Well, feudalism at least involved a contract that both sides acknowledged. The serfs served the lord, but the lord looked after the serfs. Robber barons, now . . .
I battle evil. But I don't really win. The bad keeps coming back and getting stronger. Like that kid in the story, the boy that stuck his finger in the duck.
Buffy ,'Showtime'
Natter 72: We Were Unprepared for This
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
Connie Neil - Apr 02, 2014 9:00:48 am PDT #24252 of 30000
brillig
Calli - Apr 02, 2014 9:17:45 am PDT #24253 of 30000
I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul—Calvin and Hobbs
Oh, great. SCOTUS just ruled that bribery is protected free speech.
Well, damn.
EpicTangent - Apr 02, 2014 9:28:35 am PDT #24254 of 30000
Why isn't everyone pelting me with JOY, dammit? - Zenkitty
Well, yeah. Can't practice my protected First Amendment rights without a congressman or two in my pocket, now can I?
Amy - Apr 02, 2014 9:36:26 am PDT #24255 of 30000
Because books.
I don't even understand how that can be.
msbelle - Apr 02, 2014 9:39:16 am PDT #24256 of 30000
I remember the crazy days. 500 posts an hour. Nubmer! Natgbsb
I just do not even. how?
this illegal activity is protected free speech. human trafficking can be protected free speech? and if that is too far, I would argue that coercion MUST be protected if bribery is.
Dana - Apr 02, 2014 9:43:31 am PDT #24257 of 30000
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.
I'm trying not to wish bad things on the conservative justices, and just stick to wishing for something that causes one of them to need to retire.
Laura - Apr 02, 2014 9:58:09 am PDT #24258 of 30000
Our wings are not tired.
A couple deciding to retire would be better.
Connie Neil - Apr 02, 2014 10:48:26 am PDT #24259 of 30000
brillig
I don't think it's considered bribery if there's no proof that Company A gave Senator B X amount of dollars to specifically do Z. Generous general donations in exchange for a future consideration is in the grey area, even if they've had conversations about what Corp A wants to see happen.
-t - Apr 02, 2014 11:13:12 am PDT #24260 of 30000
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration
Sigh, I will have to go look at the decision I guess, but that sounds bad.
on my way to the LL Bean outlet, I found there was an actual Hobby Lobby store, but I wasn't curious enough to stop in to not buy anything.
My mom pointed one out when we were out shopping, where the Tower Records was back in the day. I didn't tell her not to shop there because they are evil, because I don't think she would shop there anyway and, really, kind of an inconvenient location.
Jesse - Apr 02, 2014 11:30:12 am PDT #24261 of 30000
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.
I don't understand what's confusing for you guys -- corporations are people and money is speech. I mean, obviously!