Top 10 States and Cities for Job Growth

April 7, 2014

  • April 7, 2014 at 1:01 pm
    Libby says:
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    So much for Agent’s claim that jobs are fleeing California in droves!

    • April 7, 2014 at 2:01 pm
      Agent says:
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      So much for Libby’s claim that Pennsylvania is the place to work. Pittsburg is apparently the pits. By the way, they do have a lot of cheap illegal alien labor in California mostly in the agriculture area.

      • April 7, 2014 at 2:15 pm
        Original Bob says:
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        Over the weekend I saw a special report on the “pot” industry – California and Colorado are exploding in new pot production and sales – just the kind of job growth communities are looking for.

        • April 7, 2014 at 2:41 pm
          FFA says:
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          Totally surprised about IL. Drove by a gas station that has been there forever and is now boarded up. About 5 more jobs gone….

          • April 7, 2014 at 3:20 pm
            Agent says:
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            Hey FFA, can’t Illinois keep from running more jobs off up there? I guess business just doesn’t like the oppressive taxation and regulation. Quinn must really be a do do bird.

          • April 7, 2014 at 3:58 pm
            FFA says:
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            I dont know agent. We moved to this town in 1979. That gas station is in the hear of town. Was always busy. Got to know the owner there. Decent people. And now – nothing. More Vacant property.

        • April 7, 2014 at 3:19 pm
          Agent says:
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          I was just thinking the same thing OBob. They really like their pot in both states. The legitimate jobs have gone and replaced by the pot kings in Riverside, SF and Denver.

      • April 7, 2014 at 4:27 pm
        Libby says:
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        I never said PA was the place to work. And it’s Pittsburgh, not Pittsburg.

        • April 7, 2014 at 5:13 pm
          Agent says:
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          Pittsburg, Pittsburgh, Tomato, Tomato. You would bitch if you were hung with a new rope.

          • April 7, 2014 at 6:57 pm
            nomesaneman says:
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            Remarkably, there is a “Pittsburg, CA”.

      • April 8, 2014 at 8:11 am
        Ron says:
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        Agent,

        Did you click on the link in the article?

        Looks like TX (3.86% to 2.87% in growth) is slipping and NY (1.55% to 1.61% in growth) is improving. Definitely nothing to write home about, but I like the trend. I guess Governor Perry’s tour is not working as well as he had hoped and sold the citizens of TX. Another waste of taxpayer dollars.

        It also shows TX was 4th in the country in government job growth (1st in local government job growth). I thought you guys were shrinking your government.

        Did you also notice that Vermont is the only state that did not see a decrease in federal jobs? I thought President Obama was growing the government to unsustainable levels.

        Overall, there was a 3.12% reduction in federal government jobs which is 87,000 fewer jobs than last year.

        Even NY experienced reductions in federal, state and local government jobs where TX increased state and local government jobs.

        Funny how data always puts holes in your rhetoric.

        How many times do you need to be proven wrong before you finally admit to being wrong?

        • April 8, 2014 at 10:06 am
          Agent says:
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          Ron, you are a funny guy for sure. Do you really think NY has a laudable record in job growth or any Blue state for that matter? “Did you also notice that Vermont was the “only” state that did not see a decrease in federal jobs”? What does that mean? I thought it was a good thing to reduce federal jobs. Private sector is where it is at and Texas creates a lot of those. By the way, Texas has a surplus in their treasury. How about the Blue States? Do any of them have surpluses? What is the balance in their State Pension Plans for government employees? Are they in the black or red?

          • April 8, 2014 at 10:11 am
            Libby says:
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            “I thought it was a good thing to reduce federal jobs.” It is a good thing and Obama is doing it. Therefore, Obama is doing a good thing. See how easy that was, Agent?

            Texas also has the largest number of military bases in the country. All those towns are sucking off the American tit, as they wouldn’t exist without the government. Private industry pops up to take care of the service men and women that are stationed there. Thousands of civilians are hired to work on those bases.

            You have alot of nerve criticizing other states considering where your state gets it’s revenue stream. From THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

          • April 8, 2014 at 11:12 am
            Ron says:
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            Agent,

            Way to display that sterling reading comprehension again. Did you miss the part where I stated, “Definitely nothing to write home about, but I like the trend”? Where did I state Ny has a laudable record in job growth? Do you know what the term trend means?

            Did you not previously state that TX is number one in job growth? The statistics say 5th (6th in private sector). They were 3rd (4th in private sector) in 2013. Looks like TX is going in the wrong direction.

            As Libby stated, it is a good thing to reduce government jobs and President Obama is doing it better than President Reagan who increased federal jobs.

            Read it and weep!!!

            http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikepatton/2013/01/24/the-growth-of-the-federal-government-1980-to-2012/

            Are now going to call Forbes a leftist site?

          • April 8, 2014 at 1:43 pm
            Captain Planet says:
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            There goes Ron getting all factual and stuff. Agent doesn’t believe in undeniable evidence and other things “sciencey”. And, how dare you desecrate St. Reagan that way!

        • April 8, 2014 at 10:42 am
          FFA says:
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          Ron, he pulled State Farm out of Il. Since the 1st of the year, St Farm 2x their office space in TX. Thats big time… A huge loss to IL which makes it a huge gain in TX.

          Perrys stop in IL was worth the time and effort.

          • April 8, 2014 at 11:22 am
            Ron says:
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            FFA,

            The point I was making is that there job growth is declining while other states are seeing improved growth.

            How many SF jobs are leaving IL and what are the salaries? What is the economic impact for TX? How much have these trips cost the TX taxpayer?

            If I was a TX taxpayer, I would want to see a cost/benefit analysis. However, if all Texans are like Agent, none of them would even be able to interpret the report and understand the data, anyway.

            I do not expect you to know the answers, and you probably do not care. The point I was making is that their job growth should be improving, not getting worse, if the trips were successful.

          • April 8, 2014 at 1:10 pm
            Agent says:
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            Ron, you are as dumb as a rock. You and your cost/benefit analysis crap. I don’t see anybody in Texas objecting to Perry recruiting jobs for the state. As far as State Farm goes, they have good jobs for everyone in the DFW Metroplex. Do you think State Farm will cut their salaries or reduce their benefits for accepting these positions? What an uninformed comment, but then we know you need a website to think and don’t understand anything about economic impact of several hundred new jobs to a city. I would imagine the State Farm employees also like the idea of no state income tax as well.

          • April 8, 2014 at 1:41 pm
            Ron says:
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            Agent,

            The fact that you think cost/benefit analysis is crap screams volumes about you and your background. I have never met one successful businessman who thought cost/benefit analysis is crap. How do you determine if a new technology would be a good business decision for your agency? Do you just take the salesman’s word?

            Nice to see that your good governor can go travelling the country spouting the wonderful benefits of your state without accountability from the taxpayers. All he has to say is, “I’m bringing more jobs to Texas”, and ya’ll just believe him and follow like good little lemmings.

            How many State Farm jobs have moved? Did everyone move to TX who had a job in IL? My guess is that they are paying the Texans who took those jobs less that they were paying for the same work in IL.

          • April 8, 2014 at 2:18 pm
            FFA says:
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            Ron, my point was that Perrys’ recruiting efforts produced results. He pulled thousands of State Farm jobs out of IL.
            Home office has 4 small office suites. They are working on moving the Suburban Claim Center out of Il and what adjusters are left will be home based. Bloomington Area Unemployment rate consistently ran 2% lower then the state.

            The ripple effect across the board is going to be real bad. All them Corp exec Jobs gone… Along with the need for their Land Scapers, Pool Boys, Painters, house cleaners, Lunch places ect…

            Perry spent money and time wisely. Went right for the throat. Got a big direct hit with that one.

            The economic impact for Texas has to be positive.

          • April 8, 2014 at 2:20 pm
            KY jw says:
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            Did any State Farm employees move to TX?

