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The "Species" Problem
"If we join Darwin in assuming that macro changes must have accomplished in small steps, so that the gaps were at one time filled, then what has happened to all the intermediate forms? This question occurred to Darwin, and he furnished the answers that are still in use today–the extreme imperfection of the geological record and the poorness of our paleontological collections…." –Norman Macbeth
Taxonomy as a Major Focus in Biology
After the discovery of the Fossil Record, it was necessary to arrange, to represent the fossil data in a significant way. "Taxonomy" is a sub-field of biology, one concerned with the systematic representation of the said data.
"Taxonomists," writes Norman Macbeth, "perform the valuable and necessary task of classifying plants and animals into a hierarchical system of groups. Species that are more like each other than like other species are grouped together into families; families into orders; orders into classes; and classes into phyla." What is a species? "A species is a small unit such as the marigold or the camel, whereas a phylum is a vast group such as the vertebrates."
Taxonomy originated with Carolus Linnaeus of Sweden (1707-1778). Using the species-phylum hierarchy, he and his followers worked out exhaustive classifications of plants and animals long before Darwin was born. The discovery of the Fossil Record provided taxonomists with a new, major opportunity–to reconstruct the biological histories of various members of the plant and animal realms.
Taxonomy thus became, in the last century, the major focus in biology, at least until Darwinian biology entered the scene. Naturally, the tree-charts of the taxonomists showed major gaps here and there, there and here. How did the mouse become winged?–how did it become a bat? A big change, such as a mouse developing wings, is called a "macro" change. No one has ever seen a macro change. Here we see a mouse, there we see a bat. We assume that the bat evolved from the wingless mouse. We don't know how.
The taxonomical trees of the last century made it painfully obvious that there were more than a few "missing links" in the histories of various plant and animal groups. The commonly used phrase "missing link" utterly minimizes the question of the gaps, the whatever-it-was-that-occurred that resulted in the macro changes.
Understandably, many Darwinists argued that the taxonomical trees ought to be cut down, as they cluttered and confused the truth, the truth being the Darwinian doctrine that the biological realms evolved very gradually over the eons, little step by little step. The main objection of the Darwinists to the taxonomical enterprise is summarized by John Maynard Smith (1958) in this way: "The theory of evolution holds that existing plants and animals have originated by descent with modification from one or a few simple ancestral forms…. Now there is no reason to suppose that either the processes of division of a single species into two, have always, or even usually, occurred in a series of sharp, discontinuous steps. Therefore, any attempt to group all living things, past and present, into sharply defined groups, between which no intermediates exist, is foredoomed to failure."
Behind all the words is the simple fact that the tree charts suggest contradiction of the Darwinian doctrine that evolution is a very slow and continuous process. The doctrine is true, the Darwinists presume, and consequently, the charts must be false. Indeed, any attempt to fabricate such charts is "foredoomed to failure." The poor taxonomists weren't supposing anything other than what Darwin himself supposed, that species come from parental species and that at the beginning there are primordial ancestors. As Darwinism became more and more established as the orthodoxy, the charts of the taxonomists fell by the way.
Despite their difficulties with the question of macro changes, which taxonomy continually put in their faces, the Darwinists shared with the taxonomists the same "symbolic premise," which is that evolution is best described as a kind of tree. The evolutionary tree. The Darwinists didn't care for the trees of the taxonomists; they had their own tree.
The Darwinian tree of life is most akin to the tree of the impressionistic painter. It doesn't exist in chart form; rather, it exists as a kind of mental construct–an ideational model. One might imagine its trunk, branches, twigs and leaves as composed of multitudes of points, each point representative of a slight (genetic) mutation.
In The Blind Watchmaker, a contemporary exposition and defense of Darwinian gradualism, Richard Dawkins writes: "We have seen that living things are too improbably and too beautifully 'designed' to have come into existence by chance. How, then, did they come into existence? The answer, Darwin's answer, is by gradual, step-by-step transformations from simple beginnings, from primordial entities sufficiently simple to have come into existence by chance…."
In fact, it was not Darwin's position that there were primordial entities that came into existence by chance. Darwin acknowledged the "Creator" as responsible for the primordials. The idea that Darwin personally repudiated the Creator concept is Neo-Darwinian revisionism. Dawkins is a Neo-Darwinist, and the view he attributes to Darwin is in fact his own. It is Dawkins who presumes that the primordial organisms came into existence by chance. This presumption of chance origin is sheer conjecture. It has no basis in fact whatsoever. Further, as indicated previously, even the very earliest organisms to emerge on Earth–the prokaryotes–are far from "simple."
On the basis of his invalid premise, Dawkins goes on to postulate a long chain of chance organismal alterations following upon the first chance event: "Each successive change in the gradual evolutionary process was simple enough, relative to its predecessor, to have arisen by chance." Again, the postulate is invalid. It is an example of "begging the question." It assumes that which is to be proved.
"But the whole sequence of cumulative steps," Dawkins continues, "constitutes anything but a chance process, when you consider the complexity of the final end-product relative to the original starting point." This is an abstract re-presentation of the old idea that if given enough time, a basement full of monkey pecking away randomly at typewriters could come up with the Origin of Species…. or was it "Romeo and Juliet"?
There is a principle of order, after all, Professor Dawkins concludes–"nonrandom survival." "Nonrandom survival" is merely a Neo-Darwinist variant of Natural Selection. The orthodox view, even today, is that all order in the natural world is the product of Natural Selection.
Nothing can be more apparent than the fact that the Neo-Darwinist position, as represented by Dawkins, is a fabrication of fallacies. How is it possible, we may wonder, that this sort of pseudo-science continues, year after year, as our orthodoxy. The watchdogs are asleep. Our philosophers have become a bunch of archivists.
At the time of this writing, the most reasoned challenge to the Darwinian doctrine that biological evolution is a gradual, long-term, uninterrupted process comes from the paleontological wing of Neo-Darwinism. Niles Eldredge, in Reinventing Darwin, charges "ultra-Darwinists," such as Richard Dawkins, with maintaining a "thoroughgoing reductionist stance." It boils down to this, Eldredge writes: "ultra-Darwinians emphasize [evolutionary] continuity through natural selection and the primacy of active competition for reproductive success as the prime mover underlying absolutely all evolutionary phenomena. Naturalists, in contrast, see the complex biotic world as composed of discrete entities. Discontinuity is as important as continuity in depicting the real, natural world."
The standard orthodox position (Dawkins et al) is that evolution may be described as a very long gradually ascending inclined plane. Eldredge is too much of a scientist to go along. While assuring us frequently that he has his Neo-Darwinian credentials in order ("No naturalist evolutionary biologist seated at the High Table entertains the slightest doubt that natural selection is the deterministic process underlying adaptive evolutionary change…."), Eldredge challenges the orthodoxy by making a case for the proposition that evolution proceeds not by little, little steps (gradualism) but by "punctuated equilibria," which he defines as "an attempt to address patterns of discontinuity in evolution. Darwinists maintain that evolution is continuous – uninterrupted.
The simple fact of the matter is that macro changes ("giant steps") have occurred in evolution. How does the orthodoxy explain them? It doesn't. It simply ignores them. The most obvious example of a macro change is the development of the first multi-cellular organism. How did it happen? All that we hear from Dawkins and the rest of the Darwinian Dunciad (with the exception of Eldredge and a few others) is "little, little changes, occurring over a long, long period of time."
After his hypothesis of "punctuated equilibria" began to appear in religious tracts as evidence that some scientists doubt evolution, Eldredge writes, he was quick to join ranks with other evolutionists at the High Table (i.e., the "theologians" and priests of Scientism). "Closing ranks to face a common enemy is a natural reaction. In a way creationism was good for evolutionary biology. And it reminded us that we have, after all is said and done, more in common as evolutionists that we have issues that drive us apart…." 95
Eldredge' Reinventing Darwin represents the best available exposition of the current state of affairs in the Darwinist priesthood. "The grand mistake," he writes, "the cardinal sin that carries automatic suspension of seating privileges at the High Table, is to suggest a theoretical proposition that assumes that the Neo-Darwinian paradigm is somehow erroneous …" 96 The Neo-Darwinian establishment is not only unscientific, it is anti-scientific.


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Zucchini & Carrot Beer Bread Loaves
Appetizer, Breakfast, Brunch, Classic Beer Bread, Dinner, Sweet Maple Walnut Crunch American Bake
October 29, 2016
Mini Loaves are awesome! Use your Do You Bake? classic beer bread and sweet maple walnut crunch to create a fabulous veggie filled quick bread. Slightly sweet, perfectly dense hearty loaf you and your family will enjoy any time of day. Grab a slice for breakfast, brunch or dinner! Not a fan of beer? No problem! Substitute with any carbonated beverage of choice. Try a light lemon-lime soda for a subtle hint of citrus.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Yields: 4 mini loaves
1 Heat oven to 350 ̊ F and grease lightly 4 mini loaf pans.
2In a large bowl, combine beer bread mix, walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, zucchini and carrots and stir.
3Pour beer and stir lightly until just combined. Do not over mix.
4Divide batter between the prepared mini loaf pans.j
For the TOPPING :
1Sprinkle each loaf with 1 tablespoon Sweet Maple Walnut Crunch and drizzle with ½ tablespoon melted butter.
2Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Let loaves cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

subset: commoncrawl


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11 September 2012
The Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) Working Group has published three Working Drafts .
- CSS Conditional Rules Module Level 3. This module contains the features of CSS for conditional processing of parts of style sheets, conditioned on capabilities of the processor or the document the style sheet is being applied to. It includes and extends the functionality of CSS level 2, which builds on CSS level 1. The main extensions compared to level 2 are allowing nesting of certain at-rules inside '@media', the addition of the '@supports' and '@document' rules for conditional processing.
- CSS Image Values and Replaced Content Module Level 4. This module contains the features of CSS level 4 relating to the <image> type and replaced elements. It includes and extends the functionality of CSS Image Values and Replaced Content Module Level 3. The main extensions compared to level 3 are several additions to the '<image>' type, additions to the '<gradient>' type, extensions to the 'image()' function, definitions for interpolating several '<image>' types, and several properties controlling the interaction of replaced elements and CSS's layout models.
- CSS Transforms. CSS transforms allows elements styled with CSS to be transformed in two-dimensional or three-dimensional space. This specification is the convergence of the CSS 2D transforms, CSS 3D transforms and SVG transforms specifications.
Learn more about the Style Activity.


