Assemblies
The basis of the offense of unlawful assembly is the intent with which the individuals assemble. The members of the assembled group must have in mind a fixed purpose to perform an illegal act. The time when the intent is formed is immaterial, and it does not matter whether the purpose of the group is lawful or unlawful if they intend to carry out that purpose in a way that is likely to precipitate a breach of the peace.
Breach of Peace

I don't think what is happening in LA or other parts of the country is right. I don't think they are Unlawful.