The war on... trees?

[malakos]

As much as I dislike the fucker, he does make some decent points. Just as much as I disliked Obama, he did do some wonderful things. Glenn Beck has forgotten more about history than most of us will ever know, and I admire him for that; but sometimes I look at him, raise and eyebrow and think "fuck, I need a drink!". All of these men/women have faults/praises, and until we are willing to bash both sides and find some common ground, we are screwed.

I agree with that. Problem I've been running into recently is how black and white treatment of personalities has become. For example, if I said one positive thing about Ann Coulter, the Lefties would automatically assume I'm a xenophobic bigot who laughs at the suffering of brown children. On the flip side, there are numerous circles on the Right where I can't share positive appraisals of Karl Marx's critiques of capitalism without being labeled a crypto-commie cuck or some such. Then again that holds true of positions on issue as well. If one expresses one position on one issue quite often people will start to make assumptions about a totality of disposition. Which is particularly frustrating for those of us whose positions don't all line up in just one spot.

 

[malakos]

Who cares?!? There is that little part about separation of church and state.

What does criticizing the integrity of Mr. Limbaugh's position have to do with either the State or the Church? I don't see either as being involved in that.

 

[LittleBuzzSaw]

I agree with that. Problem I've been running into recently is how black and white treatment of personalities has become. For example, if I said one positive thing about Ann Coulter, the Lefties would automatically assume I'm a xenophobic bigot who laughs at the suffering of brown children. On the flip side, there are numerous circles on the Right where I can't share positive appraisals of Karl Marx's critiques of capitalism without being labeled a crypto-commie cuck or some such. Then again that holds true of positions on issue as well. If one expresses one position on one issue quite often people will start to make assumptions about a totality of disposition. Which is particularly frustrating for those of us whose positions don't all line up in just one spot.

Precisely what has driven this country into "the great divide". Neither on either side can realize how blatantly f'd up stupid it is to blindly support one end of a seesaw at the crest of a volcano.

 

[LittleBuzzSaw]

What does criticizing the integrity of Mr. Limbaugh's position have to do with either the State or the Church? I don't see either as being involved in that.

Limbaugh is (arguably) irrational. Just like Fox News and CNN, I don't put a lot of credibility into what comes out our them, but I do know that somewhere, there is a point.

 

[Max_Polo]

I agree with that. Problem I've been running into recently is how black and white treatment of personalities has become. For example, if I said one positive thing about Ann Coulter, the Lefties would automatically assume I'm a xenophobic bigot who laughs at the suffering of brown children. On the flip side, there are numerous circles on the Right where I can't share positive appraisals of Karl Marx's critiques of capitalism without being labeled a crypto-commie cuck or some such. Then again that holds true of positions on issue as well. If one expresses one position on one issue quite often people will start to make assumptions about a totality of disposition. Which is particularly frustrating for those of us whose positions don't all line up in just one spot.

It's so much easier to make assumptions and generalizations than to actually learn about something and apply that knowledge in conversation. It's like voting a party ticket rather than learning about candidates.

 

[deleted15807]

It's like voting a party ticket rather than learning about candidates.

Until the Republican Party regains some sanity, embraces objective reasoning and science and ceases demonizing minorities(sexual,racial and religious) for political gain I will walk into every voting booth and blindly push the democrat button until the day I die.

The GOP has become an insurgent outlier in American politics. It is ideologically extreme; scornful of compromise; unmoved by conventional understanding of facts, evidence and science; and dismissive of the legitimacy of its political opposition.

Let’s just say it: The Republicans are the problem.​

 

[deleted15807]

So the "state" is coming after all those "urban cities"? The crime? Socialism!! "Small government" is once again conveniently tossed aside.

.... here in Texas, the bigger battle over tree ordinances is whether they represent a form of local government overreach. Gov. Greg Abbott (R), citing grave worries about “socialistic” behavior in the state’s liberal cities, has called on Texas lawmakers to gather this month for a special session that will consider a host of bills aimed at curtailing local power on issues ranging from taxation to collecting union dues.

In Austin, the air smells of tacos and trees — and city-state conflict​

 

[185248]

Have a look at what Don is doing with regard to his golf course obsession in Indonesia. About to build some bullshit entertainment park and probably place into extinction the already endangered, nearly extinct Java Leopard. He did the same thing in Scotland with the land there.

The man is a train wreck waiting to happen. He will take the US down with him.

 

[deleted15807]

The man is a train wreck waiting to happen. He will take the WORLD down with him.

Fixed that for you.

Republican Party is the most dangerous organisation in human history

Stephen Hawking: Trump Pushing Earth's Climate 'Over The Brink'

 

[185248]

Fixed that for you.

Republican Party is the most dangerous organisation in human history

Stephen Hawking: Trump Pushing Earth's Climate 'Over The Brink'

Take a look at what him and his Indonesian cohorts are up to. But, I suppose I have already said that.

 

[deleted15807]

Take a look at what him and his Indonesian cohorts are up to. But, I suppose I have already said that.

Oh I know that story. Humanity is an ecological serial killer. Wherever we appear mass extinction of plants and animals begins. And no matter where you land some "developer" is willing to help monied interest destroy the planet with force if necessary.

 

[185248]

Oh I know that story. Humanity is an ecological serial killer. Wherever we appear mass extinction of plants and animals begins. And no matter where you land some "developer" is willing to help monied interest destroy the planet with force if necessary.

Don't fret. I don't think it's going to be that far away where our numbers will be cut quite drastically. It's just like everything else. Has it's ebb and flow, from the very beginning.

With each flow, comes an equal ebb. Just that the ebbs get larger as do the flows.