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Classification: P30 Tump.
OS Grid Ref: NM535621 This data is currently only accurate to a 6 figure grid reference (c.a 100m).
Click here to learn how to help improve it.
UK Area: 18 - Moidart and Ardnamurchan (OS Maps 1:50k 47. 1:25k 390W.)
Latitude: 56.6854, Longitude: -6.026647, Height: 311 metres (1020 feet)
Prominence: 48 metres (157 feet)
Unique Waypoint POI Name: 0311.- (DoBIH Hill ID: 10600)
Associated Parent Hill:
Ben Hiant (528m, p463)
External Links for Stallachan Dubha:
-GeoHack link... -OS Map Bing link... -Google Map link... -Geograph link... -Stallachan Dubha on hill-bagging.co.uk...
Data courtesy of the Database of British and Irish Hills
Selected mapping: Google or Bing / Ordnance Survey:All | :Nearby Hill | :Nearby Trigpoint | : mouseover
Climbed Stallachan Dubha? Log in to tick it off...
Ben Hiant (1.2km)Beinn na h-Urchrach (1.8km)Tom a' Chapuill (3.0km)Beinn nan Losgann (3.4km)Beinn Bhuidhe (3.7km)Meall Clach a' Chorrach (4.6km)Glas Bheinn (4.6km)Eilean Mor (5.3km)Meall nan Coireachan (5.4km)Ceann Garbh (5.6km)
Total = 1 All
* The waypoint data in italics is only accurate to a 6 fig grid reference. Click here to learn how to help improve it.
Data courtesy of the Database of British and Irish Hills


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Baroque Dance - Sarabande à deux (Youtube)So, it's late in the day now, and I'm just going to swap gender, if it's okay. I'd like to be a monk, and sing in a medieval cathedral. Singing is a passion of mine, and those cavernous buildings have wonderful acoustics.
Perhaps something like this: Testamentum Eternum (Youtube)Now that it's dark, and I've managed to avoid doing any work all day, I'm heading back to where I started, to an Anglo-Saxon hall.
The food, as I've already mentioned, will not be especially appetising. Depending on the time of year, one might expect meat - beef, mutton, goose or pork in winter, and lamb or kid in spring and summer - and perhaps fresh fish if the settlement is close to a river or the sea. Fresh cheese would be served in spring and summer, and hard cheese available all year round. Fruits, nuts, and dried vegetables might also be on offer.
There'll be plenty of drink, of course: wine, mead and beer (probably in that order of desirability**)
Here, I'll find plenty of camaraderie, boasting, gaming, and maybe, if we're lucky, the scop will tale a tale like that of Beowulf.
Short extract from Beowulf (Youtube)There might be a riddle or two to solve, and it might be x-rated:
A curiosity hangs by the thigh of a man, under its master's cloak. It is pierced through in the front; it is stiff and hard and it has a good standing-place. When the man pulls up his own robe above his knee, he means to poke with the head of his hanging thing that familiar hole of matching length which he has often filled before.Answer? A key!
I'll settle in for the evening, enjoying the feeling of being part of a close-knit community. I promise I'll come home before daybreak...
** Food and Drink in Anglo-Saxon England - Debby Banham


