Slog - Comments on The Morning News

Comment by Fnarf

Fnarf — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 09:16:46 -0800

Lotteries are not a tax on the poor. Plenty of well-off people play them too. What they are is a tax on people who suck at math.

Comment by Chip Chipmunk

Chip Chipmunk — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 09:44:25 -0800

It would be miserable to win that much money. Think of it, you'd be questioning the sincerity and intent of nearly everyone around you for the rest of your life.

Comment by Mike in MO

Mike in MO — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 09:55:51 -0800

Re: Cheney, political fallout...No, he won't. Nor will W. This has been the teflon administration.

Think about it. Clinton lied to investigators about getting head, which had nothing to do with what he was being investigated for in the first place. He got impeached. W, Cheney, et al lied about a threat to justify a war, outed a CIA op out of revenge when someone called them on it, totally F-ed up said war, and meanwhile diverted resources etc from finding the guy behind the 9/11 attacks (please no F-ing conspiracy theories). And even a Dem controlled congress is afraid to impeach them.

Believe me, I hope I'm wrong. But so far, it seems like these A-holes can do pretty much whatever they want without worrying about any repercussions.

Comment by Josh

Josh — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 10:33:08 -0800

Please don't link to Fox news. Ever. They reported Libby as Not Guilty...

http://boingboing.net/images/2001883825464813443_rs.jpg

There are a lot better sources/sites that deserve your readers' traffic.

Comment by Will in Seattle

Will in Seattle — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 10:41:19 -0800

You missed Vermont towns voting to impeach the Liar-in-Chief and his Pretzledent.

Comment by Original Andrew

Original Andrew — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 11:32:24 -0800

Mike in MO @ 3,

It's incredible isn't it?

The Bush Administration has a major scandal almost every week that would have brought down any other (Democratic) government overnight. Honorable, decent people would have resigned years ago. They've committed so many crimes that they have to be listed alphabetically and yet here we are - patiently waiting for the clock to run out.

Can you imagine any other developed country putting up with "leaders" who are so openly, criminally insane and incompetent?

I think Bush would have to eat a baby on national television for anyone to start paying attention and even then...

Is Dancing with the Stars on?

Comment by Will in Seattle

Will in Seattle — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 12:25:30 -0800

@3, @6 - probably. sad what it says about America, isn't it ... Up Next, Cooking with Babies on Fox!

Comment by COMTE

COMTE — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 13:16:11 -0800

Sorry, I'm confused - are the babies doing the cooking or being cooked?

And my guess is, if shrub DID eat a baby on live TV, the only result would be a sudden increase in the number of "have you seen this child?" photos going on milk cartons at your local supermarket.

Comment by Suz

Suz — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 13:23:43 -0800

More like Tax the Stupid (in my case anyway!)

Comment by lloyd

lloyd — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 13:38:19 -0800

The Stranger staff is well known at all the sleaze spots on the Hill, paying 5.00 for watery well booze.

And they poke fun at folks who spend a dollar on the Lotto? Oh, well.

Elites are always so, self proclaimed elite. And aside from buying a Lotto once in a while, I brew my own beer.

So there, suffer. And will toast to the not so cool, who still think they might hit it one day.

Comment by Fnarf

Fnarf — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 16:23:43 -0800

Case in point.

Comment by Mike in MO

Mike in MO — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 17:11:40 -0800

the problem with the lottery isn't throwing A buck for a ticket. It is the dumb-asses that blow $50 trying to win it. fnarf's comment about tax on people that suck at math is on the money. The $50 lotto players think they are increasing their chances by 50. Mathematically, they are, but in a real sense all they are doing is blowing $50. When the odds are 1 in 500 million (or whatever it is), 50 doesn't have do S for your chances. Again, in a real sense, you are just as likely to match buying one ticket as you are buying 50.

I think the reason people say it is a tax on the poor is because (for the most part) poor people are more likely to be seduced by the fantasy and buy $50 worth every week that they can't afford. More affluent people will plunk down a buck every now & then on the off chance the get lucky because they know if they don't win, nothing will change for them...

Comment by won't they learn?

won't they learn? — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 18:57:40 -0800

You'd think China would know better. Ten years ago they killed a million chickens in a ridiculous attempt to contain bird flu.

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9712/28/hong.kong.flu/

(Was Hong Kong part of China 10 years ago?)