          • April 8, 2014 at 3:11 pm
            FFA says:
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            JW, I dont how many people left Il with the company. My one brother that works in claim says every one was offered a transfer. That brother is $30,000 upside down. His wife works in banking. She would never work again in her chosen industry if they walked away from their financial obligation.

        • April 8, 2014 at 3:56 pm
          Destro says:
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          You have a seriously fundamental misunderstanding of how conservatives view government.

          “It also shows TX was 4th in the country in government job growth (1st in local government job growth). I thought you guys were shrinking your government.”

          “Did you also notice that Vermont is the only state that did not see a decrease in federal jobs? I thought President Obama was growing the government to unsustainable levels.”

          You’re making the false assumption that conservatives/Republicans are essentially anarchists and want to dismantle government entirely.

          What conservatives are actually for is decentralization of government. That means a greater emphasis on governing at the state and local level as that has a greater amount of accountability and in the case of any malfeasance, it only affects the locality and not the broad spectrum.

          A reduction of federal government jobs doesn’t necessarily mean a reduction in the size of government, it just means there are fewer jobs, not necessarily that the size and scope of the government has shrunk at all. Again this leads to a greater concentration of power (the “all your eggs in one basket” axiom).

          Actions like these consolidate power and money into the hands of fewer and fewer people. And when just yesterday it came out that the State dept has lost $6 billion completely unaccounted for under Hillary Clinton that problem becomes more and more apparent. And this is not a problem exclusive to Democrat leadership (as you’ve noted that the past 3 Republican presidents have expanded government), though it does seem to have a higher rate of frequency under liberal leaders and their policies; especially those policies that are on a national level.

        • April 9, 2014 at 10:21 am
          Agent says:
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          Check it out Ron. Texas created more jobs in 2014 than 2013. How is that a bad thing dummy?

          • April 9, 2014 at 11:48 am
            Ron says:
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            Agent,

            All but 2 states created more jobs in 2014 than 2013. Must be this terrible Obama economy.

            Of the 21 states that had government job growth, TX created over 43% of those jobs.

            The country as a whole had 55,000 fewer government jobs from 2013-14, but TX added 37,400 government jobs. You can justify that record all you want, but facts are facts.

    • April 8, 2014 at 2:40 pm
      Agent says:
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      And the great state of Pennsylvania ranks 45th out of 50. Aren’t you proud Libby to work there?

      • April 8, 2014 at 2:44 pm
        Agent says:
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        Hey FFA, Ron completely ignored that Texas created more jobs in 2014 than they did in 2013 even though the percent fell slightly. Must be all those new people moving to the state seeking work. Those nasty statistics keep getting in the way. Ron’s beautiful state of NY ranked 23rd and has a paltry growth record. Libby’s state of Pennsylvania was almost at the bottom of the list at 45th. Even Illinois beat that.

        • April 8, 2014 at 3:36 pm
          Libby says:
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          Agent – when you’re speaking about pot smokers, I’m high and from Colorado. When you’re talking about jobs, then I’m from PA. Make up your mind.

          Besides, I’m not the one touting PA as having a plethora of growth or jobs. That would be you, about Texas. But the pesky statistics get in your way, don’t they?

          You’re a joke. Texas is a joke. Please secede.

          • April 9, 2014 at 10:04 am
            Agent says:
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            Perhaps your employer should make you pee in a bottle Libby since you are high. In Texas, employers give a drug test to prospective hires to see if they are clean before starting work. They don’t want addicts working for them in the interest of safety and job performance.

          • April 9, 2014 at 12:31 pm
            KY jw says:
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            O.M.G. Libby, I understood what you said, even if Agent didn’t. My eyes just about rolled all the way to the back of my head when I read his reply.

            I’m actually appalled that someone who can’t read is an insurance agent. Although, that would dovetail nicely with the agent slamming comments in my division. Hm. More eye rolling and head shaking going on here.

          • April 9, 2014 at 12:32 pm
            Libby says:
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            I’d have no problem peeing in a bottle Agent. My pot smoking days are long gone.

          • April 9, 2014 at 12:34 pm
            Libby says:
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            Like I said, KY.

            He’s a joke. Texas is a joke. Please secede. Soon!

          • April 9, 2014 at 3:26 pm
            Agent says:
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            Not really Libby. As you and Ron obviously missed, Texas created more jobs in 2014 than they did in 2013. Put that in your next Marijuana joint and smoke it.

          • April 9, 2014 at 4:21 pm
            Libby says:
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            So what? ALL states, except for 2, created more jobs in 2014 than 2013.

        • April 9, 2014 at 7:52 am
          Ron says:
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          Agent,

          Fair enough.

          However, did you notice that Texas created the MOST government jobs of ANY state? They added 37,400 more jobs at the same time more than half of the states cut the number of government employees. Must be Governor Perry’s entourage and people need to manage and enforce those voter ID laws.

          In addition, the 2nd highest increase was CA at 9,700 jobs. And you talk about blue states and their growing governments.

          • April 9, 2014 at 8:45 am
            Destro says:
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            Blue state* growing CENTRALIZED government*.

          • April 9, 2014 at 8:57 am
            Ron says:
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            How do individual states grow a centralized government?

          • April 9, 2014 at 10:18 am
            Agent says:
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            Ron, we prefer to hire State & local employees, not Federal Government jobs. Texas has a growing population and they need more State employees from time to time to serve the citizens of the State. By the way, Perry doesn’t need State employees to manage voter ID laws. Elections are held with mostly volunteers at the poll. They are well schooled on how to verify whether someone is either registered or to ask whether they have a photo ID or both. Unlike a lot of other states with lax voting laws, no ID verification, we don’t seem to have a problem with dead people voting multiple times or live people going from precinct to precinct voting multiple times.

          • April 9, 2014 at 11:39 am
            Ron says:
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            Agent,

            Then why does TX have the 2nd most federal employees after CA?

            How much in-person voter fraud was occurring in TX prior to 2011? Can you cite a source?

  • April 7, 2014 at 3:59 pm
    FFA says:
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    If pot is legal in them states, then its a legit business providing a legal product. I’m not a fan myself. But that is less people leaching off the system.

    • April 7, 2014 at 5:15 pm
      Agent says:
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      But FFA, whether it is legal or not, just think of the harm it does and often, they go on to other drugs like crack cocaine since the weed is not strong enough to get their high. Kids can be zombies after a while and cannot learn anything useful.

      • April 8, 2014 at 7:40 am
        KY jw says:
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        Do you have experience with that?

        I’m just wondering where you got this information.

        • April 8, 2014 at 8:43 am
          Libby says:
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          He saw a black and white movie in his 5th grade health education class.

        • April 8, 2014 at 9:38 am
          Ron says:
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          Just standard TX education: fear everything except guns, booze, and the Bible.

        • April 8, 2014 at 10:12 am
          Libby says:
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          And Mama. And trucks.

        • April 8, 2014 at 10:46 am
          FFA says:
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          Jw, High School Health Class.
          Libby, That Black & White film still holds true.
          Agent, I know first hand the effects. My brother was not always a scum bag.

          • April 8, 2014 at 11:35 am
            Agent says:
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            FFA, from some of the comments from the liberal crowd, they must be on grass or cocaine to make the statements they do. I know Libby is from Colorado where they have people lined up to get the legal pot. There is no way a young person can benefit from pot or crack use. It just leads to bad things, crimes, murder etc. Perhaps they should pay attention to the news sometime to see its effects.

          • April 8, 2014 at 12:19 pm
            Ron says:
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            Agent,

            You said, in reference to pot or crack use, “It just leads to bad things, crimes, murder, etc.” The exact same can be said about guns and alcohol.

          • April 8, 2014 at 12:43 pm
            Libby says:
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            Agent, the fact that you equate pot to cocaine just shows your level of ignorance when it comes to drugs and drug abuse.

            And FFA, that black & white film does not, and has never, held true. If your brother is a scum bag, it’s due to more than just smoking pot.