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- Justin.tv Stream Stream- Usually from 12am to 2am
- r/starcraft
Recent Posts
A Year of Starcraft II
I took my day off for the week today (Tuesday), getting myself back on the original schedule and taking a break from beating up on myself. I had a kind of crap day yesterday, play wise, and wasn't in a good frame of mind. Honestly, yesterday I was just bored. I was tired of doing the same thing over and over again. I had one of those crawling-up-the-wall feelings while staring at yet another loading screen. So, I jumped to the challenges for a while to finish off my two hours for the day. After that I checked the blog, ostensibly to write a post, but instead found a comment by Lykkin pointing me to a newer Day9 video about gold league improvement. Once again, Day9 has the answer.
On a side note, there is something about Day9 that instantly puts me in a better mind frame. His good cheer is incredibly infectious and never fails to pull me from a slump. I for some reason just envisioned a portrait of him like the virgin mary (golden halo behind him, etc.) with the tag-line "Patron Saint of Gamers". Perhaps that's just too much reddit talking. I digress.
For the next week, I'm going to put supply at the top of my prioritizing list. This has been a constant problem, and incredibly annoying to say the least. So, no matter if I lose every game for the week, I will not become supply blocked. This includes not making six overlords at a time and making an extra before I sacrifice one to scout. In all honesty, this is really kind of going back to what my original coach had me do, focus on one thing, but I'm having to keep track of myself instead of someone scolding me after each game. So, even if I lose, I will consider it a win if I can keep up with my supply. After the week of not caring about the wins, I will try to work my way back up to top 8 gold for the next week. After that, I'll pick something else to move up in prioritization. Probably keeping an eye on opponent's expansions, as Day9 made a big deal about this in his video, but we shall see.
I will be back at it tomorrow, so goodnight and GLHR.
After my day off and cooling off, I jumped into this weekend both watching a lot of MLG (great once again) and playing some more SC2. I didn't stream it all, I was trying to take some of the pressure, I guess, off. It seems to have worked, at least I'm not getting pissed off anymore. I have also been thinking a lot about where I'm going in Starcraft 2 specifically, and what I need to do to get there.
It was suggested that practice solely by laddering may be at the point of diminishing returns for me. I guess I can see that. I mean, solely playing random people and never knowing what I'll face, is that a way to improve? But I am sort of stuck on how I would actually practice. Getting practice partners was suggested, and I can see that this would help, if they were around my level and moved up as I did. But what would I be practicing? Learning every build order perfectly? Responding to every P, T, & Z build order perfectly? Is this how to do it? Do I need to know every single build order out there? Or do I stick to my general build orders and just learn to defeat each of their build orders?
Like I said at the beginning of all this, I've never really stuck with anything long enough to get where I'm at now. I don't know how to go further, or what going further would even look like. I can see the holes in my game, usually. When I lose, I know I did something wrong. When I get supply blocked, I know I've screwed up. But fixing the small things is a lot harder, because I don't always know what it is I'm looking for. Like when I would watch replays to figure out what I did wrong at the earliest point, I generally don't know. There are so many variables, it's hard to figure out what the best option is.
I'm going to keep ruminating on all of this, and try to figure out what my best next move is. As it is right now, I'm going to keep laddering.
Goodnight and GLHF.
I don't know why I got so upset tonight, but I did. I mean, I'm aware that it's just a game and doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. But in those few minutes at the end of an absolutely horridly played game by me, I got all flushed, my brain ceased to want to actually think about anything helpful, and I started to tense up. It was like all the patience and not-giving-a-shit that I normally have drained right out of me. I almost threw my mouse across the room. I wasn't upset at my opponent, or any perceived imbalance in the game, but at my own shoddy play. I mean, for christ's sake, how many times was I going to dump 100 supply into his deathball? Why did I wait so long to build the goddamn corruptors? Why the hell did I not have a ling or overlord scout at each and every base on the map? Where are the fucking overseers, you dumbass? His DTs are killing your drones!
I'm annoyed at how much I suck at this game. I try to work on my weaknesses, but every time I shore one up, another pops up or returns. Maybe I'm tired, I don't know. I'm bored in general, so I've been retreating to Starcraft. It's been ten days straight of play (I thought I didn't get a day off this week and kept playing, but that was last week, actually) and I may be a little fried. I'm going to take tomorrow off, if I can.
As annoyed as I am with myself right now, I still want to get back on and play. I know I can do better. I, in general, know what I have to do, but constantly don't do it in the heat of a game. My build order can work perfectly, but it's as if my brain ceases all critical thinking in the middle of a game. I see a four-gate coming, I build drones. He's got a deathball? More hydras. It's immensely frustrating because there's no one to blame but myself.
I'm going to try and chill out now. I'll be back at it Friday. I'm not giving up. Not by a long shot.
Goodnight and GLHF.
I'm really not in the mood to be writing this, but figured I should at least put down a few thoughts on the last two days.
I can finally feel a little more of a progression in my game the last couple of days, today especially. With some help, and a lot of play, I have really worked on Spending and Scouting. It is not as often as before that I hit over 1000 minerals unless the game drags on and I hit 200/200. As a result of this, and the scouting, I have been steadily winning more games. Supply is still an issue. I can't keep my focus on it for whatever reason. I end up supply blocked, make 6 overlords, then get supply blocked in five more minutes. I keep yelling at myself to do them in time with inject cycles, and it works for the beginning (for the most part), but goes downhill after about 85 supply or so. I'm not going to add or subtract anything from my focus, the 3 S's remain. I want to get it all down well before I move on.
I started a new build I have been playing with and am liking. I didn't get it from anywhere, but I'm sure it's been used before. I do 13 gas, 14 pool, 15 hatch on all of the match-ups (usually). It works surprisingly well. I can't tell you why it works, but I started doing it to have ling speed earlier, and still get my hatch up relatively quick. Also, on a lot of the games, there is a point early on where I throw down a macro-hatch. I don't have a set supply point that I'm shooting for, but generally, before an evo or roach warren, I will throw down the hatch when I get to 300-400 minerals. It comes with some hassles, like I have to be sure and drone enough after doing this, but I think it is helping me deal with early aggression. Writing it out like this, I'm wondering if it really is helping. I mean, the pros go through so many builds and have them down to a science. I do something, it works, and I keep doing it. It could, conceivably, be not helping me at all and I'm just getting lucky. How does one know when a build actually works? If I had a set supply for everything up to 50 and did that over and over again, and it still worked? I guess that is the thing to do. Write out exactly what I'm doing, and when, and keep trying it and adjusting. I'll have to analyze a few replays and see when and how I'm actually doing all that I'm doing.
Okay, now my head hurts.
Goodnight and GLHF.
I figured I'd try writing these before I actually started playing for the night, so this is referencing my playing yesterday.
I got home from work last night to discover that djWheat had talked about me on his show yesterday. The video is here, it's around 45 minutes in. I was kind of awed at this, and felt incredibly nervous when I finally got on to play last night. I was jittery, and playing pretty crappy for a while. I guess the idea that he could be watching gave me a bit of stage fright, or something similar. I am not one to be nervous on the ladder or while streaming, but, yeah, this did it. I got over it by reminding myself to harden the fuck up, as it were. I mean, dj-freaking-Wheat is cheering me on! After that I was cool, and even more inspired to get better at this game.
Last night, after a couple ladder matches, I played a number of ZvZ matches vs a friend to practice the match-up. It was fun and informative. Informative, as in I suck at ZvZ. It is very difficult to play someone who knows what they're doing. On the ladder, I can out-macro most Zergs if I get past the first few minutes. It didn't happen much last night. I will continue to work on this match-up and even found a great article on the exact subject after going to Screddit after playing last night. It's something to work on, but at the same time as focusing on my 3S's.
Speaking of those pesky S's, I was still having trouble with supply. After being yelled at by an observer a couple of times (nut-punches were threatened for each instance of blockage), I had a couple of games where I did a lot better. Apparently threats work. Spending was better but still not great. Scouting also needs work. I was faked out in one game, my opponent going banes after I saw his roach warren going down. This wouldn't have happened if I kept up with the scouting. So, they all still need work.
Now, time for some laddering. Goodnight and GLHR.
Thank you all once again for the outpouring of congratulations and help. It was so exciting to actually hit Gold, and I'm glad it's not weird to be so happy about being promoted. I know it's a long way from Masters, but it felt like proof that I'm improving. I am also having a lot of fun with everything. Playing, streaming, watching games and I finally caught State of the Game for the first time last night. Hilarious, informative and very interesting to see the players and casters interacting and joking around. I have a new found admiration for both Artosis and iNcontroL.
Now I want to watch even more of everything surrounding the game. It's kind of like I have been thrust into the very thing I was looking for: an all consuming passion. Starcraft 2, whodathunkit?
Tonight's games (in Gold :p) went well. I had a few games where my spending kept up with my producing and overall thought my scouting is starting to improve. I may lose more overlords, but it doesn't seem to be that big of a deal. Being supply blocked otherwise, though (as in, when I didn't lose an overlord), is still a problem. I can remember trying to focus on this last month and I'm still having the same issues. I should be checking every time I inject, but it is something I haven't been doing. On the list it goes.
Where am I at on that list, I wonder? Supply, spending, and scouting all need work. Micro, especially with infestors, needs work. There's so much to do if I want to keep progressing, that I feel a bit overwhelmed. It's so much easier to just play. But that's only going to help to a point. Those 3 Ss are my big focus for the next month. It's basic, but so important. Supply- never block myself. Spending- never go over 800. Scouting- know what's coming. I'm going to try and find a few articles or posts about these, to see if that may give me some ideas on how to improve. I'll keep the builds I've been doing (15 hatch, gas, and pool for T and P, 14 pool and gas, hatch when I think I can get away with it for Z) and just try and keep myself glued to the top right and bottom left of my screen. When I've got that down to a point I'm comfortable with, I can move to the micro. For now, for the most part, I'll stick to the A-move.
Goodnight and GLHF
So, I'm back after a bit of a break. It was a good two days off, not playing any games at all. I did keep reading, mainly Screddit, and was constantly curious like a lot of people about EG's big announcement. It's pretty cool that two of my favorite players are on the same team now, but I don't know how much I really care. Perhaps if there were team tournaments like I've seen they have in Korea. That would be cool, probably have me pulling for a particular team and actually giving a crap about stuff like this. But it's not like I'm going to buy a t-shirt or anything. Although getting them to sign one at MLG Orlando would be cool. Damn, I just realized Idra might not be there now if he's going to Korea. That kind of blows.
I was playing pretty good today (I started early so sorry to any who missed it). I didn't lose anything (I am always worried about stopping for a few days and sucking when I return) but it was a bit harder. It feels like I'm going up against harder opponents, but it could just be my imagination. And, really, I shouldn't care about that, only getting better. Spending is still not in my control. When I'm floating 1200 minerals at the 12 minute mark, something's wrong. I need to spend, spend, spend. Macro hatches if I hit 500. Drone hard and upgrade until I need an army. My problem with this is how bad my scouting is. I don't know what's coming, most of the time, or when it's coming. So, how do I do this? Overlord's sacrificed into the enemy's base more than just once. Perhaps make an extra every 4 minutes and send it on in immediately. Throw a few lings at their front to see what's coming and how close they are to pushing. I have been keeping the Xel'naga towers, usually, so I'm doing okay on that. And I've almost gotten a broad idea of what they could be doing based on what I'm seeing.
I like my early hatch vs. Terran and Protoss and feel it suits me well in almost all situations. I can hold a 4 gate probably 50% of the time and am good with working on that and seeing what will hold it vs what won't. Vs. Zerg I'm still a bit behind. I don't know when to throw down the extra hatch or pretty much anything else. I may just try the 15 hatch on every match-up and see how it holds. It could probably work on everything but six-pools and the like. I will go ahead and give it a go tomorrow.
I am doing better on the early parts of my build, in keeping with what I've been working on. Like I said, it's still a struggle if I try to micro at the same time. I can end up with a very late pool or filling the gas if I'm not paying constant attention. So, I'm not going to say I'm done with it yet. It is still what I'm working on right now specifically.
Goodnight and GLHR.
So, all in all, I've watched a crapload of the tournaments this weekend (LiquidSheth is awesome, those 3 best of 3s vs Select were exciting as hell) and played I think over 40 games. I am currently sitting at the #1 spot in my silver league and playing golds 90% of the time. It is driving me crazy that I haven't been promoted yet, but I can't play anymore tonight as my head is literally pounding, maybe from staring at the computer for so long. I had to literally tear myself away to go eat when the Blizzard tournament was on today. But, holy shit, a tournament stream you can actually pause! Greatest invention ever! It was great with Day9 casting and all the exciting games. I felt bad for Huk, but I do have a new Zerg player to follow in Sheth. I was sad to see Idra get dropped out of both Blizzards and the IGL (I think it was called). Although his "f*ck you" was hilarious.
My own playing is progressing, albeit slowly. I probably win 60% of my games, usually long, drawn out macro heavy games. I don't have the ability to just kill them early, I guess because I'm not cheesing much. It is very rare for me to cheese, I have to be pretty bored or annoyed to throw down a six-pool. I've been working on my timings for the first 15 supply and do well when I focus on just that. If I try to keep a drone alive or kill a probe, I'll forget to fill my gas or throw down the pool at the right time. It is going to take some more work, so I am going to keep working on this specifically.
I will be off the next two days. I'm going to put two week's worth of days off together so I can help a friend move. I will be back playing on Tuesday night and will resume the stream that I didn't do yesterday or today. I just wanted to focus on laddering (when I wasn't watching tournaments) and sometimes having people talking about and to me is distracting. It'll all be back up on Tuesday night, so until then, Goodnight and GLHF.
I watched two replays tonight, looking for the earliest mistake I was making. In the first one, I saw that my hatch (at 15 is when I'm doing it in P and T games) was about ten game seconds late. I started correcting this in the next game I played and then reviewed that game. In that one, I was late on my 13 and 14 drones. There were 20+ extra minerals when I did each of them. I should probably pick one of these to work on, but I think that getting the exact timing on this early hatch build will be beneficial. So, in that vein, I will be working on the timings from the beginning to 15. It's small enough, I think, that I can pick out when I don't do this in my games tomorrow and it's not going to make me lose focus on the game at hand because it's so early.
So, for tomorrow: Exact timings up to 15 supply.
Goodnight and GLHF.


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It seems like only a few days ago,
and playing everything by ear.
Time fleets.
And we struggle to match its pace,
running fast to win the race.
Decisions once taken are never
pondered upon ever again.
Life, we lived years ago,
as colorless, riskless and dull,
is being still lived the same, again and again!
The 'fast forward' mode is always on.
We never pause to rewind our life
and think for just a moment,
"Is this the life I always want?"
Contemplation is the first baby step
towards our aspirations,
as it instills in us the power
to take resolute decisions.
Life whizes by quicker than we think.
Before we reach our graves,
before it is too late,
snatch a minute from it to mull over our existence
and to CONTEMPLATE!


