Tempscire:

If you bothered to read my post in its entirety, you would have known that I am already in agreement with you that genes do not lead to Nazism.

As I understand your argument, should conditions favorable to Nazism come about, any number of people might become a Nazi leader, therefore the efforts of the Hitler family are hopelessly in vain.

Perhaps; I don't suppose they believe they are forestalling the possibility, only helping modify conditions that might bring about such a scenario. You mention deteriorating social conditions. Certainly these would be part of recipe, but a glance at the historical record of fascist and revolutionary movements show that other "conditions", namely human factors such as organizational ability and the efficacy of propaganda also play a determining role. While we both may find the bloodline theory superstitious, its propaganda value as a morale booster is indisputable. Movements are energized by figures who can project the mantle of legitimacy.

Disagree with the family if you will, but I'd hope you agree that the choice to reproduce is a personal decision that rests ultimately with them alone. Many people choose to be childless; this overpopulated world is at no great loss because one family decided otherwise.

I understand why they would end the bloodline on purpose, and it has nothing to do with genetics, in a scientific sense at least (the idea that the specific behavior of Hitlerian evil is capable of being coded in DNA is nonsense).

Suppose three or four generations down the line, an inheritor of the bloodline becomes involved in fascist ideology. The credibility (among neo-Nazis) conferred by the name might be enough to launch the career of someone who believes he has the "Hitler magic" within him. Given the Nazi's obsession with racial mysticism, it conceivable that they would embrace such a character as a sort of reincarnation of Der Fuhrer.

So I view the choice not to reproduce as an honorable effort to guard future generations. Though if they chose otherwise, I would also understand (they are humans, and within all of our DNA is the potential for great good and great evil).

JET, its an interesting method of argument you have. You are arguing against "the US", which as a body collective, has apparently been "crowing" in your ear about its "greatness".

I'm sure if you googled it diligently enough, you might possibly find someone who insists that you believe the US is "the home of freedom on earth". But really here your just arguing with your wall.

Are you familiar with the state's "surveillance rights" in the UK? How about the prosecution of Brigitte Bardot and others for "hate speech" in France? Please name the country which surpasses the US so much in the "freedom stakes" (wtf) and makes us look like such a hellhole in your eyes.

Its funny that criticize the existence of the FCC. Are you aware that MTV Europe was just fined 225,000 pounds by the British Office of Communications for "offensive language"? (Not that I have any problem with that).

Speaking of Britain, are you aware of the state-run surveillance system in place there?

What laws are there in place in the US which forbid atheists from holding office? Do you approve of Germany's treatment of Jehovah's Witnesses and Scientologists? How about the French Muslim headscarve ban (unthinkable in the US)?

You are entitled to your peculiar "metrics" and dim view of freedom in the US. I'm not sure why you would remain here given the vituperative tone and extraordinary one-sidedness of your statements, but to each his own.

Sneaking up behind someone and yanking their 38 out of the holster - u just got pranked!!! gotcha!

If I saw that guy in Costco, I'd probably just assume he was law enforcement.

Personally I prefer carrying a sword. Its also a very fetching fashion accessory.

Ahh, I forgot to check the urban dictionary.

Alex, you are a trendy fellow

Slow news day @ Neatorama?

Can someone explain "EVAR" to me? Why is he saying that?

Hey Tara, You say: "keep in mind (or take the time to learn) that as far as the rest of the civilized world is concerned, America is peopled by crazy far far right-wingers. We could benefit from a democracy that is less about the almighty corporations and more about the people."

If America could benefit from a democracy that is "more about the people", and it is simultaneously "peopled" by "far far right wingers", who have again and again rejected socialistic tendencies in their politicians (as it is anathema to the principles of our individualistic liberal democracy), then it follows that we have the right to choose our own destiny, and not allow the rest of the so-called "civilized world" to choose our path for us.

Socialists love to talk about "the people", but they sneer at the actual people who occupy this land.

Matty: "mature, intelligent adults" don't fall for hucksters who change their tune when political expediency demands it. Your post is a great summary of the feel-good sloganeering which typifies BO. Peace, love, unity, racial harmony, eternal sunshine, etc. Obama's speeches are packed with such mushy-feeling platitudes, so he's already lowered the "level of discourse". His adoring fans don't really care about the details of his policies; as long as he plays the role of JFK he will fulfill their dreams for a messiah. But Obama's bread is buttered by crooked union officials and other Jeremiah Wrights, so those of us who find servile adulation to be distasteful are apt to see through the glad-handling.

I am still trying to understand the Obama phenomenon, because in my mind he is smooth talker without any substance and a bevy of foolish policy ideas. In my experience talking with his supporters, the #1 reason given is that he is black, and that it would be a great symbolic gesture in the name of equality to elect him. The #2 reason is that he is "like JFK", that is, his presence fulfills some sort of deep emotional need for a secular messiah-like figure.

This election was to be a shoe-in for the Democratic party, but I think they've just handed it to McCain. Obama has a fervent base of worshippers, but so many people I know who were straight-ticket Democratic voters in the past express mild distrust of Obama to me, they think he is skilled at telling people what they want to hear, and they will probably stay home on voting day (not cross lines and vote McCain).

By doing a 180 degree denunciation of his preacher, he tried to have his cake and eat it too. Those who already loved him bought it hook, line and sinker, but the rest understood that he would do and say anything to secure the big prize. Either his views are truly in line with Jeremiah Wright, in which case he is unfit for the office of Drain Commissioner let alone President, or his convictions are so fluid that he truly did happen to "see the light" about Wright after hitting the campaign trail. Either way, not the sort of integrity this country needs in a President.

I hope he got his tetanus vaccination

I'm surprised anyone would try to restrain him, or linger around in the room so long after he threw a computer monitor at a woman in a chair and started swinging the coat hanger. He should have urinated on someone's desk and then set off the sprinklers for a finale, though.

They should have sculpted it into dog biscuits. That way, the officers would just chuckle at Fido for sniffing out tasty treats. Ok, dumb idea. But not as dumb as coke christ!

The mind-boggling statistic I can't get out of my mind is the 1,200 suicides. Sorry! Didn't mean to be a party-pooper. It is a beautiful bridge!