 

[TexanStar]

Tree bill is on its way to Abbott for signature, but the legislature nerfed scaled back Abbott's demands. The original bill was to prevent cities from enforcing tree ordinances. The new bill still allows it, but forces cities to offer the option to offset or eliminate monetary fines for illegal tree removal through re-planting (up to 100% offset in the case of residential properties, up to 40-50% in the case of commercial properties). It still leaves cities with the authority to manage all of this stuff.

Abbott won't be happy, but fuck him. He's a mega-douche (only slightly less douchey than his lieutenant governor).

 

[Max_Polo]

Limbaugh doesn't read anyone less important than him.

I live in waxing and waning awe of your sense of humor my friend. This one is defintely in the waxing phase!

But don't tell anyone else - many here seem to think that I am Rush and it's fun to spin them up!

 

[Max_Polo]

OK. I'm a fiscal conservative (not same as "republican" but tend to vote with them). And I tend to think that what I do in my home or on my property is my business (that's why I can say that people who believe in sexual practices other than my own should be left alone) as long as no children or pets are harmed.

So, why should a (local or otherwise) government tell me what kind of grass to plant, tree to preserve or color to dye my hair?

If I choose to cut down a mature tree or color my hair green, the market will likely punish that decision appropriately.

In our area, homes in neighborhoods with mature trees generally sell for a half million dollars or so more than other areas.

 

[Klingsor]

OK. I'm a fiscal conservative (not same as "republican" but tend to vote with them). And I tend to think that what I do in my home or on my property is my business (that's why I can say that people who believe in sexual practices other than my own should be left alone) as long as no children or pets are harmed.

So, why should a (local or otherwise) government tell me what kind of grass to plant, tree to preserve or color to dye my hair?

If I choose to cut down a mature tree or color my hair green, the market will likely punish that decision appropriately.

Since you seem open to government restricting what you can do to one type of living thing (pets), it seems at least reasonable to consider it might restrict what you can do to another (trees).

I'm not aware of any government (local or otherwise) telling you what color to dye your hair.

 

[TexanStar]

OK. I'm a fiscal conservative (not same as "republican" but tend to vote with them). And I tend to think that what I do in my home or on my property is my business (that's why I can say that people who believe in sexual practices other than my own should be left alone) as long as no children or pets are harmed.

So, why should a (local or otherwise) government tell me what kind of grass to plant, tree to preserve or color to dye my hair?

If I choose to cut down a mature tree or color my hair green, the market will likely punish that decision appropriately.

In our area, homes in neighborhoods with mature trees generally sell for a half million dollars or so more than other areas.

Natural resources, of which lumber is included, have never gone hand in hand with property ownership in the USA. Just because you have right to build on an allotment of land does not necessarily mean that you have right to clear certain trees on it. Same goes for minerals and fossil fuels beneath it. They may come with your property purchase, they may not.

Similarly, the government has a long established right to dictate which types of vegetation can be brought into the country as part of safeguarding ours. That's why you're asked by customs if you're bringing any fruits or vegetables with you.

If you want to live in a city that places no restrictions on what you can do with your house and your property, there are options for you (especially if you choose to live in an unincorporated part of certain counties).

 

[Max_Polo]

Natural resources, of which lumber is included, have never gone hand in hand with property ownership in the USA. Just because you have right to build on an allotment of land does not necessarily mean that you have right to clear certain trees on it. Same goes for minerals and fossil fuels beneath it. They may come with your property purchase, they may not.

I think in general that is not true for residential property shrubbery and trees. Mineral and water rights can be stripped and sold separately, and very frequently are.

Similarly, the government has a long established right to dictate which types of vegetation can be brought into the country as part of safeguarding ours. That's why you're asked by customs if you're bringing any fruits or vegetables with you.

These questions are based on disease risk (importation of fruit flies or whatever), not based on whether you're going to plant the pineapple when you get it home.

If you want to live in a city that places no restrictions on what you can do with your house and your property, there are options for you (especially if you choose to live in an unincorporated part of certain counties).

I already live in a city which does not tell me that I cannot cut down a tree. And in an area of that city where there is a huge marked-based economic penalty for doing so. That's working here very well. Developers go to great lengths to preserve large trees because they are economically incentivized to do so.

 

[Max_Polo]

Until the Republican Party regains some sanity, embraces objective reasoning and science and ceases demonizing minorities(sexual,racial and religious) for political gain I will walk into every voting booth and blindly push the democrat button until the day I die.

The GOP has become an insurgent outlier in American politics. It is ideologically extreme; scornful of compromise; unmoved by conventional understanding of facts, evidence and science; and dismissive of the legitimacy of its political opposition.

Let’s just say it: The Republicans are the problem.​

Your right to do that of course, but I don't vote a straight republican ticket.

I'm sorry you think "Republicans" are "the" problem. You and Nancy Pelosi would probably get along very well, but you'd also be similarly ineffective as our current legislators. When Ted Cruz insults his colleagues, I don't care if I agree with him or not, I think he's an asshole for doing so rather than engaging in the business of running the country in a constructive way.

If Newt Gingrich and Bill Clinton could work together, Teddy Kennedy and John McCain, why can the current crop of idiots on both sides of the aisle not figure it out?

 

[Max_Polo]

Since you seem open to government restricting what you can do to one type of living thing (pets), it seems at least reasonable to consider it might restrict what you can do to another (trees).

I'm not aware of any government (local or otherwise) telling you what color to dye your hair.

Because of course, I see a difference in pulling up a shrub and killing a dog or a child and I believe that the latter two can and generally are reasonably restricted by law.