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LINN Energy LLC (NASDAQOTH:LINEQ) spent much of the past two years reshuffling its portfolio to better stabilize its production profile. This meant shedding acreage positions that needed to be drilled horizontally as the production of these wells declines fast, and replacing these assets with those that provided more stable production. While the company completed much of its work last year, it still has a few areas that could potentially be monetized over the next year. Thanks to some recent activity from Memorial Resource Development (NASDAQ:MRD), LINN Energy could be even closer to realizing the value of one of its key positions.
Keeping an eye on the neighbor
Memorial Resource Development is one of a handful of companies focused on developing what's known as the Cotton Valley Trend, which runs through East Texas and North Louisiana. As the map on the slide below shows, it has a concentrated position in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana.
Memorial Resource Development's position is important to LINN Energy because LINN owns that little pink dot just to the west of Memorial's position. It's acreage acquired from Devon Energy in the aforementioned portfolio transition that was part of a larger package of low decline natural gas assets. What LINN Energy has since discovered is that this little piece of real estate holds a lot of promise.
On LINN Energy's second-quarter conference call, CEO Mark Ellis specifically pointed out the potential of its acreage position in the region saying:
[We continue to] evaluate and develop areas which we believe hold significant future value potential. The company currently has approximately 10,000 net acres in the Ruston area and approximately 20,000 net acres in the Calhoun area, both located in North Louisiana. We recently completed a vertical test well in the Ruston field encountering multiple Bossier intervals confirming a continuation of the Terryville field trend onto our acreage position.
This acreage position, as the map below notes, is right next door to the Terryville Field that Memorial Resource Development finds so promising.
Loading up on Louisiana
This bodes well for LINN Energy for two reasons. First, it can see that Memorial Resource Development is having a lot of success drilling wells right next door. For example, the company recently turned eight new well pads into sales, consisting of 22 wells. Memorial called the initial flowback rates of these wells "encouraging." Further, the peak rates from two of the wells delivered the best two peak initial production rates drilled in the field to date.
Because of its success in the play, Memorial Resource Development is actually building its entire business around developing its acreage in the area. It spent $373.8 million so far this year just to bolster its acreage position as it has added up to 132,758 net acres to its portfolio via a number of transactions. The bulk of that acreage is around its Terryville complex and it implies a $3,000 per acre value. In other words, it potentially values LINN Energy 30,000 acres in the play at upward of $90 million. That's a decent chunk of change for a company that has struggled financially during the downturn due to its large debt load.
Investor takeaway
Memorial Resource Development seems to be confirming what LINN Energy has suspected, which is that its acreage in Northern Louisiana is a valuable commodity as it's sitting on a pretty compelling trend. It suggests that LINN Energy could very well be able to sell the acreage, possibly to Memorial Resource Development, and use the proceeds to pay down debt or acquire a cash flowing oil and gas asset elsewhere. It's certainly a positive development for a company that could use one these days.
Matt DiLallo owns shares of Linn Energy, LLC. The Motley Fool owns shares of Devon Energy. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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As we prepare our forum for the eventual upgrade to XF2, the blogging system may undergo so changes. Read More Here.Dismiss Notice
Published by Eaveah Tail in the blog Eaveah Tail's blog. Views: 227
It's another bad day or well... I should say week. It started yesterday evening when I woke up. I got four hours sleep before I woke up again exhausted, my entire body seems to be working against me at the moment. I'm so tired I can barely make it out of bed. My place is trashed, I don't have the energy to clean or do the dishes. It will get better at some point, I know that. But right when you're in the moment it's really hard to see. I keep flashing back to horrible times in my life, and I beat myself up for letting myself go there. But there's nothing I can do to stop it.
I realised something odd the other day. My mother came to visit me a couple of days ago. We talked a bit about things I've not been able to talk to her about before and it was sort of a relief, but also disturbing. But I realised I couldn't look her in the eyes. And when I thought about it, the day before when I met my father for our weekly conversation. I hadn't been able to look him in the eyes either. I've always been able to look people in the eyes when I talk to them. I've even gotten complaints about it because apparently it's too intense. I've always preferred eye-contact. Much because you can actually see people then. But now. I'm not able to.
Victim. That word is so negativly loaded.
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RTC Presents Pippin!
Join the Roeper Theatre Company for the Upper School revival of "Pippin" January 26th – 29th! Online Tickets go on sale Saturday, January 7th at 9:00 am!
SUMMARY: Pippin, the young son of Charlemagne is in search of the secret to true happiness. He embarks upon a journey that takes him from the glory of the battlefield, to the intrigues of political power and even love and romance. In the end Pippin finds that true happiness lies in every day moments. Rated PG-13 for language and some intense situations.
PERFORMANCES – January 26 – 29:
Thursday – Student Matinee – 4:00 pm (Student tickets $5 for this performance)
Friday – 8:00 pm
Saturday – 8:00 pm
Sunday – 2:00 pm
$16 for General Admission and $10 for Students/Seniors
Online sales remain open until three hours prior to showtime, with walk-up sales beginning 1/2 hour before each show if tickets are still available.


text: So I guess we can pretty much say that the House of Dior will survive without its genius John Galliano, while Lanvin continues to awe the critics. Looking at the Dior show yesterday, I think we can pretty much say that while the show wasn't perfect, it was still a pretty fantastic show with elements that we have seen before like big hats, thigh high boots, and pretty fabrics. The part that made me feel some kind of way was when the entire in house design team came out in white lab coats at the end of the show with no John Galliano in sight, which brings me to this little tidbit.


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I am showing way more cleavage than I normally do at work and it's not even on purpose. I am what can be called big tittius beastius.
I'm wearing a tank top under a cardigan (unbeknownst to me I'm aparantly looking quite trendy today. As some squealy girl informed me) and this top has one of those stupid supposed built in bras.
Now the top itself is a large but the supposed "bra" only covers about half of my boobs. Useless. I thought I'd cut it out but apparantly not. So the way the bra thingy fits it pushes the girls up and they are just fighting in there trying to get out.
I am adjusting every five minutes.
This is actually leading somewhere. I was talking to some of the other ladies at work and one of them said to that I should wear tighter clothes more often.
That followed on the heels of someone saying that one of my myspace photos is "banging"
I am nearing 30 and a little heavier than I'd like. My metabolism tends to hate me and my health isn't what it used to be. I am struggling with trying to not be such a cunt to myself.
It's hard.
But I'm adjusting.
Ok I think that's it. I've got a cup of miso soup with my name on it.
Remember kids...boobs kill.


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2017 SUMMER, NYC had a first time sleep over! We did pool, BBQ, fireworks, movie, breakfast pancakes, and potato digging. So much in just two days! We had a blast with a lot of great memories.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
© Copyright 2017 by NYC School in Kamiooka


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Alcohol In Moderation
Line Them up - Never Enough Is It?
Are You Able to Drink in Moderation
Which type of drinker would you classify yourself? Can you drink alcohol in moderation or are you the type that never knows when enough is enough?
Let me start by classifying myself regarding the above question. Unfortunately I was the one that never knew when enough was enough. I really shouldn't say "unfortunately" because by the problem I had by not being able to drink in moderation helped to never drink alcohol again, in which in my opinion is the best thing that could of happened to me.
To never drink again is kind of crappy thing, but a good thing in the end. If someone over drinks or abuses alcohol to the extent of never having enough and becomes addicted to it, then something should be done before it is too late
So many people including myself think that drinking alcohol and sometimes abusing it as well will never hurt them. If you are that type of person that thinks that alcohol will never hurt you then you need a huge wake up call, because by abusing alcohol it will not only hurt you, but in the end it will indeed kill you or it will kill someone innocent in it's line of fire.
Drinking in Moderation Books
Do You Drink in Moderation?
I told you why I stopped drinking alcohol because I admitted I had a drinking problem and could not drink in moderation nor could I just have a social drink with family and friends. No, I had to drink until it was gone or the party or bar shut down for the night, but sometimes that still never stopped me form continuing my drinking after shut down. I went home and began where I left off at the party of bar. This now makes me sick to even think about. That is how bad the demons inside me had that hold on my life.
So how about you? Do you drink in moderation or don't you know when to stop drinking? That shouldn't be a hard question to answer. I was better off realizing that drinking alcohol till gone or I couldn't stand up anymore, was sooner or later going to hurt me or others to the extent of possibly the point of no return. I admitted I had a problem. Can you do the same?
So many people think that drinking alcohol is no big deal, and for some it is not a big deal because they know when enough is enough and know when to stop drinking. For the others that binge drink or just party until passed out need to take a hard look at their life.
I don't want to seem like I am a anti-drinking person, because I am not. Back two and a half years ago I would frown upon those that didn't drink alcohol, and now, here I am trying to help people to quit drinking by what I write. It is something how life changes over the years, but I must state, you are the only one that change anything in your life and no one else. That I have learned the hard way.
Regarding the anti-drinking, I loved to drink alcohol and the feeling it gave me, but the big problem for me, besides abusing it, alcohol didn't like me one bit. Alcohol and it's demons tried their hardest to destroy my life and others, but I caught it before that happened (and so can you do the same!)
21/30 & hub 300
© 2012 Mark Bruno
Thanks Mark-You have such an important ministry with your message about the effects of alcoholism on the addict and family. God Bless :-)
Another great message 'the clean life' that will help many who are struggling. It ruined me in that it took many loved ones from me and I still have pain about it.
What never ceases to amaze me is just how differently different drugs affect different persons.
I can drink "successfully, " - but were I to snort some cocaine, then everything I own will be gone in no time.
I've seen other people do that same thing (coke)...and just go to bed when it's gone, not really wanting any more.
I couldn't agree with you any more.
I like to drink a bit daily...it is relaxing to me, and generally puts me in a happy and chatty mood.
I also sometimes just get "brilliant" ideas for things to write about while drinking.
But I've definitely seen and known people that simply can't do it. I know for a fact that it is not them "being weak" or anything, it is something physical and psychological they've no control over.