          • April 8, 2014 at 2:08 pm
            KY jw says:
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            The reason I asked is because it doesn’t hold true. The majority of pot smokers don’t become users of hard drugs. They may not be the most upstanding citizens, but just because they smoke pot doesn’t mean they will move on to other, more powerful drugs. Some do, most don’t. Like many things taught in school, the message was skewed to fit the preferred rhetoric.

          • April 8, 2014 at 2:09 pm
            KY jw says:
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            Oh, my experience is not direct. Just a side benefit of marrying into law enforcement.

          • April 8, 2014 at 2:22 pm
            FFA says:
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            Libby Says “And FFA, that black & white film does not, and has never, held true. If your brother is a scum bag, it’s due to more than just smoking pot.”

            The Black and White films state Pot is a gate way drug. In this case, it lead to Cocaine and RX Pain Killers.

            Personal experience – it holds rock solid true.

          • April 8, 2014 at 3:39 pm
            Libby says:
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            Well, my rock hard personal experience says different. I know plenty of responsible, tax-paying, working folks that smoke recreational pot. That’s it. They’re not wide-eyed zombies craving their next fix.

            Do not speak of what you do not know.

          • April 8, 2014 at 4:02 pm
            FFA says:
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            Libby says: “Do not speak of what you do not know.”

            I know plenty. People that smoke and dont go further. I know plenty of people that did smoke and take it further.
            I live among both sides of the equation. My ist high School held the distinction of having the largest drug bust that state had seen to date. They locked us in the auditorium and started with the dogs. Kept us locked down until they were ready with hand cuffs as the students walked out of the auditorium. Tow trucks impounding cars. My peers in hand cuffs. DEA was on hand for that one. I did not live a sheltered life. I have no illusions about the reality of the drug culture.

      • April 8, 2014 at 9:47 am
        LiveFree says:
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        Yes and making it illegal definitely helped didn’t it? (sarcasm).

        • April 8, 2014 at 2:56 pm
          Agent says:
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          KYjw, how many stories have you seen where people are murdered on a drug deal gone bad? I have seen plenty. Meth, Cocaine, Marijuana dealers abound and there is plenty of trouble to be found since there is such a market for the so called recreational user. These really bad drug dealers use Texas to funnel their drugs to the North, we keep discovering their tunnels and you don’t think we have a problem with drugs in this country? We intercept a lot, but it doesn’t crack the surface of the problem.

          • April 8, 2014 at 3:40 pm
            Libby says:
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            If we make pot legal, there goes the marijuana drug deal gone bad, Agent. Next!

          • April 9, 2014 at 8:38 am
            KY jw says:
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            1 – there are many stories about drugs and violence

            2 – my point was that the MAJORITY of people who smoke pot do not go onto harder drugs

            3 – there is a significant pot growing industry in Kentucky which is a major focus of the governor and the federal law enforcement

            ***my point, again, is that smoking pot is not a harbinger of doom***

          • April 9, 2014 at 10:15 am
            FFA says:
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            KY, your right on that point. The ones that do move on are the ones that create the problems or trouble seems to find them.

          • April 9, 2014 at 12:14 pm
            Agent says:
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            Hey Kyjw, True story. I wrote a Community Bank who held a mortgage for one of their clients. This dude thought he could make a fortune growing pot. The problem was that he was growing it in his home. Pot requires a lot of light. He put several high powered lamps up to grow this pot and unfortunately for him, the lights shorted out and caused a fire and burned the home down. Of course, the investigation revealed what he was doing and he was prosecuted. Thank goodness the lienholder was protected and paid on the claim, but now he is a guest of the prison system for many years. I did not have the insurance on the home, but Farmer’s did have to pay. Marijuana and other drugs are a scourge on our society.

          • April 9, 2014 at 12:36 pm
            KY jw says:
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            Agent,

            As Libby mentioned before, if pot was legal there, that homeowner wouldn’t have had to grow the plants in his house and, therefore, would not have burned down his house.

            See, it is simple. Legal pot would have prevented a total loss claim.

          • April 9, 2014 at 12:38 pm
            Libby says:
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            How did they prosecute him when all the evidence went “up in smoke”? LOL!!!

          • April 9, 2014 at 2:34 pm
            Destro says:
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            But doesn’t it just prove that keeping it illegal only create the environment for the derelict individuals you are talking about to traffic the drugs through violent means?

            It was the same exact scenario during prohibition of alcohol. The only people making money and trafficking alcohol were the mobsters and gangs who similarly were notorious for violence and danger.

          • April 9, 2014 at 2:42 pm
            Libby says:
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            Destro and I agree on something! Hallelujah!

          • April 9, 2014 at 4:30 pm
            Destro says:
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            Legalization is a conservative view after all. It’s those darned big government progressives who want the government controlling people’s personal lives after all. ;-)

          • April 9, 2014 at 4:37 pm
            Libby says:
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            Hmmmm? Not sure about that. I want government controlling some things (sorry LiveFree), but not people’s personal lives. Live and let live is my motto. Unless it’s causing another person direct physical harm, you should be able to do what makes you happy.

            Not so much with ferilizer plants, chemical plants, and other dangerous businesses that need some over sight and regulation. I’ll throw in banks and insurance, too, after 2008.

      • April 8, 2014 at 1:50 pm
        Captain Planet says:
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        Agent, you have no idea, do you? Pot will ALWAYS get someone high *(except for potentially the first time someone tries it). You don’t become immune. Man, you really shouldn’t talk about things you don’t seem to have a clue about. Evidently, in your parallel universe, eventually you cannot get high on weed anymore and you have to switch to crack. The highs aren’t even the same. They aren’t even close. 2 extremely different effects. Most people I know who like to smoke weed would NEVER want to touch cocaine in any form because it pretty much does the opposite of marijuana. Do you think “the blacks” are going to start coming after your “white girls” soon, too? I’ve seen the propoganda, too. Crazy maniacs playing piano with uncontrollable laughter…

        • April 8, 2014 at 3:42 pm
          Libby says:
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          He hasn’t a clue, but loves to talk as if he does. Dangerous combo.

        • April 8, 2014 at 5:51 pm
          Agent says:
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          Planet, you are living up to your reputation of being from a different planet. What have you been smoking? Who is in the different universe Planet from a different planet? I have news for you, pot is a gateway drug to bigger things like Crystal Meth and Crack Cocaine. You don’t recognize it, but drug users are drug users. I have an idea you have to go down to your car on lunch breaks to get another hit.

          By the way, where is Des Moines and the state of Iowa on this list? They certainly aren’t at the top for creating jobs on the list I have seen in this article. Weren’t you touting them recently?

          • April 9, 2014 at 4:28 pm
            Destro says:
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            Agent, did you know that %100 of alcoholics started on milk? We really need to eliminate this lactosian menace.

          • April 9, 2014 at 4:38 pm
            Libby says:
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            I think I went straight to the Budweiser!

          • April 11, 2014 at 9:31 am
            Got Insurance? says:
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            To add to Agents line of thinking…..it you ever drink alcohol you WILL absolutely turn into an alchoholic.

        • April 9, 2014 at 11:28 am
          Agent says:
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          Planet, I don’t know whether to condemn you for your stupidity or marvel at your ability to form words.

          • April 9, 2014 at 1:33 pm
            Captain Planet says:
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            Agent,
            You are the most clueless person I communicate with. I really wish you’d take some time to educate yourself. I think you would avoid some embarrassment that way. Marijuana CAN BE a gateway drug. But, it doesn’t always lead to other substances. I know many people from my freshman year in college who tried hallucinogenics many times over before they ever smoke any chiba. In fact, many of them didn’t want to smoke because they didn’t like the idea of putting carcinogens in their lungs. It’s going to be legal in my lifetime. Heck, it’s going to be legal within the next 10 years. Deal with it.Most of the problems stem from the fact it isn’t legal.

