The truth is, it isn't AIG's fault. They made stupid mistakes, and they should have gone bankrupt because of it. It's our stupid leaders on both sides of the aisle that thought that the free market doesn't work (it does when you leave it alone, but they have had it by the balls since the formation of the Fed in 1913), so they "had" to intervene.
If they just let all these worthless companies fail, new ones would spring up to take their place, all this bad debt would be written off and disappear, and a lot of people would learn valuable lessons. Instead we have created a huge incentive for companies to act irresponsibly. If you only fed your dog after he mauled neighborhood children, before long you would have a pretty mean dog. In reality, you should put the dog down after the first such incident.
Greed isn't what ruins nations, it's charity for the undeserving. AIG doesn't deserve your or my charity, and nor did Fannie, nor did Freddie, nor did any of the others. You can keep people from starving, but that doesn't mean that you should give companies welfare, or give them reason to breed more liabilities for the system.
Why don't they just pipe the cool seawater through a system of heat exchangers under the sand? Seems like that would be a lot easier (not to mention cheaper) than actually using refrigeration.
HollywoodBob is exactly right. They HAVE to take pennies, as they are legal tender for all debts, public and private. Since he already owed the money, they had to accept it. The specific language in the legal code is:
United States coins and currency (including Federal reserve notes and circulating notes of Federal reserve banks and national banks) are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues. Foreign gold or silver coins are not legal tender for debts.
I personally think he's a hero for standing up to the government. I'm thinking I might start paying all of my taxes this way. Those of you who are willing to be slaves to the government without a fight, well, you sicken me. Enjoy your declining standard of living and total loss of freedom.
Abuse of power of this magnitude should be punished with death.
Honestly, people. The government doesn't have the right to do this. This is exactly the same as someone storming into your house and holding you at gunpoint and forcing you to convert a bedroom into a garage at your own expense. Most uses of government authority amount to the same thing. In some cases, it may be warranted, but this CERTAINLY isn't one of them. The government is not the answer to your problems. It is the ENEMY. At best, it is an enemy that doesn't do anything. Lately, it has become more and more active against we the people.
Nonlethal weapons are really a horrible invention. They turn democracies into police states very quickly. How, you ask?
Simple. Because it won't kill the civilian (and that is inevitably who it is used against, citizens), police tend to use it more and more often, for lesser and lesser reasons. Eventually, they are used as punishment, again, for lesser and lesser reasons. See the abuse of tasers in the US.
This kind of thing should only be used on the battlefield. Civilians, no matter how belligerent, shouldn't be subject to such attacks. Either shoot them or arrest them. Don't punish people without a trial.
And it's not mine, Baby, I swear it!
If they just let all these worthless companies fail, new ones would spring up to take their place, all this bad debt would be written off and disappear, and a lot of people would learn valuable lessons. Instead we have created a huge incentive for companies to act irresponsibly. If you only fed your dog after he mauled neighborhood children, before long you would have a pretty mean dog. In reality, you should put the dog down after the first such incident.
Greed isn't what ruins nations, it's charity for the undeserving. AIG doesn't deserve your or my charity, and nor did Fannie, nor did Freddie, nor did any of the others. You can keep people from starving, but that doesn't mean that you should give companies welfare, or give them reason to breed more liabilities for the system.
Let the system work.
United States coins and currency (including Federal reserve notes and circulating notes of Federal reserve banks and national banks) are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues. Foreign gold or silver coins are not legal tender for debts.
I personally think he's a hero for standing up to the government. I'm thinking I might start paying all of my taxes this way. Those of you who are willing to be slaves to the government without a fight, well, you sicken me. Enjoy your declining standard of living and total loss of freedom.
Kind of obvious, actually.
For long range, a .308 is best. It'll do the job of popping skulls, and the ammo is a common NATO round. Super easy to find.
I, for one, welcome our new authoritarian overlords!
They're the same as the old authoritarian overlords.
I think it's getting close to time to take up a life at sea.
Never has that phrase had greater meaning.
Honestly, people. The government doesn't have the right to do this. This is exactly the same as someone storming into your house and holding you at gunpoint and forcing you to convert a bedroom into a garage at your own expense. Most uses of government authority amount to the same thing. In some cases, it may be warranted, but this CERTAINLY isn't one of them. The government is not the answer to your problems. It is the ENEMY. At best, it is an enemy that doesn't do anything. Lately, it has become more and more active against we the people.
Simple. Because it won't kill the civilian (and that is inevitably who it is used against, citizens), police tend to use it more and more often, for lesser and lesser reasons. Eventually, they are used as punishment, again, for lesser and lesser reasons. See the abuse of tasers in the US.
This kind of thing should only be used on the battlefield. Civilians, no matter how belligerent, shouldn't be subject to such attacks. Either shoot them or arrest them. Don't punish people without a trial.