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Exciting Matters for History Research Documents in School
24 mai 2018- Dans uncategorized
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Present information, not artwork..
Now you're ready to discover some articles to utilize in your papers. There are a couple of excellent novels on this particular you may want to have a look at. It really is the type of paper you'd compose before composing a alternative paper. You might even reach on a few intriguing ideas which you really want to reveal farther. For a thorough literature research, the query has to be contemplated. It may be a part of your opening, or it may create an excellent name. Today you've determined how many sentences are likely to be in your essay, generate because many points to discuss, as your own sentences are.
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No matter your objective, merely continue creating. This may frequently get one to the website of the journal where it's possible to seek on your own topic. If you're n't, the Internet along with the collection are equally adequate areas to come across solid signs for your own composition. Write how you are going to use this enlightening post in your Research document. If you will write an interesting, distinctive article, you'll should complete investigation. Each section is going to have topic sentence that will be among the reasons to think the thesis. Now you have signs and an argument, you're ready to start formulating your paper.3. Request a question in the conclusion of the section, answer it in the subsequent, then establish it using evidence. Write a answer to that issue.
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Looking to get back to nature and out of your apartment in Hillsborough, NJ? Then look no further than a quick drive to Duke Farms.
According to their website, Duke Farms, located on 2,740 acres in Hillsborough, NJ, is one of the largest privately-owned parcels of undeveloped land in the state. Offering educational programs, hiking, geocaching, biking, history, and more, this conveniently located farm provides the perfect opportunity to explore near your apartment in Hillsborough, NJ.
Duke Farms offers various education programs for young and old. From birding basics to gardening sessions, there are several options to choose from. One particularly fun program starting in the spring is the Juniors program. The Juniors program holds several sessions focusing on different topics like insects, birds, and nature in general. Visit the programs page for more information on how to secure a spot for your budding naturalist.
Snow Activities
Looking to get out in the elements this winter? Duke Farms offers snowshoeing and cross-country skiing near your apartment in Hillsborough, NJ, too. You'll have to bring your own equipment, but the farm offers miles of trails for your winter exploration. Get a closer look at which path to take on their downloadable map.
Orchids on Display
Do you have a special place in your heart for the orchid? Duke Farms has a special place on its grounds for the beautiful flower as well! The Orchid Range, a tram ride or walk from their Orientation Center, houses a "tropical orchid garden which is filled with a wide variety of orchid species from tropical regions along with other magnificent orchids that have been cultivated at Duke Farms throughout its history." Imagine, a tropical orchid garden just minutes from your apartment in Hillsborough, NJ! In addition, the Orchid Range was certified LEED Platinum for its energy and environmental efficiency in 2011. To learn more about the Orchid Range offerings, visit their site.
Whether you're looking for a chance to get outdoors and enjoy the winter landscape, or for an opportunity to see rare and beautiful flowers, Duke Farms has it all and is located just minutes from your apartment in Hillsborough, NJ. Take advantage of this local attraction for education and enjoyment!


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Last Updated: 24 hours ago
Beaufort, NC 28516
Upchurch (1716 sq. ft.) is a townhome with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 1-car garage. Features include dining room, game room, living room and master bed downstairs.
Builder Community Sales Office Map
130 Shearwater Lane, Beaufort, NC 28516
Sales Agent: Lee Hughes
Hours: Mon 1-6 | Tue 10-6 | Wed 10-6 | Thu 10-6 | Fri 10-6 | Sat 10-6 | Sun 1-6
Beau Coast - Beau Shoals Foxglove Collection
Each of our Foxglove homes includes a patio and an over-sized deck, which are perfect for grilling out! The first floor flex room would make a great guest space or game room and each bedroom offers its own personal bathroom. Our Foxglove Collection includes granite kitchen countertops, a stainless steel electric range, dishwasher and microwave.Visit the website Free brochure
Actual schools may vary. Contact the builder for more information.
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text: Tropical Storm Grace formed near the Cape Verde Islands this afternoon. It will follow roughly the same path as Danny and Erika before it, and it'll probably fizzle out in the dry air and wind shear. Meanwhile, Fred—a questionable tropical depression at best—is still hanging on by a thread. Neither storm will pose a threat to land in the next five days.


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Glenmorangie Whisky Flight Tasting Mat
Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar
I was tasked with designing a table mat for my client's whisky tasting event. I wanted to create something that would both describe each drink they would be sampling, as well as create a brand recognition so they would be more likely to remember the Glenmorangie name after the event was over.
My concept was realized by pairing the flavor profiles with multiple images of their respective bottles and labels.
The outcome was a sophisticated, informative piece suited perfectly to the event.


text:
SelfEco Garden Packaging
SelfEco Garden compostable pots go effortlessly from indoors, into the ground. They help your vegetables and herbs grow faster, bigger, and fuller, all while using less energy and resources. Each garden pot is made from 100% renewable plants and are completely Earth friendly. Plant the entire compostable pot into the ground for a landfill-free gardening experience!
- Creative Direction
- Branding
- Retail Package Design
- Wholesale Package Design
- Photography
Early Packaging Concepts
This packaging shape was a serious contender for retail shelves. Although it allowed for content and branding to be printed on 5 sides (and sat nicely on a shelf), the amount of material and the dieline complexity would drive up the cost to the consumer. Which would in turn, deem us uncompetitive in our market. So it unfortunately had to be scrapped.
Retail Packaging
Cheap • Easy to assemble • Stacks nicely on a retail shelf • Stacks nicely in a retail display box • Plenty of viewable product exposure • Sticks out from the competition
Bulk/Wholesale Packaging
Fits 250 pots • Stacks evenly on pallets • Space available for shipping labels and/or product info labels • Complies with Walmart and Amazon packaging standards • Compatible with manufacturing robotics for automated product stacking