      • April 9, 2014 at 12:05 pm
        Destro says:
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        That is actually a fallacious argument Agent. The reason pot is considered a “gateway drug” is actually because it’s illegal and a black market product. It’s illegality has done next to nothing to curb usage rates and because it’s unregulated it is actually more easily accessible by minors.

        What harm does it do that is any worse than alcohol or tobacco or any other array of legal drugs; prescription or otherwise?

        • April 9, 2014 at 3:10 pm
          Agent says:
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          Are you high now Planet? Has your employer made you pee in a bottle yet? Tell me, if Marijuana is so harmless as you say, how come employers require drivers take a drug test to qualify for driving company vehicles? I know I would if I were going to put someone behind the wheel of a $50,000-$100,000 truck delivering products to customers. Do you know that if an employer knowingly puts a driver who can’t pass a drug test behind the wheel and they run over someone, there are tremendous liabilities imposed and the employer could be cancelled by insurance companies for allowing that? Marijuana creates a high and loss of judgement and often makes people drowsy. Crack Cocaine and Meth are even worse. Too bad you don’t get it and you are supposed to be in the insurance business. What a joke!

          • April 9, 2014 at 3:24 pm
            Libby says:
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            Agent – who advocated getting high and going to work, let alone driving around in a car? Drinking alcohol is legal, but we don’t allow people to come to work drunk or to drive under the influence.

            Get a grip on reality old man!

          • April 9, 2014 at 3:26 pm
            txmouthbreatherboogereatertx says:
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            Agent,
            Do you know that putting an insurance agent behind a desk that has been drinking Massengill is harmful to both the insureds and employees? Did you know Massengill will not freshen your breath? I’m thinking you “use” Massengill to cleanse your system from all those impurities that you speak of. Did you know that crack cocaine has less coke in it than the powder form, yet higher penalties for possession or usage. Did you know that part of the prohibition of pot was because of the Hearst Family and their fear that hemp would destroy their monopoly on the paper industry? Did you know that pot isn’t addictive? Did you know that cocaine is associated with conservatives and not liberals? Did you know that coke will make you paranoid enough to feel the need to pack heat all the time. Did you know that cocaine is addictive and will make you pack “meat” to get a hit? I think you know. That’s why you’re afraid, very afraid!

          • April 9, 2014 at 4:20 pm
            Libby says:
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            So true, but Agent saw that black & white film in health class that showed dope-smoking fiends walking around like zombies looking for their next fix. He actually thinks people can get “hooked” on pot. He’s like a throwback to my parents generation, but I know he’s close in age to me. He had a sheltered life and less than stellar education in West Texas.

          • April 10, 2014 at 9:15 am
            Captain Planet says:
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            High on life, always! I am not advocating going to work on drugs. But, to answer your question, they have them do a drug test partly because it is illegal. Not partaking in an illegal substance shows responsibility, which is a characteristic an employer is looking for in a driver who is delivering their goods. Did you realize that if someone tests positive for marijuana, it doesn’t mean they just smoked it? It can stay in your system for up to roughly 30 days. Did you know it is actually safer than alcohol? Did you know no one has died as a result of overdosing on weed? Oh, and yes I realize insurance can be cancelled. I’ve cancelled a few for similar reasons myself. Agent, you honestly need some real education on this matter. Listen to the others out here. I even agree with Destro on this matter and he’s on your side on most issues. What are you going to do when it becomes legal across the US? It was legal here before and it will be legal again.

    • April 7, 2014 at 5:51 pm
      Agent says:
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      FFA, what do you think about the latest Ft Hood shooting? Democrats are calling for more gun control. Hello! All three recent shootings including the DC Navy shipyard were all in gun free zones. That strategy does not seem to be working. Time to arm our soldiers on their bases so they can defend themselves against shooters. The MP’s and Police always respond long after the deed has been done and all they do is provide the body bags.

      • April 8, 2014 at 10:53 am
        FFA says:
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        Its crazy… I dont understand it, but I have never been in the Military. Its impossible for me to know what Vets go through especially when they are the front line soldiers.

        Saw Eddie Money last week end. He has a new tune that no one ever heard before. It honors the returning vets. Had the whole house standing and singing along & saluting. Gave me goose bumps listening to the words. Saw a tear running down my wifes cheek.
        BTW, the entire show was a good one. If you a fan, get out and see him.

        Right to Bear Arms is a right. These yahoos that want to stomp on the constitution – UNAMERICAN to say the least.

        • April 8, 2014 at 11:38 am
          Agent says:
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          Unarmed soldiers on a military base? Are they sitting ducks or not? We need more gun free zones, right?

          • April 8, 2014 at 2:16 pm
            KY jw says:
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            There’s already a rule that you are not allowed to bring weapons on post.

            The security folks don’t search your vehicle when you drive through the gate, so that is more of an honor system that obviously isn’t perfect.

        • April 9, 2014 at 3:01 pm
          Agent says:
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          Hi FFA. you said you haven’t been in the military. Both Sargeant and I have been since we had the draft back in the day of Vietnam. In basic training, they march you to the rifle range for practice and then qualifying with rifles. They had the M-1 Carbine and the newer M-16. I actually qualified better with the M-1 than the M-16 and made expert. We had all the safety training and knew how to break the weapon down and put it back together. Thankfully, I was not a bush beater in Vietnam and didn’t have to shoot anyone, but had weapons available for defense if the Viet Cong stormed the base. I would not have had any trouble shooting someone trying to kill me or my buddies.

      • April 8, 2014 at 12:48 pm
        Ron says:
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        And Republicans keep calling for more voting control. Voting is a right too and I can guarantee you more lives have been lost due to a lack of gun regulations than voting regulations. Which is more important?

        Why should gun rights be absolute, but not voting rights?

        • April 8, 2014 at 2:28 pm
          FFA says:
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          Only voter reform I support is to show a picture ID at the poll. They issue Voter ID cards but never ask for them. At least have me flash that. Yes, everyone that is registered to vote should vote. Same as every one that is registered to carry a gun should be able to carry a gun.

          • April 9, 2014 at 8:05 am
            Ron says:
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            If every voter needs to be registered and show ID, then the same applies to every gun owner.

            Disclosure: As with all of our rights, I am AGAINT any regulations the infringe upon our rights, including guns.

            The point I am making is that Voter ID laws are another example of the hypocrisy of the Reuplican Party. They are against wasteful spending and more regulations until it is for something they believe will benefit them. Whether there is an actual issue or not.

            Agent,

            No one has ever proven that any election was won because of in-person voter fraud that would have been prevented by voter ID laws. All you ever show is either voter registration fraud or poor clerical records.

          • April 9, 2014 at 10:19 am
            FFA says:
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            Ron, In Il, there is mandatory class time with a qualified instructor to get a Carry & Conceal Permit. No On Line Classes either. Classes cost about $600.00. Its harder to get a permit then it is to get a voter ID card.

            So, just asking for a picture ID is a lot less strict then it is to be able to legally carry a gun.

        • April 8, 2014 at 2:52 pm
          Agent says:
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          Ron, the only voting control we need is a picture ID. I am all for everyone being able to vote if they are legitimate, unlike the thousands that voted illegally in NC and other states as the investigation revealed. Dead people voting numerous times, in more than one state is a scam to win elections. By the way, the mass shootings have been in gun free zones. We don’t need more gun regulations, just the ability to protect ourselves.

        • April 8, 2014 at 2:59 pm
          Agent says:
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          You are right KYjw that the honor system is not perfect. How many deaths will it take to get your attention that we have a problem with base security? There are too many kooks out there and they have figured out they can kill a lot of people before they are stopped.

          • April 8, 2014 at 3:43 pm
            Libby says:
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            Uh. How many deaths will it take to get your attention that we have a problem with guns?

          • April 8, 2014 at 4:08 pm
            FFA says:
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            Libby, if the first person he shot had a gun to defend him self, how many lives would have been saved and how many less people would have been wounded?

            That argument cuts both ways.

            In Chicago, its not the hones FOI Card folks doing the shooting. Its the criminals that get guns illegally..