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|"Traffic thug Roland S. has five luxury cars in his garage."
New from zombie at PJM:
Learn how Eurotrash super-villain Roland S. and his five luxury cars threaten the American way of life! :
From Each According to His Ability: "Progressive Pricing" Coming Soon to a Nation Near You
A sampling to whet your appetite:
"…Turns out that such astronomical speeding tickets are commonplace in Europe now. Finland bases its fees on the payer's income, including one infamous case in which the son of a wealthy sausage-making family had to pay 170,000 Euros for driving 50mph in a 25mph zone. The Norwegians take it even one step further, sentencing wealthy people to intentionally humiliating hard labor as well, such as the drunk driver who not only had to pay a $85,000 fine but also chop wood for 30 days.
The idea is catching on. Pundits in Wales want the same variable pricing scheme to be enacted in their country. And yes — inevitably — some writers have already suggested bringing similar laws to the U.S., making all fines and fees be not a fixed amount but rather a percentage of your annual income. …"
Comment here or at PJM, whichever you prefer.
53 Responses to "Five Luxury Cars"
Cool! If I lose my job, I'll be driving everywhere at 200 mph and they're welcome to whatever percentage of my zero income they want!
No one reads The Constitution anymore, do they? What were once considered unequal, is now somehow supposed to be equal. This is the madness of liberalism. Obama thinks he is more of a god, than president. Balancer in Chief.
Thanks for posting this article Zombie! It is a highway robbery…
Incognito highway robbery…
Dang! I wish I had thought of that for the title! Brilliant.
Guy Average
"Progressive Pricing" is pretty on-point as a descriptor.
"Progressive Tax" is already taken….
European speeds are in mph??
Joe: European speeds are in mph??
Well, no, but most articles written or republished for an American audience simply do the conversion, so the readers understand — just as articles about American articles republished in Europe undoubtedly convert the MPH to KPH.
In this case, it was someone doing 80 kms per hour in a 40 km per hour zone, if you must know. Some articles expressed it that way, others rounded it off to 50 mphs in a 25 mph zone. I chose the latter way of doing it.
Also,some English papers still insist on using the old measurements, because their readers prefer it, even though the UK is now officially metric.
Why not?
In Europe we consider that speeding tickets should have an "educational" function, and making pay a millonaire 100$ has no educational function at all, in fact he could just ignore all traffic signs because he can afford it – where is the equality before the justice? Also, we are talking about behavings that can be potentially dangerous not only for the driver but for other people as well.
An european.
Ah, I figured the speeds were probably converted, but wasn't sure since they don't convert roundly. It's amazing that Europeans (well, mostly Germans) have the Autobahn and continue to allow no maximum speed there. Besides the US, I've only driven in Canada and the speed limits there seemed painfully slow.
"in fact he could just ignore all traffic signs because he can afford it – where is the equality before the justice?"
Uh, P-O-I-N-T-S? Surely European licenses have those?
To Joe,
Points, sure we have them – but not all infractions mean a loss of points.
Paying a percentage of the income is equality before the law. Paying a fixed amount is inequality because the fines would affect people differently due to differences in income.
Heh. Maybe you haven't seen Top Gear and listened to Jeremy Clarkson rip into the Swiss for their uptight, anti-car culture (yeah, yeah, Clarkson is a jerk towards Americans, but he's usually a jerk towards everyone, except maybe Keira Knightley).
You left out property taxes (an axe I will grind as long as possible) in the US system. You want to own a house? Then we will tax you for it for as long as we want and we'll raise it whenever we want for whatever reason we decide.
Keith: Paying a percentage of the income is equality before the law. Paying a fixed amount is inequality because the fines would affect people differently due to differences in income.
This is precisely the type of illogic used to justify this kind of crap.
Car Leasing Guy
So Dick Turpin is making a come back I see – for goodness sake!
This is precisely the type of illogic used to justify this kind of crap.
Mind explaining how it is illogic instead of just denouncing it as such?
I haven't taken sides on the issue and don't live in the US, but I haven't seen many reasonable arguments from your side of the fence yet.
I don't think its such a bad idea as far as traffic tickets are concerned. If I over the speed limit and was giving a fine of say …. $400, that's quite a lot of money for me. Several days wages for sure. But for someone who makes hundreds of dollars a day and whose personal worth if many hundreds of thousands of dollars a fine like that means nothing. It certainly does not have the same financial "pain" involved. Why not make them pay more ?
it seems more equal to me anyway (sheesh…"more equal" ….sounds like Marx). At least as far as the punishment is concerned.
No ?
Skid: Mind explaining how it is illogic instead of just denouncing it as such?
Within the US at least, justice is supposed to be blind. You don't pay different fines for particular violations because you make more money, or because you belong to a particular race or social caste, or you're left-handed or right-handed. You can't be accused of a crime, go to trial, and then have people bring up the fact that you go out to dinner with a notorious person as proof of your guilt. If Europeans want to run Europe that way, then that's fine but it only serves to reinforce the reasons so many people left that part of the world for a little more freedom.
On a guttier, more practical level, a practice like that in the article is a naked money grab dressed up as social justice. It's intended to enrich the government and give people who have less material wealth a nice feeling of schadenfreude. It's "Eat the rich" codified. So go ahead, eat your rich, eventually you'll run out of them.
Best article ever, Zombie! The nuts in government aren't wealth creators- they just don't "get it." There HAS to be a certain level of pressure on society to better itself and a reward for doing so, or we all sink to the same mediocre level. Awful to contemplate. Do Europeans realize how much innovation is already squelched in their society by these means? Do they care?
Somebody at PJM justified the fines by saying money is the only way, as some traffic violations don't add points. Well, why the hell don't they? Having a license taken away or a night in jail would affect the rich guy, I'm quite sure. The Europeans don't give a rats ass about safety, they just want the rich guys money so they don't have to work as hard themselves.
True Resistance
A better punishment for offensive driving is a small fine to cover court costs plus revoking someones liscense for a period of time. Then fine and punish them much harder if they drive while suspended or repeat the offense in the future.
The idea is to punish the bad behavior, not let everyone buy their way out of punishment. Make it proportional to the size of the offense.
Like others have said above, this is all about money. That is why both rich and poor have to really push the limits of the state to get their driving privledges revoked for good (at least in the USA.) Fines of any size are less of a solution to and more of a tax on dangerous driving.
Ah, social justice at work. I guess some animals are more equal than others.
True Resistance: A better punishment for offensive driving is a small fine to cover court costs plus revoking someones liscense for a period of time. Then fine and punish them much harder if they drive while suspended or repeat the offense in the future.
But in most places in the US there are already provisions in place for egregiously offensive driving. Like if you exceed a certain limit your crime becomes a felony. And if part of the point is to get the rich, arrogant bastards, then that takes care of it — who but the rich, arrogant bastards can afford vehicles that can do those sorts of things anyway? (For example, the idiot with the Enzo in CA.) The thing is that the Europeans want to associate one factor, wealth, which has nothing whatsoever to do with the crime itself, with the punishment.
The French, in particular, practiced something like this on a massive scale once and whole lot of people lost their heads in the process.
CattusMagnus: Ah, social justice at work.I guess some animals are more equal than others.
Two legs, good…
Six legs, awesome…
Excellent article Zombie. You've been on a roll lately.
"Cool! If I lose my job, I'll be driving everywhere at 200 mph and they're welcome to whatever percentage of my zero income they want!"
Exactly! I don't have a job at the moment so they'd just be wasting their time with me. If they enact that *cough* stupid piece of crap *cough cough* law I will make sure that argument ends up in the courtroom.
Guy Average
Beckaholic: Best article ever, Zombie!
Well, they are all good but, no, it is not the best article ever from Zombie. Sorry.
"Within the US at least, justice is supposed to be blind. You don't pay different fines for particular violations because you make more money" -Starless
Starless if everyone pays the same percentage of their income for a particular offence then that is "blind justice" as you call it because the same percentage is being appllied to everyone regardless of how much money they make or whatever.
Keith: Starless if everyone pays the same percentage of their income for a particular offence then that is "blind justice" as you call it because the same percentage is being appllied to everyone regardless of how much money they make or whatever.
You really, really don't get it. If you follow a progressive punitive model, you're attaching a factor unrelated to the crime itself to the punishment — in the US, we try to follow the idea that the punishment should fit the crime, not that the punishment should be more or less severe because of the individual standing in front of the judge. What your progressive punitive model brings into the courtroom is a type of partisanship. You may as well say that Republicans should receive a harsher sentence than Democrats because they're Republicans.
But I get it — there are two things going on here. First, there's the "eat the rich" philosophy which encompasses an assumption about what a wealthy person who speeds is thinking. Namely, that because the person is wealthy, you assume that they speed because they think their wealth entitles them to speed and you just don't like their presumed arrogance. Second, there's the undying feudalism (though now detached from the land) of Europe. The "lords" (in the modern sense, the materially wealthy) are still obligated to take care of the "vassals" (those who are not wealthy). So naturally, if you're European (or, to a lesser extent, Canadian) you are culturally hobbled from understanding how repugnant and biased applying fines based on a person's income is to an American.
Guy Average: I'm wrecked you don't agree with me………/
The article is a perfect window into the much, much bigger ideological battle brewing in this country- Who do we want to be as Americans? Structurally, our foundations are built on the defense of individualism. Mindlessly embracing the collective by buying bogus, feel-good, superficial arguments like the ones the Europeans are advancing here is the easy path to breaking down those foundations. Do we want to be individuals or part of the Borg? Zombie has a real talent for putting important ideas into perspective.
Starless when people are fined according to a percentage of their income the result of that is is that everyone is being affcted the same financially when they are fined. No one is being penalized based on income. A poor person who gets fined .2% of their income is affected the same as a rich person who gets fined .2% of their income because the way in which the loss affects them is similar due to the fact it is a percentage. If a rich person and poor person get fined a flat rate the result of that is that the poor person recieves a higher penalty because the money they were fined is worth more to them due to having less money. When it is a percentage everyone is equal under the law because everyone pays the same percentage and so that is sameness under the law.
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This is clearly just a law that makes it hard for people with luxury cars to have fun. I cant believe that a speeding ticket is just as costly as a house in a middle class suburb…ridiculous!
#26 Starless,
The "eat the rich" philosophy really is at the heart of the argument here. It's all about the perception of how the wealthy must behave, think, spend and aquire their money. Some people think that money has less value in the hands of a rich person than it does in the hands of a poorer person. Let's say that Joe Blow makes 3K a month and when all the bills are paid, he's left with $300 of disposable income. And Daddy Warbucks makes 15K a month and when all of his bills are paid, he's left with $300 of disposable income as well. Now let's say they both get a $250 fine for speeding. Who does the fine hurt more in this case? Should Daddy Warbucks be punished more because he's makes more money? Perhaps this isn't the best example, but my point is that you can't just look at somebody's income and use that as leverage to even the playing field. There are too many unknown variables. And what about a guy who is unemployed? Does he get off free since he has no income? Should we take income into consideration when we punish people for other crimes? If Joe Blow and Daddy Warbucks both are sentenced to death for murder does Joe Blow get leathal injection and Daddy Warbucks get hung, drawn and quartered? Basing a punishment on somebody's net worth outrageous. A fine/penalty should be the price that is put on a CRIME not a criminal. But Finland is seeing through a Marxist prism whereby a person can only accumulate wealth by taking advantage of others and they'll look for any excuse to eat the rich. Okay, done ranting now.
Ringo the Gringo
Great essay!..and congratulations on your new gig.
i like the idea, makes a rich person as threatened by a speeding ticket as a poor person, a guy that gets 200 grand a month won't get hurt by a 450 dollar fine, but charge him 20 grand and he'll get the picture
oh yeah and, a long time ago you posted an image of a mash-up symbol along with an article about a tree-sitting group disrupted by the police, that symbols means that the manifestation risks being responded with violence
Reading all the comments above I notice a very deep misunderstanding of European history and reality, mainly confusing social state with communism and similar objections. If you are interested and have time to spare, read the text below, I hope I can at least start to make you understand the European reality, which is very different to the US / American. Most of the points I explain can be read at wikipedia.
Since it´s foundation the US has only have one revolution and one civil war – take your time (you have a whole weekend before you) and start counting the revolutions and civil wars in Europe since the French revolution.
You want some examples? France: revolutions in 1830, 1848 and 1871 – infamous Commune of Paris, when Marx published the Communist Manifest; Spain: 3 civil wars between conservatives and liberals in the 19th century besides too many military risings, then in the 20th century revolutions or important upheavals in 1917 and 1934, civil war between 1936 and 1939, then 40 years of dictature; Germany: revolutions in 1848 and 1919, then nacionalsocialist dictature between 1933 and 1945).
And I am talking only of revolutions and civil wars, motivated mainly by an unequal distribution of wealth (feudalism was just technically over, the vices of it were still rampant), where the Army (not the police) was fighting on the streets, in the worst case against other parts of the same army. With all the loss of life, blood, property, economic disruption and destruction it brings with it. In fact, if you look at your immigration statistics of the the 19th century you will recognize peaks of immigration from Europe after each revolution.
I read above about European feudalism and smashing the land owners – true, socialism was ONE way of get rid of it. Any thesis leads to an antithesis and to a new synthesis that emerges out of both. And no, this is NOT from Marx, it´s from another german philosopher, Hegel, who in fact was teacher of Marx, although not a very successful teacher as history has proven.
It was a time consuming and bloody matter, but sooner or later it was solved it to a point at which finally, excepting the radical left and right, no one feels compelled to erect barricades on the streets. At least not for economic reasons or out of economic necessity. And again, if you look at history, the country who ignored most consequently the social issue – czarist Russia – was the only one where communism won by itself.
You criticize our progressive taxing and social state without knowing why we chose it or even we had to choose it – to keep communism out of free Europe. Back in 1945, with the communists doing in fact better at least on feeding the people (rationing of food was totally abolished in the UK only in 1954 for example) and was in fact appealing to a broad mass of people in free Europe since Europeans do not have the same cultural, historical and intellectual reticence and objections (at least not the working classes and a good part of the intellectuals) as Americans have.
Or why do you think the US started the Marshall plan in the late 40´s? To prevent starvation – and by doing this prevent a communist takeover, and this was an almost too real possibility at that time.
Also, you claim that progressive taxing is not provided in the constitution of the US – well, great for you. Anyhow, for example it is provided in the German constitution, the Grundgesetz and the German State has the DUTY to provide social justice and a social state – again a reaction to the menace of communism, which in the case of Germany was all too near, by simply taking wind out of the sails of the left parties.
To resume all the above. Out of history Europeans value very much the aspect of social peace. And are ready to pay a price (progressive taxes and even on speeding tickets based on income) for it. In fact, the majority of the European population gets a nice benefit out of the taxes on the issues of health care, education, pensions, etc. Of course we all complain when we have to pay, but we know what we get for it in exchange. I don´t want to convince you in any way, I am just telling what most of Europeans would tell you. We Europeans also value very much freedom of opinion and choice.
You want to know the main reason for the economic, political and social differences between the US and Europe and why you simply cannot compare one system with the other?
Since the foundation of the colonies one very important economic aspect marked America: LACK OF LABOUR. The main reason for slavery. Indentured servants. Free immigration at least until the end of the 19th century. It did not matter how many immigrants came, it did not really affect the wages on longterm, you were simply caught in a virtuous circle that only spiralled up prosperity and wealth of the whole society. And since the US was young and without the vices of centuries of history and thanks to the foresight of the writers of your constitution, this wealth was distributed in just way.
Contrary to America, in Europe since the start of the industrial revolution there was almost constantly an excess of labour, leading to DECREASING wages, with all that it meant (starvation, miserable housing conditions, criminality, readiness for the use of violence and political extremism). This was the european reality in the 19th century.
Or another way: America / the US never needed socialism or communism due to your social reality – Europe did, if only as a menace and if you like even as an extorsion to the owning people to share their wealth and so prevent communism and the loss of all. For this reason we created the social state – capitalist market rules, limited by state intervention to prevent excesses, excesses that where never known to the same extent in America. And again, the main reason for the institution of the social state you despise so much was to prevent worse – communism. Europe had and has to struggle and fight to keep it´s citizen´s content, it has constantly to find compromises between the different interests of segments of it´s population. And like all compromises, to be good and accepted neither side can be truly happy with them, but accept them to prevent worse.
Consider yourself a blessed land if you like, but also try to understand the reality of Europe and the reasons that have led to this reality.
And if you really want to get enraged about progressive taxing: take Sweden, where Astrid Lindgren was asked to pay a fabulous 102% of taxes on her income. This was corrected of course, but even the possibility of a tax office making this kind of laws frightens even Europeans. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrid_Lindgren)
Keith: When it is a percentage everyone is equal under the law because everyone pays the same percentage and so that is sameness under the law.
As I said before, Keith, you don't get it. And I don't expect that you ever will, but see CattusMagnus's comment for a slightly different take on why you are wrong. (In re: making the punishment fit the crime, not the criminal.)
Cattus, I agree. OTOH, I think there's just as much of what I'll call "neo-feudalism" involved as germaninspain (sort of) elaborates.
Germaninspain, I think we probably would agree more than disagree. I understand that there is historical context for why Europe is where it is right now, but just as European views are skewed due to European-ness, American views are going to be skewed due to American-ness. So I can acknowledge that you have your reasons, but I can't help but look at something like progressive traffic fines or covering every square meter of England with CCTVs and think, "That's a really effed up way to run things". So, the feudalism argument may seem simplistic, but from the outside looking in, whenever I read about European-style "social responsibility" it seems to inevitably be targeted at material wealth. That is, those with more are obligated, morally and legally, to give a significant portion of their wealth to those with less and I can't help but think that it looks very much like a modern, tarted up, version of feudalism.
You've got something with your argument regarding labor (I would say land instead and I would offer up my own ancestors as proof, particularly the Scandinavian and Prussian ones), but it's only part of the story. Particularly when you talk about attitudes as reflected in law, freedom of religion is far, far more fundamental. A result of the idea of the freedom of religion is that we take minding your own business as almost sacred (as a concept, but in practice, there are just as many nosy busy-bodies here as anywhere else they just have to be a bit more discrete about it here) so part of the American tendency to recoil in disgust from some European legal and social requirements (like basing fines on your income) is that what we consider personal, in particular what our income is, as nobody's damn business but our own. The upshot being that so much can come from my individual freedom (productivity and wealth) that it is far more valuable than the State's ability to redistribute the products of that freedom. Maybe that will eventually be proved wrong and the European, sort-of-socialist approach will prevail — I tend to doubt it, but I'm biased. :)
Starless, as I wrote in my text I do not want to convince anyone to the European model, my intention was just to explain (or at least try to) why we have the system we have and why we more or less accept it and live with it. And concerning land instead of labor, you still need labor to obtain benefit out of land, but I guess this would be a senseless discussion because both factors depend of the other and in the worst case also capital. I agree completely with you that there are several basic differences in attitude between europeans and americans. Or saying it another way: in Europe we talk about the sex we have, not our income, in America it´s the opposite (this is at least the prevalent prejudice about the US in Europe, correct me if I am wrong.
I live in America and I do know some people who talk about their income. I'm not sure how many people in America do this or if more people in America do this than people in Spain.
@ starless
I live in Europe and income more a tabu theme in a conversation than sex. This of course does not mean that europeans use to discuss with strangers their sex life.
Fining according to an income assumes one knows how much income the lawbreaker has. Like germaninspain says, discussing income is a taboo in Europe. Then how would the officer know how much to charge for the infraction?
germaninspain: And concerning land instead of labor, you still need labor to obtain benefit out of land, but I guess this would be a senseless discussion because both factors depend of the other and in the worst case also capital.
If you think about it, the US didn't start to gear up as the global super power which eventually saved Europe from itself until the continent west of the Mississippi opened up in the mid-19th century. For somewhere around 200 years prior to that, European settlement in America was still mainly an agrarian colonial backwater. (Slavery, IMO, was more a product of the high cost of transportation than a shortage of people who wanted to do the work — IOW, it's cheaper to transport and support slaves like cattle than settlers.) I know that for myself and many people who are 3rd, 4th, and more generation Americans, our ancestors came here mainly because there just wasn't any more room in Europe. In Norway, because of the practice of primogeniture, by the mid-19th century there just wasn't any more land to split up among the sons so there were all kinds of young people walking around landless. In Prussia, it was find some property or start looking at forced conscription into the imperial army. So when American ship lines started to advertise free land in the US, it was a no-brainer for them.
Incognito: Fining according to an income assumes one knows how much income the lawbreaker has. Like germaninspain says, discussing income is a taboo in Europe. Then how would the officer know how much to charge for the infraction?
From what I can see, Germaninspain says in two different comments that talking about income is and is not taboo in Europe, so I don't know which way he/she's going with that.
More than once I've read articles where European politicians have seriously proposed making people's tax data (IOW, how much money they make) public information for reasons of social consciousness. I'm not going to try to make a strong argument either way because I don't have data to prove it, but I can be pretty certain that any American politician outside of Berkeley who suggested such a thing would be run out of town on a rail. In an American workplace, it's definitely taboo to talk about personal income, and you wouldn't casually ask a stranger how much money he or she makes.
I've noticed that it's not that Europeans don't want to talk about income, they do not want to talk about their jobs at all. Their jobs do not define them. Americans would think it's weird to meet someone and NOT know in the first 10 minutes what their profession is and thus be able to make a guess as to income level if they care to. One's job tends to be a point of pride here, not so much over there, and I"ve always been a bit perplexed about that. We identify ourselves differently for sure.