          • April 8, 2014 at 4:12 pm
            Libby says:
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            What is the common denominator in both scenarios? Guns.

          • April 8, 2014 at 4:33 pm
            FFA says:
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            Criminals will always find a way to get guns. If they have no fear of retribution / retaliation they have no fear of using them.

            Just look at all the shooting in Chicago last week. All by criminals with illegal guns. Not one by a law abiding citizen. I do agree that Semi Automatic / assault style weapons belong only in the hands of military & law enforcement. I dont buy the hunting argument for them types of guns.

            It is a constitutional right to bear arms the same as it a constitutional right to vote. For me to exercise one of the right, I need to go school, pay $600.00 go through a back round check and then apply for a FOID card including finger prints. The whole process is taking months. The other, all I need to do is say a name, any name with out proving or dis proving its me.

          • April 8, 2014 at 4:44 pm
            Libby says:
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            “If they have no fear of retribution / retaliation they have no fear of using them.”

            If all the criminals have guns, are they not afraid of retaliation from other criminals? But obviously, they’re not. They keep killing each other.

            They’re not coming after you, FFA. They’re going after each other.

          • April 8, 2014 at 6:06 pm
            FFA says:
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            Libby, its people like me and you that get caught in the middle. Victim of Circumstance. Wrong Place / wrong time. Happens every day.

          • April 9, 2014 at 12:20 pm
            FFA says:
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            Libby Says: “if all the criminals have guns, are they not afraid of retaliation from other criminals”

            True, They expect that. But some passer buyer pulls his legal gun and puts an end to it before innocents get involved, they dont count on that.

          • April 9, 2014 at 12:43 pm
            Libby says:
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            You can’t go around shooting gangsters to avoid innocent people from getting shot! That’s vigilante justice and it’s against the law.

            Just stay away from where they hang out. That’s the best way to stay safe.

          • April 10, 2014 at 9:53 am
            Destro says:
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            It’s true that you can try to avoid dangerous areas libby, but it’s also true that kind of evil can spill out into non-dangerous areas. Like it or not, the 2nd amendment wasn’t written in regards to hunting rifles. It was designed and written for defending against the prospect of government tyranny.

            History is replete with governments turning on their people. The Soviet Union alone killed 40 million of their own people during peace time. Communist/Socialist regimes were responsible for over 140 million deaths of their own citizens in the last century alone.

          • April 10, 2014 at 10:00 am
            Destro says:
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            The right to defend yourself, whether it be from government tyranny or the criminal element, is an inalienable right.

          • April 10, 2014 at 10:15 am
            Libby says:
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            I’m not trying to take your rights away. I just wish guns had never been invented.

            I do not choose to carry a gun, but defend your right to. I just don’t like them.

            And I guess if I venture into a dangerous area unarmed then I’m SOL. I’ll take my chances.

          • April 10, 2014 at 3:18 pm
            Agent says:
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            Hey FFA, I wonder why Homeland Security bought 2 Billion hollow nose bullets to stockpile. I don’t think it is because they are afraid another country will invade this country. My guess is they are afraid the citizens will have a rebellion they will need to quell. They are particularly afraid of returning vets and Janet Incompetano said they should be on the watch list of terrorists.

        • April 9, 2014 at 9:52 am
          Agent says:
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          Simple solution Ron. Voting rights are for citizens, not non citizens. Please try to justify your position that illegal aliens should have the right to vote. Also, please try to justify voter fraud with people voting multiple times and often in more than one state and using dead people’s names to vote. That is why we have voting laws and it has now come out that this is widespread.

          • April 9, 2014 at 12:44 pm
            Libby says:
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            Where did Ron state his position was that illegal aliens should have the right to vote???

            Another great example of Agent’s lack of reading comprehension.

    • April 9, 2014 at 3:21 pm
      Agent says:
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      Ron, the brainless wizard from NY. Texas was graced by a number of military bases by your hero LBJ (D)who was influential in getting them for this state. They employee thousands of Federal Employees. NASA also was located in Houston, again with lots of Federal Employees, more then than now since NASA is not what it used to be when we had a space program, thanks to Obama. Another reason is Texas was as far away from the Soviet Union as any state and would have more time to react and launch counter strikes if we had a missile attack. I know that went right over your head as usual.

      • April 9, 2014 at 3:46 pm
        Libby says:
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        Excuse me, Agent? Thanks to Obama???

        “US President George W. Bush declared today that he had signed a rare Presidential Decree canceling any further expenditure of Federal funds on the US Space Shuttle program.” April 1, 2005.

        It seems the brainless wizard here is you.

        • April 9, 2014 at 4:31 pm
          Agent says:
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          And your President has made sure funding has been reduced further. Our astronauts have to catch a ride with the Russians to go to the space station now. How is that going to work out if our relations with Putin keep deteriorating? Answer: No space program at all.

        • April 9, 2014 at 4:43 pm
          Libby says:
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          The space policy of the Barack Obama administration was announced by U.S. President Barack Obama on April 15, 2010, at a major space policy speech at Kennedy Space Center.[1] He committed to increasing NASA funding by $6 billion over five years and completing the design of a new heavy-lift launch vehicle by 2015 and to begin construction thereafter. He also predicted a U.S.-crewed orbital Mars mission by the mid-2030s, preceded by an asteroid mission by 2025. In response to concerns over job losses, Obama promised a $40 million effort to help Space Coast workers affected by the cancellation of the Space Shuttle program and Constellation program.

          Do you now want to now rant and rave about Obama’s out-of-control spending in regards to the space program or continue your original statment that he’s reduced funding so much that we will have no space program at all?

          • April 10, 2014 at 3:12 pm
            Agent says:
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            He is using his funding for the very failed Obamacare, sending aid to Muslim’s overseas like Al Quida in Syria and other places like Gaza.

          • April 10, 2014 at 3:33 pm
            Libby says:
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            What? What does any of that have to do with the space program?

            I wondered how you were going to get out of your obvious “foot in the mouth” but I thought you’d just ignore it. Instead you come back with some asinine remark. You never fail to amaze, Agent.

  • April 8, 2014 at 4:33 pm
    Agent says:
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    Libby, do you think the criminal thugs on the streets would ever register their guns or not do their criminal deeds? They are going to get them on the street corner and they are going to shoot someone with them. They are bad people out to rob or harm someone and I would just as soon be able to defend myself and family from them before they did me in. See how much good you can do with a can of mace from 30 feet. You would be dead real quick if the perp had a Glock.

    • April 8, 2014 at 4:48 pm
      Libby says:
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      You stick to your gun and I’ll stick to my strategy of staying as far away from trouble as I can. If you don’t go looking for trouble, chances are it won’t find you.

      Most instances of gun violence involve criminal against criminal. Not criminal against honest citizen. In the off chance, you have a home invasion you will be better prepared than I will. I just hope you don’t shoot your kid surprising you home for the holidays, or a drunk neighbor entering the wrong house, or a young kid wandering around.

      • April 8, 2014 at 4:58 pm
        FFA says:
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        Chicago News dont report Criminal on Criminal violence, only the innocents. They set a week end record not last week end, but the one before.

        When the shooting happened in the Colo School a few years back, Chicgao top cop stated that was a typical day in Chicago killing wise.

        • April 8, 2014 at 5:59 pm
          Agent says:
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          FFA, Libby and her ilk will never get it. All these gun free zone shootings had the result of innocents getting shot and killed by the perps. To be sure, some of the gangs do shoot each other, but the hail of bullets kill others. I remember several stories of young school kids getting killed in a gang war. Drive bye shootings regularly kill innocents and they are collateral damage. Passing more gun control just increases the likelihood of more innocents getting slaughtered since the thugs pay no attention and realize they have nothing to fear from the law abiding citizens. I would love to have my Glock ready if one of these dudes threatens me. I have 14 rounds and one in the chamber.