Beckaholic: Americans would think it's weird to meet someone and NOT know in the first 10 minutes what their profession is and thus be able to make a guess as to income level if they care to.
That's absolutely true, but, "What do you do?" is a far more acceptable question than, "How much do you make?" And you'll only hear someone volunteer how much they make if they either want to brag about how successful they are (not so socially acceptable) or complain about how they're getting screwed (the innate right of every human).
Regarding both sex and money, Americans have to deal with the dissonance between co-existing Puritanical and libertarian traditions.
Yes, "repugnant" is the correct word for a percentage-of-income fine for breaking the law. If the Euros are concerned about behavior there are equally — perhaps more — efficient ways. Take away the speeder's driving license for a period or have the him spend the night in jail.
It's clear as day that this really is just a money-grab by government. What happened to "equal treatment under the law?" Creeping socialism like this scares the hell out of me.
@ incognito: the officer who registers the infraction in fact does not decide the amount, this is done by the traffic agency who asks the tax office for the last years income.
@ beckaholic: yes, we europeans tend not to take pride in our jobs. As you say, we don´t define ourselves by our jobs. My guess is that for the greater majority of europeans work is something you do to have money for your leisure time. This does not mean that we are inefficient and lazy, we are as proffesional as any american worker or employee, we just have other priorities. Why? Good question. Objectively, almost every single person is conscious that he could earn more by changing to another company in another country (by geographical extension of the US enad the EU you could roughly equal states with countries), but this change is more difficult than in the US due to a lesser geographical mobility and different languages and cultures. Also, until mid of the nineties we still had to apply for a working permit in most countries. Actually, I know that I could double my income if I worked in Finland instead of Spain, since a friend of mine that works there tried to recruit me. But, do I want to learn finnish? How high are the living costs in Finland? Will I have more money at the end of the month on my bank account or less? Can I stand 6 months polar night? It´s not as easy as in the US where you have a greater transparency and no cultural or language barriers, so we tend to stay where we were born and make the best of it.
And again to information about income. Even if we would tell each other our brutto income, we would get no information about the net income, since there are infinte possibilities to reduce taxes like kids, being married or not, buying a house, retirement funds… And to get these informations you would have to get at a personal level that truely would be considered itrusive. So we just don´t ask.
Germaninspain: Appreciate the response. Don't want you to get the impression that we sit around asking each other how much we make. We don't and it's considered crass to volunteer this info. What we take pride in is what we consider our professions, which means not simply how much money is associated with a job, but how much responsibility we may have, our education levels, how hard we work, and how well we perform our jobs regardless of status or money- it's more like how valuable we see ourselves to the organization and society at large. Work is viewed as valued and dignified and an admirable thing to spend one's waking hours doing, regardless of what type of work it is. There's an understanding here that to advance one has to give more than the minimum effort (unless you work for a union of course) and that if you settle for minimum effort ( so as to maximize leisure time) you are limiting yourself to mediocre potential in the longer term. But if you try hard, take on more responsibility and give more, you will advance and compensation will follow. That's why giving "poor" people money to live on is hard for us to swallow. "Poor" should be a temporary state, (and it usually is, we have a very upwardly-mobile society) that one can get out of if they try hard enough. Being given money for doing nothing takes away the incentive to do better. Or at least that's how I thought society was supposed to function- I'm not so sure anymore.
Beckaholic: I start seeing that in fact there must be a very serious cultural difference between Europe and the US concerning the matter of profession. If you agree, let´s ignore the monetary aspect for the moment, although I think we both accept the fact that no one will perform more without the corresponding financial reward.
Concerning taking pride in the profession – yes of course we do. But talk about it? I studied economics, but I guess my friends would be as much interested in hearing me talk about the problems I solved in my job than I would in hearing them talk about their jobs (lawyers, biologists, etc). This would be of course completely different in a meeting of economists, but I would consider this as a professional exchange of information, not just a casual theme to talk about while having some beers in a bar.
Personal effort: yes, to make career you must show personal effort and interest in Europe too, besides some level of intriguing and a good portion of luck as elsewhere in the world. Anyhow I start seeing that the social pressure to advance must be much lower in Europe. If a person wants to make career, assume responsibility an advance on any hierarchical ladder, he is free to do so, he will be most welcome. In fact, these persons will be glad about anyone who chooses not to, finally this represents less potential competition.
Does not choosing the "career option" lead to a personal mediocre potential on the long term? Almost surely, but it also leads to a higher potential in the development of yourself, of your own happiness and personality. Perhaps the question should be: Who do you want to be – a successful professional with high responsibilities or a happy person? Before you say it, yes, I believe that a successful combination of both can be possible, but also very rare.
The effects of this behaviour on any economy? Who moves an economy? Of course the outstanding, high performing individuals who take risks and responsibility are the obvious visual exponent of any company or economy. But who gets the job really done? In my opinion the people working from 8 to 5, no matter their profession, they do their duty, earn their paychecks, fulfil their function in an economy or company and when the job is done they go home with their families without further thinking about their job. Geniuses and outstanding persons are great, but what finally matters is the average worker and employee. Any chain is just as strong as it´s weakest section.
Somehow in Europe (public health care, cheap education and state pensions for retired must help, but are surely not the only reason) it is more acceptable to just settle down, to work below your potential, to find a compromise or balance or however you like to define it between personal and professional live. This is a pure personal choice, personally I am happier reading a book, watching a movie or taking care of the garden than working 12 hours a day in the office to build up a career. If necessary I will work 12 hours, even on weekends, but for me this is the exception, not the rule. My personal professional potential? I still keep reading about economics and in a couple of years I know I will have to take any courses to refresh all I learned on college, or better to say, to update my knowledge, and I will do it since I know that I have to do this if I want to keep my job on the long term. But really, I don´t define myself for having studied economics or the function I have at the company I work at. I really separate sharply between job and private time. And finally, we should be conscious about one fact: If I don´t do it, another one will.
Some years ago I simply decided against career, responsibility and the economic rewards they inevitably bring with them. I took this decision consciously and freely, I just decided that I could not be the person I want to be and have a career, so I made my decisions – and don´t regret it. I make enough money to live comfortably, I am in a situation I can increase my savings on a monthly basis and can afford to spend my vacations travelling around the world. Should I sacrifice this life for a life of career with all it implies? As heretic as it may sound to you – I won´t. My job is for me a way to reach my objectives, not the objective itself.
May I propose the theory that Europeans value more the person than the function the person has in society?
You wrote: "That's why giving "poor" people money to live on is hard for us to swallow. "Poor" should be a temporary state, (and it usually is, we have a very upwardly-mobile society) that one can get out of if they try hard enough." I think we both agree this is the ideal situation.
Unfortunately, poverty has many more reasons and is not necessarily a temporary state (at least in Europe), some that even could prevent effectively to come to money, education for example. Chronical sickness. Also structural problems any economy has.
But my point is another. As an economically thinking person, I ask what is cheaper – giving money to the poor to prevent criminality and the breeding of more poor (in Europe we have a pretty example of how poverty generates more poverty due to lack of education) or spending it on preventing and/or punishing the nasty consequences of poverty – criminality, vandalism and so on? I think this question should be answered, no matter which attitude or political conviction you have towards the problem and if you like the idea or not.
And to your comfort: I read many times in this blog comments complaining about the influence of European ideas in the US – in Europe specially unions and the left parties complain loud about the Americanization of society, even of education since the introduction of BA and MA degrees, while the conservatives are neither happy about it. Who knows, perhaps in a few centuries both continents / societies meet somewhere in the middle.
What if the poor person works 40 hours per week, and has an income of $20,000 per year. The rich person works 80 hours per week, and has an income of $40,000 per year. With progressive penalties, you're simply punishing the wealthier person for working harder. As it was stated before, it gives almost complete freedom to someone that doesn't work, because they would pay almost no fine whatsoever.
Kowa B
Anybody who is saying "then I'll quit my job and go 200mph wherever I go" clearly doesn't, as people here are so fond of saying, "get it". Obviously there are minimum fines in Europe for those who are unemployed, etc; you're just trying to be evasive.
More importantly, traffic fines and things of this nature are, in effect, a tax on undesirable behavior (dangerous driving). Simple supply-side economics. It is the same argument that says taxing income less will be an incentive for people to spend more money (and therefore employ more people). On the other hand, with driving tickets, we are trying to do the opposite; provide a disincentive to drive dangerously. Therefore, we the fine needs to be a proper disincentive for them to not drive dangerously. In other words, the taxes, to be most effective, should be based on percentage of income, not a flat rate for everybody.
traffic fines aren't a "punishment" for say, they're a tax on bad driving. It doesn't matter if the person is making more money because they work harder or that the fact that they are speeding has nothing to do with their income. In the same way, how hard you work for your income, and what your job is are inconsequential when we ask for tax cuts, because we want wealthy people to spend their money and stimulate the economy, instead of having it taxed and wasted by the government. That's called economics.
A an european, my personal estimation is that actually the average fine for a "medium" infraction (no loss of points) represent betweens 10% and 20% of a months income for the average worker or employee and I live in a country where no fines are imposed on the base of income . Since most of society considers this as not fair, there is a feeling and disposition to accept fines based on income. And by the way, be assured that there is (will be) a minimum fine indepent of income that still will hurt unemployed more than anyone who works.
So basically, the issue is that a small fine isn't sufficient to deter people who spend that much on lunch every day, and wealth proportionate fines are unconstitutional. Removing the right to drive probably isn't an issue to people of that wealth level, they'll just hire somebody else to drive their car for them. Impounding the vehicle isn't a problem, another one can simply be rented. The remaining option of throwing them in jail for a night seems most appropriate because it cuts into things that all people have an equal share of: time and dignity.
Reggie Dunlop
This is not equal protection before the law, and now that I think about it, neither is the progressive income tax. Woodrwo Wilson and 1913 were the beginning of our leftward slide in the US, and it's time we start heading back to the rule of law as opposed to the idea of "fairness." And whose idea of fairness are we seeking to emulate anyhow? It seems that it is a quasi-Marxist ideal of what is fair that "progressives" (God they make me sick) feel, not think is what is being foisted upon us. Time to buy some more ammo. Cripes.
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5.Any Morgan(for the same reasons as the weissman)
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Oh, and America is the most immature country and eventually we'll all grow up and become all for socialized medicine but for now the US is a whiney teenager "I donwanna pay for her, she's fat…it's not my fault…mind your own business…but it's not faaaiiiir, whaa".