          • April 9, 2014 at 12:47 pm
            Libby says:
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            For one thing, Agent, I did not advocate more gun laws or gun-free zones. You just assumed that and made an ass of yourself. Again.

            And how is you loaded glock going to save anyone from a “hail of bullets”? Just stay away from where they hang out and you won’t have to worry about it. I doubt the “perps” are hanging out in your neighborhood.

          • April 9, 2014 at 3:06 pm
            Captain Planet says:
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            Libby,
            Agent really believes his door will be kicked in at any moment and his family held hostage. Then, he will magically turn into Liam Neeson with a very specific skill set and teach those bad guys who’s boss. He’s seen Die Hard like 12 times, he knows what to do. Glass? Glass? Who gives a ____ about glass?

            Now, statistically what is much more likely to happen is someone close to Agent will be shot. Actuarial sound cold hard facts. I’m with you, avoidance seems to always be the best risk management technique. It always is.

          • April 9, 2014 at 3:08 pm
            Captain Planet says:
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            Oh, and yes, I realize I’m fusing my action adventure flicks. There’s a certain effect I’m trying to draw, Agent.

  • April 9, 2014 at 1:10 pm
    Agent says:
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    As usual Libby, you just don’t get it. Tell me something, has your husband ever took you out to eat at a restaurant? Have you ever gone to a mall to shop or to the grocery store or to a movie? If not, you are leading a sheltered life. The Denver shooter started shooting in the theatre. Gabby Giffords was speaking at a shopping center. Parking lots anywhere are a popular place for shootings and many innocents are killed each year by thugs. I am not going to live a cloistered life like you because I am concerned about what happens on a daily basis in this country. No, the perps do not hang out in my neighborhood, but they are out there in other places in the city. You should really try to watch the news sometime. It is full of stories on shootings by thugs and is really depressing.

    • April 9, 2014 at 1:17 pm
      Libby says:
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      You are living the cloistered life, Agent. A life of fear where you have to carry a loaded gun around and constantly look over your shoulder for imaginary “perps”. I live my life free of all that stress. If something happens and I am in the wrong place at the wrong time, then that is God’s plan for me. I am not fearful.

      You see, Agent, I have faith. You should get some. Then you can be at piece in the world.

      • April 9, 2014 at 2:53 pm
        Agent says:
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        Actually Libby, I am not living a cloistered life like you apparently are. I go out and travel and am prepared to defend myself and wife in case I am confronted by a dangerous perp. I refuse to be a statistic. It is enough to be exposed to drunk drivers or careless texting drivers as far as risk goes. I also swore to protect my wife and family the best I could. That is my responsibility and should be your husband’s as well.

        • April 9, 2014 at 3:51 pm
          Libby says:
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          A dangerous perp? Who are you? Joe Friday from Dragnet? Who talks like that?

          Let me know when you’re out traveling so I can avoid you, your loaded glock and your itchy trigger finger. It’s people like you that turn a bad situation into a worse situation.

          • April 9, 2014 at 4:37 pm
            Agent says:
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            It certainly won’t be to Pennsylvania Libby if I am traveling or to Planet’s wonderful state of Iowa or Ron’s NY. I will be avoiding Blue States like the plague. By the way, if you can’t recognize dangerous people on the street, you will be the most vulnerable and will suffer at their hands. They might start with coming up and slugging you from behind and then rape and then whatever else they intend to do. If you were very lucky, you might just get robbed or car jacked. It happens all the time if you bothered watching the news. Ask FFA what they do in Chicago.

          • April 9, 2014 at 4:49 pm
            Libby says:
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            Great! Stay away from anywhere I might be. Smoking dope in Colorado, attending a gay wedding in California, taking in a Broadway show in NYC, or just staying home in PA. Believe me, I’ll stay far away from Texas, too.

            I can recognize dangerous people on the street and have a very vivid mental picture of what you look like. Short, balding, pocket-protector, shit-kickers on with a 10-gallon hat, huge belt buckle with your thumbs stuck into your waistband. I’ll cross the street if I see you coming with your loaded glock 14-round with one-in-the-chamber.

          • April 10, 2014 at 2:23 pm
            Destro says:
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            Who references Joe Friday from Dragnet?

          • April 10, 2014 at 2:29 pm
            Libby says:
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            Someone that grew up in the ’60’s.

  • April 9, 2014 at 5:11 pm
    Agent says:
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    As long as we are in the insulting mood, I have a picture in my mind on what you would look like. You have admitted to being tired and looked forward to retiring. I picture a tired leather face like Nancy Pelosi after Botox treatments. We have a term for that in Texas. Road hard and put up wet. Your stereotypes of Texans and me are 100% wrong. How did I do with you?

    • April 10, 2014 at 8:39 am
      Libby says:
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      Missed it by a mile.

  • April 9, 2014 at 5:49 pm
    FFA says:
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    The neighborhood I was in this afternoon makes me think long and hard about a Carry & Conceal permit. Had no idea I was going into a shit hole until I was there. Gang Bangers hanging around staring me down. Was a very quick in and out. Tags on the building. I dont think I am going to be competitive. Quotes may have an extra 0 on the end of the number.

    Too bad. His primary is a Mill House with 8 cars (7 BMS & 1 Benz). The apartments …. Not so much….

  • April 9, 2014 at 6:05 pm
    Agent says:
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    Hi FFA, Another example of gang bangers and violent Perps was the incident today in Libby’s home state of Pennsylvania where 20 students were stabbed by a 16 year old. She better avoid Murrysville at all costs. She doesn’t seem to know about the violent group out there and it is right in her back yard. Your guy sounds like a slum lord. Maybe he has an enforcer to collect the rent.

    • April 9, 2014 at 6:14 pm
      FFA says:
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      I only heard about that briefly. Another battle cry for Carry & Conceal. Someone should have shot that nut dead before he got the second stab in…. Long before he got to the second victim.

      Sad what this world has come to. Attention getter is killing people. Sending kids to school is getting riskier and riskier every day.

      • April 10, 2014 at 10:58 am
        Agent says:
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        FFA, have you heard of the TV show “The Following”? It is about a cult who loves to kill people controlled by a guy named Joe Carroll. The star is Kevin Bacon who is trying to track Carroll and his crew down and kill him. The way they like to kill people is to knife them in the gut. I am not saying this kid doing the deed in PA was influenced by the show, but it is eerily similar. Kids today often don’t know right from wrong, they play violent video games all the time and cannot separate make believe from reality. We will see how this story unfolds and what the motivation was to do this.

        • April 10, 2014 at 11:38 am
          FFA says:
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          I watch that every week. I have always loved Kevin Bacon as an actor. I got hooked on Game of Thrones too.

          • April 10, 2014 at 12:48 pm
            Agent says:
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            FFA, there is another good one called “The Americans”. It is about Soviet spies implanted in America pretending to be Americans but spying on us. Lot’s of intrigue and plots against the US.

          • April 11, 2014 at 10:24 am
            FFA says:
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            Agent, what station is that on? I have heard others talking about it.

            I watched two hours of the Following last night. I would imagine that is how this nut job killed so many in such a short period of time. Just walk up and start stabbing anything that moves…

            You watch Sonns of Anarchy too?

          • April 11, 2014 at 12:54 pm
            Libby says:
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            I love Sons of Anarchy. And also Justified.

        • April 10, 2014 at 3:34 pm
          Destro says:
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          Blaming videogames for things like this is irresponsible. If videogames were the issue, the entire nation would be nothing but psychotic killers. As far as kids not knowing right from wrong, I’m pretty sure at age 16 everyone who doesn’t have a serious mental illness knows right from wrong. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that there were a litany of other issues besides videogames.

          • April 10, 2014 at 6:18 pm
            Agent says:
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            Destro, that dude that did the school shootings in Massachusetts was a video game freak. Coupled with his psychosis, he was a time bomb and clearly didn’t know right from wrong. Killing those children to him was equivalent to a dog or cat.

          • April 11, 2014 at 8:33 am
            Libby says:
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            “Coupled with his psychosis.” If it hadn’t been video games it would have been something else. You can’t blame the games. Blame the psychosis.

          • April 11, 2014 at 11:25 am
            Captain Planet says:
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            Agent,
            Japan is heavily populated with tons of people/kids who play video games, watch violent shows (their horror flicks are of the extremely violent), listen to vioent music, and yet their murder rate is no where near ours. Why don’t they have the same issues with violence that the US does? It’s not the video games or the rap music or TV or a movie. Give me a break!

          • April 11, 2014 at 4:30 pm
            Libby says:
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            I’ll give you a hint, Agent:

            “The only type of firearm which a Japanese citizen may even contemplate acquiring is a shotgun. Sportsmen are permitted to possess shotguns for hunting and for skeet and trap shooting, but only after submitting to a lengthy licensing procedure. Without a license, a person may not even hold a gun in his or her hands.

            The licensing procedure is rigorous. A prospective gun owner must first attend classes and pass a written test. Shooting range classes and a shooting test follow; 95 per cent pass. After the safety exam, the applicant takes a simple ‘mental test’ at a local hospital, to ensure that the applicant is not suffering from a readily detectable mental illness. The applicant then produces for the police a medical certificate attesting that he or she is mentally healthy and not addicted to drugs.

            The police investigate the applicant’s background and relatives, ensuring that both are crime free. Membership in ‘aggressive’ political or activist groups disqualifies an applicant. The police have unlimited discretion to deny licenses to any person for whom ‘there is reasonable cause to suspect may be dangerous to other persons’ lives or properties or to the public peace.

            Gun owners are required to store their weapons in a locker, and give the police a map of the apartment showing the location of the locker. Ammunition must be kept in a separate locked safe. The licenses also allow the holder to buy a few thousand rounds of ammunition, with each transaction being registered.”

            Sounds like heaven to me.

    • April 10, 2014 at 8:43 am
      Libby says:
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      Yes, Agent. I wish all students had been armed and could have attacked him with a hail of bullets coming from all directions. We probably would have had 40 deaths instead of just 4.

      I will definitely pack heat the next time I visit a high school.

      • April 10, 2014 at 10:44 am
        Agent says:
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        Libby, you wouldn’t know what end of the gun to hold and would probably shoot yourself. Go get some safety training at the local range and get licensed. It might just save your life someday.

        • April 10, 2014 at 11:09 am
          Libby says:
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          No thank you, Agent. I prefer to live my life gun-free.

      • April 10, 2014 at 3:58 pm
        Destro says:
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        Who suggested arming high school students? Why not a school police liason? Or a teacher who has taken extensive training/certification and a thorough psychological screening? Would you object to either of those options, and if so why?

        • April 10, 2014 at 4:12 pm
          Libby says:
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          I certainly am not advocating for students to carry guns, but how else would you suggest this nutjob would have been shot? By a teacher? They didn’t even know what was going on. This happened in such a short period of time in a short span of hallway, guns would not have mitigated the damage.

          Everyone jumps to the conclusion that if we just had armed people at the school or the movie theater, or wherever else, everthing would be OK and that’s just not the reality.

          • April 11, 2014 at 10:22 am
            FFA says:
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            It would minimize the killing spree if some law abiding person had the means to stop it.

          • April 11, 2014 at 12:55 pm
            Libby says:
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            Buy your gun, get your permit, and hang out at the public schools all day just in case the one in a million happens.

    • April 10, 2014 at 9:20 am
      Captain Planet says:
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      Thank God that student didn’t have a semi-automatic weapon or we’d have a lot more dead kids to be mourning.

      • April 10, 2014 at 4:22 pm
        Destro says:
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        You don’t know that for sure. Should we ban knives as well? You can bleed out from a knife wound just as easily as a bullet; more easily actually. Being shot doesn’t mean you’re instantly dead.

        • April 10, 2014 at 5:08 pm
          Libby says:
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          Yes, all weapons should be banned from a school. Isn’t that just common sense?

        • April 10, 2014 at 6:15 pm
          Agent says:
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          It is going to result in metal detectors, pat downs of students when they come to school just like they have in many courthouses across the country. We have too many crazies out there who will seek to harm.

          • April 11, 2014 at 8:34 am
            Libby says:
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            Many schools already have metal detectors.

  • April 10, 2014 at 10:21 am
    FFA says:
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    It is to bad we are at this place in time. Looking like Binladedn accomplished what he wanted to – people living in fear. Major disruption in the economy. Now we need to decided whats best for ourselves – to arm or not to arm.

    I know this was not an Alquaida attack, but it is what it is. Spreading fear of what we do in our daily lives.

    I heard a rumor that cook house is operating in my neighborhood. what the hell do I do now? I know I have to move for my wifes sake but I am not ready to financially. Need to pay off the rest of the med bills before I can do that.

    • April 10, 2014 at 11:11 am
      Libby says:
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      I refuse to live my life in fear. If I do that, the criminals win. If there is a cook house in your neighborhood, have you called the police???

      • April 10, 2014 at 11:36 am
        FFA says:
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        Its just a rumor. This was once a good town with good schools and a thriving economy. Its gone to shit in the past 5 years. Biz after biz failing. Foreclosure rate at an all time high. Property values dropping.

        I dont live in fear. things gonn a happen, they will happen. I know you dont believe it, but I do believe its Gods plan and you just cant stop that.

        • April 10, 2014 at 12:03 pm
          Libby says:
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          You know I don’t believe what? I sure do believe in God’s plan! He’s got one for all of us.

          And whether it’s a rumor or not, it’s your civic duty to report it to the police so they can investigate.

          • April 10, 2014 at 12:24 pm
            FFA says:
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            My mistake I though your were an atheist. Cops know about the crack houses and they do nothing. One of the most wealthiest families in town own them apartment buildings. Being in IL, I can only assume they are being instructed to look the other way. Its so obvious what goes on there. Its a shame what has happened over the past 5 years.

            The power that be in this town and this state – shameful to say the least. When they wont follow the law as its written, what do you do from there?

          • April 10, 2014 at 12:48 pm
            Libby says:
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            I am not an atheist. I have a strong faith. It’s just religion I’m against. Especially when people use religion as an excuse to hurt other people.

            And I don’t care what you think about the police, it’s still your civic duty to report it. You might find the one honest cop on the force that will do something about it. You can not be defeatist and let drug lords take over your neighborhood without doing anything.

          • April 14, 2014 at 11:01 am
            Agent says:
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            Hey FFA, if it talks like an atheist, walks like an atheist, it probably is an atheist.

          • April 14, 2014 at 12:46 pm
            Libby says:
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            And you’re the bastion of Christianity, aren’t you Agent? You’re a hypocrite of the highest order and the type of “Christian” that makes me sick.

      • April 10, 2014 at 4:53 pm
        Destro says:
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        “I refuse to live my life in fear. If I do that, the criminals win.”

        Or you could be mugged/robbed/assaulted/etc. with absolutely no recourse and the criminals still win. It’s not a matter of living in fear, it’s a matter of accepting the reality and nature of the world we live in.

        It’s not as if gun owners are constantly paranoid like you think, and that they will be put into a life or death situation if they leave their house. They just understand that the world isn’t entirely filled with unicorns who piss rainbows and fart cinnamon rolls.

        • April 10, 2014 at 5:11 pm
          Libby says:
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          I accept reality and the nature of the world we live in. That’s why there are places I just will not go anymore. There are people with whom I will not associate. There are ways in which I conduct myself in public. I do not need to be armed to identify danger and try to avert it. I can not see myself arming myself, though. That’s just not my style. I’m probably jinxing myself, but I’ve gone 55 years without getting mugged or robbed and I know many, many people that have gone their whole life like that. I think that is the majority, not the minority.

          • April 10, 2014 at 5:54 pm
            FFA says:
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            Its when the minority force their way on the majority problems occur.

        • April 10, 2014 at 6:12 pm
          Agent says:
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          Good one Destro. Several million legal gun owners didn’t kill anyone today.

  • April 10, 2014 at 1:01 pm
    FFA says:
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    If they let the crack house operate, why would they do anything about a cook house? I have challenged the cops before on other issues and got nothing but aggravation for my efforts.
    Personally, I think they just want me out of this town. When I do my community event, I get nothing but an ear full of shit and threats thrown at me. I have another one coming up in June that is just gonna piss them off. Its amazing the crowd I draw. My fellow Tenants were shocked.

    • April 10, 2014 at 1:36 pm
      Libby says:
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      Cop-out.

      • April 10, 2014 at 2:05 pm
        FFA says:
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        Just tired of the same old Illinois Bull S*#t. I am seeing Gang Recruiters move in and the cops arent doing squat about it. 5 years makes a big difference.

        • April 10, 2014 at 5:07 pm
          Destro says:
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          Clearly we need more gun-control, not gang-control or anything, that would be silly. I mean, they have guns!

          • April 10, 2014 at 5:13 pm
            Libby says:
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            They are controlling the gangs in Chicago. FFA will tell you that first hand.

          • April 10, 2014 at 5:50 pm
            FFA says:
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            Yes Libby, he is getting a grip on it. Or is he just pushing the problem elsewhere? Like maybe in my town?

          • April 10, 2014 at 6:09 pm
            Agent says:
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            Hey Destro, how about identifying and then raiding every known gang in town and confiscating their weapons and running tests on them for crimes committed using them? I think the technology is there on bullet technology. They might actually solve some crimes and make some arrests and put some people away doing that.

          • April 10, 2014 at 6:38 pm
            FFA says:
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            Before they tore down the old stadium, I thought they should lock every gang member inside. Arm them all. Let them battle to the death. Last man standing get the turf.

            And Libby, I wont say they are controlling them at this point. Two week ends back they set a new all time record for Murders in Chicago over a week end. Jan is when they set the low mark since the 50’s. He is making slow but sure strides in the right direction. Of course, that can all go to hell quickly.

            Thats why I say the jury is still out on him.

  • April 10, 2014 at 3:00 pm
    Agent says:
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    Wow FFA. I guess those cops are busy with their donuts and coffee. Didn’t I read from you they don’t even have SWAT teams in Chicago anymore to deal with the gang issues? They apparently know there is no problem doing their thing and authorities will not crack down on them. No wonder there is so much trouble up there every week of the year. Dead Fish will not be nominated for Best Mayor in the country I don’t think. Maybe Ron or Libby will put him up for the Nobel Peace Prize. He would probably get it.

  • April 10, 2014 at 3:12 pm
    FFA says:
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    I dont know why this is happening. Its obvious to me. Rahm reportedly has the murder rate to the lowest since the mid 50s’. Say top cop on news last week explaining his method. Same basic model that the Aurora Mayor used to slow down the killing out there.

    They didnt take apart SWAT Team. They took apart the Gang Unit. They are attacking the Household talking to the bangers with their family there. Many times they are talking to the banger with their kid sitting on right there. Plucking the LOVE Nerve. If we believe their stats, he is making progress on that front. His school record looking good too.

    • April 10, 2014 at 3:36 pm
      Libby says:
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      You don’t fight violence with more violence. You do it by changing a culture. One household at a time. It will take some time, but it’s a much better approach than SWAT or Gang Units. The proof is in the pudding.

      • April 10, 2014 at 4:53 pm
        FFA says:
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        When he took apart the Gang Unit, the murder rate soared to an all time high. People began to wonder if the National Guard should be brought in.

        One HH at a time is how he is getting the job done. Same with the schools. Safe Passage Zones have not seen killings during Safe Passage Hours – at least not reported on the news. Only thing been reported was a rape. That was during school when no kids were present.

        For me anyways, jury is out on Rahm aka Dead Fish. If he can hold murder rate down and keep graduation rate up, thats progress.

    • April 10, 2014 at 5:00 pm
      Agent says:
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      FFA, in today’s Detroit Free Press was a story about burglars breaking into an elderly couples home. The homeowner had his rifle ready and killed the 19 year old thug and critically wounded his female cohort in crime. Had he not done it, he and his wife would have been the ones on the slab in the crime lab. Until the culture is changed and these young thugs become responsible citizens, they will have to realize a homeowner has the right to use force to stop them. I would give the homeowner a medal. He is keeping these criminals from continuing their crimes on someone else. Perhaps the word will spread to the criminals that it is not wise to break in and steal or seek to harm someone.

      • April 10, 2014 at 6:32 pm
        FFA says:
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        I have been told by many cops that I have the right to use deadly force to protect my self, my property. If I am going to shoot someone, make sure they are inside my house not in the driveway.
        I dont have a gun, but I do have my bats.

        • April 11, 2014 at 12:57 pm
          Libby says:
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          You’ll have to live with it if you shoot an unarmed intruder, even if he intended to steal from you. But you’d also have to live with shooting your neighbor, one of your grandkids, or another innocent victim that happened to be moving around in your house at night.

          • April 11, 2014 at 3:20 pm
            FFA says:
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            All I have is a bat. No guns.

          • April 11, 2014 at 3:45 pm
            Libby says:
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            Yes. But you said you had applied for a permit, so I assume you are going to get one.

          • April 17, 2014 at 4:31 pm
            Agent says:
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            FFA, I saw an article in Townhall.com last week that said the murder rate has fallen in Chicago due to people getting conceal and carry permits. Is that right?

  • April 10, 2014 at 5:15 pm
    Libby says:
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    Were they armed? The penalty for burglary is not death. Even in Detroit.

    • April 10, 2014 at 5:37 pm
      Agent says:
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      Really Libby? If a Homeowner is fearing for his life, he has every right to defend himself and family and property. A perp doesn’t have to brandish a weapon and declare that he is going to kill the Homeowner. By the way, if the boy had survived the shooting, he would have been tried and sent to prison. The homeowner saved the state a lot of expense putting this thug up for 5-10 years so he could get out and do it again. There was a story some months ago that Detroit has a very slow response time to crimes in progress when 911 is called due to their bankruptcy. Sargeant would tell you that they come out with the body bags 30 or more minutes later and the perps are long gone.

      • April 11, 2014 at 8:37 am
        Libby says:
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        That’s a disgusting post.

        • April 11, 2014 at 3:31 pm
          Agent says:
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          And you are a disgusting poster if you believe that homeowners do not have the right to defend themselves.

          • April 11, 2014 at 3:47 pm
            Libby says:
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            I never said you don’t have the right to defend yourself. However, you are not trained or qualifed enough to know when to use deadly force. Just because a person breaks into your house doesn’t mean deadly force is necessary. Will you get by with it legally? Most probably, but you will have to live with the fact that you shot an unarmed person. But knowing you as well as I do by now, I don’t think you’d have any problem with that. They’re just a dirty perp to you.

          • April 11, 2014 at 5:20 pm
            FFA says:
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            I would have no problem defending my home. Take out the knee and bash the head in. I am not a violent man, but I will defend my family with out hesitation.

          • April 14, 2014 at 11:07 am
            Agent says:
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            Libby, how would you know if someone is not trained or qualified to know when to use deadly force. Weapons training is readily available in a lot of places. Seminars, webinars abound. Most thugs are armed by the way either with knives or guns. Why do you think they aren’t? I would like to see your reaction if one of these perps come after you brandishing a weapon. Also, if they think you can identify them, they will kill you without hesitation.

          • April 14, 2014 at 12:45 pm
            Libby says:
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            Unless you are a veteran law enforcement officer, you have not been trained on how and when to use deadly force.

            Agent, you would end up shooting some innocent person and then proclaim “Oh well, I thought it was a dirty perp because they’re everywhere out to get me. I didn’t know it was my neighbor’s drunk teenager entering the wrong house by mistake. I have the right to bear arms and to protect my stuff.”



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